Week 17 NFL Storylines & Playoff Picture: No. 1 seeds, division titles at stake

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We’re within the thick of it now, of us. Only two weeks stay on the regular-season schedule but 16 groups, half the league has but to formally clinch a playoff berth or be eradicated.

Both No. 1 seeds and three division titles might be settled come Tuesday morning, however nothing is assured.

Who’s in to date? The Bills, Chiefs and Bengals had already punched their tickets within the AFC. Baltimore and the L.A. Chargers every gained by retaining their respective opponents out of the top zone and clinched. The Ravens nonetheless have an opportunity to leapfrog the Bengals for the AFC North title, whereas the Chargers ensured themselves a wild-card matchup. The Eagles, Vikings, 49ers and Cowboys had been locked into the NFC post-season image heading into final week’s motion as that is still the case this week.

Who’s out? The Falcons and Browns joined the Rams, Colts, Cardinals, Broncos, Bears and Texans within the formally eradicated column.

The Cowboys kicked off Week 17 with a win over the Titans. Dallas is now 12-4, posting back-to-back dozen-win seasons for the primary time because the franchise’s mid-Nineties dynasty. One level of concern for the Cowboys because the playoffs strategy is the actual fact Dak Prescott has thrown an interception in six consecutive weeks and a number of picks in three of the previous 4 video games. He had three turnovers towards the Titans. Tennessee can be enjoying for a division title subsequent week, so Thursday’s end result in the end didn’t impede their playoff probabilities.

The NFL hasn’t finalized its Week 18 schedule but but it surely’d positive make sense to flex that Titans-Jags matchup into prime time would it not not? It is, in spite of everything, basically a bonus playoff sport for soccer followers to take pleasure in.

But again to Week 17… The remaining slate options 14 video games on New Year’s Day earlier than the clear sport of the week finishes issues off Monday evening.

Here’s what to search for throughout the penultimate week of the common season:

If the playoffs began right now, right here’s what the seeding and matchups would seem like within the AFC:

No. 1 Bills (12-3) on bye
No. 2 Chiefs (12-3) vs. No. 7 Dolphins (8-7)
No. 3 Bengals (11-4) vs. No. 6 Chargers (9-6)
No. 4 Jaguars (7-8) vs. No. 5 Ravens (10-5)

If the playoffs began right now, right here’s what the seeding and matchups would seem like within the NFC:

No. 1 Eagles (13-2) on bye
No. 2 Vikings (12-3) vs. No. 7 Commanders (7-7-1)
No. 3 49ers (11-4) vs. No. 6 Giants (8-6-1)
No. 4 Buccaneers (7-8) vs. No. 5 Cowboys (11-4)

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WEEK 16 STORYLINES AND CLINCHING SCENARIOS

(*Teams with a chance to clinch in italics.)

Cardinals (4-11) @ Falcons (5-10) | Sunday 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

Both groups have already been eradicated from post-season competition. Arizona might assure themselves a top-five choose within the 2023 NFL Draft with a loss. Atlanta QB Desmond Ridder will make his third consecutive starter. The rookie has but to throw a landing or interception on the NFL stage. It’s trying just like the Cardinals will begin David Blough at QB.

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Bears (3-12) @ Lions (7-8) | Sunday 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

Detroit wants a win or a Washington loss to stay alive. A Lions loss plus a Commanders win would get rid of Dan Campbell’s group and put an finish to a valiant late-season run after a 1-6 begin. Detroit wanted three fourth-quarter touchdowns to edge the Bears seven weeks in the past.

Jaguars (7-8) @ Texans (2-12-1) | Sunday 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

Trevor Lawrence has been enjoying nice in current weeks and Jaguars coach Doug Pederson advised reporters this week he gained’t be resting gamers with the AFC South not but determined (except they’re damage), so Lawrence can be on the lookout for his first win over Houston. The 2021 first-overall choose is 0-3 with three TDs, 5 INTs (two of which had been again in Week 5 earlier this 12 months) in his younger profession towards the Texans. Also, there’s an unlikely-but-possible likelihood the Jaguars can sneak into the post-season in the event that they beat the Texans and lose to the Titans so a win in Houston continues to be necessary.

The last-place Texans will safe the No. 1 choose within the 2023 NFL Draft with a loss.

Broncos (4-11) @ Chiefs (12-3) | Sunday 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

There are not any rapid playoff implications on this one, though Kansas City continues to be within the hunt for a first-round bye. This can be Denver’s first sport because the workforce fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett following a 51-14 loss to the Rams.

Dolphins (8-7) at Patriots (7-8) | Sunday 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

Tua Tagovailoa is again in concussion protocol, which suggests Teddy Bridgewater will get the nod for Miami. The Dolphins even have Terron Armstead, Bradley Chubb and Alec Ingold on the damage report and listed as game-time selections. It’s easy for every workforce: the Dolphins clinch a playoff spot with a win and the Patriots are eradicated from competition with a loss.

Colts (4-10-1) at Giants (8-6-1) | Sunday 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

New York, identical to final week, can clinch a playoff berth with a victory. It’s not a must-win scenario since they’ll lose this week, win subsequent week and nonetheless get in, however it is a prime alternative to get it finished and be ready to relaxation key gamers within the regular-season finale if essential.

