Tag: Week 17

Week 17 NFL Capsules

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Houston Texans (10-5) at Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Chargers -1.5, Total 39.5

Denver’s win in Kansas City on Christmas night gave the Chargers added incentive to win Saturday night. If Los Angeles loses to Houston, the Broncos are AFC West champions. If the Chargers win, they go to Denver next week with a chance to claim the division — and at least one home game in the playoffs. Justin Herbert threw just three interceptions during the 2024 regular season before topping that total in a miserable playoff performance against the Texans. Houston walloped the visiting Chargers 32-12 in the AFC wild-card round last season, picking off Herbert four times. Los Angeles has won four straight games and seven of eight and clinched a playoff spot when the Indianapolis Colts lost to the San Francisco 49ers. The Texans have won seven straight games and would clinch a playoff berth by beating the Chargers. They are one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South, thanks in large part to their harassing defense. Houston pass rushers Danielle Hunter (13 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (11.5) are enjoying big seasons.

Baltimore Ravens (7-8) at Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Packers -4.5, Total 40.5

The Packers insist the late-game collapse and overtime loss at Chicago last week won’t dampen their spirit with the NFC North division title still in play. They’re a confirmed playoff participant after the Lions’ loss on Christmas Day at Minnesota and the Bears still have to play at San Francisco, where a loss equates to high stakes in Week 18. For the Packers to stay in that conversation, they’ll have to take care of business against the Ravens. Baltimore is hanging on by a thread in the AFC North and a loss hands the division title to the Steelers. A win kicks open the door to a possible playoff path — through Pittsburgh. Those teams play in Week 18. Quarterback health is a hot topic in the lead-in to this week’s game. Lamar Jackson (back contusion) has been banged up off and on since September. The Packers had their top quarterbacks leave Chicago hurt, but Jordan Love (shoulder/concussion) and Malik Willis (shoulder/illness) practiced Thursday in a limited capacity. Tyler Huntley, who won his only start of the season against the Bears in Week 8, would get the start if Jackson can’t play. After missing practice all week, Jackson is doubtful.

Arizona Cardinals (3-12) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bengals -7, Total 53.5

There hasn’t been a lot to celebrate for either team this season, but the Bengals are not complaining about Joe Burrow finding his groove last week. The Bengals enjoyed arguably their best all-around performance of the season last Sunday, scoring 35 straight points to wipe out an early 14-10 deficit in a 45-21 rout of the host Miami Dolphins. The Cardinals lost their seventh straight, a 26-19 home setback to the Atlanta Falcons, last Sunday and are fixed on figuring out what’s needed to compete next season. The Bengals answered their first shutout loss since 2017 – and their first with Burrow as quarterback – by posting their largest scoring output of the season. The Bengals lead the NFL with 11 takeaways since Week 12. Defensive end Myles Murphy and safety Jordan Battle, both third-year starters, teamed up for Cincinnati’s first takeaway against Miami. Jacoby Brissett has consistently produced since taking over the starting spot for Kyler Murray. He has 200-plus yards and at least one TD pass in each of his 10 starts this season. He has helped TE Trey McBride reach 100-plus receptions for the second consecutive season. McBride can become the first NFL tight end with back-to-back 110-catch seasons with one reception Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) at Cleveland Browns (3-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Steelers -3, Total 34.5

The Steelers might be AFC North champions before midnight Saturday — if the Ravens lose at Green Bay — but the plan for Pittsburgh is to win the final two games, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. The gameplan might be different given the subtraction of WR DK Metcalf, who serves the first of his two-game suspension for grabbing a fan at Detroit. QB Aaron Rodgers called for other wide receivers to “step up” when called upon the next two games. Metcalf has been targeted 99 times and caught 59 passes for 850 yards, while all other Pittsburgh wideouts combined have been targeted 90 times with 56 receptions for 665 yards. Even without Metcalf, a huge boost might be on the way in the form of pass rusher T.J. Watt, who practiced Wednesday for the first time in two weeks. Watt has been sidelined since a procedure required to recover from a punctured lung. Watt’s presence is newsworthy for rookie QB Shedeur Sanders, who makes his first start against a division opponent. The Steelers held the Browns to three field goals in a 23-9 victory in their first meeting this season but haven’t won in Cleveland since 2021. Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins landed on injured reserve with a broken leg and dislocated ankle sustained last week, ending his season after rushing 34 times for 69 yards the past three games. Sanders is 1-4 as a starter but had the Browns in position to take down the Buffalo Bills last week before succumbing in a 23-20 defeat.

New Orleans Saints (5-10) at Tennessee Titans (3-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Saints -2.5, Total 39.5

Rookie quarterbacks are front and center on Sunday with Cam Ward starting to show why Tennessee drafted him first overall in April. Ward has three consecutive two-TD games and completed a career-high 75% of his passes against the Chiefs last week. New Orleans rookie Tyler Shough delivered a 300-yard game in the Saints’ 29-6 thrashing of the Jets last week. Ward was the headliner in a rookie class that leads a youth movement in Tennessee. Titans WR Chimere Dike, a fourth-round pick, has set himself apart by leading the NFL in all-purpose yards (151.3 per game) to earn a starting spot in the Pro Bowl. Shough has completed 66.4% of his passes for 1,792 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. His passer rating is 86.5.

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) at Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Jaguars -5.5, Total 48.5

Jacksonville demoralized the Colts in a 36-19 win in Florida on Dec. 7 and has already clinched its first playoff berth since 2022. The Jaguars, winners of six of the past eight meetings with Indianapolis, have won five consecutive games to surge ahead of the AFC South pack while the Colts have lost five in a row. Philip Rivers took over the QB1 job for the Colts since Daniel Jones tore his Achilles in the loss at Jacksonville earlier this month. Signed off the couch to start the last two games at age 44, Rivers had Indianapolis in the game for four quarters at Seattle and on Monday for two-plus quarters before the 49ers pulled away. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence ran his interception-free streak to four games. With three touchdowns in the win, he set a career high with 26 touchdown passes this season. While 2025 first-round pick Travis Hunter played just seven games before sustaining a season-ending knee injury and 2024 first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr. has battled injuries and not followed up his breakout rookie season, Jacksonville’s receiver-by-committee approach has worked well with five different leading receivers in the team’s last five games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) at Miami Dolphins (6-9)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -5.5, Total 45.5

The Buccaneers have won four consecutive division titles since 2021 and are in must-win territory at Miami after being bounced from the NFC South lead by the Panthers last week. Tampa has won six of the past seven meetings with the Dolphins, who are going with Quinn Ewers at quarterback for the second consecutive game because of Tua Tagovailoa’s turnover issues. The Bucs have lost each of their past three games by four points or fewer. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield faces a Miami defense that excelled during the team’s recent four-game winning streak that provided a brief sliver of hope to make the playoffs. In two games since, the Dolphins have allowed 73 points; opponents have scored on 11 of their last 18 possessions with 10 touchdowns. Miami allowed four consecutive touchdown drives to open the second half last week in a 45-21 loss to Cincinnati. The prior week, the Dolphins allowed four consecutive touchdown drives from the end of the first half into the third quarter in a loss to Pittsburgh. Ewers was effective early and then struggled toward the end of his first start last week. He completed 20 of 30 passes for 260 yards but threw two interceptions with no touchdowns.

New England Patriots (12-3) at New York Jets (3-12)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Patriots -13.5, Total 42.5

The Jets are cooking up a top draft pick and have been out of the playoff chase for weeks as a familiar, crippling problem struck for first-year coach Aaron Glenn: the franchise still doesn’t have a quarterback. Justin Fields (knee; IR) and Tyrod Taylor were not successful getting the Jets’ offense off the ground and undrafted rookie Brady Cook has been given a shot this month to prove he can bring value to the team going forward. The Patriots are more than settled at the position with Drake Maye delivering MVP-caliber production in his second NFL season. The No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft leads the league in completion percentage (70.9) and New England is 7-0 on the road this season. Cook has passed for 527 yards and one touchdown with six interceptions in three games this season.

