We have the 2025-26 NFL Playoff picture, current standings, and projected seeds for you. Updated December 31, 2025. With Week 17 wrapped up, the 2025-26 NFL playoff field is nearly set—12 teams have clinched spots, but two berths remain open (one in each conference), both No. 1 seeds are up for grabs, and several division titles hang in the balance. Week 18 delivers massive drama, including winner-take-all games for divisions and playoff lives. Here’s the latest breakdown: current standings, key clinching scenarios, projected bracket, and links to our printables for your pools and brackets.
Below is the updated playoff picture as of December 29, 2025 (pre-Monday Night Football). Check the official NFL Playoff Picture for real-time updates. Download our free printable 2026 NFL playoff bracket and the NFL Week 18 pick-em sheet to follow the action this week.
2025-26 NFL Playoff Picture – Key Week 17 Highlights
- AFC East: Patriots (13-3) clinch division with Bills’ loss to Eagles.
- AFC West: Broncos (13-3) clinch division.
- NFC East: Eagles (11-5) clinch division.
- Notable results: Seahawks 27-10 over Panthers (keeps NFC South alive); Saints 34-26 over Titans; Jaguars edge Colts; Eagles hold off Bills 13-12; Bears fall to 49ers 42-38.
Key Week 18 Clinching Scenarios
- NFC West & No. 1 Seed: Winner of Seahawks @ 49ers clinches division, bye, and home-field advantage. Loser likely drops to wild card (No. 5 or 6).
- AFC North & Final AFC Spot: Winner of Ravens @ Steelers clinches division and playoff berth. Loser is eliminated.
- NFC South & Final NFC Spot: Winner of Panthers @ Buccaneers clinches division and playoff. Complex three-way tie possible if Buccaneers win and Falcons win (Panthers would win tiebreaker via record in common games).
- AFC No. 1 Seed: Broncos or Patriots can claim it (details vary by wins/losses/ties).
- AFC South: Jaguars can clinch title with win or Texans loss.
2025-26 AFC Playoff Picture (Updated After Week 17)
Week 17 wrapped up most of the AFC picture, with the New England Patriots clinching the AFC East (ending the Bills’ long reign), the Denver Broncos locking up the AFC West, and the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans securing playoff berths. The AFC North remains undecided—the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens will decide the division title in Week 18 (Steelers host Ravens). The Colts’ loss to the Jaguars eliminated them. 12 teams have clinched playoff spots overall, with only the AFC North spot pending. The Monday Night Football game (Rams at Falcons) has no AFC impact.
Current AFC Standings (through Week 17 and Clinched Teams)
| Division | Team | Record | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | New England Patriots | 13-3 | Clinched division & playoff |
| East | Buffalo Bills | 11-5 | Clinched playoff (wild card) |
| North | Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-7 | In contention |
| North | Baltimore Ravens | 8-8 | In contention |
| South | Jacksonville Jaguars | 12-4 | Clinched playoff |
| South | Houston Texans | 11-5 | Clinched playoff |
| West | Denver Broncos | 13-3 | Clinched division & playoff |
| West | Los Angeles Chargers | 11-5 | Clinched playoff (wild card) |
2025-26 NFC Playoff Picture (Updated pre MNF, Week 17).
Updated December 29, 2025: Week 17 solidified the NFC, with the Philadelphia Eagles clinching the East, Chicago Bears the North, and Seattle Seahawks holding the No. 1 overall seed. The NFC South is set for a winner-take-all Week 18 matchup (Panthers at Buccaneers). The 49ers clinched a berth with a strong finish.
Current NFC Standings (through Week 17)
| Division | Team | Record | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | Philadelphia Eagles | 11-5 | Clinched playoff |
| North | Chicago Bears | 11-5 | Clinched division & playoff |
| North | Green Bay Packers | 9-6-1 | Clinched playoff (wild card) |
| South | Carolina Panthers | 8-8 | In contention |
| South | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7-9 | In contention |
| South | Atlanta Falcons | 7-9 | In contention (tiebreaker) |
| West | Seattle Seahawks | 13-3 | Clinched playoff |
| West | San Francisco 49ers | 12-4 | Clinched playoff |
| West | Los Angeles Rams | 11-5 | Clinched playoff (wild card) |
Projected Playoff Bracket (Most Likely Scenario)
Here are the projected playoff bracket seeds (most likely scenario) for you. Stay tuned, and we’ll get you an updated printable NFL Playoff bracket as we get a clearer picture of who’s going where.
AFC
- Broncos/Denver or Patriots (bye)
- Jaguars (South winner)
- Texans/Chargers/Bills
- Chargers/Texans
- North winner (Steelers or Ravens)
NFC
- Seahawks or 49ers (bye)
- Bears (North winner) or South winner
- Rams/Eagles
- Eagles/Rams
- Packers or South winner
Printable 2026 NFL Playoff and Super Bowl Bracket
Here’s the blank, printable 2026 NFL Playoff and Super Bowl bracket for you.
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Download Printable NFL Playoff Bracket
2026 NFL Playoff and Super Bowl Schedule
2026-27 NFL Regular Season Schedules
