There is not any such factor as meaningless soccer.
Generally, the phrase will get floated round when describing video games between groups outdoors of the playoff hunt, however the fact is each recreation in a 17-game season means one thing.
Under, we check out the 5 most impactful remaining video games between groups that will not be enjoying within the Tremendous Bowl this season. As a result of the outcomes over the following two weeks could possibly be felt for months to return.
5 most impactful NFL video games outdoors of the playoff image
Arizona Cardinals (3-12) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-10) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox) | Head coaches Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals) and Zac Taylor (Bengals) have unsure futures with every set to overlook the playoffs for a 3rd consecutive season. Arizona has regressed in Gannon’s third 12 months, shedding seven in a row, together with 4 by at the very least 19 factors. That is after the Cardinals’ first 5 losses got here by 13 factors mixed.
Whereas final Sunday’s blowout win on the Miami Dolphins confirmed the Bengals have not checked out fully below Taylor, quarterback Joe Burrow’s regarding feedback earlier in December about his future ought to make the entrance workplace look at the quarterback-coach relationship. Cincinnati has solely made three teaching adjustments this century, however could possibly be pressured to make substantial alterations with a loss to Arizona.
New Orleans Saints (5-10) at Tennessee Titans (3-12) (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS) | Tyler Shough has been one of the best quarterback of the 2025 rookie class, respiratory life right into a Saints franchise that had dim future prospects coming into the season. He is led New Orleans to 3 consecutive wins and is coming off his first 300-yard recreation. On Sunday, Shough faces off with 2025’s No. 1 total choose, Cam Ward, who’s coming off his finest efficiency in a 26-9 win over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (6-9), finishing a season-high 75 % of his passes for 228 yards (8.1 yards per try) and two touchdowns. The 2 rookie quarterbacks are trending upward, however one’s ahead momentum will likely be curtailed for at the very least one week.
New York Giants (2-13) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS) | That is the Tremendous Bowl of dangerous groups, with the loser gaining the within observe to the No. 1 total choose of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Of the 2 groups, the Raiders want a loss extra. The jury stays out on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart after a promising begin to his profession, nevertheless it appears unlikely New York would draft one other one a 12 months after buying and selling up for Dart.
Las Vegas, in the meantime, wants a franchise quarterback (amongst different issues). Possessing the No. 1 choose would give the group an opportunity to discover a quarterback of the long run.
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (6-9) (Sunday, Jan. 4, TBD) | With a Saints win and Falcons loss in Week 17, the season finale between NFC South rivals will likely be a battle for final place. That might have critical implications for the 2026 season. Primarily based on the present league standings, the last-place workforce within the division will profit from what seems to be a way more favorable schedule.
Coming into Week 17, fourth place within the NFC South would have 2026 video games towards the Cardinals, Giants and Raiders, whereas third place would play the Chiefs, Washington Commanders (4-11) and Los Angeles Rams (11-4) along with widespread video games towards the AFC North and NFC North.
Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, Jan. 4, TBD) | Might this be it for Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce? It might be an anticlimactic swan track for arguably the best tight finish in NFL historical past, however after hinting at this season doubtlessly being his final, the Week 18 highway journey is likely to be his closing recreation.
