The 2025 NFL season is headed towards crunch time. As we wind down in Week 12, solely six full weeks of regular-season motion stay till the beginning of the playoffs. Which means, whereas the postseason image is way from finalized, the race for playoff berths — and high seeding — is nicely underway.
Some preseason favorites just like the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles are nicely on their method to the dance. Others, just like the reigning AFC champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and defending AFC South champion Houston Texans, are on the surface wanting in, however making a late push. In the meantime a slew of shock contenders, from the New England Patriots to the Denver Broncos to the Indianapolis Colts, are at the moment difficult for the fitting to an early-playoff bye.
The place, precisely, do all of the playoff contenders sit? Which groups can be within the postseason if the schedule have been halted right now? And which golf equipment nonetheless have a shot to sneak into the combination down the stretch? Under is an up to date rundown of your complete playoff image, full with remaining schedules for major contenders:
Full playoff image
That is the NFL playoff image because it stands, with the next groups tabbed for postseason spots:
AFC standings
- New England Patriots (10-2)
- Denver Broncos (9-2)
- Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
- Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
- Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)
- Buffalo Payments (7-4)
1. New England Patriots (10-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, vs. Payments, @ Ravens, @ Jets, vs. Dolphins
Drake Maye continues to be on an MVP-caliber run because the face of Mike Vrabel’s lineup, and the remaining slate units them up nicely for the Patriots’ first AFC East title since Tom Brady’s ultimate season with the membership in 2019. Three of the Pats’ ultimate 5 opponents have shedding data, and three of these 5 fall inside the division.
2. Denver Broncos (9-2)
Remaining schedule: @ Commanders, @ Raiders, vs. Packers, vs. Jaguars, @ Chiefs, vs. Chargers
Denver is buoyed by Bo Nix’s late-game composure and a stellar protection led by Vance Joseph. Dates with the rival Chiefs and Chargers within the ultimate two weeks of the season will seemingly decide whether or not the Broncos can rob Kansas Metropolis of its tenth straight division crown. However this group is all however a lock to play January ball.
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Texans, @ Jaguars, @ Seahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, @ Texans
Can Daniel Jones rediscover the early-year effectivity that made him a surprising breakout? He’ll have to take action towards some stingy defenses down the stretch, with nearly each one in all Indianapolis’ remaining opponents boasting a high 10 scoring “D.” Accordingly, the Colts may be the most secure wager to slide in these standings.
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, vs. Steelers, @ Bengals, vs. Patriots, @ Packers, @ Steelers
Lamar Jackson hasn’t precisely lit it up since coming back from a hamstring harm, so it stands to purpose he is nonetheless feeling the consequences of stated subject. Luckily for Baltimore, the protection has turned a significant nook since October, placing the staff in first rate place to remain forward of, or not less than hold tempo with, the slumping Pittsburgh Steelers.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, vs. Eagles, @ Chiefs, @ Cowboys, vs. Texans, @ Broncos
Among the many present wild card contenders, the Chargers may be in probably the most hazard of shedding their spot solely. The Raiders in Week 13 ought to be very beatable. In any other case, nevertheless, the Bolts can be up towards among the NFL’s finest defenses whereas struggling to maintain Justin Herbert snug behind a depleted offensive line.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)
Remaining schedule: @ Titans, vs. Colts, vs. Jets, @ Broncos, @ Colts, vs. Titans
The mercurial Jaguars roared again to life in Week 11 by smashing the Chargers and escaped with an OT win towards the Cardinals in Week 12. They have a really favorable schedule transferring ahead. Two dates with the rival Titans bodes nicely for Liam Coen’s squad, as does a matchup with the Jets.
7. Buffalo Payments (7-4)
Remaining schedule: at Steelers, vs. Bengals, at Patriots, at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets
Josh Allen continues to be able to enjoying Superman, as evidenced in Buffalo’s Week 11 win over Tampa Bay. However Sean McDermott’s protection has been extra risky. New England could also be out of attain atop the AFC East, however the Payments have a comparatively clear path to a wild card berth if they will declare three or 4 of their ultimate six matchups.