Seattle Seahawks (12-3) at Carolina Panthers (8-7)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Seahawks -7.5, Total 42.5

Seattle has won five consecutive games and the Panthers are riding high after a statement win over reigning NFC South division champion Tampa Bay last week, but the challenge on Sunday could be not looking ahead to bigger fish in Week 18. The Seahawks play at San Francisco in the regular-season finale, which could decide the NFC West and determine the No. 1 seed in the conference. The Panthers, leading the division after a 23-20 win over the Buccaneers last Sunday, are at Tampa next week with a playoff spot on the line. Panthers QB Bryce Young drove the Panthers down the field for a go-ahead field goal with a little more than two minutes remaining last week. It was the 12th game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime in three seasons for Young — the most of any QB over that span. The Seahawks can win the division this week in Mike Macdonald’s second season — and for the first time since 2020 — but won’t know anything about their final playoff positioning until the 49ers (11-4) and Rams (11-4) take the field. Seattle took control of its playoff destiny when it overcame a 16-point deficit to defeat the Rams, 38-37, in overtime last week, grabbing the division lead in the process.

New York Giants (2-13) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Giants -1.5, Total 40.5

Losing this game has all kinds of value, with the chance to take the lead in the chase for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft in play. Neither coach wants to discuss that treasure or a 14th loss to echo conversations underscoring the failures it took to get here. Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart is doing his best to showcase enough potential to enter the offseason as the incumbent starter. The game between teams with matching 2-13 records is just the third in NFL history where both are at least 11 games under .500, and the first such matchup since 1991. Dart did not have a pass attempt until under two minutes remained in the first half of a 16-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week but was sacked five times while completing 7 of 13 pass attempts for just 33 yards. Three starting offensive linemen, including left tackle Andrew Thomas, were idle early in the week due to injuries. The Raiders nearly broke free from their doldrums last Sunday after taking a third-quarter lead on the road against the Houston Texans, only to fall 23-21. Last year’s 4-13 record allowed Las Vegas to select running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall draft pick, and he continued to show his promise against the Texans with a 60-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter and a 51-yard TD run late in the game.

Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) at Buffalo Bills (11-4)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: Bills -1.5, Total 44.5

The Bills are one game behind the Patriots in the AFC East race with two games left and need to prove to themselves that they can stop the run. Cold temperatures, a chance of precipitation and a heavy dose of Saquon Barkley are all in the forecast for the Week 17 clash at Highmark Stadium, where Buffalo is 6-1 this season. Barkley has rushed for 332 yards with three touchdowns in the last three games to top the 1,000-yard mark for the fifth time in his career. The Eagles are averaging 4.9 yards per carry during that span, which included an overtime road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a shutout of the Las Vegas Raiders and a 29-18 road win last weekend against the Washington Commanders. The Bills have won four straight games to keep the pressure on the Patriots despite their struggles against the run. Buffalo ranks 30th in rushing defense (144.3 yards per game) and allows a whopping 5.4 yards per carry — second-most in the NFL to the New York Giants (5.5). Nobody has allowed as many touchdowns on the ground (24) as the Bills. After allowing a season-high 246 rushing yards (and four TDs) in a Week 15 win at New England, Buffalo surrendered 160 yards on the ground in a 23-20 escape at Cleveland last weekend.

Chicago Bears (11-4) at San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
FanDuel odds: 49ers -3, Total 52.5

Teams with aspirations of claiming the NFC’s top seed square off in a primetime matchup likely to have a wide-reaching impact on the conference playoff picture. Chicago clinched a playoff spot with last Saturday’s 22-16 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers paired with Detroit’s loss to Seattle. The Bears, winners of 11 of their past 13, could clinch the division crown if the Packers lose to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. If Green Bay wins, Chicago can clinch by beating San Francisco. The 49ers clinched a playoff spot last Sunday, one day before whipping the Indianapolis Colts 48-27. San Francisco has won five straight games and fancies a run at the No. 1 seed. The Super Bowl will be played in its home stadium in Santa Clara this season. The 49ers are part of a power-packed NFC West that has three teams with 11 or more wins, counting the current No. 6 seed Los Angeles Rams. They are home again next week in a possible West division title game of sorts with the Seahawks. 49ers QB Brock Purdy passed for a career-high five touchdown passes in a superb performance against the Colts. Purdy is the first San Francisco quarterback to throw at least five TDs in a game since Steve Young tossed a Super Bowl-record six during a rout of the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX (1994 season). Bears QB Caleb Williams has thrown 10 touchdown passes over the past five games.

–Field Level Media

NFL Playoff Picture: 49ers two wins from No. 1 in NFC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Seats are filling up in the NFC playoff picture but seeding in both conferences is up for grabs with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

The San Francisco 49ers re-entered the conversation for the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win Monday in Indianapolis and lead the conference with an 8-2 record vs. NFC opposition.

The 49ers control their fate in the final two weeks. If San Francisco beats the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks, they’ll be celebrating a first-round bye when the dust settles Week 18.

A Green Bay Packers loss or Bears win at San Francisco gives Chicago the NFC North division title.

If the Bears and 49ers tie on Sunday and the Seahawks win at Carolina, Seattle would clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

All seven AFC playoff participants could be set by Saturday if the Houston Texans beat the Los Angeles Chargers and Packers beat the Baltimore Ravens in Green Bay. A Baltimore win leaves it up to the Steelers on Sunday. Pittsburgh can wrap up the division crown with a win at Cleveland.

Here is the full playoff picture by conference entering Week 17.

–AFC Playoff Picture
1. Denver Broncos (12-3)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; First place, AFC West
Up Next: at Kansas City Chiefs (Thursday, Dec. 25); vs. Chargers (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Chargers won the first matchup, 23-20, in Week 3. Should Denver lose and finish with the same record as the Chargers, the Broncos could go from the No. 1 seed in the AFC to traveling to the No. 4 seed — currently the Steelers — in the wild-card playoffs.

2. New England Patriots (12-3)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; First place, AFC East
Up Next: at New York Jets (Dec. 28); vs. Miami Dolphins (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: Finishing with two more wins and a 14-3 record would not assure the Patriots the No. 1 seed, but it would guarantee they can fall no lower than No. 2 in the conference.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)
Status: First place, AFC South
Up Next: at Indianapolis Colts (Dec. 28); vs. Tennessee Titans (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Houston Texans, who split two games with Jacksonville, still can win the AFC South.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
Status: First place, AFC North
Up Next: at Cleveland Browns (Dec. 28); vs. Baltimore Ravens (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: A statement win at Detroit gives the Steelers a chance to clinch the division at Cleveland on Sunday, but hold the noisemakers and confetti. Pittsburgh lost at Cleveland last season (24-19), in 2023 (13-10) and 2022 (29-17), last beating the Browns on the road on Halloween 2021.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
Status: Second place, AFC West
Up Next: vs. Texans (Saturday, Dec. 27); at Broncos (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: With seven wins in the past eight games, the Chargers are not yet assured a playoff spot but could still land any of the AFC’s seven seed positions.

6. Buffalo Bills (11-4)
Status: Second place, AFC East
Up Next: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Dec. 28); vs. Jets (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Bills are 28-4 at home over the past four seasons.

7. Houston Texans (10-5)
Status: Second place, AFC South
Up Next: at Chargers (Saturday, Dec. 27); vs. Colts (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Texans are 13-4 in AFC South games since the start of the 2023 season and have won four consecutive games against the Colts.

