Every week for the duration of the 2025 regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the NFL’s ever-evolving playoff picture − typically starting Sunday afternoon and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable. And, when the holidays roll around, we’ll be watching then, too).

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Here’s where things stand with Week 14 now complete:

AFC playoff picture

1. Denver Broncos (11-2), AFC West leaders: They beat the Raiders on Sunday, winning their 10th in a row, matching New England’s victory total and overtaking the Patriots for possession of the top seed by virtue of a conference record (7-2) that is a half-game better. Remaining schedule: vs. Packers, vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers

2. New England Patriots (11-2), AFC East leaders: The first team in the league to reach 11 wins thanks to Week 13’s rollover of the Giants, the Pats remain in a very tight race with Denver, the teams’ airtight tiebreakers now in effect with the Broncos playing their 13th game Sunday. New England will officially wrap up its division by sweeping the Bills on Sunday. Remaining schedule: vs. Bills, at Ravens, at Jets, vs. Dolphins

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4), AFC South leaders: They claimed first place outright by smashing the depleted Colts on Sunday in Duval County. The Texans now lose as the bona fide threat. Remaining schedule: vs. Jets, at Broncos, vs. Colts, at Titans

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6), AFC North leaders: They jumped up nine spots, from out of the field back into the division lead by winning at Baltimore on Sunday. Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Browns, vs. Ravens

5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4), wild card No. 1: They’ve won five of six after surviving the Eagles on Monday night. A one-win advantage in AFC games (7-2) moves them ahead of Buffalo. Remaining schedule: at Chiefs, at Cowboys, vs. Texans, at Broncos

6. Buffalo Bills (9-4), wild card No. 1: Massive win over Cincinnati solidifies their playoff standing heading into a notable showdown at Foxborough in Week 15 to face the AFC East-leading Pats. Remaining schedule: at Patriots, at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets

7. Houston Texans (8-5), wild card No. 3: They’ve won six of seven, including five in a row. Beating the Chiefs at Arrowhead moved Houston into a wild-card slot by virtue of their Week 13 defeat of Indianapolis. Remaining schedule: vs. Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Colts

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-5), in the hunt: They’ve dropped four of their past five and lost QB Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury Sunday in Jacksonville. Houston’s win Sunday night dropped Indy from the projected field entirely. And the schedule doesn’t let up the rest of the way. Remaining schedule: at Seahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, at Texans

9. Baltimore Ravens (6-7), in the hunt: Consecutive losses − and to AFC North foes (Bengals, Steelers) − has them on the outside looking in. A 4-5 record in AFC games places them ahead of K.C. and Miami. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Patriots, at Packers, at Steelers

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7), in the hunt: Their chances to win a 10th straight AFC West title are officially null and void. And Sunday night’s loss to Houston means they’ll likely miss the postseason for the first time since 2014 − Andy Reid’s second year in K.C. And don’t forget they’ve lost to the Broncos, Chargers, Bills, Texans and Jags, who are all ahead of them. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, at Titans, vs. Broncos, at Raiders

11. Miami Dolphins (6-7), in the hunt: They probably need to win the remainder of their games to even have a shot at postseason qualification but notched another one Sunday in New York. Remaining schedule: at Steelers, vs. Bengals, vs. Buccaneers, at Patriots

12. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9), in the hunt: They basically need to win the remainder of their games to even have a shot at postseason qualification … though they probably have a better one than Miami by virtue of living in this year’s surprisingly subpar AFC North. Remaining schedule: vs. Ravens, at Dolphins, vs. Cardinals, vs. Browns

NFC playoff picture

1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3), NFC West leaders: They regained the inside track for home-field advantage and a first-round bye by demolishing the Cardinals and benefiting from Chicago’s loss to Green Bay. The Rams’ Week 11 defeat of Seattle remains pivotal. Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, at Seahawks, at Falcons, vs. Cardinals

2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1), NFC North leaders: They got the best of the archrival Bears, a consequential win that put the Pack back on top of the division and just a half-game off the conference pace. Remaining schedule: at Broncos, at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5), NFC East leaders: Three losses in a row not only mean a lot more scrutiny but − beware − a team that could still fall into the Cowboys’ clutches in the division if it’s not careful. Remaining schedule: vs. Raiders, at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6), NFC South leaders: They remain in first place despite a damaging loss to New Orleans. The Bucs currently have a one-game lead over Carolina in the common-games tiebreaker department. Remaining schedule: vs. Falcons, at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers

