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Playoff Snapshot: Week 16 Updates

December 22, 2025

AFC Playoff Picture

The Colts and Ravens have to win out to even have a snowball’s chance of even making the playoff picture, but it’s slim pickings for both of them, even with winning out. It would mean Houston would have to lose out, and lose control of their hold on second place in the South. 

  1. Denver Broncos (clinched berth)
  2. New England Patriots (clinched berth)
  3. Jacksonville Jaguars
  4. Pittsburgh Steelers
  5. Los Angeles Chargers
  6. Buffalo Bills 
  7. Houston Texans
  8. Indianapolis Colts
  9. Baltimore Ravens

NFC Playoff Picture

The Colts and Ravens have to win out to even have a snowball’s chance of even making the playoff picture, but it’s slim pickings for both of them, even with winning out. It would mean Houston would have to lose out, and lose control of their hold on second place in the South. 

  1. Seattle Seahawks (clinched berth)
  2. Chicago Bears (clinched berth)
  3. Philadelphia Eagles (clinched division)
  4. Carolina Panthers
  5. Los Angeles Rams (clinched berth)
  6. San Francisco 49ers (clinched berth)
  7. Green Bay Packers
  8. Detroit Lions
  9. Minnesota Vikings (eliminated, but hold tiebreaker over Tampa Bay, based on conference win percentage)
  10.  Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There is a lot to be figured out in the AFC, where the NFC is wide open. This is very different from past years, where it is usually the other way around, and the AFC playoff picture was basically down to seeding.

Brandon, Author

Brandon spends his days managing a plumbing warehouse and his nights obsessing over the Broncos — and somehow still finds time to write for Broncos Wire. A diehard fan with orange and blue running through his veins, he’s currently training his toddler to boo the Chiefs on sight. Insightful, loyal, and just petty enough to be entertaining, Brandon brings the fandom fire every week.