NFL Playoff Picture: Which Teams Are In (and Out) of NFL Playoffs After Week 7

It’s never too early to check out the NFL playoff picture. That’s assuming, of course, that you remember there are 11 weeks left in the regular season and anything can happen between now and then.

After all, when we looked at the playoff picture after Week 7 last season, the Indianapolis Colts were getting a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Eleven weeks later? No postseason for the Colts.

In the NFC playoff picture at this time last year, the Green Bay Packers were the No. 1 seed, the Detroit Lions were a wild-card team and the Chicago Bears were not in the picture at all. When the regular season ended, it was the Bears winning the NFC North, the Packers in a wild-card spot and the Lions out.

As for this season, well, it may be early but it’s crazy that we can say this in late October: The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants would both be hosting playoff games if the season ended today.

Here’s what the playoff seedings would look like if the season ended today:

AFC Playoff Seeding

AFC Wild Card Round (Chiefs get bye):

Bengals at BillsSteelers at BrownsBroncos at Jaguars

NFC Playoff Seeding

NFC Wild Card Round (Vikings get bye):

Packers at 49ersLions at GiantsBears at Panthers

Here’s a breakdown of the NFL’s tiebreaking procedures.

Related: Aaron Rodgers Accepts What He Calls a ‘Backhanded Compliment’ From His Steelers Teammates

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This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.