The landscape of the 2025 NFL season has been turned completely on its head, setting the stage for a frantic and unpredictable final stretch. If the playoffs commenced today, a staggering six teams from last year's post-season – including both conference top seeds – would find themselves watching from home.
A Playoff Picture Turned Upside Down
This year's standings present one of the most bizarre scenarios in recent memory. The reigning No.1 seeds, the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, are currently on the outside looking in. Meanwhile, three of the six new teams poised to enter the playoffs – the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and San Francisco 49ers – each finished dead last in their divisions just a season ago. Remarkably, the Bears and Patriots now hold the top seeds in their respective conferences, underscoring the season's unpredictable nature.
The NFL schedule-makers have loaded the final third of the regular season with critical division clashes, and in such a fluid year, these games carry monumental weight. Every result will have a massive ripple effect on the frantic scramble for playoff positions.
High-Stakes Showdowns in Week 14
Several matchups this week could make or break seasons. In the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) face near-elimination if they lose to the Baltimore Ravens (6-6). However, the Ravens' own struggles keep Pittsburgh's hopes alive. Baltimore's two-time MVP quarterback, Lamar Jackson, is in a surprising slump, having failed to throw a touchdown pass in the last three games while committing five turnovers.
The NFC North features a blockbuster between the Chicago Bears (9-3) and the Green Bay Packers (8-3-1). While both are likely playoff-bound, the division title is on the line. This marks the first time in over a decade these historic rivals meet with records this strong, especially with the Bears riding high after a win over the champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Suddenly must-see viewing is the AFC South, where the first-placed Jacksonville Jaguars host the Indianapolis Colts, both sitting at 8-4. The major unknown is the leg injury to Colts QB Daniel Jones, though Jaguars passer Trevor Lawrence has also struggled with consistency despite being healthy.
Former Champions on the Brink
The Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) are staring down the barrel of potential playoff exclusion as they host the red-hot Houston Texans (7-3) and their fearsome defence. The Chiefs have lost three of their last four games, a first in the Patrick Mahomes era, while the Texans are on a four-game winning streak.
Kansas City will also be hoping the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) stumble against the Philadelphia Eagles (8-4). The Chargers are managing a recent surgery on QB Justin Herbert's non-throwing hand. The Eagles, meanwhile, are dealing with fan frustration over offensive struggles – which famously led to the offensive coordinator's house being egged – and will be without star defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
For other teams like the Atlanta Falcons (4-8) and Arizona Cardinals (3-9), the season is about salvaging pride in tough matchups against the Seattle Seahawks (9-3) and Los Angeles Rams (9-3) respectively.
With the schedule packed with pivotal games, the final weeks of the 2025 NFL season promise to deliver high drama and shocking twists as the true contenders finally emerge from the pack.
