WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- The NFL released official Week 15 playoff positioning on Tuesday. Ian Rapoport, national insider for NFL Network, shared these updates for fans and media as the season nears its end. This week, three teams can secure playoff berths.
Wins by the 11-2 Denver Broncos (AFC West), 11-2 New England Patriots (AFC East), and 10-3 Los Angeles Rams (NFC West) guarantee playoff berths. The Broncos and Patriots also have additional tie scenarios to secure their spots.
This Sunday is huge for everyone
— Johnny Es (@Johnny_A619) December 9, 2025
This update underscores tight AFC playoff positioning. The Broncos and Patriots hold playoff positioning in their divisions, but they are up against teams like the 9-4 Buffalo Bills (AFC East) and 8-5 Houston Texans (AFC South). Meanwhile, the Rams maintain strong NFC West playoff positioning despite their 10-3 performance.
The Rams, from the NFC West, have four games remaining to secure their playoff berth and potentially the division. Their schedule includes a Sunday Night Football game at home against the Detroit Lions (NFC North), a clutch road series at the Seattle Seahawks (NFC West), a trip to face the Atlanta Falcons (NFC South), and a regular-season finale at SoFi Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals (NFC West).
Meanwhile, fan reactions included Patriots optimism and Bills rivalry:
“It’s all on the line now. One win = January football,” a fan wrote.
It’s all on the line now. One win = January football
— Sammified | Copywriter (@_sammified) December 9, 2025
“As a Broncos fan, I hate to say it but it would be good to see the Chiefs beat the Chargers or hoping they tie,” another fan commented.
As a Broncos fan, I hate to say it but it would be good to see the Chiefs beat the Chargers or hoping they tie
— ⚡️Optimus KevTron⚡️ (@OptimusKevTron1) December 10, 2025
“Patriots are the only real team here,” another fan wrote.
Patriots are the only real team here
— GoatJB (@1JBstan) December 9, 2025
“Where’s the elimination scenarios, pretty sure KC is out with a loss this week,” one wrote.
Where’s the elimination scenarios, pretty sure kc is out with a loss this week
— Temp_dagoat (@lil_juicebox24) December 9, 2025
“Seems fair. Certainly tracks what we’ve seen this season!” one commented.
Seems fair. Certainly tracks what we’ve seen this season!
— Tommy Teasers (@TommyTeaserTT) December 9, 2025
“This Sunday is huge for everyone,” another commented.
This Sunday is huge for everyone
— Johnny Es (@Johnny_A619) December 9, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West) saw their win probability decrease after a 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans (AFC South) on Sunday during Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season. This defeat dropped them to 6-7 and reduced their win probability for the postseason to approximately 15%, the lowest for Patrick Mahomes. The loss also officially ended their nine-year streak of AFC West playoff positioning. To remain in playoff positioning, the Chiefs needed to win their four remaining games and receive help from other AFC teams. They faced the Los Angeles Chargers (AFC West) in a clutch Week 15 matchup next.