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The NFL playoff picture is taking center stage, and Week 17 is filled with matchups that could shape the postseason landscape.
This week has everything from divisional battles with serious consequences to teams fighting for their playoff lives. Our in-depth coverage includes the full schedule, key storylines and matches to watch as the league enters the final stretch of the regular season.
Click here to go to the game:
SEA@CHI | LAC@SV | DEN@CIN | ARI@LAR | DAL@FI | New York @BUF |TEN@JAX | CAR@TB | LV@NO | IND@NYG |MIA@KLE | GB@MIN
ATL@VAS | DET@SF
Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) @ Chicago Bears
Game story: The Hawks fight for their lives in the playoffs
Seattle’s playoff hopes depend on the outcome of this week’s games as they face a pivotal matchup with the Bears. After two straight home losses, the Seahawks need a win and a Rams loss to set up a winner-take-all showdown in Week 18 for the NFC West crown.
Conversely, a loss would likely seal Seattle’s fate and eliminate them from playoff contention, while a win or loss for both teams this week would throw the NFC playoff picture into chaos, with the final results determined by tiebreakers .
Meanwhile, the Bears continue to struggle under interim head coach Thomas Brown. Since their promotion, Chicago ranks 29th in EPA per play on offense and last in EPA per play allowed on defense, having failed to show significant improvement in any aspect of the game.
Matches to Watch: Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet against the Bears’ front seven
WITH Kenneth Walker III still recovering from an ankle injury Zach Charbonnet He is expected to carry the load for Seattle’s ground game. The rookie running back has performed well in Walker’s absence, earning a rushing grade of 85.8 this season. Charbonnet’s ability to create explosive plays (11 explosive rushes and six touchdowns) and fight through contact (4.5 yards after contact per carry) makes him a powerful weapon.
This could spell trouble for a Bears defense that has been terrible against the run. Over the past month, ChicagoThe run defense ranks as the worst in the league (46.8), with over 74% of plays being graded negatively. If the Seahawks can exploit this weakness, they will have a significant advantage in this must-win game.
Additional news
Bears LT Braxton Jones (ankle) will miss the rest of the season with a serious injury in Week 16.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III (ankle) remains questionable for a short week after his early exit in Week 16.
Los Angeles Chargers (-4) @ New England Patriots
Game Story: Chargers Control Their Playoff Destiny
The first game of Saturday’s schedule will provide the Chargers with a great opportunity to make the playoffs in Jim Harbaugh’s debut season as head coach. However, offensive inconsistency remains a major issue as the Chargers have failed to score 17 points in three of their last four games, ranking 24th in EPA per game in December.
The Patriots, meanwhile, fell short in five games, but last week’s gritty performance in Buffalo showed their resolve despite missing the playoffs. While their chances of playing spoiler are slim, other AFC contenders will be hoping the Pats can delay the Chargers’ playoff plans and set the stage for a dramatic Week 18.
Matches to watch: Chargers RB JK Dobbins vs. Front Seven Patriots
The Chargers’ recent offensive struggles have a lot to do with the absence of JK Dobbins, who has been on IR since Week 13. Without him, Los Angeles ranks 28th in the EPA in terms of offense. Before the injury, Dobbins was performing well, earning a PFF grade of 70.6 over the previous four games.
New England’s chances of pulling off the upset will depend on their ability to limit the run, which has been a major weakness of late. The Patriots have ranked dead last in offensive EPA allowed since early December after being hurt by the likes of Jonathan Taylor, James Conner and James Cook in recent weeks.
Additional news:
- Chargers RB JK Dobbins (knee) is expected to return from IR to open his 21-day training window.
- Los Angeles signed Eddie Jackson to the practice squad.
Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3)
Game Story: Major Implications for the AFC Playoff Field
The AFC playoff picture is getting tighter with all the hopeful teams eyeing this high-stakes matchup. If the Chargers win earlier in the day, only one playoff spot will remain unclaimed. A Bengals win wouldn’t guarantee them a spot, but it would put them in the game against Denver while securing a head-to-head tiebreaker. However, Cincy will need a lot of other results to make the postseason.
The Broncos’ path is more direct: win and they’re in the game. This showdown pits the Bengals’ explosive passing attack, which boasts the team’s second-highest passing grade this season, against the Broncos’ elite coverage unit, which ranks first. third in team coverage rankings. Due to expected windy and rainy conditions, adjustments may be required on both sides.
Matchups to Watch: Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase vs. Broncos CB Pat Surtain II
The significance of this game is consistent with a massive duel between two of the best players in the NFL.
Broncos All-Pro corner Pat Surtain II had another stellar season, holding the league’s highest coverage rating (86.5). He was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, allowing just 0.55 yards per carry and a 55.1 passer rating when targeted.
He faces his biggest test in Ja’Marr Chase, the NFL’s leader in receptions (108), receiving yards (1,510) and receiving touchdowns (16). Chase’s outburst is especially dangerous after the catch, where he leads the league with over 6.8 yards after catch per game.
Additional news
- Wind and rain are forecast for Cincinnati on Saturday.
- The Broncos’ Riley Moss (knee) will return after a three-game absence.
Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (-6.5)
Game Story: Los Angeles Looks Down, Chance to Close NFC West
The Rams will be keeping an eye on the Seahawks on Thursday, where a loss to Seattle could effectively lock up the NFC West for Los Angeles. However, the challenge for Los Angeles remains simple: take care of business and secure control of its destiny through winning.
For the Cardinals, a blowout loss to Carolina in Week 16 sealed their fate, eliminating them from playoff contention. After holding the division lead heading into Week 11, Arizona has been on a tear since then, suffering four losses in five games. Now their only motivation is to spoil their division rival.
Matchups to watch: Rams WR Puka Nacua vs. Cardinals CB Sean Murphy-Bunting
Nacua has been instrumental in the Rams’ offensive resurgence, having a dominant season highlighted by his league-best 92.3 rating. He was unstoppable, averaging an incredible 3.49 yards per run.
Murphy-Bunting faces a major challenge in this match. The veteran corner has struggled in coverage throughout 2024, earning a PFF coverage grade of 60.9, which ranks 98th among 117 qualifying corners.
Additional news:
- Cardinals LT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and RT Jonah Williams (knee) have been ruled out.
Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles
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New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
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Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
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Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Las Vegas Raiders @ New Orleans Saints
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Indianapolis Colts @ New York Giants
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Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns
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Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
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Atlanta Falcons @ Washington commanders
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Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers
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