Week 15 delivered dramatic playoff implications as the Bears stunned the Browns 31-3 to jump to the NFC’s No. 2 seed at 10-4. Chicago now leads the NFC North while Green Bay fell to 9-4-1 and dropped to the No. 7 seed after losing to Denver 34-26. The Broncos clinched a playoff berth at 12-2 after defeating the Packers.
The Rams clinched a playoff berth and command the NFC’s No. 1 seed at 11-3 after their 41-34 victory over Detroit. The Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention at 6-8 after losing to the Chargers 16-13. Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and is out for the season. The Bills rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Patriots 35-31.
Updated: After Sunday Night Football Week 15 (December 15, 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 12-2. The Patriots sit at 11-3 after their loss to Buffalo. The Rams clinched a playoff berth and command the NFC’s No. 1 seed at 11-3. The Bears jumped to the NFC’s No. 2 seed at 10-4 after their dominant victory over Cleveland. The Jaguars improved to 10-4 with 96% playoff odds after crushing the Jets 48-20. The Chargers improved to 10-4 with 92% playoff odds after eliminating Kansas City from playoff contention.
Want to test different scenarios? Check out our Free Playoff Picture Simulator for Week 15 to see how each game impacts the playoff race. You can also view today’s rankings and Clinching Outlook at a glance for quick updates on every team’s postseason chances.
AFC Playoff Picture 2025
The AFC playoff race saw the Broncos clinch at 12-2 and eliminate the Chiefs from playoff contention. The Patriots fell to 11-3 after blowing a 21-point lead to Buffalo. The Jaguars improved to 10-4. Three teams sit at 10-4 fighting for wild card position. The Steelers maintain the AFC North lead at 7-6. The Texans improved to 9-5 after crushing Arizona 40-20.
AFC Current Standings
| Seed | Team | Record | Division | Playoff Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broncos | 12-2 | AFC West | Clinched |
| 2 | Patriots | 11-3 | AFC East | >99% |
| 3 | Jaguars | 10-4 | AFC South | 96% |
| 4 | Steelers | 7-6 | AFC North | 54% |
| 5 | Chargers | 10-4 | AFC West | 92% |
| 6 | Bills | 10-4 | AFC East | >99% |
| 7 | Texans | 9-5 | AFC South | 95% |
On The Bubble: Colts 8-6 (17%), Ravens 7-7 (47%), Dolphins 6-7 (less than 1%)
Denver clinched a playoff berth and holds the AFC’s No. 1 seed at 12-2. Bo Nix threw four touchdown passes in the 34-26 victory over Green Bay. The Broncos won eleven straight games and secured their first postseason appearance since 2015. Denver controls home field advantage and leads the AFC West by two games over the Chargers.
New England fell to 11-3 after blowing a 21-point lead to Buffalo. The Patriots led 31-10 in the third quarter before the Bills rallied for 25 unanswered points. Drake Maye and the Patriots still lead the AFC East by one game over Buffalo. New England faces a critical stretch run with games against Baltimore and Cleveland remaining.
Jacksonville improved to 10-4 after crushing the Jets 48-20. Trevor Lawrence threw six touchdowns in the dominant victory. The Jaguars extended their winning streak to six games and lead the AFC South by one game over Houston. Jacksonville controls their playoff destiny with two games remaining.
Pittsburgh maintains the AFC North lead at 7-6. The Steelers face Miami on Monday Night Football and can improve to 61% playoff odds with a win or fall to 45% with a loss. Baltimore sits one game behind at 7-7 after shutting out Cincinnati 24-0.
Los Angeles improved to 10-4 with 92% playoff odds after defeating Kansas City 16-13. The Chargers eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention and knocked Patrick Mahomes out for the season with a torn ACL. Justin Herbert and the Chargers trail Denver by two games in the AFC West and hold strong wild card position.
Buffalo rallied from 21 points down to defeat New England 35-31. Josh Allen led the Bills back from a 31-10 third quarter deficit. Buffalo improved to 10-4 and trails the Patriots by one game in the AFC East. The Bills control their playoff destiny with two games remaining.
