NFL Playoff Picture: Postseason seeds, projected draft order
NFL Playoff Picture is a weekly look at the teams jockeying to secure their shot to make it to Super Bowl LX.
AFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broncos | West | 10-2 |
| 2 | Patriots | East | 10-2 |
| 3 | Jaguars | South | 8-4 |
| 4 | Ravens | North | 6-6 |
| 5 | Chargers | West | 8-4 |
| 6 | Colts | South | 8-4 |
| 7 | Bills | East | 8-4 |
The Jacksonville Jaguars jumped to first place in the South after they beat the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts lost to the Houston Texans. Trevor Lawrence and Co. have a chance to solidify themselves as the division's top-ranked team next week when they get a crack at Indianapolis.
The Denver Broncos took over the AFC's No. 1 seed, at least momentarily, by beating the Washington Commanders in overtime on Sunday Night Football. However, New England hosts the New York Giants on Monday and can reclaim the top seed with a victory.
In the hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Texans | South | 7-5 |
| 9 | Steelers | North | 6-6 |
| 10 | Chiefs | West | 6-6 |
| 11 | Dolphins | East | 5-7 |
The Texans have won four in a row and five of their past six; they're in a good position to make a playoff run as a wild-card team, if not as a division champion. Houston and its incredible defense have another big game coming up on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs.
NFC
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bears | North | 9-3 |
| 2 | Rams | West | 9-3 |
| 3 | Eagles | East | 8-4 |
| 4 | Buccaneers | South | 7-5 |
| 5 | Seahawks | West | 9-3 |
| 6 | Packers | North | 8-3-1 |
| 7 | 49ers | West | 9-4 |
You read it right - the Chicago Bears are the new No. 1 seed in the NFC. Chicago defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday and saw the Los Angeles Rams fall to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Ben Johnson's outfit wins the tiebreaker over Sean McVay's team for having a better win percentage in conference games.
In the hunt
| Seed | Team | Division | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Lions | North | 7-5 |
| 9 | Cowboys | East | 6-5-1 |
| 10 | Panthers | South | 7-6 |
It's hard to imagine any of the teams in the NFC playoff picture finishing outside the bubble, but multiple clubs in the hunt are gaining momentum. The Panthers just beat the Rams. The Dallas Cowboys have won three in a row and visit the Detroit Lions next.
Projected NFL draft order
| Pick | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Titans |
| 2 | Saints |
| 3 | Giants |
| 4 | Raiders |
| 5 | Browns |
| 6 | Commanders |
| 7 | Jets |
| 8 | Cardinals |
| 9 | Rams (via Falcons) |
| 10 | Bengals |
The New Orleans Saints will finish Sunday with the projected No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after their loss to the Miami Dolphins. They haven't selected that high since picking Reggie Bush in 2006. The Giants still have to play the Patriots on Monday.