We’re through Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season — almost at midseason — and we’re taking a quick look at the playoff picture and the road to Super Bowl LX as things stand right now. Which teams have the best chances to make the 14-team playoff field? Which still have a lot of work to do to ultimately get in?
We used ESPN’s Football Power Index to project the rest of the season, looking at the playoff picture for both conferences. We included updated odds for every team to make the postseason, clinch its division and even make the Super Bowl.
Here’s everything you need right now.
Last update: Oct. 28 at 11:10 a.m. ET
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AFC picture | NFC picture
Projecting the AFC playoff field
Patrick Mahomes is thriving with Rashee Rice back in the lineup for the Chiefs. They have the 12th-hardest remaining strength of schedule in the NFL, but Travis Kelce and Rice both had 90-plus receiving yards and a touchdown each — which could be a sign of good things to come in Kansas City in the second half of the season. The Chiefs (5-3) are behind the Broncos (6-2) in the AFC West, but they have a better chance of making the playoffs, per FPI.
The AFC North race got a little convoluted with the Ravens winning their first game since Week 2 and the division-leading Steelers losing their second game in a row. Baltimore’s defense was not as error-laden as it had been this season, and Tyler Huntley posted a 90.1 QBR and a touchdown as the team waits for Lamar Jackson to make his return.
Projecting the NFC playoff field
Jordan Love‘s 360 passing yards and three touchdown passes in the Packers‘ win over the Steelers helped the Packers continue their quest for the NFC North. The Lions, who were on bye this week, are the higher-scoring team (215 points so far this season), but Love and Green Bay’s offense showed they could be just as potent in Week 8. The Packers go to Detroit on Thanksgiving in Week 13 in what could be a showdown for the NFC North.
Three NFC West teams (the 49ers, Rams and Seahawks) are currently projected to make the playoffs, and all have winning percentages of .625 or better. While San Francisco is still in the trenches of its injury crisis, it has the third-easiest remaining schedule ahead. Seattle returns from its bye to play the Commanders in Week 9. Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be in a great position to continue his incredible season as Washington just gave up all those receiving yards and touchdowns to the Chiefs.
NFL playoff schedule
Jan. 10-12, 2026: Wild-card round
Jan. 17-18: Divisional round
Jan. 25: AFC and NFC Championship Games
Feb. 8: Super Bowl LX (in Santa Clara, California)
