Chris Carson

There's just one week remaining in the NFL regular season, and it's likely to be an unpredictable one. Looking ahead at the schedule, it's difficult to discern which playoff-bound teams are going to rest key players.

Only the Baltimore Ravens have secured a first-round bye to this point, but several games will be meaningless, especially by the late afternoon—eight of the 16 games will be after the 1 p.m. window. If the Kansas City Chiefs win in the early afternoon, for example, the Houston Texans will have no reason to play their starters in a bid for a higher playoff seed.

The Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills are already locked into their playoff positions.

With this in mind, we're going to take a look at how Week 17 might unfold. We'll run down the full schedule, make predictions for each contest and examine the latest lines and over/unders from Caesars.

       

Week 17 Lines, Over/Unders and Predictions

Atlanta Falcons (even, 48.5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Atlanta 30-27

Cleveland Browns (-3, 45) at Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati 24-20

Chicago Bears (no line) at Minnesota Vikings: Chicago 20-17

Los Angeles Chargers (+9, 46.5) at Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City 31-21

Miami Dolphins (+16, 45) at New England Patriots: New England 27-14

Green Bay Packers (no line) at Detroit Lions: Green Bay 33-20

New Orleans Saints (-13, 47.5) at Carolina Panthers: New Orleans 28-20

New York Jets (+1.5, 37) at Buffalo Bills: Buffalo 18-13

Indianapolis Colts (-3.5, 43.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars: Indianapolis 30-20

Oakland Raiders (+3.5, 41) at Denver Broncos: Oakland 26-24

Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5, 45) at New York Giants: Philadelphia 28-26

Pittsburgh Steelers (-2, 38) at Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore 16-13

Tennessee Titans (-4, 46) at Houston Texans: Tennessee 27-17

Washington Redskins (+11, 44.5) at Dallas Cowboys: Dallas 30-18

Arizona Cardinals (no line) at Los Angeles Rams: Los Angeles 28-26

San Francisco 49ers (no line) at Seattle Seahawks: San Francisco 26-23

    

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

The New York Giants proved in Week 16 that they still have plenty of fight in them. They escaped the Washington Redskins in overtime thanks to strong performances from rookie quarterback Daniel Jones (352 yards, 5 TDs) and second-year back Saquon Barkley (279 total yards, 2 TDs). 

Expect New York to cherish the spoiler role against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17. If the Eagles win, they'll be division champions and in the playoffs. If they lose, the Dallas Cowboys will have a chance to take the NFC East.

Expect the Giants to keep this one very close, even if the Eagles ultimately escape with the win. The fact that Philadelphia may not have star tight end Zach Ertz isn't going to help Philadelphia run away with this one. Ertz suffered a fractured rib against Dallas last week, and his status is uncertain.

"He's hurt pretty bad," a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Don't be shocked if Carson Wentz and Co. have to engineer a late-game drive for the third time in four weeks.

      

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

As previously mentioned, the Texans may have nothing to play for by the time they take the field at 4:25 p.m. ET. Houston has already clinched the AFC South and can only move from the four seed to the No. 3 slot if the Chiefs lose in the early afternoon.

Since Kansas City still has a shot at a first-round bye, the Chiefs are unlikely to coast through their finale.

This means that Houston will likely play plenty of backups against the rival Tennessee Titans. Tennessee, meanwhile, needs a win to get into the postseason.

This could lead to a big win for Tennessee, especially since the Titans may have star running back Derrick Henry in the lineup. The Titans decided to sit him in Week 16 due to a hamstring injury.

"That was an organizational decision that we thought was best for the football team," head coach Mike Vrabel explained, via the team's official website.

The Titans are far less likely to rest Henry with the season on the line. Expect him and the Titans offense to rumble in Houston on Sunday.

      

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

This is the big one. The NFL scheduled the San Francisco 49ers versus Seattle Seahawks matchup for the evening because it's the single most impactful game of Week 17. Not only will the winner claim the NFC West, but this game could also determine which teams get first-round byes.

If the 49ers win, they'll take the No. 1 seed. The second seed will then go to either the Green Bay Packers or the New Orleans Saints. Should the Seahawks win, they'll have a shot at a bye only if Green Bay loses their finale. Otherwise, the Packers and the Saints will take the top two spots. 

Unfortunately for Seattle—and for fans hoping to see an even playing field—injuries are likely to be a significant factor. The Seahawks will be without starting left tackle Duane Brown and running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise.

At running back, it looks like the Seahawks will instead have Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin. Neither has played since Week 6 of the 2018 season.

This should still be a competitive game, but San Francisco seems to have a clear edge.

The 2019 NFL season is down to its last leg.

All that separates clubs now from the playoffs or an early start to the offseason is a Week 17 slate loaded with intrigue. There are playoff seeds to lock down, postseason spots to claim and a can't-miss matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks sending the winner to an NFC West title and the loser on the road in Wild Card Weekend.

This also marks our last opportunity to showcase our always accurate football forecasts. So, we'll provide our winners and final scores for every season finale, then take a closer look at the three contests that must be on your radar.

                     

NFL Week 17 Picks

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals | Browns 20-19

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots | Patriots 29-13

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings | Vikings 23-10

L.A. Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs | Chiefs 28-17

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills | Bills 20-16

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions | Packers 28-10

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers | Saints 31-13

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Buccaneers 38-33

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants | Giants 23-20

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans | Texans 28-24

Washington at Dallas Cowboys | Cowboys 31-16

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 20-17

Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars | Colts 24-17

Oaland Raiders at Denver Broncos | Broncos 23-18

Arizona Cardinals at L.A. Rams | Cardinals 27-24

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks | 49ers 30-20

                      

Games To Watch

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

Normally, even fans of the teams might have trouble buying into a Week 17 tilt between an 8-7 club and one with a 4-11 record. But this collision is quietly packed with potential, so much so that the NFL flexed it to a 4:25 p.m. ET start time.

