Sportsnaut
There are now just three weeks left in the 2025 NFL regular season, with this past Week 15 action seeing a large percentage of the league eliminated from playoff contention. The battles for postseason positioning and a shot at competing for the Super Bowl are coming down to the wire, with a few teams having a chance to clinch this weekend.
Let’s dive into the NFL playoff picture after Week 15, examining where things stand for AFC and NFC clubs entering Week 16. We’ve sorted our list by the seeding in each conference right now, starting with the AFC.
The Denver Broncos have already clinched a playoff spot, guaranteeing that they will make the playoffs for the second consecutive season with head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix. Entering Week 16, Denver has an opportunity to clinch its first AFC West crown since 2015. If the Broncos beat the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and the Los Angeles Chargers lose or tie against the Dallas Cowboys, Denver wins the division and earns a home playoff game. If on the off chance the Chargers, New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills all lose, then Denver clinches the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
Related: NFL Week 16 Power Rankings, Evaluating all 32 Teams after Week 15
The New England Patriots had the AFC East crown in hand on Sunday in the first half and then blew a 21-point lead over the Buffalo Bills. It means a season-split in the series, but New England is still a game up on Buffalo right now. Heading into a Week 16 matchup on Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens, the Patriots can clinch a playoff berth with a win or an Indianapolis Colts loss to the San Francisco 49ers or a Houston Texans loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s going to be a fight for the top that comes down to the wire in the AFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars (five wins) and Houston Texans (six games) are two of the hottest NFL teams right now, and both seem like strong bets to make the playoffs. Heading into a Week 16 matchup on the road against the Broncos, Jacksonville can clinch a playoff spot with a victory and losses by the Colts (vs 49ers) and Texans (vs Raiders). Otherwise, the Jaguars will be waiting to punch their playoff ticket in Week 17.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers remain atop the AFC North right now, and it’s now a two-team race between them and the Baltimore Ravens. There are no playoff-clinching scenarios for either team in Week 16, but there are crucial matchups. Pittsburgh is on the road facing the...
