Through the first nine weeks of the 2025 NFL season, there have been many surprises. The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots each have seven wins apiece, the Kansas City Chiefs currently aren’t a playoff team, and there isn’t a pure No. 1 best team in football.
With the season being at the midway point, the playoff picture is slowly settling in, with some interesting teams currently being playoff bound.
Let’s take a look at the current NFL playoff picture after the first nine weeks and prior to tonight’s Monday night game between the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals:
Who’s In?
First, look at at the division leaders. There’s a three-way tie for the best overall record in the AFC as the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, and New England Patriots have an AFC best 7-2 record and are in first place in their respective divisions. The other division leader is the Pittsburgh Steelers who are 5-3 and in first place in the AFC North.
The three AFC wildcard spots belong to the Buffalo Bills (6-2), Los Angeles Chargers (6-3), and the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3.)
Over in the NFC, there’s a four-way tie for the best record as the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams each holding 6-2 records. The Eagles, Buccaneers, and Seahawks are the top three seeds as the Rams are the fifth seed.
The 5-2-1 Green Bay Packers hold the No. 4 seed as they’re first in the NFC North. The other two wildcard teams in the NFC are the 6-3 San Francisco 49ers and the 5-3 Detroit Lions.
Who’s Out?
Not every team that is out will be named, but let’s explore some teams that should or could be in the playoffs that currently are not.
The Kansas City Chiefs, who are 5-4, most recently losing to the Buffalo Bills are on the outside looking in, as the No. 8 seed. The Baltimore Ravens, who were without Lamar Jackson for some games, are 3-5, and are the No. 10 seed.
Over in the NFC, the Chicago Bears (5-3), and Carolina Panthers (5-4) are making pushes, but are currently on the bubble.
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