By : Colton Towns
(Photo/ The Mojo Network)
We’ve reached Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season, nearly the midpoint, and the playoff picture is beginning to take shape across both conferences. Using ESPN’s Football Power Index projections, we can get a clearer sense of which teams are trending toward postseason contention, which ones still have work to do, and how the road to Super Bowl LX is starting to unfold.
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs are finding their rhythm again with Rashee Rice back in the lineup alongside Travis Kelce. Both pass catchers posted over 90 yards and a touchdown in Week 8, a promising sign for Patrick Mahomes and company as they try to reclaim control of the AFC West. Despite a 5–3 record, Kansas City’s playoff outlook remains strong, even with the Broncos holding the division lead at 6–2.
The AFC North continues to be unpredictable. The Ravens snapped a long skid with their first win since Week 2, while the Steelers dropped their second straight. Baltimore’s defense returned to form, and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley delivered a sharp performance with a 90.1 QBR and a touchdown as Lamar Jackson nears his return.
In the NFC, Green Bay’s resurgence behind Jordan Love has them right back in the mix. Love threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns in a big win over the Steelers, helping the Packers keep pace in the NFC North. The Lions remain the conference’s top-scoring team and will look to maintain their momentum when they face Green Bay on Thanksgiving in a divisional showdown that could define the race.
The NFC West continues to be one of the deepest divisions in football. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle are all projected to make the playoffs with winning percentages above .625. Despite battling injuries, the 49ers have one of the league’s easiest remaining schedules, while Seattle is coming off a bye and ready to build on its early success with Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerging as a breakout star.
At the top of the AFC, the Indianapolis Colts remain the league’s most consistent team. Sitting at 7–1, they’ve won five games by multiple scores and boast a 96 percent playoff probability. The Patriots continue to surprise under rookie quarterback Drake Maye, improving to 6–2 after a convincing win over the Browns. Denver, led by its efficient defense and a balanced offense, holds first place in the AFC West and is 6–2 heading into a favorable stretch against Houston and Las Vegas.
The Steelers have hit a rough patch, now 4–3 after back-to-back losses, and face a major test against the Colts next week. The Bills rebounded from two losses with a dominant 40–9 victory over Carolina, as James Cook rushed for over 200 yards and Josh Allen accounted for three touchdowns. The Chargers regained confidence with a strong win over Minnesota, improving to 5–3, while Jacksonville’s 4–3 record keeps them in the hunt as they head into their bye week.
In the NFC, Green Bay leads the way at 5–1–1 with a 90 percent playoff chance, followed closely by the 6–2 Philadelphia Eagles, who have scored 66 points over their past two games. The Buccaneers continue to thrive behind Baker Mayfield, sitting at 6–2 and firmly in the NFC South race. Seattle, also 5–2, enters its bye week ranked first in DVOA, while Detroit and Los Angeles both hold 5–2 records and strong playoff positioning. San Francisco, despite recent inconsistency, remains in the mix at 5–3, rounding out a loaded NFC field.
As the season heads into November, the separation between contenders and pretenders is becoming clearer. Teams like Indianapolis, Green Bay, and Philadelphia have solidified themselves as front-runners, while others such as Pittsburgh and Jacksonville are fighting to stay in the picture. With half the season still to play, every week ahead will have major postseason implications across the league.