–AFC, next in line
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-7): Enormous Chargers fans this week, the Colts wound be eliminated if Houston beats the Bolts on Saturday.
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8): Unable to catch Houston, the Ravens are rooting against the Steelers at Cleveland. A Pittsburgh win eliminates Baltimore from the postseason.

–NFC Playoff Picture
1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; First place, AFC West
Up Next: at Carolina Panthers (Dec. 28); at 49ers (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: Alarmed by finishing the season with consecutive road games? Seattle is 13-2 in away games since 2024.

2. Chicago Bears (11-4)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; First place, NFC North
Up Next: at 49ers (Dec. 28); vs. Detroit Lions (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Bears are 9-1 outside the NFC North and 2-3 in division games this season.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
Status: Clinched NFC East, playoff spot
Up Next: at Bills (Dec. 28); vs. Washington Commanders (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: Philadelphia can move up to No. 2 if the Seahawks and Bears lose their final two games.

4. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
Status: First place, NFC South
Up Next: vs. Seahawks (Dec. 28); at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Panthers and Rams are both 6-4 against conference opponents, tied for the worst among the NFC’s current playoff seeds.

5. San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; Second place, NFC West
Up Next: vs. Bears (Sunday, Dec. 28); vs. Seahawks (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: Jumped the Rams in the NFC West and conference standings with a shot at a first-round bye with wins the next two weeks.

6. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; Third place, NFC West
Up Next: at Atlanta Falcons (Monday, Dec. 29); vs. Arizona Cardinals (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Rams play the primetime Week 17 finale on Monday night and are 0-2 in non-Sunday games this season.

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
Status: Second place, NFC North
Up Next: vs. Ravens (Saturday, Dec. 27); vs. Minnesota Vikings (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: If Minnesota beats Detroit on Christmas Day, the Packers clinch a wild-card spot. They can still get in the postseason field without winning either of their final two games.

–NFC, next in line
8. Detroit Lions (8-7): All of a sudden closer to fourth place in the NFC North than the playoffs after their loss to the Steelers.
9. Minnesota Vikings (7-8): Beating the Lions and Packers to end the season is not likely to be enough to push the Vikings into the playoffs.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8): No margin for error as the Bucs pull for a Panthers loss, then host Carolina in the Week 18 finale.

–Field Level Media

NFL Playoff Picture: NFC nearly set, Jaguars join race for No. 1 in AFC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With two weeks remaining in the regular season, the NFC playoff field is nearly set. Drama has intensified in the AFC, where the Jacksonville Jaguars are in the race for the No. 1 seed and first-round bye after an attention-grabbing win at Denver on Sunday.

Week 16 wraps Monday night at Indianapolis, where the Colts’ desperation is palpable and the 49ers have all the motivation they need to bump their record to 11-4. That dangling carrot is the NFC’s top seed, which is attainable for San Francisco with the Chicago Bears (11-4) and Seattle Seahawks (12-3) left to play in the final two weeks.

The Seahawks, Bears, Eagles, Rams and 49ers all have tickets to the NFC postseason party but the pecking order can stack multiple ways depending on outcomes over the next two weeks. Undecided are the NFC South entry — Tampa Bay dropped a stride behind the Panthers with a 23-20 loss at Carolina on Sunday — and the final wild-card spot.

The wild-card spot is still Green Bay’s to lose. But it’s complicated for the Packers, who have two hurting quarterbacks and a game with the Baltimore Ravens (7-8) to prepare for this week.

The Panthers (8-7) and Bucs (7-8) are set for one of the few possible win-and-in scenarios in Week 18. It will be a de facto division title game at Tampa unless the Dolphins trip up Baker Mayfield and the Bucs this week. Tampa is trending in the wrong direction with a 1-6 record since a Week 9 bye.

Here is the full playoff picture by conference as it stands Monday before the 49ers and Colts face off on “Monday Night Football.”

–AFC Playoff Picture
1. Denver Broncos (12-3)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; First place, AFC West
Up Next: at Kansas City Chiefs (Thursday, Dec. 25); vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Chargers won the first matchup, 23-20, in Week 3. Should Denver lose and finish with the same record as the Chargers, the Broncos could go from the No. 1 seed in the AFC to traveling to the No. 4 seed — currently the Pittsburgh Steelers — in the wild-card playoffs.

2. New England Patriots (12-3)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; First place, AFC East
Up Next: at New York Jets (Dec. 28); vs. Miami Dolphins (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: Finishing with two more wins and a 14-3 record would not assure the Patriots the No. 1 seed, but it would guarantee they can fall no lower than No. 2 in the conference.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4)
Status: First place, AFC South
Up Next: at Indianapolis Colts (Dec. 28); vs. Tennessee Titans (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Houston Texans, who split two games with Jacksonville, can still win the AFC South.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6)
Status: First place, AFC North
Up Next: at Cleveland Browns (Dec. 28); vs. Baltimore Ravens (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: A statement win at Detroit gives the Steelers a chance to clinch the division at Cleveland on Sunday, but hold the noisemakers and confetti. Pittsburgh lost at Cleveland last season (24-19), in 2023 (13-10) and 2022 (29-17), last beating the Browns on the road on Halloween 2021.

5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
Status: Second place, AFC West
Up Next: vs. Houston Texans (Saturday, Dec. 27); at Denver Broncos (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: With seven wins in the past eight games, the Chargers are not yet assured a playoff spot but could still land any of the AFC’s seven seed positions.

6. Buffalo Bills (11-4)
Status: Second place, AFC East
Up Next: vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Dec. 28); vs. New York Jets (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Bills are 28-4 at home over the past four seasons.

7. Houston Texans (10-5)
Status: Second place, AFC South
Up Next: at Los Angeles Chargers (Saturday, Dec. 27); vs. Indianapolis Colts (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Texans are 13-4 in AFC South games since the start of the 2023 season and have won four consecutive games against the Colts.

–AFC, next in line
8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6): Hope leaves the building if the Colts lose to the 49ers on Monday night.
9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8): Unable to catch Houston, the Ravens are rooting against the Steelers at Cleveland. A Pittsburgh win eliminates Baltimore from the postseason.

–NFC Playoff Picture
1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; First place, AFC West
Up Next: at Carolina Panthers (Dec. 28); at San Francisco 49ers (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: Alarmed by finishing the season with consecutive road games? Seattle is 13-2 in away games since 2024.

2. Chicago Bears (11-4)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; First place, NFC North
Up Next: at San Francisco 49ers (Dec. 28); vs. Detroit Lions (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Bears are 9-1 outside the NFC North and 2-3 in division games this season.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
Status: Clinched NFC East, playoff spot
Up Next: at Buffalo Bills (Dec. 28); vs. Washington Commanders (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: Philadelphia can move up to No. 2 if the Seahawks and Bears lose their final two games.

4. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
Status: First place, NFC South
Up Next: vs. Seattle Seahawks (Dec. 28); at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Panthers and Rams are both 6-4 against conference opponents, tied for the worst among the NFC’s current playoff seeds.

5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; Second place, NFC West
Up Next: at Atlanta Falcons (Monday, Dec. 29); vs. Arizona Cardinals (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: The Rams play the primetime Week 17 finale on Monday night and are 0-2 in non-Sunday games this season.

6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
Status: Clinched playoff spot; Third place, NFC West
Up Next: Monday at Indianapolis Colts; vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday, Dec. 28); vs. Seattle Seahawks (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: Ready for primetime? We’re about to find out. The 49ers play Monday night, face the Bears on “Sunday Night Football” and could be flexed into a third spotlight game — to be determined — to close the season against Seattle.

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
Status: Second place, NFC North
Up Next: vs. Baltimore Ravens (Saturday, Dec. 27); vs. Minnesota Vikings (Jan. 4)
Noteworthy: If Minnesota beats Detroit on Christmas Day, the Packers clinch a wild-card spot. They can still get in the postseason field without winning either of their final two games.

