The Chicago Bears find themselves in an advantageous position within the NFC playoff landscape, having ascended to the number one seed following their recent victory paired with a surprising defeat of the Los Angeles Rams. Their success represents a significant upturn in their season, as they now hold a record of 9-3, marking them as leaders in the NFC North. This notable change comes on the heels of back-to-back wins against strong opponents, as well as the Rams’ recent stumble, which sheds light on the shifting dynamics of the playoffs.
As the NFL’s 2025 season approaches its conclusion, several teams, such as the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, are intensifying their efforts to secure a playoff spot. Regular updates will be published by USA TODAY Sports, providing insight into the changing playoff picture throughout the season, particularly leading up to the postseason bracket finalization on January 4.
Below is the snapshot of the current NFC playoff standings:
1. **Chicago Bears (9-3)**, NFC North leaders: With two consecutive wins, the Bears have elevated their position in the standings. Their record of 6-2 in conference games places them ahead of the Rams. Remaining matchups include games against the Packers and Browns.
2. **Los Angeles Rams (9-3)**, NFC West leaders: The Rams’ loss against Carolina has dropped them to second in the conference despite a solid record. They will face significant tests in their remaining games against divisional rivals.
3. **Philadelphia Eagles (8-4)**, NFC East leaders: Back-to-back losses have put the Eagles under pressure as they aim to fend off challenges from other contenders in their division.
4. **Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)**, NFC South leaders: The Buccaneers narrowly claimed victory against the Cardinals, keeping them in the lead. They will have crucial matchups ahead against teams like the Saints and Falcons.
5. **Seattle Seahawks (8-3)**, wild card No. 1: Despite a strong position, the Seahawks face challenges with tiebreakers due to their losses against divisional opponents.
6. **Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)**, wild card No. 2: Following a Thanksgiving win, the Packers are clinging to a wild card position while remaining in contention for the NFC North title.
7. **San Francisco 49ers (9-4)**, wild card No. 3: The 49ers secured a one-and-a-half game lead over other wild-card contestants and are making a strong push for a favorable playoff position.
In the AFC, the standings are as follows:
1. **New England Patriots (10-2)**, AFC East leaders: The Patriots overcame the Bengals to secure the top position in the conference with a favorable remaining schedule.
2. **Denver Broncos (9-2)**, AFC West leaders: After a week off, the Broncos prepare for a critical segment of the season that will test their mettle against tough opponents.
3. **Indianapolis Colts (8-3)**, AFC South leaders: The Colts navigate their way through a tight division and must handle crucial upcoming matchups to secure their playoff status.
4. **Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)**, AFC North leaders: Gaining back the top spot in a competitive AFC North has tested the Steelers, but victories are essential to maintain their momentum heading into the final games.
5. **Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)**, wild card No. 1: After a break, the Chargers look to capitalize on their upcoming games to solidify their playoff position.
6. **Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)**, wild card No. 2: Their recent performances have put the Jaguars in the mix for both division and wild-card spots.
7. **Buffalo Bills (7-4)**, wild card No. 3: The Bills’ loss leaves them in a precarious position as they seek to regroup.
8. **Houston Texans (6-5)**: With a strong late-season push, the Texans aim to secure a foothold in the playoff picture even as they face challenging matchups.
In a notable development, both the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention this season. The playoff battle is intensifying as teams vie for their spot in the postseason, surging with hopeful ambitions as the regular season comes to a close. Fans can expect thrilling matchups in the coming weeks as the race for playoff positioning heats up.