Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season is here, and the playoff picture is falling into place. Wins and losses can change the tide of the season right now, so who keeps momentum, and who crumbles next?
The Falcons have been one of the worst teams in the NFL. They’re 1-7 in their last eight games. This should be an easy call, but the Buccaneers are coming off a loss to the 3-10 New Orleans Saints.
Baker Mayfield isn’t playing like himself, likely due to his shoulder injury. The Bucs are 0-2 since their bye week, and this win is essential if they want to win the NFC South.
Winner: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Shedeur Sanders lit up the Tennessee Titans’ defense last week, throwing for 364 yards and three touchdowns. The Browns couldn’t get the job done despite the rookie’s strong showing.
The Bears lost to the Packers, again. Chicago’s run atop the NFC North came to a halt, but they’ll get back on track. Cleveland allowed the Titans to score 31 points; the Bears should not lose this game.
Winner: Chicago Bears
The Ravens lost yet another game, this time giving up the AFC North lead to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lamar Jackson played well, but this team struggles to find consistency.
The Bengals are on the verge of elimination. Joe Burrow looked great early against the Buffalo Bills before ultimately falling short. Now 4-9, they’re in do-or-die mode. Is it crazy to think they can pull this off?
Winner: Cincinnati Bengals
The Cardinals were just blown out 45-17 by the Los Angeles Rams, and the Texans are coming off a win over the Kansas City Chiefs. These teams could not feel further apart right now. As long as Houston’s offense can put up points, they’ll win this game.
Winner: Houston Texans
It would be the most Jaguars move to lose this game, but after their win over the Indianapolis Colts, they’re leading the AFC South. The Jets might very well be the worst team in the NFL. If the Jags lose this, don’t even let them into the playoffs.
Winner: Jacksonville Jaguars
The Chargers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night thanks to Jalen Hurts’ five turnovers. This team is still not where it should be, but at least it’s winning.
The Chiefs are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Texans. Patrick Mahomes played his worst career game and is now facing a division rival that wants to keep him down. This is a massive prove-it game for Kansas City.
Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
This could be the game of the year. The 2024 NFL MVP faces off with the probable 2025 MVP. These teams had a fun primetime game earlier in the season that saw the Patriots come away with the win.
Josh Allen’s Bills are coming off an outstanding win over the Bengals, while Drake Maye and the Pats are fresh off a bye week. This game means more than their previous matchup, and it’s truly a toss-up. It’s hard to see New England pulling off a sweep, though.
Winner: Buffalo Bills
Jaxson Dart vs. Jayden Daniels could be a terrific matchup in the future, but not quite yet. The Giants are a mess of epic proportions, while the Commanders haven’t been able to stay healthy all year.
The Giants might not win another game this year, and currently hold the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They’ll find a way to win another game and mess that up, but this won’t be it.
Winner: Washington Commanders
The Eagles are in a spiral right now and facing one of the worst teams in football. This feels like it should be a beatdown, but at this point, who knows? Similar to the Jaguars, if the Eagles lose this game, they may as well call the season now.
Winner: Philadelphia Eagles
The Packers’ win over the Bears might have put some juice back into the team. They’re 9-3-1 and fighting to keep the NFC North. Now they face arguably the NFL’s best defense.
The Broncos’ offense is stagnant, but the defense can shut down nearly anyone. If Green Bay’s offense can push past that, they’ll win this game. It’s just hard to imagine they will.
Winner: Denver Broncos
Both of these teams are coming off impressive wins. The Rams destroyed the Falcons while the Lions fought out a tough win over the Dallas Cowboys. It’s a possibility that Matthew Stafford could retire sooner than later. Combine that with the Lions’ inconsistency on offense, and it wouldn’t be shocking is Stafford beats his former team one more time.
Winner: Los Angeles Rams
The Saints defeated the Buccaneers last week, and that is something to hang their hat on. The Panthers pulled off an upset win over the Rams ahead of their bye week. Now Carolina is well-rested, and the Saints aren’t good enough for back-to-back upsets.
Winner: Carolina Panthers
Two months ago, this would’ve been circled on everyone’s calendars. Now, following Daniel Jones’ torn Achilles, the Colts’ season might be cooked. They turn to rookie Riley Leonard, or recently signed Philip Rivers (yes, that Philip Rivers).
The Seahawks are a Super Bowl contender. This team has all the tools to get to the dance. They’re fighting for the NFC West, and a win here is extremely important.
Winner: Seattle Seahawks
The 49ers are fresh off a bye week after beating down on the Browns. The Titans just upset that same Browns team, but it’s not quite the same vibe. Tennessee is still not a competitive team, and San Francisco is too good to drop this.
Winner: San Francisco 49ers
J.J. McCarthy came back last week and put a beating on the Commanders. The Vikings actually looked like a good team, but are now facing a much better opponent.
The Cowboys’ offense is loaded with firepower, and the defense looks much better than it did earlier in the year. A win here just makes too much sense for Dallas.
Winner: Dallas Cowboys.
Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock against the Ravens last week, throwing for 284 yards, passing for a touchdown, and getting one on the ground. The Steelers are back on track, for now.
The Dolphins are coming off a win over the Jets, which isn’t saying much. Miami has seen an improvement over the last few weeks, winning each of its last four games. They’re not sustainable, though, and this game will likely snap that streak.
Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers
Division titles are up for grabs, and no one has clinched a playoff spot yet. Week 15 may see teams lock up their spot, while others will get eliminated from contention.
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