It's a win-and-you're-in contest for Philly, but it's not as simple as it sounds. Half of the Giants' four victories have come in the last two weeks, and this offense is suddenly humming with Daniel Jones back under center (352 passing yards, five touchdowns, no turnovers in Week 16) and Saquon Barkley finally finding his footing (422 scrimmage yards, four scores the past two games).

"I think that's kind of what they envisioned when they drafted DJ and they drafted me," Barkley told reporters Sunday. "I think we both [have] the potential and the talent to play well together, and open stuff up for each other, and I think we showed that [Sunday]."

The Eagles are getting Jordan Howard back, but their injury-riddled pass-catching core took another blow Sunday when Zach Ertz suffered a fractured rib, per ESPN's Tim McManus.

Philly has the talent to win this game and all the motivation in the world to do so. But New York has some explosive skill players of its own, plus the chance to dash the playoff dreams of a divisional rival. This should be a fun one.

                         

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans

With this game getting flexed to the 4:25 p.m. ET slot, the Texans might be locked into their playoff seed before the opening kick.

But even if that happens, Houston head coach Bill O'Brien says he plans to have his best players inside the lines.

"Look, I think that any time we take the field, based on what we're all about, our program and what we're trying to do here and what we've tried to build here for six years is we're about trying to win," O'Brien said. "It's all about the game, trying to win games. We realize all those things that you just said are very important factors to take into relative to where we're at, but we need to play to win the game."

If the Chiefs fall to the Chargers, the Texans could climb to the third seed with a win. If KC prevails, Tennessee won't budge from the fourth.

All of this matters immensely to Tennessee, which needs either a win or losses by Pittsburgh and Indianapolis to clinch the sixth seed.

The playoff ramifications are reason enough to tune in, but the talent—assuming it's all on the field—is an even bigger draw. With Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins on one side, and Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown on the other, the potential for offensive fireworks is real, and it's spectacular.

                  

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

Anyone remember what happened the last time these division rivals met? It was Week 10 and quite possibly the game of the year at that point.

The then-undefeated Niners jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. By the third frame, the Seahawks had roared all the way back to take a 21-10 lead. A defensive score by San Francisco (plus the two-point conversion) and two Niners' field goals sandwiched around a Seahawks field goal later, the game was headed to overtime.

There, it wouldn't be decided until Seattle kicker Jason Myers split the uprights on a 42-yarder as time expired.

It always felt like it would come back to this—a winner-take-all Week 17 collision under the lights. A victory could land either the No. 1 seed (the Niners with a win, the Seahawks with a win and help). The loser, on the other hand, will not only miss out on a first-round bye, but actually travel to its wild-card contest.

Oh, and Seattle is scrambling to replace injured running back Chris Carson, and among the potential solutions is a reunion with Marshawn Lynch. So, if you needed more reasons to watch, there's that angle, too.

We might not have a clear look at the final NFL playoff picture, but after (almost) 16 full weeks, we have a pretty defined silhouette. 

Of the 12 possible playoff spots, 11 have essentially filled—one will go to the NFC East champion. Five of the eight divisions have been settled—and the Green Bay Packers can settle a sixth on Monday night. Yet, three first-round byes are there for the taking, as is the AFC's final wild-card spot.

Heading into Monday night, there is still a lot of drama left.

Here, you'll find the current playoff picture, the latest Super Bowl odds from Caesars, and a look at some of the most intriguing playoff-related storylines.

    

NFL Playoff Picture (pre-MNF)

AFC

1. Baltimore Ravens (Z) 13-2

2. New England Patriots (Z) 12-3

3. Kansas City Chiefs (Z) 11-4

4. Houston Texans (Z) 10-5

5. Buffalo Bills (X) 10-5

6. Tennessee Titans 8-7

7. Pittsburgh Steelers 8-7

8. Oakland Raiders 7-8

NFC

1. San Francisco 49ers (X) 12-3

2. New Orleans Saints (Z) 12-3

3. Green Bay Packers (X) 11-3

4. Philadelphia Eagles 8-7

5. Seattle Seahawks (X) 11-4

6. Minnesota Vikings (X) 10-4

*X indicated clinched playoff spot, Z indicates division champion.

    

The Oakland Raiders Could Be in the Playoffs

It may seem shocking, but the Oakland Raiders still have a shot at the postseason. Left for dead at 5-8 just two weeks ago, the Raiders have ripped off two straight wins and have gotten a fair amount of help from other AFC wild-card hopefuls.

"No one thought we'd be playing for the playoffs in Week 17, let's be real," Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said, per NBC Sports' Peter King.

Oakland still needs help, but the playoffs are a real possibility.

Here's what needs to happen. Oakland first needs to defeat the Denver Broncos. Then, the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers have to lose—to the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, respectively. Unfortunately for Oakland, neither the Texans nor the Ravens have much to play for in Week 17.

Finally, the Raiders need the Indianapolis Colts to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, creating a four-team tie at 8-8. Then, and only then, will Oakland take the tiebreaker and the final playoff spot for 2019.

    

The Philadelphia Eagles Could Be Dangerous

Like the Raiders, the Philadelphia Eagles were pretty much written off a couple of weeks ago. They've since won three straight, including a huge game over the Dallas Cowboys. That win gives Philadelphia a one-game lead in the NFC East with one week remaining.

