With just over a month remaining in the NFL regular season, the biggest storylines are only getting louder. From key divisional races to players battling it out for individual honours, there’s a lot still to be decided down the stretch.
At this point in the schedule, each remaining game carries major implications, impacting everything from playoff seeding to next year’s draft order. There are also a number of intriguing storylines that will play out over the next few weeks, giving football fans plenty of reasons to follow the action.
Let’s jump right in and highlight five key storylines we’re keeping an eye on over the final few weeks of the regular season.
Will the Kansas City Chiefs Miss the Playoffs?
Is this the year that the Chiefs dynasty comes to an end? Kansas City has dominated the AFC over the past decade, making the playoffs in 10 straight seasons and reaching the Super Bowl in five of the last six years. But with a 6-7 record following their loss in Week 14, Chiefs Kingdom finds itself in unfamiliar territory.
They’ll always have a fighting chance with Mahomes under centre, but this team has lost its swagger and is struggling to keep pace in the AFC playoff picture. With the 11-2 Broncos sitting comfortably atop the division, Kansas City will need to secure one of three available wild card spots. Currently two games back of the Chargers, Colts and Bills in the AFC wild card race, the Chiefs have an uphill battle to qualify for the postseason.
Will Myles Garrett Break the All-time Sack Record?
Browns fans don’t usually have something to root for this late in the season, but All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett is changing that with his pursuit of the NFL’s single-season sack record. The all-time mark stands at 22.5 sacks, shared by Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt. With 20 sacks on the campaign, Garrett needs just three more QB takedowns to break the record.
At 6’4” and 272 lbs, few players in NFL history have possessed Garrett’s unique combination of size, strength and speed. Breaking the single-season sack record would lock up the second DPOY award of his career and help secure his place among the greatest defensive players of all time. With four games remaining—including a matchup versus the NFL’s sixth-most sacked quarterback in Josh Allen—it feels like only a matter of time until Garrett makes history.
Can the Bears Hold on to Win the NFC North?
No need to adjust your screen, what you’re seeing in Chigago is no mistake. Their five-game win streak may have come to an end, but the Bears are 9-4 and looking like a legitimate playoff team. Chicago was holding down top spot in the division before last week’s loss in Green Bay, where they gave the Packers all they could handle. Ben Johnson has done an incredible job in his first season on the Bears’ sidelines, and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams continues to develop under his rookie head coach.
With just one division title over the past 14 seasons, this team isn’t used to playing meaningful football in December. They’ll have their work cut out for them with tough matchups versus the 49ers and Lions still looming. If Chicago can handle their business and survive that tough stretch, we could see some chilly playoff football at Soldier Field.
Which Team Will Secure the First Overall Pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Nobody likes to see their team at the bottom of the standings, but being bad in the NFL comes with a silver lining: better draft position. Most teams are fighting for the few remaining playoff spots, but the league’s cellar-dwellers are keeping an eye on next year’s draft order. Whichever team secures the first overall selection will get to enjoy their pick of the talent pool.
With just two wins on the season, the Titans, Raiders and Giants have the inside track on next year’s top pick. The Saints, Commanders, Cardinals, Browns and Jets aren’t far behind with three wins each, while the Falcons and Bengals have four wins apiece. Be sure to tune in to the Giants-Raiders matchup in Week 17, as the loser of this game could end up securing next year’s first overall pick.
Who Wins This Year’s Race for NFL MVP?
Over the past seven years, only four players have won NFL MVP: Patrick Mahomes (2), Lamar Jackson (2), Aaron Rodgers (2) and Josh Allen. This remains a quarterback-driven award, but it’s looking more and more likely that we’ll have a first-time winner claim the league’s top individual honour in 2025.
This is currently a two-horse race between veteran signal-caller Matthew Stafford and a rising young talent in Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Both players are putting up impressive numbers, ranking in the top five for passing yards, passing touchdowns and quarterback rating. They’re also both enjoying tremendous team success, with the Rams (10-3) and Patriots (11-2) leading their respective divisions.
The latest MVP odds have these two quarterbacks neck-and-neck, so their play over the final month of the season will go a long way in determining which player is crowned this year’s NFL MVP.