After clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs and securing a bye for the wild-card round, the Denver Broncos have also clinched a bottom-eight pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. The Broncos currently hold seven picks for April's draft, but that number could grow in the coming months.

The NFL season continues in Week 18 when the Denver Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Start time, how to watch, stream and NFL TV schedule.

The Los Angeles Chargers face the Denver Broncos, led by quarterback Bo Nix, on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.

The Broncos will face the lowest-advancing AFC seed in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on either Jan. 17 or 18.

Despite its stellar record, Denver is only 6-9-1 against the spread. Los Angeles is 8-7-1 ATS but had four straight covers before losing to the Texans at home in Week 17. The Chargers are 6-9-1 to the Over while the Broncos are 7-9 to the Over.

As the top seed, the Broncos will receive a first-round bye in the 2025 playoffs and will host their first playoff game of the year in the Divisional Round on Saturday, Jan. 17 or Sunday, Jan. 18 at Empower Field at Mile High.

Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton is not eager to celebrate despite claiming the AFC's top seed for the first time in a decade.