5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3), wild card No. 1: Sunday’s rout of Falcons moved them atop the conference … for a few hours. But the Rams’ win at Arizona pushed Seattle back to the wild-card echelon. All three of the ‘Hawks’ losses are against NFC opponents, including two in the division − defeats that don’t serve them well in tiebreaker scenarios. Remaining schedule: vs. Colts, vs. Rams, at Panthers, at 49ers

6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4), wild card No. 2: They’re in a precarious spot given their pursuers, yet are just behind the Rams and Seahawks for the NFC West lead as well. Off last weekend, the Niners were in no danger of vacating the field. Remaining schedule: vs. Titans, at Colts, vs. Bears, vs. Seahawks

7. Chicago Bears (9-4), wild card No. 3: How tightly packed is the NFC? One narrow loss dropped the Bears from first place in the conference to seventh, just a game ahead of the division rival Lions. Remaining schedule: vs. Browns, vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions

8. Detroit Lions (8-5), in the hunt: Huge win over Dallas on Thursday night. It brought the Lions within a game of the NFC’s final wild card and helped them in the division standings given Chicago’s Sunday reversal. Remaining schedule: at Rams, vs. Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears

9. Carolina Panthers (7-6), in the hunt: Though Carolina is off this week, the Panthers basically pulled even atop the NFC South. Remaining schedule: at Saints, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Seahawks, at Buccaneers

10. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1), in the hunt: Crippling loss Thursday in Motown. Dallas’ best bet now is probably to hope the Eagles continue to struggle and leave the NFC East in play, the Cowboys’ chances to qualify creeping up to 10% on Monday, per the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. Remaining schedule: vs. Vikings, vs. Chargers, at Commanders, at Giants

NFL playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 15 (incomplete)

New England clinches AFC East with:

Win

NFL teams eliminated from playoff contention in 2025

Both teams combined for six turnovers in the first half, with the Chargers defense ultimately forcing five turnovers in total.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert played through a hand injury, rushing for 66 yards and passing for 139 yards.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw a career-high four interceptions, including one to end the game in overtime.

INGLEWOOD, CA — Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers have won consecutive games.

The Chargers were able to hold on to a 22-19 overtime win against the Philadelphia Eagles in a sloppy contest.

The Chargers scored a touchdown on their opening drive, but it represented the only touchdown of the first half. The first two quarters featured six combined turnovers as the Chargers maintained a 10-6 lead at halftime.

The Eagles took a 16-13 fourth-quarter lead after a 52-yard touchdown run by running back Saquon Barkley. But the Chargers were able to storm back behind Herbert.  

Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker hit a 46-yard field goal get the contest into overtime.

In OT, the Dicker nailed a 54-yard go-ahead field goal. On the Eagles’ possession, the Chargers defensed picked off Jalen Hurts for a fourth time as the Eagles were attempting to score.

WINNERS

Justin Herbert toughness

Herbert played a week removed from having a procedure on his left hand. He was wearing protective gear and a glove around his injured left hand. The Chargers quarterback even took snaps under center.

Herbert showed tremendous toughness throughout. He surprisingly hurt the Eagles with his legs just as much as with his arm. Herbert rushed for 66 yards and he passed for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Chargers defense

The Chargers had the third-ranked total defense entering Week 14, allowing 275.3 yards per game.

The Chargers defense allowed just six points and forced three turnovers in the first half. They held tough with the Eagles for most of the game.

Cam Hart, Da’Shawn Hand, Donte Jackson and Tony Jefferson all had interceptions as the Chargers picked off Jalen Hurts four times.

Saquon Barkley topped 100 yards rushing, but the Chargers defense forced five turnovers and held Philly’s offense in check.

The Chargers defense totaled four interceptions, 10 passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, one force fumble and one fumble recovery in the victory.

Eagles defense

The Eagles defense was stout without standout defensive tackle Jalen Carter (injuries to both shoulders) in the loss.

Philadelphia pressured Justin Herbert early and often. The Chargers’ offensive line struggled to contain the blitz, and their running backs and tight ends didn’t provide much assistance, either.

Herbert was sacked a career-high seven times. The Eagles had three takeaways in the loss.

Cameron Dicker

Dicker made all five of his field goals, including a 46-yard field goal to bring the game into overtime and a 54-yard game-winning field goal in OT.

The Chargers kicker has converted 31 of 33 field goals this year.

Eagles fans

Eagles fans showed up in a big way on Monday night, as Eagles jerseys were all around SoFi Stadium.

LOSERS

Eagles pass offense

The much-maligned Eagles offense came into Week 14 with the 23rd-ranked passing attack (196.3).

The Eagles call basic pass concepts and continue to lack any consistency in the pass game.

Jalen Hurts threw a career-high four interceptions. His interception in the fourth quarter came on a pass intended to A.J. Brown. The ball was a little high but it was catchable. The game conveniently ended on a Hurts interception in overtime.

