Week 17 will decide most division titles and several playoff berths — bettors should favor Packers on the road (Green Bay moneyline), back the Jaguars to clinch in Indy, and consider laying short points on favorites like Buffalo and Denver; watch injury reports and the upset-capable Panthers (7-point home dogs) before locking parlays.
Week 17 Playoff Picture: Crunch Time Across the NFL
This weekend’s slate will likely determine seven divisional winners and finalize most playoff berths. With the Eagles already clinched in the NFC East and the Packers locked into the postseason, several clubs enter do-or-die matchups that will shape seeding, byes and first-round home-field advantages.
Teams on the Brink
Baltimore Ravens
A loss of momentum and injuries have the Ravens teetering. Lamar Jackson remains doubtful after a back issue, which would thrust Tyler Huntley into the starting role at Green Bay. Baltimore needs a win plus help from the Steelers-Browns game to survive; anything less likely ends their season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs have lost three straight and now face Miami. A defeat combined with a Panthers victory would eliminate Tampa Bay and set up a winner-take-all rematch with Carolina next week.
Indianapolis Colts
After an 8-2 start, the Colts have dropped five straight. Facing Jacksonville at home, Indy needs a turnaround to keep faint AFC hopes alive — but sweeping the Jaguars looks unlikely given current form.
Divisional Races to Decide
NFC North and NFC West
The Bears (11-4) and 49ers (11-4) headline a pivotal Sunday night clash; a Bears win could clinch the division or at least lock up the postseason. The NFC West remains tight with Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco all jockeying; Seattle can clinch with the right combination of results.
NFC South
Carolina (8-7) can steal the division with a home win over Seattle and a Tampa Bay loss. The Panthers are 7-point underdogs but have a history of big upsets this season, making them dangerous in front of a home crowd.
AFC Races
The Steelers, Jaguars, Broncos and Patriots all have division outcomes in sight. Pittsburgh plays Cleveland and can clinch the AFC North with a win or with Ravens missteps. Jacksonville can wrap the AFC South in Indianapolis with a season sweep. Denver remains in control of the AFC West chase but still needs other results to lock the crown.
No. 1 Seed and Bye Implications
The NFC and AFC No. 1 seeds — guaranteeing first-round byes — are still unsettled. Denver controls much of the AFC picture but needs a string of losses/ties by rivals to clinch outright. In the NFC, several teams remain mathematically alive; Sunday night’s Bears-49ers result will shape who can realistically chase the top seed next week.
Eagles at Bills: Possible Super Bowl Dress Rehearsal
Philadelphia visits Buffalo in a marquee Sunday matchup. The Eagles, with Saquon Barkley finding traction, will test a Bills defense that struggles versus the run. Philadelphia’s pass rush and Jalen Carter’s return could trouble Josh Allen; this game offers bettors a high-profile matchup to monitor for playoff-style prop bets and matchup-driven lines.
Toilet Bowl: Giants at Raiders
Two 2-13 teams face off with draft positioning and jobs on the line. Neither squad wants to tank outright, and both defenses have been porous, making this a potential shootout despite the stakes for front offices.
Key Games and Viewing Notes
Giants at Raiders — Sunday afternoon Eagles at Bills — Sunday afternoon Bears at 49ers — Sunday night Ravens at Packers — Saturday night Buccaneers at Dolphins — Sunday afternoon Jaguars at Colts — Sunday afternoon Texans at Chargers — Saturday late window
Betting Considerations
Injuries and situational urgency will drive sharp action. Look for: - Packers moneyline value if Lamar Jackson is out and Baltimore remains unsettled at QB. - Jaguars favored to close in Indy given form and sweep potential. - Caution on chalk-heavy parlays: upset-prone teams like the Panthers (7-point dogs) and late-season motivation games (Giants/Raiders) can blow up multi-leg tickets. - Monitor injury reports and late-week line movement before placing large wagers.
Bottom Line
Week 17 is a pressure cooker — clinches, comebacks and draft implications converge. Expect tight games, last-minute playoff drama and a few surprising outcomes that will ripple into the postseason picture and futures markets.
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At one end of the spectrum is Sunday's matchup between the Eagles and Bills. And then there's the Giants-Raiders battle for the No. 1 pick.
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