NFL playoff update: What changes did Week 12 bring to the standings?

November 24, 2025

Thanksgiving Week in the NFL

It’s that time of year again here in the U.S.—Thanksgiving week.

In the NFL, some teams are particularly grateful this week.

The league’s recent upheavals have altered the standings, bringing a fresh face to the top of the AFC Conference and shifting leaders within divisions, with a number of teams vying for playoff spots.

AFC Playoff Standings

Currently, here’s how the AFC looks:

1. New England Patriots (10-2)
2. Denver Broncos (9-2)
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-3)
4. Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4)
7. Buffalo Bills (7-4)

8. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
9. Houston Texans (6-5)
10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-5)
11. Miami Dolphins (4-7)
12. Cincinnati Bengals (3-8)
13. Cleveland Browns (3-8)
14. Las Vegas Raiders (2-9)
15. New York Jets (2-9)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-10)

Looking at the top, the Denver Broncos’ bye week could make it even easier for the New England Patriots to hold the lead in the standings. While their game against the Cincinnati Bengals wasn’t particularly impressive, the Patriots managed a victory despite facing struggles with their offensive line due to key injuries.

Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts dropped to third place after a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Baltimore Ravens, having started the year 1-5, have now won five in a row and sit at 6-5 after a win over the New York Jets. This change pushed the Pittsburgh Steelers down to 6-5 following their loss to the Chicago Bears.

Right now, Baltimore benefits from a better district record, giving them the advantage in tiebreakers over Pittsburgh, which could push the Steelers completely out of playoff contention.

There are also three teams at 7-4: the Chargers, Jaguars, and Bills filling the 5th to 7th spots. The Chargers rank 5th with a 6-2 record in the AFC, while Jacksonville’s 4-2 record in conference games lands them in 6th. Buffalo’s 4-3 conference record is worth monitoring as we move forward.

Next, we have the three teams at 6-5: Pittsburgh, Houston, and Kansas City. The Chiefs currently sit in 10th place with a 3-4 record, while the Steelers benefit from a tiebreaker based on the strength of their last win. Kansas City’s Sunday victory did wonders for their playoff aspirations, but they still have hurdles ahead.

If the playoffs were to start today, the Patriots would have home advantage, leading to the following Wild Card weekend matchups:

7th place Buffalo vs. 2nd place Denver
6th place Jacksonville vs. 3rd place Indianapolis
5th place Los Angeles vs. 4th place Baltimore

NFC Playoff Standings

Now, let’s take a look at the NFC:

1. Los Angeles Rams (9-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-3)
3. Chicago Bears (8-3)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)
5. Seattle Seahawks (8-3)
6. Green Bay Packers (7-3-1)
7. San Francisco 49ers (7-4)

8. Detroit Lions (7-4)
9. Carolina Panthers (6-5)
10. Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1)
11. Atlanta Falcons (4-7)
12. Minnesota Vikings (4-7)
13. Arizona Cardinals (3-8)
14. Washington Commanders (3-8)
15. New Orleans Saints (2-9)
16. New York Giants (2-10)

Last week, the Rams defeated the Seahawks, positioning themselves at the top of the NFC West.

They now also hold the top position in the conference, thanks in part to the Eagles losing to the Cowboys while the Rams beat the Buccaneers. So, the Rams have taken the top spot in the NFC.

Philadelphia’s recent loss pushed them down to second place, and the Bears remain in third after their victory against the Steelers. The Buccaneers, despite their loss to the Rams, still lead their division due to a solid 2-0 record against the NFC South, although the Panthers are right behind.

Carolina can claim dominance if they can beat the 49ers tonight.

At the bottom of the NFC standings, the 49ers currently lead over the Lions. Both have 7 wins and 4 losses, but the 49ers’ stronger NFC record gives them an edge.

And yes, the Cowboys are still in the race.

Sadly for the Giants, after their loss to the Lions, they’ve become the first team officially out of playoff contention.

Should the playoffs commence today, the Rams would enjoy a bye week with the following matchups for Wild Card weekend:

7th place San Francisco vs. 2nd place Philadelphia
6th place Green Bay vs. 3rd place Chicago
5th place Seattle vs. 4th place Tampa Bay

49ers vs. Panthers

A few weeks back, the matchup between the Panthers and 49ers didn’t seem that significant for the NFC playoff picture.

But, of course, that’s the nature of the NFL—things can shift rapidly.

The Panthers and Buccaneers are currently tied for first in the NFC South, with the Buccaneers holding a tiebreaker advantage due to their divisional records. If the Panthers can win tonight, they’ll snag the division’s top spot. In that case, the 49ers would be sidelined from playoff contention, allowing the Lions to slip into 7th place in the NFC.

Conversely, if the 49ers win, they hold onto the 7th seed, while Tampa Bay would solidify its lead in the NFC South and secure the No. 4 playoff position.