Week 17 Saturday Thread: 3 games with playoff implications

The NFL on Saturdays is a post-Christmas thing and we have three games on the schedule today. Every match has playoff implications, starting with the Los Angeles Chargers traveling east to face the New England Patriots.

Jim Harbaugh can secure a spot in the playoffs with a win today. Los Angeles could also clinch a postseason spot if the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts lose or draw, respectively. But Drake Maye hasn’t had it easy, and he seems to be a star in the making. The Patriots may not have enough ammunition today, but they are a team that will compete sooner than later.

In the second game of the day, Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos take on Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on the road. The Bengals can’t win the AFC North, but are still in the running for a wild card spot, most likely as a No. 5 seed. The AFC has five teams fighting for two spots, and the Bengals are in the worst position. Cincy must win the next two games to have a chance at the playoffs.

The good news is that they control their own destiny and keep the dream alive for another week. Cincinnati cannot mathematically be eliminated from the playoffs with a win on Saturday, as Denver is the team with the most to lose.

Finally, we have the Arizona Cardinals as touchdown underdogs against the Los Angeles Rams. San Francisco 49ers fans will be rooting for the Cardinals’ seeding.