The Commanders’ Week 17 game against the Falcons was moved to Sunday Night Football

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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 15: A Commanders helmet in the bench area during the Week 6 NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 15, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Spo

WASHINGTON – The Washington Commanders will now play their Week 17 game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.

The NFL announced Tuesday that the game has been postponed. Washington (9-6) will now play Atlanta (7-7) at Northwest Stadium on December 29th at 8:20 p.m.

ESPN insider Adam Schefter reports that the NFL is moving the NFC matchup to Sunday Night Football to replace the Miami Dolphins-Cleveland Browns game. These two AFC teams, both fighting for a playoff spot, will now face off on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.

After their 20:19 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the Commanders retain their position at No. 7 in the NFC playoffs. If they retain the spot, it would be the team’s first postseason berth since 2020.

The Commanders say that, according to the New York Times playoff simulator, a win over the Falcons would increase Washington’s postseason chances to over 99% because they would hold the tiebreaker.

This week, the Commanders face the Philadelphia Eagles – the best in the NFC East – in a divisional rivalry. The Falcons, meanwhile, play the NFC East-worst New York Giants.