NFL Playoff Scenarios 2025-26, AFC, NFC Bracket Picture and Pre-Week 15 Odds

Believe it or not, the Carolina Panthers are your new division leaders in the NFC South. Thursday night's loss dropped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the top spot, giving a Carolina team that won just seven games over the past two seasons control of its own destiny.

The Panthers and Bucs do play twice over the final three weeks, though, so that divisional race will carry plenty of intrigue into the final month.

The NFC South chase isn't the only one heating up as we approach the bulk of the Week 15 slate. Here's an updated look at the latest standings, this week's clinching scenarios, and the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.

AFC Standings and Playoff Odds

AP Photo/Candice Ward

Broncos head coach Sean Payton

Division Leaders

1. Denver Broncos (11-2; AFC West): N/A

2. New England Patriots (11-2; AFC East): N/A

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4; AFC South): -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6; AFC North): -185

The Broncos and Patriots are so close to clinching playoff spots that odds aren't even available for them to make the playoffs. Both teams have multiple paths to clinching this week, starting with win-and-in scenarios.

The Broncos and Patriots can also clinch with a tie and a loss by the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars or Indianapolis Colts. Losses by the Colts and Texans would also get Denver and New England in.

The Patriots are also the only team that can clinch its division this week. A win over the Buffalo Bills will hand the AFC East title to New England.

Wild-Card Race

5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4): -340

6. Buffalo Bills (9-4): -10000

7. Houston Texans (8-5): -2500

The Bills have the same odds as the AFC South-leading Jaguars, which says plenty about how fans (and bettors) feel about Josh Allen and Buffalo. However, a loss this week would prevent them from having a shot at a division title.

The Texans are still firmly in the AFC South mix, even if they'd need help to win it. Houston's Super Bowl-caliber defense can carry the team far, which is why its odds seem a bit long. The Chargers are pretty much out of the AFC West race but should be in the playoffs with a couple more wins.

In the Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-5): +330 (bet $100 to win $330)

9. Baltimore Ravens (6-7): +185

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7): +550

11. Miami Dolphins (6-7): +10000

12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9): +1400

The Colts are technically still in the AFC South race, but the loss of quarterback Daniel Jones could ruin their chances of even making the postseason.

Baltimore is viewed as the most likely playoff participant from this tier, largely because the Steelers don't have a strong grip on the AFC North. That's the same reason why the Cincinnati Bengals have such relatively short odds, despite being on the cusp of elimination.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins share 6-7 records and have become considerable long shots with a month to play.

Eliminated 

13. New York Jets (3-10)

14. Cleveland Browns (3-10)

15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)

16. Tennessee Titans (2-11)

NFC Standings and Playoff Odds

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Rams head coach Sean McVay

Division Leaders

1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3; NFC West): -10000

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1; NFC North): -2500

3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5; NFC East): -1800

4. Carolina Panthers (7-6; NFC South): +110 (bet $100 to win $110)

The Los Angeles Rams can clinch a playoff spot this week with a win over the Detroit Lions. They cannot, however, clinch the NFC West. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers are both still very much alive in that division. Los Angeles, though, is a virtual lock to make the postseason.

The Panthers are not, and they're still viewed as more of a fringe contender than the Buccaneers. It would seem that many still expect Tampa to win the South. The Green Bay Packers have a similarly tenuous grasp on their division, though the odds suggest they won't miss the playoffs.

If the Packers do give control of the NFC North back to the Chicago Bears, they'll still be in a prime spot to make the playoffs. Green Bay will need to outlast the Broncos this week to stay on top.

The Eagles have a sizeable lead in the NFC East, even if their recent struggles suggest they're not true title contenders.

Wild-Card Race

5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3): -10000

6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4): -1600

7. Chicago Bears (9-4): -200

The Seahawks, 49ers and Bears all have very good chances to make the postseason as wild-card teams. All three are in their divisional races too, though San Francisco certainly feels like the longest shot of the group to host a playoff game.

The Seahawks, 49ers and Bears will face the Colts, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, respectively, on Sunday. Don't be surprised if all three maintain their playoff positioning.

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (8-5): -115

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7): -130

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1): +600

11. Minnesota Vikings (5-8): +25000

The Detroit Lions loom as the biggest threat in the NFC wild-card race. They still have a shot at the NFC North, and they could overtake Chicago if the Bears happen to stumble.

However, Detroit's remaining schedule—at the Rams, versus the Steelers, at the Minnesota Vikings and at Chicago—is less than idea.

Tampa and the Dallas Cowboys likely need to win their divisions to get in. Dallas can shut the door on Minnesota this week.

Eliminated 

12. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)

13. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)

14. New Orleans Saints (3-10)

15. Washington Commanders (3-10)

16. New York Giants (2-11)

Updated Super Bowl Odds

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Rams QB Matthew Stafford

Here's a look at each playoff contender's updated Super Bowl odds entering Sunday of Week 15:

Los Angeles Rams +370

Seattle Seahawks +650

Green Bay Packers +750

Buffalo Bills +850

New England Patriots +1000

Denver Broncos +1000

Philadelphia Eagles +1300

Houston Texans +1300

Jacksonville Jaguars +1900

San Francisco 49ers +2200

Detroit Lions +2200

Los Angeles Chargers +2800

Baltimore Ravens +4000

Chicago Bears +4500

Kansas City Chiefs +6000

Pittsburgh Steelers +6500

Tampa Bay Buccaneers +7500

Dallas Cowboys +11000

Carolina Panthers +13000

Indianapolis Colts +15000

Cincinnati Bengals +18000

Minnesota Vikings +100000

Miami Dolphins +100000

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