2025 NFL Playoff Picture, Bracket, Schedule Heading into Week 16
Playoff tickets are starting to get punched. The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams became the first teams to secure a playoff spot this season with their wins in Week 15, and several teams can join them in Week 16.
Nine teams can secure a postseason spot in Week 16. The Seattle Seahawks were the first to do it after beating the Rams, 38-37, in overtime on Thursday night.
After Thursday's major tilt, let's take a full look at the playoff picture before the remaining slate of Week 16 games.
NFL Playoff Picture
AFC
- Denver Broncos (12-2)*
- New England Patriots (11-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
- Buffalo Bills (10-4)
- Houston Texans (9-5)
In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-6), Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
* Clinched playoffs
Several teams in the AFC can clinch playoff spots in Week 16. The Patriots, Jaguars, Bills and Chargers are a part of that group. The Broncos, meanwhile, can secure an AFC West title with a victory over the Jaguars on Sunday, along with a Chargers loss.
Denver can also get the AFC's No. 1 overall seed in Week 16, although it'd need at least a few things to happen.
NFC
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)*
- Chicago Bears (10-4)
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)*
- 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)
* Clinched playoffs
In the NFC, the Bears, Eagles, Seahawks and Packers can each secure a playoff spot in Week 16. In Philadelphia's case, it can win the NFC East with either a victory or a Dallas loss.
NFL Playoff Bracket
AFC
- (1) Broncos receive a bye
- (2) Patriots vs. (7) Texans
- (3) Jaguars vs. (6) Bills
- (4) Steelers vs. (5) Chargers
NFC
- (1) Seahawks receive a bye
- (2) Bears vs. (7) Packers
- (3) Eagles vs. (6) 49ers
- (4) Bucs vs. (5) Rams
This browser does not support the Video element.
NFL Playoff Schedule
- January 10-12, 2026: Wild-card round
- January 17-18: Divisional round
- January 25: AFC and NFC championship games
- February 8: Super Bowl LX (in Santa Clara, California)
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!