The 2025 NFL playoff race is officially heating up as teams across the AFC and NFC battle for postseason positioning. With Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on the horizon, every win, loss, and tiebreaker now carries massive playoff implications.
Below is a full breakdown of the current NFL playoff picture, including teams in the hunt, on the bubble, and eliminated, based on the latest standings.
AFC Playoff Picture – Teams In the Hunt
As of this latest update, seven teams remain firmly in postseason contention from the American Football Conference:
- Denver Broncos
- New England Patriots
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Buffalo Bills
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Houston Texans
These teams are currently positioned within the top seven and would qualify for the playoffs if the season ended today.
AFC Bubble Teams – Fighting for a Spot
Just outside the playoff cut line, several teams remain mathematically alive:
- Indianapolis Colts
- Baltimore Ravens
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Miami Dolphins
- Cincinnati Bengals
With only small margins separating these teams, one strong finish could completely reshape the AFC playoff field.
AFC Teams Eliminated from Playoff Contention
These teams have officially been eliminated from postseason eligibility:
- New York Jets
- Cleveland Browns
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Tennessee Titans
NFC Playoff Picture – Teams In the Hunt
The NFC side features just as much chaos and competition:
- Los Angeles Rams
- Green Bay Packers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Seattle Seahawks
- San Francisco 49ers
- Chicago Bears
Several of these teams are tightly packed in both division and Wild Card races.
NFC Bubble Teams
Just outside the playoff field:
- Detroit Lions
- Carolina Panthers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Minnesota Vikings
This group controls its own destiny with only a few weeks remaining.
NFC Teams Eliminated
These NFC franchises have been ruled out of the postseason:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Arizona Cardinals
- New Orleans Saints
- Washington Commanders
- New York Giants
Why the 2025 Playoff Race Is So Volatile
This season’s playoff picture has been shaped by:
- Major quarterback injuries
- Narrow divisional races
- Wild card logjams
- Tiebreakers based on strength of schedule and conference record
The AFC Wild Card race remains one of the tightest in recent NFL history, while the NFC has seen late-season surges from teams like the Packers, Rams, and Bears.
When Does the 2025 NFL Playoff Bracket Lock In?
The final NFL playoff bracket will be determined after Week 18, with:
- Seven teams per conference qualifying
- The No. 1 seed receiving a first-round bye
- The remaining six teams playing Wild Card Weekend
Super Bowl LIX Location
The NFL has confirmed that Super Bowl LIX will be played in New Orleans, making it one of the most anticipated championship environments in years.
Key Takeaways
- The Broncos and Rams currently lead the race in their respective conferences.
- The Chiefs, Bengals, Cowboys, and Vikings are still in danger despite strong brand recognition.
- Several traditional contenders are on the playoff bubble, not locked in.
Stay Updated on the NFL Playoff Picture
With weekly shifts in playoff seeding, the 2025 postseason picture is far from finalized. Fans should monitor:
- Division tiebreakers
- Head-to-head results
- Conference record changes
- Final three weeks of matchups
Expect major movement right through the final regular-season games.