As we head to the final stretch of the 2025 NFL regular season, the playoff races are heating up. Entering Week 15, there are 12 teams in the AFC still alive for playoff contention, and in the NFC, there are 11. This year, the NFL is as wide open as it’s ever been, as there’s no clear Super Bowl favorite. In fact, there are teams that are currently on the outside looking in that could be a dangerous team if they reach the postseason.
Here are the five most dangerous teams that are currently outside of the playoff picture.
Detroit Lions (8-5)
The Detroit Lions are currently the eighth seed in the NFC, just one game back of the Chicago Bears for the seventh and final spot. Detroit has a tough schedule ahead of it as it plays three of its last four games on the road, including the season finale at Chicago.
The Lions offense is explosive, as the 394 points they’ve scored are the most in the NFL, thanks to playmakers such as Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St Brown, and Jameson Williams. Losing safety Brian Branch for the season due to an Achilles injury is a devastating blow, but if they can get in the postseason, their offense has enough firepower to beat anyone.
Remaining Games: @Rams, Steelers, @Vikings, @Bears
Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)
For the first time this late in the season in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs are below 500. Their once potent offense has been out of sync all year, and Mahomes’ 63.1 completion percentage is the lowest of his career since he became the starter.
Despite their struggles, Kansas City has been in every game they’ve played, as their seven losses were for a combined 35 points. Their defense is still playing at a high level and can cause problems for any offense in the conference. Having played in the last three Super Bowls and winning two of them, this team knows how to step up its game in January and February. With the top teams in the AFC lacking playoff experience, nobody wants to play the three-time defending AFC Champions come playoff time.
They will have to win out in order to make it, and if they do, they’ll be the scariest team in the AFC.
Remaining Games: Chargers, @Titans, Broncos, @Raiders
Carolina Panthers (7-6)
The Carolina Panthers have been one of the surprise teams and are currently ninth in the NFC, but tied for the division lead in the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They have an impressive victory over the Dallas Cowboys, and have upset wins over the Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers
Quarterback Bryce Young continues to make strides in his third season, and they have the 10th-ranked rushing offense in the league. Typically, you wouldn’t expect a team with zero playoff experience to be a threat if they get in. But perhaps their wins over the Rams and Packers will boost their confidence.
Two of their final four games are against the Buccaneers, which will decide both teams’ playoff fates.
Remaining Games: @Saints, Buccaneers, Seahawks, @Buccaneers
Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
With Dak Prescott playing at an All-Pro level and with CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens being the best wide receiver tandem in 2025, the Dallas Cowboys pose a serious threat to anyone in the NFC. Running back Javonte Williams is providing them with a balanced offensive attack as he’s averaging 4.8 yards per carry.
But their 29th-ranked defense is what’s holding the team back, which is why they’re currently 10th in the NFC. They still could win the NFC East as they’re only a game and a half behind the Philadelphia Eagles.
What bodes well for Dallas is that of their remaining four games, only one of them is against a team with a winning record. But they’ll need several teams to collapse to make the postseason.
Remaining Games: Vikings, Chargers, @Commanders, @Giants
Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
The Baltimore Ravens were many people’s pick to finally win the AFC this year. But they got off to a 1-5 start and were decimated by injuries.
They rebounded and won five games in a row before losing two home games to the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers. They’re currently ninth in the AFC and one game behind the Steelers for the lead in the AFC North, but their biggest issue is that Lamar Jackson has not looked right since coming back from his hamstring injury.
In the last four games, the 28-year-old quarterback has thrown just one touchdown and four interceptions, and has rushed for a combined 91 yards in those games. They have another matchup against the Steelers in the season finale, and if Jackson can get on track and take them into the playoffs, they’ll be a tough out.
Remaining Games: @Bengals, Patriots, @Packers, @Steelers
