2025 NFL Playoff Picture, Bracket, Schedule: Full Update After 49ers Beat Bears

We have 12 of the 14 playoff spots, and the other two will be decided in Week 18.

The AFC North and NFC South will be decided with Ravens vs. Steelers and Panthers vs. Buccaneers next week. Both are win-or-go-home matchups, although there is a scenario that would cause chaos in the NFC South if the Falcons beat the Rams tomorrow night. Also, the No. 1 seed in the NFC will be on the line with Seahawks vs. 49ers.

Here's where things stand after Sunday's Week 17 slate:

NFL Playoff Picture

AFC

1. Denver Broncos (13-3)*
2. New England Patriots (13-3)*
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)*
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
5. Houston Texans (11-5)*
6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)*
7. Buffalo Bills (11-5)*

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)

* Clinched playoffs

The Patriots clinched the AFC East with a win over the Jets and the Bills' loss to the Eagles on Sunday. The race for the No. 1 seed will go down to Week 18 between Denver, New England and Jacksonville.

The Ravens' win over the Packers and Steelers' loss to the Browns means the AFC North will be decided in Week 18 when Pittsburgh hosts Baltimore. The Steelers managed just six points as Aaron Rodgers turned in his worst performance of the season.

• 4 Takeaways From the Browns' Win Over the Steelers

The Colts were eliminated on Saturday with the Texans' win over the Chargers. Houston could end up as the No. 5 seed in the AFC since it now has head-to-head wins over Buffalo and Los Angeles.

The AFC South is still up for grabs, but the Jaguars will win it in Week 18 with a win over the Titans after winning in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Texans can win the division with a win next week and a Jaguars loss. Surprisingly, this would be the first time in Texans franchise history that they'd make the playoffs as a wild-card team.

NFC

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)*
2. Chicago Bears (11-5)*
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)*
4. Carolina Panthers (8-8)
5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)*
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)*
7. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)*

In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

* Clinched playoffs

The race for the No. 1 seed is hot. The Seahawks beat the Panthers on Sunday. With the 49ers' win over the Bears on Sunday night, the winner of Seahawks-49ers in Week 18 will be the No. 1 seed in the NFC and win the West.

The NFC South will go down to Week 18, when the Buccaneers will host the Panthers. Carolina could have won the division on Sunday with Tampa Bay's loss in Miami, but the Panthers lost to Seattle at home.

• 4 Takeaways From the Eagles' Win Over the Bills

There is a scenario where the Panthers can win the division even with a loss next week. If the Falcons win their last two games to finish 8-9 in a tie with the Panthers and Buccaneers, Carolina would win the division with a 3-1 record against the Bucs and Falcons.

While the Packers clinched a playoff spot with the Lions' loss on Christmas, their loss on Saturday night gave the Bears the NFC North title.

• 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Mendoza & Moore go 1-2

NFL Playoff Bracket

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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