NEW YORK – The 2025 season marks the third time since realignment in 2002, also 2014 and 2021, that no playoff berths have been clinched entering Week 15.
Seven of the eight divisions have a team in first place or tied for first that did not win its division 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).
Five teams – Chicago, Jacksonville, New England, San Francisco and Seattle – are in playoff position after missing the postseason last year. Since 1990 – a streak of 35 consecutive seasons (1990-2024) – at least four teams every season have qualified for the playoffs after failing to make the postseason the year before.
Here’s a look at each division race entering Week 15:
AFC East: The New England Patriots (11-2) lead the AFC East after finishing last in their division in 2024. In 19 of the past 22 seasons (2003-24), at least one team finished in first place in its division the season after finishing in last or tied for last place. The Patriots are set to host the Buffalo Bills (9-4) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS) and with a win, can clinch their first division title since 2019.
- New England has won 10 consecutive games since Week 4, including a 23-20 win at Buffalo in Week 5. Additionally with a win, the Patriots can record their third 11-game winning streak in a single season in franchise history, previously winning all 16 regular-season games in 2007 and recording a 12-game winning streak in 2003.
- The Bills have won the AFC East in each of the past five seasons and can become the sixth team all-time with at least 10 wins in seven straight seasons, joining the 2003-19 New England Patriots (17 consecutive seasons), 1983-98 San Francisco 49ers (16), 2015-24 Kansas City Chiefs (10), 2002-10 Indianapolis Colts (nine) and 1975-81 Dallas Cowboys (seven).
AFC North: The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) lead the division after defeating the Baltimore Ravens (6-7), 27-22, in Week 14. Over the final four weeks of the season, the Steelers look to record their 22nd consecutive season with a .500-or-better record and surpass the Dallas Cowboys (21 consecutive seasons from 1965-85) for the longest such streak in NFL history.
- The Steelers and Ravens will also meet in Week 18. Pittsburgh can secure its first AFC North division title since 2020 while Baltimore can win the division for the third-consecutive season.
AFC South: The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) have won four consecutive games to take over first place in the AFC South, leading the Houston Texans (8-5) and Indianapolis Colts (8-5). The Jaguars, along with the Patriots, are in playoff position after selecting in the top-five in the 2025 NFL Draft. In six consecutive seasons (2019-24) and in 21 of the past 23 seasons (2002-24), a team that chose in the top five of the NFL Draft has qualified for the postseason.
- Jacksonville, over the final four weeks, can secure their fifth division title in franchise history and first since 2022.
- Houston, looking to become the fifth team since 1990 to begin 0-3 and qualify for the postseason, has won five consecutive games entering Week 15. The Texans have won the AFC South in each of the past two seasons.
- Indianapolis, one of eight teams that has a .500-or-better record after missing the playoffs last season, searches for its first playoff berth since 2020 and is set to face Jacksonville in Week 17 and Houston in Week 18.
AFC West: The Denver Broncos (11-2) lead the AFC West and have won 10 consecutive games within a single season for the fourth time in franchise history (13 consecutive games in 1998, 11 in 2012 and 10 in 1984). With a win in Week 15, Denver can win 12 games in a season for the first time since 2015 and clinch a playoff berth for the second consecutive season.
- The Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) look for consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time since 2006-07 and can qualify for the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since four straight playoff appearances from 2006-09.
NFC East: Since 2005, there has been a new NFC East division champion in 20 consecutive seasons (2005-24). The Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) currently lead the Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) for first place in the division and can become the first team to repeat as NFC East champions since they won four consecutive division titles from 2001-04.
NFC North: The Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) lead the Chicago Bears (9-4) and Detroit Lions (8-5) in the NFC North entering Week 15. The Packers defeated the Bears, 28-21, at home in Week 14 and are set to meet in Chicago in Week 16. Green Bay is 4-0 against the NFC North this season, one of three teams (the Los Angeles Chargers and New England) with a perfect record against its own division.
- The Packers can secure their first division title since winning three consecutive NFC North titles from 2019-21.
- The Bears can win the NFC North for the first time since 2018 and qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2020.
- The Lions look to win the division and qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
NFC South: The Carolina Panthers (7-6) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) enter the final month of the season tied atop the NFC South. The Buccaneers have won four consecutive division titles since 2021 while the Panthers are seeking their first NFC South title since 2015 and first playoff berth since 2017.
- Tampa Bay and Carolina are set to meet twice in the final three weeks of the season (Week 16 at Carolina, Week 18 at Tampa Bay).
NFC West: The Los Angeles Rams (10-3), Seattle Seahawks (10-3) and San Francisco 49ers (9-4) each enter Week 15 in a playoff spot. Two matchups between the three teams remain this season – the Rams visit the Seahawks in Week 16 and Seattle visits San Francisco in Week 18.
- The Rams can win the NFC West for the second-straight season and qualify for the playoffs for the seventh time in nine seasons under head coach Sean McVay.
- The Seahawks can win the division for the first time since 2020 and reach the postseason for the first time since 2022.
- The 49ers can win the NFC West for the third time in the past four seasons and qualify for the postseason for the fourth time in the past five years.
