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As the NFL regular season comes to a close, some teams already have their eyes set on the future: the postseason push. But just as there are teams lucky enough to have already clinched a playoff berth, there are others whose seasons are all but over.
So far, the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Minnesota Vikings have all locked in the top spot in their divisions. The Philadelphia Eagles are also almost guaranteed to win the NFC East, with a 97% chance.
That being said, there are still a few teams that are fighting for the opportunity to win it all. Today, we will take a look at these teams and show you which key NFL games in Week 17 have huge playoff implications.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Green Bay Packers take on their divisional rival the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on January 1. The Vikings have already clinched the NFC North, giving the Packers a golden opportunity to make an unthinkable comeback.
Before Week 16, the Packers had a single-digit percentage chance to reach the NFL playoffs. After a series of losses for other contending teams, Green Bay pulled off an upset win over the Miami Dolphins to give themselves a 27% chance of advancing.
If they can win their matchup against the Vikings, their playoff chances will shoot up to 55%. Winning their Week 18 match against the Detroit Lions gives them an almost-certain spot, with a probability of over 90%.
Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Jets
The Seattle Seahawks currently sit at 7-8. Getting to the playoffs won't be easy for Seattle, but they do have a 27% chance of entry as of now.
Beating their non-divisional opponent would put them at 43%, and they would still need some other teams to lose to advance. Meanwhile, the New York Jets will be eliminated from the race if they lose to the Seahawks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers
This NFL match is probably the most exciting one of the week. Quarterback Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will look to clinch the NFC South with a win over their divisional opponent, the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers have a lot riding on this game too. They currently have a 29% chance of winning the division with only a 6-9 record. This is due to the lop-sided NFC South, which the 7-8 Buccaneers are leading. It's not often that you see a division leader having a losing record this late in the season.
If Carolina wins this matchup, they will become favored 2:1 to win the division over Tampa Bay.
NFL Week 17 preview
This week's slate of NFL games is definitely going to be thrilling and exciting. A few teams are desperate to reach the playoffs, while other teams lack motivation. However, nothing gives an underdog losing team motivation like ruining their divisional rival's postseason chances.