Saints (6-9) @ Eagles (13-2) | Sunday 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

This might find yourself being an enormous week for the Eagles in the event that they handle to rebound from an thrilling, high-scoring loss to the Cowboys. A win Sunday wouldn’t solely clinch a first-round bye, it might enhance the percentages of the franchise additionally securing a top-10 choose in subsequent 12 months’s draft since they personal the Saints’ 2023 first-round choice. Philly would’ve formally clinched the division had Dallas misplaced on Thursday, so there’s nonetheless some work to be finished. The Eagles will clinch the division title and the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a win, or a tie coupled with a Vikings loss. With Jalen Hurts uncertain, it appears to be like like Gardner Minshew will get a second consecutive begin.

The Saints can probably keep mathematically alive with a win. New Orleans can be eradicated in the event that they lose, or if the Bucs beat the Panthers.

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Panthers (6-9) @ Buccaneers (7-8) | Sunday 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

It’s easy for Tampa Bay: win and also you’re in – in with an NFC South title and a house playoff date as well regardless of an unimpressive document. Carolina can’t clinch the division with a win this week, however a second win over Tom Brady and the Bucs this season would put them ready the place they’d have the ability to management their very own future in Week 18. Sam Darnold has finished an admirable job enjoying environment friendly, mistake-free soccer since Week 12. He has one landing go in every of his 4 begins, including two dashing TDs, and most significantly hasn’t turned the ball over. Brady has by no means completed beneath .500 in his NFL profession however would for the primary time with one other loss to the Panthers.

Browns (6-9) @ Commanders (7-7-1) | Sunday 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

Carson Wentz changed Taylor Heinicke throughout final week’s loss to the 49ers, went 12 for 16 for 123 yards with a TD go to Curtis Samuel and Ron Rivera is popping again to Wentz this week. Wentz, 2-4 this season, hasn’t began since Week 6. Washington, who’s with out working again Antonio Gibson, is winless prior to now three weeks however that Week 14 tie towards the Giants is what’s at present retaining them forward of Seattle, Detroit and Green Bay within the standings. Washington’s lone likelihood to clinch a playoff spot this week is with a win plus losses from all the Seahawks, Lions and Packers. Cleveland’s 2023 first-round choose belongs to Houston, so Texans administration can be cheering for a Washington victory.

Jets (7-8) @ Seahawks (7-8) | Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT

The Jets are considered one of 4 7-8 groups vying for the ultimate AFC wild-card spot however discover themselves in must-win mode. New York can nonetheless make the playoffs by successful out and getting a little bit of luck. Mike White will get the beginning. Even although he’s 1-2 as a starter the Jets have performed higher with him behind centre than they do when Zach Wilson is on the market. The solely means the Seahawks will be eradicated this week is a loss coupled with a Washington win, however a win doesn’t safe them a spot.

49ers (11-4) @ Raiders (6-9) | Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT

The huge information out of Raiders camp this week was head coach Josh McDaniels asserting Derek Carr can be benched in favour of Jarrett Stidham. It is completely attainable Carr has performed his closing snap with the workforce that drafted him thirty sixth general in 2014. Las Vegas is technically nonetheless within the playoff hunt as a result of in the event that they gained their closing two video games and there was a logjam of 8-9 groups tied for the ultimate AFC wild-card spot it’s attainable they might get in on tiebreakers, relying on which groups they had been tied with. They basically want a miracle to qualify and a loss to the closely favoured Niners would characterize the proverbial closing nail within the coffin. If the 49ers lose, their slim probabilities on the No. 1 NFC seed can be dashed.

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Vikings (12-3) @ Packers (7-8) | Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET/1:25 p.m. PT

A whopping 11 of Minnesota’s 12 victories this season have been one-score video games. The lone win that wasn’t occurred in opening week after they downed the Packers 23-7. Green Bay has gained three in a row and are hanging on by a thread. A win retains them alive heading into Week 18, whereas a loss coupled with a Detroit or Washington win would finish their probabilities. The Packers haven’t missed the playoffs since Matt LaFleur was named head coach in 2019.

Rams (5-10) @ Chargers (9-6) | Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET/1:25 p.m. PT

The Rams and Chargers have alternated wins and losses within the battle of L.A., relationship again 20 years. OK, they don’t play one another usually in order that streak is definitely solely 5 video games but when it continues it’ll be the Chargers’ flip to win. The Chargers clinched a wild-card spot final week and have an opportunity to leapfrog the Ravens for fifth place within the AFC, which might arrange a first-round matchup towards the AFC South winner.

Steelers (7-8) @ Ravens (10-5) | Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET/5:20 p.m. PT

Pittsburgh’s playoff probabilities fall to zero with a loss coupled with a Jets or Patriots win. Their slim probabilities stay intact in the event that they beat Baltimore. The Ravens have clinched a playoff spot and might nonetheless leapfrog the Bengals for a division title in the event that they win out and get some assist.

Bills (12-3) @ Bengals (11-4) | Monday 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT

Buffalo gave themselves an early Christmas current by beating the Bears on Dec. 24 and clinching the AFC East for a 3rd consecutive season beneath Sean McDermott. Now they’ve acquired the possibility to clinch first place and a bye within the wild-card spherical. A Bills win mixed with a Chiefs loss and Buffalo locks up the No. 1 seed. Meanwhile, Cincinnati can lock up the NFC North with a win and Ravens loss.

The 23 mixed wins is probably the most mixed wins in a Monday Night Football matchup since a 49ers-Broncos matchup in 1997.

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