With only two weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, the NFL’s best teams in both conferences are jockeying for playoff position – but the most influential game of the week may be between two division rivals that both want to lose, with an eye toward the 2020 NFL Draft.
Here’s a full rundown of everything at stake in each game this weekend. We’ve ordered the games from most to least important.
Giants (3-11) at Redskins (3-11) – 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
What’s at stake: Chase Young
The Giants and Redskins currently sit second and third in the 2020 NFL Draft order, respectively, and the loser of Sunday’s rivalry game will likely have the chance to select Ohio State standout Chase Young in April, assuming the NFL-worst Bengals pick Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow. Given Young’s standing as a prospect, his landing spot is far more important that any playoff implications this week.
Cowboys (7-7) at Eagles (7-7) – 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
What’s at stake: A home playoff game
The Eagles and Cowboys both control their own playoff destinies in the NFC East, and Sunday’s showdown in Philadelphia should determine the No. 4 seed in the NFC. The bad news? Whichever team wins this division is currently in line to host the NFC West team that finishes second, either the 11-win Seahawks or the 11-win 49ers. Good luck with that.
Saints (11-3) at Titans (8-6) – 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
What’s at stake: Playoff seeding
There are four teams in the NFC at 11-3, but with the Seahawks or 49ers assured of adding at least one loss, the Saints are still very much in the running for a first-round bye. They will face a tough test in the Titans, who are still alive in the AFC South and AFC Wild Card race. The Titans are the current No. 7 seed in the AFC, but a win combined with a Steelers loss would vault them into playoff position.
Rams (8-6) at 49ers (11-3) – Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET, NFL Network
What’s at stake: The 49ers’ hopes for a first-round bye
This game would have been a whole lot more compelling if the Rams hadn’t just been dismantled by the Cowboys last week, but while Los Angeles has just a 3 percent shot of playing in the post season, the Rams can make a significant impact on the NFC playoffs with an upset on Saturday. The 49ers’ shocking loss to the Cardinals dropped them from the No. 1 seed, but with a Week 17 game against the Seahawks on the schedule, a first-round bye is still attainable.
Packers (11-3) at Vikings (10-4) – Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN
What’s at stake: Playoff seeding, and potentially the NFC North
The news that Dalvin Cook is expected to miss Monday night’s game puts a damper on things, and while the Vikings have not yet clinched a playoff spot, they hold a two-game lead over the Rams with two to play. Because of the Packers’ flawless division record, a Vikings win would not vault them ahead of Green Bay in the standings, and the Packers will take the division (and a higher seed) as long as they beat Detroit in Week 17, or with a win or tie on Monday.
Steelers (8-6) at Jets (5-9) – 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: The Steelers’ Wild Card spot
The Steelers are the current No. 6 seed in the AFC and are slated to face the Chiefs in the Wild Card round, but with a trip to Baltimore upcoming in Week 17, Pittsburgh can’t afford a loss at MetLife Stadium. Christopher Johnson has said coach Adam Gase’s job is safe, though Jets fans may make their displeasure clear on Sunday in their last home game of the season.
Ravens (12-2) at Browns (6-8) – 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Draft position, and potentially Freddie Kitchens’ job
This season has been a disaster for the Browns, and Freddie Kitchens may have the hottest seat in the league. A shocking upset win over the Ravens at home would go a long way toward securing a second season, but with the way Lamar Jackson has been playing, it’s more likely that the Browns slip to 6-9. The Ravens are a lock to get a first-round bye, and a win Sunday would clinch home-field throughout the playoffs.
Bengals (1-13) at Dolphins (3-11) – 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Draft position
The Bengals can clinch the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft with a loss in Miami on Sunday. The Dolphins, meanwhile, could still theoretically move up all the way to No. 2 by losing out and getting help, but a fourth win of the season could drop them to fifth in the draft order.
Texans (9-5) at Buccaneers (7-7) – Saturday, 1:00 p.m. ET, NFL Network
What’s at stake: The AFC South, Jameis Winston’s 30-30 season
The Texans, the current No. 4 seed, can clinch the AFC South with a win, or with a Titans loss. The Buccaneers have already been eliminated from the playoffs and can only hurt their draft position by winning, but more importantly, NFL passing leader Jameis Winston is six interceptions away from finishing the season with 30 touchdowns and 30 INTs.
Jaguars (5-9) at Falcons (5-9) – 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
What’s at stake: Draft position
Atlanta has won back-to-back games and has dropped from fifth to 12th in the 2020 NFL Draft order. There are a total of 10 teams in the league that have between four and six wins, so the outcome of the final two weeks for both the Falcons and the Jaguars could result in significant swings in their draft slots. (The Jaguars will also be hoping the Rams lose out, as Jacksonville owns the Rams’ first rounder.)
Bills (10-4) at Patriots (11-3) – Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network
What’s at stake: Playoff seeding, a first-round bye for the Patriots
Even if the Bills were to pull off an upset win at Gillette Stadium, it’d be incredible unlikely for Buffalo to go on and win the AFC East, as they’d need the Dolphins to take down the Patriots in Week 17. Still, it’s possible.
The Patriots will clinch the AFC East with a win or a tie, and if the Patriots win and the Chiefs lose, the Pats would clinch a first-round bye.
Chiefs (10-4) at Bears (7-7) – 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
What’s at stake: Playoff seeding
The Chiefs could still enter the playoffs as the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 or No. 4 seed after clinching the AFC West, but it’s most likely that Kansas City remains at No. 3. For the Chiefs to move up to No. 2 and earn a first-round bye, Kansas City almost certainly needs the Bills to topple the Patriots.
The Bears have been eliminated from the playoffs already and they owe their first round pick to Oakland, so Raiders fans will be rooting for Kansas City this weekend.
Cardinals (4-9-1) at Seahawks (11-3) – 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
What’s at stake: Playoff seeding, draft position
Assuming the Seahawks beat the Cardinals and the 49ers beat the Rams as expected, the NFC West (and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs) will be determined when Seattle hosts San Francisco in Week 17. The Cardinals are the only team in the league with four wins, but they’ll remain ahead of any team with four wins after Week 16 thanks to their tie earlier in the season. Losing out is the best path to a top-5 pick.
Raiders (6-8) at Chargers (5-9) – 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Draft position
The Raiders are still technically alive in the playoff race, but it’s incredibly unlikely they climb back into Wild Card position. The Raiders played their final home game in Oakland last week, but they’ll get another de facto home game at the Chargers’ stadium on Sunday, where opposing fans regularly outnumber local Chargers fans. The Chargers are currently No. 9 in the draft order, and a pair of losses to end the year would give them a tiny chance at a top-5 pick.
Lions (3-10-1) at Broncos (5-9) – 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
What’s at stake: Draft position
The Broncos were in line for a top pick a month ago, but two wins in their last three games combined with a favorable schedule means that Denver could very feasibly finish the season 7-9. The Lions have an 85 percent chance of landing a top-5 pick, and with Matt Patricia’s job already secure for 2020, his team might as well lose out at this point to get the highest possible pick.
Panthers (5-9) at Colts (6-8) – 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX
What’s at stake: Draft position
The Colts have lost four games in a row, and the Panthers have lost six in a row. It’s still mathematically possible for the Panthers to land a top-5 pick, but somewhere between 6-10 is most likely. If you’re in the region for this game on Sunday, maybe go see a movie.
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