Who will make the NFL playoffs? The first 14 weeks of the 2025 NFL season have come to a close, with each team having four games left to punch their ticket to the playoffs. It’s a particularly intriguing battle this year, as perennial Super Bowl contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens are currently on the outside looking in.
Let’s dive into the NFL playoff picture right now with an examination of where things stand for NFC and AFC contenders entering Week 15.
AFC West: Denver Broncos – No. 1 Seed, First-Round Bye
Entering Week 15, the Denver Broncos sit atop the AFC West and are in the pole position for the first-round bye as the No. 1 seed. The Broncos hold a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Chargers, giving them an 85 percent chance of winning the division and hosting a playoff game. In terms of the AFC West, beating the Chargers in Week 18 would guarantee the division title for Denver regardless of record. As for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Broncos hold the tiebreaker over the New England Patriots based on win percentage in games against conference opponents.
AFC East: New England Patriots – No. 2 Seed
The New England Patriots currently have a two-game lead in the AFC East over the Buffalo Bills and the head-to-head tiebreaker. Fittingly, the two playoff contenders are going head-to-head this week, and the stakes are high. If New England wins, it will clinch the division and be guaranteed to host a playoff game in the Wild Card Round. Even if Buffalo wins in Week 15, the Patriots will still be a game up over the Bills, and by winning out—against the Ravens, Jets, and Dolphins—New England wins the AFC East and is guaranteed to be the No. 2 seed.
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AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars – No. 3 Seed
With Daniel Jones lost for the season, it’s effectively a two-team race for the AFC South between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans. The Jaguars are currently leading the division right now by 1 game and they are 2 games ahead of the AFC North division leader, putting them in position for the AFC’s No. 3 seed. Jacksonville and Houston split their season series. The Texans face the Cardinals, Raiders, Chargers, and Colts in their final four games while the Jaguars face the Jets, Broncos, Colts, and Titans.
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AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers – No. 4 Seed
From 4-1 to 6-6 and now 7-6 with a one-game lead. That probably says a lot more about the state of the AFC North in 2025 than it does the Pittsburgh Steelers as a viable playoff team. Whichever team wins the North will be the 4th seed in the AFC, hosting the best Wild Card team in the first round of the playoffs. One complicating factor for the Steelers is their remaining schedule, with matchups against the Dolphins, Lions, Browns, and Ravens. Meanwhile, Baltimore faces the Bengals, Patriots, and Packers in the next three games. As of now, the Steelers have a 67 percent chance of winning the division.
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AFC Wild Card: Los Angeles Chargers (5), Buffalo Bills (6), Houston Texans (7)
The battle for Wild Card spots in the AFC would have been a lot more interesting if not for the Daniel Jones injury. Now, the Indianapolis Colts (No. 8 in AFC playoff picture) will likely be in a free fall. The Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) hold the AFC’s No. 5 seed, followed by the Buffalo Bills (9-4) and the Houston Texans (8-5). Baltimore (6-7), Kansas City (6-7), and Miami (6-7) all have slim chances of making the playoffs. Realistically, the seven teams currently in the playoff picture will be the clubs competing after Week 18.
Read More: NFL Week 15 Power Rankings, Evaluating all 32 Teams after Week 14
AFC Playoff Picture: Matchups Entering Week 15
Here is what the playoff matchups would be right now in the AFC as of Week 15.
- BYE – (1) Denver Broncos
- (7) Houston Texans vs (2) New England Patriots
- (6) Buffalo Bills vs (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
- (5) Los Angeles Chargers vs (4) Pittsburgh Steelers
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NFC West: Los Angele Rams – No. 1 Seed, First Round Bye
The Los Angeles Rams (10-3) are currently in the driver’s seat for the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. That’s thanks to the club’s Week 11 victory at home over the Seattle Seahawks (10-3). The two NFC West teams will have a rematch on Thursday Night Football in Week 16, with the winner likely taking the NFC West crown and the loser will be in position for one of the top Wild Card spots.
NFC North: Green Bay Packers – No. 2 Seed
The Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) sit atop the NFC North right now, thanks both to the head-to-head win over the Chicago Bears (9-4) and the Packers’ tie earlier this season against the Dallas Cowboys. Green Bay currently has a 95 percent chance to make the playoffs. A win over Denver this coming Sunday would increase that to a greater than 99 percent chance of making the postseason. If Green Bay can win two of its last four games, including at Chicago, it will be the NFC North champions.
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles – No. 3 Seed
Just a few weeks ago, it was largely viewed as a foregone conclusion that the Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) would win the NFC East. Then, the Eagles lost three consecutive games while the Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) put up a 3-1 record with a win over Philadelphia. For now, the Eagles still sit atop the East, and it would either take Dallas winning out with a Philadelphia loss to Buffalo or the Eagles losing twice for there to be a new winner in the NFC East.
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – No. 4 Seed
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) had control of the NFC South in early November, entering the bye with a 6-2 record. Then, the bottom fell out. By losing four of the last five games, Tampa Bay has opened the door for the Carolina Panthers (7-6) to take the reins of the South. The Buccaneers hold the tiebreaker over the Panthers right now, win percentage in common games, but the Panthers will face Tampa Bay in Weeks 16 and 18 for the division crown.
NFC Wild Card: Seattle Seahawks (5), San Francisco 49ers (6), Chicago Bears (7)
The battle for Wild Card spots in the NFC is far more intriguing than anything going on in the AFC. The No. 5 seed Seattle Seahawks are just two games ahead of the Detroit Lions (8-5), who are on the outside looking in right now. Below Seattle, it’s the San Francisco 49ers (9-4) with the tiebreaker for the No. 6 seed over the Chicago Bears (9-4) due to the best win percentage in the NFC. Detroit is the greatest threat to come from the outside to poach a playoff spot. The likeliest outcome would be Chicago losing the No. 7 seed. Of note, the Bears play the Packers, 49ers, and Lions in the final three weeks, whereas Detroit plays Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and then Chicago.
NFC Playoff Picture: Matchups Entering Week 15
Here is what the playoff matchups would be right now in the NFC as of Week 15.
- BYE – Los Angeles Rams (1)
- (7) Chicago Bears vs (2) Green Bay Packers
- (6) San Francisco 49ers vs (3) Philadelphia Eagles
- (5) Seattle Seahawks vs (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
