2025 NFL Playoffs picture after Week 12: Who’s in, who’s out, who’s in the hunt
2025 NFL The season is heading towards crunch time. As we head into Week 12, there are only six full weeks of regular season action until the start of the playoffs. That means that while the postseason picture is still far from over, the race for playoff berths — and a top seed — is well underway.
Some preseason favorites like the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles are on their way to the dance. Others, like the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs and defending AFC South champion Houston Texans, are on the outside looking in, but are making a late push. Meanwhile, a slew of surprise contenders, from the New England Patriots to the Denver Broncos to the Indianapolis Colts, are currently vying for the right to an early playoff spot.
Where exactly do all the qualifying contenders sit? Which teams would be in the postseason if the schedule stopped today? And which clubs still have a chance to sneak into the mix down the stretch? Below is an updated summary of the entire qualifying picture, complete with the remaining schedules for the primary contenders:
Picture of the final match
Here’s the NFL playoff picture as it stands, with the following teams slated 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 Bills (7-4)
1. New England Patriots (10-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, vs. Bills, @Ravens, @Jets, vs. Dolphins
Drake May is still in the MVP as the face of Mike Vrabel’s lineup, and the remaining roster positions them nicely for the Patriots’ first AFC East title since Tom Brady’s final season with the club in 2019. Three of the Pats’ last five opponents have losing records, and three of those five fall within the division.
2. Denver Broncos (9-2)
Remaining schedule: @Leaders, @Raiders, @Packers, @Jaguars, @Chiefs, @Chargers
Denver was buoyed by Bo Nix’ composure late in the game and an excellent defense led by Vance Joseph. Dates with the rival Chiefs and Chargers in the final two weeks of the season will likely determine whether the Broncos can rob Kansas City of its 10th straight division crown. But this group is only a lock for January ball.
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Texans, @Jaguars, @Seahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, @Texans
Can Daniel Jones rediscover the first-year quality that made him so successful? He’ll have to do it against some stingy defenses down the stretch, as nearly every one of Indianapolis’ remaining opponents boasts a top-10 “D.” Accordingly, the Colts may be the safest bet to move back in this standings.
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, vs. Steelers, @Bengals, vs. Patriots, @Packers, @Steelers
Lamar Jackson hasn’t lit himself up since returning from a hamstring injury, so it makes sense that he’s still feeling the effects of said issue. Fortunately for Baltimore, the defense has turned a major corner since October, putting the team in good position to stay ahead of, or at least keep up with, the slumping Pittsburgh Steelers.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, vs. Eagles, @Chiefs, @Cowboys, vs. Texans, @Broncos
Among the current wild card contenders, the Chargers may be in danger of losing their spot entirely. The Raiders team in Week 13 should be very beatable. Otherwise, the Bolts will face some of the NFL’s best defenses as they struggle to keep Justin Herbert comfortable behind a depleted offensive line.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)
Remaining schedule: @Titans, vs. Colts, vs. Jets, @Broncos, @Colts, vs. Titans
The mercurial Jaguars came alive in Week 11 by ripping out the Chargers and escaped with an overtime win over the Cardinals in Week 12. They’ve got a very favorable schedule moving forward. Two dates with the rival Giants bode well for Liam Quinn’s team, as does the matchup with the Jets.
7. Buffalo Bills (7-4)
Remaining schedule: At the Steelers, at the Bengals, at the Patriots, at the Browns, at the Eagles, at the Jets
Josh Allen can still play Superman, as evidenced by Buffalo’s Week 11 win over Tampa Bay. But Sean McDermott’s defense was more volatile. New England may be a longshot atop the AFC East, but the Bills have a relatively clear path to a wild-card berth if they can claim three or four of their last six matchups.
In fishing
the Texas (6-5) shouldn’t be written off in the South despite C.J. Stroud’s recent absence, with DeMeco Ryans’ defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL. the Heads (6-5) rediscovered their flair in their last game against the Colts in Week 12, but can Patrick Mahomes and company get the offense right? and Steelers (6-5) They have bigger issues than Aaron Rodgers now suffering from a wrist injury, with Mike Tomlin’s defense in a boom-or-bust operation.
NFC arrangement
- Los Angeles Rams (9-2)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
- Chicago Bears (8-3)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
- Green 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 has as much, if not more, confidence than he did in his debut with the title-winning Rams. This means that Los Angeles is prepared to feast on lesser clubs like Carolina, Arizona and Atlanta moving forward.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Bears, @Chargers, vs. Raiders, @Leaders, @Bills, vs. Leaders
Judgment Super Bowl Champions are more explosive than explosive, but Vic Fangio’s defense was lights out before taking a big lead in the loss to the Eagles. The No. 1 seed in the NFC is still up for grabs, but the Eagles have competition and face a huge showdown with the Bears in Week 13.
3. Chicago Bears (8-3)
Remaining schedule: @Eagles, @Packers, vs. Browns, @Packers, @49ers, vs. Lions
The No. 3 seed is where bigger questions arise in both conferences. Chicago, after all, hasn’t necessarily had a clean run with Caleb Williams at the controls. But the unit continues to win under Ben Johnson’s supervision. Now comes a slew of big tests against tougher foes like Philly and Green Bay.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Saints, vs. Falcons, @Panthers, @Dolphins, vs. Panthers
Every year, the Bucs battle their way through the NFC South race, regardless of who is healthy around Baker Mayfield. The remaining schedule suggests a fifth straight division crown is within reach, though a Week 12 loss to the Rams showed the Bucs aren’t ready to hang with the NFC’s heavyweights just yet.
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 should remain in the NFC West title race because of Mike McDonald’s physical defense. It helps the Seahawks have a couple of matchups coming up with young players and/or replacement players. A Week 13 date with Sam Darnold’s old friends in Minnesota should be exciting.
6. Green Bay Packers (7-3-1)
Remaining schedule: @Lions, vs. Bears, @Broncos, @Bears, vs. Ravens, @Vikings
Raise your hand if you expect them to trail bears this time of year. Matt LaFleur’s offense has been more scattered than usual, but the NFC North is still up for grabs with four divisional matchups still up for grabs. We expect this group to make the postseason one way or another. But it will still be a battle.
7. San Francisco 49ers (8-4)
Remaining schedule: @Browns vs. Titans, @Colts vs. Bears, @Seahawks
Brock Purdy finally returned in Week 11, replacing long-term replacement Mac Jones, and San Francisco’s offense reached new heights. All year, the 49ers have been hanging around, and now their defense should get some confidence-boosting games. The first came against the Panthers though Purdy’s three interceptions in the first halfthe 49ers held on to defeat Carolina.
In fishing
the Black (7-4) They may be out of the No. 1 seed they held a year ago, but Dan Campbell’s unit still has too much talent on both sides of the ball to be written off, as Jahmir Gibbs’ explosive Week 12 proved. the Panthers (6-6) They have an outside chance of jumping the Bucs in the South if Bryce Young can rebound from a poor performance against the 49ers on “Monday Night Football.”