Indianapolis, December 31, 2025
As the NFL regular season approaches its end, 12 of the 14 playoff positions are secured. Week 18 will determine final seeds and division titles in both the AFC and NFC, featuring high-stakes matchups including the Steelers vs. Ravens and Seahawks vs. 49ers.
2025 NFL Playoff Picture: Week 17 Recap and Week 18 Scenarios
As of December 31, 2025, the NFL playoff landscape is nearly set, with 12 of the 14 postseason spots secured. The final week of the regular season, Week 18, will determine the remaining playoff positions and seedings in both the AFC and NFC.
AFC Playoff Picture
Denver Broncos (13-3): Clinched the AFC West division title and secured a playoff berth. A win against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18 will guarantee the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
New England Patriots (13-3): Secured the AFC East division title and a playoff spot. To achieve the No. 1 seed, the Patriots need a win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 and a Broncos loss.
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4): Clinched a playoff berth. A victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 will secure the AFC South division title.
Houston Texans (11-5): Confirmed their playoff spot with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers. They can clinch the AFC South division title with a win against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18 and a Jaguars loss.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5): Secured a wild-card berth. Their Week 18 game against the Broncos will determine their final seeding.
Buffalo Bills (11-5): Clinched a wild-card spot. They will face the New York Jets in Week 18 to conclude the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7): A loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17 means the Steelers must defeat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 to win the AFC North division title.
Baltimore Ravens (8-8): A Week 17 victory over the Green Bay Packers keeps their playoff hopes alive. A win against the Steelers in Week 18 will clinch the AFC North division title.
NFC Playoff Picture
Seattle Seahawks (13-3): Secured the NFC West division title and a playoff berth. A win against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18 will guarantee the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Chicago Bears (11-5): Clinched the NFC North division title and a playoff spot. They will face the Detroit Lions in Week 18 to conclude the regular season.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5): Secured the NFC East division title and a playoff berth. Their Week 18 game against the Washington Commanders will determine their final seeding.
San Francisco 49ers (12-4): Clinched a playoff spot. A victory over the Seahawks in Week 18 will secure the NFC West division title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Los Angeles Rams (11-5): Secured a wild-card berth. Their Week 18 game against the Arizona Cardinals will determine their final seeding.
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1): Clinched a wild-card spot. They will face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18 to conclude the regular season.
Carolina Panthers (8-8): Despite a Week 17 loss to the Seahawks, the Panthers can clinch the NFC South division title with a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9): Still in contention for the NFC South division title. A win against the Panthers in Week 18, combined with a Falcons loss to the Saints, will secure the division title.
Week 18 Key Matchups
- AFC North Showdown: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens – The winner clinches the division title.
- AFC South Decider: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans – A Jaguars win secures the division title.
- NFC West Championship: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers – The winner clinches the division title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
- NFC South Decider: Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – The winner clinches the division title.
As the NFL regular season concludes, Week 18 promises to be a thrilling finale, with several division titles and playoff spots on the line. Fans can look forward to high-stakes matchups that will determine the final playoff picture for the 2025 season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which teams have clinched playoff spots in the AFC?
As of December 31, 2025, the following AFC teams have clinched playoff spots:
- Denver Broncos (13-3): Clinched the AFC West division title and secured a playoff berth. A win against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18 will guarantee the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
- New England Patriots (13-3): Secured the AFC East division title and a playoff spot. To achieve the No. 1 seed, the Patriots need a win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 and a Broncos loss.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4): Clinched a playoff berth. A victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 18 will secure the AFC South division title.
- Houston Texans (11-5): Confirmed their playoff spot with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers. They can clinch the AFC South division title with a win against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18 and a Jaguars loss.
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5): Secured a wild-card berth. Their Week 18 game against the Broncos will determine their final seeding.
- Buffalo Bills (11-5): Clinched a wild-card spot. They will face the New York Jets in Week 18 to conclude the regular season.
Which teams have clinched playoff spots in the NFC?
As of December 31, 2025, the following NFC teams have clinched playoff spots:
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3): Secured the NFC West division title and a playoff berth. A win against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18 will guarantee the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
- Chicago Bears (11-5): Clinched the NFC North division title and a playoff spot. They will face the Detroit Lions in Week 18 to conclude the regular season.
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5): Secured the NFC East division title and a playoff berth. Their Week 18 game against the Washington Commanders will determine their final seeding.
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4): Clinched a playoff spot. A victory over the Seahawks in Week 18 will secure the NFC West division title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5): Secured a wild-card berth. Their Week 18 game against the Arizona Cardinals will determine their final seeding.
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1): Clinched a wild-card spot. They will face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18 to conclude the regular season.
| Teams | Record | Division Status | Week 18 Opponent | Playoff Implications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 13-3 | Clinched AFC West | Los Angeles Chargers | No. 1 seed possible |
| New England Patriots | 13-3 | Clinched AFC East | Miami Dolphins | No. 1 seed possible with Broncos loss |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 12-4 | Wild-card clinched | Tennessee Titans | AFC South title possible |
| Seattle Seahawks | 13-3 | Clinched NFC West | San Francisco 49ers | No. 1 seed possible |
| Chicago Bears | 11-5 | Clinched NFC North | Detroit Lions | Final playoff positioning |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 11-5 | Clinched NFC East | Washington Commanders | Final playoff positioning |
Now Happening on X
- @ashtonhackmantv (December 26, 2025, 7:45 AM) A person is dead and another in critical condition after a shooting on Indy’s east side around 2 a.m. Friday, with a third recovering; IMPD responded to an unrelated suspicious person report and encountered the scene. View on X
- @WTHRcom (December 26, 2025, 5:50 AM) One person is dead and another in critical condition after officers found a fight that turned into gunfire on Indy’s east side; an armed suspect was detained following a vehicle pursuit. View on X
- @charlesharriso5 (December 26, 2025, 6:00 AM) IMPD PIO notes families will receive heartbreaking news before the new year after a violent night leaving one shot and killed and two injured in separate Indianapolis shootings. View on X
- @RickFOP86 (December 29, 2025, 9:15 AM) Indianapolis police captured a suspect immediately after a homicide of a female victim on the southeast side, aided by witness cooperation. View on X
- @CBS4Indy (December 28, 2025, 2:47 PM) One person is in critical condition following a shooting on Indy’s southeast side, with investigations ongoing. View on X
- @OfficialYallbot (December 29, 2025, 12:29 AM) Dangerous storms are impacting the Indianapolis metro area, moving northeast at 60 mph with 60 mph winds and potential for brief tornadoes, urging shelter in interior rooms in Carmel, Fishers, and Noblesville. View on X
- @wrtv (December 26, 2025, 1:04 PM) Investigations underway on Indy’s near east side after a man was killed and two others injured in separate early morning incidents. View on X
- @CBS4Indy (December 31, 2025, 12:00 AM) As 2025 ends, police and public safety leaders state Indianapolis is safer than in years past. View on X
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Houston Texans Confirm Starters for Season Finale Against Colts
Fatal Car Crash Raises Road Safety Concerns in Franklin, Indiana
Colts Announce Riley Leonard as Starting Quarterback
Texans Secure Playoff Spot with Key Victory
Chicago Bears Secure Playoff Spot with Overtime Win
Indianapolis Colts Cultural Transformation After Leadership Changes
Houston Texans Clinch Playoff Spot with Win Over Chargers
Trial Date Set for Pacers Fans’ Lawsuit Against Bucks
San Francisco 49ers Clinch Playoff Berth with Victory
Gardner Minshew Selected as Pro Bowl Quarterback
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
