AFC playoff picture in the NFL: Patriots hold a tight grip on the top seed after Week 13
Despite having still to play, New England leads the AFC field. Tight races in every division keep the postseason picture wide open after Week 13.
The NFL has entered a critical stretch in the race to reach the postseason and punch a ticket to Super Bowl 60, set for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in California. Only five weeks remain in the regular season, and the battle for seeding is tightening across the AFC.
Patriots out front in the AFC
As things stand going into Week 14, the New England Patriots own the conference’s best record at 10-2. They continue to control the AFC East and keep pressure on the Buffalo Bills, who sit in second place at 8-4.
If the 2025 NFL playoffs started today
Here is how the AFC postseason bracket would look after Week 13.
AFC Divisional leaders
- New England Patriots (10-2) | AFC East
- Denver Broncos (9-2) | AFC West
- Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) | AFC South
- Baltimore Ravens (6-6) | AFC North
AFC Wild Card picture
The three AFC Wild Card spots would currently belong to the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), Indianapolis Colts (8-4) and Buffalo Bills (8-4). With multiple teams packed tightly in the standings and five weeks still to play, the playoff chase is far from settled.
| Divisional leaders | Wild card positions | In the hunt |
|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots (10-2) | AFC East | Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) | AFC West | Houston Texans (7-5) | AFC South |
| Denver Broncos (9-2) | AFC West | Indianapolis Colts (8-4) | AFC South | Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) | AFC North |
| Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) | AFC South | Buffalo Bills (8-4) | AFC East | Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) | AFC West |
| Baltimore Ravens (6-6) | AFC North | Miami Dolphins (5-7) | AFC East | |
| Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) | AFC North |
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