NFL Week 17 Recap: Ravens, 49ers Clinch Home Field Advantage Throughout AFC and NFC Playoffs

Baltimore hung 56 points on the Dolphins, who face the Bills next Sunday for the AFC East title, while San Francisco rebounded behind Brock Purdy and a big day on the ground. Plus: Bears clinch the top pick in the NFL draft after the Panthers lost to the Jaguars.

Happy New Year! As we wind down to the final week of the 2023 NFL regular season, there’s plenty at stake.

As for Sunday’s action, the most-anticipated game featured the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium, but it was a blowout from the jump. Baltimore hung 56 points on Miami and earned home field advantage throughout the playoffs, while the Dolphins now face a Week 18 tilt with the Buffalo Bills as the AFC East title hangs in the balance.

The San Franncisco 49ers, after a win over the Washington Commanders, also locked down home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs after the disaster in Philadelphia. The Eagles lost in stunning fashion to the Arizona Cardinals, 35–31, As a result, the Dallas Cowboys lead the NFC East and need just a victory over Washington next weekend to wrap up the No. 2 seed.

In the late-afternoon games, the Kansas City Chiefs clinched their eighth consecutive AFC West title, while Mike Tomlin locked down his 17th season at .500 or above with the Steelers, who knocked off the Seahawks. 

All that said, let’s get to the insights and reactions from Week 17.

(This story will be updated throughout the day.)

Sunday

Ravens 56, Dolphins 19

Lamar Jackson threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns against the Dolphins, essentially wrapping up the MVP along with home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Dolphins: Miami (11–5) suddenly finds itself in a very precarious situation off an embarrassing loss. The Dolphins have to beat the Bills next Sunday to win the AFC East, and with Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a left shoulder injury. Despite leading the division wire to wire for the season’s 17 weeks, Miami will end up as a wild-card team likely visiting Arrowhead Stadium for a date with the Chiefs. Not ideal.
• What it means for Ravens: Baltimore (13–3) locked up home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs for the second time in Lamar Jackson’s career. Speaking of Jackson, he almost certainly wrapped up MVP honors, throwing for 321 yards and five touchdowns in the blowout win over the Dolphins. For Jackson and the Ravens, the next step is finally winning in the postseason. If they can and a deep run ends with a Super Bowl win, the narrative will forever shift for Jackson, who has often been seen as a great player who falls short.

49ers 27, Commanders 10

• What it means for 49ers: For San Francisco (12–4), a predictable win came easy. Now the 49ers can go home with the Rams coming to town, thanks to a shocking loss from the Eagles against the Cardinals. Bottom line: San Francisco clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since 2019 when it won Super Bowl LIV. The 49ers will be the favorites to come out of the NFC, and rightfully so.
• What it means for Commanders: Washington (4–12) is going to have drastic changes after the season, which will almost certainly include a new coaching staff. Meanwhile, the front office will be searching for an answer under center, as the duo of Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett isn’t the answer. After another long season in the nation’s capital, expect first-year owner Josh Harris to make his presence felt.

Cardinals 35, Eagles 31

• What it means for Cardinals: Sunday represents a high point for the Cardinals (4–12), who can take this win and use it as a jumping-off point for 2024. One also wonders if the result influences what to do with Kyler Murray, who Arizona could build around this offseason. If that’s the move, the Cards will likely trade back from a top-three selection and collect a ton of draft capital in addition to the pair of ’24 first-round picks it already owns. Arizona might be one of the league’s worst teams, but a quick rebuild could be coming.
• What it means for Eagles: Philadelphia (11–5) is a five-alarm fire at this point. The Eagles have lost four of their past five games, and none worse than Sunday’s disaster against the Cardinals. Now, Philadelphia needs to beat the Giants at MetLife Stadium next week and see the Cowboys be upset by Washignton. If that doesn’t happen, the Eagles will be the NFC’s fifth seed, and will be traveling to the NFC South winner in the wild-card round. 

Chiefs 25, Bengals 17

• What it means for Bengals: Cincinnati (8–8) fought without Joe Burrow, but ultimately couldn’t find its way into the playoffs after two consecutive losses to the Steelers and Chiefs. The Bengals only allowed one touchdown to Kansas City but surrendered six field goals, while the offensive line allowed six sacks of Jake Browning. As a result, Cincinnati will miss the playoffs for the first time in three years.
• What it means for Chiefs: Kansas City (10–6) clinched its eighth consecutive AFC West title. The Chiefs got a vintage performance from Patrick Mahomes, who threw for 245 yards and a touchdown, while rookie receiver Rashee Rice caught five passes for 127 yards. Locked into the AFC’s third seed, expect Kansas City to rest its starters in Week 18 against the Chargers.

