With the 2025 NFL regular season down to its final four weeks, the playoff picture is crystallized, and the margin for error is razor thin. If the season ended today, December 10th, both the AFC and NFC would feature nail-biting first-round matchups and two clear favorites emerging for the coveted No. 1 seeds.
Here is a look at the current 14-team bracket and the key storylines shaping the final stretch of the 2025 season.
AFC Playoff Standings: The Duel for No. 1
The AFC is dominated by two 11-2 teams, setting up a thrilling fight for the single first-round bye and home-field advantage through the AFC Championship.
| Seed | Team | Record | Status |
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 11-2 | AFC West Leader, First-Round Bye |
| 2 | New England Patriots | 11-2 | AFC East Leader |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 9-4 | AFC South Leader |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-6 | AFC North Leader |
| 5 | Los Angeles Chargers | 9-4 | Wild Card #1 |
| 6 | Buffalo Bills | 9-4 | Wild Card #2 |
| 7 | Houston Texans | 8-5 | Wild Card #3 |
AFC Wild Card Matchups
| Game | Matchup |
| Game A | (7) Houston Texans at (2) New England Patriots |
| Game B | (6) Buffalo Bills at (3) Jacksonville Jaguars |
| Game C | (5) Los Angeles Chargers at (4) Pittsburgh Steelers |
Key AFC Storylines:
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Broncos Take the Lead: The Denver Broncos hold the crucial tiebreaker over the Patriots for the No. 1 seed thanks to a better conference record (7-2 vs. 6-2).1 Their Week 15 home game against the Packers is huge for their home-field hopes.
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The Bills vs. Patriots Showdown: The Patriots face the Bills in Week 15 in a game that could determine the AFC East.2 If New England wins, they all but lock up the division, relegating Buffalo to a dangerous Wild Card spot.
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AFC North Scramble: The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) lead the division by a single game, but the 6-7 Baltimore Ravens are still in the hunt. This division may not be decided until Week 18.
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The Bubble: The Indianapolis Colts (8-5) are just outside the playoff bracket, tied with the Texans but losing the head-to-head tiebreaker.3 The Colts’ loss of their starting quarterback in Week 14 makes their path significantly harder.4
NFC Playoff Standings: The West Coast Reigns
The NFC West is making a strong case for being the league’s best division, with two 10-win teams in the top five seeds. The Wild Card race is particularly fierce, with three teams boasting a 9-4 record or better.
| Seed | Team | Record | Status |
| 1 | Los Angeles Rams | 10-3 | NFC West Leader, First-Round Bye |
| 2 | Green Bay Packers | 9-3-1 | NFC North Leader |
| 3 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8-5 | NFC East Leader |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 7-6 | NFC South Leader |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | 10-3 | Wild Card #1 |
| 6 | San Francisco 49ers | 9-4 | Wild Card #2 |
| 7 | Chicago Bears | 9-4 | Wild Card #3 |
NFC Wild Card Matchups
| Game | Matchup |
| Game A | (7) Chicago Bears at (2) Green Bay Packers |
| Game B | (6) San Francisco 49ers at (3) Philadelphia Eagles |
| Game C | (5) Seattle Seahawks at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Key NFC Storylines:
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NFC West Dominance: The Rams (10-3) hold the No. 1 seed thanks to the tiebreaker over the Seahawks (10-3). Both teams are elite, but a Week 15 rematch between them could ultimately decide the NFC West and the No. 1 overall seed.
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NFC North Classic: The Packers‘ recent win over the Bears gave them the division lead. If the season ended today, we would have a classic Packers vs. Bears rivalry game in the Wild Card round—the oldest rivalry in the NFL for a chance to move on!
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Eagles in a Slump: Despite losing three straight, the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) still hold the NFC East lead due to the struggles of the Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1).5 Their No. 3 seed is one of the shakiest in the league.
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On the Bubble: The Detroit Lions (8-5) are the first team out, just a game behind the Bears (9-4) and 49ers (9-4) in the Wild Card hunt. The Lions and Carolina Panthers (7-6) will both be scoreboard watching closely through Week 18.
