The Denver Broncos owe a tip of the hat to Chuck Pagano.

The Indianapolis Colts are going to make the Houston Texans earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. Pagano, who will coach Sunday for the first time since being diagnosed with leukemia in September, said Wednesday that he will not rest his starters against the visiting Texans on Sunday. The Colts will be a wild-card team in the playoffs.

However, the Texans are trying to hold off Denver for the top seed. If the Broncos win at home against the Chiefs and the Colts beat the Texans, Denver will get the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. If Houston and Denver win, the Broncos will be the No. 2 seed. If the Broncos lose and New England beats Miami, Denver will be the No. 3 seed and it will play in the first round.

However, getting the top seed is a real possibility for the Broncos, and Pagano’s decision to play his starters at home increases Denver’s chances.