Steelers 30, Seahawks 23

• What it means for Steelers: Pittsburgh (8–8) suddenly has a real chance to make the playoffs after winning consecutive games against the Bengals and Seahawks. Next up are the Ravens, who have already clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs and likely won’t be playing most of their starters. For the Steelers, they will need to win next weekend and get a loss from the Bills in Miami.
• What it means for Seahawks: For Seattle (8–8), the loss puts it in great peril for a playoff spot. The Seahawks will need to beat the Cardinals in Week 18 and get some help. Ultimately, the loss to Pittsburgh comes down to giving up 30 points to a Steelers team struggling to score all season. Seattle’s defense has been a leaky unit throughout, and it cost the team dearly on Sunday.

Bills 27, Patriots 21

Josh Allen and the Bills can clinch their fourth consecutive AFC East title next Sunday with a win over the Dolphins in Miami. 

Gregory Fisher/USA TODAY Sports

• What it means for Patriots: New England (4–12) had a decent chance to win Sunday after the Bills started horrifically on offense. However, four first-half turnovers, including a pick-six, all but doomed the Patriots, who might be having Bill Belichick’s swan song at Gillette Stadium next weekend against the Jets.
• What it means for Bills: Buffalo (10–6) didn’t play well offensively but found a way to win, a theme at times this season. That said, the Bills have a chance to win their fourth consecutive AFC East title next Sunday at Miami. A win, and Buffalo will be the conference’s second seed despite a 6–6 start. Amazing.

Packers 33, Vikings 10

• What it means for Packers: Green Bay (8–8) looked finished two weeks ago, but consecutive wins and a loss by the Seahawks on Sunday has the Packers in great position. If they can beat the feisty Bears next weekend at Lambeau, they’ll be in the playoffs as a wild card. Still, the most important development this season is Jordan Love, who has thrown 30 touchdown passes in his first year as a starter.
• What it means for Vikings: Minnesota (7–9) has fought hard to stay afloat despite losing Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles in October. And while the Vikings deserve credit, the ride appears to be over. While Minnesota isn’t officially eliminated from playoff contention, it would take a football miracle for it to make the postseason. In the weeks ahead, the big question is whether Cousins returns, and if so, what does the contract look like?

Texans 26, Titans 3

• What it means for Titans: Tennessee (6–10) has been a tough out most weeks down the stretch, but the Titans were no match for a desperate Texans team. Next week, Mike Vrabel’s team will host the Jaguars, trying to play spoiler. All told, Tennessee has a host of tough decisions ahead, starting with whether to invest another year in Will Levis, and then how to support him. It’ll be the first real test of Ran Carthon’s tenure as general manager.
• What it means for Texans: Houston (9–7) looked great with C.J. Stroud back and healthy, as he threw for 213 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Houston kept its playoff hopes alive with the win, and now heads to Indianapolis for a key Week 18 showdown. With a victory, the Texans will make the playoffs, something many believed was unthinkable at the season’s outset. 

Jaguars 26, Panthers 0

• What it means for Panthers: This has been a brutal season for Carolina (2–14) in myriad ways, and many of them were on full display Sunday. Bryce Young struggled again. The defense was carved up at times by a backup quarterback. The reality? No team has more to improve on to reach playoff contention in 2024, and yet the Panthers have so few resources, not to mention being without a coach. It’s dark times in Carolina.
• What it means for Jaguars: Jacksonville (9–7) needed a win to stay in front of the AFC South race, and it got the job done. With Trevor Lawrence unavailable due to a shoulder injury, C.J. Beathard did what the job required. He didn’t turn the ball over and made enough plays, helping the Jaguars move to within a Week 18 victory of clinching the division for a second consecutive year. The defense also held Young to 112 passing yards.

Colts 23, Raiders 20

• What it means for Raiders: Las Vegas (7–9) was eliminated from playoff contention. The Raiders now have to decide whether to keep interim coach Antonio Pierce. After taking over for the fired Josh McDaniels, Pierce has led Las Vegas to a 4–3 record, including a Christmas Day win over the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
• What it means for Colts: Indianapolis (9–7) finds itself in a good position to make the playoffs, but the work isn’t done. The Colts will host the Texans in Week 18, with the winner getting into the postseason. The AFC South title is also possible, although it will require a win along with the Jaguars losing to the Titans in Nashville. No matter what, coach Shane Steichen has done an incredible job in his first year leading Indianapolis to a winning record.

Rams 26, Giants 25

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp had four catches against the Giants, including this five-yard touchdown.