–NFC, next in line
8. Detroit Lions (8-7): All of a sudden closer to fourth place in the NFC North than the playoffs after their loss to the Steelers.
9. Minnesota Vikings (7-8): Beating the Lions and Packers to end the season is not likely to be enough to push the Vikings into the playoffs.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8): No margin for error as the Bucs pull for a Panthers loss, then host Carolina in the Week 18 finale.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) rushes for a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Top 10 Player Props For NFL Week 17

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With NFL games on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday this week, Week 17’s Sunday slate only features nine games. With several games like Raiders vs. Saints where both teams are bad, putting money on the traditional betting line is challenging. But it is a great week for NFL player props.

The following are our top 10 player prop picks for Sunday’s NFL games. (Odds are from FanDuel unless otherwise indicated.)

Jets vs. Bills

–Breece Hall, O/U 49.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

Hall has gone over this number in six of his last seven games. With rain in the forecast for Buffalo on Sunday, there is a good chance the Jets will focus more on the run. Plus, the more they run, the longer they can keep Josh Allen on the sideline.

Hall ran for a season-high 113 yards on the Bills earlier this year. The Bills have been an average run defense this season, which makes me think Hall will easily surpass 49.5 yards.

Take the OVER.

–James Cook, O/U 77.5 Rushing + Receiving Yards at -114/-114

The Bills have leaned into the run the last couple of weeks, with Cook going for 100-plus in two straight games and three of four. With inclement conditions expected, it would be surprising if they didn’t hand off to Cook early and often this week as well.

He could go over the total just running the ball. But in case he doesn’t break off a long run like he did the last two weeks, he’ll make up the difference with a couple of screen passes.

Take the OVER.

Falcons vs. Commanders

–Bijan Robinson, O/U 83.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113
–Robinson, O/U 18.5 Rushing Attempts at -132/+102

The best thing Atlanta can do to help Michael Penix Jr. is establish the run, which the Falcons should do anyway with a running back like Robinson. He’s gone for 86 or more yards in six of his last seven games (four in a row). He carried the ball 19-plus times in each of them; in the outlier, he only had 12 carries.

Atlanta will make sure Robinson eats against Washington’s lackluster run defense (29th in the NFL).

Take the OVER on both.

–Michael Penix Jr., O/U 207.5 Passing Yards at -114/-114
–Penix, O/U 29.5 Pass Attempts

The Falcons will try to protect their rookie this week, much like they did last week vs. the Giants. Establishing the run will be the focus of the offense, with enough passing to keep the Commanders’ defense (which happens to be one of the best pass defenses in the league) honest.

Penix had 27 pass attempts last week. Teams have been attempting 28.5 per game on the Commanders this season and 32.3 in the last three. If Cousins was still at QB, I’d expect Atlanta to be closer to 32 attempts than 28 — but not Penix.

They’ll play it safe with Penix again. Take the UNDER for both.

Dolphins vs. Browns

–Tyreek Hill, O/U 49.5 Receiving Yards at -114/-114

It hasn’t been the kind of year we’ve come to expect from Hill, but with all the injury issues Miami has dealt with, it’s not surprising. He’s averaging 55.6 yards per game this season and has exceeded 49.5 yards in three of his last six games.

But the Dolphins are still alive for the playoffs and are facing a Browns defense giving up 157.7 yards per game to wide receivers this season. Other pass-happy teams like the Broncos (Week 13) and Bengals (Week 16) saw their wide receivers combine for 200-plus.

Take the OVER.

Giants vs. Colts

–Jonathan Taylor, O/U 102.5 Rushing Yards at -115/-115 (via DraftKings)
–Taylor O/U 22.5 Rushing Attempts at -110/-110 (via DraftKings)

Taylor carried the ball 29 times for 218 yards last week vs. Tennessee, but 135 yards came on two carries. Expecting similar numbers would be unrealistic.

But as long as the Colts decide to abuse the Giants’ 31st-ranked run defense rather than (try to) establish the pass, good things will happen.

Taylor has had at least 21 attempts each time the Colts have won while he was healthy this season. As bad as the Giants’ run defense is, it makes sense to feed Taylor the ball 25 times.

Take the OVER for both.

Cowboys vs. Eagles

–Saquon Barkley, O/U 111.5 Rushing Yards at -113/-113

With Jalen Hurts out this week, the Eagles will likely focus on establishing the run with Barkley to take pressure off Kenny Pickett. It didn’t result in a win last week against the Commanders, but Washington is a better team than the Cowboys this year.

Dallas has held teams to an average of 89.3 yards over their last three games. But the Eagles are playing at home and have a chance to lock up the division with a win. With Barkley and the defense leading the way, they’ll get the job done.

Take the OVER.

–Field Level Media

Nov 17, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) celebrates his touchdown scored against the against the Cincinnati Bengals with quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Week 17 NFL Capsules

Posted on | by Field Level Media

–Saturday
Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) at New England Patriots (3-12), 1 p.m. ET, NFL Network
No. 1 in the NFL in scoring defense at 18.3 points per game, the Chargers have yet to give up more than 20 points in a road game this season. That’s been accomplished only by five teams in league history, most recently the 2010 Chicago Bears and 2001 Philadelphia Eagles. Turnovers have been a challenge for New England. The Patriots have lost five straight games while breaking in rookie quarterback Drake Maye (14 touchdowns, 10 interceptions). Maye has thrown a touchdown pass in seven straight games to tie Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest streak by a rookie in franchise history. He has completed 67.6 percent of his passes, just behind the rookie record set by Dak Prescott (67.8) of the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. He also has a pick in seven consecutive games. Chargers QB Justin Herbert has only three interceptions — 18 touchdowns — this season, but two of them came in the past two games. New England is 12-2 all-time as the home team in this matchup.

Denver Broncos (9-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (7-8), 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Everything is at stake for the Broncos as the finish line to a surprising season approaches. Denver lost the inside track to the wild-card berth to the Chargers last week. But the franchise can still land a playoff berth and 10-win season for the first time since 2015, when Peyton Manning piloted the Super Bowl 50 champions. Denver leads the NFL with 51 sacks and rookie QB Bo Nix has six games with two or more TD passes and no interceptions this season. That’s an impressive feat but Bengals QB Joe Burrow is setting the bar far higher. He leads the NFL with 4,229 passing yards and 39 touchdown passes. He’s the fourth player with 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes in three of his first five seasons (Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino). Burrow’s consistency is to be commended. He’s the first player ever to record 250 passing yards and three touchdown passes in seven consecutive games, a streak he can stretch to eight on Saturday. WR Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL with 108 receptions for 1,510 yards and 16 touchdowns, giving him 45 in his career. Only Randy Moss (53) and Jerry Rice (49) had more in their first four NFL seasons.

Arizona Cardinals (7-8) at Los Angeles Rams (9-6), 8 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Beat the Cardinals and the Rams can celebrate a sixth season with double-digit wins under Sean McVay. But to reach the playoffs for the fourth time in the past five seasons, Los Angeles has to wait for Week 18 and a matchup with the Seahawks. The Rams are cooking defensively, a credit to the production of their young front seven. WR Puka Nacua leads the NFL with 57 receptions since Week 10, with five-plus receptions and 50-plus receiving yards in each of his seven games during the span. The Cardinals lost in OT at Carolina last week to take themselves out of the mix for the postseason. It was Arizona’s third loss in a row on the road, and the Rams beat the Cardinals 26-9 in Los Angeles last season. The Rams have won eight of 10 games since their bye week, when they were 1-4. Kyren Williams has provided support for quarterback Matthew Stafford during the Rams’ 4-0 run in December. Williams, a Pro Bowl selection last season, has a career-high 1,243 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on 303 carries following his 122-yard game against the Jets last week.

