Ryan Clark: Sam Darnold has an opportunity to reshape his entire perception (1:00)Ryan Clark breaks down the Seahawks’ win over the Rams, saying Sam Darnold can entirely reshape how he’s perceived with a playoff run. (1:00)
We’re into Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season, and the playoff picture and the road to Super Bowl LX are starting to come into view. Which teams have the best chances to make the 14-team field? Which still have work to do to ultimately get in? The Broncos, Eagles, Rams and Seahawks have clinched spots, but 10 more are up for grabs.
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. And we also have projected seeds.
The Broncos are the only AFC team with a playoff spot secured at the moment, and they also have a leg up in the race for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Denver can clinch the AFC West with a win and a Chargers loss, and it would also need losses from the Patriots and Bills to lock up the top seed.
Several other division races are coming down to the wire, including in the AFC South, where the Jaguars, Texans and even Colts are all in the mix. Four AFC teams can clinch playoff spots in Week 16. Check out all the scenarios here.
The Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins, Titans, Raiders, Jets and Browns have all been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Seahawks joined the Rams in the playoff field by beating them on Thursday in a thrilling overtime matchup — and they jumped L.A. in the race for the 1-seed. On Saturday, the Eagles secured the NFC East title, becoming the third NFC team to get into the playoffs.
Two other NFC teams can clinch on Sunday or Monday. The Bears — after beating the Packers on Saturday — can get in with a Detroit loss. And the 49ers can clinch with a win or a Detroit loss. Check out all the scenarios here.
The Cowboys, Vikings, Giants, Saints, Commanders, Falcons and Cardinals have all been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Broncos took a leap forward in the race for the No. 1 seed, but the Jaguars and Patriots are both still in the hunt.
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)
Ryan Clark: Sam Darnold has an opportunity to reshape his entire perception (1:00)Ryan Clark breaks down the Seahawks’ win over the Rams, saying Sam Darnold can entirely reshape how he’s perceived with a playoff run. (1:00)
Ryan Clark breaks down the Seahawks’ win over the Rams, saying Sam Darnold can entirely reshape how he’s perceived with a playoff run. (1:00)
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It looks like it will come down to three NFC West teams for the first-round bye.