- - NFL playoff picture: Panthers claim NFC South after Falcons beat Saints, Broncos claim No. 1 seed in AFC on final day

Yahoo Sports Staff January 5, 2026 at 1:36 AM

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Here's how things look in the standings heading into the final game of the 2025 regular season:

(* Clinched playoff spot)

1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: Seattle has locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the NFC West title with Saturday night's win over the 49ers. The NFC playoffs will run through Seattle.

2. Chicago Bears (11-6)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: The Bears are locked into the No. 2 slot and will host the Green Bay Packers in the first round.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: The Eagles fell to the Commanders on Sunday, ending hopes of jumping to the No. 2 seed

4. Carolina Panthers (8-9)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: The Panthers won the NFC South on Sunday, thanks to the Falcons' win over the Saints. That eliminated the Buccaneers from the playoffs despite their win over Carolina on Saturday.

5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: The Rams are locked into a wild-card spot and claimed the No. 5 seed with their win over the Cardinals.

6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: With Saturday's loss to the Seahawks, and the Rams' win over the Cardinals, the 49ers are in at No. 6.

7. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: They're locked in at No. 7. Their wild-card round opponent will be either the rival Bears.

1. Denver Broncos (14-3)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: The Broncos ended the Chiefs' nine-year reign atop the AFC West by virtue of the Chargers' loss last week, and then beat the Chargers on Sunday to claim the No. 1 seed.

2. New England Patriots (14-3)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: The Patriots secured the AFC East crown with the Bills loss on Sunday, but are in at No. 2 with the Broncos' win.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: The Jaguars have rolled over the Titans on Saturday to win the AFC South.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7): Remaining schedule — vs. Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Notable: The Steelers can claim the division crown with a win or tie vs. the Ravens. A loss sends them home for the season.

5. Houston Texans (12-5)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: With their win over the Colts, the Texans are now locked into the No. 5 spot.

6. Buffalo Bills (12-5)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: The Bills are locked into a wild-card spot, and moved up to No. 6 after beating the Jets.

7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)*: Remaining schedule — finished

Notable: The Chargers fell to the Broncos on Sunday, and then dropped to the final spot after the Bills beat the Jets. That set up a matchup with the Patriots in the first round.

Still in the AFC picture

Baltimore Ravens (8-8): Remaining schedule — at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Notable: Baltimore can steal the division title with a win at Pittsburgh. A loss or tie ends its season.

Already eliminated

Indianapolis Colts (8-9)

Miami Dolphins (7-10)

Kansas City Chiefs (6-11)

Cincinnati Bengals (6-11)

Cleveland Browns (5-12)

New York Jets (3-14)

Tennessee Titans (3-14)

Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)

Minnesota Vikings (9-8)

Detroit Lions (9-8)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)

Atlanta Falcons (8-9)

Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)

New Orleans Saints (6-11)

Washington Commanders (5-12)

New York Giants (4-13)

Arizona Cardinals (3-14)

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”