NFL Playoff Picture After Week 15: Broncos and Rams Clinch, Chaos Reigns Behind Them
With Week 15 nearly in the books, the NFL playoff picture is finally starting to take shape - and it’s a wild one. Two teams, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, have officially punched their tickets to the postseason. But with just a few weeks left in the regular season, the rest of the field is still wide open, and the race for seeding is heating up fast.
Let’s break down where things stand heading into Monday Night Football, starting with the AFC.
AFC Playoff Picture
Bye: (1) Denver Broncos (12-2)
The Broncos are the hottest team in football - plain and simple.
Winners of 11 straight, Denver now owns the league’s best record and sits alone atop the AFC. If the playoffs started today, they’d get the coveted first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
Their defense has been relentless, and the offense is doing just enough to keep the streak alive. This team looks built for January football.
(7) Houston Texans @ (2) New England Patriots
New England is coming off a stunning collapse, blowing a 21-point lead to Buffalo.
That loss raises real questions about their ability to close games, especially against a Texans team that’s been one of the league’s biggest surprises. Houston’s defense is playing at a championship level, and they’ve found a rhythm offensively.
If this matchup holds, it could be one of the most intriguing in the opening round.
(6) Buffalo Bills @ (3) Jacksonville Jaguars
Buffalo may be back in the AFC East hunt, but for now, they’re still chasing the Patriots.
That puts them on the road against the AFC South-leading Jaguars, who have turned heads this season. Trevor Lawrence is starting to look like the franchise quarterback Jacksonville hoped for, and the Jags are playing with confidence.
This one feels like a toss-up - both teams have playoff-caliber talent, but also some lingering inconsistencies.
(5) Los Angeles Chargers @ (4) Pittsburgh Steelers
This matchup might be the messiest of the bunch.
The Chargers have serious offensive line issues, and it’s starting to show. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has been steady but unspectacular - the kind of team that wins with grit more than flash.
It’s hard to say either team feels like a real postseason threat right now, but someone’s got to advance. Expect a slugfest with field position and turnovers playing a big role.
NFC Playoff Picture
Bye: (1) Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are rolling, and Matthew Stafford is playing some of the best football of his career.
With the top seed currently theirs, L.A. is in prime position to control their own destiny. Stafford’s MVP-level play has elevated the offense, and the defense continues to deliver in big moments.
This team looks like a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
(7) Green Bay Packers @ (2) Chicago Bears
The Packers’ season has taken a sharp turn without Micah Parsons, and now they’re staring down a potential road trip to Chicago - the same place they’ll visit in Week 16.
The Bears, on the other hand, have quietly built a balanced squad that’s been tough at home. This could be a physical, old-school NFC North battle with playoff stakes on the line.
(6) San Francisco 49ers @ (3) Philadelphia Eagles
Two teams with plenty of talent but just enough questions to keep us guessing.
The 49ers are getting the most out of their roster, leaning on a strong run game and a defense that refuses to quit. The Eagles have been solid, but haven’t quite hit their stride offensively.
This game could come down to coaching and execution - and right now, San Francisco might have the edge in both.
(5) Seattle Seahawks @ (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seattle heads to Tampa in what could be one of the more unpredictable matchups of the opening round.
The Seahawks have playmakers on both sides of the ball, but consistency has been an issue. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, continues to hang around thanks to a stingy defense and just enough offense to get by.
This one could go either way - and might just come down to which quarterback makes fewer mistakes.
Final Thoughts
With just a few weeks left in the regular season, the playoff race is still wide open in both conferences. The Broncos and Rams have locked up their spots, but nearly everything else is up for grabs. From seeding battles to wild card chaos, the next few weeks are going to be full of drama - and possibly a few surprises.
If you’re a fan of high-stakes football, buckle up. December is delivering.