NFL week 17 recap - Titans win AFC South; Packers clinch NFC top seed (2024)

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Ben Collins and Paul Higham

All times stated are UK

  1. Now onto the post-season...

    What an end to the NFL's regular season!

    There were seven play-off spots still up for grabs and a high-scoring day saw the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Rams all win to punch their ticket.

    There was late drama as the Tennessee Titans - assured of a place after earlier results - clinched the AFC South for good measure.

    The Green Bay Packers earned the top seed in the NFC Conference while the Chicago Bears sneaked in and the Miami Dolphins missed out. Click here for live score updates on the US primetime game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington, which will decide the final place.

    Scroll down to read round-ups, follow the drama as it happened and watch clips of the best action. We'll be back next Saturday for live text coverage of all the wildcard games.

  2. Game of the Day - Titans edge AFC South

    Houston Texans 38-41 Tennessee Titans

    The Tennessee Titans just about claimed the AFC South aftera wild late finish to their victory at the Houston Texans saw two fieldgoals scored inside the last 22 seconds.

    Ka'imi Fairbairn bootedHouston ahead from 51 yards after previously being 24-9 and 31-15 behind in thethird quarter, but Ryan Tannehill rallied quickly and hit A.J. Brown for a huge52-yard gain to set up a game-winning kick for Sam Sloman – albeit via theupright.

    Running back Derrick Henrybecame just the eighth player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season with 250yards and two touchdowns in another monster game against Houston.

    Deshaun Watson had 365yards passing and three touchdowns in an impressive display that showedHouston, who finish the season with a 4-12 record, have a star franchise quarterback if they can just find some othersupporting pieces for him.

    The win saw the Titansedge out the Indianapolis Colts for the AFC South crown, despite them beatingthe Jacksonville Jaguars 24-18 before rushing to watch the end of thenail-biter in Houston.

    Rookie Jonathan Taylor ranfor 253 yards and two touchdowns but the Colts had to settle for the seventhseed in the end and a trip to Buffalo next week. The win also meant the Miami Dolphins missed out on the play-offs, despite being 10-6.

    Tennessee’s reward forwinning the division is to next week host the Baltimore Ravens, who will be outfor revenge after losing to Henry and the Titans in last season’s play-offs.

  3. AFC round-up – Browns end play-off drought

    The Cleveland Browns ended the longest active play-offdrought in typical Cleveland Browns fashion, surviving a big fightbackfrom Pittsburgh Steelers back-ups to win 24-22 and make the post-season for thefirst time since 2002.

    It was a game more about nerve than the box score, and BakerMayfield showed plenty of it down the stretch, even sealing the game himselfwith a first-down run. To add even more spice, the Browns will now face theSteelers’ first team next week in Pittsburgh.

    The Miami Dolphins had their destiny in their own handsbefore their trip to the Buffalo Bills, but they were ripped apart by JoshAllen and Isaiah McKenzie in a remarkable 56-26 win that saw the Bills goflying into the post-season.

    The Baltimore Ravens also made impressive progress into theplay-offs with a dominant rushing display in their 38-3 win over theCincinnati Bengals, where they tallied an incredible 404 yards on the ground.

    The Kansas City Chiefs rested most of their star players,which allowed the Los Angeles Chargers to earn a 38-21 success as impressiverookie Justin Herbert set a new record for touchdown passes in his debutseason.

    With the Chiefs sitting out next week as the top seeds inthe AFC, it will mean three weeks between games for Patrick Mahomes and company– time will tell whether head coach Andy Reid has made a mistake if rustinessstrikes for the defending champions.

  4. NFC round-up - Packers take top spot

    The Green Bay Packers secured the numberone seed in the NFC and that crucial week off with a 35-16 victory over theChicago Bears, where Aaron Rodgers enhanced his Most Valuable Player prospects with a four-touchdownperformance.

