NFL Playoff Picture 2025: Updated Standings, Clinching Scenarios & Key Tiebreakers After Week 15

With two weeks left in the regular season, the NFL playoff picture is finally coming into focus. After a turbulent Week 15 that officially sent the Chiefs, Dolphins and Raiders to early vacations, 24 teams still have something to play for. Here’s where every contender stands heading into the decisive Week 16 slate—plus what each must do to lock down a postseason berth, division crown or the ever-valuable first-round bye. AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE 1. Denver Broncos (12-2) • Clinched: playoff berth • Can clinch AFC West and the No. 1 seed with a win over Jacksonville + Chargers loss + Patriots loss + Bills loss or tie 2. New England Patriots (11-3) • Clinch a berth with a win at Baltimore, or with a Colts or Texans loss 3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) • Clinch with a win at Denver + Colts or Texans loss/tie 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) • Lead AFC North via tiebreakers; win out to guarantee title Wild-card leaders 5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4) – clinch with win at Dallas + Colts or Texans loss/tie 6. Buffalo Bills (10-4) – clinch with win at Cleveland + Colts or Texans loss/tie 7. Houston Texans (8-6) – hold final spot on conference record On the bubble: Colts (8-6), Ravens (7-7), Jets (7-7) Key AFC games to watch • Jaguars at Broncos (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX) • Chargers at Cowboys (1 p.m. ET, FOX) • Bills at Browns (1 p.m. ET, CBS) NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE 1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3) • Clinched: playoff berth • Bye in reach with win vs. Seahawks + Bears loss 2. Chicago Bears (10-4) • Clinch with win vs. Packers + Lions loss 3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) • Clinch NFC East with win at Washington or Cowboys loss 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) • Control NFC South; can seal with win vs. Panthers in Week 17 Wild-card leaders 5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3) – clinch with win at Rams or Lions loss 6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4) – clinch with win at Colts or Lions loss 7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) – clinch with win at Bears + Lions loss On the bubble: Lions (8-6), Vikings (7-7), Saints (7-7) Key NFC games to watch • Seahawks at Rams (Thu., 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video) • Packers at Bears (Sat., 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX) • Eagles at Commanders (Sat., 5 p.m. ET, FOX) PROJECTED WILD-CARD MATCHUPS IF SEASON ENDED TODAY AFC: (7) Texans at (2) Patriots | (6) Bills at (3) Jaguars | (5) Chargers at (4) Steelers NFC: (7) Packers at (2) Bears | (6) 49ers at (3) Eagles | (5) Seahawks at (4) Buccaneers BIGGEST WEEK 16 STORYLINES • Can Russell Wilson and the Broncos secure home-field advantage for the first time since 2015? • Will Jordan Love outduel Caleb Williams in a rivalry game with huge seeding stakes? • Can Jalen Hurts clinch the division before Christmas and rest starters in Week 18? WHY THIS WEEK MATTERS Every playoff seed brings different rewards—from a coveted bye to a friendlier first-round matchup—so expect aggressive coaching, creative game plans and no shortage of late-December drama. Bookmark this page and check back Sunday night for an updated playoff picture, instant clinch alerts and fresh bracket projections.