With just four weeks left in the NFL’s 106th regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape-and the margin for error is razor thin. No more bye weeks.
No more breathers. It’s a full sprint to the finish line for all 32 teams, with postseason spots and division titles hanging in the balance.
As we head into Week 15, the numbers tell some compelling stories. Let’s break down five stats that are shaping the stretch run.
5 - The NFC East Curse Lives On
Winning back-to-back Super Bowls? Rare, but doable.
Winning consecutive NFC East titles? Somehow, even harder.
Since 2004, only the Patriots and Chiefs have pulled off the Super Bowl repeat. But in that same stretch, no team has managed to go back-to-back atop the NFC East.
The Philadelphia Eagles looked like a strong bet to break that trend earlier this season. But after a third straight loss-this one a 22-19 overtime heartbreaker to the Chargers-their grip on the division is slipping.
Jalen Hurts had a rough outing, accounting for all five of the Eagles’ turnovers. For context, Philly had just eight turnovers total through their first 12 games.
Now, at 8-5, they’ve opened the door for the 6-6-1 Cowboys to stay in the hunt.
32 - The AFC Comes Roaring Back
The interconference battle between the AFC and NFC has been a rollercoaster this year. Early on, the NFC was dominating, holding a 25-13 edge after seven weeks. But the tide has turned in a big way.
Over the last seven weeks, the AFC has flipped the script, winning 19 of 26 matchups. That’s brought the season tally to an even 32-32.
It’s a dramatic shift from last year, when the NFC won the series 47-33, and from the year before, when the AFC took it 46-34. The balance of power is always shifting in the NFL-and right now, it’s anybody’s game.
0 - Texans’ Defense Making History
The Houston Texans are cooking. Winners of five straight and eight of their last ten, they’ve gone from a rebuilding team to one of the league’s most feared defenses. Right now, they lead the NFL in total yards allowed-a spot they haven’t held since 2016.
But here’s the kicker: they’ve only allowed 208 points all season, an average of just 13.0 per game. That’s the lowest mark in the league.
And while Houston has finished with the top-ranked defense before, they’ve never led the NFL in fewest points allowed since joining the league in 2002. If they keep this up, DeMeco Ryans and his crew could be carving out a new identity-one built on dominance, not just potential.
161 - Seahawks’ Surging Scoring Margin
Improvement isn’t always about wins and losses-it’s about how you win. And the 2025 Seattle Seahawks are winning with authority.
Under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle has jumped out to a 10-3 record. They haven’t lost back-to-back games all season, and their three losses have come by a combined total of just nine points.
That’s impressive, but the real eye-opener? A league-best +161 scoring differential.
Last year, the Seahawks finished 10-7 but missed the playoffs, outscoring opponents by just seven points all season. This year’s version is more complete, more efficient, and far more dangerous. If they keep this pace, they won’t just be a playoff team-they’ll be a legitimate threat.
162 - Cowboys’ NFC North Struggles Continue
The Dallas Cowboys’ playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. At 6-6-1, they’re still technically in the mix, but recent performances haven’t inspired much confidence.
Their latest setback? A 44-30 loss to the Lions, who piled up 408 yards of offense.
Now, they’ll host the 5-8 Vikings on Sunday night, and history isn’t exactly on their side. Dallas is 0-3-1 in its last four games against NFC North opponents, dating back to 2024.
Worse yet, they’ve been outscored 162-103 in those matchups.
This isn’t just a rough patch-it’s a trend. And if the Cowboys can’t turn it around quickly, their season could be over before Week 18 even kicks off.
The Bottom Line
Week 15 is loaded with playoff implications, statistical oddities, and high-stakes matchups. Whether it’s the Eagles trying to hang on in the NFC East, the Texans making a defensive statement, or the Seahawks proving they’re more than just a feel-good story, the final month of the regular season promises plenty of drama.
And with every team now in action each week, there’s no hiding. The sprint to the postseason is officially on.