With two weeks remaining in the 2025 NFL regular season, seven division titles and four playoff spots remain undecided. Key matchups on Christmas Day and throughout the weekend could reshape the postseason picture, while the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders vie for the top 2026 draft pick. Simulations project the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks as likely No. 1 seeds in their conferences.
The 2025 NFL season heads into its final stretch with significant implications in Week 17. Fourteen teams are eliminated from playoff contention, leaving two spots open in each conference. Seven of the league's eight division titles are still available, creating a tense slate of games.
In the AFC, the Denver Broncos (12-3) lead the West after clinching a playoff berth, while the New England Patriots (12-3) top the East. The Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) hold the South, and the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) lead the North. The Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) and Buffalo Bills (11-4) have also secured postseason berths, with the Houston Texans (10-5) and Indianapolis Colts (8-7) fighting for wild-card positions. The Baltimore Ravens (7-8) cling to slim hopes.
The NFC features the Seattle Seahawks (12-3) leading the West, Chicago Bears (11-4) in the North, and Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) having clinched the East—the first division winner this season. The Carolina Panthers (8-7) top the South, with the San Francisco 49ers (11-4) and Los Angeles Rams (11-4) locked into playoffs. The Green Bay Packers (9-5-1), Detroit Lions (8-7), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) remain in contention.
Christmas Day highlights include the Lions (8-7) at Vikings (7-8), where Detroit has a 5.1% chance of playoffs and must win out while hoping the Packers lose twice. The Broncos face the Chiefs (6-9), who will start third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun due to injuries to Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew; Denver can clinch the West with a win and Chargers loss.
Saturday's Texans (10-5) at Chargers (11-4) pits two hot teams: Houston has won 10 of 12, Los Angeles seven of eight. The Ravens at Packers adds intrigue with potential absences of Lamar Jackson (back) and Jordan Love (concussion). Sunday features Steelers at Browns (3-12), where Pittsburgh can claim the North; Seahawks at Panthers, a potential NFC South clincher for Carolina; Jaguars at Colts; Giants (2-13) at Raiders (2-13), a historic "Tank Bowl" between teams on nine-game losing streaks; Patriots at Jets (3-12); Eagles at Bills; and Bears at 49ers, a showdown for NFC top seed.
A SportsLine simulation projects the AFC bracket with Broncos at No. 1, Patriots No. 2, Jaguars No. 3, Steelers No. 4, Bills No. 5, Chargers No. 6, and Texans No. 7. In the NFC, Seahawks top the list, followed by Bears, Eagles, Panthers, Rams, 49ers, and Packers. Six AFC teams and four NFC teams vie for the No. 1 seed, promising a dramatic finish.