With a win in Week 17, the Eagles are in the postseason—and there may be a few teams hoping that it doesn't happen.

The Eagles are determined, they're riding a wave of momentum and, perhaps most importantly, they're seeing a return to MVP form from quarterback Carson Wentz. Despite lacking any semblance of a strong wide receiver corps, Wentz has been tremendous over the last three weeks, passing for 910 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

With the defense starting to show some signs of life, Philadelphia could be a tough out come playoff time.

"All teams say this, but for us, it's been a sense of belief," Wentz said, per King.

Belief is, in part, what helped drive the Eagles to the Super Bowl just two short seasons ago.

   

The Seattle Seahawks Could Be in Trouble

While the Eagles have been flying high over the last three weeks, the Seattle Seahawks have been in a tailspin. They've lost two of their last three games and have put themselves into wild-card position.

A week ago, Seattle owned the NFC's No. 1 seed. With a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17, they could finish as low as the sixth seed—if the Minnesota Vikings win their final two games.

Even more problematic is the rash of injuries that struck the Seahawks on Sunday. Seattle lost starting left tackle Duane Brown and running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise during their loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Brown is set to undergo knee surgery; Carson and Prosise could both be done for the year.

In one afternoon, Seattle essentially lost its rushing identity. With a critical matchup upcoming, that's a huge problem.

"We've got to get scrambling," head coach Pete Carroll said, per Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com.

That scrambling could involve a reunion with running back Marshawn Lynch:

Marshawn Lynch and the #Seahawks are open to a reunion, and Lynch has told people he plans to travel to Seattle today to discuss it, sources tell me, @MikeGarafolo and @TomPelissero. #BeastMode could be back in Seattle.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2019

Lynch hasn't played since Week 6 of the 2018 season.

    

Latest Super Bowl Odds

Baltimore Ravens 2-1

San Francisco 49ers 7-2

New Orleans Saints 9-2

New England Patriots 6-1

Seattle Seahawks 6-1

Kansas City Chiefs 15-2

Minnesota Vikings 16-1

Green Bay Packers 16-1

Philadelphia Eagles 25-1

Houston Texans 30-1

Dallas Cowboys 30-1

Buffalo Bills 35-1

Tennessee Titans 75-1

Pittsburgh Steelers 75-1

Oakland Raiders 250-1

Editor's Note: After publish, Marshawn Lynch officially signed with the Seattle Seahawks per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

At the moment, the only healthy running back on the Seattle Seahawks roster is a rookie sixth-round pick named Travis Homer, who until Week 16 had three career carries.

With regulars Rashaad Penny (knee), Chris Carson (hip) and C.J. Prosise (arm) all down, nobody expects the 21-year-old Homer to carry the load in the important Seattle backfield, especially after he gained just 16 yards on five carries in relief of Carson and Prosise on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. 

Only four NFL offenses rely as heavily on the run as the Seahawks, who according to TeamRankings.com, pass on fewer than 54 percent of their plays. So nobody would be surprised if Seattle were to make a splash prior to a critical Week 17 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers. 

Cue the return of Beast Mode? 

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times suggested almost immediately after Seattle's loss to Arizona that the team could pursue Marshawn Lynch, who is currently a free agent and has not filed retirement papers. 

And when NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted Monday morning that Lynch and the team plan to meet, Condotta reported that a deal "looks like it could happen." 

Condotta added that the team has interest in veteran back C.J. Anderson, who played a big role for the Los Angeles Rams during their 2018 playoff run after signing with Seattle's NFC West rival last December. And frankly, Seattle's best approach might be to sign both. In fact, the Seahawks should be open and willing to sign a multitude of veteran backs to see who emerges the quickest. 

They obviously can't put all their eggs in Homer's basket. And while Lynch is a local legend, the Seahawks and their fans can't let nostalgia cloud their view. 

Lynch is 33 years old, he hasn't been a consistently reliable running back since 2014, he averaged a mere 4.1 yards per carry during his last three NFL seasons, and he hasn't played a game in over 14 months. 

Sure, he might be fresh after so much time off, but he'll also likely be rusty, and the Seahawks can't afford to wait for him to shake off that rust. If they're going to desperately invest in a man who has scored three touchdowns in the last two calendar years, they need to supplement that signing with another addition. 

The 28-year-old Anderson makes a lot of sense. He's at least played professional football this season, and at this exact point one year ago, he put together three consecutive 120-plus-yard rushing performances for a Rams team that signed him to relieve the injured Todd Gurley II. 

Condotta also reported that Seattle worked out former Seahawk Robert Turbin and former Houston Texans back Alfred Blue last week, so it wouldn't be surprising if they called either player back now that Carson and Prosise have joined Penny in the infirmary. 

Sign all four if you can. Anybody have Doug Martin's cell number? Fire a text to Zach Zenner. Certainly they've got contact info for former Seahawks Thomas Rawls and Alex Collins, both of whom remain on the open market. 

At least sign two or three, and bring in more. Cast a wide net, and don't concentrate only on Lynch.

Don't get me wrong: Lynch's addition is a no-brainer if you can make it happen, especially because of the lift he could give the locker room from a morale and leadership standpoint. But on the field, he's unlikely to be a savior. 

He alone won't fix what ails the Seahawks, who have lost two of their last three games, with the only victory during that stretch coming by a mere six points against the free-falling Carolina Panthers.

The Seattle offense has been held to 17 or fewer points in three of its last five games, and the banged-up defense has now surrendered 24 or more in four consecutive outings. They were the best home team in the NFC for the first seven seasons of quarterback Russell Wilson's career, but this year, they're just 4-3 with a minus-19 scoring margin and only one regulation victory by more than a single point at CenturyLink Field. 

