NFL

NFL playoff picture as Week 17 unfolds: Projected matchups, seeds and Super Bowl path

Several playoff spots are still up for grabs with two Saturday games and a full Sunday schedule ahead.

Estados Unidos Update: Dec 27th, 2025 01:59 EST

With just two weeks left in the regular season, the race for the final NFL playoff spots is coming down to the wire. Fans across the league are riding an emotional roller coaster as contenders fight for seeding and long shots cling to postseason hopes. Every snap matters as teams chase a path to Super Bowl LX.

The NFL’s championship game will be played on Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers, with the Vince Lombardi Trophy awaiting the final survivor.

NFC playoff standings if the season ended today

With two regular-season weeks remaining, the NFC playoff picture is beginning to take shape. The Seattle Seahawks currently hold the No. 1 seed at 12-3, giving them the inside track to the conference’s lone first-round bye.

The Chicago Bears are close behind at 11-4 after a strong late-season surge, while the Philadelphia Eagles have already clinched the NFC East and sit third overall.

Current NFC division leaders

Seattle Seahawks (12-3), NFC West
Chicago Bears (11-4), NFC North
Philadelphia Eagles (10-5), NFC East
Carolina Panthers (8-7), NFC South

The @ChicagoBears are going to the #NFLPlayoffs!@budlight #ForTheCelly pic.twitter.com/nRdg4OZQGo
— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2025

NFC teams currently in playoff positions

No. 1 Seattle Seahawks (12-3), NFC West, clinched
No. 2 Chicago Bears (11-4), NFC North, clinched
No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles (10-5), NFC East, clinched
No. 4 Carolina Panthers (8-7), NFC South
No. 5 San Francisco 49ers (11-4), NFC West, clinched
No. 6 Los Angeles Rams (11-4), NFC West, clinched
No. 7 Green Bay Packers (9-5-1), NFC North, clinched

NFC teams still in contention

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8), NFC South, 56% chance to advance
Carolina Panthers (8-7), NFC South, 44% chance to advance

Eight NFC teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention: the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants.

Projected NFC playoff matchups as Week 17 unfolds

If the regular season ended today, the NFC playoff bracket would look like this:

No. 1 Seattle Seahawks, first-round bye
No. 7 Green Bay Packers at No. 2 Chicago Bears
No. 6 Los Angeles Rams at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles
No. 5 San Francisco 49ers at No. 4 Carolina Panthers

The @packers are postseason bound! #NFLPlayoffs @budlight | #ForTheCelly pic.twitter.com/eEVwcVTj67
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2025

AFC playoff standings if the season ended today

In the AFC, the Denver Broncos currently control the conference with a 13-3 record before the majority of the games in Week 17, putting them in position for the top seed and a first-round bye.

The New England Patriots remain right behind them at 12-3, while the Jacksonville Jaguars lead the AFC South and the Pittsburgh Steelers sit atop a tightly contested AFC North.

Current AFC division leaders

Denver Broncos (13-3), AFC West
New England Patriots (12-3), AFC East
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4), AFC South
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6), AFC North

AFC teams currently in playoff position

No. 1 Denver Broncos (13-3), AFC West, clinched
No. 2 New England Patriots (12-3), AFC East, clinched
No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4), AFC South, clinched
No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6), AFC North
No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (11-4), AFC West, clinched
No. 6 Buffalo Bills (11-4), AFC East, clinched
No. 7 Houston Texans (10-5), AFC South

AFC teams still in the hunt

Indianapolis Colts (8-7), AFC South, 4% chance to advance
Baltimore Ravens (7-8), AFC North, 9% chance to advance
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6), AFC North, 91% chance to advance
Houston Texans (10-5), AFC South, 96% chance to advance

Seven AFC teams have already been eliminated from the postseason race: the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders.AFC wild card race and remaining contenders.

Projected AFC playoff matchups as Week 17 unfolds

If the postseason began today, the AFC bracket would be set as follows:

No. 1 Denver Broncos, first-round bye
No. 7 Houston Texans at No. 2 New England Patriots
No. 6 Buffalo Bills at No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars
No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers