Game by game, who’s in and who’s out in week 17 in the NFL
Packers at Lions: Jordy Nelson and Devante Adams along with Aaron Jones all most likely out for the packers. As for the Lions, I would not expect any starters to sit, but I would expect Kenny Golladay to take over some snaps and a bigger role from Golden Tate.
Texans at Colts: Texans coach Bill O’Brien talked about wanting to win and not finish in last in the AFC South, which Houston would do with a loss. Both teams will play any healthy players this week. Player to watch though is Texans WR D. Hopkins. He’s missed practiced all week so far, and in highly questionable and close to doubtful to Sunday.
Bears at Vikings: Vikings with a win secure the number two seed, so expect everyone to play for the guys in purple. For the Bears, expect that they will treat this as a division rivalry game and play all starters to try and win.
Jets at Patriots: Bryce Petty will start for the Jets, and it didn’t sound like Bowles was excited to get Hackenberg into a game. The Patriots are still fighting for the number one bye so they’ll play as usual, but if they blow out the Jets as expected perhaps they’ll sit starters early.
Redskins at Giants: Washington seems set to play as they normally would. The Giants however have rookie quarterback Davis Webb as the number two quarterback. It would be odd to promote him if he wasn’t going to get any snaps in Week 17. Eli Manning will start, however so we may see some changing parts throughout the Giants roster. Start Wayne Gallman though with a great match up against the Redskins. The Giants clinch the second pick of the draft with a loss, and if they win the Colts could move ahead of them to get the number two overall pick.
Cowboys at Eagles: Owner Jerry Jones acknowledged that starters will play but younger players will see more time than usual. Dak Prescott will start but not play the entire game. Zeke Elliott is looking to hit 1,000 yards so it looks like Dallas may try and get him to that point. The Eagles have the number one seed clinched, but teams with byes locked up often play their starters at least some in Week 17. Sitting them in the regular-season finale means a long time between games. Nick Foles will start with the ones, but may only play a quarter.
Browns at Steelers: The Browns are trying to avoid 0-16; there’s no need to play backups now. Looks like all the starters will play for the Steelers, but may only make it a half to three quarters as they would need the Jets to beat the Patriots and win to clinch the number one seed. Expect to see some Landy Jones, and Eli Rodgers along with Vance Mcdonald for the Steelers.
Panthers at Falcons: The Panthers can win the NFC South with a win and a Saints loss, and the Falcons need to win to get a wild-card spot. No starters are resting for this one (if the Saints open up a huge lead it’s at least possible the Panthers pull some starters.
Bengals at Ravens: There are no signs the Bengals will rest anyone, though running back Joe Mixon has an ankle injury and so I would expect a heavy dose of Gio Bernard. The Ravens need to win to clinch a playoff spot! Enough said!
Bills at Dolphins: The Bills are still alive for a playoff spot, so there’s no reason to rest anyone. The Dolphins don’t seem inclined to sit anyone either.
Saints at Buccaneers: The Saints clinch the NFC South with a win, and it goes without saying they want to get that and a home playoff game in the Superdome. The Buccaneers played hard last week at Carolina and probably won’t rest anyone this week.
Jaguars at Titans: The Jags really have nothing to play for. They are locked into the number three seed. However the coaching staff has said we want to play to win the game and finish strong. That’s fine, however I would expect Leonard Fournette who has been dealing with an ankle injury to be very limited meaning the ball will go to T.J. Yeldon in the backfield. But, as of now, we have to assume the Jaguars will play everyone. The Titans will obviously play everyone who is available, needing a win to clinch a wild-card spot.
Chiefs at Broncos: The Chiefs played their hand Wednesday announcing the QB Alex Smith will sit and rookie QB Pat Mahomes will start in his place. I would also expect rookie RB Kareem Hunt, WR T. Hill, and TE Travis Kelce to all sit as well. Expect RB Akeem Hunt, and Charcandrick West to take the snaps at RB for the Chiefs. The Broncos will start Paxton Lynch at quarterback. Outside of quarterback, the rest of the lineup should be the same. But starting Lynch would indicate that other young players might see more time than usual.
Raiders at Chargers: There are no indications the Raiders will play younger players, and with coach Jack Del Rio’s future up in the air, it would seem likely he’ll put his best lineup on the field. The Chargers are still alive for a playoff berth, and need to win.
49ers at Rams: The 49ers are hot right now. I would expect all players healthy enough to play will play! The Rams could be the third or fourth seed, and there’s a difference there. The third seed will play the Falcons or Seahawks. The fourth seed will play the Panthers or Saints. Quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and center John Sullivan are among those who won’t play for the Rams. Expect RB Malcom Brown to start for the Rams.
Cardinals at Seahawks: Expect both teams to play at full strength with all healthy players available. The Seahawks need to win and get a Falcons loss to get a wild-card berth.
