NFL Week 17 Schedule

Week 17 of the NFL post season, being the penultimate week means all teams will have added motivation to either clinch their playoff berths or to stay within striking distance of it. Finishing off the season on a high is also equally important as teams can add pressure on their rivals and head into the postseason with more confidence.

Week 17 will start with the New York Jets visiting the Cleveland Browns for the last Thursday Night Prime Time game of the 2023 NFL season. At the start of the year, this matchup would have been quite an exciting one with Aaron Rodgers taking on Deshaun Watson, however with both signal callers out injured, the focus of this game will be centered around the overall team performances of both teams.

Below is the complete schedule for Week 17:

Game on Thursday, December 28

• New York Jets at Cleveland Browns

The New York Jets kick off week 17 against the Cleveland Browns in an all-AFC contest. This is a battle between two of the league’s finest defenses and both teams are fielding their backup quarterbacks.

For the Browns, this is a much-needed win to ensure their progression into the playoffs as several teams can still make a push for the final spots in the AFC. For the Jets, it is more about finishing the roller coaster of a season on a high as they turn their attention to the 2024 NFL season.

Games on Saturday, December 30

• Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys

Week 17 features only one game on Saturday and it is between the Detroit Lions who are going up against the Dallas Cowboys. Both NFC teams are headed to the playoffs but both will be looking for the win as the postseason seedings are important when it comes to home-field advantage.

The Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles are the two teams competing for the top spot in the NFC East and thus, the Cowboys need to win this game. While the Lions have just clinched the NFC North after 30 long years, they can still fight for the all-important 1 seed in the NFC now that the San Francisco 49ers have slipped up in week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens.

Games on Sunday, December 31

• Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens

This week 17 game between the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens could be a big one in terms of playoff positioning. With both teams leading their respective divisions, the Ravens have the top spot in the AFC at the moment. The number one seed will be on both of these team’s minds as it means they get a bye in the Wild Card Round and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

• Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks

The Pittsburgh Steelers make their way to Lumen Field and take on the Seattle Seahawks in a very intriguing matchup. Both teams are in the playoff hunt, one in the AFC and the other in the NFC. Somewhere during the middle of the season, both the Steelers and Seahawks looked like they would make the postseason easily but a few quick losses and their fortunes have turned. An important game for both sides.

• Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings

This NFC North rivalry sees the Green Bay Packers travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to play against the Minnesota Vikings. This game will be huge as both these teams are vying for the playoffs. With the Lions already at the top of the division, both the Packers and Vikings need to try and get in with a wildcard. Viewers can expect a closely contested game between these two.

• New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A game of huge implications as the New Orleans Saints travel to Raymond James Stadium to take on their NFC South rivals Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As things stand at the moment, the Bucs are top of the division and headed to the playoffs, but the Saints are just one game behind.

A win for the Bucs will almost guarantee a place in the postseason for Tampa Bay, but a Saints victory will get them right back in the mix and will also make things quite interesting in the NFC South.

• Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs

Going by the recent records of both these teams from the past few years, this game promised to be a huge one between two top-tier teams. This game is still a huge one but not for the same reason.

The Cincinnati Bengals have lost their QB1 Joe Burrow for the season and have struggled for most of the year. Backup Jake Browning has played well but their hopes of making the playoffs are now very slim. Any chance they will have in getting there means they must win this week against the Kansas City Chiefs.

As for the Chiefs, they have also had a mixed year and their recent form has been anything but stellar. Several dropped passes in addition to receivers and Patrick Mahomes not being on the same page, and self-inflicted penalties have all costed the Chiefs dearly, and are now still fighting for the AFC West division. But a win here will seal their place in the postseason.

Game on Monday, January 01

There will be no NFL games on New Year's Day, and therefore, no teams will play Monday Night Football in week 17.

Teams with Bye Week

No teams have a bye week for week 17.