NFL Playoff Picture: Postseason seeds, projected draft order

NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LX.

AFC

x = clinched playoff berth

The Denver Broncos, who host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, are the only AFC team that can clinch a division title this weekend. They'll capture their first division crown since 2015 with a victory combined with a Los Angeles Chargers loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Denver can also secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage. That would require, in addition to the aforementioned scenario, losses from the New England Patriots (at Baltimore Ravens) and Buffalo Bills (at Cleveland Browns).

In the hunt

The Ravens are the 9-seed behind the Indianapolis Colts, but Baltimore actually has a higher playoff probability, according to NFL.com. A win over the Patriots would increase the Ravens' chances from 38% to 46%.

NFC

x = clinched playoff berth
y = clinched division title

The Philadelphia Eagles clinched another NFC East title - and eliminated the Cowboys - after defeating the Washington Commanders on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears earned a huge triumph over the Green Bay Packers in overtime to remain in control of the NFC North. The Bears will officially clinch a playoff berth as early as Sunday if the Detroit Lions lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In the hunt

The Carolina Panthers have the biggest game of their season Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The winner will take control of the NFC South with two games left, including another meeting between the division rivals in Week 18.

Projected NFL draft order

Washington fell to 4-11 after losing to Philadelphia. With matchups versus the Cowboys and Eagles on tap, and with injured quarterback Jayden Daniels shut down for the season, the Commanders may very well finish with a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.