Entering Week 15, no team in the NFL had clinched a playoff spot. However, that changed on Sunday.
The Broncos and Rams secured playoff berths following their respective victories, keeping them in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed in each conference as well. The Patriots could’ve joined them, but they’ll have to wait at least another week to possibly secure a playoff berth.
Here’s the latest look at the NFL’s playoff picture as Week 15 develops.
NFL Playoff Picture
AFC
- Denver Broncos (12-2)
- New England Patriots (11-3)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
- Buffalo Bills (10-4)
- Houston Texans (9-5)
In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-6), Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
The AFC playoff picture got more interesting in the early slate of Sunday’s Week 15 action.
The Bills won a thriller in Foxborough over the Patriots, which means it’s only a one-game difference in the AFC East. New England still holds the upper hand, but it’s a statement that Buffalo will not go away easily.
Elsewhere, the Kansas City Chiefs were officially eliminated after their home loss against the Chargers. To make matters worse, Patrick Mahomes appeared to hurt his left knee on the first play after the 2-minute warning.
In the AFC North, the Ravens kept pressure on the Steelers by beating the Bengals in convincing fashion.
|| Sunday Takeaways: Bills vs. Patriots | Packers vs. Broncos | Lions vs. Rams
NFC
- Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
- Chicago Bears (10-4)
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
- Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
- Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6), Carolina Panthers (7-7), Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
The NFC is much more interesting than the AFC. The NFC South is firmly up for grabs with the Bucs and Panthers, with the team that finishes second looking highly unlikely to get a wild-card spot.
|| Key Week 15 Injuries: Micah Parsons | Patrick Mahomes
NFL Playoff Bracket
AFC
- (1) Broncos receive a bye
- (2) Patriots vs. (7) Texans
- (3) Jaguars vs. (6) Bills
- (4) Steelers vs. (5) Chargers
NFC
- (1) Rams receive a bye
- (2) Bears vs. (7) Packers
- (3) Eagles vs. (6) 49ers
- (4) Bucs vs. (5) Seahawks
NFL Playoff Schedule
- January 10-12, 2026: Wild-card round
- January 17-18: Divisional round
- January 25: AFC and NFC championship games
- February 8: Super Bowl LX (in Santa Clara, California)
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