The final week of the 2025 NFL regular season is here, and while 12 of the 14 playoff spots have been determined, there’s still a lot that needs to be sorted out in the postseason picture.
The NFC South will be decided on Sunday, the NFC West and No. 1 seed will be determined tonight. There’s also a lot to be determined in the AFC, including the North division and seeding for the six teams that have already sealed their spot.
Here’s where things stand ahead of the Week 18 slate:
NFL Playoff Picture
AFC
- Denver Broncos (13-3)**
- New England Patriots (13-3)**
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
- Houston Texans (11-5)*
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)*
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)*
Within the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
* Clinched playoffs
** Clinched division
The Broncos, Patriots and Jaguars are all nonetheless in play to get the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Denver controls its personal future to get that high seed, although. The Broncos may have home-field benefit within the AFC playoffs in the event that they beat the Chargers on Sunday. New England will get the No. 1 seed if the Chargers beat the Broncos, and Jacksonville will get it with a win and losses from the Broncos and Patriots.
The Jaguars nonetheless have to clinch the AFC South, however a win over the Titans would just do that. A loss and a Texans win over the Colts would imply Houston wins the AFC South.
The Chargers and Payments already know they’re enjoying on the highway within the opening spherical of the playoffs. Houston, Los Angeles and Buffalo’s seeding remains to be up within the air.
The Chargers are going to relaxation quarterback Justin Herbert this weekend, whereas Josh Allen is about to start out for the Payments after returning to observe on Friday. Los Angeles performs on the Broncos, whereas Buffalo is dwelling towards the Jets. The Payments would transfer forward of the Chargers within the standings with a win and L.A. loss. Houston holds the tiebreaker over each the Chargers and Payments due to head-to-head wins over each.
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Lastly, Ravens vs. Steelers will decide the AFC North winner. The loser is eradicated, whereas Pittsburgh would advance within the case of a tie. Ravens’ star QB Lamar Jackson stated on Thursday that he is “100%” going to play in that sport.
NFC
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)*
- Chicago Bears (11-5)**
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)**
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)*
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)*
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)*
Within the hunt: Carolina Panthers (8-9)
* Clinched playoffs
** Clinched division
The Buccaneers win means the NFC South will likely be selected Sunday in a sport between the 2 groups within the division which can be eradicated from playoff rivalry.
With Tampa Bay’s win on Saturday over the Panthers, these groups are tied at 8-9 and the Buccaneers have the tiebreaker over Carolina. If the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday, they may even be 8-9, making a three-way tie atop the NFC South. In that situation, Carolina has the tiebreaker with a 3-1 document in the course of the common season towards Atlanta and Tampa Bay.
So, to sum this up: If the Falcons win on Sunday, the Panthers win the NFC South. If the Saints win, the Buccaneers are headed to the playoffs.
For the second straight yr, a divisional battle within the regular-season finale will decide the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The 49ers host the Seahawks on Saturday evening, and the winner will get the NFC West crown, a first-round bye and potential home-field benefit till the Tremendous Bowl.
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The Rams will likely be on the highway within the opening spherical, however there could possibly be a drastic distinction between getting the No. 5 seed and the No. 6 seed. A win over the Cardinals on Sunday and a 49ers loss on Saturday evening would imply the Rams could be the No. 5 seed and play the winner of the NFC South within the opening spherical as an alternative of a visit to Chicago or Philadelphia because the No. 6 seed.
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The Bears and Eagles are each enjoying for playoff seeding on Sunday. Chicago will get the No. 2 seed with a win over Detroit, whereas Philadelphia would want to beat Washington and for Chicago to lose to be able to get the No. 2 seed. Quarterback Jalen Hurts and most different key starters is not going to function for the Eagles towards Washington on Sunday.
The Packers are locked into the No. 7 spot and can face both the Bears or Eagles on the highway within the Wild Card Spherical. It is the third straight season that Inexperienced Bay would be the No. 7 seed within the NFC.
NFL Playoff Bracket
That is up to date as of Friday.
AFC
- (1) Broncos receive a bye
- (2) Patriots vs. (7) Bills
- (3) Jaguars vs. (6) Chargers
- (4) Steelers vs. (5) Texans
NFC
- (1) Seahawks receive a bye
- (2) Bears vs. (7) Packers
- (3) Eagles vs. (6) Rams
- (4) Panthers vs. (5) 49ers
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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