Players to Watch
Henry Anderson • DE • Indianapolis Colts • Second season • @HenryAnderson91
Indianapolis was eliminated from playoff contention with a loss at Oakland in Week 16, but the resurgent Henry Anderson is a bright spot late in the season. He made his first start of 2016 and played 49 defensive snaps – 17 more than any other appearance on the season – and looks to have regained the form which made him one of the top rookies in 2015.
Doug Baldwin • WR • Seattle Seahawks • Sixth season • @DougBaldwinJr
Baldwin needs eight catches for his first career 100-reception season, months after inking a four-year/$46 million extension with Seattle this past offseason. He has already set career highs in yards (1,084) and receptions (92) with seven scores and one passing touchdown. Baldwin and the Seahawks face San Francisco's 27th-ranked pass defense, per Pro Football Focus.
Michael Thomas • S • Miami Dolphins • Fourth season • @Michael31Thomas
Michael Thomas is headed to the playoffs for the first time with Miami, which is making its first postseason appearance since 2008. Thomas became more important this week when the Dolphins placed starting safety Isa Abdul-Quddus on injured reserve. Already a two-time Pro Football Focus All-Pro on special teams, Thomas leads the league in special teams tackles (19) and has played stretches of heavy snaps on defense throughout his career.
Matchup to Watch
Packers at Lions
The NFC North title will be decided Sunday night when Detroit (9-6) hosts Green Bay (9-6) in the most meaningful game of Week 17. Injured Lions cornerback Darius Slay returned to practice on Wednesday, but Johnson Bademosi should continue to see snaps at cornerback. Ty Montgomery has evolved into the Packers' lead tailback while Blake Martinez has established himself as a starting linebacker in the NFL. Both teams could make the playoffs with a Washington loss, but one would be eliminated with a Redskins win.
Injury Report
Atlanta tight end Austin Hooper did not participate in practice on Thursday after missing Week 16 with a knee injury. Trent Murphy was a limited participant in Washington's practice on Thursday.
Week 17 Schedule
| Date | Time (PT)/TV Network | Matchup |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 10:00 a.m./CBS | Ravens at Bengals (Ryan Hewitt) |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Panthers (David Yankey) at Buccaneers |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 10:00 a.m./CBS | Browns (Kevin Hogan, Ed Reynolds) at Steelers (David DeCastro) |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 10:00 a.m./FOX | Cowboys at Eagles (Zach Ertz) |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 10:00 a.m./CBS | Jaguars at Colts (Henry Anderson, Andrew Luck, David Parry) |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 10:00 a.m./CBS | Patriots (Cameron Fleming, Jordan Richards) at Dolphins (Michael Thomas) |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 1:25 p.m./FOX | Cardinals (Josh Mauro, Stepfan Taylor) at Rams |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 1:25 p.m./FOX | Giants at Redskins (Trent Murphy) |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 1:25 p.m./FOX | Seahawks (Doug Baldwin, Richard Sherman) at 49ers (Jim Dray, Joshua Garnett) |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 1:25 p.m./FOX | Saints (Coby Fleener, Andrus Peat) at Falcons (Austin Hooper, Levine Toilolo) |
| Sunday, Jan. 1 | 5:30 p.m./NBC | Packers (Blake Martinez, Ty Montgomery, Kyle Murphy) at Lions (Johnson Bademosi) |