The 2025 NFL playoff bracket is finally set after a dramatic conclusion to the regular season that saw the Pittsburgh Steelers clinch the final postseason spot with a last-minute 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on "Sunday Night Football." With the completion of Week 18, the 14-team field is now locked in, featuring seven teams from each conference, top seeds earning coveted first-round byes, and wild-card matchups that promise instant classics. The road to Super Bowl 60 officially begins with Wild Card Weekend from January 10-12, setting the stage for what could be one of the most unpredictable postseasons in recent memory.
How the 2025 NFL Playoff Bracket Was Finalized
The final Sunday of the 2025 NFL regular season delivered high-stakes drama across multiple games, with division titles, seeding, and the last playoff berth all on the line. According to ESPN's playoff probability tracking, the Steelers entered their winner-take-all matchup against the Ravens with approximately a 40% chance to win the AFC North, while Baltimore held a 60% probability. Pittsburgh's victory not only secured the No. 4 seed in the AFC but eliminated the Ravens from contention entirely. Meanwhile, in the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers achieved one of the season's most unlikely outcomes: losing their final game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yet still winning the division thanks to the Atlanta Falcons' victory over the New Orleans Saints. This scenario, which NFL.com's analysis called "the Atlanta Addendum," resulted from a three-way tiebreaker that favored Carolina's 3-1 record against division rivals.
NFL.com's analysis highlighted several key factors that could determine these matchups: "The Seahawks-49ers game was so tight (54% to 46% in Seattle's favor) that it significantly impacted the entire NFC bracket. If those numbers hold, the 49ers are more than twice as likely to finish as the sixth seed than the fifth seed." This volatility demonstrates how small margins in the regular season's final week can create dramatically different playoff paths.
Where Things Stand Now: The Complete 2025 NFL Playoff Bracket
With all games concluded, here is the official 2025 NFL playoff bracket and schedule for Wild Card Weekend:
AFC Playoff Bracket
- No. 1 Denver Broncos (14-3): First-round bye, home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs
- No. 2 New England Patriots (14-3) vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Chargers (11-6): Sunday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m. ET on NBC
- No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) vs. No. 6 Buffalo Bills (12-5): Sunday, Jan. 11, noon ET on CBS
- No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) vs. No. 5 Houston Texans (12-5): Monday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC
NFC Playoff Bracket
- No. 1 Seattle Seahawks (14-3): First-round bye, home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs
- No. 2 Chicago Bears (11-6) vs. No. 7 Green Bay Packers (9-7-1): Saturday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime
- No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) vs. No. 6 San Francisco 49ers (12-5): Sunday, Jan. 11, 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox
- No. 4 Carolina Panthers (8-9) vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Rams (12-5): Saturday, Jan. 10, 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox
The divisional round will follow on January 17-18, with the AFC and NFC championship games scheduled for Sunday, January 25. Super Bowl 60 is set for February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where the Philadelphia Eagles will attempt to defend their title against the AFC champion.
What Happens Next: Predictions and Potential Playoff Storylines
As the NFL transitions to postseason mode, several compelling storylines emerge. The Denver Broncos, with their dominant defense and efficient offense, enter as favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but they'll face challenges from experienced playoff teams like New England and Jacksonville. In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks' balanced attack makes them formidable, but they'll need to overcome recent playoff demons after early exits in previous seasons.
Historical trends suggest several potential outcomes: According to ESPN's analysis, teams earning first-round byes have won the Super Bowl in 12 of the last 15 seasons, emphasizing the importance of the top seeds. However, wild-card teams have made surprising runs, with the 2023 Green Bay Packers reaching the NFC Championship Game as a No. 7 seed. The 2025 bracket features several teams capable of such runs, particularly the San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, both of whom possess the talent to win multiple road games.
Coaching matchups will also play a significant role, with Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Bill Belichick (Patriots), and Sean McVay (Rams) bringing extensive playoff experience to their sideline battles. Younger coaches like Matt Eberflus (Bears) and DeMeco Ryans (Texans) will be tested in their first postseason appearances as head coaches.
The Bottom Line: Key Takeaways from the 2025 NFL Playoff Bracket
- The Pittsburgh Steelers' dramatic victory over the Baltimore Ravens completed the 14-team playoff field, eliminating the Ravens and securing the AFC's final spot.
- Denver and Seattle earned top seeds and first-round byes after finishing with identical 14-3 records, giving them home-field advantage throughout their respective conference playoffs.
- Wild Card Weekend features six games from January 10-12, including historic rivalries (Packers-Bears), quarterback duels (Herbert vs. Maye), and rematches of recent playoff classics (49ers-Eagles).
- The Carolina Panthers' unlikely NFC South title—secured despite losing their final game—demonstrates the complexity of NFL tiebreakers and the importance of every regular-season result.
- With Super Bowl 60 scheduled for February 8 in Santa Clara, the path to championship glory begins with what promises to be one of the most competitive and unpredictable NFL postseasons in years.
As teams prepare for the postseason grind, the 2025 NFL playoff bracket sets the stage for unforgettable moments, unexpected heroes, and the relentless pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy. Every game from this point forward carries season-defining consequences, beginning with what should be an electrifying Wild Card Weekend.
