NFL games today: schedule, channels, live streams for December 31

It’s Week 17 of the 2023 NFL season, meaning teams have only two games left before the playoffs. After Thursday night’s game, seven teams have clinched playoff berths. Those teams are the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Dallas Cowboys.

It’s a packed New Year’s Eve schedule, as 14 games will be played on December 31. The best game of the day features the Miami Dolphins taking on the Baltimore Ravens. There is still time to purchase NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV. Fans can watch every game with Sunday Ticket, now as low as $39. Below, check out the NFL Week 17 schedule, channels, and live-stream information.

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills start time, channel, and live stream

• Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Channel: CBS
• Stream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo

After starting 6-6, the Bills (9-6) have won three straight games and find themselves in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot. The Bills are the six-seed heading into Week 17, and with a win over the Patriots (4-11), Buffalo would have a 97% chance of making the postseason (via NFL.com). New England will play hard, but a loss will ensure a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears start time, channel, and live stream

The @ChicagoBears can still make the playoffs.

Yep. @PSchrags tells us how. #SchragersBeautifulMind pic.twitter.com/3RxLFrn6V8

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) December 29, 2023

• Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Channel: CBS
• Stream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo

Surprisingly, the Falcons (7-8) can still make the playoffs. Atlanta’s chances to make the postseason are about 10%. First, they need to defeat the Bears (6-9), which will be no easy feat considering how well Chicago’s defense has played over the last six weeks. Even with a win, Atlanta needs major help, including a Bucs loss.

Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts start time, channel, and live stream

The NFC South title is on the line when the Saints (7-8) play the Buccaneers (8-7). The Bucs have a win-and-in situation. If Tampa beats New Orleans, the Bucs clinch a playoff berth, and the NFC South, which means they will have a home playoff game. If the Saints win, they can still make the playoffs, but they will need Tampa to lose in Week 18 against the Panthers.

San Francisco 49ers at Washington Commanders start time, channel, and live stream

• Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Channel: Fox
• Stream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV

Every team has a bad week, including the 49ers (11-4). San Francisco was outclassed and outmatched against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas night, losing 33-19 on Christmas. There’s no need to panic if you’re the 49ers. However, there is some concern if the 49ers find themselves in a situation where Brock Purdy has to lead a comeback. It won’t matter this week as the 49ers play the Commanders (4-11), who have not won since Week 9.

Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars start time, channel, and live stream

• Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Channel: CBS
• Stream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo

What happened to the Jaguars (8-7)? After Week 12, Jacksonville was 8-3. Heading into Week 17, the Jaguars are 8-7 and could miss the playoffs. Trevor Lawrence has been dealing with injuries all season, and now, the star quarterback is nursing an injured shoulder. Yet, the Jaguars catch a break with a home game against the NFL’s worst team, the Carolina Panthers (2-13).

Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens start time, channel, and live stream

• Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Channel: CBS
• Stream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo

The best game of the week pits the Miami Dolphins (11-4) against the Baltimore Ravens (12-3). The Dolphins and Ravens notched wins against the Cowboys and 49ers in Week 16. This game has massive implications for the AFC. If the Ravens win, Baltimore clinches the top seed in the AFC, which comes with home-field advantage and a first-round bye. If Miami beats Baltimore and wins in Week 18, Miami secures the one seed.

Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans start time, channel, and live stream

Texans QB C.J. Stroud has cleared concussion protocol and was back at practice today. pic.twitter.com/qnuE0whjeo

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 28, 2023

• Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Channel: Fox
• Stream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV

No matter what happens the rest of the year, the Texans (8-7) should be proud of this season. Houston was expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. Yet, the Texans have a shot at making the playoffs. Right now, Houston is one spot behind the seven-seed. If the Texans beat the Titans (5-10), their playoff chances increase to 52%. However, a loss decreases the Texans’ postseason hopes to 13%.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks start time, channel, and live stream

• Start Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
• Channel: Fox
• Stream: NFL+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV

The Steelers (8-7) are running it back with Mason Rudolph at quarterback in Week 17. Kenny Pickett is healthy, but with Pittsburgh’s season on the line, Mike Tomlin is sticking with Rudolph, who threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns in the Steelers’ 34-11 win over the Bengals in Week 16. Meanwhile, the Seahawks (8-7) are in a good spot for making the playoffs. Seattle holds the seventh and final seed in the NFC. If the Seahawks defeat the Steelers, their postseason chances increase to 87%.

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos start time, channel, and live stream

From The Insiders on #NFLPlus: It feels like #Broncos coach Sean Payton just wants to see his offense run as it should be. pic.twitter.com/XDQY7eHl2h

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2023

• Start Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• Channel: CBS
• Stream: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV, Fubo

Sean Payton made a bombshell announcement earlier this week when he benched Russell Wilson (7-8). With their postseason hopes on the line, the Broncos (7-8) now turn to Jarrett Stidham at quarterback. Stidham should beat the Chargers (5-10), who want the season to end so they can begin their search for a new general manager and coach.

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs start time, channel, and live stream