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We investigate the NFL playoff contenders as we head into Week 15 of the NFL season. Which teams improved their position and who fell following Week 14? What key games lay ahead as we look toward the postseason?
AFC Contender #1: New England Patriots
The Patriots finally took their bye week vacation with a comfortable >99% chance of making the playoffs, according to Next Gen Stats. We last saw them trampling the Giants on Monday Night Football, as TreVeyon Henderson continues to run exceedingly well, though his pass protection still needs work.
New England will host the Bills in a playoff-readiness test in Week 15 before traveling to Baltimore, though the Ravens are not as daunting as once thought. They finish against the Jets and the Dolphins, which should see the Pats heavily favored. The odds of the AFC path going through Foxboro are substantial.
AFC Contender #2: Denver Broncos
Denver sits at 11-2 thanks to a 10-game win streak that is built on some tight margins of victory. Relying on late heroics will not instill high levels of confidence going into a tough stretch of schedule to close out the regular season (GB, JAX, KC, LAC).
But they’re looking at a healthy lead in the division, and bringing playoff opponents to altitude with a high seed will be critical. While Denver’s schedule isn’t easy, the Chargers have an even tougher slate, and it all culminates with a Week 18 showdown between the two.
AFC Contender #3: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars controlled much of the win over Indianapolis on Sunday, jumping out to an early advantage that only grew after Daniel Jones’ departure. Travis Etienne Jr. only averaged 3.7 yards on his 20 carries, but scored twice and ripped off a long 28-yarder to create highlights.
Trevor Lawrence battled the rain to toss a pair of TDs, as well as a few long connections with Brian Thomas Jr., who they need to get going. They now have only one “tough” game remaining at Denver, with Indy’s QB situation making the Week 17 rematch less intimidating.
AFC Contender #4: Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh took a monumental step toward the playoffs with a road win over the Ravens in the first of two regular-season games between the two. The Steelers saw Aaron Rodgers hit DK Metcalf for the team’s first deep pass in several weeks, and Kenneth Gainwell continues to be a strong No. 2 RB with Jaylen Warren.
The defense kept pressure on Lamar Jackson, and now they have the head-to-head edge, as well as a better conference and divisional record. One doesn’t feel great about their long-term prospects for a deep run, but the AFC North currently goes through Pittsburgh. They’ll now host the Dolphins before road games with Detroit and Cleveland, with a potentially make-or-break Baltimore rematch at home to cap the season.
AFC Contender #5: Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers wound up winning the great turnover battle of Monday Night Football against the Eagles, picking up a crucial ninth win with the Chiefs, Cowboys, Texans, and Broncos ahead. Fresh off of surgery on his non-throwing hand, Justin Herbert pushed through relentless pressure and absorbed seven sacks en route to the gritty overtime victory.
He only completed 12 of his 26 pass attempts, but led the team with 66 rushing yards on 10 carries. There are many valid questions that the Chargers’ offense will need to answer in future weeks against talented defensive fronts, but the defense held strong, and Cameron Dicker nailed all five field goals. Can they win two more games?
AFC Contender #6: Buffalo Bills
Buffalo was on the back foot against the Bengals, but a snowy homefield eventually tilted their way as Josh Allen reminded everyone of his MVP form. Among other plays, Allen uncorked a 40-yard TD run to usher in the 39-34 comeback that was propelled by 21 fourth-quarter points.
They remain two games behind New England, who they’ll now square off with in Foxboro. A win there would even the season series and draw them within a Pats’ mistake of the AFC East. But Buffalo will also have to face Cleveland’s elite defense in Week 16, as well as the Eagles in Week 17. Can they put the erratic form in the past and finish the regular season with consistently solid play?
AFC Contender #7: Houston Texans
Houston’s defense once again led the team to victory over a strong opponent, this time by holding the Colts to 16 points. The return of C.J. Stroud came just in time, as the signal-caller threw for 276 yards thanks to a familiar rapport with Nico Collins, to help hand Indianapolis its first home loss of the season.
