The NFL will introduce Saturday doubleheaders as it heads into Week 16. With the playoffs less than a month away, here is where things stand.
AFC Standings: Week 16
| AFC Standings: Playoff Teams | Record |
|---|---|
| Denver Broncos* (AFC West)Â Â | 12-2 |
| New England Patriots (AFC East) | 11-3 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South) | 10-4 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North) | 8-6 |
| Los Angeles Chargers (WC 1)Â | 10-4 |
| Buffalo Bills (WC 2) | 10-4 |
| Houston Texans (WC 3) | 9-5 |
* Clinched a playoff spot
The Denver Broncos are the first team in the AFC to clinch a playoff spot. The Broncos can clinch the AFC West with a win over the Jaguars and a Chargers’ loss to the Cowboys.
The New England Patriots dropped a game to the Buffalo Bills. It was the Patriots’ first loss since September. The Patriots still control their own destiny for the AFC East, but the loss opens the door for Buffalo, especially if New England drops another game.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers are in good shape to win their divisions, while the Chargers, Bills, and Texans try to climb the standings.
For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs will not play in the AFC playoffs. To make matters worse, Mahomes suffered a season-ending knee injury, which jeopardizes his status for the beginning of the 2026 season.
| AFC Standings: Outside Looking In | Record |
|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 8-6 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 7-7 |
| AFC: Eliminated Teams | Record |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | 6-8 |
| Miami Dolphins | 6-8 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 4-10 |
| New York Jets | 3-11 |
| Cleveland Browns  | 3-11 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2-12 |
| Tennessee Titans | 2-12 |
NFC Standings: Week 16
| NFC Standings: Playoff Teams | Record |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams* (NFC West)Â Â Â | 11-3 |
| Chicago Bears (NFC North)Â | 10-4 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East) | 9-5 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South) | 7-7 |
| Seattle Seahawks (WC 1) | 11-3 |
| San Francisco 49ers (WC 2) | 10-4 |
| Green Bay Packers (WC 3) | 9-4-1 |
* Clinched a playoff spot
The Los Angeles Rams are the first NFC team to clinch a playoff spot. The NFC West could be decided this week when the Rams meet the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. The winner will be in pole position to win the division with two games remaining.
With the Packers losing to the Broncos, the Chicago Bears moved back into first place in the NFC North. The Bears host the Packers on Saturday night in a game that could decide the division.
The Philadelphia Eagles are in cruise control right now in the NFC East due to Dallas’ loss to the Vikings. If the Eagles defeat the Commanders on Saturday, they clinch the NFC East.
The NFC South is becoming a mess. It’s a two-horse race between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers. These two teams will meet in two of the final three games of the season.
| NFC Standings: Outside Looking In | Record |
|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 8-6 |
| Carolina Panthers | 7-7 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 6-7-1 |
| NFC: Eliminated Teams | Record |
|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | 6-8 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 5-9 |
| New Orleans Saints | 3-10 |
| Washington Commanders | 4-10 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 3-11 |
| New York Giants | 2-12 |