    The Packers finish on 13-3 for the seasonand will put their feet up next week as the other six NFC sides battle it out.The Bears will be one of those sides despite losing out to their NFC Northrivals, though, as they scrape in despite an 8-8 record.

    The Bears edged out the Arizona Cardinalson a tiebreaker after the Cardinals lost 18-7 to the Los Angeles Rams in abattle of the back-up quarterbacks. Rams QB John Walford had 231 yards passingand 56 yards rushing as he guided his side into the post-season.

    The Rams will face a tough divisionalbattle against the Seattle Seahawks next week – with the NFC West championsunable to bag the top seed despite a 26-23 win over the San Francisco49ers.

    Russell Wilson had a quiet game until thefourth quarter, when he produced some trademark elusive scrambling before firingtwo touchdowns to Tyler Lockett, before Alex Collins sealed the victory.

    The New Orleans Saints had to settle forthe second seed despite an emphatic 33-7 victory over the Carolina Panthersputting them on 12-4 for the season. Drew Brees threw three touchdown passesand Taysom Hill ran in one in the absence of star rusher Alvin Kamara.

  5. NFL play-off standings & fixtures

    We've still got the late game when the NFC East will be decided. If Washington beat Philadelphia they'll take up the fourth seed in the NFC, if they lose then it'll be the New York Giants who will host Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers in next week's Super Wildcard Weekend.

    The rest of the play-off standings, and the fixtures for next week, are locked in though.

    AFC

    1. Chiefs (14-2)
    2. Bills (13-3)
    3. Steelers (12-4)
    4. Titans (11-5)
    5. Ravens (11-5)
    6. Browns (11-5)
    7. Colts (11-5)

    The Kansas City Chiefs have a first-weekbye, with three wildcard games taking place.

    • Bills v Colts
    • Steelers v Browns
    • Titans v Ravens

    NFC

    1. Packers (13-3)
    2. Saints (12-4)
    3. Seahawks (12-4)
    4. Washington (6-9) / Giants (6-10)
    5. Buccaneers (11-5)
    6. Rams (10-6)
    7. Bears (8-8)

    Green Bay Packers have a first-week bye,with three wildcard games taking place.

    • Saints v Bears
    • Seahawks v Rams
    • Washington/Giants v Buccaneers
  6. Full-time - Titans take title

    Houston Texans 38-41 Tennessee Titans

    Well that was close! But the Tennessee Titans win the AFC South for the first time since 2008 to claim the fourth seed, with their 'reward' being a home tie against the Baltimore Ravens.

    As a result, the Indianapolis Colts take the seventh seed and make a trip to Buffalo next week.

  7. Field goal Titans

    Houston Texans 38-41 Tennessee Titans

    What a finish!

    Ryan Tannehill fires a deep bomb for A.J. Brown, who goes up and hauls it in for a 52-yard gain. That sets up a 37-yard field-goal attempt for Sam Sloman, who just about converts via the upright to claim a thrilling win.

  8. Field goal Texans

    Houston Texans 38-38 Tennessee Titans

    We're level, and looking like overtime as Deshaun Watson gets his team just in range for Ka'imi Fairbairn to send a 51-yard effort just over to tie the game with just 22 seconds left.

  9. Full-time scores - late games

    While we wait for the action to end in Houston and Denver, here are the full-time scores from the other late games...

    • Chicago Bears 16-35 Green Bay Packers
    • Indianapolis Colts 28-14 Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Kansas City Chiefs 21-38 Los Angeles Chargers
    • Los Angeles Rams 18-7 Arizona Cardinals
    • San Francisco 49ers 23-26 Seattle Seahawks
    • Carolina Panthers 7-33 New Orleans Saints
  10. Touchdown 49ers

    San Francisco 49ers 23-26 Seattle Seahawks

    Yet there's still time for the 49ers to nick another touchdown, CJ Beathard finding Jeff Wilson Jr. with a three-yard pass with 23 seconds left.

