NFL standings after Week 15: The playoff picture for the AFC and NFC starting to take shape
Two teams are in, many more are close, and the final weeks promise drama across both the AFC and NFC.
The end of the 2025 NFL regular season is fast approaching, which means the playoff picture in both conferences is finally starting to take shape. That said, after the conclusion of Week 15, only two teams have officially locked in postseason spots. Expect plenty of drama in Weeks 16 through 18.
Broncos and Rams punch playoff tickets
The Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Rams are the only franchises that currently know they will be playing in January.
Denver secured its playoff berth in Week 15 thanks to a 34-26 road win over the Green Bay Packers, improving to 12-2. However, the job is not finished just yet. The Broncos still need to fend off the Los Angeles Chargers, who sit at 10-4, in the race for the AFC West crown.
The Rams moved to 11-3 after a thrilling 41-34 victory over the Detroit Lions. Still, they hold only a narrow edge in the ultra-competitive NFC West, with the Seattle Seahawks also at 11-3 and the San Francisco 49ers lurking at 10-4.
Which teams are in the 2025-26 NFL playoffs?
Below is how the postseason picture looks heading into Week 16.
AFC playoff picture
Division leaders
- Denver Broncos, 12-2, clinched playoffs
- New England Patriots, 11-3
- Jacksonville Jaguars, 10-4
- Pittsburgh Steelers, 7-6
Wild cards
- Los Angeles Chargers, 10-4
- Buffalo Bills, 10-4
- Houston Texans, 9-5
In the hunt
- Indianapolis Colts, 8-6
- Baltimore Ravens, 7-7
- Miami Dolphins, 6-7
NFC playoff picture
Division leaders
- Los Angeles Rams, 11-3, clinched playoffs
- Chicago Bears, 10-4
- Philadelphia Eagles, 9-5
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-7
Wild cards
- Seattle Seahawks, 11-3
- San Francisco 49ers, 10-4
- Green Bay Packers, 9-4-1
In the hunt
- Detroit Lions, 8-6
- Carolina Panthers, 7-7
- Dallas Cowboys, 6-7-1
Chiefs headline list of eliminated teams
Shockingly, for some at least, the Kansas City Chiefs are already out of playoff contention following their Week 15 loss to the Chargers. It marks the first time Kansas City has missed the postseason since 2014, Andy Reid’s second year as head coach. That was three years before the team drafted star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL in Los Angeles.
In total, 12 teams have now been officially eliminated from postseason contention.
Teams eliminated from the 2025-26 NFL playoffs
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs, 6-8
- Cincinnati Bengals, 4-10
- New York Jets, 3-11
- Cleveland Browns, 3-11
- Las Vegas Raiders, 2-12
- Tennessee Titans, 2-12
NFC
- Minnesota Vikings, 6-8
- Atlanta Falcons, 5-9
- New Orleans Saints, 4-10
- Washington Commanders, 4-10
- Arizona Cardinals, 3-11
- New York Giants, 2-12
When are the 2025-26 NFL playoffs?
The 2025-26 NFL playoffs begin with the Wild Card round, scheduled for January 10 through 12. The Divisional Round follows on January 17 and 18, with the conference championship games set for January 25.
The AFC and NFC champions will then meet in Super Bowl LIX on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
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