Week 14 of the NFL season is in the books, and a loaded weekend of action is offering us some clarity on how the playoff bracket is shaping out in both conferences. A wildly unpredictable season from the jump hasn’t stopped being shocking just yet.
However, some of the results and developments from this week will also significantly impact the postseason.
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Which NFL Teams Were the Biggest Winners in Week 14?
Let’s break down the teams that made the most significant jump, both in terms of improving and worsening their odds of making the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Steelers
A spectacular performance from the Pittsburgh Steelers, where they reclaimed control of the AFC North, significantly bolstered their chances. According to PFSN’s Playoff Predictor, the win increased their chances by a startling 23.8% to make the playoffs.
As a result, they are now a 75.5% to make the playoffs, while a nearly identical 23.7% increase in the odds to win the division saw those odds climb as high as 75.2%.
The cherry on the cake was that Aaron Rodgers had arguably the best game of his Steelers tenure so far against the Baltimore Ravens with 284 passing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown to his credit.
Houston Texans
The turnaround for the Houston Texans continued, as their fifth consecutive win landed them at a whopping 85.5% to make the playoffs, marking a 21.4% shift from the previous week.
Moreover, they also increased their chances of winning the AFC South, which seemed close to 0 after a 0-3 start, to 33% after an 8.7% increase.
In a game that could effectively end up being do-or-die for both sides, the Texans dominated the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs. Even though the defending AFC Champions rallied in the third quarter, a few questionable coaching choices and two forced interceptions of Patrick Mahomes allowed Houston to continue their bizarre turnaround.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions haven’t yet entered the playoff bracket in its entirety. But a game against the Dallas Cowboys had significant playoff implications, particularly as it seemed like the Cowboys would make a run towards one of the Wild Card spots.
However, a dominant performance from top to bottom saw the Lions run roughshod over the suddenly resurgent Dallas defense and score 44 points, while increasing their chances of making the playoffs by 15.3% to reach 50.3%.
Jacksonville Jaguars
One of the more underrated success stories of the 2025 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars, despite a demanding schedule throughout the year, have continued to accumulate wins, with some quality victories to their name.
Now at 9-4 with a win over the Indianapolis Colts, they are in firm control of the one-seed in the AFC South, with a playoff spot almost guaranteed at 95.3%, marking a 13.2% increase from last week, while the division might also be theirs for the taking at 58.5%, up 23.7% from Week 13.
Los Angeles Chargers
In one of the gutsiest performances of his career, Justin Herbert took the field less than one whole week after having surgery on his wrist. And in an ugly, turnover-heavy game, the Los Angeles Chargers were able to pull out a victory in overtime over the reigning Super Bowl champions.
The win, in which they forced five turnovers on the Philadelphia Eagles, saw their playoff chances increase by 13.2% to 78.2%, effectively shutting the door on the Chiefs making a run back into the mix, barring a complete breakdown to end the season.
Which NFL Teams Were the Biggest Losers in Week 14?
Indianapolis Colts
At one point, the most prolific offense in NFL history seemed enough for the Colts to invest two first-round picks into a trade to bring in Sauce Gardner. Now, the loss against the Jaguars may have effectively handicapped them for the remainder of the season.
Not only were they blown out in the game, but an Achilles injury to the resurgent Daniel Jones ended his season immediately. Simultaneously, Indianapolis’ hopes may have sunk with them. But the Playoff Predictor is still giving them some hope.
At 42% to make the playoffs, they aren’t entirely out of the race yet, but the loss saw them drop by 36.1%, while the division race seems to be over, as the Colts now stand at 8.5%, down by 32.4% from last week.
Baltimore Ravens
An out-and-out weird season for the Ravens continued when they couldn’t put the Pittsburgh Steelers to bed. As a result, after briefly taking the lead in the division, they handed the mantle back to their sworn rivals almost immediately.
A brutal performance from Jackson, who now has two passing touchdowns and four interceptions in his last five games, continued a scary trend for them, as their playoff odds also fell to 22.2%.
MORE:Â 2026 3-Round NFL Mock Draft: Jets, Raiders Trade Up for Quarterbacks in Round 1
With winning the division their only remaining path, the drop-off was nearly identical, as their postseason chances decreased by 18.9%. In comparison, the opportunity to win the AFC North decreased by 18.5% to reach 22.2%.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs, in one of the most unbelievable fallings apart for a certified dynasty in recent memory, seem to be nearly out of the playoffs. Facing a virtual must-win game against the Houston Texans with a banged-up offensive line, the team could not muster enough to get a victory.
KC’s 2025 season so far has been a shocker, sitting at 6-7. While their offense is ranked 8th on the PFSN’s offensive impact metric, the defense is ranked 10th.
While they showed flashes, mainly in the third quarter, it wasn’t enough to get them back into the thick of the playoff race. Add in a victory for the Chargers, and their playoff chances improved by 16.1% to reach just 5.4%.
Chicago Bears
The top of the NFC is a bloodbath. One loss led the Chicago Bears to go from the number one seed in the conference to the seventh seed. That fall-off was reflected in their odds to make the playoffs as well.
Dropping by 12.7%, they remain a heavy favorite at 73.8%. However, with losses to all three divisional rivals, their chances of winning the NFC North saw the most significant drop-off, as a 20.3% decrease landed them at just a 28.6% chance of winning the division.
After being completely outplayed in the first half, the Bears stormed back in the second half and had a chance to tie or take the lead with an attempt to score a touchdown with less than a minute remaining in the game. However, a game-sealing interception in the red zone was all she wrote for this one, before the two heated rivals face off again in Week 16.
Dallas Cowboys
After beating the last two Super Bowl champions in back-to-back weeks, it seemed like the newly improved roster of the Cowboys after the trade deadline was going to carry them to a playoff berth.
With their fate in their hands, and a loss for the Eagles improving their chances dramatically, it was right there for the taking. However, they fell markedly short, as the defense cooled back down to earth, giving up 44 points, while Dak Prescott was no longer the MVP candidate he had been throughout the season.
While not a heavy favorite to make the playoffs anyway, the loss gave them a major jolt, as their odds decreased by 9.4% to reach 12%. The divisional pathway also caused their odds to win the NFC West to drop by 2.7% to 11.8%.