2026 Strength of Schedule (based on 2025 regular-season records):
January 5, 2026 at 6:34 PM
2026 Strength of Schedule (based on 2025 regular-season records):
Since 1978, TB has been eliminated all 5 times it has needed help in the final week to make the postseason (1998, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2025). During that span, only the Raiders have been eliminated more times when needing help in the final week without making the playoffs on any of those occasions (6).
With the ATL win, TB has been eliminated from playoff contention.
January 4, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Since 1978, TB has been eliminated all 5 times it has needed help in the final week to make the postseason (1998, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2025). During that span, only the Raiders have been eliminated more times when needing help in the final week without making the playoffs on any of those occasions (6).
AFC and NFC Seeding Scenarios (Updated after Sunday 1:00pm games):
January 4, 2026 at 9:54 PM
AFC and NFC Seeding Scenarios (Updated after Sunday 1:00pm games):
Re: CAR/TB/ATL scenario: Another example of two division teams fighting for a playoff spot in the season’s final week that would have their playoff hopes decided by a division rival that was already eliminated was CLE/CIN/PIT in 1985….(1 of 2)
Once, kindof. Same situation, but chronologically backwards. In the final week of 1988, LAR beat SF to tie at 10-6. NO defeated ATL earlier in the day, giving SF the division on 3-way head-to-head. If NO had lost, LAR would have won the division on common games. (research from @kylestan.bsky.social)
dumb question: has a battle between 2 teams for one playoff spot ever come down to a game between 2 completely different teams before?
January 4, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Re: CAR/TB/ATL scenario: Another example of two division teams fighting for a playoff spot in the season’s final week that would have their playoff hopes decided by a division rival that was already eliminated was CLE/CIN/PIT in 1985….(1 of 2)
Week 18 NFC Seeding Scenarios entering Sunday:
January 4, 2026 at 3:52 AM
Week 18 NFC Seeding Scenarios entering Sunday:
2025 Week 18 NFC Seeding Scenarios:
December 30, 2025 at 4:15 AM
2025 Week 18 NFC Seeding Scenarios:
2025 Week 18 AFC Seeding Scenarios. All 64 combinations (assumes no ties):
December 30, 2025 at 1:20 AM
2025 Week 18 AFC Seeding Scenarios. All 64 combinations (assumes no ties):
2025 Week 18 AFC Seeding Scenarios (Updated):
December 30, 2025 at 1:03 AM
2025 Week 18 AFC Seeding Scenarios (Updated):
If Atlanta loses or ties on MNF, it would be the first time there are TWO winner-take-all games entering the final week of the season since 2013 when PHI/DAL played for the NFC East title; and GB/CHI for the NFC North crown.
December 28, 2025 at 10:13 PM
If Atlanta loses or ties on MNF, it would be the first time there are TWO winner-take-all games entering the final week of the season since 2013 when PHI/DAL played for the NFC East title; and GB/CHI for the NFC North crown.
Remaining NFC West scenarios:
December 28, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Remaining NFC West scenarios:
At least one team has been locked into a specific seed with one week to play each season since 2004 (22nd straight year). Green Bay is the first team locked into the 7 seed with one week left since the playoffs expanded to 14 teams in 2020.
With the GB loss, GB is locked into the NFC 7 seed. They are the first team this season to be locked into a specific seed.
December 28, 2025 at 4:23 AM
At least one team has been locked into a specific seed with one week to play each season since 2004 (22nd straight year). Green Bay is the first team locked into the 7 seed with one week left since the playoffs expanded to 14 teams in 2020.
Teams to clinch on Christmas:
Playoff berth:
1989 PIT
2005 NYG
2006 PHI
2011 ATL
2016 KC
2016 MIA
2025 GB
Division title:
1989 MIN (NFC Central)
1994 MIA (AFC East)
2000 TEN (AFC Central)
2005 CHI (NFC North)
2016 PIT (AFC North)
2020 NO (NFC South)
Playoff berth:
1989 PIT
2005 NYG
2006 PHI
2011 ATL
2016 KC
2016 MIA
2025 GB
Division title:
1989 MIN (NFC Central)
1994 MIA (AFC East)
2000 TEN (AFC Central)
2005 CHI (NFC North)
2016 PIT (AFC North)
2020 NO (NFC South)
December 26, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Teams to clinch on Christmas:
Playoff berth:
1989 PIT
2005 NYG
2006 PHI
2011 ATL
2016 KC
2016 MIA
2025 GB
Division title:
1989 MIN (NFC Central)
1994 MIA (AFC East)
2000 TEN (AFC Central)
2005 CHI (NFC North)
2016 PIT (AFC North)
2020 NO (NFC South)
Playoff berth:
1989 PIT
2005 NYG
2006 PHI
2011 ATL
2016 KC
2016 MIA
2025 GB
Division title:
1989 MIN (NFC Central)
1994 MIA (AFC East)
2000 TEN (AFC Central)
2005 CHI (NFC North)
2016 PIT (AFC North)
2020 NO (NFC South)
If PIT, HOU, GB, and CAR all clinch this week, it would mark the first time the entire playoff field is set prior to the final week of the season since 1974.
