NFL Playoffs 2025: How These NFL Teams Could Pull Off Postseason Surprises And Are Banking on Christmas Miracles to Make the Playoffs

Football fans, we’re just days away from Christmas! While Santa’s busy prepping his sleigh and polishing Rudolph’s nose, NFL teams across the league are gearing up for crunch time. Playoff spots are filling up fast, with four AFC teams and three NFC teams already locking in their tickets. But what about those teams still clinging to hope, fighting for a chance to keep their playoff dreams alive?
In the spirit of the season, these teams are hoping a little Christmas magic will work their way into the playoffs.


Indianapolis Colts (6-8)

What They Need:
Win out
Chargers to finish 1-2.
The only route left will be the wild-card slot.
The Colts were officially eliminated from the AFC South race last week when the Texans clinched the division. But don't count them out yet! If Indy can win their final three games and the Chargers stumble, going 1-2 over the next three weeks, both teams would finish 9-8. In this scenario, the Colts take the wild-card spot due to a better conference record (7-5 vs. 6-6). Bonus? They also control the head-to-head tiebreaker over Miami.
Miami Dolphins (6-8)

What They Need:
Win out.
Colts to go 2-1 down the stretch.
Chargers to go 1-2 or Broncos to lose out.
Wild-card spot is the only option.
The Dolphins must run the table to have any chance for a wild-card spot. After hosting the 49ers in Week 16, Miami will travel for games against the Browns and Jets. If they succeed in three straight, that will mean some help; either the Colts drop one game, the Chargers drop two of three, or the Broncos completely collapse.
Cincinnati Bengals (6-8)

What They Need:
Win out.
Colts and Dolphins to go 2-1 down the stretch.
Broncos or Chargers to lose out.
Wild-card spot is the only option.
The Bengals' conference record is dreadful (3-6). For them to sneak into the playoffs, they must have a perfect finish to the season, the Colts and Dolphins each losing one more game, and either the Broncos or Chargers losing all three of their remaining matchups.

Arizona Cardinals (7-7)

What They Need:
Win out.
Rams and Seahawks to go 1-2 (to win NFC West).
Commanders to go 0-3, Seahawks 1-2, and Falcons 2-1 (for a wild-card spot).
The Cardinals have two ways into the playoffs: win the NFC West or snag a wild-card spot. To take the division, they must win all their remaining games, while the Rams and Seahawks each lose two of three. For a wild card, they'll need even more stars to align, including the Commanders losing out entirely.
Atlanta Falcons (7-7)

What They Need:
Win out.
Buccaneers to go 2-1 (to win NFC South).
Commanders and Seahawks to go 1-2 (for a wild-card spot).
The Falcons have one of the more direct routes to the postseason. If they win out and the Buccaneers lose at least once, they'll take the NFC South. Even if the division slips away, a wild-card spot is in reach if both the Commanders and Seahawks drop two of their final three games.
San Francisco 49ers (6-8)

What They Need:
Win out.
Cardinals lose or tie in Week 16 but beat the Rams in Week 17.
Rams lose to Jets (Week 16) and Cardinals (Week 17).
Seahawks lose to Vikings (Week 16) and Bears (Week 17).
Rams and Seahawks tie in Week 18.
The 49ers require nothing less than a holiday miracle to qualify for the postseason. Of course, ties are going to factor into their situation, but it's Christmas time. Anything can happen!
Dallas Cowboys (6-8)

What They Need:
Win out.
Commanders to go 0-3.
Seahawks and Falcons to go 1-2.
Cardinals to go 2-1.
Wild-card spot is their only hope.
The NFC East crown is out of reach, but the Cowboys still have a glimmer of hope for a wild-card spot. If they finish 9-8 and the Commanders lose their final three games, Dallas could edge out Arizona and Seattle thanks to a superior conference record.
New Orleans Saints (5-9)

What They Need:
Win out.
Buccaneers and Falcons to go 0-3.
Wild-card spot is not an option.
Believe it or not, the Saints are still alive with their abysmal record, but only as NFC South champs. To get there, they must win their last three games, while Tampa Bay and Atlanta lose out.
These teams might face the slimmest of odds, but Christmas miracles have happened before. It is either a division title or a wild-card entry; their playoff hopes hang on bold performances and plenty of luck. With the season racing toward the finish line, all eyes will be on these underdogs to see if they can pull off the impossible.
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