2025 NFL Playoff Picture, Bracket, Schedule: Texans Seal Spot; Broncos Win AFC West

We have 12 of the 14 playoff spots sealed in the NFL after the Houston Texans' win over the Los Angeles Chargers. One more could be clinched tonight, and the final spot might be in stone on Sunday.

The Lions' loss on Christmas clinched a spot in the NFC for the Packers, while the Texans got in on Saturday with their win. In the nightcap, if the Ravens lose, the Steelers will clinch the AFC North.

Here's where things stand after Houston's win ahead of Ravens vs. Packers on Saturday night:

NFL Playoff Picture

AFC

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

In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (7-8)

* Clinched playoffs

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 with wins over the Colts and Titans to close the season. If Jacksonville slips up in either game, the Texans will take the division with a win in Week 18 over Indianapolis.

The AFC West, meanwhile, belongs to the Denver Broncos, who won the division with the Chargers' loss on Saturday.

The AFC North could be decided as soon as Saturday night. The Steelers can clinch with either a Ravens loss to the Packers Saturday night or by beating the Browns on Sunday.

The race for seeding is also tight in the AFC. The Broncos didn't slip up against the Chiefs as they look to clinch the No. 1 seed with the Patriots hot on their tail and the Jaguars one game back of both. Also, the Chargers and Bills are neck and neck in the race for the No. 5 seed.

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NFC

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3)*
2. Chicago Bears (11-4)*
3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)*
4. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4)*
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)*
7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)*

In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)

* Clinched playoffs

The Packers clinched a playoff spot with the Lions' loss to the Vikings on Christmas. Detroit was eliminated with the defeat, and now Green Bay is competing with Chicago for the NFC North.

With that, we might be on track to get a matchup of NFC North foes in the Wild Card Round. The Packers are all but locked in as the No. 7 seed (assuming they don't catch the Bears in the NFC North), while the Bears are likely to be the No. 2 seed, given their head-to-head win over the Eagles. Chicago could still catch Seattle for the No. 1 seed, but that seems unlikely given their remaining schedules.

So, there's only one NFC playoff spot up for grabs. The Panthers can clinch the NFC South this weekend with a win over the Seahawks and the Buccaneers loss to the Dolphins. Otherwise, the division will be decided when the two teams meet in Week 18 at Raymond James Stadium.

NFL Playoff Bracket

AFC

• (1) Broncos receive a bye
• (2) Patriots vs. (7) Chargers
• (3) Jaguars vs. (6) Texans
• (4) Steelers vs. (5) Bills

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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