NFL Playoff Picture 2025: Mahomes, Chiefs Clinch Top Seed; Updated Bracket, Standings

The Kansas City Chiefs have taken another meaningful step toward achieving the first three-peat in modern NFL history.

After defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 on Christmas Day on Netflix, the back-to-back reigning Super Bowl champions have clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Here's a look at the updated playoff bracket and NFL standings now that the Chiefs locked up the top spot in the conference.

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AFC Playoff Bracket

No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (bye)

No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills

No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens

No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 4 Houston Texans

NFC Playoff Bracket

No. 1 Detroit Lions (bye)

No. 7 Washington Commanders at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles

No. 6 Green Bay Packers at No. 3 Los Angeles Rams

No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Atlanta Falcons

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AFC Playoff Standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 15-1 (clinched AFC No. 1 seed)

2. Buffalo Bills: 12-3 (clinched AFC East)

3. Baltimore Ravens: 11-5 (clinched playoff berth)

4. Houston Texans: 9-7 (clinched AFC South)

5. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6 (clinched playoff berth)

6. Los Angeles Chargers: 9-6

7. Denver Broncos: 9-6

8. Indianapolis Colts: 7-8

9. Miami Dolphins: 7-8

10. Cincinnati Bengals: 7-8

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Eliminated

11. New York Jets: 4-11

12. Cleveland Browns: 3-12

13. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-12

14. Tennessee Titans: 3-12

15. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-12

16. New England Patriots: 3-12

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NFC Playoff Standings

1. Detroit Lions: 13-2 (clinched playoff berth)

2. Philadelphia Eagles: 12-3 (clinched playoff berth)

3. Los Angeles Rams: 9-6

4. Atlanta Falcons: 8-7

5. Minnesota Vikings: 13-2 (clinched playoff berth)

6. Green Bay Packers: 11-4 (clinched playoff berth)

7. Washington Commanders: 10-5

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-7

9. Seattle Seahawks: 8-7

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Eliminated

10. Dallas Cowboys: 7-8

11. Arizona Cardinals: 7-8

12. San Francisco 49ers: 6-9

13. New Orleans Saints: 5-9

14. Chicago Bears: 4-11

15. Carolina Panthers: 4-11

16. New York Giants: 2-13

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Despite the rest of the NFL closing the gap, the Chiefs have managed to rise above every challenge on their way to a near-perfect record.

Kansas City has shown its resiliency time and time again with multiple close wins that showed how motivated the team is to capture a third straight Super Bowl title. The defending champs have also overcome adversity throughout the year as they march toward their ultimate goal.

Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn't let a sprained ankle sideline him late in the year. The Chiefs offense has worked through the absences of key players like receivers Rashee Rice and Mecole Hardman by relying on new faces like rookie wideout Xavier Worthy and veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins, the latter of whom was acquired in a midseason trade with the Tennessee Titans.

Kansas City's defense has been a key factor in the team's continued success. Entering Wednesday, the Chiefs ranked third in the NFL with 307.2 yards allowed and 18.5 points allowed per game. The team put forth another strong effort against the Steelers sacking quarterback Russell Wilson five times and forcing two turnovers in the victory.

If everyone can stay healthy, Kansas City could make history in February by raising the Lombardi Trophy for the third straight year. Securing the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage is a step in the right direction as the Chiefs try to pull off the three-peat.