Week 16 delivered historic playoff drama across both conferences as ten teams clinched postseason berths. The Seahawks rallied from a 30-14 fourth quarter deficit to stun the Rams 38-37 in overtime on Thursday night and clinched a playoff berth while taking over the NFC’s No. 1 seed at 12-3. The Bears mounted a miraculous comeback to beat the Packers 22-16 in overtime on Saturday after recovering an onside kick and clinching a playoff berth at 11-4. The Broncos hold the AFC’s No. 1 seed at 12-3. The Patriots clinched at 12-3. The Jaguars clinched at 11-4 with their sixth straight victory. Five AFC teams and five NFC teams have clinched playoff berths.
Updated: After Monday Night Football, Week 16 (December 23, 2025), 2025 season
Current NFL Playoff Picture Overview
Fourteen teams make the postseason with seven from each conference. The top seed gets a first round bye and home field advantage.
The Broncos clinched a playoff berth and hold the AFC’s No. 1 seed at 12-3. The Patriots clinched at 12-3 and hold the No. 2 seed. The Jaguars clinched at 11-4 and hold the No. 3 seed. The Chargers and Bills both clinched at 11-4. The Seahawks clinched and hold the NFC’s No. 1 seed at 12-3. The Bears clinched at 11-4 and hold the No. 2 seed. The Eagles clinched the NFC East at 10-5. The 49ers and Rams both clinched at 11-4. Ten teams have clinched playoff berths with one week remaining.
Want to test different scenarios? Check out our Free Playoff Picture Simulator for Week 17 to see how each game impacts the playoff race.
AFC Playoff Picture 2025
The AFC playoff race features five teams that have clinched playoff berths. The Broncos hold the No. 1 seed at 12-3. The Patriots sit at 12-3 as the No. 2 seed. The Jaguars clinched at 11-4. The Chargers and Bills both clinched at 11-4. The Steelers hold the No. 4 seed at 9-6 with 91% playoff odds. The Texans sit at 10-5 with 96% playoff odds.
AFC Current Standings
| Seed | Team | Record | Division | Playoff Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broncos | 12-3 | AFC West | Clinched |
| 2 | Patriots | 12-3 | AFC East | Clinched |
| 3 | Jaguars | 11-4 | AFC South | Clinched |
| 4 | Steelers | 9-6 | AFC North | 91% |
| 5 | Chargers | 11-4 | AFC West | Clinched |
| 6 | Bills | 11-4 | AFC East | Clinched |
| 7 | Texans | 10-5 | AFC South | 96% |
On The Bubble: Colts 8-7 (4%), Ravens 7-8 (9%)
Denver clinched a playoff berth and holds the AFC’s No. 1 seed at 12-3. Bo Nix and the Broncos secured their first postseason appearance since 2015. Denver controls home field advantage and faces Kansas City in Week 17. The Broncos lead the AFC West by one game over the Chargers.
New England clinched a playoff berth at 12-3 and holds the No. 2 seed. Drake Maye and the Patriots lead the AFC East by one game over Buffalo. New England faces the Jets in Week 17 and controls their division destiny.
Jacksonville clinched a playoff berth at 11-4 and holds the No. 3 seed. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars extended their winning streak to six games and lead the AFC South by one game over Houston. Jacksonville faces Indianapolis in Week 17 and can clinch the division with a victory.
Pittsburgh holds the AFC North lead at 9-6 with 91% playoff odds. Russell Wilson and the Steelers lead Baltimore by two games and face Cleveland in Week 17. Pittsburgh can improve to greater than 99% playoff odds with a victory.
Los Angeles clinched a playoff berth at 11-4 and holds the No. 5 seed. Justin Herbert and the Chargers trail Denver by one game in the AFC West. Los Angeles faces Houston in Week 17.
Buffalo clinched a playoff berth at 11-4 and holds the No. 6 seed. Josh Allen and the Bills trail New England by one game in the AFC East. Buffalo faces Philadelphia in Week 17.
Houston sits at 10-5 with 96% playoff odds and holds the No. 7 seed. C.J. Stroud and the Texans trail Jacksonville by one game in the AFC South. Houston faces the Chargers in Week 17 and can improve to greater than 99% playoff odds with a victory.
