Published on: December 29, 2025, 10:44 AM.

Updated on: December 29, 2025, 11:00 AM.

• Playoff landscape nearly finalized post-NFL’s second-to-last weekend
• Ravens and Bucs emerge as frontrunners for the final playoff spots
• Purdy shines with five touchdowns, including three through the air and two on the ground against the Bears

The NFL playoff scenario has become much clearer this morning, with only two spots still up for grabs.

The Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) will face off against the Baltimore Ravens (8-8) next Sunday night for the last available AFC playoff position, with a kickoff at 8:20 PM EST. The victor will claim the AFC North title and secure the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, while the loser will be eliminated from contention.

Unfortunately for the Steelers, wide receiver DK Metcalf is suspended. Meanwhile, Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson is sidelined due to a back injury, having missed Saturday’s contest against the Green Bay Packers. His availability for Sunday remains uncertain. Early betting lines indicate the Ravens are favored. At DraftKings, the money line (ML) shows Ravens at -180 and Steelers at +150, with a spread of Ravens -3.5 (-105) and Steelers +3.5 (-115). FanDuel lists Ravens at -172 on the ML and Steelers at +144.

“Currently, assessments suggest it’s approximately a 50/50 chance for his availability next week in Pittsburgh,” reported Mike Florio from ProFootballTalk on NBC’s Football Night in America.

Sunday Night Football: Winner Takes All

In the NFC, the Carolina Panthers (8-8) are still vying for the final playoff spot, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) are on the cusp. Carolina is set to visit Tampa on Saturday for a 4:30 PM EST matchup. FanDuel’s odds have the Bucs as the favorites at -156 on the ML, while the Panthers are at +132.

A critical storyline in the NFC for bettors is the rise of 49ers QB Brock Purdy, who is playing at an MVP-caliber level. In last night’s thrilling 42-38 victory against the Chicago Bears, Purdy accounted for five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing). San Francisco will host the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night, with the NFC West division title and the No. 1 NFC playoff seed—and home-field advantage—on the line. Purdy is elevating his performance at the perfect moment.

The Seahawks are slight betting favorites as of this morning, listed at -112 on DraftKings ML, while the 49ers sit at -108.

According to ESPN’s playoff projections, the Buccaneers have a 54.2% chance to secure a playoff spot, with the Panthers at 45.8%. In the AFC, the Ravens sit at 57.8%, while the Steelers have a 42.2% probability of making the playoffs.

NFL Betting Highlights: Best Games from Yesterday

“Yesterday brought a mix of outcomes, with some underdogs, including the Dolphins and Browns, pulling off unexpected wins in the morning,” said Joey Feazel, Head of Football at Caesars Sportsbook. “Customers capitalized on Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense, clearly showing they are still fighting for the season, unlike some teams without playoff ambitions.”

“In the late afternoon games, there was a strong push for the Giants concerning the race for the top overall pick in the NFL Draft, and it was clear that the Raiders were more eager for that pick. The Eagles vs. Bills game attracted a significant amount of Over bets, making the low-scoring matchup favorable for the sportsbook.”

The most compelling games for bettors at Caesars Sportsbook included Texans vs. Chargers, Bengals vs. Cardinals, Patriots vs. Jets, and Giants vs. Raiders. The top games for the books were Buccaneers vs. Dolphins, Browns vs. Steelers, Ravens vs. Packers, Lions vs. Vikings, and Bills vs. Eagles.