Week 17 NFL Playoff Picture, AFC, NFC Bracket Scenarios, 2025 Postseason Predictions

With only two weeks left in the 2025 NFL season, the playoff picture is beginning to come into focus. While several playoff berths have been clinched, division titles and No. 1 seeds remain up for grabs.

Plenty will be settled in the NFL's penultimate week.

Most games on the Week 17 slate—which will open with Thursday's Christmas tripleheader—will have playoff implications. Here, you'll find a look at the latest standings, this week's bracket scenarios, and some updated predictions for the 2025-26 postseason field.

AFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/David Dermer

Broncos QB Bo Nix

Division Leaders

1. x-Denver Broncos (12-3, AFC West)

2. x-New England Patriots (12-3, AFC East)

3. x-Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4, AFC South)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6, AFC North)

While the Denver Broncos lost in Week 16, they maintained their spot atop the AFC standings due to tiebreakers over the New England Patriots. Denver can clinch the NFC West this week with a win over the Kansas City Chiefs and a loss by the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Patriots, meanwhile, can clinch the AFC East by winning their final two games, or by pairing one win with a Buffalo Bills' loss. The Jacksonville Jaguars clinched a playoff spot on Monday night and can win the division with a win and a loss by the Houston Texans.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are -1400 (bet $1400 to win $100) to make the playoffs, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, and can clinch the AFC North with a win over the Cleveland Browns or a loss by the Baltimore Ravens.

Wild Card Teams

5. x-Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)

6. x-Buffalo Bills (11-4)

7. Houston Texans (9-5)

Like the Jaguars, the Chargers clinched a playoff spot with the Indianapolis Colts' loss on Monday night. A win this week against Houston will give L.A. a chance to steal the AFC West from Denver in Week 18.

The Bills also clinched a postseason berth with Indy's loss. They still have a shot at the AFC East crown too, though, they'll need to win out and watch New England suffer at least one loss.

The Texans are still clinging to a wild-card spot and are -10000 to reach the postseason.

In the Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8)

The Colts and Baltimore Ravens can both be eliminated this week without suffering a loss. If the Texans win on Saturday, the Colts are out, and if the Steelers win, Baltimore is out. A Ravens loss on Saturday would also allow Pittsburgh to secure the AFC North before taking the field on Sunday.

The Colts and Ravens are +3000 and +800, respectively, to reach the playoffs.

Eliminated

0. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)

11. Miami Dolphins (6-9)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)

13. New York Jets (3-12)

14. Tennessee Titans (3-12)

15. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)

*x=clinched playoff spot

NFC Playoff Picture

AP Photo/John Froschauer

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold

Division Leaders

1. x-Seattle Seahawks (12-3, NFC West)

2. x-Chicago Bears (11-4, NFC North)

3. z-Philadelphia Eagles (10-5, NFC East)

4. Carolina Panthers (8-7, NFC South)

The Philadelphia Eagles are the only team that has locked up a division crown through 17 weeks. However, the Seattle Seahawks can join them with a win and a loss by the Los Angeles Rams or San Francisco 49ers.

If the Seahawks win their final two games, they'll also claim the NFC's No. 1 seed.

The Chicago Bears can clinch the NFC North with a win over San Francisco this week and a win over the Detroit Lions in Week 18.

The Carolina Panthers can clinch the NFC South with a win over Seattle and a loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina is +125 to make the postseason.

Wild Card Teams

5. x-San Francisco 49ers (10-4)

6. x-Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

While San Francisco is currently in a wild-card spot, it can still claim the NFC's top seed. Winning out would give the 49ers the NFC West title and a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Rams still have a shot at the No. 1 seed too, though they need to win out while getting one loss each from the Seahawks, Bears and 49ers. Should San Francisco fall to Chicago this week before beating Seattle in Week 18, while the Bears lose to the Lions, Los Angeles would claim the division and the conference.

The Packers can clinch a playoff spot with a win or a loss by the Detroit Lions. Green Bay is -2000 to reach the postseason.

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (8-7)

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)

The Lions, who are +950 to make the playoffs, are on the brink of elimination. Their only shot at getting into the dance involves two wins and two losses by the Packers.

The Buccaneers, who are -150 to make the playoffs, need a win to stay alive. That would set up a Week 18 showdown with Carolina that would give the winner the NFC South.

Eliminated

10. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

11. Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)

12. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)

13. New Orleans Saints (5-10)

14. Washington Commanders (4-11)

15. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)

16. New York Giants (2-13)

*x=clinched playoff spot, z=clinched division

Playoff Bracket Prediction

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Patriots QB Drake Maye

AFC

1. New England Patriots

7. Houston Texans at 2. Jacksonville Jaguars

6. Denver Broncos at 3. Los Angeles Chargers

5. Buffalo Bills at 4. Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC

1. Seattle Seahawks

7. Green Bay Packers at 2. Chicago Bears

6. San Francisco 49ers at 3. Philadelphia Eagles

5. Los Angeles Rams at 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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