For the first time since their Super Bowl run in the 2015 season, the Denver Broncos are heading to the playoffs.

On Sunday, the Broncos snapped their eight-season playoff drought, the second-longest in the NFL only behind the New York Jets. Denver clinched a playoff berth with its 38-0 home win over the Kansas City Chiefs, securing the final playoff spot in the league.

After the Broncos punched their ticket to the postseason, here's a look at how the playoff race is shaping up and a look back at how Denver managed to snap its ugly postseason drought.

AFC Standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 15-2

2. Buffalo Bills: 13-4

3. Baltimore Ravens: 12-5

4. Houston Texans: 10-7

5. Los Angeles Chargers: 11-6

6. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-7

7. Denver Broncos: 10-7

-------PLAYOFF LINE-------

8. Cincinnati Bengals: 9-8

9. Indianapolis Colts: 8-9

10. Miami Dolphins: 8-9

11. New York Jets: 5-12

12. Jacksonville Jaguars: 4-13

13. New England Patriots: 4-13

14. Las Vegas Raiders: 4-13

15. Cleveland Browns: 3-14

16. Tennessee Titans: 3-14

NFC Standings

1. Detroit Lions: 15-2

2. Philadelphia Eagles: 14-3

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10-7

4. Los Angeles Rams: 10-7

5. Minnesota Vikings: 14-3

6. Washington Commanders: 12-5

7. Green Bay Packers: 11-6

-------PLAYOFF LINE-------

8. Seattle Seahawks: 10-7

9. Atlanta Falcons: 8-9

10. Arizona Cardinals: 8-9

11. Dallas Cowboys: 7-10

12. San Francisco 49ers: 6-11

13. Chicago Bears: 5-12

14. Carolina Panthers: 5-12

15. New Orleans Saints: 5-12

16. New York Giants: 3-14

In the first year of the Bo Nix era, Broncos fans were likely hopeful for the playoffs, but realistically expected it to be a developmental year.

The rookie quarterback quickly showed he was capable of guiding the team to the postseason after shaking off a handful of ugly games.

Denver started the year 0-2 but won five of its six games in late September and October to assert itself in playoff position. After a pummeling from the Baltimore Ravens in November, the Broncos nearly handed the Chiefs their first loss, but a blocked field goal left Denver short of a victory.

The Broncos have won five straight since that defeat and are now playoff-bound.

Nix has had a fantastic year and has arguably been the second-best rookie behind Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders. Some argued at the time that drafting Nix so early was a bit risky, but it has clearly paid off as he's thrown for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns.

The Broncos' bread and butter has been defense this season, though. They allow the eighth-fewest yards per game and have the most sacks in the NFL this year. Third-year linebacker Nik Bonitto has been the star of the defense as he's accounted for 13.5 sacks.

Denver took a major step forward by reaching the playoffs this year, but winning a Super Bowl is still probably a bit of a stretch. The Broncos would have to get through a tough AFC that features the back-to-back champs in the Chiefs along with the strong Bills and Ravens.