Only the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams have secured playoff berths through 15 weeks of the 2025 NFL season. Week 16 offers clinching opportunities for nine additional teams across both conferences. Scenarios depend on wins, losses, and ties in key matchups.
The 2025 NFL regular season reaches a critical juncture in Week 16, where up to 11 of 14 playoff spots could be decided. The Broncos (12-2) clinched a berth with a 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 15 and lead the AFC West. They can secure the division title with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars plus a Los Angeles Chargers loss or tie, or a tie plus a Chargers loss. A rare path to the AFC's No. 1 seed requires a Broncos win combined with losses or ties from the Chargers, New England Patriots, and Buffalo Bills.
In the AFC, the Bills (10-4) face the Cleveland Browns and can clinch with a win plus a loss or tie from the Indianapolis Colts or Houston Texans. The Patriots (11-3), playing the Baltimore Ravens, secure a spot with a win or tie, or if both the Colts and Texans falter. The Jaguars (10-4), atop the AFC South, visit Denver and clinch with a win plus a Colts or Texans loss or tie, among other combinations. The Chargers (10-4) host the Dallas Cowboys and follow similar paths.
Shifting to the NFC, the Rams (11-3) lead the West after clinching. The Philadelphia Eagles (9-5) can win the NFC East with a victory over the Washington Commanders or a Cowboys loss. The Chicago Bears (10-4) host the Packers and clinch with a win plus a Detroit Lions loss or tie. The Packers (9-4-1) have a mirrored scenario. The San Francisco 49ers (10-4) visit the Colts on Monday and clinch with a win or Lions loss. The Seattle Seahawks (11-3) face the Rams on Thursday and secure a berth with a win or tie, or Lions loss.
Current AFC standings show Broncos first (12-2), Patriots second (11-3), Jaguars third (10-4), Steelers fourth (7-6), Chargers fifth (10-4), Bills sixth (10-4), and Texans seventh (9-5). In the NFC, Rams lead (11-3), Bears second (10-4), Eagles third (9-5), Buccaneers fourth (7-7), Seahawks fifth (11-3), 49ers sixth (10-4), and Packers seventh (9-4-1). The Cowboys risk elimination with an Eagles win or their own loss.
