As of late December 2025, the NFL playoff field is not fully locked, but several teams have already clinched spots and many others are still in the hunt.

AFC playoff picture

Several AFC teams have either clinched a playoff berth or currently hold strong seeding positions heading into the final weeks of the 2025 regular season. Exact seeds can still change because remaining games and tiebreakers (like head‑to‑head and conference record) are still in play.

Key points:

  • Teams such as the Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and others are prominently involved in the current AFC bracket discussions.
  • Multiple AFC teams remain “in the hunt,” including the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, with paths that depend on wins plus specific scenario combinations.

NFC playoff picture

In the NFC, a handful of teams have clinched, while others are battling for wild‑card spots and seeding advantages. Division races (especially in the West and other tight divisions) mean movement is still likely in both seeding and who actually gets in.

Key points:

  • Teams like the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are central to the current NFC playoff mix, alongside others contending for wild‑card berths.
  • The Detroit Lions and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, among others, are still listed as “in the hunt,” needing specific late‑season results to qualify.

Why the answer isn’t final yet

The question “who are in the playoffs NFL” suggests a finalized bracket, but the 2025 regular season is still ongoing, so only some berths are clinched. Final seeds and the complete list of playoff teams will only be known after the remaining Week 17 and Week 18 games are played and all tiebreakers are resolved.

If you want, a follow‑up can list the current top seeds and “in the hunt” teams by conference as of this week.