The Holidays may be drawing near, but almost half of the NFL’s 32 teams have already had their playoff stockings stuffed with coal.
The most recent team crying in its eggnog? The Dallas Cowboys, who were eliminated from contention in the NFC East − and the conference at large − thanks to the Philadelphia Eagles’ defeat of the Washington Commanders on Saturday evening. ‘America’s Team’ became the 14th this season to officially fall short of postseason qualification.
And while no other clubs will join Dallas on the Super Bowl sidelines in Week 16, this did seem like a good time to check in on the also-rans … and those still running, four teams still with a shot to upgrade from playoff hopeful to playoff entry if enough breaks their way over the next two-plus weeks.
Which NFL teams have been eliminated from playoff contention?
These are the teams that have already seen their postseason chances for 2025 extinguished:
New York Giants (eliminated in Week 12)
Arizona Cardinals (eliminated in Week 13)
New Orleans Saints (eliminated in Week 13)
Tennessee Titans (eliminated in Week 13)
Las Vegas Raiders (eliminated in Week 13)
Washington Commanders (eliminated in Week 14)
Atlanta Falcons (eliminated in Week 14)
New York Jets (eliminated in Week 14)
Cleveland Browns (eliminated in Week 14)
Cincinnati Bengals (eliminated in Week 15)
Minnesota Vikings (eliminated in Week 15)
Kansas City Chiefs (eliminated in Week 15)
Miami Dolphins (eliminated in Week 15)
Dallas Cowboys (eliminated in Week 16)
NFL teams outside projected playoff bracket but not yet eliminated going into Week 16
Baltimore Ravens (7-7, 38% chance to make playoffs, per NFL’s Next Gen Stats)
Detroit Lions (8-6, 29%)
Carolina Panthers (7-7, 19%)
Indianapolis Colts (8-6, 12%)