Welcome back to the AFC Playoff Picture, a weekly look at where the Chargers stand in playoff chase. The Bolts currently sit at 5-3 and are firmly in the playoff field at the halfway point of the 2025 season. Here's the look at the AFC playoff picture — with standings, current playoff odds and a status update — as we head into Week 9.

Baltimore shockingly started the season 1-5 (and are now 2-5 thanks to a Week 8 win over the Bears), but were considered strong playoff contenders before the season started. The o

The New York Jets likely took the Cincinnati Bengals out of the AFC North hunt with their upset win. The Dallas Cowboys' playoff chances took a massive hit with their loss to the Denver Broncos, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be cruising toward their fifth straight NFC South title.

The first month of the 2025 NFL season is done, making this a great time for an early look at the potential playoff contenders that have emerged over the first four weeks of play.