NFL Week 15 Playoff Picture: Rams Eye Clinch, Patriots and Broncos Close Behind
As we roll into Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season, the playoff race is heating up-and for some teams, the stakes are crystal clear. Nine squads have already been mathematically eliminated, but not a single team has officially locked in a postseason berth just yet. That could change this Sunday, and the Los Angeles Rams are leading the charge.
Rams Can Punch Their Ticket with a Win
At 10-3, the Rams are sitting pretty near the top of the NFC, and they’ve got a straightforward path to the playoffs: beat the Detroit Lions, and they're in. No tiebreakers, no scoreboard watching-just win and clinch their third straight trip to the postseason.
But don’t let the simplicity of the math fool you. The matchup itself is anything but a gimme.
Detroit comes into the game at 8-5 and very much alive in the NFC playoff hunt. They’re not just playing for pride-they’re playing for survival.
And they’re riding high after a statement win last Thursday night, dropping 44 points on the Dallas Cowboys in a game that showed just how explosive this Lions offense can be when it’s clicking. That kind of momentum makes them a dangerous opponent, especially with their own postseason hopes hanging in the balance.
Even if the Rams stumble in this one, they’re still in excellent shape. With games remaining against the Seahawks, Falcons, and Cardinals, they’ve got multiple paths to secure their playoff spot.
In fact, their odds of making it are sitting at a comfortable 98 percent. But clinching early would give them a chance to manage workloads, rest key players, and potentially gear up for a division title push.
Speaking of the NFC West, it’s still very much up for grabs. Seattle is also 10-3 and right on the Rams’ heels.
So while a win over Detroit gets L.A. into the tournament, it doesn’t lock up the division crown. That battle could come down to their Week 16 showdown.
AFC Teams in the Hunt to Clinch
While the Rams are the only NFC team with a clinching scenario this week, two AFC contenders can also punch their playoff tickets in Week 15: the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos.
The Patriots, who have been grinding their way through a competitive AFC East, can secure not just a playoff berth but the division title with a win over the Buffalo Bills. That’s the cleanest route.
But even if they fall short against Buffalo, there’s still a backdoor into the postseason. If both the Houston Texans lose to the Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts fall to the Seahawks, New England would clinch regardless of their own result.
Denver’s in a similar position. A win over the Green Bay Packers would be enough to get them in. But if the Texans and Seahawks both lose, the Broncos would clinch a postseason berth even with a loss to Green Bay.
What’s at Stake This Weekend
This is the part of the season where every snap carries weight. For teams like the Rams, Patriots, and Broncos, Week 15 offers a chance to shift from “contender” to “confirmed.” For others-like the Lions, Bills, and Packers-it’s about staying alive in a crowded playoff field.
The Rams have the clearest shot, but they’ll need to take care of business against a Lions team with just as much to play for. Meanwhile, the AFC picture could get a whole lot clearer depending on how things break across a few key matchups.
Buckle up-Week 15 is shaping up to be a pivotal one in the 2025 NFL season.