2025 Nfl Playoff Picture Bracket Schedule After Week 15

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 19, 2025, 2:56 AM

2025 nfl playoff picture bracket schedule after week 15

Entering Week 15, no team in the NFL had clinched a playoff spot. However, that changed on Sunday. The Broncos and Rams secured playoff berths following their respective victories, keeping them in the driver's seat for the No. 1 seed in each conference as well. The Patriots could've joined them, but they'll have to wait at least another week to possibly secure a playoff berth. Here's the latest look at the NFL's playoff picture as Week 15 develops.

In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-6), Baltimore Ravens (7-7) || Sound Smart: 6 Observations From Week 15 A dynasty fell while a few teams clinched the first playoff berths of the season as a result of Week 15's NFL action. The Chiefs have made the playoffs in each of the last 10 seasons, but won't be part of the postseason after losing to the Chargers in the early slate. Meanwhile, the Bills scored a big victory over the Patriots to draw within one game of the AFC East race. The AFC runs through Denver right now as the Broncos became the first to clinch a playoff spot.

Meanwhile, the Rams were able to outscore the Lions in a shootout to be the first team to clinch a playoff spot. They're in a tight race to win the NFC West against the Seattle Seahawks, but they'll have a playoff spot regardless. Here's a look at all the score from Sunday and where the playoff race stands across both conferences. .css-1582m2i{margin:0;font:inherit;font-weight:700;}Thursday Dec. 11 When we look back at the 2025 regular season, we may be pointing to Week 14 as the pivotal moment that sculpted the playoff picture.

Coming into the weekend, the slate had the promise of being an inflection point with multiple divisional matchups on deck between clubs in the thick of the playoff race. That included Steelers-Ravens duking it out for first place in the AFC North, along with Bears-Packers squaring off at Lambeau Field in an NFC North duel, and Colts-Jaguars jockeying for position atop the AFC... And those games did not disappoint. Pittsburgh and Green Bay both pulled off wins to jump back into first place in their respective division. Meanwhile, Jacksonville held its spot atop the AFC South after taking down Indy, but the headline from that contest was Daniel Jones leaving the game due to an Achilles injury. That further shakes up the playoff picture in the AFC.

With Week 14 complete, let's take a look at this latest snapshot and see who would be in and out of the playoffs. On top of the standings, we'll also run through the entire playoff picture, including the remaining schedules for each primary contender. This is the NFL playoff picture as it stands, with the following teams tabbed for postseason spots: The Broncos and Rams became the first two teams to clinch playoff berths on Sunday, and they have the inside track to the No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC. Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks after Monday Night Football in Week 15:

1. Broncos (12-2) If they win out, they’re the No. 1 seed in the AFC. 2. Patriots (11-3) Their lead in the AFC East still looks safe, but they’ll have a tough time catching the Broncos for the No. 1 seed.

3. Jaguars (10-4) The clear favorites in the AFC South. 4. Steelers (8-6) Have a one-game lead over the Ravens in the two-team race for the AFC North. The NFL playoff bracket is coming into focus and we have the up-to-date matchups \. We are nearing the end of the 2025 NFL season and the playoff picture is coming into focus.

With that comes the matchups that will be set soon and the playoff opponents for each team. As we enter Week 17, the results of these games will shift who plays who, and we will track that all here. The number one see gets a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs. Entering Week 17, the Denver Broncos have a chance to clinch the number one seed but it’s going to take a lot of work. It is likely to stretch to Week 18. The NFL playoff picture is shaping up as teams approach the critical Week 15.

Currently, no spots have been clinched, but the Patriots, Broncos, and Rams can secure their postseason positions with wins on Sunday. Notably, a victory for the Patriots over the Bills would crown them the AFC East champions for the first time in six seasons. The AFC and NFC playoff scenarios are fluctuating as teams vie for positions. The competitiveness of the NFC highlights its unpredictability, with several teams involved in a tight race, unlike the more defined AFC landscape. Furthermore, the Ravens and Chiefs face challenges, risking playoff elimination as they trail behind stronger division rivals. As teams wrap up Week 15, critical matchups in Week 16 will determine playoff clarity.

Injuries, particularly to starting quarterbacks, could shift the balance for teams like the Colts. Expect tensions to rise as playoff positions become more critical in the months ahead. The playoff race is heating up, with key victories in Week 15 potentially sealing fates. Teams must capitalize on opportunities to secure their postseason hopes while navigating the final weeks of the regular season. The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI 🏈 5 AFC playoff spots available • 2 NFC playoff spots available

14 teams make the NFL playoffs each season – 7 from the AFC and 7 from the NFC. Each conference’s playoff bracket includes four division winners (seeded 1-4) and three wild card teams (seeded 5-7). The top seed in each conference earns a first-round bye. Playoff seeding is determined by win-loss record, with tiebreakers applied when necessary. The four division winners are seeded 1-4 based on their records, regardless of wild card team records. Seeds 5-7 go to the three non-division winners with the best records.

Tiebreakers include head-to-head results, division record, common games, conference record, and strength of victory. “In The Hunt” refers to the seven teams in each conference that currently hold playoff positions. If the regular season ended today, these teams would qualify for the postseason. However, with games remaining, these positions can change weekly based on game results and tiebreakers. “On The Bubble” describes teams currently outside the playoff picture but still mathematically alive for a postseason berth. These teams (typically seeds 8-16) need to win games and have other results fall their way to climb into a playoff spot before the regular season ends.

Entering Week 15, no team in the NFL had clinched a playoff spot. However, that changed on Sunday. The Broncos and Rams secured playoff berths following their respective victories, keeping them in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in each conference as well. The Patriots could’ve joined them, but they’ll have to wait at least another week to possibly secure a playoff berth. Here’s the latest look at the NFL’s playoff picture as Week 15 develops.

In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-6), Baltimore Ravens (7-7), Dolphins (6-7) || Sound Smart: 6 Observations From Week 15

2025 Nfl Playoff Picture Bracket Schedule After Week 15

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