AFC Playoff Picture: Key Paths for Teams in Week 17
As the 2025 NFL regular season approaches its conclusion, teams are keenly focused on securing their playoff berths. With only two weeks remaining, the stakes are high, and a single loss can shift a team’s hopes from postseason ambitions to offseason preparations. Currently, five teams in the AFC have clinched playoff spots: the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, and Buffalo Bills. This leaves two spots still up for grabs, intensifying the competition as Week 17 unfolds.
AFC Standings Overview
In the current playoff landscape, the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots lead the conference with identical records of 12-3. They are closely followed by the Jacksonville Jaguars at 11-4. The remaining playoff teams include the Pittsburgh Steelers at 9-6 and the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Houston Texans, all boasting 11-4 and 10-5 records respectively. The Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens are also in the mix, with records of 8-7 and 7-8.
The two open playoff positions will be filled by either the Steelers or the Ravens, who are competing for the AFC North title, and one wild card spot, which is primarily contested by the Texans and Colts. The final determination may hinge on their Week 18 matchup, adding further drama to the playoff race.
Paths to the No. 1 Seed
While the playoff picture starts to take shape, the race for the No. 1 seed remains intensely competitive. This crucial position not only provides a first-round bye but also ensures home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Broncos are currently the only team that can clinch the top seed in Week 17. They need to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs, who will be playing without Patrick Mahomes, and require losses or ties from the Chargers, Bills, and Jaguars, along with a loss from the Patriots.
For the Broncos, winning their division also remains a priority. To clinch the AFC West, they need a victory against the Chiefs and either a Chargers loss or a tie. Achieving this would mark the first time since 2015 that the Broncos have won their division.
The Patriots, while unable to secure the No. 1 seed in Week 17, can clinch the AFC East by defeating the New York Jets and having the Bills either lose or tie against the Philadelphia Eagles. Alternatively, a tie against the Jets coupled with a Bills loss would also secure the division title for New England. Their chance at the top seed would require winning their last two games and the Broncos losing at least once.
The Jaguars are similarly focused on their own division. They cannot clinch the No. 1 seed in Week 17, but a victory over their next opponent, combined with a Texans loss, could secure the AFC South title. To have any hope of the No. 1 seed, they need to win their final two games while hoping both the Broncos and Patriots lose at least once.
The Chargers, while they cannot clinch the No. 1 seed in Week 17, remain mathematically in the race. Winning their last two games, including a crucial match against the Broncos in Week 18, would keep their hopes alive. To secure the top seed, they would also need both the Patriots and Jaguars to lose one of their remaining games.
As Week 17 approaches, the excitement surrounding the AFC playoff picture builds. With several teams still in contention and the potential for dramatic shifts in standings, fans can expect an action-packed weekend as teams battle for their postseason futures.
