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NFL Playoff Bracket Picture 2024-25: Standings, Scenarios After Rams Beat 49ers

Julia Stumbaugh

The Los Angeles Rams' 12-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night had major playoff implications for both teams.

The final score boosted the Rams' playoff hopes while all but crushing the Niners'.

Despite their 1-4 start to the campaign, the Rams' playoff odds climbed to 49 percent following Thursday night's win, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

The 49ers could meanwhile officially be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend.

The postseason implications of Thursday night's result go further than the NFC West. The Green Bay Packers no longer have a chance of clinching a playoff berth this weekend.

Here's a look at the NFL standings and current playoff scenarios heading into the rest of Week 15.

AFC Standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 12-1

2. Buffalo Bills: 10-3

3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-3

4. Houston Texans: 8-5

5. Baltimore Ravens: 8-5

6. Los Angeles Chargers: 8-5

7. Denver Broncos: 8-5

—————PLAYOFF LINE—————

8. Indianapolis Colts: 6-7

9. Miami Dolphins: 6-7

10. Cincinnati Bengals: 5-8

11. Cleveland Browns: 3-10

12. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-10

13. New York Jets: 3-10

14. Tennessee Titans: 3-10

15. New England Patriots: 3-10

16. Las Vegas Raiders: 2-11

The Chiefs and Bills have clinched a playoff spot. The Browns, Jaguars, Jets, Titans, Patriots and Raiders have been eliminated from playoff contention.

NFC Standings

1. Detroit Lions: 12-1

2. Philadelphia Eagles: 11-2

3. Seattle Seahawks: 8-5

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-6

5. Minnesota Vikings: 11-2

6. Green Bay Packers: 9-4

7. Washington Commanders: 8-5

—————PLAYOFF LINE—————

8. Los Angeles Rams: 8-6

9. Atlanta Falcons: 6-7

10. Arizona Cardinals: 6-7

11. San Francisco 49ers: 6-8

12. New Orleans Saints: 5-8

13. Dallas Cowboys: 5-8

14. Chicago Bears: 4-9

15. Carolina Panthers: 3-10

16. New York Giants: 2-11

The Lions and Eagles have clinched a playoff spot. The Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention.

The Packers will now need to wait until at least Week 16 to clinch a playoff spot. The only shot Green Bay had at securing a postseason berth this weekend hinged on the Rams and 49ers tying on Thursday night.

The 49ers are meanwhile in danger of being officially eliminated from playoff contention if the Seattle Seahawks defeat the Packers on Sunday.

The Steelers, Texans, Vikings and Eagles still have paths open to securing their spots in the postseason, as noted by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Steelers could clinch a playoff spot with a victory on Sunday against the Eagles.

A loss would leave the Steelers much less certain of their hold on the AFC North. Pittsburgh's next two matchups take place in a five-day span against the Ravens and the Chiefs. Baltimore could gain some ground in the division standings with a win over the 2-11 Giants this weekend.

The Eagles meanwhile could lock in a postseason spot of their own with a win over the Steelers, but only if the Commanders also lose to the Saints on Sunday.

The Texans are in for a brutal stretch of the schedule as the team prepares for games against the Dolphins, Chiefs and Ravens in a span of 10 days starting on Sunday.

Houston could start out that run by securing a playoff spot with a win in Miami on Sunday, as long as the Colts lose to the Broncos the same day.

The Vikings could secure a playoff spot on Monday with a win over the Bears, although a Seahawks loss could also get Minnesota into the postseason.

On the other side of the playoff picture, the Panthers, Cowboys, Bears and Bengals are at risk of official elimination from playoff contention this weekend, per NFL Playoff Scenarios.

A Bengals loss to the Tennessee Titans will knock Cincinnati officially out of the running if the defeat coincides with a Broncos win or tie.

The Panthers could defeat the Cowboys but be eliminated regardless by a Buccaneers or Falcons win. The Cowboys meanwhile need the victory, alongside a Commanders loss or tie, to retain any hope of sneaking into the playoffs.

The Commanders have the ability to officially eliminate multiple teams from contention with a win over the Saints on Sunday. The Bears also need a Washington loss, alongside a win over the Vikings on Monday, in order to remain in the picture.

   

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