–Sunday
New York Jets (4-11) at Buffalo Bills (12-3), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bills are hoping to get wide receiver Amari Cooper going. Acquired from the Cleveland Browns in October, Cooper has 17 receptions for 241 yards and one touchdown in seven games with Buffalo. He had just one catch for 10 yards last week against the Patriots. Buffalo needs a win to finish 8-0 at home — the Chiefs are also undefeated at home — for the third time in franchise history (1988, 1990). Bills QB Josh Allen has 75 career regular-season wins, tied with Russell Wilson for the most regular-season wins by a quarterback in his first seven seasons in NFL history. There are big numbers on the line for the Jets, but none of them relate to the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers has 499 regular-season TD passes. He’s one away from joining the 500 Club of Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508). Manning (244 games) is the only player to reach 500 in fewer than 250 career games; Rodgers is playing No. 247 on Sunday. The Jets are 1-5 over their past six games and lost the first matchup between these teams 23-20 in Week 6.

Carolina Panthers (4-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Carolina put up 36 points and took down the Cardinals last week. The Panthers are playing inspired ball and would be thrilled to continue in the spoiler role by bumping Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers out of the top spot in the NFC South. Mayfield, who started for Carolina to open the 2022 season, found his Pro Bowl form under current Panthers coach Dave Canales, Tampa’s offensive coordinator last season. Mayfield has five games with at least 300 passing yards and multiple TD passes this season. That’s the bar Panthers QB Bryce Young aspires to, but he’s content letting RB Chuba Hubbard carry the offense when necessary. Hubbard has career highs in yards from scrimmage (1,366), rushing yards (1,195) and rushing TDs (10) in 2024. The Buccaneers are trying to bounce back from a costly loss at Dallas. Down two late in the fourth quarter, Buccaneers RB Rachaad White lost a fumble that ended the potential game-winning drive. Mayfield is adamant he wants WR Mike Evans to get to 1,000 yards for the 11th consecutive season. Evans needs 182 yards and has owned Carolina with an average of 140.5 yards in his past four home games against the Panthers.

Dallas Cowboys (7-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (12-3), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
RB Saquon Barkley could carry the load this week with QB concerns for the Eagles. Jalen Hurts (concussion) and Kenny Pickett (ribs) were both hurt in the 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday. That’s only part of what’s different since Dallas was whipped 34-6 by the Eagles on Nov. 10. Even with the Cowboys working their way back toward .500, Dallas subtracted another peak playmaker in WR CeeDee Lamb. Second in the NFL with 101 receptions, Lamb is on the shelf for the rest of the season right alongside QB Dak Prescott. The Eagles are primed to lean on their constant threat in Barkley, who leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,114) and rushing (1,838). With Lamb out, life becomes more difficult for QB Cooper Rush at the controls of the Cowboys’ offense. Rush has guided Dallas to wins in four of the last five games, throwing nine touchdown passes and just one interception. The Eagles’ defense had five takeaways at Washington last week but has a minus-10 turnover margin (28 turnovers, 18 takeaways) while the Cowboys are tied for fifth in the NFL at plus-10 (26 takeaways, 16 turnovers).

Indianapolis Colts (7-8) at New York Giants (2-13), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Indianapolis is mathematically alive in the playoff hunt but trails the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos by two games with two contests left. The Chargers and Broncos both have games on Saturday. If both nine-win clubs win, the Colts will be eliminated and miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Colts QB Anthony Richardson might be held out if there’s no spoils on the line for Indy, as he’s battling foot and back injuries. A heavier workload suits Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 218 yards and three scores on 29 carries during last weekend’s 38-30 home win over the Tennessee Titans. New York is in danger of losing an 11th consecutive game behind an offense putting up only 14.3 points per game this season. The Giants are starting Drew Lock at quarterback for the fourth time in the past five games. Lock underwent an MRI on his passing shoulder Monday but no damage was found. He hurt it during Sunday’s 34-7 road loss against the Atlanta Falcons. Lock is 0-3 as a starter this season and has completed just 52.7 percent of his passes. He has one touchdown and four interceptions in 129 attempts.

Tennessee Titans (3-12) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
For the second time in 21 days, the Titans and Jaguars square off with a spot in the AFC South cellar — and near the top of the NFL draft order — hanging in the balance. It could be argued that the loser will come out ahead in the long run. After all, that team would enhance its chances to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Mason Rudolph, who threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday’s 38-30 loss at Indianapolis, gets the start over Will Levis for the Titans this week. Rudolph also threw three interceptions, adding to the team’s NFL-high total of 32 turnovers. The Titans’ offensive line has permitted 47 sacks this season — 40 with Levis at the helm. Levis also has thrown 12 interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Rudolph has thrown eight picks and lost a fumble. When the teams met on Dec. 8 in Nashville, Jacksonville notched a 10-6 win, holding Tennessee to 272 total yards and limiting Levis to 168 yards passing. It’s the Jaguars’ only road win of the season. Jacksonville is coming off a 19-14 loss last week in Las Vegas, another three-win team. The defeat moved Jacksonville up to the projected No. 3 overall pick, one spot ahead of the Titans. The Jaguars could be without as many as six usual starters on offense this week.

Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) at New Orleans Saints (5-10), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Las Vegas hired Antonio Pierce as head coach after the team had an encouraging 5-4 record during his stint as interim head coach last season. Still, the disappointing 2024 season leaves Pierce’s future in question. New Orleans is 3-3 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who was promoted when Dennis Allen was fired after a seven-game losing streak this season. The Raiders are expected to start second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has shared that role with Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder. Rizzi earned victories in his first two games in charge and three of the first four, but the team had by far its worst performance under him in a 34-0 road loss to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is in his second season in New Orleans, is trying to return from an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand. Rookie fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler, who is 0-4 as a starter and played poorly against the Packers, is more likely to start Sunday. Las Vegas ended a 10-game losing streak by beating the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14 last week.

Miami Dolphins (7-8) at Cleveland Browns (3-12), 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
Saturday’s NFL slate could determine whether the Dolphins are playing for more than pride. Miami hopes to have a chance at the playoffs, while the only thing Cleveland can do is find a rare winning feeling in a disappointing season. Expected to contend for a second straight playoff berth, the Browns instead have an outside chance to earn the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. A third starting quarterback of the year, second-year pro Dorian Thompson-Robinson, gets the call with Jameis Winston (shoulder) ailing and Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out for the season. In a 24-6 road loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last week, Thompson-Robinson finished 20 of 34 for 157 yards while tossing two interceptions and absorbing five sacks. Thompson-Robinson, who was limited in practice on Thursday because of a quad issue, wants to do a better job avoiding those outcomes. The Dolphins’ defense could help in that matter as they entered the weekend 26th in sacks (31) and tied for 22nd in interceptions (eight). Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he won’t rest players even if the Chargers and Broncos push Miami out of the playoffs on Saturday.

Green Bay (11-4) at Minnesota Vikings (13-2), 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
There is still a lot on the line for the Vikings and Packers, who are behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North but competing for playoff position. Free agent signee Sam Darnold is the first quarterback to win 13-plus games in his first season with a team since Dak Prescott with the Cowboys in 2016 and first non-rookie since Peyton Manning with the Broncos in 2012. He’s had immense production from former Packers RB Aaron Jones and All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson (92 receptions for 1,387 yards, 10 TDs). Head coach Kevin O’Connell has 13 wins in two of his first three years with the Vikings — only current Packers coach Matt LaFleur and former 49ers coach George Seifert have done that. Green Bay also has a playoff spot clinched for the fifth time in six seasons under LaFleur. Powered by Jones’ replacement Josh Jacobs (career-high 13 rushing TDs) and QB Jordan Love, the Packers fell short of a furious comeback in the Week 4 meeting. Love had 389 yards and four TDs but was intercepted three times. He also had four total TDs in last season’s win at Minnesota on New Year’s Eve.

