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Week 17 NFL Capsules

Fri Dec 27 11:24am ET
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).

Week 17 NFL Capsules

The Paur Report