Who would be in the 2024-25 NFL playoffs ahead of Super Bowl 59 based on the current AFC and NFC standings?
With one week left in the regular season, here’s an updated look at who would be in, who would be out, and where all the postseason teams would be seeded going into Week 18:
POWER RANKINGS: Packers, Steelers, Falcons fall; Commanders, Bengals, Bucs climb for Week 18
NFL playoff bracket
The bracket reflects current NFL playoff standings if the regular season ended before Week 18
NFL standings for Week 18
AFC playoff picture
(clinched) 1. Kansas City Chiefs 15-1 (champions, AFC West): The Chiefs have locked up home-field advantage and the lone bye in the AFC playoffs ahead of their Week 18 game at Denver.
(clinched) 2. Buffalo Bills 13-3 (champions, AFC East): The Bills are locked into this seed and will be resting starters in Week 18 after getting Josh Allen into the game against the Patriots.
3. Baltimore Ravens 11-5 (first place, AFC North): The Ravens, already with at least a wild-card berth clinched, would win the division on Saturday with a win over the major underdog Browns or a Steelers loss to the mild favorite Bengals.
(clinched) 4. Houston Texans 9-7 (champions, AFC South). The Texans will be careful with their starters against the Titans as they’re also locked into their position with a home wild-card playoff game upcoming.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6 (second place, AFC North): The Steelers, already with at least a wild-card berth clinched, will root for the Browns to beat the Ravens and then can win the division with a win over the Bengals. Should the Steelers lose, they would stay here or fall to No. 6 should the Chargers win.
6. Los Angeles Chargers 10-6 (second place, AFC West): The Chargers, already with a wild-card berth clinched, will hope the Ravens win the AFC North and the Steelers lose so they can move up to No. 5 with a road win at the Raiders.
7. Denver Broncos 9-7 (third place, AFC West): The Broncos would lock down their surprise playoff spot and this seed with a win or a tie over the resting Chiefs at home in Week 18. The Broncos also can get in with a loss with a loss/tie by the Dolphins and a loss/tie by the Bengals.
Who’s in the hunt?
Both teams first need the Broncos to lose to have a chance. The Dolphins would get into the playoffs with a Broncos loss and a win over the Jets. The Bengals can get into the playoffs only with a win over the Steelers along with a loss by the Broncos and either a loss or tie fromt the Dolphins.
Who’s out?
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NFC playoff picture
1. Detroit Lions 14-2 (first place, NFC North): The Lions need to beat or tie the Vikings at home on Sunday night to lock down the division title, the top seed, home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs and the lone bye. A loss drops them to a No. 5 wild-card position.
(clinched) 2. Philadelphia Eagles 13-3 (champions, NFC East): The Eagles will be resting key players including Saquon Barkley as they are locked into this seed regardless of the Vikings-Lions outcome.
3. Los Angeles Rams 10-6 (champions, NFC West): The Rams are locked into either this seed or the No. 3 but will rest players regardless against the Cardinals and be happy with hosting a wild-card playoff game as division champs.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-7 (first place, NFC South): The Buccaneers would win the division with a win or a tie against the Saints. If the Bucs lose, they can still win the division with a loss or tie by the Falcons. They can move up to No. 3 with a win and a Rams loss with a better conerence record.
5. Minnesota Vikings 14-2 (second place, NFC North): The Vikings would win the division with a win over the Lions on Sunday night. If they lose, they would stay here and face either Rams, Buccaneers or Falcons on the road in the wild-card round.
6. Washington Commanders 11-5 (second place, NFC East): The Commanders have clinched a wild-card playoff berth and will try to stay on this seed with a win over the Cowboys or a loss by the Packers.
7. Green Bay Packers 11-5 (third place, NFC North): The Packers can move up one seed with a win over the Bears and a loss or tie by the Commanders.
Who’s in the hunt?
The Falcons can only get to the NFC playoffs by winning the division, which they can only do with a home win over the Panthers plus a home loss by the Buccaneers.
Who’s out?
