EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J — The NFL’s 2025 regular season has reached its final stretch, with most playoff berths now secured and only a few spots remaining up for grabs.
Following Week 17, twelve teams have officially clinched playoff positions, while four teams remain in contention entering the season’s last weekend.
Fans around the globe are now turning their attention to Week 18, where division titles, wild card slots, and top seeds will be finalized before the postseason kicks off.
The race for Super Bowl LX, set for Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, is entering a critical phase.
Two must win games Steelers vs. Ravens and Panthers vs. Buccaneers will determine the final playoff participants and potentially shift seeding in both conferences.
KEY POINTS
- Twelve NFL teams have secured playoff berths after Week 17, with two more spots undecided heading into Week 18.
- Several division titles and the top seeds in both conferences remain up for grabs.
- The final regular season matchups carry heightened stakes, affecting home field advantage and wild card pairings.
Clinched Playoff Teams
AFC
Denver Broncos (13-3, 1st AFC West): Denver has already clinched a playoff berth and could secure the AFC’s top seed with a win over the Chargers.
New England Patriots (13-3, 1st AFC East): The Patriots locked in their division and remain in contention for the No. 1 seed.
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, 1st AFC South): Jacksonville has earned a postseason berth and a chance to fight for a first round bye against the Titans.
Houston Texans (11-5, 2nd AFC South): Houston returns to the playoffs thanks to a strong defensive season.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, 2nd AFC West): Los Angeles secured a wild card spot despite a late season stumble.
Buffalo Bills (11-5, 2nd AFC East): Buffalo guaranteed postseason play and will close the season at home against the Jets.
NFC
Seattle Seahawks (13-3, 1st NFC West): Seattle clinched the division and faces the 49ers in Week 18 with the No. 1 seed still undecided.
Chicago Bears (11-5, 1st NFC North): Chicago returned to the postseason for the first time since 2020.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, 1st NFC East): The defending Super Bowl champions have secured a playoff berth, though a first round bye is out of reach.
San Francisco 49ers (12-4, 2nd NFC West): The 49ers are back in the playoffs after missing last season, with a crucial game against Seattle pending.
Los Angeles Rams (11-5, 3rd NFC West): The Rams clinched a wild card spot despite a Week 17 loss to Atlanta.
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, 2nd NFC North): Green Bay secured the final NFC wild-card position.
Teams Still in Contention
- Two playoff spots are still undecided heading into Week 18.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) face Baltimore Ravens (8-8) in a winner-takes-all matchup. The victor will claim the AFC North division title, while the loser is eliminated.
NFC South
Carolina Panthers (8-8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) also meet in a decisive game, with the NFC South champion earning a playoff berth.
The 2025 season has seen notable shifts in team fortunes. Denver, after several rebuilding years, returned to prominence under new coaching leadership.
While New England continues to leverage a balanced offense and defense to maintain competitiveness.
Jacksonville has maintained steady growth over the past few seasons, culminating in a strong playoff push.
In the NFC, Seattle reversed a two year absence from postseason play, led by improved quarterback performance and a solid defense.
Chicago broke a long playoff drought, while Philadelphia’s consistency reflects the sustainability of veteran leadership and depth, even amid injuries.
The Rams and 49ers rounds out a particularly competitive NFC West, with three of four division teams reaching the postseason.
Week 17 Recap Data
| Conference | Clinched Teams | Spots Remaining | Decisive Matchup |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC | 6 | 1 | Steelers vs. Ravens |
| NFC | 6 | 1 | Panthers vs. Buccaneers |
The table highlights the teams still fighting for postseason slots and the games that will determine final seeding.
NFL analysts emphasize that the final regular season matchups carry outsized implications for playoff positioning.
“The Steelers vs. Ravens game is effectively a playoff game in Week 18,” said an NFL strategist, highlighting the critical role of head to head results.
In the NFC, analysts note that while Carolina enters as the favorite against Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers’ postseason experience adds complexity to the matchup.
Week 18 will conclude the regular season with playoff seeding, home field advantage, and division titles on the line.
Denver, New England, and Jacksonville are vying for the AFC’s top seed, while Seattle and San Francisco compete for the NFC’s top spot.
The outcomes of the winner take all games will finalize the bracket and shape the path to Super Bowl LX.
Fans and teams alike face a high stakes weekend as the league moves closer to its championship series, underscoring the competitive parity that has defined the 2025 season.
Author’s Perspective Adnan Rasheed
In my analysis, the NFL playoff picture after Week 17 shows how depth and late season consistency now matter more than star power.
I believe the rise in winner takeball games reflects growing parity across the league, not unpredictability.
I predict that teams built around quarterback stability and rotational defenses will secure playoff spots earlier and avoid high risk Week 18 scenarios.
Track late season defensive efficiency, not just wins, to identify true Super Bowl contenders.
NOTE! This report was compiled from multiple reliable sources, including official statements, press releases, and verified media coverage
