NFL Week 17 Scores and Playoff Implications
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the Carolina Panthers 27-10, with Zach Charbonnet rushing for 110 yards and two touchdowns, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba catching nine receptions for 72 yards. The victory improved the Seahawks' record to 13-3, putting them close to securing the NFC No. 1 seed.
The Carolina Panthers fell to 8-8 as Bryce Young completed 14 of 24 passes for 54 yards with one interception. He also added 30 rushing yards and a 10-yard rushing touchdown. The Panthers were limited to just 139 yards of total offense and now must win at Tampa Bay in the next game to claim the NFC South title and end a seven-year playoff drought.
In other NFC South action, the Miami Dolphins edged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17. Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns. The Buccaneers dropped to 7-9, sitting behind the Panthers in the NFC South, having lost four straight games. A win over Carolina next week would clinch the division for Tampa Bay.
The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Arizona Cardinals 37-14. Ja'Marr Chase caught two touchdown passes while Joe Burrow threw for 305 yards. Chase Brown contributed 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Trey McBride had ten receptions, reaching 119 for the season and breaking the NFL single-season tight end record. Brissett passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns.
The New England Patriots routed the New York Jets 42-10. Drake Maye threw a career-high five touchdown passes, completing 19 of 21 passes for 256 yards. He joined Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe as Patriots quarterbacks with 4,000-yard seasons. Maye left the game in the third quarter for Joshua Dobbs. Meanwhile, Borregales missed a 41-yard field goal.
The Cleveland Browns won against the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6. Shedeur Sanders threw for 186 yards and one touchdown. The Browns' defense prevented the Steelers from scoring a touchdown, denying them a division clinch. The Browns improved to 4-12, while the Steelers stood at 9-7.
Finally, the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 23-17. Trevor Lawrence ran for two scores, and Cam Little kicked a 42-yard field goal with 6:58 left to secure the victory. The Jaguars improved to 12-4 and remained contenders in the AFC South. The Houston Texans had earlier beaten the Chargers to stay in playoff contention. Liam Coen became the first NFL head coach, marking a notable milestone.
