2025 NFL Playoff Picture: Who's In and Who's Out After Week 17

The Ravens will meet the Steelers for the AFC North crown in Week 18, the Panthers will face the Buccaneers for the NFC South title, and the 49ers will host the Seahawks for the top seed and NFC West title.

The Ravens and Steelers will meet in Week 18 with the winner capturing the AFC North title and No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. | Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

We’re getting to the end of the 2025 NFL regular season. 

In Week 17, the Broncos clinched the AFC West by beating the Chiefs on Christmas and getting a Chargers loss to the Texans on Saturday. The Bears also earned the NFC North title with the Packers’ loss to the Ravens, with Green Bay backing into the playoffs with Detroit’s loss to Minnesota. The Texans are also in the playoffs after their win over the Chargers.

Elsewhere, there’s chaos. 

Week 18 will feature a pair of winner-take-all divisional matchups: the Steelers hosting the Ravens, and the Panthers visiting the Buccaneers. The winners of those games will be their conference’s fourth seeds, while the losers will be eliminated from postseason contention. And the 49ers will host the Seahawks for the NFC West crown and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

But we’ll start with the up-to-date playoff picture, beginning in the AFC.

AFC: WHO’S IN

No. 1: Denver Broncos

Record: 13–3 | Opponents left above .500: 1 | Playoff probability: 100%

The Broncos bounced back from their loss last weekend to the Jaguars with a 20–13 win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. With the Chargers’ loss on Saturday, Denver won the AFC West for the first time since 2015.

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No. 2: New England Patriots

Record: 13–3 | Opponents left above .500: 0 | Playoff probability: 100%

By virtue of the Patriots beating the Jets and the Bills’ loss to the Eagles, New England has won the AFC East. They will be a top-three seed in the AFC and could get home-field advantage with a Week 18 win over the Dolphins and a loss by the Broncos.

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No. 3: Jacksonville Jaguars

Record: 12–4 | Opponents left above .500: 0 | Playoff probability: 100%

Jacksonville has won seven consecutive games after beating the Colts in Indianapolis. If the Jaguars beat the Titans next weekend (or the Colts beat the Texans), they’ll lock up the AFC South for the first time since 2022.

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No. 4: Pittsburgh Steelers

Record: 9–7 | Opponents left above .500: 0 | Playoff probability: 49%

Pittsburgh squandered a chance to win the AFC North, losing 13–6 to the Browns. The Steelers now need to beat the Ravens at home in Week 18, with the victor capturing the AFC North.

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No. 5: Houston Texans

Record: 11–5 | Opponents left above .500: 1 | Playoff probability: 100%

The Texans clinched a playoff spot for the third consecutive season on Saturday with a 20–16 win over the Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Houston can still win the AFC South if Jacksonville loses to Tennessee and the Texans beat the Colts in Week 18.

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No. 6: Los Angeles Chargers

Record: 11–5 | Opponents left above .500: 1 | Playoff probability: 100%

The Chargers had every opportunity to beat the Texans but lost due to a red zone interception and two missed Cameron Dicker kicks. With the defeat, the Broncos clinched the AFC West, relegating Los Angeles to a wild-card berth.

No. 7: Buffalo Bills

Record: 11–5 | Opponents left above .500: 0 | Playoff probability: 100%

The Bills lost a heartbreaker to the Eagles, falling 13–12 in the rain. Buffalo is now guaranteed to be a wild-card team and will likely rest starters next week against the Jets.

NFC: WHO’S IN

No. 1: Seattle Seahawks

Record: 13–3 | Opponents left above .500: 1 | Playoff probability: 100%

After beating the Rams in an overtime classic on Thursday night, the Seahawks came back and handled the Panthers in Carolina. Now Seattle will meet San Francisco for the NFC West crown and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

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No. 2: Chicago Bears

Record: 11–5 | Opponents left above .500: 1 | Playoff probability: 100%

The Bears gave an incredible effort against the 49ers but ultimately lost 42–38 despite Caleb Williams throwing for 330 yards. If Chicago beats the Lions on Sunday (or the Eagles lose to the Commanders), the Bears will be the No. 2 seed.

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No. 3: Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 10–5 | Opponents left above .500: 1 | Playoff probability: 100%

Philadelphia is very likely to be the third seed. The Eagles have won the NFC East and would need several unforeseen results to move up any further. This week, they will face the Bills.

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No. 4: Carolina Panthers

Record: 8–8 | Opponents left above .500: 0 | Playoff probability: 49%

After losing to the Seahawks, the Panthers will now travel to Tampa for a winner-take-all game in the NFC South next weekend. The winner will host a wild-card game while the loser will be eliminated from the postseason.

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No. 5: San Francisco 49ers

Record: 12–4 | Opponents left above .500: 1 | Playoff probability: 100%

The 49ers won an incredible game on Sunday night against the Bears. Now, if they win next weekend against the Seahawks, the 49ers will be the NFC’s top seed and have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, including the Super Bowl.

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No. 6: Los Angeles Rams

Record: 11–4 | Opponents left above .500: 0 | Playoff probability: 100%

Los Angeles will likely be the No. 5 or No. 6 seed and be on the road in the wild-card round of the playoffs with San Francisco and Seattle playing for the NFC West title and home-field advantage on Saturday night.

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No. 7: Green Bay Packers

Record: 9-6-1 | Opponents left above .500: 0 | Playoff probability: 100%

With its loss on Saturday, Green Bay is in the playoffs but will be a wild-card team and the seventh seed for the third consecutive season.

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