The Broncos have three ways to clinch the AFC’s top playoff spot.

Here is a breakdown entering Week 18 for how Denver can earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason:

The Broncos (13-3) beat the Chargers (11-5)

1. Simple enough, right? The surest path to the No. 1 AFC playoff seed is a win Sunday over the Chargers. Denver is an 11.5-point home favorite after Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh announced starting quarterback Justin Herbert and other starters will not play. Trey Lance is one of several backup quarterbacks the Broncos will have faced this season. It all adds up to favorable odds for Denver to celebrate a monumental achievement in front of fans at Empower Field.

The Broncos tie and the Patriots (13-3) lose/tie against the Dolphins (7-9)

2. The most recent Broncos game to finish with a tie? Go all the way back to 1987 when Denver and Green Bay played to a 17-17 draw. It feels like an unlikely scenario Sunday given the outcome’s importance. If it does happen, the Broncos could still clinch if Miami pulls off the upset (or tie) in New England. The Patriots are 10.5-point favorites with their eyes also on the AFC’s top playoff seed. Quarterback Drake Maye is the likely MVP this season.

The Patriots lose and the Jaguars (12-4) lose/tie against the Titans (3-13)

3. The Broncos can clinch the No. 1 AFC playoff spot with a loss to Chargers. But they will need a lot of help. Not only would Miami need to beat New England. The Titans must also get a road upset (or tie) on the road as 11.5-point underdogs at Jacksonville. Neither result is likely. That’s why it’s so important for the Broncos to control their own destiny, beat the Chargers and rest easy on wild-card weekend. They can’t leave it up to chance.