Houston improved to 9-5 after crushing Arizona 40-20. C.J. Stroud and the Texans won six straight games. Houston sits one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South and holds the No. 7 seed with 95% playoff odds.
Indianapolis fell to 8-6 with 17% playoff odds after losing to Seattle 18-16. Philip Rivers returned from retirement at age 44 but could not lead the Colts to victory. Indianapolis trails Jacksonville by two games in the AFC South and faces long odds to reach the postseason.
Baltimore improved to 7-7 with 47% playoff odds after shutting out Cincinnati 24-0. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens blanked Joe Burrow and the Bengals. Baltimore trails Pittsburgh by one game in the AFC North and faces the Patriots in Week 16.
NFC Playoff Picture 2025
The NFC witnessed dramatic movement as the Bears jumped to the No. 2 seed at 10-4 after crushing Cleveland 31-3. The Rams clinched a playoff berth and hold the No. 1 seed at 11-3 after defeating Detroit 41-34. The Eagles improved to 9-5 after shutting out Las Vegas 31-0. The Buccaneers hold first place in the NFC South at 7-7. The Seahawks improved to 11-3. The Packers fell to 9-4-1 and dropped to the No. 7 seed.
NFC Current Standings
| Seed | Team | Record | Division | Playoff Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rams | 11-3 | NFC West | Clinched |
| 2 | Bears | 10-4 | NFC North | 74% |
| 3 | Eagles | 9-5 | NFC East | >99% |
| 4 | Buccaneers | 7-7 | NFC South | 77% |
| 5 | Seahawks | 11-3 | NFC West | >99% |
| 6 | 49ers | 10-4 | NFC West | 98% |
| 7 | Packers | 9-4-1 | NFC North | 88% |
On The Bubble: Lions 8-6 (41%), Panthers 7-7 (23%), Cowboys 6-7-1 (less than 1%)
Los Angeles clinched a playoff berth and holds the NFC’s No. 1 seed at 11-3. Matthew Stafford threw three touchdown passes in the 41-34 victory over Detroit. The Rams secured their first postseason appearance and control home field advantage. Los Angeles leads the NFC West and owns the tiebreaker over Seattle.
Chicago jumped to the NFC’s No. 2 seed at 10-4 with 74% playoff odds after crushing Cleveland 31-3. Caleb Williams and the Bears dominated the Browns and took control of the NFC North after Green Bay lost to Denver. Chicago now leads the division and faces the Packers in Week 16 in a critical showdown.
Philadelphia improved to 9-5 with greater than 99% playoff odds after shutting out Las Vegas 31-0. Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes as the Eagles ended their three game losing streak. Philadelphia leads the NFC East by two games over Dallas. The Eagles control their division destiny with two games remaining.
Tampa Bay holds first place in the NFC South at 7-7 with 77% playoff odds. The Buccaneers maintain the division lead despite losing to Atlanta on Thursday night. Tampa Bay faces the Panthers twice in the final two weeks in games that will decide the division championship.
Seattle improved to 11-3 with greater than 99% playoff odds after defeating Indianapolis 18-16. Jason Myers kicked six field goals including the game winner. The Seahawks trail the Rams by half a game in the NFC West but maintain excellent playoff position.
San Francisco improved to 10-4 with 98% playoff odds after defeating Tennessee 37-24. Brock Purdy and the 49ers maintained strong wild card position. San Francisco is the third NFC West team in playoff position.
Green Bay fell to 9-4-1 with 88% playoff odds after losing to Denver 34-26. Jordan Love and the Packers dropped out of the NFC North lead and fell to the No. 7 seed. Micah Parsons tore his ACL and is out for the season. Green Bay faces Chicago in Week 16 in a critical division showdown.
Detroit fell to 8-6 with 41% playoff odds after losing to Los Angeles 41-34. The Lions remain on the outside looking in. Detroit trails Chicago by two games in the NFC North and faces long odds to reach the postseason.
Carolina fell to 7-7 with 23% playoff odds after losing to New Orleans 20-17. The Panthers dropped out of first place in the NFC South. Carolina now trails Tampa Bay by half a game in the division race.
