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The 2023 NFL regular season is nearing its end, and a couple of teams are still in the playoff picture. These teams are either contesting for divisional titles or wildcard slots.
This article will examine the current playoff picture, examine the must-win games in Week 17, and highlight the fixtures for all teams yet to qualify for the postseason. So, without further ado, let's get to it.
NFL Playoff picture: Must-win games for Week 17
There are just two weeks left in the 2023 NFL regular season. A handful of teams have secured their postseason berths in each conference. However, many more remain in the playoff picture. Here's how the current picture looks heading into Week 17.
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NFC Conference
DIVISION LEADERS
1. San Francisco 49ers (11-4): Clinched the NFC West
2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-4): Clinched a postseason berth.
3. Detroit Lions (11-4): Clinched the NFC North.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7): Lead the NFC South.
WILD CARDS
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-5): Clinched a postseason berth.
6. Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
7. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
OUTSIDE THE PICTURE
8. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
9. Atlanta Falcons (7-8)
10. Green Bay Packers (7-8)
11. New Orleans Saints (7-8)
12. Chicago Bears (6-9)
ELIMINATED
13. New York Giants (5-10)
14. Washington Commanders (4-11)
15. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)
16. Carolina Panthers (2-13)
AFC Conference
DIVISION LEADERS
1. Baltimore Ravens (12-3): Clinched a postseason berth.
2. Miami Dolphins (11-4): Clinched a postseason berth.
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7)
WILD CARDS
5. Cleveland Browns (10-5)
6. Buffalo Bills (9-6)
7. Indianapolis Colts (8-7)
OUTSIDE THE PICTURE
8. Houston Texans (8-7)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (8-7)
11. Las Vegas Raiders (7-8)
12. Denver Broncos (7-8)
ELIMINATED
13. New York Jets (6-9)
14. Tennessee Titans (5-10)
15. Los Angeles Chargers (5-10)
16. New England Patriots (4-11)
Here are the must-win games for Week 17:
NFC Conference
1. Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Both franchises retain hopes of making the NFL postseason. The equation is simple. The winner remains in the playoff hunt while the loser gets eliminated; this game has all the makings of a potential classic.
- Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023
- Game Time: 8:20 PM ET
- Stadium: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
- TV Channel: NBC
2. Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears
In yet another NFL playoff eliminator, both the Falcons and Bears know what to do to keep their playoff hopes alive. Anything less would result in a trip to Cancun.
- Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Stadium: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
- TV Channel: CBS
3. New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints in a crunch NFC South matchup. The Bucs will clinch their division title with a win against the Saints. On the other hand, the Saints must win if they want to maintain their slim NFL postseason chances.
- Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Stadium: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- TV Channel: FOX
AFC Conference teams:
1. Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
The Texans must beat the already-eliminated Titans if they're looking to keep their NFL playoff hopes alive.
- Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Stadium: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
- TV Channel: FOX
2. Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks
The Pittsburgh Steelers come into the game with their NFL playoff hopes hanging by a thread. They'll be up against a Seahawks team in pole position to make the playoffs. Mike Tomlin's side has no room for errors.
- Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023
- Game Time: 4:05 PM ET
- Stadium: Lumen Field, Seattle
- TV Channel: FOX
3. Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
The Cincinnati Bengals visit the Kansas City Chiefs in a pivotal game for their faltering NFL postseason push. They'll need to inflict another defeat on Patrick Mahomes and Co. if they want to retain their playoff hopes entering Week 18. The Bengals must do this without Joe Burrow, who is out for the season.
- Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023
- Game Time: 4:25 PM ET
- Stadium: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- TV Channel: CBS
4. Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts
The Raiders can extend their contention window for another week if they win in Indianapolis. Antonio Pierce's side would fancy their chances in this one.
- Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
- TV Channel: CBS
5. Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos
Broncos country, let's ride!
- Date: Sunday, December 31, 2023
- Game Time: 4:25 PM ET
- Stadium: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver
- TV Channel: CBS
