The computer clearly loves the NFC West with three teams projected to make the playoffs. Despite injuries, the 49ers (6-3) are expected to do just enough to earn the final wild-card spot, with a 76.1% chance to make the playoffs -- well ahead of the Bears (41.5%), who are projected as the first team out.

Which eight NFL teams will be crowned division champs this season? Who'll nab the six wild-card slots? At the midpoint of the 2025 campaign, our analysts provide their playoff predictions.

Both the Chargers and Patriots won in Week 9, setting up what would be a fascinating Wild Card matchup in Foxboro. Justin Herbert against one of the nastiest secondaries around. Drake Maye against Jesse Minter's defense. Mike Vrabel against Jim Harbaugh.

The Packers will rely on 2023 second-round pick Luke Musgrave to step up at tight end in Kraft's absence. Musgrave was selected one round ahead of Kraft in the 2023 NFL Draft. His lacerated kidney as a rookie and left ankle injury last season requiring surgery opened the door for Kraft's emergence.

The Chiefs have head-to-head losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars, the two teams directly ahead of it in the wild-card standings. Patrick Mahomes and Co. still have to play the Denver Broncos twice, with the first meeting coming out of Kansas City's bye in Week 11.

The World Series ending on a Saturday created this tidy timeline where we got one day to process, and then with this new week comes offseason action. Eligible players have now officially become free agents, and even a casual fan can glean that this class is solid.

The conclusion of Week 9 will mark the midway point of the 2025 NFL season. What is the playoff picture if it ended today?

Because the NFC is loaded, there is a very small margin for error, no matter how good the team. The Green Bay Packers were in first place in t