NFL Playoff Picture Predictor Shows Maximum Chaos With Two Weeks Left

The NFL playoff race is down to its final, frantic days. Only two weeks remain in the 2025 regular season. The seeding picture is incredibly tight across both conferences.

According to analysis from ESPN and NFL Network, seven wild-card spots are still undecided. The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos currently control the top seeds. But numerous scenarios could change everything by Week 18.

Seahawks Hold Edge in Tight NFC Race for Top Seed

The Seattle Seahawks are in the driver’s seat for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. They hold a 12-3 record with two games left. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives them a 46% chance to secure the top spot and a first-round bye.

Their main rival is the San Francisco 49ers, who also sit at 12-3. The 49ers have a 25.1% probability for the top seed. The outcome of their Week 18 head-to-head matchup will likely decide the NFC West and the conference’s elite seeding.

The Los Angeles Rams, at 11-4, are locked in a fierce battle for a wild-card position. The final two weeks will determine home-field advantage and playoff paths for several NFC contenders.

Broncos Clinch Division, Eye AFC’s Coveted Top Spot

In the AFC, the Denver Broncos have already made history. They clinched the AFC West title on December 27th. It is their first division crown since the 2015 season.

Led by second-year quarterback Bo Nix, the Broncos boast a 13-3 record. They now aim to lock down the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed. A win in their final game would secure the conference’s only first-round bye.

The Kansas City Chiefs remain in the hunt but need help. The final week will decide if Denver can finish the job and claim the top playoff position.

Wild Card Scramble Involves Dozens of Teams

The fight for the final playoff berths is intense. Seven wild-card spots are still available across the NFL. Ten teams are mathematically alive for those positions.

In the AFC, the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills have clinched. Teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens are fighting to join them. The Houston Texans just clinched a spot, adding to the chaos.

The NFC wild-card scene is just as crowded. The Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears are in. The Green Bay Packers and the loser of the Seahawks-49ers battle will be watching other scores closely in Week 18.

The final NFL playoff picture will be shaped by these last two weeks, where every game carries massive implications for the road to the Super Bowl. Expect unexpected results and dramatic finishes as teams battle for their postseason lives.

Info at your fingertips

Who has clinched a playoff spot already?

Twelve teams have secured postseason berths. In the AFC, it’s the Broncos, Chiefs, Patriots, Bills, and Texans. The NFC has the Seahawks, 49ers, Eagles, Rams, Bears, and Packers confirmed.

What do the Seahawks need for the No. 1 seed?

The Seahawks control their destiny. If they win their final two games, they clinch the NFC’s top seed and a first-round bye. A loss, especially to the 49ers, could drop them.

Can the Broncos still lose the top AFC seed?

Yes. While they’ve won their division, the Broncos must win in Week 18 to guarantee the No. 1 seed. A loss opens the door for the Kansas City Chiefs to potentially claim it.

Which teams are on the playoff bubble?

Several teams are on the edge. The Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC need wins. In the NFC, teams like the Atlanta Falcons need wins and help from others.

How do tie-breakers work this late?

Tie-breakers are critical. The first step is head-to-head record between tied teams. Next is division record, then record in common games. These rules will decide several final spots.

When will the final playoff bracket be set?

The full 14-team playoff bracket will be finalized after the final game of Week 18. Seedings and matchups depend on the outcomes of all games that weekend.