–Saturday
Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) at New England Patriots (3-12), 1 p.m. ET, NFL Community
No. 1 within the NFL in scoring protection at 18.3 factors per sport, the Chargers have but to surrender greater than 20 factors in a street sport this season. That is been achieved solely by 5 groups in league historical past, most just lately the 2010 Chicago Bears and 2001 Philadelphia Eagles. Turnovers have been a problem for New England. The Patriots have misplaced 5 straight video games whereas breaking in rookie quarterback Drake Maye (14 touchdowns, 10 interceptions). Maye has thrown a landing cross in seven straight video games to tie Jim Plunkett (1971) for the longest streak by a rookie in franchise historical past. He has accomplished 67.6 % of his passes, simply behind the rookie document set by Dak Prescott (67.8) of the Dallas Cowboys in 2016. He additionally has a decide in seven consecutive video games. Chargers QB Justin Herbert has solely three interceptions — 18 touchdowns — this season, however two of them got here prior to now two video games. New England is 12-2 all-time as the house workforce on this matchup.
Denver Broncos (9-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (7-8), 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Community
Every part is at stake for the Broncos because the end line to a stunning season approaches. Denver misplaced the within monitor to the wild-card berth to the Chargers final week. However the franchise can nonetheless land a playoff berth and 10-win season for the primary time since 2015, when Peyton Manning piloted the Tremendous Bowl 50 champions. Denver leads the NFL with 51 sacks and rookie QB Bo Nix has six video games with two or extra TD passes and no interceptions this season. That is a formidable feat however Bengals QB Joe Burrow is setting the bar far increased. He leads the NFL with 4,229 passing yards and 39 landing passes. He is the fourth participant with 4,000 passing yards and 30 landing passes in three of his first 5 seasons (Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Dan Marino). Burrow’s consistency is to be recommended. He is the primary participant ever to document 250 passing yards and three landing passes in seven consecutive video 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 profession. Solely Randy Moss (53) and Jerry Rice (49) had extra of their first 4 NFL seasons.
Arizona Cardinals (7-8) at Los Angeles Rams (9-6), 8 p.m. ET, NFL Community
Beat the Cardinals and the Rams can have fun a sixth season with double-digit wins below Sean McVay. However to achieve the playoffs for the fourth time prior to now 5 seasons, Los Angeles has to attend for Week 18 and a matchup with the Seahawks. The Rams are cooking defensively, a credit score to the manufacturing of their younger entrance seven. WR Puka Nacua leads the NFL with 57 receptions since Week 10, with five-plus receptions and 50-plus receiving yards in every of his seven video games in the course of the span. The Cardinals misplaced in OT at Carolina final week to take themselves out of the combo for the postseason. It was Arizona’s third loss in a row on the street, and the Rams beat the Cardinals 26-9 in Los Angeles final season. The Rams have received eight of 10 video games since their bye week, once they have been 1-4. Kyren Williams has supplied help for quarterback Matthew Stafford in the course of the Rams’ 4-0 run in December. Williams, a Professional Bowl choice final season, has a career-high 1,243 yards and 13 dashing touchdowns on 303 carries following his 122-yard sport towards the Jets final week.
–Sunday
New York Jets (4-11) at Buffalo Payments (12-3), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Payments are hoping to get broad receiver Amari Cooper going. Acquired from the Cleveland Browns in October, Cooper has 17 receptions for 241 yards and one landing in seven video games with Buffalo. He had only one catch for 10 yards final week towards the Patriots. Buffalo wants a win to complete 8-0 at dwelling — the Chiefs are additionally undefeated at dwelling — for the third time in franchise historical past (1988, 1990). Payments QB Josh Allen has 75 profession regular-season wins, tied with Russell Wilson for essentially the most regular-season wins by a quarterback in his first seven seasons in NFL historical past. There are large numbers on the road for the Jets, however none of them relate to the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers has 499 regular-season TD passes. He is one away from becoming a member of the five hundred Membership of Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539) and Brett Favre (508). Manning (244 video games) is the one participant to achieve 500 in fewer than 250 profession video games; Rodgers is taking part in No. 247 on Sunday. The Jets are 1-5 over their previous six video games and misplaced the primary matchup between these groups 23-20 in Week 6.