  11. Touchdown Seahawks

    San Francisco 49ers 16-26 Seattle Seahawks

    A strip sack on 49ers quarterback CJ Beathard and a fumble recovery give Seattle the chance to make it two touchdowns in 31 seconds, Alex Collins getting in from eight yards.

  12. Touchdown Titans

    Houston Texans 35-38 Tennessee Titans

    Ryan Tannehill never gives up, and he goes close on a couple of runs before finally getting over the line from five yards to put the Titans back in front!

    Frantic finish coming up in Houston.

  13. Full-time - Colts win and in

    Indianapolis Colts 28-14 Jacksonville Jaguars

    The Indianapolis Colts claim their place in the play-offs and officially eliminate the Miami Dolphins in the process. They're now tuning in to the end of the Tennessee game to see who'll be AFC South champions.

  14. Post update

    Los Angeles Rams 18-7 Arizona Cardinals

    The return of Kyler Murray almost resulted in a field goal - Mike Nugent's 37-yard effort was blocked. But that was as good as it got for Arizona.

    Back-up quarterback John Wolford has just scampered for a first down that should seal victory - and a play-off place - for the Rams.

  15. Touchdown Packers

    Chicago Bears 16-35 Green Bay Packers

    Mitch Trubisky is intercepted by Green Bay safety Adrian Amos, who runs it back to Chicago's 26.

    And three plays later, Aaron Rodgers makes a six-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams. That could be the MVP and the Offensive Player of the Year right there.

  16. That's a record

    Houston Texans 35-31 Tennessee Titans

    Derrick Henry becomes just the eighth player to run for 2,000 yards in a single NFL season. He's not done just yet either...

  17. Touchdown Colts

    Indianapolis Colts 28-14 Jacksonville Jaguars

    The Colts have a really exciting rookie running back in Jonathan Taylor, as he shows again with a 45-yard breakaway touchdown run to extend the lead.

    Taylor has an incredible 241 yards rushing and two touchdowns in this game, and the Colts have a grip on the AFC South title.

  18. Touchdown Seahawks

    San Francisco 49ers 16-19 Seattle Seahawks

    The Seattle Seahawks have had an up-and-down season, but if you've got a quarterback who can make plays like this then you'll always have a chance in the play-offs.

    Moving away from the line of scrimmage, and throwing across his body, Russell Wilson drops a dime to Tyler Lockett for the go-ahead touchdown. Barely had any space to throw into, and it was right on the money. That's also Lockett's 100th reception of the season.

  19. Touchdown Packers

    Chicago Bears 16-28 Green Bay Packers

    The Bears made 51 yards from 15 plays on their last drive, before having to hand it over on downs.

    The Packers aren't to be denied, though, Aaron Jones bursting over from four yards to cap a 12-play drive.

    Green Bay are less than four minutes from booking a week off and homefield advantage for the play-offs.

    NFL week 17 recap - Titans win AFC South; Packers clinch NFC top seed (1)

    ReutersCopyright: Reuters

  20. Touchdown Texans

    Houston Texans 35-31 Tennessee Titans

    Wow! The Titans have collapsed as Deshaun Watson puts Houston ahead by driving them down the field and hitting Pharaoh Brown with a seven-yard touchdown pass.

    As it stands that means the Colts are going to win the AFC South title if they can stay ahead of Jacksonville.

    In terms of play-off fixtures - the winner of the AFC South will host Baltimore, while the other team will visit the Buffalo Bills.

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NFL week 17 recap - Titans win AFC South; Packers clinch NFC top seed (2024)

FAQs

Who is the number 1 seed in the NFC right now? ›

1 - San Francisco 49ers, 12-5

The San Francisco 49ers are the NFC's number-one seed.

Who has the AFC 1 seed? ›

The Baltimore Ravens are locked into the 1-seed and the first-round bye in the AFC, while the Kansas City Chiefs will be the 3-seed and the Cleveland Browns will be the 5-seed. The rest of the conference is up for grabs.