Indianapolis sits at 8-7 with 4% playoff odds. The Colts trail Jacksonville by three games and face the Jaguars in Week 17. Indianapolis needs a victory and significant help to reach the postseason.
Baltimore sits at 7-8 with 9% playoff odds. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens trail Pittsburgh by two games. Baltimore faces Green Bay in Week 17 and can improve to 22% playoff odds with a victory.
AFC Eliminated Teams:
Seven AFC teams have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Miami Dolphins (6-9) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Cincinnati Bengals (5-10) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- New York Jets (3-12) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Tennessee Titans (3-12) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Cleveland Browns (3-12) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) – Eliminated from playoff contention
NFC Playoff Picture 2025
The NFC playoff race features five teams that have clinched playoff berths. The Seahawks hold the No. 1 seed at 12-3. The Bears clinched at 11-4 and hold the No. 2 seed. The Eagles clinched the NFC East at 10-5. The 49ers and Rams both clinched at 11-4. The Panthers hold the No. 4 seed at 8-7 with 42% playoff odds. The Packers sit at 9-5-1 with 94% playoff odds.
NFC Current Standings
| Seed | Team | Record | Division | Playoff Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seahawks | 12-3 | NFC West | Clinched |
| 2 | Bears | 11-4 | NFC North | Clinched |
| 3 | Eagles | 10-5 | NFC East | Clinched |
| 4 | Panthers | 8-7 | NFC South | 42% |
| 5 | 49ers | 11-4 | NFC West | Clinched |
| 6 | Rams | 11-4 | NFC West | Clinched |
| 7 | Packers | 9-5-1 | NFC North | 94% |
On The Bubble: Lions 8-7 (6%), Buccaneers 7-8 (58%)
Seattle clinched a playoff berth and holds the NFC’s No. 1 seed at 12-3 after their stunning 38-37 overtime victory over Los Angeles on Thursday night. Sam Darnold led the Seahawks back from a 30-14 fourth quarter deficit. Seattle became the first team in NFL history to win an overtime game via 2-point conversion. The Seahawks control home field advantage and face Carolina in Week 17.
Chicago clinched a playoff berth at 11-4 and holds the No. 2 seed after their miraculous 22-16 overtime victory over Green Bay on Saturday. Caleb Williams threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns including the game winner to DJ Moore in overtime. The Bears recovered an onside kick late and lead the NFC North by two games over Green Bay. Chicago faces San Francisco in Week 17 and controls their division destiny.
Philadelphia clinched the NFC East title at 10-5 and holds the No. 3 seed. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles secured the division championship. Philadelphia faces Buffalo in Week 17.
Carolina holds the No. 4 seed at 8-7 with 42% playoff odds. Bryce Young and the Panthers lead the NFC South by one game over Tampa Bay. Carolina faces Seattle in Week 17 and can improve to 56% playoff odds with a victory.
San Francisco clinched a playoff berth at 11-4 and holds the No. 5 seed after their dominant 48-27 Monday Night Football victory over Indianapolis. Brock Purdy threw a career high five touchdown passes. The 49ers maintain strong playoff position and face Chicago in Week 17.
Los Angeles clinched a playoff berth at 11-4 and holds the No. 6 seed despite their heartbreaking 38-37 overtime loss to Seattle. Matthew Stafford threw for 457 yards and Puka Nacua had 225 receiving yards in the loss. The Rams face Atlanta in Week 17.
Green Bay sits at 9-5-1 with 94% playoff odds and holds the No. 7 seed after their 22-16 overtime loss to Chicago. Jordan Love suffered a concussion and backup Malik Willis played well but the Packers couldn’t hold a late lead. Green Bay faces Baltimore in Week 17 and can improve to greater than 99% playoff odds with a victory.
Detroit sits at 8-7 with 6% playoff odds after their 29-24 loss to Pittsburgh. The Lions trail Chicago by three games in the NFC North. Detroit faces Minnesota in Week 17 and can improve to 9% playoff odds with a victory.