Carolina Panthers (4-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Carolina put up 36 factors and took down the Cardinals final week. The Panthers are taking part in impressed ball and could be thrilled to proceed within the spoiler function by bumping Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers out of the highest spot within the NFC South. Mayfield, who began for Carolina to open the 2022 season, discovered his Professional Bowl kind below present Panthers coach Dave Canales, Tampa’s offensive coordinator final season. Mayfield has 5 video games with no less than 300 passing yards and a number of TD passes this season. That is the bar Panthers QB Bryce Younger aspires to, however he is content material letting RB Chuba Hubbard carry the offense when needed. Hubbard has profession highs in yards from scrimmage (1,366), dashing yards (1,195) and dashing TDs (10) in 2024. The Buccaneers try to bounce again from a pricey loss at Dallas. Down two late within the fourth quarter, Buccaneers RB Rachaad White misplaced a fumble that ended the potential game-winning drive. Mayfield is adamant he desires WR Mike Evans to get to 1,000 yards for the eleventh consecutive season. Evans wants 182 yards and has owned Carolina with a median of 140.5 yards in his previous 4 dwelling video games towards the Panthers.
Dallas Cowboys (7-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (12-3), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
RB Saquon Barkley may carry the load this week with QB issues for the Eagles. Jalen Hurts (concussion) and Kenny Pickett (ribs) have been each harm within the 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders final Sunday. That is solely a part of what’s totally different since Dallas was whipped 34-6 by the Eagles on Nov. 10. Even with the Cowboys working their manner again towards .500, Dallas subtracted one other peak playmaker in WR CeeDee Lamb. Second within the NFL with 101 receptions, Lamb is on the shelf for the remainder of the season proper alongside QB Dak Prescott. The Eagles are primed to lean on their fixed menace in Barkley, who leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,114) and dashing (1,838). With Lamb out, life turns into tougher for QB Cooper Rush on the controls of the Cowboys’ offense. Rush has guided Dallas to wins in 4 of the final 5 video games, throwing 9 landing passes and only one interception. The Eagles’ protection had 5 takeaways at Washington final week however has a minus-10 turnover margin (28 turnovers, 18 takeaways) whereas the Cowboys are tied for fifth within 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 within the playoff hunt however trails the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos by two video games with two contests left. The Chargers and Broncos each have video games on Saturday. If each nine-win golf equipment win, the Colts might be eradicated and miss the playoffs for the fourth straight season. Colts QB Anthony Richardson is perhaps held out if there is not any spoils on the road for Indy, as he is battling foot and again accidents. A heavier workload fits Jonathan Taylor, who rushed for 218 yards and three scores on 29 carries throughout final weekend’s 38-30 dwelling win over the Tennessee Titans. New York is in peril of dropping an eleventh consecutive sport behind an offense placing up solely 14.3 factors per sport this season. The Giants are beginning Drew Lock at quarterback for the fourth time prior to now 5 video games. Lock underwent an MRI on his passing shoulder Monday however no injury was discovered. He harm it throughout Sunday’s 34-7 street loss towards the Atlanta Falcons. Lock is 0-3 as a starter this season and has accomplished simply 52.7 % of his passes. He has one landing and 4 interceptions in 129 makes an attempt.
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 sq. off with a spot within the AFC South cellar — and close to the highest of the NFL draft order — hanging within the stability. It may very well be argued that the loser will come out forward in the long term. In any case, that workforce would improve its probabilities to earn the No. 1 total decide within the 2025 NFL Draft. Mason Rudolph, who threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns in final Sunday’s 38-30 loss at Indianapolis, will get the beginning over Will Levis for the Titans this week. Rudolph additionally threw three interceptions, including to the workforce’s NFL-high complete of 32 turnovers. The Titans’ offensive line has permitted 47 sacks this season — 40 with Levis on the helm. Levis additionally has thrown 12 interceptions and misplaced two fumbles, whereas Rudolph has thrown eight picks and misplaced a fumble. When the groups met on Dec. 8 in Nashville, Jacksonville notched a 10-6 win, holding Tennessee to 272 complete yards and limiting Levis to 168 yards passing. It is the Jaguars’ solely street win of the season. Jacksonville is coming off a 19-14 loss final week in Las Vegas, one other three-win workforce. The defeat moved Jacksonville as much as the projected No. 3 total decide, one spot forward of the Titans. The Jaguars may very well be with out as many as six ordinary starters on offense this week.
Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) at New Orleans Saints (5-10), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Las Vegas employed Antonio Pierce as head coach after the workforce had an encouraging 5-4 document throughout his stint as interim head coach final season. Nonetheless, the disappointing 2024 season leaves Pierce’s future in query. New Orleans is 3-3 below interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who was promoted when Dennis Allen was fired after a seven-game dropping streak this season. The Raiders are anticipated to start out second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has shared that function with Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder. Rizzi earned victories in his first two video games in cost and three of the primary 4, however the workforce had by far its worst efficiency below him in a 34-0 street loss to the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Monday evening. Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who’s in his second season in New Orleans, is making an attempt to return from an harm to his left (non-throwing) hand. Rookie fifth-round decide Spencer Rattler, who’s 0-4 as a starter and performed poorly towards the Packers, is extra prone to begin Sunday. Las Vegas ended a 10-game dropping streak by beating the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars 19-14 final week.
Miami Dolphins (7-8) at Cleveland Browns (3-12), 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
Saturday’s NFL slate may decide whether or not the Dolphins are taking part in for greater than pleasure. Miami hopes to have an opportunity on the playoffs, whereas the one factor Cleveland can do is discover a uncommon successful feeling in a disappointing season. Anticipated to contend for a second straight playoff berth, the Browns as a substitute have an outdoor probability to earn the No. 1 total decide in April’s NFL Draft. A 3rd beginning quarterback of the yr, second-year professional Dorian Thompson-Robinson, will get the decision with Jameis Winston (shoulder) ailing and Deshaun Watson (Achilles) out for the season. In a 24-6 street loss to the Cincinnati Bengals final week, Thompson-Robinson completed 20 of 34 for 157 yards whereas tossing two interceptions and absorbing 5 sacks. Thompson-Robinson, who was restricted in apply on Thursday due to a quad challenge, desires to do a greater job avoiding these outcomes. The Dolphins’ protection may assist in that matter as they entered the weekend twenty sixth in sacks (31) and tied for twenty second in interceptions (eight). Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel stated he will not relaxation gamers even when the Chargers and Broncos push Miami out of the playoffs on Saturday.
Inexperienced Bay (11-4) at Minnesota Vikings (13-2), 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
There may be nonetheless rather a lot on the road for the Vikings and Packers, who’re behind the Detroit Lions within the NFC North however competing for playoff place. Free agent signee Sam Darnold is the primary quarterback to win 13-plus video games in his first season with a workforce since Dak Prescott with the Cowboys in 2016 and first non-rookie since Peyton Manning with the Broncos in 2012. He is had immense manufacturing from former Packers RB Aaron Jones and All-Professional 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 — solely present Packers coach Matt LaFleur and former 49ers coach George Seifert have completed that. Inexperienced Bay additionally has a playoff spot clinched for the fifth time in six seasons below LaFleur. Powered by Jones’ alternative Josh Jacobs (career-high 13 dashing TDs) and QB Jordan Love, the Packers fell in need of a livid comeback within the Week 4 assembly. Love had 389 yards and 4 TDs however was intercepted 3 times. He additionally had 4 complete TDs in final season’s win at Minnesota on New 12 months’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 Evening Soccer” showdown in Week 17. With just one profession begin below his belt, Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 total choice within the 2024 NFL Draft, makes an attempt to spice up Atlanta’s playoff probabilities towards Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 decide. The Commanders are searching their first playoff berth since 2020. Washington may 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 looking for its third straight victory whereas Washington has received three in a row and will get to 11 wins for the primary time since 1991. Penix received his debut begin at dwelling final week, finishing 18 of 27 passes (66.7 %) for 202 yards with an interception and led the Falcons to 4 scoring drives in a 34-7 dwelling win towards the Giants. Daniels is coming off a five-touchdown efficiency, together with the game-winner with six seconds remaining, to steer Washington to an upset win over the visiting Eagles. He handed for 258 yards and ran for 81. Daniels has rushed for a team-high 737 yards together with six touchdowns. Washington entered Week 17 third in dashing (152.7 yards per sport) and sixteenth in passing (220.9 yards per sport).
–Subject Degree Media