Atlanta Falcons (8-7) at Washington Commanders (10-5), 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
A matchup of top-10 draft picks headlines the “Sunday Night Football” showdown in Week 17. With only one career start under his belt, Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, attempts to boost Atlanta’s playoff chances against Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick. The Commanders are hunting their first playoff berth since 2020. Washington could have a playoff spot wrapped up if the Panthers beat the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. If Tampa Bay wins, Washington can clinch with a win over Atlanta. Atlanta is searching for its third straight victory while Washington has won three in a row and could get to 11 wins for the first time since 1991. Penix won his debut start at home last week, completing 18 of 27 passes (66.7 percent) for 202 yards with an interception and led the Falcons to four scoring drives in a 34-7 home win against the Giants. Daniels is coming off a five-touchdown performance, including the game-winner with six seconds remaining, to lead Washington to an upset win over the visiting Eagles. He passed for 258 yards and ran for 81. Daniels has rushed for a team-high 737 yards along with six touchdowns. Washington entered Week 17 third in rushing (152.7 yards per game) and 16th in passing (220.9 yards per game).

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Falcons-Commanders flexed to SNF, Week 17 Saturday tripleheader set

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Week 17 game featuring rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders against the visiting Atlanta Falcons has been flexed by the NFL to “Sunday Night Football.”

The Commanders (9-5) have won two games in a row and are close to clinching the first playoff appearance in franchise history since the Washington Football Team lost in the wild-card round in 2020.

The Falcons (7-7) trail the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6) by one game for the division lead.

That game, which will be broadcast on NBC, replaces the previously scheduled contest between the visiting Miami Dolphins (6-8) and Cleveland Browns (3-11). The Dolphins and Browns will now play at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday on CBS.

Also on Tuesday, the NFL announced the schedule for the Week 17 games to be contested on Saturday, Dec. 28.

The Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) will kick off the festivities with a visit the New England Patriots (3-11) at 1 p.m. ET in Foxborough, Mass.

The Denver Broncos (9-5) will visit the Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) at 4:30 p.m. ET, and the Arizona Cardinals (7-7) will challenge the host Los Angeles Rams (8-6) in a key NFC West clash at 8 p.m. ET in Inglewood, Calif.

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks to wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during the 2022 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Week 17 NFL Capsules

Posted on | by Field Level Media

SATURDAY
Detroit Lions (11-4) at Dallas Cowboys (10-5): Cowboys TE Jason Witten’s former backup in Dallas has turned out to be a fine football coach. Dan Campbell and the Lions clinched the NFC North last week by beating the Vikings and draw Minnesota again next week hoping to be in position to capture the lone NFC playoff bye. The Cowboys are alive for the NFC East title and already clinched a playoff spot. But Dallas isn’t feeling great of late with back-to-back losses on the road to the Bills and Dolphins. The Cowboys return home Saturday night where they are 7-0 this season and have scored at least 30 points in all seven. Stops could be hard to come by. Both teams are in the top six in the NFL in total offense and passing.

SUNDAY
Miami Dolphins (11-4) at Baltimore Ravens (12-3): Baltimore would claim the conference’s top seed with a victory in a clash of a Miami offense that leads the NFL in scoring at 30.9 points per game and total offense at 411.5 yards per game against a Ravens defense that allows a league-low 16.3 points per outing. Baltimore’s arrow is pointing up after a Christmas night win over a team many view as the team to beat the NFC, the 49ers. Miami coach Mike McDaniel is a former San Francisco assistant in his second season of running a similar system with the Dolphins. The rout of the 49ers was the Ravens’ seventh victory by 14 or more points this season. Miami beat the Ravens in the past two meetings. Lamar Jackson is back in MVP form. The 2019 MVP has passed for 3,357 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also rushing for 786 yards and five scores this season.

New England Patriots (4-11) at Buffalo Bills (9-6): Speculation about the future of Bill Belichick is rampang as these AFC East rivals square off in New York. Bills head coach Sean McDermott tries to avoid that narrative by steering Buffalo back to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. It’s not yet a cinch. Winners in four of their past five games, the Bills are still very much in the thick of the playoff race but can secure a postseason berth as early as Sunday. The Bills have 14 clinching scenarios, all requiring a win or tie. Buffalo would then need help from at least two other teams in each scenario. But one of New England’s four wins this season was Oct. 22 against the Bills. The Patriots have won two of their past three games following a five-game losing streak.

Atlanta Falcons (7-8) at Chicago Bears (6-9): Falcons owner Arthur Blank offered no guarantees on the job status of coach Arthur Smith this month, stating he wants to see how it plays out, referring to the final games of the regular season. Atlanta needs two wins and a lot of help to sneak into the playoffs and stands No. 9 in playoff seeding — with the top seven teams getting in — entering Week 17. Playoff probability measures the Falcons’ chances to reach the postseason at 10 percent. Smith said you’d have to live in “Perth, Australia” not to be aware of all the postseason chatter. A win over the Colts last week kept the postseason conversation alive. The Bears have won three of the past four games and had the fourth in their grasp at Cleveland, a sign Chicago could be rounding into form at this late juncture. Will it be enough for head coach Matt Eberflus and QB Justin Fields to stay in 2024? Both say they’re focused on beating the Falcons and nothing else.

Tennessee Titans (5-10) at Houston Texans (8-7): Rookie quarterbacks returning to health is the top storyline in the AFC South showdown with Houston holding onto hope for a playoff bid in C.J. Stroud’s debut season. The Texans are in a three-way tie with Jacksonville and Indianapolis in the division but are currently eighth in conference seeding, on the outside looking in at the postseason picture. However, should Houston defeat the Titans and Colts over its final two games, it will secure its first playoff berth since the 2019 campaign. The Titans have been eliminated from postseason contention, but they are anxious to get additional looks at Will Levis, who is 3-5 as a starter and was lost to an ankle injury in a 19-16 overtime loss to the Texans two weeks ago. Levis, who did not play last week in a setback against the Seahawks, has passed for 1,792 yards and eight touchdowns against four interceptions in his eight starts.

Las Vegas Raiders (7-8) at Indianapolis Colts (8-7): Interim head coach Antonio Pierce is assembling an impressive resume tape for the full-time position with the Raiders as they head to Indianapolis with a plan to slow down RB Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has three consecutive 100-plus-yard outings against the Raiders and neither team can afford another loss in a tightly packed field of teams chasing the final playoff spots in the AFC. The Raiders are 4-3 under Pierce and upset the Chiefs on Christmas Day. Colts QB Gardner Minshew is on high alert after Las Vegas scored a pair of defensive touchdowns in each of the past two weeks. The Colts entered the week in the final wild-card spot in the AFC despite tumbling 29-10 last week in Atlanta. WR Michael Pittman (concussion, shoulder) is expected back from a one-game absence.

Carolina Panthers (2-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7): It wasn’t all that long ago that the Jaguars were coming off of a 3-14 season in 2021 and looking for a new head coach. Enter Doug Pederson, with Jacksonville going 9-8 in 2022 to crash the playoffs last January. Jacksonville can inch closer to a repeat appearance, but QB questions have dominated December due to a string of injuries to starter Trevor Lawrence. The Jaguars try to snap a four-game losing streak Sunday and might be breaking in C.J. Beathard in place of Lawrence, who has overcome knee and head injuries to return ahead of schedule and is now fighting a shoulder issue. A Carolina loss would guarantee the Panthers the NFL’s worst record and temporarily the rights to the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft. But that prized selection is headed to Chicago to complete the trade that brought the franchise rookie quarterback Bryce Young in April. Carolina is in full rebuilding mode and with no head coach in place to oversee the U-turn. Carolina knocked off Atlanta two weeks ago and nearly pulled an upset of Green Bay last week before losing 33-30 on a last-minute field goal.

