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
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broncos (x) | West | 12-3 |
| 2 | Patriots (x) | East | 12-3 |
| 3 | Jaguars | South | 11-4 |
| 4 | Steelers | North | 9-6 |
| 5 | Chargers | West | 11-4 |
| 6 | Bills | East | 11-4 |
| 7 | Texans | South | 10-5 |
x = clinched playoff berth
The New England Patriots are back in the playoffs after three years away from the postseason. They officially punched their tickets with Sunday's win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Patriots are part of a wide-open race for the AFC's No. 1 seed. The Denver Broncos, who lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, currently hold the tiebreaker over New England for having a better record in common games.
The Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, and Buffalo Bills will officially clinch a playoff spot Monday if the Indianapolis Colts tie or lose to the San Francisco 49ers. The Pittsburgh Steelers are one win - or a Ravens loss - away from winning the AFC North.
In the hunt
| Rank | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Colts | South | 8-6 |
| 9 | Ravens | North | 7-8 |
Baltimore's playoff chances took a big hit. The Ravens, who face the Green Bay Packers and Steelers to finish the schedule, can't afford another defeat.
NFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seahawks (x) | West | 12-3 |
| 2 | Bears (x) | North | 11-4 |
| 3 | Eagles (y) | East | 10-5 |
| 4 | Panthers | South | 8-7 |
| 5 | Rams (x) | West | 11-4 |
| 6 | 49ers (x) | West | 10-4 |
| 7 | Packers | North | 9-5-1 |
x = clinched playoff berth
y = clinched division title
The Carolina Panthers beat the reeling Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday and could clinch the division next week with a win over the Seattle Seahawks and a Bucs loss to the Miami Dolphins. Another victory over Tampa Bay in Week 18 would also be enough for Carolina to secure its first NFC South crown since 2015, regardless of what happens next week.
The Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers officially booked their postseason tickets Sunday with the Lions' loss to the Steelers. The Philadelphia Eagles also secured their spot over the weekend, defeating the Washington Commanders to clinch the NFC East title and officially eliminate the Dallas Cowboys.
In the hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Lions | North | 8-7 |
| 10 | Buccaneers | South | 7-8 |
The Lions' chances of making the postseason fell to 6% after their defeat to the Steelers, according to NFL.com. Detroit needs two wins, combined with two Packers losses, to end the season in the playoff picture.
Projected NFL draft order
| Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Giants |
| 2 | Raiders |
| 3 | Browns |
| 4 | Jets |
| 5 | Cardinals |
| 6 | Titans |
| 7 | Commanders |
| 8 | Saints |
| 9 | Bengals |
| 10 | Dolphins |
The Tennessee Titans' win over the Kansas City Chiefs left the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders as the NFL's only two-win teams. The Giants and Raiders face off next week in a matchup that will likely decide which team drafts first overall in 2026.