We have the 2025-26 NFL Playoff picture, current standings, and projected seeds for you. The 2025 NFL regular season is in the home stretch, and Week 15 delivered plenty of drama with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams clinching playoff berths early, while the Kansas City Chiefs were eliminated for the first time in over a decade. The Seattle Seahawks punched their ticket with an overtime win over the Rams, and the wild-card races in both conferences are heating up. With only three weeks left, every game carries big implications for seeding, division titles, and postseason spots.
Below is the updated playoff picture as of December 20, 2025 (post-Week 15, entering Week 16’s Saturday doubleheader and Sunday slate). Check the official NFL Playoff Picture for real-time updates. Download our free printable 2026 NFL playoff bracket and grab the Week 16 NFL pick’em sheet or confidence pool to track your predictions.
Last updated: 12/20/2025 before games. Stay tuned for updates.
2025-26 NFL Playoff Picture – Week 15 Rollup
NFL Week 15 saw the Broncos solidify their dominance in the AFC West and claim the conference’s first playoff spot, while the Rams clinched in the NFC West but lost to the Seahawks in overtime, handing Seattle the tiebreaker edge. The Chiefs’ loss to the Patriots ended their long playoff streak, and bubble teams like the Eagles and Packers kept their hopes alive. The Saturday doubleheader (Eagles at Commanders, Packers at Bears) and Sunday games could see multiple clinches, including Philadelphia locking up the NFC East.
2025-26 AFC Playoff Picture
The Broncos (12-2) have clinched the AFC West and are in prime position for the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage. The Patriots (11-3) lead the East but lost their shot at a perfect run. The AFC South remains a three-team race (Jaguars, Texans, Colts), while the Chargers and Bills hold wild-card spots. The Ravens are on the bubble but could clinch with help.
Current AFC Standings and Playoff Odds
(Records through Week 15; Playoff % via ESPN FPI models)
| Division/Team | W-L-T | PCT | Division Lead % | Playoff % | Key Notes |
| East | |||||
| New England Patriots | 11-3-0 | .786 | 95% | 99% | Clinch with win vs. BAL; control destiny |
| Buffalo Bills | 9-5-0 | .643 | 5% | 85% | WC holder; tough remaining schedule |
| Miami Dolphins | 7-7-0 | .500 | <1% | 20% | On bubble; need wins + help |
| New York Jets | 4-10-0 | .286 | 0% | 0% | Eliminated |
| North | |||||
| Baltimore Ravens | 9-5-0 | .643 | 80% | 95% | Clinch scenarios vs. NE; strong defense |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 8-6-0 | .571 | 20% | 70% | Bubble; need sweep |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 6-8-0 | .429 | <1% | 10% | Fading |
| Cleveland Browns | 4-10-0 | .286 | 0% | 0% | Eliminated |
| South | |||||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 10-4-0 | .714 | 60% | 98% | Lead South; win at DEN clinches? |
| Houston Texans | 9-5-0 | .643 | 30% | 90% | Hot streak; WC contender |
| Indianapolis Colts | 8-6-0 | .571 | 10% | 75% | Must-win vs. SF |
| Tennessee Titans | 3-11-0 | .214 | 0% | 0% | Eliminated |
| West | |||||
| Denver Broncos | 12-2-0 | .857 | 100% | 100% | Clinched West & playoff; No. 1 seed path |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 9-5-0 | .643 | 0% | 92% | WC holder; Herbert key |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 7-7-0 | .500 | 0% | 0% | Eliminated (first time since 2014) |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 4-10-0 | .286 | 0% | 0% | Eliminated |
Tiebreaker Reminders: Head-to-head first, then conference record, strength of victory (SOV). Broncos hold edge over most AFC teams for seeding.
Projected AFC Seeds (If Season Ended Today)
- Broncos (West winner) – Bye
- Patriots (East winner) – Bye
- Jaguars (South winner)
- Ravens (North winner)
- Chargers (WC1)
- Bills (WC2)
- Texans (WC3)
Clinched: Broncos (playoff berth & division).
Eliminated: Chiefs, Raiders, Titans, Browns, Jets.
In the Hunt: Texans, Colts, Steelers, Bills (lock with help).
Week 16 Impact: Broncos vs. Jaguars could decide No. 1 seed; Patriots at Ravens is win-and-in; Chargers at Cowboys key for WC.
2025-26 NFC Playoff Picture
The Rams (11-3) clinched the West but lost tiebreaker to Seattle after OT defeat. The Seahawks (10-4) are surging, while the Bears and Eagles lead their divisions. The NFC North is wide open with the Packers and Bears squaring off Saturday. Philadelphia can clinch the East with a win or Cowboys loss.
Current NFC Standings and Playoff Odds
(Records through Week 15)
| Division/Team | W-L-T | PCT | Division Lead % | Playoff % | Key Notes |
| East | |||||
| Philadelphia Eagles | 10-4-0 | .714 | 80% | 99% | Clinch East with win or DAL loss |
| Dallas Cowboys | 8-6-0 | .571 | 20% | 70% | Bubble; tough @LAC |
| Washington Commanders | 6-8-0 | .429 | <1% | 15% | Fading |
| New York Giants | 3-11-0 | .214 | 0% | 0% | Eliminated |
| North | |||||
| Chicago Bears | 10-4-0 | .714 | 65% | 98% | Lead North; vs. GB huge |
| Green Bay Packers | 9-5-0 | .643 | 35% | 90% | Clinch with win + DET loss |
| Detroit Lions | 8-6-0 | .571 | <1% | 60% | Bubble; vs. PIT must-win |
| Minnesota Vikings | 5-9-0 | .357 | 0% | 5% | Near-eliminated |
| South | |||||
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 9-5-0 | .643 | 85% | 95% | South leader; WC lock |
| Carolina Panthers | 6-8-0 | .429 | 10% | 20% | Long shot |
| Atlanta Falcons | 5-9-0 | .357 | 5% | 10% | Fading |
| New Orleans Saints | 4-10-0 | .286 | 0% | 0% | Eliminated |
| West | |||||
| Seattle Seahawks | 10-4-0 | .714 | 70% | 100% | Clinched playoff; tiebreaker over LAR |
| Los Angeles Rams | 11-3-0 | .786 | 30% | 100% | Clinched West & playoff |
| San Francisco 49ers | 9-5-0 | .643 | <1% | 85% | Clinch with win |
| Arizona Cardinals | 4-10-0 | .286 | 0% | 0% | Eliminated |
Tiebreaker Reminders: H2H first, divisional record, conference record. Seahawks own H2H over Rams for West tiebreaker.
Projected NFC Seeds (If Season Ended Today)
- Rams (West winner) – Bye
- Bears (North winner) – Bye
- Buccaneers (South winner)
- Eagles (East winner)
- Seahawks (WC1)
- Packers (WC2)
- 49ers (WC3)
Clinched: Rams & Seahawks (playoff berths); Rams (division).
Eliminated: Giants, Saints, Cardinals, Vikings (likely).
In the Hunt: 49ers, Packers, Lions, Cowboys.
Week 16 Impact: Eagles vs. Commanders could clinch East; Packers at Bears decide the North; 49ers at Colts key for WC.
Stay tuned for updates after Saturday’s games – clinch scenarios abound! What do you think the final seeds will look like?
Download Printable NFL Playoff Bracket
2026 NFL Playoff and Super Bowl Schedule
