NFL · 1 day ago

Updated 2025 NFL Playoff Picture: Complete Bracket Entering Wild Card Weekend

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

NFC First Round Matchups
#2 Bears vs. #7 Packers

#3 Eagles vs. #6 49ers

#4 Panthers vs. #5 Rams

History and controversy define this NFC slate. The headliner is a high-stakes postseason renewal of the NFL’s oldest rivalry as the Bears host the Packers at Soldier Field. Meanwhile, the bracket’s structural quirks are on full display for the West Coast teams as both San Francisco and Los Angeles hit the road despite having superior records to their hosts, with the 12-win Rams seeking revenge against a sub-.500 Panthers squad that already beat them once this season.

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Introduction
Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books, and after a chaotic finish, the postseason bracket is officially set. From 14-win powerhouses to a sub-.500 division winner, let's look at where things stand ahead of Wild Card Weekend.

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AFC Field
1. Denver Broncos (14-3) — Bye

2. New England Patriots (14-3)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)

5. Houston Texans (12-5)

6. Buffalo Bills (12-5)

7. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)

The road to the Super Bowl runs through Mile High, as the Broncos edged out the Patriots for the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. This year's AFC bracket is exceptionally deep, featuring three wild-card teams with 11+ wins.
NFC Field
1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3) — Bye

2. Chicago Bears (11-6)

3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

4. Carolina Panthers (8-9)

5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)

7. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)

The NFC West asserts total dominance, sending three teams to the postseason, including the top-seeded Seahawks. The result is a lopsided bracket where the Wild Card round features two 12-win powerhouses (Rams and 49ers) forced to hit the road against division winners with inferior records. All eyes will be on the 8-9 Panthers, who host the Rams in a matchup that highlights the controversy of the current playoff seeding format.
AFC First Round Matchups
#2 Patriots vs. #7 Chargers

#3 Jaguars vs. #6 Bills

#4 Steelers vs. #5 Texans

This slate features an unprecedented level of competition, headlined by a heavyweight bout between the Jaguars and Bills, two teams with a combined 25 wins. While the Patriots enjoy home-field advantage against the Chargers, the most intriguing dynamic lies in Pittsburgh, where the battle-tested Steelers must defend Acrisure Stadium against a Texans squad that enters the postseason with a superior record and a vaunted defense.
NFC First Round Matchups
#2 Bears vs. #7 Packers

#3 Eagles vs. #6 49ers

#4 Panthers vs. #5 Rams

History and controversy define this NFC slate. The headliner is a high-stakes postseason renewal of the NFL’s oldest rivalry as the Bears host the Packers at Soldier Field. Meanwhile, the bracket’s structural quirks are on full display for the West Coast teams as both San Francisco and Los Angeles hit the road despite having superior records to their hosts, with the 12-win Rams seeking revenge against a sub-.500 Panthers squad that already beat them once this season.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Introduction
Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season is in the books, and after a chaotic finish, the postseason bracket is officially set. From 14-win powerhouses to a sub-.500 division winner, let's look at where things stand ahead of Wild Card Weekend.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

Updated 2025 NFL Playoff Picture: Complete Bracket Entering Wild Card Weekend

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