Packers Punch Ticket to Playoffs as NFL Postseason Picture Takes Shape
The 2025 NFL playoff race tightened significantly after a series of Week 17 games over the Christmas period, with the Green Bay Packers clinching a postseason berth following the Detroit Lions’ loss. Across both conferences, several teams have now secured spots, but key division titles and seeding positions remain undecided as the regular season approaches its final week.
Thanks to a late-season defeat by the Lions, the Packers officially locked up a spot in the NFC playoffs, extending their recent streak of postseason appearances. Meanwhile, contenders in both the AFC and NFC continue to jockey for top seeds, division crowns, and advantageous matchups. With only a handful of games remaining, multiple scenarios are still in play that could dramatically shape the postseason bracket.
Packers Clinch After Lions’ Defeat
The Packers secured their place in the 2025 NFL playoffs when the Lions fell in a crucial Week 17 matchup, ending Detroit’s postseason hopes and snapping their contention for a consecutive playoff run. With that loss, Green Bay’s place in the postseason was assured, giving them clarity heading into their final regular-season games.This clinch continues a run of sustained success for the Packers, who have now reached the playoffs multiple times in recent seasons. Their ability to stay competitive amid fluctuating division standings will be key as they look to improve their seeding.
AFC Contenders Positioning for Top Seeds
In the AFC, the Broncos sit atop the standings with one of the best records in football and are closing in on the No. 1 seed, while the Patriots and Jaguars also have secured postseason spots and are pushing for higher seeding. Several other clubs have already clinched wild-card berths or remain in strong contention as the regular season winds down.The Steelers, Chargers, Bills and Texans are among the teams in the mix, with division races and tiebreakers yet to be fully decided. With only a few games left, every result matters as the AFC playoff picture continues to take shape.
NFC Landscape Reflects Tight Divisional Races
Across the NFC, the Seahawks, Bears, Eagles, 49ers, Rams and Packers have all clinched postseason berths, creating a dynamic top tier of teams competing for home-field advantage. The Panthers remain in pursuit of the NFC South title, with their division fate still hanging on Week 18 outcomes and potential shifts in seeding.Only one playoff spot remains unclaimed, making every remaining game crucial for teams fighting for positioning. The NFC’s depth of competitive clubs ensures that late-season matchups will carry significant playoff implications.
Bracket Snapshot Heading Into Final Week
As it stands, both conferences are beginning to solidify their postseason brackets:
● In the AFC, the Broncos and Patriots hold high seeds, while the Jaguars, Steelers, Chargers, Bills and Texans fill out potential wild-card positions.
● In the NFC, the Seahawks and Bears sit near the top, with the Eagles, 49ers, Rams, Panthers and Packers rounding out playoff contenders.While the exact order and matchups are not yet locked in, this framework gives teams a clear sense of their paths into the postseason, even as final seeding remains in flux.
Schedule on the Road to the Playoffs
The upcoming schedule will determine the final playoff seeding and division champions, with key games featuring teams fighting for home-field advantage or to secure division titles. Once the regular season concludes in Week 18, the playoffs will begin with the wild-card round in early January, followed by divisional matchups and conference championships leading up to Super Bowl LX in February.