Tampa Bay sits at 7-8 with 58% playoff odds. Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers trail Carolina by one game in the NFC South. Tampa Bay faces Miami in Week 17 and can improve to 66% playoff odds with a victory.
NFC Eliminated Teams:
Seven NFC teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
- Minnesota Vikings (7-8) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Atlanta Falcons (6-9) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- New Orleans Saints (5-10) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Washington Commanders (4-11) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- Arizona Cardinals (3-12) – Eliminated from playoff contention
- New York Giants (2-13) – Eliminated from playoff contention
Check out our NFL Week 17 Picks for game by game predictions and winner guides for every matchup this week.
Key Week 16 Storylines
Seahawks Pull Off Historic Comeback to Take NFC’s No. 1 Seed
Seattle rallied from a 30-14 fourth quarter deficit to stun Los Angeles 38-37 in overtime on Thursday Night Football. The Seahawks trailed by 16 points with eight minutes remaining before mounting one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. Rashid Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown to spark the rally. Sam Darnold threw a touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba in overtime then connected with Eric Saubert on a 2-point conversion for the walk-off victory. Seattle became the first team in NFL history to win an overtime game via 2-point conversion. The Seahawks clinched a playoff berth and took over the NFC’s No. 1 seed at 12-3.
Bears Mount Miracle Comeback to Beat Packers in Overtime
Chicago overcame a 16-6 deficit in the final two minutes to beat Green Bay 22-16 in overtime on Saturday night. The Bears recovered an onside kick with under two minutes remaining after Romeo Doubs couldn’t handle it. Caleb Williams then threw a touchdown to Jahdae Walker on fourth down with 24 seconds left to tie the game. In overtime Williams connected with DJ Moore for a 46-yard touchdown to win the game. The Bears clinched a playoff berth at 11-4 and lead the NFC North by two games.
49ers Dominate Colts on Monday Night Football
San Francisco demolished Indianapolis 48-27 on Monday Night Football. Brock Purdy threw a career high five touchdown passes while Christian McCaffrey rushed for 117 yards and added two receiving touchdowns. The 49ers clinched a playoff berth at 11-4 and maintain strong position for the NFC West title. The Bills Jaguars and Chargers all clinched playoff berths when the Colts lost.
Ten Teams Clinch Playoff Berths
Five AFC teams and five NFC teams clinched playoff berths in Week 16. The Broncos Patriots Jaguars Chargers and Bills all clinched in the AFC. The Seahawks Bears Eagles 49ers and Rams all clinched in the NFC. Ten of the fourteen playoff spots are now locked with one week remaining in the regular season.
Division Race Snapshot
- AFC East: Patriots clinched playoff berth at 12-3 and sit one game ahead of Bills at 11-4. New England controls division destiny.
- AFC North: Steelers lead at 9-6 with 91% playoff odds. Pittsburgh sits two games ahead of Ravens at 7-8.
- AFC South: Jaguars clinched playoff berth at 11-4 and lead Texans by one game. Jacksonville controls division destiny.
- AFC West: Broncos clinched playoff berth at 12-3 and lead Chargers by one game. Denver controls No. 1 seed destiny.
- NFC East: Eagles clinched division title at 10-5. Philadelphia secured NFC East championship.
- NFC North: Bears clinched playoff berth at 11-4 and lead Packers by two games. Chicago controls division destiny.
- NFC South: Panthers lead at 8-7 with 42% playoff odds. Carolina sits one game ahead of Buccaneers at 7-8.
- NFC West: Seahawks clinched playoff berth at 12-3 and lead division. Three NFC West teams clinched playoff berths.
Teams Eliminated From Playoffs
Fourteen teams are officially eliminated from playoff contention:
AFC Eliminated: Chiefs (6-9), Dolphins (6-9), Bengals (5-10), Jets (3-12), Titans (3-12), Browns (3-12), Raiders (2-13)
NFC Eliminated: Vikings (7-8), Cowboys (6-8-1), Falcons (6-9), Saints (5-10), Commanders (4-11), Cardinals (3-12), Giants (2-13)
One week remains in the regular season. Every game carries massive playoff implications. Teams fight for division titles, playoff spots and seeding position in the final stretch.