Hurts ended with a nightmare career-high five total turnovers (four interceptions and one loss fumble).

Hurts had just two interceptions coming into Monday night.

Interception, fumble, fumble

Jalen Hurts a rare two turnovers on one play.

Hurts tossed an interception to Chargers DT Da’Shawn Hand. Hand fumbled during his 7-yard return. The loose football was recovered by Hurts, but he fumbled, and the football was finally recovered and maintained by Chargers linebacker Troy Dye at the Los Angeles 43-yard line.

First half turnovers

The two teams combined for six turnovers in the first half. Granted, three turnovers happened in one play. Each side had three turnovers apiece.

It was a sloppy first half from both offenses.

Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts each (appropriately) had 95 yards passing in the first half.  

The Chargers offense scored the only touchdown in the first half.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

With five turnovers on ‘Monday Night Football,’ Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts helped sink his team during a 19-16 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers — and he fell just short of matching an NFL record.

The league record for turnovers by a in a single game is six, according to StatMuse. The record is shared by nine players, including two Hall of Famer quarterbacks — Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner.

Hurts almost joined the six-turnover club, in excruciating fashion.

Hurts even accomplished the rare feat of fumbling twice on one play. His final turnover, an interception, came off a tipped pass at the 1-yard line and ended the game in overtime.

The final tally: four interceptions, one lost fumble and turnover trauma for a lifetime.

Remarkably, Warner had six turnovers in a single game twice, both as a member of the Arizona Cardinals. He had three interceptions and three lost fumbles on Sept. 28, 2008 in a 56-35 loss to the New York Jets and on Nov. 1, 2009 had five interceptions and one lost fumble in a 34-21 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Manning’s turnover-fest took place Nov. 11, 2007, when he threw six interceptions in a 23-21 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Cornerback Antonio Cromartie intercepted Manning three times, including a one-handed pick.

Warner coughed up three interceptions and three fumbles Nov. 1, 2009

Rex Grossman earned a share of the record when, as quarterback for the Chicago Bears on Oct. 16, 2006, he had four interceptions and two lost fumbles. Yet incredibly enough, the Bears beat the Arizona Cardinals, 24-23.

‘I’ve never played so bad and won a game like that,’ Grossman said after the game. ‘It was unbelievable.’

Surely Hurts would have liked to know that feeling.

The other players who had six turnovers in a single game are Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Phillip Rivers, Gus Frerotte, Tony Romo and Chris Chandler.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones recently had a five-turnover game in a 27-20 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9.

Most turnovers in a single game

1 (tie). 6 — Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Carolina Panthers on Oct. 13, 2019): 1 fumble, 5 INTs
1 (tie). 6 — Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets (vs. Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 25, 2016): 6 INTs
1 (tie). 6 — Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (vs. Denver Broncos on Oct. 15, 2012): 2 fumbles, 4 INTs
1 (tie). 6 — Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Carolina Panthers on Nov. 1, 2009): 1 fumble, 5 INTs
1 (tie). 6 — Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. New York Jets on Sept. 28, 2008): 3 fumbles, 3 INTs
1 (tie) 6 — Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts (vs. San Diego Chargers on Nov. 11, 2007): 6 INTs
1 (tie). 6 — Gus Frerotte, St. Louis Rams (vs. Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 14, 2007): 1 fumble, 5 INTs
1 (tie). 6 — Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Buffalo Bills on Oct. 8, 2007): 1 fumble, 5 INTs
1 (tie). 6 — Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears (vs. Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 16, 2006): 2 fumbles, 4 INTs
1 (tie). 6 — Chris Chandler, St. Louis Rams (vs. Carolina Panthers on Dec. 12, 2004): 6 INTs

The Chicago White Sox have the best odds (27.73%) to land the No. 1 overall pick, followed by the Minnesota Twins (22.18%) and Pittsburgh Pirates (16.81%).

While the Colorado Rockies had MLB’s worst record (43-119), the team had a top-six lottery pick in each of the past two drafts, making them ineligible for a third.

This marks baseball’s fourth draft lottery and the previous teams to win the lottery had odds of 16.5% (2023 Pirates), 2.0% (2024 Guardians) and 10.2% (2025 Nationals).

