The 2025 season marks the third time since realignment in 2002, also in 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).
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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.
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) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS) and, with a win, can clinch their first division title since 2019.
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.
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.
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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.
NFC East: Since 2005, there has been a new NFC East division champion in each of the past 20 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.
NFC South: The Carolina Panthers (7-6) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) had entered the final month of the season tied atop the NFC South until the Buccaneers dropped a game to the Atlanta Falcons last night. They 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.
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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.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Unpredictable NFL season: No playoff birth has been clinched
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