h/t (@JoeNFL on X)
h/t (@JoeNFL on X)
December 23, 2025 at 11:06 PM
If PIT, HOU, GB, and CAR all clinch this week, it would mark the first time the entire playoff field is set prior to the final week of the season since 1974.
h/t (@JoeNFL on X)
h/t (@JoeNFL on X)
There are now just 4 playoff spots up for grabs which is tied for the fewest entering the final two weeks of the season since 1990 (1990, 2019).
December 23, 2025 at 5:07 AM
There are now just 4 playoff spots up for grabs which is tied for the fewest entering the final two weeks of the season since 1990 (1990, 2019).
10 playoff spots clinched is the most with 2 weeks to play in NFL history. This is also the highest percentage of playoff berths clinched with 2 weeks to go in the regular season:
10 of 14 (71.4%): 2025
8 of 12 (66.7%): 1990, 2019
9 of 14 (64.3%): 2022, 2024
5 of 8 (62.5%): 1974
10 of 14 (71.4%): 2025
8 of 12 (66.7%): 1990, 2019
9 of 14 (64.3%): 2022, 2024
5 of 8 (62.5%): 1974
December 23, 2025 at 4:56 AM
10 playoff spots clinched is the most with 2 weeks to play in NFL history. This is also the highest percentage of playoff berths clinched with 2 weeks to go in the regular season:
10 of 14 (71.4%): 2025
8 of 12 (66.7%): 1990, 2019
9 of 14 (64.3%): 2022, 2024
5 of 8 (62.5%): 1974
10 of 14 (71.4%): 2025
8 of 12 (66.7%): 1990, 2019
9 of 14 (64.3%): 2022, 2024
5 of 8 (62.5%): 1974
8 teams clinched playoff berths in Week 16—tied for the most playoff spots clinched in one week in NFL history (1982 Week 16).
5 teams have clinched playoff berths so far this week. If IND loses or ties tonight on MNF, 3 more teams (BUF, JAX, LAC) would clinch for a total of 8. It would mark the most teams to make the postseason in one week since 1982 when 8 teams qualified for the 16-team Super Bowl tournament in Week 16.
December 23, 2025 at 4:27 AM
8 teams clinched playoff berths in Week 16—tied for the most playoff spots clinched in one week in NFL history (1982 Week 16).
5 teams have clinched playoff berths so far this week. If IND loses or ties tonight on MNF, 3 more teams (BUF, JAX, LAC) would clinch for a total of 8. It would mark the most teams to make the postseason in one week since 1982 when 8 teams qualified for the 16-team Super Bowl tournament in Week 16.
December 22, 2025 at 11:14 PM
5 teams have clinched playoff berths so far this week. If IND loses or ties tonight on MNF, 3 more teams (BUF, JAX, LAC) would clinch for a total of 8. It would mark the most teams to make the postseason in one week since 1982 when 8 teams qualified for the 16-team Super Bowl tournament in Week 16.
The Steelers are in Super Bowl contention with 2 weeks to play for a record 22nd consecutive season (2004-25). Pittsburgh surpasses the 1966-86 Dallas Cowboys who were in playoff contention with 2 weeks to go for 21 straight seasons.
December 22, 2025 at 10:54 PM
The Steelers are in Super Bowl contention with 2 weeks to play for a record 22nd consecutive season (2004-25). Pittsburgh surpasses the 1966-86 Dallas Cowboys who were in playoff contention with 2 weeks to go for 21 straight seasons.
Since 2002 realignment, this is only the third time, and first since 2013, that 7 of the 8 divisions are still up for grabs entering the final two weeks of the regular season (2010, 2013, 2025).
