The 7 most important NFL games in a high stakes Week 17, ranked

Even though it’s Week 17, there’s still a decent amount of shuffling to do regarding the playoff seeds. The NFC is about finished, with only one spot open left for the playoffs and two possible teams that could grab that spot. But the AFC is complete madhouse. Four teams have punched their tickets to the postseason, but everything from the top seed to the sixth seed is still up for grabs.

Here are the games you need to keep an eye on in Week 17, ranked by the stakes attached to each game.

The Vikings are currently lodged into the sixth seed in the NFC playoff race, and they’ll get in if they can beat the Chicago Bears at home on Sunday. The last matchup between the Bears and the Vikings didn’t go so well for Minnesota. The Bears defense wrecked them, collecting three turnovers and two sacks before a late game touchdown by Stefon Diggs made it a one score game.

The Vikings have had some newfound offensive success under Kevin Stefanski, but they’ve only played the Dolphins and the Lions with him as the offensive coordinator. Chicago will be a much, much tougher test, but if they can get win they’ll be in the playoffs.

Chicago has something to play for as well. On the off chance that the 49ers can beat the Rams, the Bears will have a chance at the second seed in the NFC and a first round bye.

Simple. If the Ravens win, they’ll be in the playoffs and win the AFC North.

The Ravens rekindled their playoffs hopes thanks to being able run the ball effectively with Lamar Jackson at quarterback and a hellacious defense.

However, Cleveland is a tough opponent. They’ve gone 5-2 since firing Hue Jackson and Todd Haley and boast a diverse offense capable of scoring points in bunches now that rookies Baker Mayfield and Nick Chubb have gotten into a groove.

Last time these two teams played, the Browns won 12-9 in overtime, but that game featured Joe Flacco throwing the ball 56 times for just 298 yards — 5.3 yards an attempt. Both teams are much different since then.

The Colts and the Titans have a play-in game as well. Whichever team wins will get into the playoffs, but if they tie they’ll both be eliminated, opening up a back door for Pittsburgh.

If the Texans lose to the Jaguars, the winner of that Colts and Titans will take the AFC South crown and get a home playoff game in the Wild Card round. A potential playoff berth plus the possibility of a home game makes this a huge game for both teams. The loser will be eliminated from postseason contention.

Last time the Colts and the Titans played each other, the Colts blew them out 38-10. Tennessee will be looking to flip the script at home and get into the postseason, but they’ll probably have to do that with Blaine Gabbert filling in for an injured Marcus Mariota.

The Chiefs have one goal this week: secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. If they win, they’ll be 12-4 and finish with the best record in the AFC. Kansas City has a good chance of doing that against the Oakland Raiders, but last time these two teams played it was closer than most would have expected. The Chiefs won 40-33, holding off a fourth-quarter surge by the Raiders.

If the Chiefs lose, then they open themselves up to falling out of the top four seeds altogether. The Chargers can still win the division if they beat the Broncos and the Chiefs lose to the Raiders.

Getting a win for the Chiefs is imperative for their postseason hopes. They’re currently 6-1 at home and 5-3 on the road. Forcing the playoffs to run through Arrowhead Stadium would boost their chances of going to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles need the Vikings to lose to the Bears to have a chance at the postseason. If the Vikings lose to the Bears, all Philadelphia has to do is beat a banged up Washington team.

When Philadelphia and Washington last met, Washington had Mark Sanchez in the game as their quarterback and he was a disaster. Sanchez threw for 100 yards and an interception as the Eagles rolled 28-13. Washington is starting Josh Johnson now, who hasn’t been a complete disaster, but he still might not be enough to knock off the Eagles who are once again playing good football when it matters.

Houston has already clinched a playoff berth, but their seeding could range from the number one seed in the AFC to the sixth seed. All they can do is handle business against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which would lock them into the three seed at the very worst — and get them the AFC South crown.

Jacksonville could be a tough test for them, offensively. They still have a relatively weak offensive line, though Deshaun Watson and Deandre Hopkins have been able to overcome a lot of their issues up front this season.

Houston was able to beat Jacksonville 20-7 last time they played, mainly because of the Jaguars’ offensive ineptitude. If Houston can get past Jacksonville, their first game of the playoffs will be a home game.

New England has locked up the AFC East title for the one millionth year in a row, but they still have a chance at home-field advantage. If the Chiefs and Chargers both lose and the Patriots win, they’ll get the top seed in the AFC. Again.

The Jets have been a rollercoaster of a team behind rookie quarterback Sam Darnold, but they probably don’t have enough firepower to take down the Patriots, even without star wide receiver Josh Gordon.

The Patriots beat the Jets 27-13 last time they played — they’ll be looking to replicate those results with their final home game of the 2018 season.