Five most important NFL games outside playoff picture

There isn’t any such factor as meaningless soccer.

Generally, the phrase will get floated round when describing video games between groups exterior of the playoff hunt, however the fact is each recreation in a 17-game season means one thing.

Beneath, we check out the 5 most impactful remaining video games between groups that will not be taking part in within the Tremendous Bowl this season. As a result of the outcomes over the following two weeks might be felt for months to return.

5 most impactful NFL video games exterior 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 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 study the quarterback-coach relationship. Cincinnati has solely made three teaching adjustments this century, however might 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 the very best quarterback of the 2025 rookie class, respiration 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 general choose, Cam Ward, who’s coming off his greatest 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 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 unhealthy groups, with the loser gaining the within observe to the No. 1 general 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 longer term.

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 severe implications for the 2026 season. Based mostly on the present league standings, the last-place workforce within the division will profit from what seems to be a way more favorable schedule.

Getting into Week 17, fourth place within the NFC South would have 2026 video games in opposition to the Cardinals, Giants and Raiders, whereas third place would play the Chiefs, Washington Commanders (4-11) and Los Angeles Rams (11-4) along with frequent video games in opposition to 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 will be an anticlimactic swan music for arguably the best tight finish in NFL historical past, however after hinting at this season doubtlessly being his final, the Week 18 street journey could be his remaining recreation.