NFL Playoff Bracket Picture 2025-26 and AFC, NFC Standings After Week 9 Early Slate

With the 2025 NFL season at the midway point, every game takes on even greater significance as the playoff picture takes shape.

For the contenders, a win or loss can be the difference between a home playoff game. For others, a victory can mean competing for a Lombardi Trophy or watching the postseason from the comfort of their homes.

Find out what the NFL Playoff picture looks like after Week 9 with this recap of Sunday's action.

AFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

The current AFC Playoff picture is as follows:

1. Indianapolis Colts (7-2, South; wins tie-breaker over New England and Denver based on win percentage in conference play)
2. New England Patriots (7-2, East; wins tie-breaker over Denver based on strength of victory)
3. Denver Broncos (7-2, West)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3, North)
5. Buffalo Bills (6-2, Wildcard)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (6-3, Wildcard)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3, Wildcard)
8. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4)
9. Houston Texans (3-5; wins tie-breaker over Baltimore based on head-to-head win percentage)
10. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)
12. Las Vegas Raiders (2-6; Wins tie break over Cleveland based on best win percentage in conference games)
13. Cleveland Browns (2-6)
14. Miami Dolphins (2-7)
15. New York Jets (1-7)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-8)

NFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

The NFC Playoff picture is as follows:

Philadelphia Eagles (6-2, East; Wins tie break over Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay based on head-to-head sweep)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2, South; Wins tie break over Rams based on best win percentage in conference games)

Seattle Seahawks (6-2, West)

Green Bay Packers (5-2-1, North)

Los Angeles Rams (6-2, Wildcard)

San Francisco 49ers (6-3, Wildcard)

Detroit Lions (5-3, Wildcard; Wins tie break over Chicago based on head-to-head win percentage)

Chicago Bears (5-3)

Carolina Panthers (5-4)

Minnesota Vikings (4-4)

Dallas Cowboys (3-4-1)

Atlanta Falcons (3-5; Wins tie break over Washington based on head-to-head win percentage)

Washington Commanders (3-6)

Arizona Cardinals (2-5)

New York Giants (2-7)

New Orleans Saints (1-8)

*Tie-breaker scenarios via ESPN.com

Are the Pittsburgh Steelers for Real?

AP Photo/Matt Freed

Last Sunday night, Aaron Rodgers led the Pittsburgh Steelers back to his old stomping grounds of Green Bay for a showdown with the Packers that ended with the AFC North-leading squad beaten down, 35-25, in a game that was not as close as the score suggests.

Before that, the team was beaten, 33-31, by a Bengals team that appeared to be down and out before summing that Joe Flacco magic and knocking off a team he was all too familiar with.

It looked like the wheels may be falling off for the Steelers; that the same Bengals and the sub-par Baltimore Ravens may have a chance at clawing their way back into the division.

Then came Sunday's Week 9 showdown with the 7-1 Indianapolis Colts.

Pittsburgh's defense, much-maligned for most of the season to that point, stepped up and shut down one of the most potent offenses in the league. They forced six turnovers (three fumbles, three interceptions) and made life miserable for quarterback Daniel Jones, sacking him five times.

Despite the Colts tightening up the score to within seven, the home team was the better squad all game, making a statement to a league that thought they may have figured Rodgers, TJ Watt, and the rest of the Steelers out.

The question is: would the real Pittsburgh Steelers please stand up?

Is this the team that hosted the Colts and beat up one of the best surprises of this season or are they the squad that was pushed around by Green Bay and upset by Cincinnati?

If the defense comes around and can realize its fullest potential, it will be squad that is mighty scary for any opponent come the all-important back end of the NFL schedule and a legitimate Super Bowl contender.