The 2025 NFL season has officially reached its home stretch. As we march further into Week 13 after Thanksgiving’s tripleheader and a Black Friday upset, only five full weeks of regular-season action remain until the start of the playoffs. The postseason picture is far from finalized, but it’s really taking shape — including in the fight for top seeding — thanks to late-year contests.
The current field features a bevy of unexpected heavyweights, including the Denver Broncos, who entered “Sunday Night Football” on an eight-game winning streak; the Chicago Bears, who overpowered the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles a day after Thanksgiving; and the Seattle Seahawks, who’ve enjoyed top-level production from Sam Darnold under center.
Where, exactly, do all the playoff contenders sit as Week 13 winds down? Which teams would be in the postseason if the schedule were halted today? And which clubs still have a shot to sneak into the mix down the stretch? Below is an updated rundown of the entire playoff picture, complete with remaining schedules for primary contenders:
Complete playoff picture
This is the NFL playoff picture as it stands, with the following teams tabbed for postseason spots:
AFC standings
- New England Patriots (10-2)
- Denver Broncos (9-2)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
- Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
- Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
- Buffalo Bills (7-4)
1. New England Patriots (10-2)
Remaining schedule: vs. Giants, vs. Bills, @ Ravens, @ Jets, vs. Dolphins
Drake Maye is still on an MVP-caliber run as the face of Mike Vrabel’s lineup, and the remaining slate sets them up well for the Patriots’ first AFC East title since Tom Brady’s final season with the club in 2019. Three of the Pats’ final five opponents have losing records, and three of those five fall within the division.
2. Denver Broncos (9-2)
Remaining schedule: @ Commanders, @ Raiders, vs. Packers, vs. Jaguars, @ Chiefs, vs. Chargers
Denver is buoyed by Bo Nix’s late-game composure and a stellar defense led by Vance Joseph. Dates with the rival Chiefs and Chargers in the final two weeks of the season will likely determine whether the Broncos can rob Kansas City of its 10th straight division crown. But this group is all but a lock to play January ball.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Colts, vs. Jets, @ Broncos, @ Colts, vs. Titans
The mercurial Jaguars have been undisciplined for much of the year, but they’ve now won three of their last four, rolling over the lowly Titans on Sunday. Their light late-season schedule might send Liam Coen’s squad into the dance with confidence.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, @ Ravens, vs. Dolphins, @ Lions, @ Browns, vs. Ravens
The Steelers hold the North lead due not so much to their own prowess but rather the shakiness of their rival Baltimore Ravens, who clearly aren’t enjoying a fully healthy and/or confident Lamar Jackson. Aaron Rodgers has flashed vintage touch at age 41, but he’s coming off an injury of his own, and perhaps more concerning, Mike Tomlin’s defense has proven incredibly streaky.
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, vs. Eagles, @ Chiefs, @ Cowboys, vs. Texans, @ Broncos
Among the current wild card contenders, the Chargers might be in the most danger of losing their spot entirely. The Raiders in Week 13 should be very beatable. Otherwise, however, the Bolts will be up against some of the NFL’s best defenses while struggling to keep Justin Herbert comfortable behind a depleted offensive line.
6. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Remaining schedule: @ Jaguars, @ Seahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, @ Texans
Can Daniel Jones rediscover the early-year efficiency that made him a stunning breakout? He’ll have to do so against some stingy defenses down the stretch, with almost every one of Indianapolis’ remaining opponents boasting a top 10 scoring “D.” Accordingly, the Colts are the safest bet to keep slipping in these standings.
7. Buffalo Bills (7-4)
Remaining schedule: at Steelers, vs. Bengals, at Patriots, at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets
Josh Allen is still capable of playing Superman, as evidenced in Buffalo’s Week 11 win over Tampa Bay. But Sean McDermott’s defense has been more volatile. New England may be out of reach atop the AFC East, but the Bills have a relatively clear path to a wild card berth if they can claim three or four of their final six matchups.
In the hunt
The Texans (7-5) aren’t to be written off in the South, with DeMeco Ryans’ defense ranking No. 1 in the NFL. The Chiefs (6-6) finally rediscovered their late-game flair against the Colts in Week 12, but Patrick Mahomes’ last-gasp heroics weren’t enough to mask greater offensive issues on Thanksgiving. And the Ravens (6-6), though talented, are just so sloppy, with Lamar Jackson in a funk and John Harbaugh’s group losing the ball like crazy on Thanksgiving.
NFC standings
- Chicago Bears (9-3)
- Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
- Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
- San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
1. Chicago Bears (9-3)
Remaining schedule: @ Packers, vs. Browns, vs. Packers, @ 49ers, vs. Lions
The Bears, who looked more scrappy than special for a long time, are seemingly proving to the naysayers that they are true contenders after knocking off the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in convincing fashion. Up next will be the potentially tall task of holding off the NFC North-rival Packers.
2. Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
Remaining schedule: @ Cardinals, vs. Lions, @ Seahawks, @ Falcons, vs. Cardinals
Matthew Stafford is slinging it with as much, if not more, confidence than he did in his title-winning Rams debut. But the typically stingy defense was nowhere to be found in a Week 13 upset at the hands of the Panthers. L.A. should still be poised to feast on lesser clubs like Arizona and Atlanta moving forward.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)
Remaining schedule: @ Chargers, vs. Raiders, @ Commanders, @ Bills, vs. Commanders
The reigning Super Bowl champions are struggling down the stretch, losing their past two games to the Cowboys and Bears. Vic Fangio’s physical defense seems to be wearing down, while the all-star offense isn’t getting its typical push up front.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
Remaining schedule: vs. Saints, vs. Falcons, @ Panthers, @ Dolphins, vs. Panthers
Every year, the Bucs scrape their way through the NFC South race, regardless of who’s healthy around Baker Mayfield. The remaining schedule suggests a fifth straight division crown is well within reach, although Week 12’s blowout loss to the Rams showed the Bucs may not be ready to hang with the heavyweights.
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, @ Falcons, vs. Colts, vs. Rams, @ Panthers, @ 49ers
Even after falling to the rival Rams in Week 11, Seattle should hang around in the race for the NFC West title due to Mike Macdonald’s physical defense. It helps the Seahawks have a couple upcoming matchups with young and/or replacement quarterbacks; Week 13’s date with Sam Darnold’s old friends in Minnesota should be spicy.
6. Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
Remaining schedule: vs. Bears, @ Broncos, @ Bears, vs. Ravens, @ Vikings
Matt LaFleur’s offense has been more scattershot than usual over the course of the year, but the NFC North is still up for grabs with three divisional matchups still on tap. And the Pack took care of business on Thanksgiving with a showcase by Jordan Love and Micah Parsons, who could make Green Bay a sneakily scary contender.
7. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)
Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, @ Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks
Brock Purdy has been up and down since his return from a lingering injury. Regardless, all year, the 49ers have hung around, and now their defense should get some more confidence-boosting matchups after impressive showings against both Carolina and Cleveland, including in Sunday’s rout of the Browns.
In the hunt
The Lions (7-5) aren’t the juggernaut they were a year ago at this time, with Dan Campbell’s signature fourth-down gambles coming up short, but their young playmakers should keep them in the fight until the end. The Cowboys (6-5-1) are still finding their defensive footing, but Dak Prescott is playing lights out at quarterback, wheeling and dealing with George Pickens at his disposal. The Panthers (7-6) remain in thick of the NFC South race with Sunday’s upset win over the Rams. They are just a half game back of the Bucs, who they face two times down the stretch.
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