Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season delivered a series of thrilling games with significant playoff implications, culminating in several teams clinching postseason berths and others seeing their hopes dwindle. The action began on Thursday night with the Seattle Seahawks edging the Los Angeles Rams 38-37 in overtime, a win that propelled Seattle to the NFC’s top seed. Saturday saw the Philadelphia Eagles secure their second consecutive NFC East title with a 29-18 victory over the Washington Commanders, while the Chicago Bears mounted a comeback to defeat the Green Bay Packers 22-16 in overtime, a game marred by Packers quarterback Jordan Love suffering a concussion.
Sunday’s early window featured key divisional battles, including the Carolina Panthers moving into first place in the NFC South by topping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20. The Buffalo Bills kept their AFC East aspirations alive with a narrow 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns, and the Minnesota Vikings defeated the New York Giants 16-13, leaving the Giants in pole position for the No. 1 draft pick. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers posted convincing wins, with quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert delivering masterclass performances.
In the late afternoon games, the Atlanta Falcons intercepted a pass from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett in the final minute to seal a 26-19 win. The Jacksonville Jaguars continued their surge with a 34-20 upset of the Denver Broncos, marking their sixth straight victory as quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for three touchdowns. The Pittsburgh Steelers maintained their AFC North lead by holding off the Detroit Lions 29-24, a game that included a controversial offensive pass interference call that nullified a potential Lions touchdown on the final play.
The Sunday night cap saw the New England Patriots erase a late deficit to beat the Baltimore Ravens 28-24, clinching a playoff spot in the process. Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw for 380 yards despite two turnovers, while Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson exited with a back injury, casting doubt on Baltimore’s playoff chances. The week concluded on Monday night with the San Francisco 49ers dominating the Indianapolis Colts 48-27, as quarterback Brock Purdy threw five touchdowns to bolster San Francisco’s case for the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
Throughout the week, several teams secured playoff berths. In the AFC, the Denver Broncos had already clinched, and the Patriots joined them after Sunday’s win. In the NFC, the Seahawks, Eagles, Bears, and 49ers all punched their tickets, with the Los Angeles Rams also in contention. The losses for teams like the Lions and Ravens significantly hurt their postseason odds, while the Jaguars’ hot streak has made them a dark horse in the AFC.
Key individual performances stood out, including Purdy’s career-high five touchdowns, Lawrence’s continued excellence, and the rushing efforts of players like Derrick Henry for the Ravens. However, injuries played a role, with Love’s concussion, Jackson’s back issue, and various other ailments affecting teams as they head into the final stretch. The Steelers’ DK Metcalf also faced potential discipline after an altercation with a fan during the game in Detroit.
As the regular season enters its final two weeks, the playoff picture remains fluid in both conferences. Matchups like the Steelers at Browns, Patriots at Jets, and 49ers at Bears will determine seeding and wild-card spots, with several teams fighting for survival. The Week 16 outcomes have set the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 NFL season.
