We have 12 of the 14 playoff spots, and the other two will be decided in Week 18.
The AFC North will be decided in Ravens vs. Steelers, while the NFC South will, somehow, be decided in a game between two teams in the division that have already been eliminated from playoff contention. Also, the No. 1 seed in the NFC will be on the line with Seahawks vs. 49ers.
Here’s where things stand after Sunday’s Week 17 slate:
NFL Playoff Picture
AFC
- Denver Broncos (13-3)*
- New England Patriots (13-3)*
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
- Houston Texans (11-5)*
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5)*
- Buffalo Bills (11-5)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
* Clinched playoffs
The Patriots clinched the AFC East with a win over the Jets and the Bills’ loss to the Eagles on Sunday. The race for the No. 1 seed will go down to Week 18 between Denver, New England and Jacksonville.
The Ravens’ win over the Packers and Steelers’ loss to the Browns means the AFC North will be decided in Week 18 when Pittsburgh hosts Baltimore. The Steelers managed just six points as Aaron Rodgers turned in his worst performance of the season.
- 4 Takeaways From the Browns’ Win Over the Steelers
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 in Week 18 with a win over the Titans after winning in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Texans can win the division with a win next week and a Jaguars loss. Surprisingly, this would be the first time in Texans franchise history that they’d make the playoffs as a wild-card team.
NFC
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)*
- Chicago Bears (11-5)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)*
- Carolina Panthers (8-8)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)*
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)*
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
* Clinched playoffs
The race for the No. 1 seed is hot. The Seahawks beat the Panthers on Sunday. With the 49ers’ win over the Bears on Sunday night, the winner of Seahawks-49ers in Week 18 will be the No. 1 seed in the NFC and win the West.
- 4 Takeaways From the Eagles’ Win Over the Bills
The NFC South will also go down to Week 18, when the Buccaneers will host the Panthers on Saturday. Carolina could have won the division in Week 17 with Tampa Bay’s loss in Miami, but the Panthers lost to Seattle at home.
That Panthers-Buccaneers game won’t decide the NFC South winner unless Carolina wins, though.
With the Falcons’ win over the Rams on Monday night, Atlanta could finish 8-9 if it beats the Saints next week. If the Bucs beat the Panthers, both Tampa Bay and Carolina will also finish 8-9. If there is a three-way tie, the Panthers would win the NFC South thanks to their 3-1 record against the Falcons and Buccaneers this season.
So, the Panthers could lose on Saturday but still win the division with a Falcons win over the 5-11 Saints on Sunday.
While the Packers clinched a playoff spot with the Lions’ loss on Christmas, their loss on Saturday night gave the Bears the NFC North title. Green Bay is locked into the No. 7 seed.
- 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Mendoza & Moore go 1-2
NFL Playoff Bracket
AFC
- (1) Broncos receive a bye
- (2) Patriots vs. (7) Bills
- (3) Jaguars vs. (6) Chargers
- (4) Steelers vs. (5) Texans
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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