Here’s what to know entering Tuesday’s draft lottery:

When is MLB draft lottery? How to watch, TV channel

Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
TV channel: MLB Network

MLB draft lottery odds 2026

White Sox: 27.73%
Twins: 22.18%
Pirates: 16.81%
Orioles: 9.24%
Athletics: 6.55%
Braves: 4.54%
Rays: 3.03%
Cardinals: 2.35%
Marlins: 1.85%
Diamondbacks: 1.51%
Rangers: 1.34%
Giants: 1.01%
Royals: 0.84%
Mets: 0.67%
Astros: 0.34%
Rockies: ineligible
Nationals: ineligible
Angels: ineligible

The Colorado Rockies had the worst record in baseball but are are ineligible for the lottery because a team can’t receive a top-six pick three years in a row, after the team had such picks in 2024 and 2025. The Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels are also ineligible as ‘payor’ teams, unable to receive back-to-back lottery picks.

On Saturday, college football’s most prestigious individual honor will be handed out, with the Heisman Trophy being awarded to the young man deemed to be the most outstanding player in the sport.

While the winner won’t be announced until Dec. 13, the four players vying for the famed, 45-pound bronze trophy have been revealed.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love are the finalists for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, with ESPN announcing the group on Monday, Dec. 8.

Mendoza and Pavia are in line to make history for their respective programs, as neither Indiana nor Vanderbilt has ever produced a Heisman winner.

Twelve of the past 15 Heisman recipients have been quarterbacks, though only three of the past five. Last season, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter took home the award.

Unlike Hunter, whose Buffaloes team went 9-3 in the 2024 regular season, each of the Heisman finalists played on teams that won at least 10 games, including Mendoza and Sayin, whose squads earned first-round byes in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Love had some history on his side, though. Since 1955, a running back or halfback has won the Heisman in every year that ends in a five, a trend that most recently saw Alabama running back and future NFL All-Pro Derrick Henry hoist the trophy.

In what has become an increasingly transient sport over the past several years, threeof the Heisman finalists are transfers. Mendoza is in his first season at Indiana after transferring from Cal, Pavia is in his second season at Vanderbilt after coming in from New Mexico State and Sayin was an early enrollee at Alabama who spent about a month with the Crimson Tide before transferring to Ohio State shortly after legendary coach Nick Saban’s retirement in Jan. 2024.

Who are the finalists for the Heisman Trophy?

Here’s a look at the four finalists for the 2025 Heisman Trophy:

QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State
RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Heisman Trophy ceremony date

The 2025 Heisman Trophy will be awarded during a ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET from Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Appel Room in New York City.

The ceremony will air on ABC.

Fernando Mendoza stats

In his first season with the Hoosiers, Mendoza has completed 71.5% of his passes for 2,980 yards, 33 touchdowns and six interceptions. He has also rushed for 240 yards and six touchdowns. He led Indiana to a program-record 13 wins, the Hoosiers’ first Big Ten championship game victory and the program’s first undefeated regular season since 1945.

Mendoza had only thrown for a combined 30 touchdowns in his first two seasons of college football, both of which came at Cal.

Mendoza’s 33 touchdown passes are the most among FBS players. He’s tied for second nationally, along with Pavia, in yards per attempt (9.4) and is sixth in completion percentage.

Diego Pavia stats

Pavia improved upon what was already a stellar debut season for Vanderbilt, completing 71.2% of his passes for 3,192 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He added 826 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

He’s second among all FBS players in total yards per game, with 334.8, ranking him behind only South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown.

With Pavia at quarterback, the Commodores have gone 17-9 the past two seasons, including a 10-2 mark this season that set a program record for wins. Vanderbilt went just 12-45 in the four seasons before Pavia transferred there.

Julian Sayin stats

In his first season as a starter, Sayin has completed 78.4% of his passes for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions.

He’s tied for second among all FBS quarterbacks in touchdown passes, behind only Mendoza, and his completion percentage is currently an FBS single-season record.

Jeremiyah Love stats

The lone non-quarterback of the group, Love has rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns this season while averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Love had been a receiving threat out of the backfield, too, with 27 catches for 280 yards and three touchdowns.

Love is third among all FBS players in rushing touchdowns and fourth in rushing yards.

The UFC event at the White House on June 14 will feature eight or nine championship fights, President Donald Trump told reporters at the Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 8.

“The biggest fights they’ve ever had,’’ Trump said. “Every one’s a championship fight. And every one’s a legendary type of fight.’’

Trump also said UFC CEO Dana White is holding back fights “right now’’ to save them for the White House. The UFC event will be held there to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

An arena being built in front of the White House for the UFC event will have 5,000 to 6,000 seats, according to Trump, who said there will be 100,000 people in the back, where they’re putting up eight or 10 “very big screens.’’

“That’s going to be an exciting night,’’ Trump added. “So many people are asking for tickets.’’

Conor McGregor, the former UFC champion who hasn’t fought since 2021, has lobbied for a spot on the White House card. So has Jon Jones, arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history.