We have 11 of the 14 playoff spots sealed in the NFL entering Week 17, and there’s a chance that all of them are filled by Sunday at dinner time.
Here’s where things stand after the Lions vs. Vikings game on Christmas Day, which saw the Packers clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC:
NFL Playoff Picture
AFC
- Denver Broncos (12-3)*
- New England Patriots (12-3)*
- Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)*
- Buffalo Bills (11-4)*
- Houston Texans (10-5)
Within the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (8-7), Baltimore Ravens (7-8)
* Clinched playoffs
The AFC North may very well be determined this week. The Steelers can clinch with both a Ravens loss to the Packers on Saturday night time or by beating the Browns on Sunday.
An analogous situation is in place for the ultimate wild-card spot. If the Texans beat the Chargers on Saturday, they’re in. If not, the Colts host the Jaguars on Sunday. If Indianapolis wins and Houston loses, the 2 groups will face off in a loser-goes-home matchup for the ultimate AFC playoff spot.
The race for seeding can also be tight within the AFC. The Broncos can not slip up as they appear to clinch the No. 1 seed with the Patriots sizzling on their tail and the Jaguars one sport again of each. Additionally, the Chargers and Payments are neck and neck within the race for the No. 5 seed.
NFC
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3)*
- Chicago Bears (11-4)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)*
- Carolina Panthers (8-7)
- San Francisco 49ers (11-4)*
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4)*
- Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)*
Within the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)
* Clinched playoffs
The Packers clinched a playoff spot with the Lions’ loss to the Vikings on Christmas. Detroit was eradicated with the defeat, and now Inexperienced Bay is competing with Chicago for the NFC North.
With that, there’s just one NFC playoff spot up for grabs. The Panthers can clinch the NFC South this weekend with a win over the Seahawks and Buccaneers loss to the Dolphins. In any other case, the division shall be determined when the 2 groups meet in Week 18 at Raymond James Stadium.
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) 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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