If the Atlanta Falcons win against the New York Giants and the Washington Commanders lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16, the two teams will be just a game apart ahead of their Week 17 matchup. With the seventh seed still somewhat open, that could mean the game has significant postseason implications for both teams, with a win getting Washington well-positioned to try to steal the final seed and a victory for Atlanta getting them into a potential win-and-you’re-in situation for Week 18 against the Panthers.
Given those implications, it’s not a huge surprise that the NFL has flexed the Falcons-Commanders game to Sunday Night Football for Week 17.