NFL teams to clinch playoff spot: Updated 2025 playoff bracket with Jaguars, Bears and more clinching in Week 16

We're just weeks away from playoff football.

NFL teams have just two regular-season games remaining each, but a number of squads already know they'll be playing in the 2025 postseason. Coming into Week 16, top teams like the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Rams had already secured a playoff berth, but this week's results also allowed a few more spots to be clinched.

Five AFC playoff spots and five NFC playoff spots are officially locked in.

Here are the teams that have clinched a playoff berth through Week 16 games.

MORE NFL WEEK 16:

• How Travis Kelce's retirement decision is easy with no Patrick Mahomes
• Panthers take control of NFC South with massive win over Buccaneers
• Myles Garrett inches closer to NFL sack record with obscure half sack
• Gardner Minshew suffers potential ACL tear in first Chiefs game without Patrick Mahomes
• Quinshon Judkins out for season after gruesome leg injury vs. Bills

NFL teams to clinch playoff spot

• Denver Broncos
• Los Angeles Rams
• Seattle Seahawks
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Chicago Bears
• San Francisco 49ers
• New England Patriots
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Buffalo Bills
• Los Angeles Chargers

Coming into Week 16, the Broncos and Rams already knew they'd be playing in the postseason. However, with both of those teams still eyeing the No. 1 seed in their conference, they still have something to play for.

In Week 16, an additional eight teams have clinched a playoff spot. That began on Thursday night, when the Seahawks' win over the Rams simultaneously gave Seattle the NFC West lead and secured the team an NFC playoff spot with its 12-3 record. If the Seahawks don't win their division, they'll be a wild-card team.

The Philadelphia Eagles locked up the NFC East title on Saturday, clinching a playoff berth in the process. The defending Super Bowl champions are heading to the playoffs for the fifth-straight year under head coach Nick Sirianni. Philadelphia will host at least one NFC playoff game.

Two teams were locked in NFC playoff spots thanks to the Detroit Lions' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The Chicago Bears, currently leading the NFC North, and the San Francisco 49ers, currently in a wild-card spot, will be in the postseason bracket one way or another following the Lions' defeat.

On Sunday night, the Patriots' comeback win over the Ravens meant that New England, behind first-year head coach Mike Vrabel and second-year quarterback Drake Maye, is heading to the postseason, still able to claim the No. 1 seed in the AFC. While the Patriots haven't quite locked up the AFC East, they'll have the upper hand there over the Bills.

And finally, the Colts' loss to the 49ers on Monday night had massive AFC playoff implications; three teams clinched playoff berths as a result of Indianapolis' loss. The Jaguars, Bills and Chargers all locked in their spot in the bracket, although seeding for each team remains up in the air.

In total, of the 14 available playoff spots, 10 teams are already in.

MORE NFL WEEK 16 NEWS:

• Watch DK Metcalf throw punch at Lions fan on sidelines
• Kenneth Gainwell makes circus catch for potential coach of the year
• 6 reasons why the Jaguars are a serious Super Bowl threat

Projected NFL playoff bracket 2025

Below is a look at the NFL's projected playoff bracket as it stands in Week 16. 

AFC

1. Denver Broncos (BYE)
2. New England Patriots vs. 7. Houston Texans
3. Jacksonville Jaguars vs. 6. Buffalo Bills
4. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. 5. Los Angeles Chargers

NFC

1. Seattle Seahawks (BYE)
2. Chicago Bears vs. 7. Green Bay Packers
3. Philadelphia Eagles vs. 6. Los Angeles Rams 
4. Carolina Panthers vs. 5. San Francisco 49ers

Updated NFL playoff picture

Here's how the standings in both conferences break down through Week 16 games, along with the other teams that are still in the playoff hunt. 

• AFC

In the hunt: Colts (8-7), Ravens (7-8)

• NFC

In the hunt: Lions (8-7), Buccaneers (7-8)