The Seahawks might have simply peaked too early. Wilson was once the MVP front-runner, but he's got a sub-90 passer rating in his last six games, and he hasn't rushed for 30 yards since the team's Week 11 bye. 

Part of that had to do with the fact the running game really took off in October and November. Penny averaged 7.0 yards per carry in his last two games before going down with a torn ACL, while Carson rushed for 311 yards in his previous three affairs before suffering a season-ending hip injury. 

Wilson will also apparently have to spend some more time without his left tackle, as Condotta reported that veteran Duane Brown will have knee surgery. Brown's replacement, Jamarco Jones, struggled mightily against the Cards, and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll called Brown's injury "a couple-week deal" in the best-case scenario, according to Condotta. 

Meanwhile, a good-not-great defense that got by mainly on takeaways in November and early December looks ripe to be exploited by more careful opponents in pivotal games. They generated 16 takeaways in a five-week stretch prior to Sunday's defeat at the hands of Arizona, which isn't sustainable no matter how opportunistic you are. 

Throw in injuries to Jadeveon Clowney (core), Quandre Diggs (ankle) and Shaquill Griffin (hamstring), and the defense looks like more of a liability than an asset. 

But even when healthy, Seattle doesn't have 49ers-level talent on either side of the ball. On paper, the 49ers and New Orleans Saints are objectively deeper and more skilled than the Seahawks, whose Super Bowl hopes have always depended on Wilson performing at an out-of-this-world level. 

That's no longer happening, and it's a near-certainty that adding Lynch won't suddenly save a team that looks destined to fall well short in January. 

      

Brad Gagnon has covered the NFL for Bleacher Report since 2012.

Follow @Brad_Gagnon

A fair bit of the NFL playoff picture remains unsettled with just over a week remaining in the regular season. Ten of the 12 playoff tickets have been punched, but three of the four first-round byes and three divisions remain unsettled.

The Green Bay Packers can settle one of the remaining divisions by defeating the Minnesota Vikings and taking the NFC North on Monday night. Regardless of how that game unfolds, however, there are now just 15 teams with a shot at Super Bowl LIV.

Here, we'll run down what each playoff-eligible team—the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders—need to do to claim the final playoff spot. We'll also examine some of the top playoff-related storylines and the updated Super Bowl odds from Caesars.

First, though, let's examine the playoff field.

    

NFL Playoff Picture

AFC

1. Baltimore Ravens (Z) 13-2

2. New England Patriots (Z) 12-3

3. Kansas City Chiefs (Z) 11-4

4. Houston Texans (Z) 10-5

5. Buffalo Bills (X) 10-5

6. Tennessee Titans 8-7

7. Pittsburgh Steelers 8-7

8. Oakland Raiders 7-8

NFC

1. San Francisco 49ers (X) 12-3

2. New Orleans Saints (Z) 12-3

3. Green Bay Packers (X) 11-3

4. Philadelphia Eagles 8-7

5. Seattle Seahawks (X) 11-4

6. Minnesota Vikings (X) 10-4

*X indicated clinched playoff spot, Z indicates division champion.

    

A Three-Team Race for the Final Spot

There is just one playoff spot remaining, the AFC's sixth seed. Three teams still have a shot at it, but only one controls its own destiny.

The Titans only need to win their season finale against the Houston Texans to get into the playoffs. Losses by the Steelers and either the Raiders or the Indianapolis Colts will also get Tennessee in.

The Steelers need a win over the Baltimore Ravens and a loss by Tennessee to take the final playoff spot. The Raiders need losses by the Steelers and the Titans plus a Colts win to punch their postseason ticket.

Should the Raiders, Colts, Titans and Steelers all finish 8-8—and only if that occurs—Oakland will win the tiebreaker and the final playoff pass.

    

Chiefs, Bills Carrying Momentum

The Ravens have won 11 games in a row, own the AFC's No. 1 seed and have an MVP front-runner in quarterback Lamar Jackson. They're the hottest team in football, but they're not the only team riding momentum into Week 17.

The Kansas City Chiefs have quietly emerged as the biggest threat to Baltimore in the AFC. Kansas City has won five consecutive games and has seen a defensive resurgence that cannot be overlooked.

Over the past five games, the Chiefs have allowed an average of just 9.6 points per game. A Kansas City pass defense that was a disaster a year ago now ranks eighth in the NFL. Simply put, Kansas City is no longer just an offensive powerhouse.

"Defense was unbelievable, I thought," coach Andy Reid said after Sunday night's 26-3 beatdown of the Chicago Bears, per Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com. "I think [defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo] had a great game plan, and the guys believe in it."

Yet, opposing teams will still have to deal with Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and the Chiefs explosive offense.

The Buffalo Bills are also a team that cannot be overlooked. Sure, they've lost two of their last three games, but they've narrowly done so against top-tier contenders in the Ravens and the New England Patriots.

"If you look at the type of teams we've played the last three weeks, they're all playoff-type teams," Bills quarterback Josh Allen said, per Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. "So getting that experience against these defenses, teams we might be able to see again, it's all valuable experience because playing games in December that mean something."

Close losses in December could turn into close wins in January for Buffalo, a team no one should want to host in the postseason.

    

Seahawks Injured and Stumbling

The Seattle Seahawks have lost two of their last three games and are in serious danger of missing out on a first-round bye. If they lose to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17, they'll be a wild-card team. If the Vikings also happen to win out, they'll then drop all the way to the No. 6 seed.

