It’s still early 2025 NFL seasonbut it’s time to start looking at the playoff situation.
10 weeks lefta few things can be said. The Colts appear to be for real, the Buccaneers are holding up against injuries and perhaps the best team, the Chiefs, aren’t even in the playoff picture yet.
For teams that pose legitimate threats, there is reason to be excited. The Patriots were thought to be gritty, but few expected them to seriously challenge the Bills in the AFC East. In the NFC, the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers give us a great battle in the West, while there is a real chance that the Commanders go one step closer to missing the playoffs altogether.
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But we start with the AFC, where Daniel Jones and Indianapolis are surprising everyone, one win at a time.
AFC: WHO IS A PARTNER
Save: 6–1
Opponents remaining above 0.500:7
Playoff probability: 92%
No team was a bigger surprise than the Colts. Indianapolis is the only team with six wins in the league, while Daniel Jones has thrown 10 touchdowns against three interceptions. The Colts should improve to 7-1 with the Titans one win away on deck.
Save: 5–2
Opponents remaining above 0.500:2
Playoff probability: 91%
The Patriots appear to have the next face of their franchise. Drake Maye was fantastic, throwing for 1,744 yards and 12 touchdowns despite only one known name being targeted in Stefon Diggs. New England appears to be a legitimate playoff contender, with the Browns next in line.
Save: 5–2
Opponents remaining above 0.500:5
Playoff probability: 74%
It seemed inevitable that the Broncos would lose in upset fashion at home to the Giants, only to score 33 points in the fourth quarter for a last-second victory. Bo Nix finished the day with 279 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Broncos to their fifth win and first place in the AFC West.
Save: 4–2
Opponents remaining above 0.500: 6
Playoff probability: 66%
Pittsburgh is alone atop the AFC North, but all is not well. The defense allows 374.7 yards per game, a bottom-five number. The Steelers also rely on a short passing game from Aaron Rodgers, something that if too predictable will eventually dry up. Still, they are able to host a playoff game.
Save: 4–2
Opponents remaining above 0.500:5
Playoff probability: 89%
Buffalo is still in a good position, but a two-game losing streak has knocked the Bills out of first place in the AFC East. Following their bye week, the Bills will face the rejuvenated Panthers before hosting the Chiefs in Week 9.
Save:4–3
Opponents remaining above 0.500:5
Playoff probability: 71%
After winning their first three games, things aren’t looking good for the Chargers. Los Angeles lost three of its last four games, including losses to the Giants and Commanders before being eliminated, 38-24, by the Colts. Next meeting Thursday evening against the Vikings.
Save:4–3
Opponents remaining above 0.500:4
Playoff probability: 52%
Jacksonville has a lot to think about heading into the bye week. After a huge Week 5 win against the Chiefs Monday Night FootballThe Jaguars have lost back-to-back games to the Seahawks and Rams, with the latter going 35-7 on Sunday.
NFC: WHO IS PARTICIPATING
Save:5–1
Opponents remaining above 0.500:7
Playoff probability: 90%
Tampa Bay has been incredibly beat up on offense this year, with Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka and Tristan Wirfs all missing time. Still, if the Buccaneers can beat the Lions on Monday night behind MVP candidate Baker Mayfield, they will be the first NFC team to win six times.
Save: 4-1-1
Opponents remaining above 0.500:7
Playoff probability: 88%
It hasn’t been pretty at times, but the Packers lead the NFC North. Jordan Love completes 69.3% of his attempts with 10 touchdown passes against two interceptions. Micah Parsons also broke out on Sunday, with three sacks in a 27-23 win over the Cardinals, giving him a 5.5 grade for the year.
Save: 5–2
Opponents remaining above 0.500:5
Playoff probability: 76%
San Francisco has been without George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, Brandon Aiyuk, Brock Purdy, Fred Warner and Nick Bosa for all or part of the season, and yet here they are. Nothing has come easy for San Francisco, but coach Kyle Shanahan should be proud of the effort.
Save: 5–2
Opponents remaining above 0.500:5
Playoff probability: 84%
After losing two games in a row, the Eagles regrouped and beat the Vikings, 28-22, in Minnesota. Jalen Hurts threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense forced two Carson Wentz interceptions. Philadelphia is also two games ahead of everyone in the NFC East, giving it plenty of room to maneuver.
Save: 5–2
Opponents remaining above 0.500:7
Playoff probability: 79%
The Rams could be undefeated if their special teams weren’t such a disaster. That said, Los Angeles is 5-2, with Matthew Stafford leading the league with 1,866 yards and 17 touchdowns. The remaining schedule isn’t easy with more games against teams above .500, but Los Angeles is an obvious contender.
Save: 4–2
Opponents remaining above 0.500:4
Playoff probability: 64%
Seattle is No. 1 in DVOA and appears to be behind a stingy defense, quality special teams and Sam Darnold being an upgrade over Geno Smith. After trading Smith for a third-round pick, the Seahawks signed Darnold to a $100 million contract, and in six games he accounted for 1,541 yards and 11 touchdowns. His favorite target is Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has 696 yards and three scores.
Save: 4–2
Opponents remaining above 0.500: 6
Playoff probability: 73%
The Lions are dealing with a legion of injuries in their secondary, including DJ Reed, Terrion Arnold and Kerby Joseph. They will also be without star safety Brian Branch on Monday due to a suspension for hitting Chiefs receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. That said, the offense is rolling at 31.8 points per game, led by the floor duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
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