We’re nearly through Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season, with Panthers-49ers on deck to cap off the slate. And with only six full weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture and the road to Super Bowl LX are starting to come into view. Good teams have become great, bad teams keep finding ways to surprise us, and the race for wild-card spots is only getting wilder. Which teams have the best chances to make the 14-team playoff field? Which still have work to do to ultimately get in?
We used ESPN’s Football Power Index to project the rest of the season, looking at the playoff picture for both conferences. We included updated odds for every team to make the postseason, clinch its division and even make the Super Bowl.
Here’s everything you need right now.
Last update: Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. ET
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AFC picture | NFC picture
Projecting the AFC playoff field
The Chiefs might have just saved their season with an overtime win against the Colts. After going 0-5 in one-score games this season, Kansas City finally turned its luck around and pulled out the late victory. The Texans’ defense, meanwhile, rode eight sacks to victory in their Thursday night matchup with the Bills. The win keeps the Texans on the fringes of the playoff picture … and raises more questions for the Bills.
The Ravens and Steelers are now tied atop the AFC North, both sitting at 6-5. Baltimore has completely turned its defense around after an abysmal start to the season and is on a five-game win streak heading into Thanksgiving. Thursday’s game will be the ultimate test for the defensive unit, as the Bengals — and possibly Joe Burrow — come to town looking to salvage their disappointing season.
Projecting the NFC playoff field
The Rams are now the team to beat in the NFC — it’s just that no one can seem to do so lately. L.A. routed the Buccaneers in prime time in Week 12. One team that could stand between the Rams and the 1-seed (despite an offensive meltdown after the team’s first three drives this week) is the Eagles, who own the tiebreaker after a Week 3 thriller that ended in a Philadelphia win.
The wild-card race continues Monday with the 49ers hosting the Panthers on “Monday Night Football,” and both quarterbacks are coming off great Week 11 performances. Brock Purdy is back at the helm of the San Francisco offense, throwing for 200 yards and three touchdown passes in his return from injury. Bryce Young threw for a franchise-record 448 yards in Carolina’s overtime win against the Falcons.
One team that will not be partaking in the playoff race is the Giants, who have been eliminated following their overtime loss to the Lions.
NFL playoff schedule
Jan. 10-12, 2026: Wild-card round
Jan. 17-18: Divisional round
Jan. 25: AFC and NFC championship games
Feb. 8: Super Bowl LX (in Santa Clara, California)
