As we advance through Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season, the playoff landscape is becoming clearer, with the road to Super Bowl LX now more defined. The focus is on which teams are best positioned to secure a spot in the 14-team playoff field and which teams still have work to do. No team has officially clinched a postseason berth yet, though several are edging closer.
Using ESPN”s Football Power Index, we analyze the playoff scenarios for each conference, highlighting updated odds for all teams to make the playoffs, secure their divisions, and even reach the Super Bowl. This overview reflects the latest insights as of December 12 at 7 a.m. ET.
Projected AFC Playoff Field
In a surprising turn, the Chiefs are out of the running for the AFC West title for the first time in a decade. To make the playoffs, they are now reliant on securing a wild-card spot, which ESPN”s FPI currently estimates at only an 11% chance. Conversely, the Jaguars have taken over the AFC South division from the Colts, who suffered a significant setback with Daniel Jones” Achilles injury in Week 14.
Meanwhile, the Patriots can clinch the AFC East title with a victory in Week 15, and they can also secure at least a playoff berth if both the Texans and Colts lose. The Broncos are in a similar position, needing either a win or losses from the Texans, Colts, and Jaguars to solidify their playoff spot. Last week, the Browns and Jets joined the Raiders and Titans in being eliminated from playoff contention.
Projected NFC Playoff Field
The Buccaneers saw their chances of winning the NFC South diminish following a loss to the Falcons at the start of Week 15. Nonetheless, they remain the favorites in the division compared to the Panthers. A victory in Week 14 against the Cowboys boosted the Lions to an 8-5 record, enhancing their playoff prospects. In contrast, the Bears faced a heartbreaking defeat to the Packers after briefly holding the NFC”s top position.
As of now, Green Bay has regained the lead in the NFC North but will face the Bears again before the season concludes. The Commanders and Falcons were also eliminated from playoff contention in Week 14, joining the Cardinals, Saints, and Giants. In Week 15, the only clinching scenario for the NFC involves the Rams, who can secure a playoff spot with a win.
Projected AFC and NFC Playoff Seedings
The battle for the No. 1 seed in the AFC appears to be between the Patriots and the Broncos. The Broncos currently hold the tiebreaker due to a superior record in conference matchups. In the NFC, the race for the first-round bye is tight, with the Packers and three teams from the NFC West in contention. The Seahawks will face both the Rams and 49ers one more time before the regular season wraps up.
NFL Playoff Schedule
The NFL playoff schedule is set as follows:
- January 10-12, 2026: Wild-card round
- January 17-18: Divisional round
- January 25: AFC and NFC Championship Games
- February 8: Super Bowl LX (held in Santa Clara, California)
