ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The postseason doesn't begin for another few weeks.

The Broncos are still in the middle of chasing a playoff berth and an AFC West title as they enter the final stretch of the regular season.

And yet, the top-seeded Broncos' matchup with the second-seeded Packers feels like the sort of battle that could await Denver in the postseason.

"You've got one of the top AFC teams vs. one of the top NFC teams, so it's going to be a great challenge all around in every aspect, from offense, defense, special teams," safety Brandon Jones said. "We're super excited for the challenge."

It's one that doesn't come around often. The Broncos' game against the Packers marks just the 12th time since 1975 that a pair of top-two seeded teams have met in an inter-conference matchup in Week 15 or later.

"We're going to be ready to go on our side, and I know they're going to come in with a really good plan," quarterback Bo Nix said. "I know it's going to be a really good football game. It's pretty much going to be like playoff football. [When] you get to December and the end of the season, that's what you're playing for. We're extremely excited about it [and] happy to be in this position this year."

The Broncos can officially clinch a postseason spot with a win over Green Bay, and they'll put their 10-game winning streak on the line against a Packers team that has won four games in a row and seven of their last nine contests. That difficult test begins a finishing stretch in which the only team the Broncos will face without a winning record is the three-time defending AFC Champions in the Chiefs. The Packers, though, require Denver's full attention.

"Obviously, the Packers have a great team," cornerback Pat Surtain II said. "They have a talented roster, but we can't look too far ahead. It's another week where we've got to prove ourselves. That's what the league is about. We're going to face great teams each and every week. At the end of the day, we've got to focus on what we need to do and capitalize on the moment."

Denver's ability to capitalize could be decided, in part, by the benefit of home-field advantage. The Broncos are 6-0 at Empower Field at Mile High this season, and they're the only NFL team to not lose at home this year. They're also in the midst of an 11-game home winning streak dating back to midway through the 2024 season.

"We're counting on our crowd this week," Head Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday, "not just at the line of scrimmage but while they're in the huddle. I go back to a few weeks ago and that communication exists from the opponent when they're in the huddle, you'd be surprised when some teams' stadiums have it figured out. The quarterback [talking] to the group in the huddle, if that all gets blurry, you have problems.

"I thought our last home game with Kansas City was significant, and I'm counting on it being even at a higher level. We're playing a good team."

Nix echoed Payton's sentiment about the benefit of the Broncos' home crowd, and he said he expects an "extremely motivated" fan base to show up on Sunday afternoon.

"I think the atmosphere is going to be electric," Nix said. "[It's] probably going to be similar to the Chiefs game a few weeks ago. This will be what seems to be a playoff game, so this will be an intense game on the field. It'll be an intense environment. Any time you play a home game like this, you would love the environment to be what they say is [as] loud as anybody's ever heard. I feel good after what happened our last home game."

The Broncos will look to ride the crowd's support to a win, even as they enter the matchup as home underdogs.

"I don't really care," Nix quipped. "My mom thinks we'll win, so that's all that matters."

In a regular-season test that pits two of the league's best against each other, finding a way to get that win would be significant — even if it won't be easy.

"You always want to play against the best," tackle Mike McGlinchey said. "These guys have proven that they're at the top of the league for a couple years now.

"I think we are on our way, too, and it's going to be a hell of a battle."