Within the hunt
The Texans (6-5) aren’t to be written off within the South regardless of C.J. Stroud’s latest absence, with DeMeco Ryans‘ protection rating No. 1 within the NFL. The Chiefs (6-5) lastly rediscovered their late-game aptitude towards the Colts in Week 12, however can Patrick Mahomes and Co. straighten out the offense? And the Steelers (6-5) have greater points than Aaron Rodgers now battling a wrist harm, with Mike Tomlin’s protection a boom-or-bust operation.
NFC standings
- Los Angeles Rams (9-2)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
- Chicago Bears (8-3)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
- Inexperienced Bay Packers (7-3-1)
- San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
1. Los Angeles Rams (9-2)
Remaining schedule: @ Panthers, @ Cardinals, vs. Lions, @ Seahawks, @ Falcons, vs. Cardinals
Matthew Stafford is slinging it with as a lot, if no more, confidence than he did in his title-winning Rams debut. Which means L.A. is poised to feast on lesser golf equipment like Carolina, Arizona and Atlanta transferring ahead.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Bears, @ Chargers, vs. Raiders, @ Commanders, @ Payments, vs. Commanders
The reigning Tremendous Bowl champions are extra rugged than explosive, however Vic Fangio’s protection was enjoying lights out earlier than blowing an enormous lead in a loss to the Eagles. The NFC’s No. 1 seed continues to be inside attain, however the Eagles have competitors and face an enormous showdown with the Bears in Week 13.
3. Chicago Bears (8-3)
Remaining schedule: @ Eagles, @ Packers, vs. Browns, vs. Packers, @ 49ers, vs. Lions
The No. 3 seed is the place greater questions come up in each conferences. Chicago, in spite of everything, has not essentially been a clear operation with Caleb Williams on the controls. However the unit retains profitable beneath Ben Johnson’s watch. Now comes a slew of massive assessments towards extra formidable foes like Philly and Inexperienced Bay.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Saints, vs. Falcons, @ Panthers, @ Dolphins, vs. Panthers
Yearly, the Bucs scrape their approach by way of the NFC South race, no matter who’s wholesome round Baker Mayfield. The remaining schedule suggests a fifth straight division crown is nicely inside attain, though Week 12’s blowout loss to the Rams confirmed the Bucs aren’t prepared to hold but with the heavyweights within the NFC.
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, @ Falcons, vs. Colts, vs. Rams, @ Panthers, @ 49ers
Even after falling to the rival Rams in Week 11, Seattle ought to grasp round within the race for the NFC West title resulting from Mike Macdonald’s bodily protection. It helps the Seahawks have a pair upcoming matchups with younger and/or alternative quarterbacks; Week 13’s date with Sam Darnold’s previous pals in Minnesota ought to be spicy.
6. Inexperienced Bay Packers (7-3-1)
Remaining schedule: @ Lions, vs. Bears, @ Broncos, @ Bears, vs. Ravens, @ Vikings
Increase your hand should you anticipated them to be trailing the Bears at this level within the 12 months. Matt LaFleur’s offense has been extra scattershot than common, however the NFC North continues to be up for grabs with 4 divisional matchups nonetheless on faucet. We count on this group within the postseason a method or one other. However it’ll nonetheless be a combat.
7. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
Remaining schedule: @ Browns, vs. Titans, @ Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks
Brock Purdy lastly returned in Week 11, taking on for long-term substitute Mac Jones, and San Francisco’s assault hit new heights. All 12 months, the 49ers have hung round, and now their protection ought to get some confidence-boosting matchups. The primary one got here towards the Panthers, and regardless of Purdy’s three first-half interceptions, the 49ers held on to defeat Carolina.
Within the hunt
The Lions (7-4) are in all probability out of the combination for the No. 1 seed they held a 12 months in the past, however Dan Campbell’s unit nonetheless has an excessive amount of expertise on each side of the ball to be written off, as Jahmyr Gibbs‘ explosive Week 12 proved. The Panthers (6-6) have an out of doors probability to leapfrog the Bucs within the South if Bryce Younger can bounce again from a poor efficiency towards the 49ers on “Monday Night time Soccer.”
