Live updates as 2025 NFL playoff bracket settled in Week 18
We update the 2025 NFL playoff bracket as the league works through the Week 18 schedule.
The 2024-25 NFL regular season wraps up this weekend with the Week 18 slate closing out the season. The first matchup kicks off on Saturday afternoon and the final matchup concludes late Sunday evening. By approximately 11:15 p.m. ET Sunday evening, we’ll know what the full bracket looks like for the 2025 NFL Playoffs. All 14 teams will be settled, both No. 1 seeds will be secured, and all six Wild Card weekend matchups will be settled.
Week 18 opens with a Saturday doubleheader that features the Ravens and Steelers already in the playoff field and the Bengals fighting for the final AFC berth. The Ravens host the Browns first and can secure the AFC North title with a win. The Steelers host the Bengals in the evening. The Steelers need a win and a Ravens loss to secure the division title. The Bengals need a win and losses by the Broncos and Dolphins to earn the final wild card berth.
The playoff field only has two unclaimed spots, but Sunday will still be a busy one for positioning. The Bucs and Falcons are not facing off but are still competing for the NFC South title. The Vikings and Lions are facing off the close out the Sunday slate with the winner claiming the NFC North title and the loser claiming the No. 5 seed as a wild card team.
Below is a look at the updated playoff bracket as Week 18 gets underway. We’ll be updating this all day Saturday and Sunday until the final bracket is settled for the 2025 NFL Playoffs. Teams that have locked in their specific seed are bolded and italicized.
NFC playoff bracket
1. Detroit Lions (14-2) — BYE
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) vs. 7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6) vs. 6. Washington Commanders (11-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) vs. 5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
AFC playoff bracket
1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1) — BYE
2. Buffalo Bills (13-3) vs. Denver Broncos (9-7)
3. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) vs 6. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
4. Houston Texans (9-7) vs. 5. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)