Week 17 NFL game viewability rankings

Week 17 in the NFL is almost here, and you might be entering the weekend with your own preferences regarding which games to focus on, and which to place on the backburner. Most of you have your favorites and fantasy players to track. But in case you're completely neutral or need help breaking ties with regard to what to watch, we've ranked all 16 games from most appealing to least enticing.

Games worth watching

1. Packers at Bears (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): One of the greatest rivalries in NFL history for all the marbles in that division. Plus the possible return of Aaron Rodgers? This could be epic, assuming the Packers don't run away with it against that bad Chicago defense. 

2. Eagles at Cowboys (Sunday night, NBC): Even if Tony Romo doesn't suit up, this will be fun. You know it. NFC East finales like these are always entertaining, and the Kyle Orton factor could make it even more interesting. 

3. Ravens at Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): You know this is going to be a slugfest between two AFC North rivals fighting for positioning. Baltimore won't go down easy, and the Bengals can still secure a bye. This game will certainly go down to the wire. 

4. Broncos at Raiders (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): Denver should cruise here, but it's still a bit intriguing because it's a road game they probably have to win to lock up the top seed in the AFC. Plus, Peyton Manning is gunning for the single-season passing yards record.

5. 49ers at Cardinals (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): San Francisco is playing for a potential first-round bye, while the Cardinals still have a shot at the playoffs. Arizona is a scary team and the Niners are peaking at the right time. This one should be close, too. 

6. Panthers at Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Carolina should win this game handily to lock up the NFC South. The fact that it means something makes it somewhat watchable, but it could be well in hand by halftime. We have a strange feeling Atlanta will put up a fight, so keep track of this one. 

7. Buccaneers at Saints (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): The Saints might have to win this game to clinch a bye, or they might need to do so merely to make the playoffs. Either way, it'll be worth watching if it's close.

8. Jaguars at Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): An Indy win and losses from New England and Baltimore would hand the Colts the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye, but the Jaguars have been quite feisty throughout the second half and they know this Indy team well. Look for this to be a close game in the second half.

9. Jets at Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): The Dolphins "control their own destiny" and they should prevail against a bad Jets team that they beat handily on the road less than a month ago. This can be ignored unless it's close in the fourth quarter.

10. Chiefs at Chargers (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): This game won't likely matter. But if it does, it'll absolutely be worth watching. San Diego needs Cincinnati and New York to win earlier. 

11. Rams at Seahawks (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, FOX): Another game that might not matter at kickoff. But if San Francisco beats the Cardinals, Seattle will have to beat an underrated Rams team to hang onto that No. 1 spot. 

12. Bills at Patriots (Sunday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS): New England might have to win this game to keep a first-round bye, but I can't imagine they have much trouble. 

Games to ignore

13. Browns at Steelers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): Pittsburgh is still technically alive but in need of a miracle. There's no room for this game, especially since it should be one-sided anyway.

14. Texans at Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS): This has No. 1 overall pick implications, but that's no reason to tune into a game. 

15. Lions at Vikings (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Why would anybody watch this game? Detroit's eliminated and the Vikings are a bore.

16. Redskins at Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX): Same with this one. The Giants are long gone and Kirk Cousins has been nothing more than ordinary. 

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com (covering Super Bowls XLIV, XLV and XLVI), a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Bloguin, but his day gig has him covering all things NFC East for Bleacher Report.

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