NFL

NFL standings after Week 14: Here’s what the playoff picture looks like

A tight playoff race takes shape as Week 14 reshuffles the standings, producing new No. 1 seeds and pushing several contenders to the brink.

Jeff Hanisch

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 9th, 2025 11:24 EST

With four weeks left in the regular season, the playoff race is tightening across both conferences. Week 14 reshuffled the deck at the top of the AFC, created a new No. 1 seed in the NFC, and put several teams officially out of contention. Here’s where everything stands heading into Week 15, from projected seeds to who’s still alive and who’s already looking to 2026.

Through Week 14, nine teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.

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AFC Playoff Picture

1. Denver Broncos (11–2): AFC West leader

Denver’s win over Las Vegas gives them a crucial edge in the conference-record tiebreaker, nudging them past New England into the top seed. With a 2.5-game lead in the division, the Broncos are in control.

2. New England Patriots (11–2): AFC East leader

A Week 14 bye cost the Patriots the No. 1 spot, but they remain firmly ahead of Buffalo in the division. The home stretch will determine whether the conference runs through Foxborough or Denver.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9–4): AFC South leader

Jacksonville’s victory over Indianapolis widened their lead and secured the head-to-head advantage. After a rocky midseason stretch, they’re back in the driver’s seat.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7–6): AFC North leader

Beating the Ravens put Pittsburgh back on top of the AFC North. It’s messy, but the Steelers own key tiebreakers and suddenly control the division that once looked out of reach.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (9–4): Wild Card 1

A Monday night win bumped the Chargers up the board. They trail Denver by two games but hold a strong conference record that helps anchor the top wild-card spot.

6. Buffalo Bills (9–4): Wild Card 2

Buffalo tightened the AFC East race with a big Week 14 win. Their playoff positioning remains solid, even though the division title likely hinges on New England slipping down the stretch.

7. Houston Texans (8–5): Wild Card 3

Starting 0–3 feels like ancient history now. Houston has ripped off eight wins in 10 games and now holds the final wild-card slot thanks to superior division play.

AFC: In the Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (8–5)

A tough loss knocked them out of the seven spot, but they’re still neck-and-neck with Houston.

9. Baltimore Ravens (6–7)

A damaging divisional loss leaves Baltimore needing help.

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6–7)

Falling at home to Houston was a major setback.

11. Miami Dolphins (6–7)

Still alive, but inconsistencies keep dragging them down.

12. Cincinnati Bengals (4–9)

Technically alive, but hanging by a thread.

AFC: Eliminated

New York Jets (3–10)
Cleveland Browns (3–10)
Las Vegas Raiders (2–11)
Tennessee Titans (2–11)

Cleveland became the latest team mathematically eliminated. All four are now focused on draft positioning.

NFC Playoff Picture

1. Los Angeles Rams (10–3): NFC West leader

A Week 14 win, combined with Chicago’s loss, vaulted the Rams into the top spot. They hold a crucial head-to-head edge over Seattle, keeping them atop the toughest division in football.

2. Green Bay Packers (9–3–1): NFC North leader

A rivalry win over the Bears made Green Bay the new division leader. They also maintain control over the Lions thanks to their recent head-to-head victory.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (8–5): NFC East leader

Both Philadelphia and Dallas lost in Week 14, but the Eagles’ cushion remains intact. With wins over the Rams, Packers, and Buccaneers, their tiebreaker profile is strong.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7–6): NFC South leader

A stunning home loss kept the door open for Carolina, but Tampa still leads via common-games tiebreakers. The NFC South remains the most unpredictable division.

5. Seattle Seahawks (10–3): Wild Card 1

Seattle matched the Rams with a Week 14 win and remains one of the NFC’s most consistent teams. Their remaining matchups with divisional opponents will be pivotal.

6. San Francisco 49ers (9–4): Wild Card 2

Fresh off a bye, San Francisco stays positioned for a comfortable postseason entry. They remain within striking distance of both Seattle and Los Angeles.

7. Chicago Bears (9–4)

A tumble from the No. 1 seed to No. 7 in one week shows how tight the NFC is. Their margin over Detroit is now a single game.

NFC: In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (8–5)

Their Thursday night win strengthened both their wild-card path and their faint NFC North hopes.

9. Dallas Cowboys (6–6–1)

Nearly out of wild-card range, making the division their only realistic path.

10. Carolina Panthers (7–6)

Their best shot is overtaking Tampa in the South.

11. Minnesota Vikings (5–8)

Barely clinging to postseason life.

NFC: Eliminated

Atlanta Falcons (4–9)
Arizona Cardinals (3–10)
New Orleans Saints (3–10)
Washington Commanders (3–10)
New York Giants (2–11)

The bottom five teams in the NFC have begun looking toward the offseason after being officially eliminated heading into Week 15.