# NFL Week 17 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 31, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625 "2017-12-31T14:37:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/1 "2017-12-31T14:37:37Z")
Sunday early GB @ DET CHI @ MIN HOU @ IND CLE @ PIT NYJ @ NE WAS @ NYG DAL @ PHI Sunday late JAX @ TEN BUF @ MIA CIN @ BAL OAK @ LAC ARI @ SEA SF @ LAR CAR @ ATL KC @ DEN NO @ TB I’m too lazy to look up what games are significant for playoff spots but if anyone wants to add those feel free. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/2 "2017-12-31T14:44:50Z")
from [this page](http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000898396/article/nfl-playoffclinching-scenarios-for-week-17): > [@](#): > > AFC > > CLINCHED: Pittsburgh – AFC North and first-round bye; New England – AFC East and a first-round bye; Jacksonville – AFC South; Kansas City – AFC West > > NEW ENGLAND > New England clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs: > > 1. NE win > 2. PIT loss > 3. NE tie + PIT tie > > PITTSBURGH STEELERS > Pittsburgh clinches home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs: > > 1. PIT win + NE loss or tie > 2. PIT tie + NE loss > > BALTIMORE RAVENS > Baltimore clinches a playoff berth: > > 1. BAL win or tie > 2. BUF loss or tie > 3. TEN loss or tie > > TENNESSEE TITANS > Tennessee clinches a playoff berth: > > 1. TEN win > 2. TEN tie + BUF loss or tie + LAC loss or tie > 3. BUF loss + LAC loss > > LOS ANGELES CHARGERS > L.A. Chargers clinch a playoff berth: > > 1. LAC win + TEN loss or tie + BUF loss or tie > 2. LAC win + TEN loss or tie + BAL win or tie > 3. LAC tie + TEN loss + BUF loss or tie > > BUFFALO BILLS > Buffalo clinches a playoff berth: > > 1. BUF win + BAL loss > 2. BUF win + LAC loss or tie + TEN loss or tie > 3. BUF tie + LAC loss + TEN loss > > NFC > > CLINCHED: Philadelphia – NFC East, home-field advantage and first-round bye; Minnesota – NFC North; L.A. Rams – NFC West; New Orleans – Playoff berth; Carolina – Playoff berth > > MINNESOTA VIKINGS > Minnesota clinches a first-round bye: > > 1. MIN win or tie > 2. CAR loss or tie > 3. NO win > 4. LA Rams win > > NEW ORLEANS SAINTS > New Orleans clinches NFC South: > > 1. NO win > 2. CAR loss > 3. NO tie + CAR tie > > CAROLINA PANTHERS > Carolina clinches NFC South: > > 1. CAR win + NO loss or tie > 2. CAR tie + NO loss > > Carolina clinches a first-round bye: > > 1. CAR win + NO loss or tie + MIN loss + LAR loss or tie > > ATLANTA FALCONS > Atlanta clinches a playoff berth: > > 1. ATL win > 2. SEA loss > 3. ATL tie + SEA tie > > SEATTLE SEAHAWKS > Seattle clinches a playoff berth: > > 1. SEA win + ATL loss or tie > 2. SEA tie + ATL loss ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/3 "2017-12-31T15:23:31Z")
So, basically, the games to watch are the Jax v Ten, Buf v Mia, and Car v Atl games late. The Ari v Sea and Cin v Bal games are of lesser importance. And, of course, only die-hard fans of one or the other club should ever watch Oak v LAC. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/4 "2017-12-31T18:48:05Z")
Packer’s offense is not doing so well (two turnovers), but at least the defense is playing OK and they won’t be shut out… (I’m more watching ski jumping) Brian ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/5 "2017-12-31T21:32:59Z")
Green Bay’s results minus Aaron Rodgers show just how thin they really are. Philly doing MUCH better with their backup. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/6 "2017-12-31T21:54:56Z")
Jeez, the Bengals (so far) are running all over the Baltimore defense on the ground…mostly due to great oline play…and most of the oline is backups, of course. If we’d had this oline all season we’d be looking at the playoffs. Ah well, playing spoiler is something I guess. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/7 "2017-12-31T21:57:14Z")
go raiders … the day I root for the chargers is the day it snows in the high desert in mid july … ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/8 "2017-12-31T22:00:13Z")
BTW, did anyone see Alvin Kamara’s return for a TD? Go find it and watch it. He’s just inside the endzone, hesitates like he’s going to kneel, which fools the entire TB cover team, then blasts through the middle of the field, then to the sideline, for a 106 yard TD. Pretty amazing stuff. Kid’s got to be damn near a lock for OROY. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/9 "2017-12-31T23:14:33Z")
Pagano is out as coach of the Colts. [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/indianapolis-colts-fire-head-coach-chuck-pagano/](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/indianapolis-colts-fire-head-coach-chuck-pagano/) ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/10 "2017-12-31T23:25:15Z")
