Rams and Broncos become first teams to clinch playoff berth, Chiefs eliminated
Before Week 15 has even concluded, two teams have punched their tickets to the playoffs, while others weren’t so fortunate.
With Sunday’s Week 15 action in the books, the 2025 NFL playoff picture is beginning to take shape, and a few major developments have already landed.
The Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos became the first teams to officially clinch playoff berths this season, securing their spots as the afternoon games concluded. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings were officially eliminated from postseason contention, extending a surprising pattern of unpredictability in the NFC and AFC races.
Rams punch their ticket
The Rams earned their playoff spot with a 41–34 win over the Detroit Lions in a high-scoring Week 15 matchup. Los Angeles leaned on key contributions from Matthew Stafford and their offense, pulling away late despite injuries to standout pass-catchers like Puka Nacua and Davante Adams earlier in the contest. Their victory not only kept them atop the NFC standings, it clinched a postseason berth, the first officially clinched in the NFL this year.
Broncos join the party
Later in the afternoon, the Denver Broncos secured their own playoff berth. Denver’s Week 15 win over the Green Bay Packers, combined with the day’s other results, put them over the threshold for postseason qualification. The Broncos (11-2) continue their strong run under head coach Sean Payton and now look toward seeding and potential home-field advantages in the AFC.
Upset in New England shakes up AFC East
The New England Patriots were unable to clinch their own spot this week after losing to the Buffalo Bills. A Patriots victory would have sealed both the AFC East and a playoff berth, but the loss keeps New England’s status unresolved, leaving the division still very much in play as the season progresses.
Chiefs and Vikings officially out
In one of the most stunning twists of the season, the Kansas City Chiefs are officially eliminated from playoff contention following their Week 15 loss. The defeat not only dashed their chances of repeating as AFC West champs but also ended their streak of postseason appearances that had extended for a decade.
On the NFC side, the Minnesota Vikings’ faint hopes were mathematically extinguished earlier in the day when the Chicago Bears’ commanding win over the Browns put the Vikings out of contention. Minnesota’s elimination marks the fourth time in six seasons the franchise has failed to reach the playoffs. They will face the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday Night Football tonight.
Other eliminations and what’s next
Other teams that have already been knocked out of the playoff picture include the Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders and New York Giants. These eliminations further highlight how tightly packed the NFC and AFC races remain as the league moves deeper into December.
With the Rams and Broncos locking in, attention now turns to which teams will be next to clinch as the regular season heads toward its final weeks. Big name contenders, including the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Houston Texans, remain in the hunt and could secure their own spots as early as next weekend.
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