NFL

NFL Playoff picture after Week 16: Who’s in, who’s still fighting, and what’s at stake Monday night

After Sunday’s games in Week 16, the playoff picture is coming into even clearer view, with just two spots left for the NFC. Here’s where things stand.

David Banks

Jennifer Bubel

Sports journalist who grew up in Dallas, TX. Lover of all things sports, she got her degree from Texas Tech University (Wreck ‘em Tech!) in 2011. Joined Diario AS USA in 2021 and now covers mostly American sports (primarily NFL, NBA, and MLB) as well as soccer from around the world.

Update: Dec 22nd, 2025 07:27 EST

Updated December 22, 2025

Week 16 delivered major postseason clarity across the NFL with multiple teams locking up playoff berths, and a few still just on the brink. After Sunday’s slate of games, at least six teams have clinched postseason spots, with others in position to join them depending on tonight’s results and how the final weeks unfold.

Here’s a breakdown of where things stand heading into Monday Night Football and what the playoff picture looks like across both conferences after Week 16.

Teams that clinched playoff spots in Week 16

NFC Clinched Teams:

San Francisco 49ers: Officially punched their ticket before their MNF game, after Sunday’s results helped them return to the postseason following a late-season surge.
Chicago Bears: Clinched a playoff berth thanks to their Week 16 comeback win over Green Bay and help around the league.
Philadelphia Eagles: Secured the NFC East with a big Week 16 victory over the Commanders, guaranteeing their spot in the postseason.
Seattle Seahawks: Already locked in and sitting near the top of the NFC standings.

The @ChicagoBears are headed to the playoffs!! 🐻 pic.twitter.com/6I1UEfComV
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 22, 2025

They join the Los Angeles Rams, who were the first NFC team to clinch a playoff spot in Week 15. There are two postseason spots up for grabs in the NFC.

AFC Clinched Teams:

New England Patriots: Locked up their postseason spot with a gutsy win over the Ravens Sunday night.

The Denver Broncos had already clinched last week, but their Week 16 result affects seeding scenarios.

Full playoff seeding (as it stands after Week 16)

Note: This reflects results before Monday Night Football kicks off.

AFC Seeds

CINCHED:

#1 Denver Broncos (12–3) - AFC West leaders

#2 New England Patriots (12–3) - AFC East leaders

IN THE HUNT:

#3 Jacksonville Jaguars (11–4) - AFC South leaders

#4 Pittsburgh Steelers (9–6) - AFC North champs

#5 Los Angeles Chargers (11–4) - Wild card

#6 Buffalo Bills (11–4) - Wild card

#7 Houston Texans (10–5) - Wild card

ON THE BUBBLE:

#8 Indianapolis Colts

#9 Baltimore Ravens

NFC Seeds

CLINCHED:

#1 Seattle Seahawks (12–3) - NFC West leaders

#2 Chicago Bears (11–4) - NFC North leaders

#3 Philadelphia Eagles (10–5) - NFC East champs

#5 Los Angeles Rams (11-4) - 2nd in NFC West

#6 San Francisco 49ers (10-4) - 3rd in NFC West

IN THE HUNT:

#4 Carolina Panthers (8-7) - NFC South leaders

#7 Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) - 2nd NFC North

ON THE BUBBLE:

#8 Detroit Lions (8-7) - 3rd NFC North

#10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) - 2nd in NFC South

Exact positioning of some NFC wild card teams (i.e., Packers, Buccaneers) will depend on the final results of Weeks 17 and 18.

Monday Night Football: Colts vs 49ers -Playoff implications explained

Tonight’s showdown between the Indianapolis Colts (8–6) and the San Francisco 49ers (10–4) carries serious postseason stakes, not just for them, but for other teams as well.

Impact on the AFC Wild Card Picture

If the Colts lose to the 49ers:

Colts will be all but eliminated from AFC South and playoff contention, falling behind wild-card rivals with just two games to play.
That loss would effectively clinch playoff berths for at least three AFC teams: the Chargers, Bills, and Jaguars. Indy would no longer be in the mix and those teams would only need to maintain or win their remaining games to lock up spots.
With the Colts out of the way, other AFC contenders like Houston, Buffalo, and Los Angeles would have clearer paths to final seeding.

If the Colts win:

Indianapolis stays alive in the playoff chase and narrows the gap to wild-card teams like the Texans and Bills, giving them a chance to sneak into a postseason berth with two games left.
A Colts victory could also delay clinches for some of the AFC teams that would otherwise secure spots with an Indy loss.

Impact on the NFC Seeding

If the 49ers win:

San Francisco improves its seed and strengthens its hold on a higher playoff position within the NFC — moving ahead of the Rams in tiebreakers and potentially improving from one wild-card spot toward a better seed.
That also puts pressure on NFC rivals like Seattle or Philadelphia to secure their own wins to protect home-field advantages and bye possibilities.

If the 49ers lose:

San Francisco would remain in its seed (No. 6 in the NFC) and would not gain the tiebreaking edge over teams like the Rams in the wild-card picture
Other NFC teams like the Packers and Buccaneers would gain slightly more breathing room in the hunt for wild-card slots.