NFL Playoff Schedule 2025: Bracket Dates and Updated AFC, NFC Scenarios

NFL Playoff Schedule 2025: Bracket Dates and Updated AFC, NFC Scenarios0 of 2

B/R

There’s only one week left in the 2024-25 NFL regular season, but plenty could still shift in the AFC and NFC playoff pictures.

In the NFC, the Lions, fresh off beating the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, will face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18 to determine who will emerge with possession of the NFC North crown.

In the South, the Atlanta Falcons still have hopes of leapfrogging the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the No. 4 seed, but they’ll need some help from the New Orleans Saints.

In the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will each have one more chance to emerge as AFC North victor as well as the No. 3 seed.

Let’s take a closer look at how the bracket is looking following the conclusion of Week 17.

AFC Playoff Picture1 of 2

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AFC Standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs, 15-1

2. Buffalo Bills, 13-3

3. Baltimore Ravens, 11-5

4. Houston Texans, 9-7

5. Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-6

6. Los Angeles Chargers, 10-6

7. Denver Broncos, 9-7

Six AFC teams have clinched a playoff spot, leaving one up for grabs.

The Chiefs have clinched the No. 1 seed and will likely rest several of their starters in Week 18.

With their 40-14 rout of the New York Jets on Sunday, the Bills secured the No. 2 seed.

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will battle for the AFC North title as well as the No. 3 seed in Week 18—with each, in turn, taking on another division foe in the Browns and Bengals, respectively.

Back in mid-December, the Texans clinched the AFC South for the second straight year. In Week 17, the Chargers clinched a playoff berth with a win over the Patriots.

Currently, the Broncos have an 83 percent chance of making the playoffs, but that could change in Week 18, with the Dolphins (8-8) and Bengals (8-8) nipping at their heels.

Still, Denver controls its own destiny, whereas Miami and Cincinnati each need some additional help (a win and a Broncos loss for the Dolphins, and a win and losses by both the Broncos and Dolphins for the Bengals).

NFC Playoff Picture2 of 2

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NFC Standings

1. Detroit Lions, 14-2

2. Philadelphia Eagles, 13-3

3. Los Angeles Rams, 10-6

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9-7

5. Minnesota Vikings, 14-2

6. Washington Commanders, 11-5

7. Green Bay Packers, 11-5

The NFC playoff picture isn’t fully set because the NFC South and the NFC North are still up for grabs.

Right now, the Buccaneers are up one game on the Falcons, who lost to the Commanders in overtime on Sunday. Tampa Bay will clinch the division with a win or a tie against the Saints in Week 18.

The Falcons’ path is harder. They’ll need to defeat the Panthers and for the Saints to win.

In the East, the waters are calm; the Eagles have secured the No. 2 seed.

The NFC North is interesting—not just because it’s poised to send three teams to the playoffs. Control of the No. 1 seed in the north comes down to the Week 18 primetime matchup between the Lions and Vikings.

The Vikings can clinch outright with a win over the Lions, while the Lions can take control of the North with a win or tie.