2025 NFL Playoff Bracket Challenge Template

The NFL Playoffs are here! I created a playoff bracket challenge in Google Sheets that can easily be shared with a group to make a playoff pool. This is for those looking for a format to just pick the winner of the playoffs and score points for picking correctly (as opposed to selecting individual players).

Be sure to make a copy of the Google Sheet, then lock the NFL Playoff Bracket and Bracket Template sheets to ensure no one messes with them. I implemented the following scoring system, but feel free to change the formula in cell J25 on the Bracket Template sheet if you want to use something different:

  • 1 for a correct wild card game winner
  • 2 for divisional playoffs
  • 4 for conference champs
  • 8 for Super Bowl champ

One more very important note:

In the divisional round, the No. 1 seed hosts the lowest remaining seed after the wild card games. The second-highest remaining seed hosts the second-lowest remaining seed. Entrants need to reflect this in their choices for accuracy. For example, if Vikings (5) win against the Rams (4), the Commanders (6) win against the Buccaneers (3), and the Packers (7) win against the Eagles (2), then the Lions (1) would play the Packers (7), and the Vikings (5) would play the Commanders (6).

Feel free to let me know if something looks broken or wonky. Enjoy!