NFL Week 17 is also New Year’s week, and it comes with a busy weekend full of quality matchups and much at stake.
Looking at the schedule, which begins Thursday night with a game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns, there are several games with playoff implications. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, teams are jockeying for position.
Below are the five top games of NFL Week 17, ranked in order, based not only on the quality of the matchup, but also on what’s at stake.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
WHEN: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX)
Behind the play of third-string QB Mason Rudolph, the Steelers got a much-needed victory over Cincinnati in Week 16, but the win only helped them slightly, improving their playoff chances to 17 percent. The question for Pittsburgh is whether Kenny Pickett (ankle) will be back, or if Rudolph will make his second start in NFL Week 17.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks, who had seemingly play themselves out of playoff contention with three straight losses, have played themselves back in. They now own the No. 7 spot in the NFC with a 69-percent chance of being playoff bound. Two weeks ago, Drew Lock’s heroics saved Seattle, and then Geno Smith returned to the starting role Sunday to lead the Seahawks.
Related: Pittsburgh Steelers intend to make a ‘surprising’ decision on Mike Tomlin in 2024
4. New Orleans Saints (7-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
WHEN: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Few teams are playing as well as Tampa Bay. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs have practically risen from the dead to win five straight games, and they now have an 86-percent chance of going to the playoffs as the NFC’s No. 4 seed. To win the NFC South in NFL Week 17, the Bucs just need a win combined with an Atlanta loss or tie.
The Saints, however, saw their chances decline significantly with a loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday. And now, with only a 12-percent chance to advance, New Orleans is more on the brink of elimination, which would happen if the Saints lose, the Rams win or tie, and the Seahawks win or tie.
Related: Week 16 winners and losers, including Baker Mayfield
3. Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
WHEN: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs look lost, having lost three out of four and four of six games entering NFL Week 17. Yet they still have a 96 percent chance of making the playoffs, and they can clinch the AFC West title with a win over Cincinnati, and a either loss or a tie for both Denver and Las Vegas.
The Bengals are coming off a poor effort against Pittsburgh that saw their playoff odds drop to 23 percent. Leading receiver Ja’Marr Chase missed the Week 16 game with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, and he’s likely to miss this one as well.
So, quarterback Jake Browning, who led the Bengals to three straight victories before the Pittsburgh loss, will need much more than he got from his supporting cast if they hope to continue their playoff pursuit.
Related: What’s wrong with the Kansas City Chiefs?
2. Detroit Lions (11-4) at Dallas Cowboys (10-5)
WHEN: Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
The Cowboys came close to proving they could win a tough road, but they fell short at Miami. Now, for NFL Week 17, they are back at home at AT&T Stadium, where they have a 7-0 record and typically blow out anyone who steps foot in their building.
These Lions, however, can’t be bullied, not after winning the NFC North for their first division title in 29 years. Dan Campbell’s group is back to playing great football, behind Jared Goff and the NFL’s No. 3 offense. Both teams are already in the playoffs, but Detroit is still in the hunt for the No. 1, and Dallas is battling Philadelphia for the NFC East crown.
Related: Detroit Lions party like it’s 1993, deny Minnesota Vikings for long-awaited division title
1. Miami Dolphins (11-4) at Baltimore Ravens (12-3)
WHEN: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Now that the Baltimore Ravens have asserted their dominance over the San Francisco 49ers as the top dog among top dogs, they still need to wrap up the No. 1 seed in the AFC. For that to happen, the Ravens need a victory over the No. 2 seed Miami Dolphins and a Cleveland Browns loss or tie.
Going into NFL Week 17, the Ravens have won five in a row, while the Dolphins have won five out of six and has a 24-percent chance of stealing the top seed from Baltimore. Miami needs a victory and a Buffalo loss or tie to clinch the AFC East title. While it’s unknown whether do-everything safety Kyle Hamilton (knee) will be well enough to play, the same could be said for Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle).