Schedule, storylines and encounters to watch

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The NFL playoff picture is coming into focus and Week 17 is packed with matchups that could shape the postseason landscape.

From big-impact division showdowns to teams fighting for their playoff lives, this week has it all. Our comprehensive preview includes the full schedule, key storylines and matchups to watch as the league enters the final stretch of the regular season.

Click here to jump to a game:

SEA@CHI | LAC@NE | DEN@CIN | ARI@LAR | DAL@PHI | NYJ@BUF |TEN@JAX | CAR@TB | LV@NO | IND@NYG |MIA@CLE | GB@MIN
ATL@WAS | DET@SF

Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) @ Chicago Bears

Plot of the game: Hawks fight for playoff life

Seattle’s playoff hopes depend on the outcome of this week’s games as they face a crucial matchup with the Bears. After two straight home losses, the Seahawks need a win and a loss against the Rams to set up a matchup for the NFC West crown in Week 18.

Conversely, a loss would likely seal Seattle’s fate and eliminate them from playoff contention, while either team winning or losing this week would throw the NFC playoff picture into chaos as tiebreakers would decide the final ranking.

Meanwhile, the Bears continue to struggle under interim coach Thomas Brown. Since its promotion, Chicago ranks 29th in EPA per play on offense and last in EPA per play on defense and has not seen significant improvement in any aspect of the game.

Matchups to watch: Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet vs. Bears front seven

With Kenneth Walker III still dealing with an ankle injury, Zach Charbonnet is expected to carry the load for the Seattle game. The rookie running back has performed well in Walker’s absence, posting an 85.8 PFF rushing grade this season. Charbonnet’s ability to create explosive plays (11 explosive rushes and six touchdowns) and compete 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 abysmal on the run. Over the last month, Chicago’s run defense has received the worst grade in the league (46.8), with over 74% of its run plays receiving a negative grade. 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 remainder of the season after suffering a serious injury in Week 16.

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III (ankle) remains questionable on a short week after exiting early in Week 16.

Los Angeles Chargers (-4) @ New England Patriots

Plot of the Game: Chargers control their playoff fate

Saturday’s first game presents the Chargers with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a playoff spot in Jim Harbaugh’s debut season as head coach. However, offensive inconsistency remains a pressing issue, as the Chargers have failed to score 17 points in three of their last four games and ranked 24th in EPA per game in December.

The Patriots, meanwhile, are on a five-game skid, but a tough performance last week in Buffalo showed their resolve despite not being in the playoffs. While their chances of becoming spoilsports are slim, other AFC contenders are hoping the Pats can delay the Chargers’ playoff ambitions and set the stage for a dramatic Week 18.

Matchups to watch: Chargers RB JK Dobbins vs. Patriots front seven

The Chargers’ recent offensive woes are closely related to the absence of JK Dobbins, who has been on IR since Week 13. Without him, Los Angeles ranks 28th in the EPA per rush. Prior to his injury, Dobbins was performing well, posting a 70.6 PFF rushing grade over the last 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. Since the start of December, the Patriots have ranked last in EPA allowed per rush after being crushed in recent weeks by players like Jonathan Taylor, James Conner and James Cook.

Additional news:

• Chargers RB JK Dobbins (knee) is scheduled to return from IR and begin his 21-day practice window.
• Los Angeles has added S Eddie Jackson to the practice squad.

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Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals (-3)

Game Plot: Major implications for the AFC playoff field

The AFC playoff picture is heating up as every hopeful team sets their sights on this high-risk matchup. If the Chargers secure a win earlier in the day, only one playoff spot will remain unclaimed. A win for the Bengals wouldn’t guarantee their spot, but it would move them within one game of Denver while also giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker. Still, Cincy would need many more results to make it to the postseason.

The Broncos’ path is simpler: win and they’re there. This matchup will feature a battle between the Bengals’ explosive passing attack – which boasts the team’s second-highest pass rate this season – and the Broncos’ elite coverage unit, which is ranked third in team coverage grade. As windy and rainy conditions are expected, adjustments may be necessary on both sides.

Matchups to watch: Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase vs. Broncos CB Pat Surtain II

The significance of this game comes from a great duel between two of the NFL’s best.

Broncos All-Pro corner Pat Surtain II had another outstanding season, maintaining the league’s best coverage grade (86.5). He was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, allowing just 0.55 yards per coverage snap and a passer rating of 55.1 when targeted.

His biggest test will be Ja’Marr Chase, the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions (108), receiving yards (1,510) and touchdowns (16). Chase’s explosiveness after the catch is particularly dangerous, where he leads the league with over 6.8 yards receiving per play.

Additional news

• Wind and rain are forecast for Saturday in Cincinnati.
• Broncos CB Riley Moss (knee) is expected to return after a three-game absence.

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Arizona Cardinals @ Los Angeles Rams (-6.5)

Plot of the game: LA hopes for a chance to close out the NFC West

The Rams will turn their attention to Thursday’s game at the Seahawks, where a loss in Seattle could all but lock the NFC West to Los Angeles. However, the task for LA remains simple: take care of business and secure control of their destiny with a win.

For the Cardinals, a crushing overtime loss to Carolina in Week 16 sealed their fate and eliminated them from the playoffs. After holding the division lead before the Week 11 bye, Arizona has since fallen with four losses in five games. Now their only motivation is to spoil a division rival.

Matchups to watch: Rams WR Puka Nacua vs. Cardinals CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

Nacua was instrumental in revitalizing the Rams’ offense and posted a dominant season highlighted by his league-leading 92.3 receiving grade. He was unstoppable, averaging an incredible 3.49 yards per route run.

Murphy-Bunting will face a big challenge in this duel. The veteran corner struggled in coverage in 2024, earning a PFF coverage grade of 60.9, which ranks 98th among 117 qualified corners.

Additional news:

• Cardinals LT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and RT Jonah Williams (knee) have been ruled out.

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Dallas Cowboys @ Philadelphia Eagles

Coming soon…

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New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills

Coming soon…

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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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