Michael McQuaid of Pro Football Ireland looks at some of the key storylines ahead of Week 17 of the NFL season, which got underway with a triple header on Christmas Day, which was headlined by the elimination of the Detroit Lions from playoff contention.
All about the AFC North
It's Week 17, which means that we are about to get some closure this weekend across the league.
It is likely that the Pittsburgh Steelers may be sitting on Monday as divisional champions. They travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns on Sunday, but the competition could be wrapped up before that on Saturday night, when the Baltimore Ravens travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers, who stamped their path to the playoffs on Christmas Day after their NFC North rival Lions were defeated.
The issue for Baltimore at the time of writing is the status of quarterback Lamar Jackson. He has not practiced in the early part of Christmas week and is listed as doubtful heading into Saturday’s matchup.
The good thing, Ravens fans?
Half of the Packers team are on the injury report this week, including one Jordan Love, who is currently in the concussion protocol.
For the Ravens, it’s easy. This is a must win game. A win and a Steelers loss brings the divisional battle to Week 18, when both face each other.
A loss will end Baltimore’s season - and start a real conversation about the future for many in the city.
History on tap
The previous section mentioned the AFC North, but it feels fitting to give Browns defensive end Myles Garrett his spotlight as he stands on the cusp of history this weekend.
Garrett needs only one more sack to reach 23 on the season, which would be more than the 22.5 held by both Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. In terms of T.J. Watt, it would be fitting if Garrett did it against Watt's Pittsburgh Steelers.
Imagine a scenario this weekend where the Ravens lose to Green Bay on Saturday, meaning the Steelers have won the AFC North and suddenly, Pittsburgh decides to rest key players.
Could Garrett get his sack against Mason Rudolph on Christmas?
Time will tell. It will surely come sooner, rather than later.
There’s no place like home
Here's a stat for you - the San Francisco 49ers are the first team in the history of the NFL to have more than eighty points and no punts over a two game span.
When it comes to the business end of the season, they are delivering when it matters on all sides of their team.
It’s hard to mention everyone, but running back Christian McCaffrey is on the cusp of history himself. He needs only 151 receiving yards from his final two regular season games to be the first player in league history with both 1,000 yards receiving and rushing.
That's some dual threat, folks.
The 49ers have an intriguing two weeks to finish the season. If they defeat the Chicago Bears this weekend and Seattle Seahawks in Week 18, the Niners will secure the NFC West and then have two home games - before a home Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium.
Yes, a lot has to be done for that to happen, but what an opportunity for the California based outlet.
You never know.
Time to tank
It's not just the playoffs in contention as we enter Week 17. As it stands, the New York Giants will have the number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which takes place in Pittsburgh in the spring.
Just behind them based on the strength of their schedule is the Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the second pick.
Why is this important?
Well; they play each other this weekend, folks.
Whoever loses the matchup will have the first pick in the draft (barring a change in Week 18). Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is the probable first pick as it stands. That being said, it would be unlikely to see the New York Giants draft the Indiana quarterback when they have a young player on their team already.
In that sense, it’s a big game on Sunday. It could change the draft order itself in more than just numerical terms, but eventual player destinations
New-New England
Finally, a word for the New England Patriots. Yes, we know they are going to the playoffs - we've known that for a while, but this weekend could see them achieve something that has eluded them since the times of Tom Brady.
The AFC East title could return to Massachusetts.
If the Patriots defeat the New York Jets on the road and the Buffalo Bills lose to the Philadelphia Eagles, the AFC East is over. The Patriots can even tie the game and still win the division, as long as Buffalo loses.
The Bills and Eagles matchup is in Buffalo and will make for interesting viewing in terms of playoff seeding. If Hurts gets it done on the road, the Bills fans will be hurting after losing a division that they have won for five consecutive seasons.
Outside of the AFC East title, Christmas Day gave the expected result for Patriots fans - the Denver Broncos got another win, this time on the road in Arrowhead against the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s simple for Bo Nix and his team. If they defeat the Los Angeles Chargers at home next weekend, they will have the number one seed in the AFC.
New England now need to win out and hope for a bit of magic from Justin Herbert next weekend.
For now, Vrabel and his team are close to an AFC East title, at the very least.
The Patriots are back - and it’s like they’ve never left.
