Entering Week 17, the NFL Playoff picture is nearly set, but many games this week have crucial playoff implications for seeding — including the top seed in both conferences — and division championships.
The Panthers, Ravens, and Colts are the only teams that haven’t clinched but still have a chance to going into Week 17; the rest of the playoff implications are all around seeding, as neither conference has a clear No. 1.
Below, we’ll break down every NFL game with playoff clinching scenarios and seeding implications, plus the spread and over/under data from each game.
All NFL spread and over/under data is via PrizePicks Team Picks — pick winners, spreads, and totals to earn money when you’re right in 30 states! Numbers are live as of writing and are subject to change.
Houston Texans (10-5) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) — Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network
Spread: Chargers -2.5 | Over/Under: 39.5
The Texans need to win just one more game to secure their playoff spot; they will also get in with a Colts loss on Sunday vs. the Jaguars.
The Chargers can win the AFC West if they win this game and also beat the Broncos in Week 18, guaranteeing them a home playoff game.
Baltimore Ravens (7-8) vs. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) — Saturday. 8 p.m. ET, Peacock
Spread: Packers -3.5 | Over/Under: 37.5
The Ravens are technically alive, with a 6% chance to make the playoffs, but it’s thin. They’ll need a win here on the road, a Steelers loss vs. the Browns, and a win vs. the Steelers in Week 18.
The Ravens probability to make the playoffs is 6%, according to ESPN.
The Packers clinched a spot in the playoffs thanks to Detroit’s loss to the Max Brosmer-led Vikings on Christmas. Green Bay can still win the NFC North with two straight wins and two Bears losses, which isn’t too far-fetched, as they will face the 49ers and Lions.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) vs. Cleveland Browns (3-12) – 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Steelers -3.5 | Over/Under: 35.5
The Steelers will win the AFC North with a win on Sunday or a Ravens loss vs. the Packers on Saturday night. That became a bit more likely with Ravens QB Lamar Jackson listed as doubtful.
It’s also worth noting that Browns EDGE Myles Garrett is just one sack away (22) from winning the single-season sack record (22.5), held by Michael Strahan (16 games) and T.J. Watt (17 games).
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-7) — 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Jaguars -6.5 | Over/Under: 47.5
The Jaguars have clinched a spot in the playoffs, while the Colts have a 3% chance to still make it as a Wild Card, per ESPN.
More importantly, the Jaguars are live to win the No. 1 seed in the AFC — a key spot to win thanks to a first-round bye. They need wins vs. the Colts and vs. Titans in the next two weeks, the Broncos to lose next week vs. the Chargers (also clinched playoff spot), and the Patriots to drop at least one game vs. the Jets or Dolphins over the next two weeks.
ESPN puts the probability of the Jaguars getting the No. 1 seed at 8.6%.
Seattle Seahawks (12-3) vs. Carolina Panthers (8-7) — 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Seahawks -7.5 | Over/Under: 42.5
The Seahawks control their own destiny in the NFC West. With two wins vs. the Panthers and 49ers, they will likely be the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They can clinch the NFC West this week with a win, a Rams loss (vs. Falcons), and a 49ers loss (vs. Bears).
With a win here and a 49ers win vs. the Bears, the division will still come down to the Seahawks vs. 49ers in Week 18.
The Panthers can still win the division with a loss here, even if the Bucs win on Sunday vs. the Dolphins — they will just need a win vs. the Bucs in Week 18. However, the Panthers could clinch the NFC South with a win and a Bucs loss vs. the Dolphins.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) vs. Miami Dolphins (6-9) — 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Spread: Bucs -6.5 | Over/Under: 43.5
Related to the game above, the Bucs cannot clinch the division this week, as they’re a game behind the Panthers thanks to a brutal second-half collapse last week. However, they can be eliminated from the playoffs with a loss and a Panthers win vs. the Seahawks.
With a win, they’ll just need a win next week vs. the Panthers week to win the division.
New England Patriots (12-3) vs. New York Jets (3-12) — 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Spread: Patriots -13.5 | Over/Under: 41.5
The Patriots have clinched a playoffs spot, but they can win the AFC East in Week 17 with a win here and a Bills loss vs. the Eagles.
After the Broncos won on Christmas, the Patriots can only win the conference with tow straight wins and a Broncos loss vs. the Chargers in Week 18.
New York Giants (2-13) vs. Oakland Raiders (2-13) — 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Giants -2.5 | Over/Under: 40.5
On the flip side of playoff implications, this game has No. 1 pick implications for the 2026 NFL Draft. The loser of the official 2026 NFL Toilet Bowl (not the real name of this game) will have the inside track on the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) vs. Buffalo Bills (11-4) — 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
Spread: Bills -2.5 | Over/Under: 43.5
While both of these teams are in the playoffs, there isn’t a lot to play for on one side. The Eagles are virtually locked into the No. 3 seed in the NFC, assuming the Bears don’t drop both of their last two games.
Meanwhile, the Bills would need to win both games and have the Patriots lose one vs. the Jets or Dolphins to win the AFC East.
That should be enough on the line to keep both teams at 100% effort here.
Chicago Bears (11-4) vs. San Francisco 49ers (11-4) — 8:15 p.m. ET, NBC
Spread: 49ers -3.5 | Over/Under: 53.5
Sunday Night Football is probably the most important game with playoff implications in Week 17.
The 49ers need to win here to keep their chances of winning the NFC West and No. 1 overall seed intact. If they win this, they would only need a win vs. the Seahawks to win the division. They also have a 31.8% chance to win the No. 1 seed, which becomes more likely with a win here.
The Bears will clinch the NFC North with a win, and remain in contention for the top overall seed in the NFC.
Los Angeles Rams (11-4) vs. Atlanta Falcons (6-9) — Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
Spread: Rams -7.5 | Over/Under: 48.5
The Rams have clinched a playoff spot, currently in the No. 5 spot, but they have a thin path to win the NFC West, and an even smaller chance to be the top overall seed in the NFC.
To win the NFC West, the Rams need to win both games, while the Seahawks and 49ers each need to lose one more game.
However, with the Seahawks and 49ers playing in Week 18, at least one of them would need to lose this week for the Rams to stay alive to win the NFC West.
The Rams have a 20.2% chance to win the division, per ESPN. If both the Seahawks and 49ers win, the Rams’ last two games are virtually meaningless.
Make Picks on NFL Week 17 Playoff Scenarios
It all comes down to the last two games for a few NFL teams. With both No. 1 seeds still up for grabs, there should be plenty of excitement in these final two weeks to see who can secure home-field advantage for the playoffs.
In NFL Week 17, you can make picks on the winner, spread, over/under, or futures on teams to make the playoffs on PrizePicks Team Picks. Just pick your side, lock in your pick, and earn money if you're right — now in 30 states, including California.
Keep it locked in here with PrizePicks and the Playbook for continued NFL picks, predictions, and news all season long.
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