Chris Pedota/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

• What it means for Rams: Los Angeles (9–7) might be the most dangerous team nobody is talking about. While the Rams needed Mason Crosby to miss a potentially game-winning 54-yard field goal in the final minute, they have the stars to be a problem in January. Matthew Stafford eclipsed 300 passing yards, Puka Nacua went over 100 receiving yards, and Aaron Donald remains an elite force on the defensive interior. Next week, Los Angeles faces an unmotivated 49ers team, which has locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
• What it means for Giants: New York (5–11) has continued to play hard despite having to start three different quarterbacks while trying to find a capable offensive line. Coach Brian Daboll will certainly get a third year after leading Big Blue to the postseason last season, but the offseason is critical. New York must find a signal-caller for the future, along with a few guys to block for him.

Saints 23, Buccaneers 13

• What it means for Saints: New Orleans (8–8) kept its hopes alive for an NFC South crown. The Saints got a big day from Derek Carr, who helped stake them to a 17–0 halftime lead by throwing for 140 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. For New Orleans to win the division, it will need to win against the Falcons in Week 18, plus a Panthers’ victory over the Buccaneers at Charlotte.
• What it means for Buccaneers: Tampa Bay (8–8) missed an opportunity to punch its ticket to the postseason, but the Buccaneers still control their own destiny. Even with Sunday’s loss at home, they can win the NFC South by simply beating a two-win Panthers team on the road next Sunday. However, a loss and Tampa Bay might miss the playoffs entirely depending on other results around the conference.

Bears 37, Falcons 17

• What it means for Falcons: With the Falcons (7–9) all but eliminated from contention, the conversation in Atlanta will turn to coach Arthur Smith, who has yet to reach the playoffs in three seasons. Offensively, it’s maddening trying to figure out the usage of Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson on a weekly basis. If Smith can’t find a way to involve his best weapons every week, what’s the sell to keep him around in 2024?
• What it means for Bears: Matt Eberflus deserves a ton of credit. Earlier this year, Chicago (7–9) was the league’s biggest punchline, losing its first four games, including a few in blowout fashion. Since going to Washington in Week 5 and winning in primetime, the Bears are 7–5 and playing like a team capable of making the playoffs next year. With more than $60 million in projected cap space, along with multiple first-round picks, including the No. 1 selection, the Bears have a bright future.

Broncos 16, Chargers 9

• What it means for Chargers: One more game, and the Chargers (5–11) can start overhauling the franchise. While the coach and general manager posts are obviously getting turned over, there are real personnel questions because of a looming cap crunch. The decisions include whether to bring back Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Khalil Mack, all while knowing Austin Ekeler is gone in free agency. Many changes are ahead after next week’s finale against the Chiefs.
• What it means for Broncos: Denver (8–8) still has a chance for a winning season, but its playoff hopes were dashed with the Chiefs holding off the Bengals. Moving forward, the Broncos are looking at one more game with Jarrett Stidham as the starting quarterback before going into an offseason where they hope to find Russell Wilson’s permanent replacement.

SATURDAY

Cowboys 20, Lions 19

• What it means for Lions: Detroit (11–5) should be furious. Bad officiating robbed it of an opportunity to potentially host multiple playoff games without needing higher seeds to lose. Instead, it’s incredibly likely the Lions will only host the wild-card round and draw the dangerous Rams led by former Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford. The road just got tougher through no fault of the Lions.
• What it means for Cowboys: Dallas (11–5) kept its hopes alive for the NFC East crown, however faint they are. The Cowboys should feel good about the win, while also acknowledging bizarre coaching and poor game management is a huge concern heading into January. If the Cowboys are ever going to reach another NFC title game, those mistakes have to be eliminated.

THURSDAY

Browns 37, Jets 20

• What it means for Jets: Just another ugly, forgettable loss from a bad, forgettable team. New York (6–10) was supposed to be a contender this season, but that dream was gone four offensive snaps into the campaign. With Aaron Rodgers slated to return in 2024, hope will renew in Gotham, but the Jets need so much help, including a new offensive line, a litany of weapons and an answer on whether Robert Saleh is the right coach. So many questions, so few answers.
• What it means for Browns: Cleveland (11–5) should be elated. The Browns clinched only their third playoff berth since being reintroduced to the NFL in 1999. And it happened in a year where almost nothing has gone right. Both tackles have missed huge chunks of the year. Cleveland lost Nick Chubb to an ugly knee injury in October. The Browns have started four quarterbacks, but the fourth, Joe Flacco, has turned into a cult hero. Flacco has thrown for more than 300 yards in four of his five starts, and has people thinking Super Bowl on the shores of Lake Erie. What a run.