The 2025 NFL playoff race intensified over the weekend with several teams clinching postseason berths and division titles, while critical battles for seeding and final spots continue into the final week of the regular season. As of Sunday, December 28, the playoff picture features a mix of secured positions and tight contests that will determine the full bracket.
In the AFC, the Denver Broncos secured the AFC West title following the Los Angeles Chargers’ loss to the Houston Texans, ending the Kansas City Chiefs’ nine-year dominance. The Texans’ victory also clinched a playoff spot for Houston and eliminated the Indianapolis Colts from contention. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars have punched their tickets, with the Patriots holding an 83% chance to win the AFC East per The Athletic, and the Jaguars controlling the AFC South with a 61% likelihood. The Pittsburgh Steelers are poised to win the AFC North with an 82% probability, needing only a win or tie against the Cleveland Browns.
The NFC saw significant developments as the Chicago Bears officially won the NFC North after the Green Bay Packers’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Bears, along with the Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Rams, have all secured playoff spots. The Seahawks currently hold the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 46% chance to retain it, according to ESPN Analytics, while the 49ers have a 27% shot at the top seed if they win their remaining games.
Key games from Week 17 included the Texans’ narrow win over the Chargers, which had playoff implications across both conferences. The Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive with a victory over the Packers, highlighted by Derrick Henry’s record-setting performance of four touchdowns. However, Baltimore needs the Steelers to lose to the Browns to have a chance in Week 18.
With one week left, two playoff spots remain open: one in the AFC and one in the NFC. In the AFC, the final wild-card slot is contested, while in the NFC, the NFC South champion is yet to be decided, with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a tight race. The Panthers have a 45% chance to win the division, but the Buccaneers hold a 54% probability if they defeat Carolina in the finale.
Beyond the playoffs, the 2026 NFL draft order is taking shape for non-playoff teams. ESPN projects the draft positions based on current standings, with teams like the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, and Cleveland Browns holding valuable picks. The draft, scheduled for April 23 in Pittsburgh, will see 28 teams with at least one first-round selection after several trades.
As the regular season concludes, fans can expect dramatic finishes that will set the stage for the postseason. The final week’s matchups, including Seahawks at 49ers and Steelers vs. Ravens, will likely reshape the playoff bracket and determine home-field advantages, making for an exciting climax to the 2025 NFL campaign.
