Week 17 NFL players to watch: Expect Christian McCaffrey to add to MVP resume

Week 17 is off to a roaring start after unlikely hero Joe Flacco helped the Cleveland Browns (11-5) clinch a playoff berth with a 37-20 win over the New York Jets (6-10) on "TNF." Here are the top players to watch this weekend, including two who are having MVP-worthy seasons.

SUNDAY'S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Lamar Jackson leads Ravens to No. 1 seed

The Baltimore Ravens (12-3) put the rest of the league on notice with a dominant 33-19 win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. Now they have a chance to lock up the No. 1 seed at home with a win over the Miami Dolphins (11-4). 

It won't be easy against Miami, which boasts the league's best offense in total yards per game (411.5) and points per game (30.9), but Baltimore has Jackson, who is putting together another MVP-caliber season.

The 2019 MVP has 4,143 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns (19 passing). He will only build upon those stats in a game that has all the makings of a shootout. Jackson is more motivated than ever to lock up the AFC's No. 1 seed by the end of the weekend.

"I believe we're locked in," he told reporters. 

SUNDAY'S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Rams' Puka Nacua stays hot, nears rookie record

Nacua, who is having one of the best rookie campaigns in NFL history, is coming off a dominant Week 16 performance in which he had nine catches for 164 yards and a touchdown. He has 1,327 receiving yards for the Rams (8-7), putting him 147 yards shy of breaking the rookie receiving yards record set by Bill Groman in 1960.

Against the New York Giants (5-10), who are allowing 229.7 passing yards per game, Nacua may break the mark.

Per FanDuel, the No. 177 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has the second-best odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year, behind Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud.

SUNDAY'S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | 49ers' Christian McCaffrey cements MVP campaign

A QB has won NFL MVP for 10 straight years (2013-22), but that streak could end this season. McCaffrey, who has 1,395 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing and 537 yards and seven touchdowns receiving, has a strong case to make in a somewhat down year for quarterbacks. 

Per FanDuel, the Ravens' Jackson is the new favorite to win the award following Niners QB Brock Purdy's four-interception game in Week 16, but McCaffrey isn't too far behind and has a good shot to join former Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, who won the award in 2012 — the last non-QB to do so.

McCaffrey has an ideal matchup Sunday when the 49ers (11-4) play at the Washington Commanders (4-11). Washington is allowing the most total yards per game (384.3) in the league.

SUNDAY'S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Ja'Marr Chase torches stout Chiefs defense

The Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) and Kansas City Chiefs (9-6) face off in a game with big playoff implications. The teams always seem to play late in the season, and chatter between the two is getting louder the closer we get to kickoff.

Earlier this week, a reporter asked Chase what stood out with Kansas City's defense.

"Nothing," he said. "It's not really like they got a Jalen Ramsey on their squad."

For the most part, Chase has been able back up his words with his play, but it will be difficult this time. Kansas City is allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game (173.8). 

Cincinnati QB Jake Browning is looking to bounce back from his three-interception debacle in a loss in Pittsburgh in Week 16. He will look for Chase early and often in the hostile environment at Arrowhead Stadium.