Everything always gets crazy during the final week of the NFL regular season, and this year was no different. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed a win over the New Orleans Saints to clinch the NFC South, and they got it in dramatic fashion. A game where the Bucs trailed by double digits in the second half ended with Tampa Bay rallying for a 27-19 win over New Orleans that allowed the Bucs to clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC.
In the AFC, the Denver Broncos nabbed the conference’s final playoff bid with a 38-0 win over a Kansas City Chiefs team that was resting most its starters. The Broncos’ victory, combined with the Los Angeles Chargers’ 34-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, means the AFC playoff field is now set.
Although all seven spots in the NFC playoffs have been claimed, the seeding is still up in the air. That won’t be finalized until after the Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions game on Sunday night. If you’re wondering how that game will impact the playoffs, we cover that below.
Let’s take a look at where the NFL playoffs stands following the 4 p.m. ET games.
2025 NFL playoff picture
AFC playoff standings
Eliminated
- Bengals (9-8): To even have a chance to make the playoffs, the Bengals needed the Chiefs to beat the Broncos on Sunday and that didn’t happen, which means the Bengals will be spending the postseason at home for the second straight year.
- Dolphins (8-9): The Dolphins were officially eliminated after the Broncos beat the Chiefs but still lost to the Jets in their finale.
AFC wild card games
(5) Chargers at (4) Texans — Saturday, Jan. 11 (4:30 p.m. ET on CBS, Paramount+)
(6) Steelers at (3) Ravens — Saturday, Jan. 11 (8 p.m. ET on Prime Video)
(7) Broncos at (2) Bills — Sunday, Jan. 12 (1 p.m. ET on CBS, Paramount+)
Bye: (1) Chiefs
NFC playoff standings
Eliminated
- Falcons (8-9): For the Falcons to have any chance at winning the NFC South, they had to win and they needed the Buccaneers to lose, but neither of those things happened. The Falcons ended up losing to the Panthers, 44-38, in overtime in a game that ended after the Bucs had already beaten the Saints to clinch the division.
NFC wild card games
(7) Packers at (2) Eagles — Sunday, Jan. 12 (4:30 p.m. ET on Fox)
(6) Commanders at (3) Buccaneers — Sunday, Jan. 12 (8 p.m. ET on NBC)
(5) Vikings/Lions at (4) Rams — Monday, Jan. 13 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC)
Bye: (1) Lions/Vikings
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