It's a precarious position for a Seahawks team that held the No. 1 seed only a week ago. More troubling is the fact that injuries are likely to play a factor moving forward.

Starting tackle Duane Brown is expected to undergo knee surgery, while running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise could both be done for the season following injuries Sunday.

"A very difficult day, obviously," head coach Pete Carroll said, via the team's official website.

With running back Rashaad Penny already on injured reserve, this could leave the Seahawks with little punch in their running game heading into their pivotal NFC West showdown.

   

Latest Super Bowl Odds

Baltimore Ravens 2-1

San Francisco 49ers 7-2

New Orleans Saints 9-2

New England Patriots 6-1

Seattle Seahawks 6-1

Kansas City Chiefs 15-2

Minnesota Vikings 16-1

Green Bay Packers 16-1

Philadelphia Eagles 25-1

Houston Texans 30-1

Dallas Cowboys 30-1

Buffalo Bills 35-1

Tennessee Titans 75-1

Pittsburgh Steelers 75-1

Oakland Raiders 250-1

The NFL playoff picture isn't quite set, but with just one game remaining in Week 16, it's getting awfully close.

In the AFC, all four division winners have been determined, and the Baltimore Ravens have clinched the No. 1 seed. In the NFC, five playoff participants have been decided, though only one division and no first-round byes have been settled.

The Green Bay Packers can add a bit of clarity Monday night by defeating the Minnesota Vikings. Doing so would give Green Bay the NFC North and lock the Vikings into the No. 6 seed. If the Vikings win, they'll still have a shot at the division title—though it will require another win and another Packers loss—or the top wild-card spot.

Here, we'll run down some other remaining playoff scenarios and examine the current postseason schedule. First, though, let's take a look at the playoff picture heading into Monday night.

     

NFL Playoff Picture, Pre-MNF

AFC

1. Baltimore Ravens (Z) 13-2

2. New England Patriots (Z) 12-3

3. Kansas City Chiefs (Z) 11-4

4. Houston Texans (Z) 10-5

5. Buffalo Bills (X) 10-5

6. Tennessee Titans 8-7

7. Pittsburgh Steelers 8-7

8. Oakland Raiders 7-8

NFC

1. San Francisco 49ers (X) 12-3

2. New Orleans Saints (Z) 12-3

3. Green Bay Packers (X) 11-3

4. Philadelphia Eagles 8-7

5. Seattle Seahawks (X) 11-4

6. Minnesota Vikings (X) 10-4

*X indicated clinched playoff spot, Z indicates division champion.

     

The AFC's Final Wild-Card Spot

Only one playoff spot remains, and it's the last wild-card spot in the AFC. It's also a playoff spot that could largely be determined by which teams rest their starters in Week 17.

The Tennessee Titans have the easiest path to the postseason. They need either a win or a loss by the Pittsburgh Steelers to take the final slot. The Steelers need to win and get a Titans loss to get in. Tennessee and Pittsburgh play the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens, respectively, in Week 17.

Here's where resting could come into play. Neither the Texans nor the Ravens have anything of value left to play for. Baltimore has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the conference, The Texans do have a slight chance of moving from the fourth seed to the No. 3 spot, but that would require the Kansas City Chiefs to lose to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Fortunately, the Texans will know their odds when they take the field, as they play in the late afternoon and the Chiefs play in the early slot.

Though they have an even tougher path to the playoffs, the Oakland Raiders are also still alive. They need a win, losses by the Titans and Steelers and a win by the Indianapolis Colts to spark a tiebreaker scenario that puts the Raiders into the playoffs. It's an unlikely scenario, but it's not impossible.

     

The NFC West Race

As previously mentioned, the Vikings still have a shot at the No. 5 seed, even if they can't win the division. This is because the Seattle Seahawks have lost two of their last three and can drop to the sixth spot with two Vikings wins and a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17.

If the Seahawks defeat the 49ers, though, they'll take the NFC West crown and will have a shot at a first-round bye. If the 49ers win, they'll take the division and the conference's No. 1 seed.

Depending on how the next week-plus plays out, the Seahawks could finish as the second seed, the fifth seed or the sixth seed. The 49ers could be No. 1 or No. 5. Unfortunately, injuries to Seahawks running back Chris Carson (hip) and tackle Duane Brown (knee) could hand the 49ers a clear advantage.

"We do kind of like running the football, you know," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said, per ESPN's Brady Henderson.

This is unfortunate because the 49ers-Seahawks clash has been earmarked for the final regular-season game of 2019—and the stakes are tremendous. Most fans would love to see an even playing field.

   

A Lot Can Still Happen at the Top

While there is only one playoff spot still up for grabs, three of the four first-round byes can be had—and there are numerous potential scenarios.

In the AFC, it's pretty straightforward. If the New England Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins, they'll take the No. 2 seed. If they lose and the Chiefs win, however, Kansas City will get the bye because of its head-to-head win over New England.

We already mentioned how both the Seahawks and the 49ers could potentially earn byes, but the Packers and the New Orleans Saints are in the mix as well.

Green Bay only needs to win out to secure a first-round bye. Its position will then hinge on how the Seahawks and 49ers finish. If the 49ers win in Week 17, the Packers will take the No. 2 seed. If the Seahawks win, Green Bay will finish No. 1—again, provided it wins out.

The Saints need one Packers loss to get a first-round bye, Then, they can take the top spot with a Seahawks win, or the No. 2 seed with a 49ers victory. Either way, New Orleans should be rooting for Minnesota on Monday night.

