Week 16 NFL Playoff Picture, AFC, NFC, Bracket Scenarios and Odds

Only two teams, the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos, have so far secured spots in the 2025-26 NFL playoffs.

That number could skyrocket during Week 16.

Nine different teams—five in the NFC and four in the AFC—have chances to clinch postseason spots. And that might not be all that gets decided. As the league's latest clinching scenarios show, the AFC's top seed and two division titles could also be claimed.

It should be a busy weekend, and this is just the beginning for the wild ride ahead. Speaking of which, we'll look all the way ahead with the latest Super Bowl odds after dissecting the latest playoff picture.

AFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo

Division Leaders

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

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

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

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6, AFC North)

With a win and plenty of help, the Broncos could lock up the No. 1 seed over the weekend. With a win and some help, the Jaguars could be officially playoff-bound for the second time in four seasons. With a win and no other assistance required, the Patriots could secure their first playoff trip since the 2021 season.

Clinching scenarios aren't on the table for the Steelers yet, who could be looking at a photo finish in their fight with the Ravens for control of the AFC North. These two teams will meet in Baltimore to close out the regular season.

Wild Card Teams

5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)

6. Buffalo Bills (10-4)

7. Houston Texans (9-5)

The Bills and Chargers can both get big-dance tickets with weekend victories and a little help elsewhere. The Texans, meanwhile, should capitalize on the Raiders' visit Sunday before the schedule stiffens over the final two weeks.

In the Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7)

Is this the nothing-to-see-here tier? That'd be a harsh assessment, and it's probably a touch premature to make that proclamation. That said, Indy has had to turn toward recently unretired 44-year-old Philip Rivers in light of Daniel Jones' season-ending injury, and Baltimore has rarely looked like itself all season. Both teams remain mathematically alive, but winning out might be required to sneak into the field.

Eliminated

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)

11. Miami Dolphins (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-clinched playoffs

NFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo

Division Leaders

1. x-Los Angeles Rams (11-3, NFC West)

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

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

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

Two teams—the Bears and Eagles—can clinch playoff berths this weekend (Philly could even capture the NFC East crown), but another might feel it has more at stake. That would be the Rams, who visit the Seahawks on Thursday in an epic clash that could go a long way toward deciding both the NFC's top seed and the NFC West's title.

Wild Card Teams

5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3)

6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)

7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)

While the 49ers and Seahawks have bigger ambitions than a playoff berth, they'd still like to secure their spots in Week 16. And they can do just that by knocking off the Colts and Rams, respectively. The Packers, meanwhile, could punch their own ticket with a win and help from the Lions' opponent (Steelers).

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (8-6)

9. Carolina Panthers (7-7)

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)

While the Cowboys are cooked (though technically still mathematically alive), the Lions have more than a puncher's chance of reaching the playoffs. They just can't keep alternating wins and losses like they have over their past 10 contests. The Panthers might be the team to watch here, though, since they have the same record as the Buccaneers with two head-to-head bouts still remaining.

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-clinched playoffs

Super Bowl Odds

AP Photo

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

Los Angeles Rams: +320

Seattle Seahawks: +650

Denver Broncos: +800

Buffalo Bills: +800

Philadelphia Eagles: +1100

Houston Texans: +1100

New England Patriots: +1500

Green Bay Packers: +1500

Jacksonville Jaguars: +1600

San Francisco 49ers: +2200

Los Angeles Chargers: +2200

Baltimore Ravens: +2200

Detroit Lions: +3000

Chicago Bears: +3000

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: +5000

Pittsburgh Steelers: +7000

Carolina Panthers: +30000

Indianapolis Colts: +40000

Dallas Cowboys: +100000

If you're fine playing the favorite, the Rams hold that status for a reason. Now, maybe this goes out the window based on Thursday's result, but for now, L.A. looks like the most complete club in this race. Plus, it has championship experience at quarterback (Matthew Stafford) and head coach (Sean McVay).

If you're looking for longer odds, the Texans are playing some terrific football of late. They've won six consecutive contests and nine of their last 11, with the only losses in this stretch coming against the 12-win Broncos and 11-win Seahawks.

If you're fine just throwing a dart, you could do worse than a fingers-crossed wager on the Lions. Look, their defense and offensive line might both spell their demise, but this team has the playmakers to out-firework anyone. Detroit has tallied a league-best 428 points, and to give that number some context, only eight other teams are even above 350.

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