The 2025 NFL season is now in the home stretch. With just five games left in the regular season, anticipation for the playoffs grows exponentially each week.
By now, the “pretenders” have started to weed themselves out as the playoff race tightens. That said, no teams have clinched a postseason spot going into Week 14, meaning all 14 playoff positions are still up for grabs. To prepare for the road ahead, we break down the top NFL matchups this week with postseason implications and share our predictions for the rest of the season.
Week 14 Matchups with NFL Playoff Implications
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
The AFC South is as tight as any division in the NFL right now. The Jacksonville Jaguars currently lead thanks to a tiebreaker, though they share an 8-4 record with the Indianapolis Colts. Not far behind are the Houston Texans at 7-5, who also have a key matchup in Week 14.
Though the Colts have held the first-place spot in their division for much of the year, things have changed recently. They have lost three of their last four games, while the Jaguars have won three in a row. Add in the fact that Sunday’s matchup takes place in Jacksonville, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the hotter team maintain its momentum.
Predicted Winner: Jaguars
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
Both the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears are on winning streaks, with the Packers winning three games in a row and the Bears winning five straight. Though the Bears are projected to win the NFC North by PFSN’s NFL Football Playoff Meter, the Packers have the higher point differential heading into Week 14.
Questions about the Bears’ sustainability were quieted by their upset victory over the Eagles in Philadelphia last week. That said, I have the Packers pulling off a narrow home victory, avenging their Week 18 loss at Lambeau Field last season. The two teams still meet in Chicago later in the season, so don’t be surprised if the Bears even the score.
Predicted Winner: Packers
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans
As of this writing, both the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans are on the outside looking in for the AFC wild-card race. The Chiefs hold the No. 10 seed at 6-6, while the Texans are No. 8 and one game out of first place in the AFC South at 7-5.
This hasn’t been the season the Chiefs wanted. They have lost three of their last four games, and their playoff odds took a significant hit in November. Most of their losses, however, have been close against playoff-caliber teams. I have Kansas City picking up a home win over the Texans, though there is still plenty of work to do to secure a postseason spot.
Predicted Winner: Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Barring a surprise, both the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles have clear paths to the 2025-26 NFL playoffs. The Chargers sit at 8-4 with a wild-card spot if the season ended today, while the Eagles also have an 8-4 record and lead the NFC East.
Both teams have been streaky this season, capable of beating or losing to nearly any opponent. I lean toward the Eagles in Week 14, as the Chargers struggled against another run-heavy team in the Jaguars a few weeks ago. Philadelphia also has the more talented roster, making this a potential bounce-back game after their loss to Chicago on Black Friday.
Predicted Winner: Eagles
Every NFL Team’s Final 2025 Record
NOTE: Teams listed in italics indicate Wild Card selections.
AFC East:
- New England Patriots (14-3)
- Buffalo Bills (12-5)
- Miami Dolphins (6-11)
- New York Jets (4-13)
With an average projected win total of 13.3 in PFSN’s FPM, the Patriots have the highest projected win total in the NFL entering Week 14. Currently 11-2, they have relatively easy matchups against the Dolphins and Jets remaining.
Buffalo still has a chance to get hot, and a Week 15 win over New England would be huge for their AFC East hopes. That said, New England’s lead makes them clear favorites in the division.
AFC North:
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
- Cincinnati Bengals (8-9)
- Baltimore Ravens (8-9)
- Cleveland Browns (4-13)
The AFC North is the only division without a team above .500. Pittsburgh’s 51.5% playoff probability in the PFM is the lowest among division leaders, suggesting the North may not send any wild-card teams.
The return of Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals’ win over the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving throws a wrench into the divisional race. Currently 4-8, Cincinnati likely needs to win out to claim the division. I have them sweeping the Ravens, which would put Pittsburgh in first.
AFC South:
- Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6)
- Houston Texans (10-7)
- Indianapolis Colts (10-7)
- Tennessee Titans (2-15)
This prediction would stray from the PFM’s current analytics, as the Colts currently have an 80.1% chance to make the playoffs. That said, their current losing streak and a difficult remaining schedule could spell disaster for Indianapolis as they push for a spot in the postseason.
All five of their remaining opponents are above .500. Key matchups against the Jaguars and Texans could decide divisional tiebreakers. I have the Colts splitting with Jacksonville and losing to Houston, giving them a 3-3 divisional record to Houston’s 5-1.
AFC West:
- Denver Broncos (14-3)
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-8)
- Las Vegas Raiders (3-14)
Excluding the Chiefs from the postseason feels unusual, but their 6-6 record and difficult remaining schedule make it tough to confidently place them in a wild-card spot in a strong AFC. Kansas City’s remaining games include the Texans, Chargers, and Broncos. Considering their struggles against teams above .500 this season, even losing just one of those games might prevent them from reaching the playoffs.
With the second-best defense by PFSN’s Defense Impact, the Broncos should be a force in December, aided by Denver’s high altitude. They are a safe bet to win the AFC West, with the Chargers entering the playoffs as a wild-card team at 11-6.
NFC East:
- Philadelphia Eagles (12-5)
- Dallas Cowboys (9-7-1)
- Washington Commanders (5-12)
- New York Giants (3-14)
The Cowboys, winners of three straight games, are catching fire at just the right time. They are a serious threat to both an NFC wild-card spot and the top of the NFC East. Unfortunately, their remaining schedule is tougher than Philadelphia’s, which already holds a 1.5-game lead.
I have the Eagles going 4-1 over their remaining schedule, which includes tough matchups against the Chargers and Bills. Easier opponents, like the Raiders and two games against the Commanders, should be enough to secure the NFC East. At 85.4% in the FPM, Philadelphia has the best chance to win the division among NFC teams and the third-best in the NFL.
NFC North:
- Green Bay Packers (11-5-1)
- Chicago Bears (11-6)
- Detroit Lions (10-7)
- Minnesota Vikings (6-11)
The NFC North is one of the most competitive divisions this season. The Bears currently lead, though they face a tough remaining schedule. With a 9-3 record and a win over the Eagles, Chicago has an 86.5% chance to make the playoffs. If they take care of business against the Browns, they likely need only one more win in their remaining games to lock up a playoff spot.
I have the Packers finishing first in the NFC North. They also face a challenging schedule but could go 3-2 to close the season and claim the division. The Lions would miss the playoffs, as their 7-5 record leaves them on the outside looking in.
NFC South:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
- Carolina Panthers (9-8)
- Atlanta Falcons (6-11)
- New Orleans Saints (3-14)
As of this writing, the Panthers are half a game behind the Buccaneers for first place in the NFC South. Their Week 13 upset over the Rams shows they can beat nearly any team, but they have also lost to weaker teams this season.
A three-game losing streak by the Buccaneers makes this division a lot more competitive, but their 64.5% chance of winning their division ranks fourth in the league. Of their remaining five games, four are divisional matchups, and the other is against a middling Dolphins team. While unlikely, there is a nonzero chance the Buccaneers could win all remaining games.
NFC West:
- Los Angeles Rams (13-4)
- Seattle Seahawks (13-4)
- San Francisco 49ers (11-6)
- Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
The NFC West currently has two of the top three teams in the conference by record, as well as the two teams with the highest projected win totals by PFSN’s FPM. At this juncture, the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks are two of the biggest Super Bowl contenders in the NFL right now.
Both teams are 9-3, and it would be surprising to see either lose their playoff positioning. The 49ers, at 9-4, aren’t far behind. They should handle the Titans in Week 14 and only need one more win against the Colts, Bears, or Seahawks to reach 11 victories.