Who would be in the 2024-2025 NFL playoffs ahead of Super Bowl 59 based on the current AFC and NFC standings?
With seven weeks left in the regular season (minus the Thanksgiving and Black Friday games), here’s an updated look at who would be in, who would be out, and where all the potential postseason teams would be seeded going into the games of Week 16:
POWER RANKINGS: Chiefs, Eagles get ‘super’ bumps; Lions, Steelers fall ahead of Week 16
1. Kansas City Chiefs 13-1 (champions, AFC West): The Chiefs now lead the Bills and Steelers by two games for the top seed, lone bye, and home-field advantage, but they lost the head-to-head tiebreaker after losing in Buffalo in Week 11. With a ninth consecutive division title clinched, they will keep going to work on keeping this spot in the final three games after beating the Browns in Week 15.
2. Buffalo Bills 11-3 (champions, AFC East): The Bills’ Week 15 loss to the Rams was a big blow toward getting the No. 1 seed despite that win over the Chiefs. The Bills passed another NFC tough road test at the Lions with flying colors to avoid slipping out of this seed.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-4 (first place, AFC North): The Steelers lead the division by only one game over the Ravens and also hold the head-to-head tiebreaker from Week 11 despite losing to the Eagles on the road in Week 15. They also lost ground again on the winning Bills for the No. 2 seed and face the No. 1 Chiefs on the road next.
4. Houston Texans 9-5 (champions, AFC South) The Texans clinched a second consecutive division title by beating the Dolphins in Week 15 coupled with the Colts’ loss to the Broncos. They will now try to move up a seed or two in the final three games.
5. Baltimore Ravens 9-5 (second place, AFC North): The Ravens are coming off a bye and trying to finish hot enough to catch the Steelers with only three games left. They got off to a right start by ripping the Giants on the road in Week 15.
6. Denver Broncos 9-5 (second place, AFC West): The Broncos are three games ahead of the Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals for this second wild-card spot after beating the Colts in Week 15. They also jumped the losing Chargers by a game in the division but lost the head-to-head tiebreaker to the Ravens.
7. Los Angeles Chargers 8-6 (third place, AFC West): The Chargers fell behind the Broncos after getting ripped by the Buccaneers at home in Week 15. They need to worry most about the Bengals to take their spot with the Broncos next in Week 16.
Who’s in the hunt?
These teams likely need to win out to have a chance, which remains unlikely for all three squads.
Who’s left?
All of these teams have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
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1. Detroit Lions 12-2 (first place, NFC North): The Lions have clinched a return to the playoffs but they continue to have little breathing room in the quest to repeat as division champions with the Vikings nipping on their heels, only a half-game and a tiebreaker up after losing to the Bills at home in Week 15. They also are even with the Eagles for this top seed but hold the tiebreaker with a superior 8-1 conference record.
2. Philadelphia Eagles 12-2 (first place, NFC East): The Eagles are right behind the Lions after winning an interconference home matchup against the Steelers. The Eagles already have clinched a playoff berth but haven’t yet clinched the division title with the Commanders, three games behind, also winning in Week 15.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 8-6 (first place, NFC South): The Buccaneers, who have won three consecutive division titles, are back in first place by 1.5 games over the Falcons, who swept them earlier this season. They have two division games left against the Saints and Panthers after winning their tricky Week 15 game at the Chargers.
4. Los Angeles Rams 8-6 (first, NFC West) (first place, NFC West): The Rams lead the division by head-to-head tiebreaker over the Seahawks after beating the 49ers and the Seahawks falling to the Packers. The two teams meet again in Los Angeles in Week 18.
5. Minnesota Vikings 12-2 (second place, NFC North): The Vikings got even with the Lions with a win over the Bears on Monday night coupled with the Lions’ loss. The Lions won the first meeting in Minnesota, but the teams have a rematch in Detroit in Week 18. The Vikings clinched a wild-card spot with the win, too.
6. Green Bay Packers 10-4 (third place, NFC North): The Packers lost a tough game to the Lions in Week 14 to dash their hopes of winning the division. They got a good start to officially nailing down a wild card with a blowout win vs. Seattle.
7. Washington Commanders 9-5 (second place, NFC East): The Commanders return from a bye and worked to better secure this spot over the winning Rams with a close victory over the Saints in New Orleans.
Who’s in the hunt?
The Seahawks lost and Cardinals won in Week 15, putting both behind the Rams in the NFC West. The Falcons beat the Raiders on Monday night to keep pace with the Buccaneers.
Who’s left?
The 49ers are now barely breathing for their NFC championship defense after losing to the Rams. The same goes for the Cowboys and Saints, who are still clinging to a shred of hope. The Bears, Panthers and Giants been eliminated from playoff contention.
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