Cheering for Flacco and Bortles simultaneously is very depressing. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2017, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/11 "2017-12-31T23:47:13Z")
> [@borschevsky](#): > > Cheering for Flacco and Bortles simultaneously is very depressing. Stop cheering for Flacco! ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/12 "2018-01-01T00:12:09Z")
I don’t _want_ to cheer for him. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/13 "2018-01-01T00:23:23Z")
Holy cow, you see the Buffalo-Miami melee! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/14 "2018-01-01T01:01:24Z")
Did you see the Bengals score a TD on 4th and 12 with no timeouts with under a minute to play to ice the Ravens out of the playoffs? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/15 "2018-01-01T01:45:43Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Did you see the Bengals score a TD on 4th and 12 with no timeouts with under a minute to play to ice the Ravens out of the playoffs? As a Bills fan, yes, yes I did. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/16 "2018-01-01T01:46:12Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Did you see the Bengals score a TD on 4th and 12 with no timeouts with under a minute to play to ice the Ravens out of the playoffs? We DID see the Bengals score a TD on 4th and 12 with no timeouts with under a minute to play to ice the Ravens out of the playoffs! Terrible coverage and tackling, but pretty damned exciting! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/17 "2018-01-01T02:19:31Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > As a Bills fan, yes, yes I did. 😃 > [@Maserschmidt](#): > > We DID see the Bengals score a TD on 4th and 12 with no timeouts with under a minute to play to ice the Ravens out of the playoffs! Terrible coverage and tackling, but pretty damned exciting! Awesome for the Bills. First playoff appearance in almost 20 years. Objectively, it’s kinda hard to see them advancing, but you never know. I’ll be rooting for them though. I keep imagining the Bills players huddled around a TV in their locker room watching the Bengals almost Bungle their final drive, only to pull it out at the end in spectacular fashion, and the locker room erupting with joy. I wish I could have seen that. ETA: I just hope that these last two meaningless wins for the Bengals, which hurt their draft position, isn’t something Mike Brown will think is a positive enough thing to keep Marvin Lewis employed there. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/18 "2018-01-01T02:34:56Z")
I was rooting for the Bungles, I think for the first time since my HS girlfriend was still a - never mind. A long time. And they pulled it off! Great joy. Was at the Steelers game today. Felt bad for the Brownies. Especially after NE was up 20-something to 3, I was almost cheering for them too. Weird day. Maybe it’s the flu or something. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/19 "2018-01-01T02:40:45Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > I was rooting for the Bungles, I think for the first time since my HS girlfriend was still a - never mind. A long time. And they pulled it off! Great joy. > > Was at the Steelers game today. Felt bad for the Brownies. Especially after NE was up 20-something to 3, I was almost cheering for them too. Weird day. Maybe it’s the flu or something. Well yeah, you being a Stealers fan and with the bad blood between the Ratbirds and your team, I can imagine feeling a little better not facing the prospect of having to play them. The rest of the field is pretty weak, with only the Jags looking like they could do something. But they’d be playing at Heinz field, in the cold. I don’t like their chances in that one. It looks like the Pats road to the AFC champ game is equally “easy”. Obviously anything can happen, but it looks that way on paper for both teams. I find myself in a weird position, gravitating towards rooting for the NFC this playoffs. I like the Saints because of their remarkable turnaround, and also the Vikings because I love Mike Zimmer (and wish the Bengals had never let him get away). ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2018, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625/20 "2018-01-01T03:28:15Z")
Congrats to the Bills for finally making it in. They don’t look to have much of a shot, but I was rooting for the Chargers to take that spot, so who am I to judge. I guess beating the Jags wouldn’t be that big of a surprise - Jacksonville has had a few games this year where they didn’t look great. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/805625.md?page=2)