NFL Playoff Picture 2025-26 and AFC, NFC Bracket Standings After Week 15 Early Slate

Several high-stakes games with playoff implications headlined Sunday's slate, with divisional leads and playoff seeding at stake.

Which teams landed where in the updated NFL playoff picture and what awaits those hanging onto their postseason hopes by a thread?

Find out with this look at the current bracket.

NFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo

Division Leaders

1. x-Los Angeles Rams (11-3, NFC West; +320 odds to win the Super Bowl)

2. Chicago Bears (10-4, NFC North; +3000)

3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5, NFC East; +1100)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7, NFC South; +7000)

It has been anything but pretty for the Philadelphia Eagles this season, amid offensive displeasure and teammates vocally expressing their frustration. However, Sunday represented the most complete showing the Super Bowl champions have put together, with a 31-0 shellacking of the Las Vegas Raiders. The win keeps the Eagles in the hunt for the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC, an outcome that seemed impossible just a week ago.

The Rams stormed back from 24-14 to defeat the Lions and set up a massive NFC West showdown Thursday night in Seattle against the Seahawks. Not only is a division crown at stake but a win would put either team atop the conference as the No. 1 seed.

Wild Card Teams

5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3; +600)

6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4; +2200)

7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1; +1400)

The Chicago Bears answered their loss to the Green Bay Packers last week with a decisive beatdown of the Cleveland Browns. Against a good defense, Caleb Williams threw for two touchdowns, and DeAndre Swift hit pay dirt twice. The defense did its part, limiting the Browns to three points, one for each of the times they intercepted Shedeur Sanders. The renewed energy around the team and Williams' confidence have the Bears looking like a potentially tough out in the playoffs.

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (8-6; +3000)

9. Carolina Panthers (7-7; +25000)

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1; +25000)

Detroit and Carolina's playoff chances took massive blows Sunday, with the Lions losing to the Rams at home while the Panthers dropped a game to the New Orleans Saints that a true playoff team does not lose at this point in the season.

Eliminated

11. Minnesota Vikings (6-8)

12. Atlanta Falcons (5-9)

13. New Orleans Saints (4-10)

14. Washington Commanders (4-10)

15. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)

16. New York Giants (2-12)

x - indicates clinched playoffs

AFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo

Division Leaders

1. x-Denver Broncos (12-2, AFC West; +800)

2. New England Patriots (11-3, AFC East; +1400)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4, AFC South; +1600)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6, AFC North; +9000)

The Denver Broncos received a little breathing room atop the AFC early in Sunday's slate, thanks to New England's four-point loss to Buffalo. Despite two touchdowns and 148 yards from rookie Trey'Veon Henderson, the Pats could not overcome an interception from Drake Maye, seven penalties for 65 yards, and a three-touchdown performance from Bills QB Josh Allen.

That the AFC West leaders were able to trade blows with the Packers and emerge victoriously, 34-26, on the strength of Bo Nix's four touchdowns only made the day that much better for the Broncos and their fans.

Wild Card Teams

5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4; +2500)

6. Buffalo Bills (10-4; +900)

7. Houston Texans (9-5; +1100)

The Texans continued to build momentum entering the postseason, hanging 40 on Arizona. CJ Stroud looked the best he has all season with three touchdowns while second-year back Jawhar Jordan eclipsed 100 yards. Games against the Chargers and division rival Indianapolis may decide whether DeMeco Ryans' crew heads to the playoffs or if the Colts survive injuries to their starting and backup quarterbacks to make it in.

In the Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6; +25000)

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7; +2200)

10. Miami Dolphins (6-7; +100000)

The Baltimore Ravens secured their seventh win of the season with a shut-out victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon. They capitalized on Joe Burrow's two interceptions, winning the turnover battle and dominating on the ground, with 11 carries from Derrick Henry for 100 yards. They stay alive in the AFC North picture, where they still have a chance to emerge with the division crown, though it will not be easy as they battle three playoff teams in New England, Green Bay, and their most hated foe, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Eliminated

11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)

13. New York Jets (3-11)

14. Cleveland Browns (3-11)

15. Tennessee Titans (2-12)

16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)

x - indicates clinched playoffs