As we dive into Thanksgiving week, the 2025-26 NFL Playoff picture is heating up with just five weeks left in the regular season. Week 12 delivered drama across the board. The Rams’ sixth straight win clinching the NFC West lead, the Broncos extending their streak to eight in the AFC West, and the Patriots dominating the East with a perfect road record. The Chicago Bears surged to the top of the NFC North, while the Eagles held firm in the NFC East despite a stumble.
What’s Next for the 2025-26 NFL Playoff Picture?
So, the 2025-26 NFL Playoff picture will see some movement soon with Thanksgiving tripleheader games kicking off tomorrow (Packers at Lions, Chiefs at Cowboys, and Bengals at Ravens). This Week 13 snapshot breaks down the current standings, projected seeds, key tiebreakers, and elimination scenarios. Download our updated printable NFL playoff bracket below to track it all at home or tailgating.
Download Printable 2025-26 NFL Playoff Bracket (PDF)
Current Conference Standings (Post-Week 12)
Here’s the latest look at division leaders and wild-card contenders. Records are through Sunday, November 23. We also have the Odds for you on a team winning the division and making the playoffs this week.
AFC Standings and Playoff Picture
| Division/Team | Record | Division Lead Chance | Playoff Odds |
| East | |||
| Patriots (NE) | 10-2 | 95% | 99% |
| Bills (BUF) | 7-4 | 5% | 92% |
| Dolphins (MIA) | 4-7 | Eliminated | 1% |
| Jets (NYJ) | 2-9 | Eliminated | 0% |
| North | |||
| Ravens (BAL) | 6-5 | 52% | 78% |
| Steelers (PIT) | 6-5 | 48% | 75% |
| Bengals (CIN) | 3-8 | Eliminated | 5% |
| Browns (CLE) | 3-8 | Eliminated | 4% |
| South | |||
| Colts (IND) | 8-3 | 65% | 98% |
| Jaguars (JAX) | 7-4 | 35% | 94% |
| Texans (HOU) | 6-5 | Clinched Tiebreaker | 85% |
| Titans (TEN) | 1-10 | Eliminated | 0% |
| West | |||
| Broncos (DEN) | 9-2 | 98% | 100% |
| Chargers (LAC) | 7-4 | 2% | 96% |
| Chiefs (KC) | 6-5 | Clinched Tiebreaker | 82% |
| Raiders (LV) | 2-9 | Eliminated | 1% |
NFC Standings and Playoff Picture
| Division/Team | Record | Division Lead Chance | Playoff Odds |
| East | |||
| Eagles (PHI) | 8-3 | 85% | 97% |
| Cowboys (DAL) | 5-5-1 | 15% | 68% |
| Commanders (WAS) | 3-8 | Eliminated | 2% |
| Giants (NYG) | 2-10 | Eliminated | 0% |
| North | |||
| Bears (CHI) | 8-3 | 60% | 96% |
| Packers (GB) | 7-3-1 | 40% | 94% |
| Lions (DET) | 7-4 | Clinched Tiebreaker | 88% |
| Vikings (MIN) | 4-7 | Eliminated | 8% |
| South | |||
| Buccaneers (TB) | 6-5 | 55% | 72% |
| Panthers (CAR) | 6-6 | 45% | 65% |
| Falcons (ATL) | 4-7 | Eliminated | 12% |
| Saints (NO) | 2-9 | Eliminated | 1% |
| West | |||
| Rams (LAR) | 9-2 | Clinched | 100% |
| Seahawks (SEA) | 8-3 | 100% Wild Card | 99% |
| 49ers (SF) | 8-4 | Clinched Wild Card | 98% |
| Cardinals (ARI) | 3-8 | Eliminated | 3% |
Data sourced from ESPN and NFL.com analytics. Odds via Vegas Insider models.
Projected NFL Playoff Seeds (If Season Ended Today)
Here are the projected NFL Playoff 2025-26 seeds for you if the season ended today.
AFC Projected Seeds
- Patriots (10-2) – East winners; best conference record.
- Broncos (9-2) – West winners; strong point differential.
- Colts (8-3) – South leaders.
- Bills (7-4) – North wild card (head-to-head over Ravens).
- Jaguars (7-4) – Second wild card.
- Chargers (7-4) – Third wild card.
- Ravens (6-5) – In as No. 7 seed.
In the Hunt: Steelers, Chiefs, Texans (all one game back in tight races).
NFC Projected Seeds
- Rams (9-2) – West clinched; top conference record.
- Eagles (8-3) – East leaders.
- Bears (8-3) – North leaders (tiebreaker over PHI via strength of victory).
- Seahawks (8-3) – Top wild card.
- Packers (7-3-1) – Second wild card.
- Lions (7-4) – Third wild card.
- Buccaneers (6-5) – In via South lead.
Bubble Teams: Cowboys, Panthers (need wins to stay alive).
Key NFL Playoff Tiebreakers to Watch
- Head-to-Head: Critical in AFC North (BAL vs. PIT) and NFC North (CHI vs. GB).
- Conference Record: Patriots hold edge over Broncos for No. 1 seed.
- Strength of Victory: Bears use this to leapfrog Eagles.
- Divisional Record: Lions’ tiebreaker over Packers in NFC North.
Week 13 Impact: Thanksgiving Games & Beyond
The NFL Thanksgiving slate could shake things up big time:
- Packers at Lions (1 PM ET, FOX): Lions win keeps them in wild-card mix; GB victory pulls them even with Bears.
- Chiefs at Cowboys (4:30 PM ET, CBS): KC bounce-back boosts AFC West wild-card hopes; DAL win revives NFC East dreams.
- Bengals at Ravens (8:20 PM ET, NBC): Ravens victory locks in playoff spot.
Full Week 13 schedule continues Friday (Eagles vs. Bears on Prime) and Sunday with matchups like Rams at Panthers and Broncos at Commanders (8:20 PM, NBC). Expect chaos in the wild-card races. The Colts and Jaguars face off Sunday, which could decide the AFC South.
Download Week 13 Pickem Sheet Printable
Eliminations & Clinchers
- Clinched: Rams (NFC West), Broncos (AFC West playoff berth).
- Eliminated: Dolphins, Jets, Bengals, Browns, Titans, Raiders, Vikings, Commanders, Giants, Saints, Falcons, Cardinals.
- On the Bubble: Steelers, Chiefs, Texans, Cowboys, Panthers—must-win territory this week.
The stretch run is here, folks. With Black Friday and rivalry games looming, the playoff picture could look wildly different by next Tuesday. What’s your bold prediction for Week 13? Drop it in the comments or hit us up on X @sportsbracketssol.
