2025 NFL Standings Updated After Week 5: Playoff Picture, Division Leaders & Biggest Surprises

<p>The NFL standings heading into Week&nbsp;5 of the 2025 season have tightened in several divisions, while a handful of clubs are already separating from the pack. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of every division race, key tiebreaker notes, and the early playoff picture to help fans track where their team stands.</p> <h2>AFC Snapshot</h2> <h3>AFC East: Bills unbeaten, Patriots steady</h3> <ul></sup></li> <li><strong>New England Patriots (2-2)</strong> – Bill Belichick’s squad is .500 but owns the crucial head-to-head win over Miami.</li> <li><strong>Miami Dolphins (1-4)</strong> – Three consecutive losses have plunged Mike McDaniel’s offense-first roster into desperation mode.</li> <li><strong>New York Jets (0-5)</strong> – The league’s only winless club is already staring at draft-order math.</li> </ul> <h3>AFC North: Steelers on top, Bengals sliding</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1)</strong> – Despite being outscored overall, the Steelers hold first thanks to a 2-0 conference mark.</li> <li><strong>Cincinnati Bengals (2-2)</strong> – Joe Burrow’s offense hasn’t clicked yet; their ‑58 point differential is the division’s worst.</li> <li><strong>Baltimore Ravens (1-4)</strong> – Defensive lapses have erased Lamar Jackson’s career-best 141 points produced.</li> <li><strong>Cleveland Browns (1-4)</strong> – Two straight divisional losses leave little margin for error.</li> </ul> <h3>AFC South: Colts &amp; Jaguars in duel</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Indianapolis Colts (4-1)</strong> – Rookie QB Zach Travis leads the NFL in touchdown passes (15) while the defense surrenders just 17.8 PPG.</li> <li><strong>Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1)</strong> – Doug Pederson’s team is unbeaten on the road and could leapfrog Indy with a Week 6 head-to-head clash.</li> <li><strong>Houston Texans (2-3)</strong> – Two straight wins have resuscitated playoff hopes.</li> <li><strong>Tennessee Titans (0-4)</strong> – The AFC’s other winless squad has scored a league-low 51 points.</li> </ul> <h3>AFC West: Chargers rise, Broncos hang around</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Los Angeles Chargers (3-1)</strong> – Undefeated in the division, Brandon Staley’s club owns the current No.&nbsp;2 seed.</li> <li><strong>Denver Broncos (3-2)</strong> – A stingy defense (16.8 PPG allowed) keeps them within striking distance.</li> <li><strong>Kansas City Chiefs (2-2)</strong> – Patrick Mahomes &amp; Co. have rebounded with back-to-back wins after a slow start.</li> <li><strong>Las Vegas Raiders (1-4)</strong> – Four straight losses and the league’s third-worst defense (27.8 PPG) spell trouble.</li> </ul> <h2>NFC Snapshot</h2> <h3>NFC East: Eagles stumble but still lead</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)</strong> – A narrow Week 4 defeat ends their perfect run, yet they remain division leaders.</li> <li><strong>Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1)</strong> – A 151-154 point margin underscores Dallas’ boom-or-bust profile.</li> <li><strong>Washington Commanders (2-2)</strong> – Home dominance keeps them afloat.</li> <li><strong>New York Giants (1-4)</strong> – Offensive line woes have produced only 87 points.</li> </ul> <h3>NFC North: Lions roar, Packers tie</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Detroit Lions (3-1)</strong> – Dan Campbell’s squad sports the NFC’s best point differential (+49).</li> <li><strong>Green Bay Packers (2-1-1)</strong> – An early tie could become a critical tiebreaker down the stretch.</li> <li><strong>Minnesota Vikings (3-2)</strong> – Kirk Cousins ranks second in passer rating (112.4).</li> <li><strong>Chicago Bears (2-2)</strong> – Justin Fields’ improvisation sparks a two-game win streak.</li> </ul> <h3>NFC South: Buccaneers on top, Falcons lurking</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)</strong> – Despite a zero net-point margin, Tampa sits first thanks to a 1-0 division record.</li> <li><strong>Atlanta Falcons (2-2)</strong> – Rookie RB Bijan Robinson leads the conference in rushing yards (566).</li> <li><strong>Carolina Panthers (2-3)</strong> – Perfect at home but still under .500 overall.</li> <li><strong>New Orleans Saints (1-4)</strong> – A leaky defense (27 PPG allowed) drags them down.</li> </ul> <h3>NFC West: 49ers hold narrow edge over Seahawks</h3> <ul> <li><strong>San Francisco 49ers (4-1)</strong> – Kyle Shanahan’s club is 4-0 in conference play, the NFC’s best mark.</li> <li><strong>Seattle Seahawks (3-1)</strong> – League-best +44 point differential and three straight wins suggest momentum.</li> <li><strong>Los Angeles Rams (3-2)</strong> – 3-0 vs. non-conference teams but winless in the NFC.</li> <li><strong>Arizona Cardinals (2-2)</strong> – Competitive but 0-2 in the division.</li> </ul> <h2>Early Playoff Picture</h2> <p>If the postseason started today, first-round byes would belong to the <strong>Buffalo Bills</strong> (AFC) and <strong>San Francisco 49ers</strong> (NFC). The Chargers, Steelers, Colts and Lions would host Wild Card games, while the Seahawks, Eagles, Broncos and Jaguars would travel. Dallas currently claims the NFC’s final Wild Card spot thanks to its Week 2 tie.</p> <h2>Key Trends to Watch in Week 5</h2> <ol> <li><strong>Undefeated Watch:</strong> Buffalo aims for 5-0 against the Bengals’ shaky defense.</li> <li><strong>Statement Game:</strong> Jaguars at Colts could decide AFC South pole position.</li> <li><strong>NFC Heavyweight Clash:</strong> 49ers visit the surprising Seahawks in an early battle for West supremacy.</li> <li><strong>Must-Win Situations:</strong> Ravens, Dolphins and Titans face uphill climbs if they drop to five losses.</li> </ol> <h2>Bottom Line</h2> <p>The NFL standings are already reshaping playoff projections as Week 5 kicks off. With unbeaten streaks, divisional showdowns and critical tiebreakers on the horizon, every snap this Sunday will ripple through the postseason landscape. Bookmark this page for weekly updates on records, point differentials, and clinching scenarios as the 2025 NFL season races toward mid-October.</p>