As the NFL heads into Week 17, the stakes are high for teams vying for playoff spots, while others look to improve their draft positioning. The action kicks off on Saturday with a triple-header, featuring crucial games that will shape the playoff picture. Here’s a breakdown of the key matchups and what’s on the line for each team.
Saturday’s Triple Header
1. Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
- Chargers: A win secures a playoff spot, while a loss still leaves them with an 83% chance of making the postseason.
- Patriots: New England, which has lost five straight games, is playing for pride and draft positioning. A win could push them out of the top five picks in the draft, but they are likely focused on their long-term rebuild. With the second overall pick in sight, the Patriots may explore trading down if they end up with a top pick in the 2024 draft.
2. Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
- Broncos: A win and they’re in. However, a loss opens up multiple scenarios, making the final week of the season highly unpredictable for Denver.
- Bengals: Cincinnati’s playoff hopes are on life support. They must beat the Broncos and win in Week 18 against the Steelers to stay alive. In addition, they need help from other teams: a loss from the Broncos in Week 18 and losses from the Colts and Dolphins. It’s a messy path, but a win against Denver is essential to keep the dream alive.
3. Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
- Cardinals: Arizona is playing for draft positioning and pride. With a 7-8 record, they are poised for a mid-first round pick.
- Rams: A win secures a potential playoff berth, but it’s complicated. The Rams need at least four other teams (Vikings, Bills, 49ers, Commanders, Bengals, Browns) to win. If they lose, a Week 18 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks will determine their fate in the NFC West.
Sunday’s Matchups
4. New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
- Jets: With their playoff hopes dashed, New York is playing for pride and draft position.
- Bills: Buffalo has a chance to clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC with a win, but a loss could set up a tense Week 18. The Ravens are eyeing the second seed, but they also need to win and hope Buffalo slips up.
5. Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Titans and Jaguars: This game is all about draft positioning. Both teams have a chance to improve their draft stock, with Jacksonville holding the third pick and Tennessee the fourth. It’s a rare matchup where both teams are looking to lose to secure a higher draft pick.
6. Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints
- Raiders: With a 3-12 record, Las Vegas holds the No. 6 pick in the draft, so they’re playing to improve their positioning.
- Saints: Sitting at 5-10, New Orleans is fighting for the 10th pick. A loss could help their cause, but given the competition for high draft picks, it’s not a game where the outcome dramatically shifts their future.
7. Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants
- Colts: Indianapolis will know whether their playoff hopes are alive based on Saturday’s games. If the Chargers and Broncos win, the Colts are eliminated. But if either or both teams lose, Indy could stay in the hunt with a win.
- Giants: With the first overall pick currently in hand, New York is focused on securing that pick. However, a win would complicate their draft position, and coach Brian Daboll may face increased scrutiny depending on how the team performs down the stretch.
8. Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
- Cowboys: Dallas is playing for pride and draft positioning, and they will be without key wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for the final two games of the season.
- Eagles: Philadelphia is battling for the top spot in the NFC. They need to win and hope for a loss from either the Vikings or Lions to maintain their slim chance of securing the No. 1 seed. A loss here could cost them the NFC East title, giving the division lead to the Cowboys or even the Washington Commanders.
9. Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Panthers: At 4-11, Carolina’s playoff hopes are long gone. They are focused on improving their draft position.
- Buccaneers: Tampa Bay must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Currently tied with the Falcons for the NFC South lead, the Buccaneers have lost both matchups to Atlanta this season. If they lose this game, their playoff destiny will be out of their hands.
Late Afternoon Games
10. Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns
- Dolphins: Miami’s playoff hopes hinge on winning out and needing other results to go in their favor. They need either the Chargers or Broncos to lose, as well as the Colts to drop one of their final games.
- Browns: Cleveland is eliminated from playoff contention but can still impact the draft with their performance. A win could hurt their draft positioning, but it could be a significant moral victory for a team facing an uncertain future.
11. Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
- Vikings: Minnesota can clinch the NFC North and potentially the top seed in the NFC with a win. If they win out, they secure the division and the No. 1 seed, regardless of what the Lions do.
- Packers: Green Bay still has an outside chance to earn a wild-card berth, but they need a strong finish and for the Vikings to lose. A loss in this game would likely seal their fate as the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the NFC.
Sunday Night Football
12. Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders
- Falcons: Atlanta could clinch the NFC South with a win, assuming the Buccaneers lose to the Panthers. If the Buccaneers win, Week 18 becomes a winner-takes-all scenario for the division title.
- Commanders: Washington can clinch a playoff spot with a win, depending on earlier results. If the Falcons win, they’ll secure a wild-card berth. Washington needs to focus on the division race, but losing could complicate their playoff chances.
Monday Night Football
13. Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers
- Lions: Detroit’s playoff positioning could hinge on this game. If the Vikings lose earlier in the day, a win would clinch the NFC North for the Lions. However, if the Vikings win, everything will come down to Week 18.
- 49ers: San Francisco is eliminated from playoff contention, but they still have a chance to influence the draft order. They are playing for pride, and with a 6-9 record, they could still shift their draft position with a win.
Final Thoughts
Week 17 promises to be an action-packed stretch, with teams fighting for playoff berths, draft positioning, and division titles. The race for the No. 1 seed in both conferences is heating up, and a few key wins (or losses) could have massive implications for the future of several teams. As we head into the final two weeks of the regular season, expect plenty of twists and turns before the playoff picture is fully set.