NFL playoff picture Week 16: Eagles look to lock up NFC East, finish Cowboys

Every week for the duration of the 2025 regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the NFL‘s ever-evolving playoff picture − typically starting Sunday afternoon and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable. And, when the holidays roll around, we’ll be watching then, too).

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Here’s where things stand with Week 16 underway:

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: The New England Patriots’ Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.

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Best images of the 2025 NFL season

Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.

AFC playoff picture

x − 1. Denver Broncos (12-2), AFC West leaders: The first team in the league to 12 wins and first AFC squad to clinch a playoff berth, New England’s loss Sunday also boosted the Broncos’ odds of winding up with the No. 1 seed. They can claim it in Week 16 if enough things break their way. Remaining schedule: vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers

2. New England Patriots (11-3), AFC East leaders: Their 10-game heater snapped, they failed to clinch the division Sunday and lost valuable ground in their bid for the No. 1 seed. But the Pats are still in driver’s seat to win AFC East and can wrap up a playoff spot with a win at Baltimore. Remaining schedule: at Ravens, at Jets, vs. Dolphins.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4), AFC South leaders: Win their sixth straight Sunday, and they’ll get at least a wild-card spot. But they could fall out of first place with a loss. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, vs. Colts, at Titans

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6), AFC North leaders: They throttled Miami on Monday night, eliminating the Dolphins from postseason contention. No matter what else happens over the next three games, sweep the Ravens, and Pittsburgh secures the division. Remaining schedule: at Lions, at Browns, vs. Ravens

5. Los Angeles Chargers (10-4), wild card No. 1: They completed a season sweep of the Chiefs, officially eliminating the three-time-defending AFC champions from playoff consideration. The Bolts have now won six of seven but need another (and help) to wrap up a berth Sunday. A one-win advantage in AFC games (8-2) keeps them ahead of Buffalo. Remaining schedule: at Cowboys, vs. Texans, at Broncos

6. Buffalo Bills (10-4), wild card No. 1: Still alive to win their sixth straight AFC East crown after salvaging a split with the Pats, the Bills can lock into the field this weekend. Remaining schedule: at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets

7. Houston Texans (9-5), wild card No. 3: They’ve won seven of eight, including six in a row. Another victory plus a Jacksonville loss jumps Houston into first place in the AFC South. Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Colts

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6), in the hunt: Now in the hands of 44-year-old QB Philip Rivers, they face a steep climb back to relevance − their 7-1 start already feeling like ancient history. Rivers gave a valiant effort at Seattle last weekend, his first NFL action in nearly five years, but came up short. And the Colts’ schedule doesn’t let up henceforth, including Monday night’s date with San Francisco. Remaining schedule: vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, at Texans

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-7), in the hunt: Simply win out, and they retain the division title for the third straight year. Remaining schedule: vs. Patriots, at Packers, at Steelers

NFC playoff picture

x − 1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3), NFC West leaders: Splitting their season series with the Rams in Thursday night’s classic means they’ll wind up with the No. 1 seed if they simply win their final two games. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, at 49ers

2. Chicago Bears (10-4), NFC North leaders: How tightly packed is the NFC? One narrow Week 14 loss dropped the Bears from first place in the conference to seventh. Sunday’s win, in conjunction with Green Bay’s loss, put Da Bears back up to second overall. Now they’re a win (and a little help) from locking up a spot this weekend. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions

3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5), NFC East leaders: Win Saturday at Washington, and the division title remains in Philly for another year − while also sending the Cowboys home. Remaining schedule: at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7), NFC South leaders: Hopefully coach Todd Bowles’ charges care (expletive) enough this week. A fifth loss in their past six games dropped them to .500 in Week 15, but Carolina’s loss put the Bucs back in first place. Their one-game advantage in the common-games tiebreaker is currently the difference with the Panthers. Beat Carolina twice, and the Bucs will still win the NFC South. Remaining schedule: at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers

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