December 22, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Since 2002 realignment, this is only the third time, and first since 2013, that 7 of the 8 divisions are still up for grabs entering the final two weeks of the regular season (2010, 2013, 2025).
Five NFC teams (LAR, SEA, PHI, CHI, SF) have clinched playoff spots through Week 16. This is only the third time as many as five NFC teams have secured a playoff berth with 2 weeks to go (1990, 2021, 2025).
December 22, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Five NFC teams (LAR, SEA, PHI, CHI, SF) have clinched playoff spots through Week 16. This is only the third time as many as five NFC teams have secured a playoff berth with 2 weeks to go (1990, 2021, 2025).
This is the 16th consecutive season that none of the No. 1 seeds have been clinched with 2 weeks to play. The 2009 Indianapolis Colts are the last team to lock up the 1 seed with 2 or more weeks remaining in the regular season.
December 22, 2025 at 10:25 PM
This is the 16th consecutive season that none of the No. 1 seeds have been clinched with 2 weeks to play. The 2009 Indianapolis Colts are the last team to lock up the 1 seed with 2 or more weeks remaining in the regular season.
Number of teams in Super Bowl contention with 2 weeks to play (since 2002):
2025: 18
2024: 19
2023: 24
2022: 24
2021: 24
2020: 21
2019: 17
2018: 19
2017: 19
2016: 22
2015: 18
2014: 21
2013: 19
2012: 19
2011: 22
2010: 20
2009: 19
2008: 19
2007: 16
2006: 24
2005: 17
2004: 26
2003: 17
2002: 21
2025: 18
2024: 19
2023: 24
2022: 24
2021: 24
2020: 21
2019: 17
2018: 19
2017: 19
2016: 22
2015: 18
2014: 21
2013: 19
2012: 19
2011: 22
2010: 20
2009: 19
2008: 19
2007: 16
2006: 24
2005: 17
2004: 26
2003: 17
2002: 21
December 22, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Number of teams in Super Bowl contention with 2 weeks to play (since 2002):
2025: 18
2024: 19
2023: 24
2022: 24
2021: 24
2020: 21
2019: 17
2018: 19
2017: 19
2016: 22
2015: 18
2014: 21
2013: 19
2012: 19
2011: 22
2010: 20
2009: 19
2008: 19
2007: 16
2006: 24
2005: 17
2004: 26
2003: 17
2002: 21
2025: 18
2024: 19
2023: 24
2022: 24
2021: 24
2020: 21
2019: 17
2018: 19
2017: 19
2016: 22
2015: 18
2014: 21
2013: 19
2012: 19
2011: 22
2010: 20
2009: 19
2008: 19
2007: 16
2006: 24
2005: 17
2004: 26
2003: 17
2002: 21
Needing only five teams to be weeded out of playoff contention is the fewest with three weeks left since 1973:
1973: 13 teams in playoff contention, 8 team-playoff field
2025: 19 teams in playoff contention, 14-team playoff field
1973: 13 teams in playoff contention, 8 team-playoff field
2025: 19 teams in playoff contention, 14-team playoff field
In another sense this even beats 2005 as being only five teams over the minimum still alive. Wow.
December 16, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Needing only five teams to be weeded out of playoff contention is the fewest with three weeks left since 1973:
1973: 13 teams in playoff contention, 8 team-playoff field
2025: 19 teams in playoff contention, 14-team playoff field
1973: 13 teams in playoff contention, 8 team-playoff field
2025: 19 teams in playoff contention, 14-team playoff field
The Steelers have been in Super Bowl contention with 3 weeks to play for 26 consecutive seasons which is the third-most all-time:
30 (Oakland/L.A. Raiders, 1967-96)
27 (Miami, 1977-2003)
26 (PITTSBURGH, 2000-25)*
* active streak
30 (Oakland/L.A. Raiders, 1967-96)
27 (Miami, 1977-2003)
26 (PITTSBURGH, 2000-25)*
* active streak
December 16, 2025 at 4:50 AM
The Steelers have been in Super Bowl contention with 3 weeks to play for 26 consecutive seasons which is the third-most all-time:
30 (Oakland/L.A. Raiders, 1967-96)
27 (Miami, 1977-2003)
26 (PITTSBURGH, 2000-25)*
* active streak
30 (Oakland/L.A. Raiders, 1967-96)
27 (Miami, 1977-2003)
26 (PITTSBURGH, 2000-25)*
* active streak