    

2019-20 NFL Playoff Schedule

AFC and NFC Wild Card

Saturday, January 4, and Sunday, January 5

Times and TV TBD

       

AFC and NFC Divisional Round

Saturday, January 11, and Sunday, January 12

Times and TV TBD

       

AFC Championship Game

Sunday, January 19, at 3:05 p.m. ET

CBS, CBS All Access

        

NFC Championship Game

Sunday, January 19, at 6:40 p.m. ET

Fox, Fox Sports Go

      

Super Bowl LIV

Sunday, February 2, at 6:30 p.m. ET

Fox, Fox Sports Go

The Baltimore Ravens secured a significant advantage in Week 16 by earning home field throughout the AFC playoffs. 

In five of the last six seasons, the AFC representative in the Super Bowl has been the No. 1 seed. The last time one of the top two seeds failed to reach the championship tilt was 2013, when the Ravens won as the No. 4 seed. 

John Harbaugh's team is the current Super Bowl favorite, but it is expected to face stiff competition to follow through on that title. 

Ten of the 12 franchises in the playoff field have 10 or more wins, and if the Philadelphia Eagles win in Week 17, as well as either the Pittsburgh Steelers or Tennessee Titans, all of the participants will own at least nine victories. 

                     

Super Bowl Odds

Via Caesars.

Baltimore (+200; bet $100 to win $200)

San Francisco (+350)

New Orleans (+450)

New England (+600)

Seattle (+600)

Kansas City (+750)

Green Bay (+1600)

Minnesota (+1600)

Philadelphia (+2500)

Houston (+3000)

Dallas (+3000)

Buffalo (+3500)

Pittsburgh (+7500)

Tennessee (+7500)

Oakland (+25000)

Baltimore owns all the credentials you like to see in a top seed and Super Bowl favorite. 

The AFC North winner has the likely Most Valuable Player in Lamar Jackson, a defense that has allowed one of its last seven opponents over 20 points and victories over five teams currently in playoff spots. 

The total number of triumphs over postseason qualifiers will grow to six if the Steelers beat out the Titans for the AFC No. 6 seed. 

The Kansas City Chiefs were the one team in the top six of the AFC to beat the Ravens, but they may not get a shot at earning revenge since Andy Reid's team would have to travel to Gillette Stadium for the divisional round. 

The New England Patriots have appeared in eight consecutive AFC Championship Games, and their last defeat in the divisional round came in 2010 to the New York Jets. Bill Belichick has never lost to an Andy Reid team in the postseason, as he boasts a 3-0 record, with the most recent triumph coming in last season's AFC Championship Game. 

If the top two sides collide at M&T Bank Stadium, the Ravens would have the perceived advantage because of their 37-20 win in Week 9. In that matchup, the top seed ran for 210 yards, opened up a 17-0 advantage and conceded seven second-half points to the AFC East winner. 

There could be some concern regarding Mark Ingram II's health, as he suffered a calf injury Sunday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

But with two weeks to heal before the divisional round, the Ravens should be in good shape to face the lowest remaining seed in the AFC. 

Selecting a Super Bowl favorite out of the NFC may be an easier task than it was entering Week 16.

The San Francisco 49ers own the No. 1 seed at the moment, and they face a depleted Seattle Seahawks side in Week 17. 

According to Schefter, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll ruled out running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise and offensive tackle Duane Brown for Sunday's clash at CenturyLink Field. 

Kyle Shanahan's team possesses a 6-2 record at Levi's Stadium, with its only losses suffered to Seattle and the Atlanta Falcons. 

Green Bay is 4-2 on the road going into its Week 16 clash with the Minnesota Vikings, who are 4-4 on their travels. 

Philadelphia, who took the lead in the NFC East Sunday, is 3-4 on the road, so its Super Bowl bid could be discredited as well. 

The New Orleans Saints, who lost by two at home to the 49ers, may be the NFC West leader's top challenger since they are 6-1 away from the Superdome. 

Seattle owns a 7-1 road mark, but its recent string of significant injuries makes it a less likely candidate to claim the NFC title.

Betting on a long shot to win the Super Bowl may not be worth the investment since the last five Super Bowls have featured either No. 1 or No. 2 seeds. The best wager for a team over +1000 could be Green Bay since it still has a shot at the top seed in the NFC if it wins out and Seattle downs San Francisco. 

Aaron Rodgers and Co. are 7-1 at Lambeau Field, and the 36-year-old has Super Bowl-winning experience. 

              

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson reportedly suffered a fractured hip during Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals and will miss the rest of the season.

Adam Schefter of ESPN confirmed the diagnosis Monday, and the Seahawks are pursuing a reunion with running back Marshawn Lynch to help replace him.

Head coach Pete Carroll confirmed the talks with Lynch on Monday, adding the Seahawks are "going to give him a really good chance" to rejoin the franchise.

Not a good #Seahawks look as Chris Carson limped off with a hip injury before halftime and is OUT along with CJ Prosise (and Rashaad Penny) pic.twitter.com/EAS3d6YUBf

— Nick Krupke (@NickKrupke) December 22, 2019

Carson took over as the starting running back in 2018 and proceeded to run for 1,151 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games. He was 12th in DYAR (defense-adjusted yards above replacement) among running backs with at least 100 carries, per Football Outsiders.

This year, Carson finishes with 1,230 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in 15 games. 

Outside of selecting DK Metcalf in the second round of the draft, the Seahawks did little to upgrade the offense, largely due to the fact they didn't have much salary-cap space with which to make significant additions.

Seattle also lost Mike Davis, the team's second-leading rusher a season ago, after he signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Chicago Bears.

