NFL Scores, Live Updates: Chargers vs. Patriots open Week 17 Saturday slate

The Los Angeles Chargers can take some of the tension out of the AFC playoff picture on Saturday when they host the New England Patriots. Jim Harbaugh’s team can seal one of the two remaining spots on the AFC side of the playoffs with a win over the 3-12 Patriots, who have struggled in a rebuilding year in their first season under Bill Belichick. The Chargers — who enter Week 17 at 9-6 — have lost three of their last five games and are trying to build some momentum for a final playoff run that would start on the road, where the Chiefs have won the AFC West. The Patriots have lost six of their last seven, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye has shown some promise, completing nearly 70% of his throws in that stretch.

Saturday’s other game has some playoff implications in the AFC as the 9-6 Denver Broncos head to Cincinnati to take on the 7-8 Bengals. Denver can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Bengals, who need a win to stay alive in the postseason hunt. The Bengals have won three straight to stay in it behind one of the league’s most explosive offenses – Joe Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards and is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes – while Denver had its four-game winning streak end last week against the Chargers .

In the NFC, the Rams can clinch the NFC West with a win over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night, thanks to winning a strength-of-victory tie-breaker over Seattle. The Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs last week with a loss to the Panthers. The Rams are closing well after winning their last four games, but they have scored just 31 total points in wins over the 49ers and Jets over the past two weeks.

Week 17 NFL Saturday schedule

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