The 2025 season is the third time since the 2002 realignment, also in 2014 and 2021, that it has not secured a playoff berth entering Week 15.
Seven of the eight divisions have a team ranked first or tied for first that did not win the division title last season: AFC East (New England), AFC North (Pittsburgh), AFC South (Jacksonville), AFC West (Denver), NFC North (Green Bay), NFC South (Carolina) and NFC West (Seattle).
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Five teams — Chicago, Jacksonville, New England, San Francisco and Seattle — made the playoffs after missing out last year. Since 1990, for 35 consecutive seasons (1990-2024), at least four teams have qualified for the playoffs each season after failing to make the playoffs the previous year.
AFC East: The New England Patriots (11-2) lead the AFC East in 2024 after finishing last in the division. In 19 of the past 22 seasons (2003-24), at least one team has finished first in the conference after finishing in last place or tied for last place. The Patriots host the Buffalo Bills (9-4) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS), and a win would give them their first division title since 2019.
AFC North: The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) defeated the Baltimore Ravens (6-7) 27-22 in Week 14 to take the lead in the division. In the final four weeks of the season, the Steelers are on pace to post a 22nd consecutive season with a .500 or better record and surpass the Dallas Cowboys (21 consecutive seasons from 1965-85) for the longest streak in NFL history.
AFC South: The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) have won four straight games and occupy first place in the AFC South, ahead of the Houston Texans (8-5) and Indianapolis Colts (8-5). The Jaguars and Patriots make the playoffs with a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In six consecutive seasons (2019-24) and in 21 of the past 23 seasons (2002-24), teams with the top five picks in the NFL draft have qualified for the playoffs.
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AFC West: The Denver Broncos (11-2) lead the AFC West and have won 10 consecutive games in a single season for the fourth time in franchise history (13 consecutive wins in 1998, 11 consecutive wins in 2012, and 10 consecutive wins in 1984). With the Week 15 victory, Denver won 12 games in a season for the first time since 2015 and clinched a playoff spot for the second consecutive season.
NL East: Since 2005, a new NFC East champion has been produced every year for the past 20 seasons (2005-24). The Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) currently sit atop the division ahead of the Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) and could become the first team to defend the NFC East title since winning four consecutive division titles from 2001-04.
NL North: Entering Week 15, the Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) lead the NFC North ahead of the Chicago Bears (9-4) and Detroit Lions (8-5). The Packers defeated the Bears 28-21 at home in Week 14 and will meet in Chicago in Week 16. Green Bay is 4-0 against the NFC North this season and is one of three teams (Los Angeles Chargers and New England) with a perfect record against their own division.
NFC South: The Carolina Panthers (7-6) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) entered the final month of the season tied for first place in the NFC South until the Bucs lost to the Atlanta Falcons last night. They have won four straight division titles going into 2021, while the Panthers are seeking their first NFC South title since 2015 and their first playoff berth since 2017.
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NL West: The Los Angeles Rams (10-3), Seattle Seahawks (10-3) and San Francisco 49ers (9-4) each have playoff berths heading into Week 15. There are still two games between the three teams this season: the Rams face the Seahawks in Week 16 and Seattle faces San Francisco in Week 18.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Lines: Unpredictable NFL Season: Playoffs Not Determined