Dallas fell to 6-7-1 with less than 1% playoff odds after losing to Minnesota 34-26 on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys trail Philadelphia by two games in the NFC East and are nearly eliminated from playoff contention.
Check out our NFL Week 15 Picks for game by game predictions and winner guides for every matchup this week.
Key Week 15 Storylines
Bears Crush Browns to Jump to NFC’s No. 2 Seed
Chicago dominated Cleveland 31-3 to jump to the NFC’s No. 2 seed at 10-4. Caleb Williams and the Bears took control of the NFC North after Green Bay lost to Denver. Chicago now leads the division and improved their playoff odds to 74%. The Bears face the Packers in Week 16 in a massive showdown that will likely determine the division winner.
Broncos and Rams Clinch Playoff Berths
Denver clinched a playoff berth at 12-2 after defeating Green Bay 34-26. Bo Nix threw four touchdown passes as the Broncos secured their first postseason appearance since 2015. Los Angeles clinched a playoff berth at 11-3 after defeating Detroit 41-34. Matthew Stafford and the Rams secured their postseason spot and control the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
Chiefs Eliminated as Mahomes Tears ACL
Kansas City was eliminated from playoff contention at 6-8 after losing to the Chargers 16-13. Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in the final minutes and is out for the season. This marks the first time since 2014 that the Chiefs will miss the playoffs. The dynasty that won three Super Bowls in six years comes to a stunning end.
Bills Rally From 21 Down to Stun Patriots
Buffalo rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat New England 35-31. The Bills trailed 31-10 in the third quarter before Josh Allen led the comeback. Buffalo scored 25 unanswered points to stun the Patriots. The Bills improved to 10-4 and trail New England by one game in the AFC East.
Jaguars Crush Jets as Lawrence Throws Six TDs
Jacksonville crushed the Jets 48-20 as Trevor Lawrence threw six touchdowns. The Jaguars extended their winning streak to six games and improved to 10-4 with 96% playoff odds. Jacksonville leads the AFC South by one game over Houston and controls their playoff destiny.
Eagles Shut Out Raiders to End Skid
Philadelphia shut out Las Vegas 31-0 to end their three game losing streak. Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes as the Eagles dominated. Philadelphia improved to 9-5 and leads the NFC East by two games over Dallas.
Packers Fall as Parsons Tears ACL
Green Bay fell to Denver 34-26 and dropped to the No. 7 seed at 9-4-1. The Packers lost star pass rusher Micah Parsons to a torn ACL. Green Bay dropped out of the NFC North lead and fell behind Chicago. The Packers face the Bears in Week 16 in a critical division matchup.
Division Race Snapshot
- AFC East: Patriots lead at 11-3 and sit one game ahead of Bills at 10-4. Critical stretch run ahead.
- AFC North: Steelers lead at 7-6 while Ravens sit at 7-7 in second place. Pittsburgh faces Miami on Monday night.
- AFC South: Jaguars lead at 10-4 while Texans sit at 9-5. Jacksonville controls destiny with one game lead.
- AFC West: Broncos clinched playoff berth at 12-2 and lead Chargers by two games. Denver controls destiny for No. 1 seed.
- NFC East: Eagles lead at 9-5 and sit two games ahead of Cowboys at 6-7-1. Philadelphia controls division destiny.
- NFC North: Bears lead at 10-4 with Packers at 9-4-1 and Lions at 8-6. Chicago took control with dominant win.
- NFC South: Buccaneers lead at 7-7 with Panthers at 7-7 in second place. Tampa Bay holds tiebreaker advantage.
- NFC West: Rams clinched playoff berth at 11-3 with Seahawks at 11-3 and 49ers at 10-4. Three teams in playoff position.
Teams Eliminated From Playoffs
Twelve teams are officially eliminated from playoff contention:
AFC Eliminated: Chiefs (6-8), Bengals (4-10), Jets (3-11), Browns (3-11), Raiders (2-12), Titans (2-12)
NFC Eliminated: Vikings (6-8), Falcons (5-9), Saints (4-10), Commanders (4-10), Cardinals (3-11), Giants (2-12)
Two weeks remain in the regular season. Every game carries massive playoff implications. Teams fight for division titles, playoff spots and seeding position in the final stretch.
