NFL Playoff Picture 2025: Herbert, Chargers Clinch Berth; Updated Bracket, Standings

After missing the playoffs in 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers made a quick turnaround under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh and will have the chance to compete for a spot in the Super Bowl once again.

The Chargers clinched a playoff berth on Saturday after defeating the host New England Patriots 40-7. Quarterback Justin Herbert threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns, and wide receiver Ladd McConkey caught eight passes for 94 yards and two scores.

Now that Los Angeles is the latest team to earn its spot in the postseason, let's take a look at the latest NFL standings and playoff matchups.

AFC Playoff Bracket

No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (bye)

No. 7 Denver Broncos at No. 2 Buffalo Bills

No. 6 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 3 Baltimore Ravens

No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 4 Houston Texans

NFC Playoff Bracket

No. 1 Detroit Lions (bye)

No. 7 Washington Commanders at No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles

No. 6 Green Bay Packers at No. 3 Los Angeles Rams

No. 5 Minnesota Vikings at No. 4 Atlanta Falcons

AFC Playoff Standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 15-1 (clinched AFC No. 1 seed)

2. Buffalo Bills: 12-3 (clinched AFC East)

3. Baltimore Ravens: 11-5 (clinched playoff berth)

4. Houston Texans: 9-7 (clinched AFC South)

5. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-6 (clinched playoff berth)

6. Los Angeles Chargers: 10-6 (clinched playoff berth)

7. Denver Broncos: 9-6

8. Indianapolis Colts: 7-8

9. Miami Dolphins: 7-8

10. Cincinnati Bengals: 7-8

Eliminated

11. New York Jets: 4-11

12. Cleveland Browns: 3-12

13. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-12

14. Tennessee Titans: 3-12

15. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-12

16. New England Patriots: 3-13

NFC Playoff Standings

1. Detroit Lions: 13-2 (clinched playoff berth)

2. Philadelphia Eagles: 12-3 (clinched playoff berth)

3. Los Angeles Rams: 9-6

4. Atlanta Falcons: 8-7

5. Minnesota Vikings: 13-2 (clinched playoff berth)

6. Green Bay Packers: 11-4 (clinched playoff berth)

7. Washington Commanders: 10-5

8. Seattle Seahawks: 9-7

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-7

Eliminated

10. Dallas Cowboys: 7-8

11. Arizona Cardinals: 7-8

12. San Francisco 49ers: 6-9

13. New Orleans Saints: 5-10

14. Carolina Panthers: 4-11

15. Chicago Bears: 4-12

16. New York Giants: 2-13

When Harbaugh was hired to usher in a new era for the Chargers after the failed three-year run of Brandon Staley, many expected that he would be an instant difference-maker for a team that has enough talent to be a title contender.

Herbert is one of the best young signal-callers in the NFL, but he was coming off a disappointing 2023 campaign in which he was banged up throughout the year and limited to a career-low 13 games. The 26-year-old has managed to stay healthy this year and returned to form as an efficient and accurate passer. His 21-3 touchdown to interception ratio ranks second in the NFL behind only Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson.

The most impressive thing about Herbert's bounce-back year is that he's been able to excel with a lack of star power around him. Los Angeles got rid of multiple veterans this past offseason such as running back Austin Ekeler and receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams.

Still, Herbert developed connections with new faces like McConkey and former Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins to help propel the offense and put the Chargers in a position to contend for the playoffs.

The path to Super Bowl LIX won't be easy in the AFC, as the back-to-back reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs are looking to achieve the first three-peat in modern NFL history while other teams like the Buffalo Bills and Ravens are motivated to knock them from their perch.

Now, the Chargers are also in the mix, and they will be trying to surprise the masses as they chase a trip to New Orleans for the Super Bowl.