NFL Playoff Picture after Week 15: Latest AFC, NFC Playoff Outlook Right Now

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NFL Playoff Picture after Week 15: Latest AFC, NFC Playoff Outlook Right Now

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Tue, Dec 16, 2025 ·

7 min read

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There are now just three weeks left in the 2025 NFL regular season, with this past Week 15 action seeing a large percentage of the league eliminated from playoff contention. The battles for postseason positioning and a shot at competing for the Super Bowl are coming down to the wire, with a few teams having a chance to clinch this weekend.

Let's dive into the NFL playoff picture after Week 15, examining where things stand for AFC and NFC clubs entering Week 16. We've sorted our list by the seeding in each conference right now, starting with the AFC.

AFC West: Denver Broncos – (12-2) – No. 1 Seed

NFL Playoff Picture after Week 15: Latest AFC, NFC Playoff Outlook — Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Denver Broncos have already clinched a playoff spot, guaranteeing that they will make the playoffs for the second consecutive season with head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix . Entering Week 16, Denver has an opportunity to clinch its first AFC West crown since 2015. If the Broncos beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and the Los Angeles Chargers lose or tie against the Dallas Cowboys , Denver wins the division and earns a home playoff game. If on the off chance the Chargers, New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills all lose, then Denver clinches the AFC's No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.

AFC East: New England Patriots – (11-3) – No. 2 Seed

NFL PLayoff Picture after Week 15 — David Butler II-Imagn Images

The New England Patriots had the AFC East crown in hand on Sunday in the first half and then blew a 21-point lead over the Buffalo Bills. It means a season-split in the series, but New England is still a game up on Buffalo right now. Heading into a Week 16 matchup on Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens , the Patriots can clinch a playoff berth with a win or an Indianapolis Colts loss to the San Francisco 49ers or a Houston Texans loss to the Las Vegas Raiders .

AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars – (10-4) – No. 3 Seed

It's going to be a fight for the top that comes down to the wire in the AFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars (five wins) and Houston Texans (six games) are two of the hottest NFL teams right now, and both seem like strong bets to make the playoffs. Heading into a Week 16 matchup on the road against the Broncos, Jacksonville can clinch a playoff spot with a victory and losses by the Colts (vs 49ers) and Texans (vs Raiders). Otherwise, the Jaguars will be waiting to punch their playoff ticket in Week 17.

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers – (8-6) – No. 4 Seed

NFL Playoff Picture RIght Now — Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers remain atop the AFC North right now, and it's now a two-team race between them and the Baltimore Ravens. There are no playoff-clinching scenarios for either team in Week 16, but there are crucial matchups. Pittsburgh is on the road facing the Detroit Lions , and Baltimore is hosting the Patriots. A loss for the Steelers and a win for the Ravens brings them even in the division. Conversely, in a reverse situation, the Ravens would be two games back of the Steelers and need everything to go right to have a shot at making the playoffs.

AFC Wild Card – Los Angeles Chargers (10-4), Buffalo Bills (10-4), Houston Texans (9-5)

The Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Chargers are in a great position to make the playoffs, each holding a 10-4 record. In terms of clinching a playoff spot, Buffalo earns a spot in the playoffs with a win and either a loss by the Colts (vs 49ers) or Texans (vs Raiders). As for Los Angeles, it can clinch a playoff spot with a win and either a loss by Houston or Indianapolis. There are no clinching scenarios for the Texans this week, but they are an overwhelming favorite to beat the Raiders in Week 16.

AFC Playoff Picture: Wild Card Matchups Entering Week 16

Here is the NFL playoff picture right now in the AFC, with a look at what the postseason matchups would be.

Denver Broncos –BYE
(7) Houston Texans @ (2) New England Patriots
(6) Buffalo Bills @ (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (4) Pittsburgh Steelers'

Read More: Week 16 Fantasy Rankings

NFC West: Los Angeles Rams – (11-3) – No. 1 Seed

NFL Playoff Picture Entering Week 16 — Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Rams became the first NFC team to clinch a playoff spot this past week. Now, entering a critical matchup on Thursday Night Football against the Seattle Seahawks , there's even more at stake. For Seattle, a victory in Week 16 would lock them into the playoffs and tie the season series with Los Angeles. If the Rams win, however, they'll eliminate Seattle from the battle for the NFC West crown.

NFC North: Chicago Bears – (10-4) – No. 2 Seed

After losing at Lambeau Field two weeks ago, the Chicago Bears have the sweetest chance at revenge in Week 16. A victory at home on Saturday paired with a Detroit Lions loss to Pittsburgh would clinch a playoff spot for Chicago. Green Bay is, however, in a similar boat as a victory paired with a Lions loss would clinch a playoff spot for the Packers .

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles – (9-5) – No. 3 Seed

For a few weeks there, it seemed like the Philadelphia Eagles were trying to give away the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys wouldn't take it. So, Philadelphia now simply needs to beat the Washington Commanders in Week 16 in order to win the division and host a playoff game for the second consecutive season. Even if Philadelphia doesn't win this week, it wins the NFC East if the Cowboys lose to the Chargers on Sunday.

NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – (7-7) – No. 4 Seed

It feels like neither the Tampa Bay Buccaneers nor the Carolina Panthers wants to win the NFC South, but one of them is required to host a playoff game. Fittingly, we get a Week 16 matchup between the two teams this Sunday. The winner moves a game up on its rival and holds the head-to-head tiebreaker, but they have a rematch in Week 18.

NFC Wild Card: Seattle Seahawks (11-3), San Francisco 49ers (10-4), Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)

Playoff spots are up for grabs in the NFC in Week 16. The Seahawks can clinch a playoff spot either win a win on Thursday Night Football over the Rams or a Lions loss to the Steelers. Likewise, the San Francisco 49ers punch their spot in the postseason with either a victory on the road in Indianapolis or Detroit losing to Pittsburgh. As for Green Bay, an upset win over Chicago on Saturday and Detroit losing at home would send the Packers to the playoffs.

NFC Playoff Picture: Wild Card Matchups Entering Week 16

Here is the NFL playoff picture right now in the NFC, with a look at what the matchups would be if the postseason kicked off this week.

(1) Los Angeles Rams –BYE
(7) Green Bay Packers @ (2) Chicago Bears
(6) San Francisco 49ers @ (3) Philadelphia Eagles
(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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