They’ll take their four-game win streak into Arrowhead Stadium for a matchup with the defending AFC champion Chiefs, who are reeling from a Thanksgiving loss to the Cowboys. The Texans will then face winnable games against the Cardinals and Raiders at home before closing the year with the Chargers on the road and hosting the Colts, possibly for the division title. While they have a loss to Jacksonville on their ledger, wins over Buffalo and Indy could prove massive.
AFC Contender #8: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ season is suddenly on extremely thin ice after starting quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Sunday. He’d already been playing through a fractured fibula in his other leg, but there’s no pushing beyond this kind of injury. With Anthony Richardson Sr. still on the injured reserve due to an orbital fracture and not cleared for football activities, Riley Leonard was thrust onto the field and had a tough go.
Leonard picked up a knee sprain, and you’ve likely seen the news that Philip Rivers has reunited with his former offensive coordinator, Shane Steichen, and could start in Week 15. Their three-game losing streak looms large at just 8-5, as all four remaining games are against top teams (SEA, SF, JAX, HOU). Jonathan Taylor is great, but their fate lies in the 44-year-old Rivers’ hands.
AFC Contender #9: Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens failed to play a complete game against Pittsburgh, losing their home game against the division rivals, which puts them a full game back of PIT in the AFC North. There was controversy on the overturned Isaiah Likely touchdown, but there’s no overlooking that Lamar Jackson is playing inconsistently, at best.
Now, Baltimore must figure out a way to string together wins against the Bengals, Patriots, and Packers before facing the Steelers again in Week 18. If their recent play is not cleaned up, then they’ll be eliminated before getting a chance to avenge this loss in the final week.
AFC Contender #10: Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs couldn’t rise above a suffocating Houston Texans defense on Sunday night and fell to 6-7 in the process. Patrick Mahomes threw three interceptions on 14-of-33 passing, though he got absolutely no help from his pass-catchers throughout the game.
The mistakes keep mounting, and adding another loss to a possible tiebreak opponent in the standings only makes things worse. Due to Indianapolis’ precarious position, we’ll keep K.C. in the mix, but they must see others drop multiple games while winning out against the Chargers, Titans, Broncos, and Raiders.
NFC Contender #1: Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are comfortably back on top after steamrolling Arizona helped overshadow last week’s eleventh-hour turnover that sealed a loss to Carolina. No team appears to be a true juggernaut in the NFL this year, but the Rams are within the inner circle. And yet, they may not even be the best team in their division!
Yes, they edged Seattle in their first faceoff of ‘25, but the Seahawks have a slight edge in both points scored and allowed. And don’t forget that the 49ers are just a game back of each team with the best divisional record of the trio! The Rams must not look beyond Detroit in Week 15 before the big NFC West showdown in Seattle.
NFC Contender #2: Green Bay Packers
Green Bay did enough to beat Chicago to get a leg up in the NFC North. Christian Watson looks 100%, scoring multiple deep touchdowns as a premier field-stretching threat, and Jayden Reed also returned to play. Of course, the road ahead still isn’t simple.
They now must travel to Denver before heading to Chicago to try to put the Bears behind the eight ball. Even if they drop those, they’ll be favored at home against the Ravens in Week 17 before the season finale in Minnesota.
NFC Contender #3: Philadelphia Eagles
This three-game losing streak hits differently if you sat through and witnessed Jalen Hurts’ play on Monday night against the Chargers. The blame that had been pointed at offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo is now jointly shared with Hurts, who threw four interceptions and lost a fumble in a tight 22-19 loss.
The defense did a great job at keeping the pressure on Justin Herbert, but it wasn’t enough. Jake Elliott missed a field goal that proved the difference, though there is a bright side. Saquon Barkley ripped off a 52-yard touchdown and showed the burst that we hadn’t seen since last year.
And now they’ll get to rebound against the Raiders and Commanders before having to deal with Buffalo. One has serious doubts about this team being at championship caliber, but that schedule should allow them to keep the NFC East in hand.
