DENVER (AP/KDVR) — Everything is on the line Sunday for the Broncos. Denver needs a win to make the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season. Before the game, fans were tailgating outside Empower Field at Mile High, with the excitement captured in photos. See the pictures below. Their opponents, Kansas City Chiefs, are resting Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones and several other starters against Denver in the regular-season finale with nothing at stake for the team. The Chiefs are 15-1 and have clinched a playoff bye as the AFC’s top seed. Most on-time airlines: New data finds how Denver’s biggest compare The Broncos (9-7) have dropped two straight games when a win or tie would have locked up a spot in the playoffs. A trip to Buffalo next week would be Denver’s reward for making the playoffs. Denver Broncos fan Katherine Highland, known as the Broncos Babe, works to prepare food for a tailgate party in the parking lot of Empower Field at Mile High before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Denver Broncos fan John Buckley, the Mile High Prophet, greets fans in the parking lot of Empower Field at Mile High before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Denver Broncos fan Ken Castenada of Thornton, Colo., shows off his team support with his face painted in orange and blue—the team's colors—in the parking lot of Empower Field at Mile High before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Denver Broncos fan John Buckley, left, of Aurora, Colo., greets a fan in the parking lot of Empower Field at Mile High before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Denver Broncos fan Katherine Highland of Denver shows off her hat in the parking lot of Empower Field at Mile High before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Denver Broncos fan Nathan Hocking of Pueblo, Colo., prepares a feast for his tailgate party in the parking lot of Empower Field at Mile High before an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)