Lions Eliminated: NFL Playoff Picture After Week 16

NFL Playoff Picture Heats Up: Several Teams Eliminated as Super Bowl LX Approaches

The 2025 NFL season is reaching a fever pitch, with teams battling for the final playoff berths ahead of Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, home of the San Francisco 49ers. As of December 16, 2025, a meaningful number of teams have already seen their postseason hopes dashed.

American Conference eliminations

Week 17 developments in the American conference have resulted in seven teams being officially eliminated from playoff contention. These include the Kansas City Chiefs (6-9), the Miami Dolphins (6-9), the Cincinnati Bengals (5-10), the New York Jets (3-12), the Tennessee Titans (3-12), the Cleveland browns (3-12), and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-13).

The Dolphins’ elimination is particularly noteworthy,prompting expectations of substantial organizational changes in the offseason. As reported by Dov Kleiman on X/Twitter, “The Dolphins have officially been ELIMINATED from playoff contention. Expect Miami to make major changes this offseason…”
https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/187HJxt01s

Did you know? – The Kansas City Chiefs’ elimination marks the first time since 2018 they won’t be in the playoffs. their previous streak of six consecutive postseason appearances ended this week.

National Conference Eliminations

The National Conference has also seen a wave of teams fall short of their playoff aspirations. Eight teams have been eliminated: the Detroit Lions (8-8), the Minnesota Vikings (8-8), the Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1), the Atlanta Falcons (6-9), the new Orleans Saints (5-10), the Washington Commanders (4-12), the Arizona Cardinals (3-12), and the New York Giants (2-13).

The competitive landscape underscores the intensity of the NFL,where even teams with seemingly respectable records,like the Vikings and Lions at 8-8,are unable to secure a playoff spot. This highlights the demanding nature of the league and the importance of consistent performance throughout the season.

pro tip – Tiebreakers are crucial in the NFL. Teams with identical records are ranked based on head-to-head results, division record, common games, and other factors.

Looking Ahead

With the regular season winding down,the focus now shifts to the remaining teams vying for a chance to compete for the coveted Lombardi Trophy. The stakes are high,and every game carries significant weight as teams fight to secure their place in NFL history. fans are encouraged to share their opinions, subscribe to our newsletter, and utilize our app or WhatsApp channel for the latest information. Those interested in licensing content can find details here.

Why: The 2025 NFL season is nearing its end, and teams are competing for playoff spots leading up to Super Bowl LX.
Who: A total of fifteen teams have been eliminated from playoff contention as of December 16, 2025: seven from the American conference (Chiefs, Dolphins, Bengals, Jets, Titans, Browns, Raiders) and eight from the National Conference (Lions, Vikings, Cowboys, Falcons, Saints, Commanders, Cardinals, Giants).
What: Week 17 results officially eliminated these teams, ending their chances of competing for the Lombardi Trophy. The Dolphins’ elimination is expected to lead to significant organizational changes.
How: Teams were eliminated based on their win-loss records and inability to mathematically reach a playoff berth. The competitive nature of the league means even teams with winning records (8-8) can miss the