The NFL playoff race is heating up as the 2025 season barrels toward December, with new contenders rising and perennial powerhouses suddenly fighting for their postseason lives. After a wild Week 11, the playoff picture in both conferences is anything but settled—and the next few weeks promise even more drama.
AFC: Broncos and Patriots Lead, Chiefs in Trouble
The
Denver Broncos have stormed to the top of the AFC, boasting a 9-2 record after a crucial win over the Kansas City Chiefs. The
New England Patriots are right behind, also at 9-2, but Denver holds the tiebreaker for now. The
Indianapolis Colts (8-2) and
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) round out the division leaders, while the
Buffalo Bills (7-3),
Los Angeles Chargers (7-4), and
Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4) currently occupy the wild card spots.
What’s truly shocking is the position of the
Kansas City Chiefs. At 5-5, the defending AFC West champs are now on the outside looking in, needing a strong finish and some help to secure a wild card berth. The
Baltimore Ravens are also 5-5, just a game behind the Steelers in the AFC North, with two head-to-head matchups still to come—a potential game-changer for both teams.
AFC Playoff Standings (After Week 11)
| Seed | Team | Record |
|------|-----------------------|--------|
| 1 | Denver Broncos | 9-2 |
| 2 | New England Patriots | 9-2 |
| 3 | Indianapolis Colts | 8-2 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 6-4 |
| 5 | Buffalo Bills | 7-3 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Chargers | 7-4 |
| 7 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 6-4 |
Notable in the hunt: Houston Texans (5-5), Kansas City Chiefs (5-5), Baltimore Ravens (5-5).
NFC: Eagles and Rams Soar, Lions and Bears Battle
Over in the NFC, the
Philadelphia Eagles have reclaimed the top seed at 8-2 after a Sunday night win over the Detroit Lions. The
Los Angeles Rams also sit at 8-2, followed by the
Chicago Bears (7-3) and
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) as division leaders. The wild card race is fierce, with the
Seattle Seahawks (7-3),
Green Bay Packers (6-3-1), and
San Francisco 49ers (7-4) currently holding spots.
The
Detroit Lions (6-4) and
Carolina Panthers (6-5) are just outside the playoff bubble, but both control their own destiny with key divisional games ahead. The
Minnesota Vikings (4-6) are clinging to slim hopes, needing to win out and get help.
NFC Playoff Standings (After Week 11)
| Seed | Team | Record |
|------|-----------------------|---------|
| 1 | Philadelphia Eagles | 8-2 |
| 2 | Los Angeles Rams | 8-2 |
| 3 | Chicago Bears | 7-3 |
| 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-4 |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | 7-3 |
| 6 | Green Bay Packers | 6-3-1 |
| 7 | San Francisco 49ers | 7-4 |
In the hunt: Detroit Lions (6-4), Carolina Panthers (6-5), Minnesota Vikings (4-6).
No Teams Clinched—Yet
Despite the clear front-runners,
no team has officially clinched a playoff spot as of Week 11. The earliest clinching scenarios could emerge after Thanksgiving, especially for the Eagles, who have a pivotal matchup against the Cowboys looming. On the flip side, no team has been mathematically eliminated, though several are on the brink.
What to Watch: Key Storylines Ahead
-
Chiefs’ Playoff Streak in Jeopardy: Kansas City’s margin for error is razor-thin. With games against the Colts, Cowboys, and Broncos still ahead, Patrick Mahomes and company must find their groove fast.
-
AFC North Showdown: The Steelers and Ravens face off twice in the coming weeks, with the division—and a playoff berth—likely hanging in the balance.
-
NFC Wild Card Chaos: The Lions, Panthers, and Vikings are all within striking distance, setting up a wild finish for the final playoff spots.
Takeaways and What’s Next
The 2025 NFL playoff race is wide open, with new faces at the top and familiar contenders fighting for survival. With six weeks left, every game matters—and the next month will separate the true contenders from the pretenders. Expect more upsets, shifting seeds, and playoff drama as the regular season sprints to the finish.
Sources
1. NFL Playoff Picture: NFC & AFC Standings, Clinching ... - YouTube
2. 2025-26 NFL Playoff Bracket - Early NFL Playoff Picture
3. 2025 NFL Playoff Picture
4. NFL playoff picture: Detroit Lions retake NFC North lead
5. NFL Playoff Picture 2025, Week 12 Wild Card Bracket Hunt, Standings, Super Bowl Odds
6. NFL Playoff Scenarios | Clinching & Elimination scenarios ...
7. NFL playoff contenders and pretenders: We stacked every team into nine tiers
8. Denver Broncos are the number 1 seed in the AFC
9. NFL Standings - 2025 Regular Season Playoff Standings - ESPN
10. 2025 NFL Playoff Machine - Playoff Matchup Predictor
11. 2025 NFL Playoff Picture, Scenarios, and Standings - CBS Sports
12. 2025 NFL Playoff Picture, Week 11: Who's In and Who's Out