Which NFL teams have nothing to play for in week 18? ›

Neither the Patriots nor the Jets have anything to play for in Week 18. Theoretically, both the Patriots and Jets could be playing for draft position, but this game is about as meaningless as an NFL game can be.

What NFL teams are projected to go to the playoffs? ›

NFC playoff projection
  • ( NFC West Champion) 49ers. ...
  • ( NFC East Champion) Cowboys. ...
  • ( NFC North Champion) Lions. ...
  • ( NFC South Champion) Buccaneers. ...
  • Wild Card 1. Eagles. The Eagles choked away their chances at winning the division title with a loss to the Cardinals in Week 16. ...
  • Wild Card 2. Rams. ...
  • Wild Card 3.
Jan 3, 2024

Who's going to the Super Bowl in 2024? ›

Super Bowl 2024 is this Sunday, February 11 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs will face Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of Super Bowl LIV—the year Mahomes won his first NFL title. Kickoff for Super Bowl 2024 is at 6:30 PM ET on CBS network.

Can the Chiefs still get number one seed? ›

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Kansas City Chiefs have been eliminated from taking over the number 1-seed in the AFC. The Chiefs lost to the Raiders on Christmas Day 20-14 at home. Kansas City has lost four of the last six games this season and sits as the number 3 seed in the AFC.

Who is the 3rd seed in the AFC? ›

-Chiefs

How many times has the 1 seed won the Super Bowl? ›

Since 1975, 26 No. 1 seeds have won the Super Bowl and 10 No. 2 seeds were world champs.

What NFL team went 18 and 0? ›

Most of these teams above suffered their only regular-season loss early in the season and, other than the 2007 Patriots (started regular season and playoffs 18–0), only the 1962 Packers (10–0), 1985 Bears (12–0), 2011 Packers (13–0), and 2015 Panthers (14–0) were on track for a perfect season when they lost.

Who will be benched on week 18? ›

Everything you need to know injury-wise for Week 18 of the NFL season. Some big NFL names will not see the field Sunday including Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford and Joe Flacco.

Will the NFL go to 18 games? ›

The league does eventually want to move to 18 games, but the CBA has a restriction of going past 17 games until it expires. The league wouldn't see an 18-game schedule until 2031 at the earliest. The deal also limits the number of international games the league can hold to 10 in any season through 2025.

What team is predicted to win the Super Bowl in 2025? ›

2025 Super Bowl LIX odds: 49ers, Chiefs co-favorites as players report to camp. Immediately following the Kansas City Chiefs' thrilling overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, both teams opened atop the betting board as the favorites to win it all next season.

Who is predicted to win the Super Bowl? ›

Super Bowl 59 Odds
TeamCurrent Super Bowl OddsOpening Odds
Kansas City Chiefs+550+750
San Francisco 49ers+650+500
Baltimore Ravens+1000+850
Detroit Lions+1200+1200
28 more rows
Jul 24, 2024

What are the odds the Titans make the playoffs? ›

Titans Likely Won't be a Playoff Team This Season

The Titans' odds to make the playoffs this season are set at +440, which gives them an implied probability of just 18.52%.

Who is number 1 on NFC? ›

National Conference
General
1Dallas Cowboys0
2New York Giants0
3Philadelphia Eagles0
14 more rows

Who plays the number 1 seed in NFL playoffs? ›

The NFL does not use a fixed bracket system; the outcome of the Wild Card games determine the matchups of the Divisional playoffs games, with the lowest remaining seed in each conference traveling to the first seed, and the second-lowest remaining seed traveling to the second-highest remaining seed.

Who is the first seed in the NFC North? ›

NFC NORTH
NFC NORTHW-L-T
1Lions Y12-5
2Packers X9-8
3Vikings7-10
4Bears7-10

Who was the last NFC 1 seed to win the Super Bowl? ›

2017 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

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