The Browns became the third team to clinch a playoff berth in the crowded AFC, joining Baltimore and Miami, by defeating the Jets on Thursday to kick off a pivotal Week 17 in the NFL.
Joe Flacco continued making a strong argument to be named this season’s Comeback Player of the Year with yet another impressive performance in Cleveland’s fourth consecutive victory.
Now, with one fewer available playoff spot, football fans can expect the remaining action to intensify.
The weekend begins with one Saturday night game that has major seeding implications for the NFC playoff picture followed by a 14-game Sunday slate to close out 2023. The entire league gets New Year’s Eve off with no Monday night games this week or next.
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SPREADS & TOTALS
– DET (+4.5) at DAL (-4.5) | O/U: 52.5 (8:15 p.m. ET *Saturday)
– NE (+14.0) at BUF (-14.0) | O/U: 40.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– ATL (+2.5) at CHI (-2.5) | O/U: 37.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– LV (+3.5) at IND (-3.5) | O/U: 42.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– LAR (-6.0) at NYG (+6.0) | O/U: 43.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– ARI (+11.5) at PHI (-11.5) | O/U: 48.0 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– NO (+2.5) at TB (-2.5) | O/U: 42.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– SF (-14.0) at WAS (+14.0) | O/U: 49.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– CAR (+3.5) at JAX (-3.5) | O/U: 36.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– MIA (+3.5) at BAL (-3.5) | O/U: 46.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– TEN (+4.5) at HOU (-4.5) | O/U: 43.5 (1:00 p.m. ET)
– PIT (+3.5) at SEA (-3.5) | O/U: 41.5 (4:05 p.m. ET)
– LAC (+3.5) at DEN (-3.5) | O/U: 36.5 (4:25 p.m. ET)
– CIN (+6.5) at KC (-6.5) | O/U: 43.5 (4:25 p.m. ET)
– GB (+1.5) at MIN (-1.5) | O/U: 43.5 (8:20 p.m. ET)
WHICH TEAMS CAN CLINCH A PLAYOFF SPOT?
There are four available spots in the AFC, and only three free in the NFC, with 14 teams currently sitting at either 8-7 or 7-8. The parity is resulting in quite the logjam in the standings.
Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Miami and Baltimore can all potentially clinch their respective divisions this week – the Ravens and 49ers can also clinch the top spots in each conference and secure first-round byes – but who else can clinch this week and avoid a must-win scenario in Week 18?
For a complete breakdown of all clinching scenarios, including tiebreakers, check out our Week 17 NFL Playoff Tracker.
AFC INJURIES
There’s always a lengthy weekly list of injury designations to track and Week 17 is no different. Here are a handful of notable ones particularly relevant to the AFC.
Will Chiefs have a running back? Kansas City is 3-5 in the past eight games and the defending champs could be extremely shorthanded offensively against Cincinnati. Running backs Isiah Pacheco (concussion/shoulder) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) are both listed as questionable, Kadarius Toney is out with a hip injury and Jerick McKinnon was recently placed on injured reserve. The Bengals have struggled against the run so having one of Pacheco or Edwards-Helaire will be key to winning.
Lawrence out for Jags: Jacksonville will go with C.J. Beathard under centre for the most important game of the season with Trevor Lawrence out with a shoulder injury. Lawrence had made 49 consecutive starts since being selected first overall in 2021. The Jaguars, who still hold the lead in the AFC South, have lost four in a row as they prepare for the last-place Panthers.
Tua in, Waddle out: Dolphins at Ravens is the game with the best combined record and Miami will be without WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle). Starting QB Tua Tagovailoa is set to go despite dealing with a quad and left thumb injury this week. Tyreek Hill has a league-leading 1,641 receiving yards which puts him 359 yards shy of 2,000 on the season. That means he’d need to average 179.5 yards per game over the final two weeks to become the first player in NFL history with 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. Hill has two games this season with more than 180 receiving yards; his best two-game stretch in terms of yardage this season was when he had 344 across Week 5 and 6. He missed Week 14 with an injury so if he improbably gets to 2,000 he’ll have done it in 16 games played.
Texans getting Stroud back: Outstanding rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud will start for the Texans this week after missing the past two games with a concussion. Stroud cleared the league’s protocol on Thursday and is set for Houston’s home game against the Titans.
Broncos move on from Wilson: Denver is 7-8 and one of the teams that must both win out and get some luck in order to sneak into the playoffs, and they’ll also have to do it with Jarrett Stidham as the starting QB. That’s because Sean Payton benched Russell Wilson earlier this week. It looks as though Wilson has possibly played his final snaps with the Broncos.
Chase, Pittman get questionable tags: Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase and Colts top pass-catcher Michael Pittman were both listed as questionable Friday. Pittman missed Week 16 with a concussion and shoulder injury, but Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen sounded optimistic when updating reporters on the likelihood of Pittman suiting up Sunday. The Bengals don’t seem quite as sure about Chase. The team is uncertain whether Chase will be good to go and they will make an official decision closer to kickoff Sunday.
Steelers sticking with Rudolph, Pickett could dress: Pittsburgh snapped a three-game losing streak last week to keep their playoff hopes alive thanks to Mason Rudolph’s frequent connections with George Pickens, who was doing his best Randy Moss impression in a win over the Bengals. Rudolph was named starter again despite Kenny Pickett being listed as questionable. Pickett will serve as a backup if he dresses.