Carson's injury comes two weeks after Rashaad Penny suffered a season-ending torn ACL. C.J. Prosise injured his arm Sunday as well and will miss Week 17, leaving rookie Travis Homer as the top remaining option, leading to the talks with Lynch.

The Baltimore Ravens kicked off NFL Week 15 with a dominant performance over the New York Jets on Thursday night. The win earned Baltimore the AFC North crown, making the Ravens the third team to secure a division title with three weeks to go.

The New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs have won the NFC South and AFC West, respectively.

The playoff race is still relatively wide open at the top, though, with all four first-round byes up for grabs. The race continues with 14 more games on Sunday and Monday night's finale between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints.

Here, you'll find the latest odds and over/unders from Caesars, score predictions for every game and a look at the week's best fantasy matchups.

      

NFL Week 15 Lines, Over/Unders and Predictions

Chicago Bears (+4.5, 41) at Green Bay Packers: Green Bay 24-22

Houston Texans (+3, 51.5) at Tennessee Titans: Tennessee 27-24

New England Patriots (-10.5, 41.5) at Cincinnati Bengals: New England 23-16

Denver Broncos (+10, 45.5) at Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City 31-23

Seattle Seahawks (-6.5, 48.5) at Carolina Panthers: Seattle 27-20

Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5, 39) at Washington Redskins: Washington 23-19

Miami Dolphins (+3, 46.5) at New York Giants: New York 27-25

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4.5, 46) at Detroit Lions: Tampa Bay 28-22

Cleveland Browns (-3, 49.5) at Arizona Cardinals: Cleveland 26-24

Jacksonville Jaguars (+6.5, 46.5) at Oakland Raiders: Oakland 26-21

Minnesota Vikings (-1.5, 45) at Los Angeles Chargers: Minnesota 24-22

Atlanta Falcons (+11, 48) at San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco 31-20

Los Angeles Rams (-1.5, 48.5) at Dallas Cowboys: Los Angeles 30-26

Buffalo Bills (+1.5, 37) at Pittsburgh Steelers: Buffalo 25-18

Indianapolis Colts (+9, 46) at New Orleans Saints: New Orleans 30-18

Week 15 Top 25 Flex, PPR

1. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

3. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

4. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks

5. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans

6. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

7. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

8. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

9. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

10. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots

11. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

12. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

13. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

14. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

15. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

16. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

17. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

18. DJ Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

19. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

20. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

21. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

22. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams

23. Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns

24. Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions

25. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears

    

Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts

If you were wise enough to draft New Orleans Saint wideout Michael Thomas or plan to start him in daily fantasy, this is a tremendous week for you. Thomas has been virtually matchup-proof all season—he's averaging roughly nine receptions and 109 yards per game—and happens to have a favorable matchup in Week 15.

The Indianapolis Colts rank 22nd against the pass, having allowed 245.4 passing yards per game. They allow an average of 7.6 yards per pass attempt, tied for 10th-highest in the NFL. Nearly as important is the fact that the Colts have allowed fewer than 99.7 rushing yards per game.

The Saints are likely to attack Indianapolis' secondary often, and that secondary isn't particularly healthy. Starting cornerback Kenny Moore—who missed last week's game with an ankle injury—hasn't practiced this week, while fellow starter Pierre Desir has been limited.

A week ago, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 456 yards and four touchdowns against the Colts. Drew Brees could have similar production this week, with a large chunk of his targets going to Thomas.

   

Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers

While Thomas has been the primary focal point of the Saints passing attack, Chris Carson will be the focal point of the Seattle Seahawks rushing attack moving forward. The unquestioned starter, Carson had started to cede touches to second-year back Rashaad Penny in recent weeks. However, Penny, who had 29 carries and four receptions between Weeks 12 and 13, is now on injured reserve with a torn ACL.

"He has had a big impact the past few weeks, and we've really liked his contribution, so you miss him," head coach Pete Carroll said, per John Boyle of the team's official website.

With Penny out, Carson is likely to be the workhorse in Seattle's running game, with C.J. Prosise and Travis Homer getting sprinkled in as well.

The week, Carson and the Seahawks will take on the sinking Carolina Panthers, who have one of the worst run defenses in the league. Carolina has allowed an average of 139.2 rushing yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry. No team has surrendered more yards per run play this season.

    

Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions

As is the case with Carson, Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin should benefit from an injury absence—in fantasy, at least. Standout receiver Mike Evans is done for the season with a hamstring injury, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

Evan's absence should mean even more work for Godwin, who already leads the team with 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns.

This week, the Buccaneers will visit the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the third-most passing yards in the league this season. They have allowed an average of 276.5 passing yards per game and 7.8 yards per attempt.

While Godwin will likely draw coverage from No. 1 Lions corner Darius Slay, he should still be plenty productive this week. Minnesota Vikings wideout Stefon Diggs saw a lot of Slay in Week 14 and still finished with six receptions and 92 yards.

Evans' injury also moves No. 3 receiver Breshad Perriman into sleeper territory this week.  

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be in for a wildly successful Week 15.

During its three-game winning streak, Bruce Arians' team put up 101 points, and it faces one of the NFL's worst defenses Sunday.

Quarterback Jameis Winston has one less weapon to work with, as Mike Evans is out injured, but he still has Chris Godwin at his disposal and O.J. Howard ready to break out at tight end.

Some of the other top daily fantasy football options are also facing struggling defenses, including Chris Carson against the Carolina Panthers and George Kittle versus the Atlanta Falcons.

                      

Quarterback

Top Pick: Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay

Price: DraftKings: $6,900; FanDuel: $8,200

Winston may not be your first choice, and he does not seem like the best option because of his turnover problem, but he has turned in strong numbers of late.

