After Week 16, the playoff picture in the NFL has become clearer. Still, the seeding in both conferences is wide open, and the number one seed is also up for grabs in both conferences. The following are the biggest takeaways and storylines for playoff teams and those still in the running.
Buffalo
Dec 14, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) walks off of the field after a game against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
If you were in your fantasy playoffs, sadly, Josh Allen may have gotten you there, but he didn’t help you win, as Allen finished with 130 yards passing and 17 rushing yards. James Cook was the star for Buffalo, running for 117 yards and two touchdowns. It was the Bills defense that had two interceptions and three sacks. Buffalo will likely make the playoffs, but they may have to play on the road in the first game or two, and they’re going to need Allen to be at his best to get to the Super Bowl.
Seattle
In one of the craziest games of the season, the Seahawks came back from a 16-point deficit to beat the Rams in overtime. JSN had zero fantasy points at halftime and finished the game with eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Kenneth Walker had his best game of the season with 164 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, and Sam Donald was very cool and collected throughout the contest, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns to lead Seattle to the victory and the lead in the NFC West.
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) passes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter of the game at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Chargers went on the road and routed the Cowboys behind the stellar play of Justin Herbert, who threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 42 yards and a touchdown. Omarion Hampton had 16 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown and looked very dangerous running the football. Watch to see his touches get ramped up each week through the playoffs.
Los Angeles Rams
This was a brutal defeat for the Rams, who had this game well in hand. Matthew Stafford sealed the MVP with 457 yards passing and three touchdowns, and Puka Nacua had one of the greatest games of the year with 12 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns, but it still wasn’t enough. The Rams might lose home-field advantage because of this game, which could be costly to them in the playoffs.
Philadelphia
Nov 23, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks to pass in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Philadelphia cemented another NFC East title by beating the Commanders on the road. Jalen Hurts finished with 185 passing yards and two touchdowns, and also ran for 40 yards. Saquon Barkley had one of his better games of the season, rushing for 132 yards and a touchdown, and AJ Brown had nine catches for 95 yards. Even more impressive was the Eagles defense, which played as well as it has all season.
Chicago
Sometimes you wonder whether the Bears are lucky or if they’re good as they keep on finding ways to win. Chicago forced overtime and ended up winning on a DJ Moore 46-yard touchdown reception. Caleb Williams was extremely confident in the pocket and finished with 250 yards passing and two touchdowns. The Bears are an opportunistic team that is very well coached and is much better than they were over the last few seasons.
Green Bay
Green Bay lost Jordan Love to a concussion during the game, but backup Malik Willis played very well, throwing for 121 yards and a touchdown and also running for 44 yards. Romeo Dobbs had five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, but the Packers couldn’t put the game away when they needed to in the fourth quarter. Green Bay is clinging to a playoff spot, but without Love and Parsons, it’s going to be hard for them to go deep.
Carolina
Nov 24, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) drops back to pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Bryce Young threw two touchdowns as the Panthers took over first place in the NFC South with a victory at home over Tampa. Young finished with 191 yards passing, including one to Tetairoa McMillan, who had 73 yards and a touchdown. But it really was the Panthers defense that stepped up and played very good football, sacking Baker Mayfield twice and pressuring him all game long and forcing him into some bad throws.
Denver
Denver was led by Bo Nix, who threw for 352 yards and a touchdown, as well as RJ Harvey, who had 50 yards rushing and a touchdown to go along with four catches for 71 yards. The big problem was that Denver’s vaunted defense couldn’t stop the passing attack of Jacksonville. This game showed a little weakness in the Broncos secondary, which is something that other teams will probably watch on film to see if they can take advantage as well.
Pittsburgh
Aaron Rodgers finished with 266 yards passing and a touchdown to help lead Pittsburgh to the surprising road win. Jaylen Warren had two long rushing touchdowns as he finished with 143 yards. Kenneth Gainwell was sensational as he had 128 total yards from scrimmage and a touchdown as the Steelers ran for 230 yards on Detroit’s defense. If the Steelers can continue to run like this, they might be able to go deep into the playoffs.
Houston
Dec 14, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) celebrates with wide receiver Nico Collins (12) after a touchdown during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
In a surprisingly close contest, Houston extended their winning streak to seven games by barely beating Las Vegas. CJ Stroud finished with 187 yards passing and one touchdown, and Dalton Schultz had a touchdown for the second straight week to lead the Texans offense.
Detroit
Detroit is barely hanging on to any playoff hopes as they lost a tough game at home to the Steelers. Jared Goff threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. The Lions ran the ball 12 times for 15 yards, which is the worst display that they’ve had in years. Detroit has some major OL issues that need to be addressed in the off-season.
New England
Dec 1, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes the ball during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
New England inched closer to winning the AFC East, holding off Baltimore in a very close game. Drake Maye threw for 380 yards and 2 TD passes, and Stefon Diggs had nine receptions for 138 yards to lead the Patriots. Somewhat concerning is that TreyVeon Henderson left the game with an injury and was unable to return. Likely, the Patriots will be very careful with him and lean on Rhamondre Stevenson until the playoffs begin.
Baltimore
Baltimore’s chances of making the playoffs are almost over as Lamar Jackson left the game with a back injury. One more Pittsburgh victory and a Baltimore loss will seal the AFC North for Pittsburgh. Derrick Henry was fantastic with 128 yards rushing and 2 TDs, and Zay Flowers played well with 84 yards receiving, but once Jackson left, Baltimore was not able to pull off the upset.
Jacksonville
Oct 19, 2025; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) passes the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
In a very exciting game, Jacksonville was led by four touchdowns from Trevor Lawrence as the Jaguars ended Denver’s 11-game winning streak. Lawrence finished with 279 passing and three passing touchdowns as well as a rushing touchdown. Parker Washington had six catches for 145 yards and a touchdown and looked outstanding. Jacksonville’s defense didn’t make a lot of big plays, but they held the line when they needed to, which is how they’re going to need to play during the playoffs.
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