NFL playoffs: A look at the wild-card matchups, playoff teams, and the complete postseason field

The 2025 regular season of the National Football League came to an end with the playoff picture fully settled and no loose ends left behind. All 14 postseason teams are officially confirmed, first-round byes have been awarded, and the wild-card matchups are locked in ahead of the opening weekend. While much of the field had already been decided entering Week 18, the final slate of games played a defining role in shaping the bracket.

Division races were finalized, seeding battles were resolved, and the path each team must take toward Super Bowl LX became clear. From this point forward, the margin for error disappears as the league transitions into single-elimination football.

AFC playoff teams: The seven teams that qualified from the conference

Denver Broncos

New England Patriots

Jacksonville Jaguars

Pittsburgh Steelers

Houston Texans

Buffalo Bills

Los Angeles Chargers

NFC playoff teams: The seven teams still alive in the postseason race

Seattle Seahawks

Chicago Bears

Philadelphia Eagles

Carolina Panthers

Los Angeles Rams

San Francisco 49ers

Green Bay Packers

Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks secure first-round byes

Week 18 proved especially significant at the top of both conferences. Denver finished with the best record in the AFC, earning the conference’s No. 1 seed and the lone first-round bye. That advantage provides additional rest and ensures the Broncos will host their divisional-round matchup against the lowest remaining seed.

Seattle claimed a similar edge in the NFC. A decisive late-season win locked up the No. 1 seed, allowing the Seahawks to skip the wild-card round entirely. With several contenders entering the postseason managing injuries and short recovery windows, Seattle’s extra week could be a critical factor as the bracket tightens.

Wild-card weekend introduces urgency and contrasting paths

The opening round of the postseason brings immediate pressure for division winners and opportunity for wild-card teams playing with little to lose. Carolina’s presence stands out, as the Panthers reached the playoffs despite finishing the regular season below .500, joining a rare group in league history.

Elsewhere, experienced road teams such as the Rams and Bills enter hostile environments knowing that a single mistake could end their season. Several matchups also place younger quarterbacks under the spotlight, adding another layer of intrigue to the opening weekend.

Wild-card weekend kicks off January 10, followed by the divisional round on January 17–18 and the conference championships on January 25. The season will conclude with Super Bowl 60 on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. From this point forward, regular-season records offer no protection. Every game is win or go home, and only one team will survive the road ahead.