The Tampa Bay quarterback is coming off a 456-yard, four-touchdown performance versus the Indianapolis Colts, and he has thrown for 300 yards in six of his past seven outings.

In the past four weeks, the Florida State product put up 300-yard showings against the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta and the Colts.

He is expected to thrive Sunday at Ford Field, as he is opposed by a Detroit secondary that has conceded 1,143 passing yards in the past month.

The Lions allow an average of 28.5 points per game on home soil, so the opportunities should be there for Winston to put up eye-popping numbers.

There could be concern that Evans' injury affects his production, but he can turn to Godwin, who has more receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns than his sidelined teammate.

                         

Value Play: Gardner Minshew II, Jacksonville

Price: DraftKings: $5,500; FanDuel: $6,900

Gardner Minshew II's previous two outings have not been promising, but he could get back on track against the Oakland Raiders.

Sam Darnold and Ryan Tannehill gashed the Raiders for 300 passing yards in two of their past three contests. Jon Gruden's team has given up the fifth-most passing yards in the NFL, and its 30 aerial scores conceded is the third-worst total behind the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins.

In four road trips, the rookie out of Washington State has six touchdowns and zero interceptions, and in three of those matchups, he completed more than half of his passes.

Those statistics suggest he could play well while allowing you to spend chunks of your budget in other areas.

                       

Running Back

Top Pick: Chris Carson, Seattle

Price: DraftKings: $7,500; FanDuel: $7,400

Even in a 28-12 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 14, Chris Carson totaled 76 yards on 15 carries.

He has been one of the more consistent running backs in the league, with five 100-yard days, two of which occurred on his travels. The 25-year-old has also found the end zone in three of the Seattle Seahawks' past five road games, and he could better that run against Carolina.

The Panthers have conceded the fourth-most rushing yards and are the only franchise to be gashed for more than 20 rushing scores. Since its Week 7 bye, the NFC South side has let up 100 yards on the ground to six of its seven opponents.

All of those statistics should point you in Carson's direction as Seattle tries to stay alive for NFC home-field advantage.

                   

Value Play: James White, New England 

Price: DraftKings: $5,400; FanDuel: $6,800

New England Patriots running backs have been hard to trust in 2019 because of the up-and-down nature of their production.

In Week 15, James White seems poised to succeed versus a Cincinnati Bengals rushing defense that has given up a league-worst 2,037 yards. In the past two games, the Patriots running back has 20 carries for 112 yards, as well as 13 receptions on 18 targets. 

If Tom Brady continues to utilize him in the passing game, White could be a strong value play as a second running back. The 27-year-old should not be your top running back selection, but if you can't package two premier players together because of budget constraints, he is a solid pickup because of his matchup.

                     

Wide Receiver

Top Pick: Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay 

Price: DraftKings: $7,700; FanDuel: $8,400

With Evans out of the lineup and Detroit's passing defense one of the worst in the NFL, Godwin is expected to receive a large amount of targets from Winston.

Even when his teammate was healthy, Godwin was receiving plenty of attention from his quarterback, and he is three weeks removed from a 184-yard, two-score outing versus Atlanta.

Four of his five 100-yard games have come away from Raymond James Stadium—as have all three of his multi-score performances.

In Detroit's most recent home game, it allowed 140 receiving yards to the Chicago Bears' Anthony Miller and an additional 86 to Allen Robinson. In the game before that at Ford Field, the Dallas Cowboys' Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb both earned triple-digit receiving days.

Although he comes at a high cost, there is no way to avoid Godwin in this matchup.

                   

Value Play: Darius Slayton, New York Giants

Price: DraftKings: $4,700; FanDuel: $6,300

Darius Slayton has been an intriguing value play at wide receiver for most parts of the season, but over the past four weeks, his play has risen to another level.

The New York Giants wide receiver is coming off a 154-yard performance on five catches versus the Philadelphia Eagles. Monday marked the second time in four games in which Slayton had more than 100 receiving yards and two trips to the end zone.

In the past month, he has been targeted on 38 occasions by Daniel Jones and Eli Manning. Expect that production to continue against a Miami defense that has been gashed for at least 250 passing yards by its past four foes.

                       

Tight End

Top Pick: George Kittle, San Francisco 

Price: DraftKings: $6,200; FanDuel: $7,200

In some situations, you can get by in daily fantasy football by not taking the best players at each position in favor of cheaper plays.

Don't do that with Kittle against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, as San Francisco looks to keep command of the NFC's No. 1 seed. The tight end has a touchdown catch in three of his past four games, and he earned six catches on eight targets in the Week 14 triumph in New Orleans.

The Falcons enter Levi's Stadium with 81 points allowed in their past three contests, which is much different form than the 12 points it conceded in Weeks 10 and 11. 

With Dan Quinn's team trending in the wrong direction, Kittle could thrive in the 49ers' first home game since Week 12.

                        

Value Play: O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay 

Price: DraftKings: $3,500; FanDuel: $5,700

Those who were critical of the Winston selection may be even more skeptical of Howard's inclusion on this list.

For most of the season, the Alabama product has frustrated fantasy owners with his inconsistent performances. However, he has played much better in the past two games, as he has nine receptions on 11 targets for 134 yards.

Howard is still lacking in touchdowns, but the back-to-back performances are a positive sign that he will be an active part of Tampa Bay's offensive game plan without Evans.

If you have full confidence in the Buccaneers, you may want to stack Winston, Godwin and Howard to maximize their projected success against a brutal defense.

                      

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from Pro Football Reference.