NFL Standings 2025, Results, Playoff Picture and Bracket Scenarios After Week 15
A dynasty fell while a few teams clinched the first playoff berths of the season as a result of Week 15's NFL action.
The Chiefs have made the playoffs in each of the last 10 seasons, but won't be part of the postseason after losing to the Chargers in the early slate. Meanwhile, the Bills scored a big victory over the Patriots to draw within one game of the AFC East race. The AFC runs through Denver right now as the Broncos became the first to clinch a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, the Rams were able to outscore the Lions in a shootout to be the first team to clinch a playoff spot. They're in a tight race to win the NFC West against the Seattle Seahawks, but they'll have a playoff spot regardless.
Here's a look at all the score from Sunday and where the playoff race stands across both conferences.
NFL Week 15 Results
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Thursday Dec. 11
Atlanta Falcons 29, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28
Sunday, Dec. 14
Chicago Bears 31, Cleveland Browns 3
Baltimore Ravens 24, Cincinnati Bengals 0
Los Angeles Chargers 16, Kansas City Chiefs 13
Buffalo Bills 35, New England Patriots 31
Washington Commanders 29, New York Giants 21
Philadelphia Eagles 31, Las Vegas Raiders 0
Jacksonville Jaguars 48, New York Jets 20
Houston Texans 40, Arizona Cardinals 20
Denver Broncos 34, Green Bay Packers 26
Los Angeles Rams 41, Detroit Lions 34
New Orleans Saints 20, Carolina Panthers 17
San Francisco 49ers 37, Tennessee Titans 24
Seattle Seahawks 18, Indianapolis Colts 16
Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys
Monday, Dec. 15
Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. ET
AFC Playoff Picture
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Division Leaders
The Broncos passed another major test, clinching a playoff berth with a win over the Green Bay Packers. The Patriots still maintain a one-game lead in the AFC East, but the loss to the Bills this week will make things interesting down the stretch. They'll have to bounce back quickly on the road against a Baltimore Ravens team fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Jaguars kept the Texans at bat with a dominant win over the Jets.
Wild-Card Race
5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
6. Buffalo Bills (10-4)
7. Houston Texans (9-5)
It was a good week to be a Bills fan. Not only did they come back to avenge their prior loss to the Patriots, but they remained tied with the Chargers for the fifth-seed. They'll have a chance to either overtake the Patriots for the division or beat out the Chargers for the No. 5 spot.
In the Hunt
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
10. Miami Dolphins (6-7)
Philip Rivers couldn't quite lead the Colts to a victory in his first game action since 2021. That kept the Colts from drawing even with the Texans.
Don't count out the Baltimore Ravens just yet. It's mostly been a miserable season by their standards, but they remained in the hunt with their win over their shutout win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Dolphins face a crucial matchup against the Steelers on Monday night.
Eliminated
11. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
13. New York Jets (3-11)
14. Cleveland Browns (3-11)
15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
16. Tennessee Titans (2-12)
The Kansas City Chiefs being here in Week 15 is something nobody had on their bingo card. It's the first time the franchise won't be in the postseason since 2014. To make matters worse, the team confirmed that Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and will require surgery.
NFC Playoff Picture
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Division Leaders
The Rams became the first team to officially punch their postseason ticket with a win over the Detroit Lions. The Bears set up a massive showdown with the Packers next week by taking the NFC North lead this week.
The Eagles snapped a three-game skid against the lowly Raiders. They'll look to close out the NFC East race over the next few weeks. The Bucs looked like they blew their shot at leading the NFC South after blowing a 14-point lead on Thursday Night Football. Instead, their back in the lead via a tiebreaker after the Panthers loss to the Saints.
Wild-Card Race
5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
The Packers lost their lead in the NFC North and are now sitting at the seventh-seed. They'll get a chance to right that wrong against the Bears next week, though. The Niners also took care of business by beating an outmanned Titans team and remain in good position for a playoff spot.
In the Hunt
8. Detroit Lions (8-6)
9. Carolina Panthers (7-7)
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
The Panthers had a nice opportunity to take the NFC South lead after the Bucs blew a fourth-quarter lead against the Falcons. Unfortunately, they were upset by a 4-10 Saints team on the road. Dallas isn't officially mathematically eliminated, but they would need to win out and get some serious help to get in after their Sunday night loss to the Vikings.
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)
No changes to this group this week. All six of these teams were eliminated going into the week.
Remaining 15 Week Scenarios
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The Dolphins-Steelers Monday Night Football isn't just intriguing as the Jalen Ramsey-Minkah Fitzpatrick Bowl. There are some playoff implications. The Miami Dolphins' slim playoffs hopes would officially and mathematically be gone with a loss to the Steelers.
On the other hand, Pittsburgh can maintain a one-game lead over the Ravens in the AFC North with a win. A loss would put them even with their division rival at 7-7.
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