Los Angeles Rams (8-7) at New York Giants (5-10): Don’t look now but few teams can boast a better second half than the Rams, who nearly upset the Baltimore Ravens and have otherwise won five of the past six to shove their way into the playoff picture. That’s not the case for the Giants, who are undergoing another QB change with Tyrod Taylor set to take the starting role from rookie Tommy DeVito. The Rams climbed out of a 3-6 hole and could clinch a playoff spot in Week 17 with a win and a Seattle loss to Pittsburgh. A more indirect route is a Rams win and a tie in the game between the Vikings and Packers. Those scenarios looked unthinkable when the Rams fell 20-3 to the Green Bay Packers in Week 9 when QB Matthew Stafford was out with a thumb injury. A well-placed bye week came next, followed by Stafford’s high-level play starting in a Week 11 victory over the Seahawks. Over the past six games, he has completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 1,578 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Arizona Cardinals (3-12) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-4): The health of Kyler Murray could be a factor after he missed consecutive practices midweek with an illness, but the Cardinals are optimistic he’ll take the field at Philly. It’s a reunion for the team’s head coaches. At this time last season, Jonathan Gannon was the defensive coordinator for a Philadelphia team that was stumbling ahead of a run to the Super Bowl. Gannon returns as Arizona’s head coach to face a team whose current Super Bowl dreams have diminished this month. The Eagles returned to the win column with an up-and-down, 33-25 victory over the Giants on Monday, but didn’t exactly return to Super Bowl form — two turnovers, nine penalties and a shaky finish after grabbing a 20-3 halftime lead. The Eagles did snap a three-game losing streak and moved a game ahead of the Cowboys in the NFC East. They still have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round playoff bye with two more wins and some help.

New Orleans Saints (7-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7): Is there a true contender in the NFC South? The Bucs believe it’s them. Tampa Bay has gotten hot at the right time and has won four games in a row, and it can lock down the top spot in the NFC South with a win. Tampa Bay won its first two games but slid to 4-7 after losing seven of nine before the current winning streak began. The Buccaneers have averaged 28.5 points per game during the winning streak after scoring at least 28 points just once in their first 11 contests. They gained a season-high 452 yards in a Dec. 17 victory at Green Bay and had their fifth-highest total (335 yards) last week against Jacksonville. Tampa Bay holds the tiebreaker against New Orleans and Atlanta, who are tied for second in the division at 7-8. The Buccaneers handed the Saints their most lopsided loss of the season — 26-9 — back in Week 4 in New Orleans.

San Francisco 49ers (11-4) at Washington Commanders (4-11): It might take the entire offseason for the Commanders to figure out what’s next in Washington, which limps into Sunday’s home game with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback amid a six-game losing streak. The playoff-bound 49ers have two games to figure out their direction, including their regular-season finale against the Rams. Wins in both matchups will give San Francisco the top seed in the NFC and a bye into the divisional round of the playoffs. The Niners can also clinch the top seed with a win Sunday, along with a Cowboys win over the Lions on Saturday and a Cardinals win over the Eagles on Sunday. But the 49ers are coming off the kind of jolting, humbling loss at home (33-19 to the Ravens on Monday night), that can leave even a confident team questioning its fitness for the postseason. Brissett has been sharp in relief the last two weeks, completing 18 of 23 passes for 224 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Seattle Seahawks (8-7): The Seahawks are clinging to the final NFC playoff spot as they host a Steelers squad that cannot afford a loss as one of five 8-7 AFC teams fighting to get in. Mason Rudolph will start under center for Pittsburgh after throwing for 290 yards and two scores against Cincinnati last week, his first win as a starter since 2019. Kenny Pickett (ankle) has been out since Dec. 3 but was back on the practice field this week for the Steelers, who follow the trip to the Pacific Northwest with a Week 18 showdown against top-seeded Baltimore. Seattle is coming off consecutive 20-17 wins against the Eagles and Titans, which followed a four-game losing streak. Geno Smith returned after missing two games with a groin injury to throw for 227 yards and two TDs against Tennessee, including the game-winner to Colby Parkinson with 57 seconds remaining.

Los Angeles Chargers (5-10) at Denver Broncos (7-8): No team still alive in the AFC playoff picture has odds as dim as Denver’s entering Week 17. Sean Payton turned to Jarrett Stidham and away from Russell Wilson in a must-win scenario against the Chargers. “We’re desperately trying to win,” Payton said on Wednesday. There’s a lot more to it, most of it tied to guaranteed money on Wilson’s contract, based on multiple insider reports. Wilson hasn’t played poorly this season, but the Broncos have lost three of four after a five-game winning streak shoved Denver into the playoff picture. They enter the week No. 12 in the AFC playoff field that will ultimately include just seven teams. The Chargers already have been eliminated and are in the market for a new braintrust for 2024. Stidham started the final two games for the Raiders last season, replacing Derek Carr, who was released and went on to sign with the Saints in the offseason. In his first start as Carr’s replacement late last season, Stidham had 365 passing yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions in a narrow defeat to the 49ers.

Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-6): With losses in three of their last four games, the Chiefs aim to regain their composure. Kansas City can clinch a playoff berth and its eighth straight AFC West title with either a win or tie Sunday. The Chiefs also can punch both tickets with a Las Vegas loss or tie against Indianapolis and a Denver loss or tie against the Chargers. Kansas City didn’t do itself any favors with Monday’s 20-14 setback to the Raiders. Patrick Mahomes threw for 235 yards and a touchdown. However, his interception was returned 33 yards for a touchdown by Jack Jones to stake Las Vegas to a 17-7 lead in the second quarter. Frustration was evident as star tight end Travis Kelce threw his helmet on the sideline. Mahomes insists the emotion shows commitment, not controversy. Mahomes has matched his five touchdowns with five interceptions in his last four games. The status of WR Ja’Marr Chase looms large for Cincinnati. Chase sat out last week’s 34-11 setback to the Steelers. That snapped a three-game winning streak for the Bengals, who reside in 10th place in the AFC as one of five 8-7 teams in the conference.

Green Bay Packers (7-8) at Minnesota Vikings (7-8): Longtime division rivals look to remain in the playoff chase Sunday night in a wildcard elimination game of sorts. The Vikings would boost their playoff chances to 49 percent with a win this weekend, according to playoff probability metrics. A loss? The playoff chances for the Vikings plummet to 4 percent. They’ll enter with another QB change (rookie Jaren Hall will start) as the Packers try to resolve a wobbly defense on the fly. Green Bay’s playoff chances are 55 percent with a win — but only 1 percent with a loss. Packers quarterback Jordan Love said players are embracing the stakes of the primetime clash. “We all know what’s in front of us, and we know what we’re capable of,” Love said. “We’re just going to go finish this thing off.” The Packers are coming off a 33-30 road win against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16 courtesy of a last-second field goal. Love threw for two touchdowns and ran for another one in the victory, and Aaron Jones rushed for 127 yards.

–Field Level Media

Dec 25, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to throw a pass against the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Catch a New Year’s Parlay: Dolphins, Niners and Rams in Week 17

Posted on | by Field Level Media

We hit our headliner with the Lions in Week 16 but dropped our Cowboys bet when the Dallas defense gave up a last-second field goal to the Miami Dolphins.

This week, we dare to fade the new MVP favorite and sprinkle in some California flavor for a tasty three-leg parlay.

See how this primary parlay wager developed, along with a bonus play and a player prop below.

THE HEADLINER

San Francisco 49ers at Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. ET, 49ers -11

Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET, Rams -6

Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens, 4:25 p.m. ET, Ravens -3.5

(DraftKings)

Big, big win by the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas night. No doubt about it.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson leapfrogged erstwhile MVP favorite Brock Purdy and is atop the leaderboard for the spotlight NFL award.

