December football always brings clarity and chaos at the same time. After Thursday Night Football yesterday, the NFL playoffs picture shifted again in a meaningful way. The Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams delivered one of the most dramatic games of the season, and the result reshaped the NFC race while tightening pressure across both conferences.
With three weeks left in the regular season, some teams are officially in. Others are firmly on the fence. And a few are hanging on by a thread hoping for help.
Here is the full playoff picture as it stands right now, including who is locked in, who controls their destiny, and who still needs things to break their way.
NFL Playoffs 2026: Thursday Night Football Changed the NFC Landscape
The biggest moment of the week came on Thursday night when the Seattle Seahawks rallied to beat the Los Angeles Rams in overtime in a game that instantly became one of the defining moments of the season.
Seattle erased a sixteen point deficit, forced overtime, and won the game on a two point conversion to secure a 38 to 37 victory. The win clinched a playoff berth for the Seahawks and vaulted them into first place in the NFC. It also shifted the NFC West race from what looked like a Rams controlled path into a much tighter battle.
The Rams are still playoff bound, but the loss removed their grip on the top seed and now puts pressure on the final weeks of the season.
AFC Playoff Picture Who Is In and Who Is Fighting
The AFC is beginning to separate into tiers, though seeding is still very much in play.
At the top of the conference sit the Denver Broncos. Denver has clinched a playoff spot and controls its path to the number one seed. With the best record in the AFC, the Broncos are positioned for home field advantage if they finish strong.
Right behind them are the New England Patriots, who have put together a steady and disciplined season. New England remains in control of its division and is competing for a top seed.
The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to lead the AFC South and are well positioned to clinch a division title. Jacksonville has been one of the more consistent teams in the conference and looks built for postseason football.
Currently holding wild card spots are the Los Angeles Chargers, the Buffalo Bills, and the Houston Texans. All three teams control their destiny but still need to close the season with focus to avoid slipping.
Just outside the playoff line are the Pittsburgh Steelers, who remain very much alive. A strong finish combined with help from other results could push Pittsburgh back into the postseason.
Also still mathematically alive are the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens, though both teams need wins and help to climb into the field.
One of the biggest stories of the season is who is not here. The Kansas City Chiefs are officially eliminated from the NFL Playoffs, as is my team, the Las Vegas Raiders. For the Chiefs, this seasons is ending a long stretch of postseason appearances and signaling a power shift in the AFC.
NFC Playoff Picture Seattle Takes Control but Nothing Is Settled
The NFC is where things get messy and exciting. Following Thursday night, the Seattle Seahawks now sit atop the NFC standings. They have clinched a playoff berth and control their destiny for the top seed. If Seattle wins out, the number one seed and a first round bye are theirs.
Right behind them are several serious contenders.
The Chicago Bears are having one of their strongest seasons in years and currently sit in position for a top seed. Chicago has combined physical defense with timely offense and is a legitimate threat.
The Philadelphia Eagles remain firmly in the playoff picture and are pushing to lock up the NFC East. Philadelphia is built for January football and continues to find ways to win.
Despite the Thursday night loss, the Los Angeles Rams have already clinched a playoff spot. They remain one of the most dangerous teams in the conference due to experience, coaching, and the ability to win close games. However, they now need help to reclaim the NFC West title.
Also in the 2025 NFL Playoffs mix are the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers. Both teams are positioned to make the postseason and could move up the bracket depending on how the final weeks unfold.
Currently holding a position in the NFL Playoffs for the NFC South are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though that race remains volatile and far from locked in.
On the bubble sit the Detroit Lions, who are still alive but need a strong finish and outside help. The Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers remain mathematically alive but are running out of margin for error.
Teams officially out of contention include the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants.
What the Final Three Weeks Will Decide for 2026
With only three games remaining, the NFL now enters its most unforgiving phase. Division titles will be decided. First round byes will be earned or lost. Wild card teams will either secure their place or watch the NFL playoffs and the postseason slip away.
Tiebreakers based on head to head matchups, conference records, and division performance will matter as much as wins and losses. One bad quarter or one missed kick can change an entire season.
This past Thursday night felt like a playoff game, but it may only be the opening chapter. Seattle now holds the advantage, but Los Angeles is still very much alive and capable of making a deep run.
If these two teams meet again in January, nobody should be surprised. The NFC West remains one of the most competitive divisions in football, and both rosters are built for high pressure moments.
As of December 19 2025, the playoff picture is clearer than it was a week ago but far from settled. Seattle’s comeback win reshaped the NFC. Denver continues to control the AFC. Several teams are surging at the right time, while others are running out of chances.
This is what makes December football special. Every game feels heavy. Every snap matters.
Stay locked in with Respect My Region as the NFL season barrels toward January and the postseason picture finally locks into place. Subscribe to our newsletter at our home page here.