NFC Contender #4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay saw its lead over New Orleans slip away late in the rain, which tightens the NFC South to a hair. The Bucs still sit in first place thanks to a common-games tiebreak over the 7-6 Panthers, who they’ll play in Weeks 16 and 18. Mike Evans and possibly Jalen McMillan appear ready to return soon.
Another bad drop by Emeka Egbuka highlights the need for Evans to stabilize the WR corps alongside Chris Godwin Jr., but the offense also sorely missed Tristan Wirfs. Tampa is a threat at full strength, but can they pull that together? A home game against the scuffling Falcons should offer a rebound chance for now.
NFC Contender #5: Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks enjoyed another easier opponent, crushing the Falcons one week after blanking the Vikings. Before this weekend, the Week 15 matchup with the Colts was considered a key game, but Daniel Jones’ injury diminished their threat level.
A Seattle win there would bump them up to 11-3 before a stretch against the Rams, Panthers, and Niners. All three of those teams can scrap and push the Seahawks, who are trying to keep up in a top-heavy NFC West. Two divisional losses could hurt their outlook due to tiebreaks, but they’ll surely snag a chance to prove their postseason mettle.
NFC Contender #6: Chicago Bears
The Bears were sluggish out of the gate on Sunday, and couldn’t get over the hump in an eventual 28-21 loss to Green Bay. Caleb Williams was 4-of-12 on passes at halftime before turning it on in the second half, though most will hyperfixate on the poor decision and throw on the final interception.
We’d seen the Bears look more comfortable when able to establish the run, but they won’t go far in the playoffs if Williams is this streaky. They’ll now have to beat an upstart Cleveland club before their home rematch with the Packers, a road date with the Niners, and then a showdown with the Lions that could decide the No. 7 seed.
NFC Contender #7: San Francisco 49ers
The final bye week of the season forced the 49ers to sit and watch both the Rams and Seahawks rout their opponents. The rest better have done a taxed Christian McCaffrey some good, as he still leads the NFL in touches by a comfortable margin with 322.
The Niners still have to get Ricky Pearsall going and find ways to generate pressure on defense, but things are trending up. And they’ll enjoy two friendly matchups out of the bye, with Tennessee and a weakened Indianapolis on tap before the Bears and Seahawks come to San Fran.
NFC Contender #8: Detroit Lions
Detroit rode Jahmyr Gibbs and the offense for 44 points to victory in a must-win situation over Dallas. They’ve now averaged 34 points over their last three games (all at home in the dome), but the defense remains a question mark. And sadly, they lost safety Brian Branch to a torn Achilles tendon in the fourth quarter.
This is horrid timing with a road game against the Rams on the horizon, but there remains a path to the playoffs even if you bake in a loss there. Chicago’s loss to Green Bay pulls Detroit within a game, and those two could each be around 10-6 with the final playoff berth on the line in their Week 18 showdown.
NFC Contender #9: Carolina Panthers
Carolina “won” the bye week by virtue of Tampa Bay’s loss to the Saints, which makes them each 7-6 after 13 games. The Panthers must now face those same Saints and hope to avoid the same upset script before hosting the Bucs for the first of two head-to-head contests.
Week 17’s home game against the Seahawks in between the Tampa tilts will further test Carolina’s playoff readiness beyond the scope of the middling NFC South, but few can boast a win over the Rams in 2025! Let’s see if Bryce Young can prove to the world he’s ready to take the leap and avoid turnovers and a conservative, inconsistent style of play.
NFC Contender #10: Dallas Cowboys
The momentum gained by defeating the Chiefs and Eagles was squandered in an ugly loss to the Lions. There was little margin for error after starting at 3-5-1, but there is still life at 6-6-1, especially after the Eagles fell on MNF. They’ll now have to overcome a lively Minnesota defense before taking on the Chargers, Commanders, and Giants.
Will 10-6-1 be strong enough to grab a playoff spot? If Philly drops two games, then the division could be in Dallas’ hands. However, if the Bears lose to the Packers, 49ers, and Lions (or Browns), then 10-7 puts them out, which Detroit could also hit if they lose two themselves. The year is far from over!