Jackson must first deal with a form of Kryptonite: His team is a home favorite.

According to Action Network data, Jackson is 14-23 against the spread as a home favorite. Over the past 20 years, he ranks 211th out of 217 quarterbacks against the spread as home favorite.

The Ravens are at home — and favored — against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Baltimore’s tough-guy linebacker Patrick Queen offered the Dolphins a bit of motivation this week, saying Miami’s offense uses “pretty stuff … gimmick stuff” and talking about the Ravens’ mindset “to come out and just hit people in the mouth.”

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel won’t have any trouble convincing his team to play hard.

“There’s always going to be something that you have to prove,” McDaniel said Wednesday. “A great thing about this profession … is you get an opportunity to define yourself every single game.”

We’ll boost the number to +10.5 and take Miami. To ensure decent value, we’ll add two legs and adjust those spreads, too.

First, the 49ers are in a “get right” game on the East Coast against the spiraling Washington Commanders. If we move the number from 11 down to “even,” we create a nice cushion.

San Francisco can’t coast just yet if it hopes to secure the top NFC seed and a first-round playoff bye.

To make this a plus-money parlay, we need the Rams.

LA is on the road as six-point favorites against the Giants. We secured a seat on the LA bandwagon weeks ago as the Rams secured better health and a great shot at the playoffs.

It’s Tyrod Taylor – not Tommy DeVito – at quarterback for New York but he’s not going to lift the Giants against LA, which certainly needs to win. And that’s the LA leg: the Rams to win the game (no point spread to cover).

The bet: Adjusted-line, three-team parlay.

Dolphins +10.5
49ers moneyline
Rams moneyline
(+102 at DraftKings.)

THEY SAID IT

“I believe we play better under pressure. I don’t think anybody plays like us. We just need to keep playing that way and keep playing the Raven way.”

— Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

BONUS PLAY

Patriots at Bills, 1 p.m. ET

The line: Bills -13.5 (FanDuel).

Buffalo survived its lookahead game against the Los Angeles Chargers last week in a forgivable performance in the wake of the Bills’ pasting of the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15.

But the defense is still addled by injury and ineffectiveness. The offense remains a revival in progress with the Josh Allen-Stefon Diggs combo the most troublesome for Buffalo fans.

Diggs, undeniably a top pass-catching talent in the league, has failed to reach 50 yards receiving in five of the past six games.

The sputtering nature of the Bills offense now requires Allen – and running back James Cook – to contribute strongly on the ground.

The Patriots defense has not been the problem in New England this season and ranks among the top 10 in yards per drive allowed in 2023.

QB Bailey Zappe and the Pats’ offense found a couple of things that worked last week and could do just enough to rack up 14 or more points.

This betting number appears too big for a game in which the pressure lies squarely on the Bills.

The play: Patriots +13.5 (FanDuel).

PROP CORNER

This Rams road game at New York is a business trip, and the company leaders are primed to return a nice payout if you invest in their performance.

Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford provides the calm confidence needed in a game that carries some urgency.

The benefactors will be running back Kyren Williams and veteran receiver Cooper Kupp, who watched teammate Puka Nacua have a huge day last week.

It’s Kupp’s turn to show he still has the tools of a top target for Stafford.

Prop play: Three-leg adjusted parlay.

K. Williams 70+ rushing yards
C. Kupp 4+ receptions
C. Kupp 50+ receiving yards.
(-107 at FanDuel)

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) looks to pass the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Bears, Justin Fields fighting to finish fledgling Falcons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Offseason narratives began weeks ago surrounding the Chicago Bears and where quarterback Justin Fields might fit in 2024.

One speculative destination in the Fields rumor mill is Atlanta, where the 2021 first-round pick could be viewed as the answer to ongoing quarterback concerns and a possible franchise reset.

The Falcons will have a chance to get a close look at Fields on Sunday when they face host Chicago.

“I’ve got too much to focus on today to worry about tomorrow,” Fields said Wednesday of the lively discussions about where he’ll play next season. “Shoot, I don’t know. You all don’t know. Nobody knows. Whatever happens, happens. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

Falcons owner Arthur Blank offered no guarantees on the job status of coach Arthur Smith this month, stating he wants to see how it plays out, referring to the final games of the regular season. Atlanta (7-8) needs two wins and a lot of help to sneak into the playoffs and stands No. 9 in playoff seeding — with the top seven teams getting into the playoffs — entering Week 17.

Playoff probability measures the Falcons’ chances to reach the postseason at 10 percent. Smith said you’d have to live in “Perth, Australia” not to be aware of all the postseason chatter.

“The reality is, you start to get caught up, it’s just a waste of time. For players and coaches, nothing matters but Chicago. If we don’t play well in Chicago, nothing else matters,” Smith said Wednesday.

Atlanta quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) and four of his starting offensive linemen — Jake Matthews (knee), Kaleb McGary (knee), Drew Dalman (ankle) and Chris Lindstrom (ankle) — were limited during Wednesday’s practice. Heinicke said he would be ready to roll Sunday as the Falcons try to carry over the momentum of beating the Indianapolis Colts on Christmas Eve.

Smith endorsed Heinicke’s return to the starting lineup over Desmond Ridder last week due to Ridder’s chronic turnover issues. Atlanta has 21 giveaways in 15 games, four fewer than Chicago (25).

But the Bears (6-9) have won three of their past four games and had numerous chances to pull out a victory in the lone defeat (20-17 at Cleveland).

Like Smith, Chicago counterpart Matt Eberflus understands there are no guarantees for NFL head coaches if they aren’t producing wins. In that way, Eberflus said he relates to Fields’ approach of being concerned solely with focusing on the here and now.

The Bears have less than a one percent chance to make the playoffs, needing a Rubik’s Cube number of turns in their favor to keep going after the Week 18 finale with the Green Bay Packers.

“You’re always going to get that,” Eberflus said of rumors and suggestions about replacing starting quarterbacks and head coaches. “So you got to keep your eyes forward and your feet where they are. That’s the most important thing. You got to focus on the here and now and improving every single day.

“When you do that, you’re going to get better, and you’re going to be able to stay locked in on your job.”

Bears guard Teven Jenkins cleared concussion protocol and returned to practice Wednesday. Tight end Cole Kmet (knee) and wide receiver Darnell Mooney (concussion) didn’t practice.

Chicago might not be worried about playoff travel plans, but the clock will begin ticking on general manager Ryan Poles and Eberflus the moment Week 18 games go final. The Bears are one Carolina Panthers loss away from securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

As per annual tradition, the top prospects include multiple quarterbacks, and Poles said in an on-the-record interview last spring that he wanted this pick as a security measure in case the Bears weren’t fully convinced Fields was the franchise’s answer at the position.

That’s because part of the decision to stick with Fields likely means an all-in type of pay raise with 2024 completing his rookie base contract.

For now, Fields isn’t concerned with the variables.

“I’m focused on Sunday and playing this Atlanta team,” Fields said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandon Powell (19) reacts with defensive end Mike Hoecht (96) against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

NFL moves kickoff times for two Week 17 games

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL on Monday announced time changes for two games in Week 17.

The league flip-flopped the Los Angeles Rams-Baltimore and Carolina-New Orleans games, moving Rams-Ravens to 1 p.m. ET while making Panthers-Saints the 4:25 p.m. ET contest. Both games will remain on FOX.

Both games have playoff implications, with the Ravens (8-7) and Rams (11-4) both fighting to win their respective divisions. The Saints are trying to fight their way into the playoff picture while the Panthers have been eliminated.

The Saints (7-7) play the Miami Dolphins on Monday night in the finale of Week 16.

–Field Level Media