NFL Playoffs 2025-26 AFC and NFC Bracket Predictions for Postseason

The playoff races in the AFC and NFC remain tight heading into Monday night's clash between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Chargers.

Look no further than the fact the Chicago Bears went from first to seventh in the conference thanks to Sunday's 28-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Ben Johnson's squad is firmly on the bubble for now despite a solid 9-4 record.

With one game left before Week 15, here's how the NFL postseason picture looks.

AFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/Gregory Payan

Division Leaders

1. Denver Broncos, 11-2 (15000 to make playoffs)

2. New England Patriots, 11-2 (20000)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars, 9-4 (-10000; 3000 to miss playoffs)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers, 7-6 (-185; 150)

The Pittsburgh Steelers are quickly approaching an outcome that will drive their fans mad. Mike Tomlin will notch enough wins, perhaps even earn an AFC North title, and that will be enough to convince ownership he should return for 2026. Just like the last two years as well, it's tough to picture this Steelers team making much noice in the playoffs.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Wild-Card Teams

5. Buffalo Bills, 9-4 (-10000; 2800)

6. Los Angeles Chargers, 8-4 (-185; 150)

7. Houston Texans, 8-5 (-2000; 950)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen isn't going to win a second straight MVP, but that doesn't reflect any change in how important he is to his team. Allen threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns and also scored on a 40-yard touchdown run in Sunday's 39-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Overcoming a 10-point halftime deficit in tough wintry conditions was a display of Buffalo's mettle.

In the Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts, 8-5 (225; -290)

9. Baltimore Ravens, 6-7 (185; -230)

10. Kansas City Chiefs, 6-7 (390; -550)

11. Miami Dolphins, 6-7 (6500 to make playoffs)

12. Cincinnati Bengals, 4-9 (1300; -4000)

Heading into November, the Indianapolis Colts were sitting at 7-1 and looked like a serious contender. They've since dropped four of five, and starting quarterback Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles injury in Sunday's 36-19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Colts are in serious trouble if they have to lean on Riley Leonard or a veteran journeyman under center the rest of the way.

Eliminated

13. New York Jets, 3-10

14. Cleveland Browns, 3-10

15. Las Vegas Raiders, 2-11

16. Tennessee Titans, 2-11

NFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/Morry Gash

Division Leaders

1. Los Angeles Rams, 10-3 (-10000 to make playoffs; 2500 to miss playoffs)

2. Green Bay Packers, 9-3-1 (-2000; 10000)

3. Philadelphia Eagles, 8-4 (-6000; 1500)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 7-6 (-290; 225)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now tied with the same record at 7-6 following Tampa's 24-20 defeat to the 10-loss New Orleans Saints. The NFC South is living up to its reputation even though the Saints and Atlanta Falcons have both been eliminated from playoff contention already. The Panthers and Bucs play twice in the final four weeks so the division title is firmly up for grabs.

Wild-Card Teams

5. Seattle Seahawks, 10-3 (-10000; 2500)

6. San Francisco 49ers, 9-4 (-1400, 750)

7. Chicago Bears, 9-4 (-200; 160)

The Bears have a 9-4 record and a minus-one point differential. Sunday at Lambeau Field might've been where Chicago's playoff quest started to run aground. The team has the Cleveland Browns on tap in Week 15 but closes with the Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions.

Fans in the Windy City should start warming to the idea that posting a winning record while missing the playoffs would at least be a small sign of progress.

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions, 8-5 (-115; -105)

9. Carolina Panthers, 7-6 (220; -280)

10. Dallas Cowboys, 6-6-1 (850; -1600)

11. Minnesota Vikings, 5-8 (25000 to make playoffs)

A three-game winning streak helped the Dallas Cowboys gain some footing in the NFC playoff race, but their leaky defense will be their ultimate undoing. They allowed 44 points and 408 yards in a loss to the Detroit Lions. Detroit averaged 7.2 yards per play on offense.

That's not going to cut it, despite how prolific Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is.

Eliminated

12. Atlanta Falcons, 4-9

13. Arizona Cardinals, 3-10

14. New Orleans Saints, 3-10

15. Washington Commanders, 3-10

16. New York Giants, 2-11

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook