The 5 Top NFL Games for Week 17 of the Regular Season: Packers-Lions, Chiefs-Chargers and more

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks to the end zone for a receiver during the final minutes of the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi
Dec 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks to the end zone for a receiver during the final minutes of the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi /

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

There is still a chance that Kansas City can make the playoffs if both Baltimore and Houston lose and they defeat the Chargers. Of course, if the Chiefs lose the Chargers are definitely in the playoffs with the final spot.

Both teams face some significant challenges though. The San Diego offensive line is riddled with injuries, while Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has a lacerated spleen, as was reported by Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

What’s more amazing is the Deadspin report that it took four days for someone to realize something was seriously wrong with Smith. In the Chargers favor though is Philip Rivers, who has dealt with and overcome offensive line problems all season long – actually all his whole career.

The Chiefs will have to find a way to pull out all the stops on defense, as Chase Daniel is unlikely to be incredibly effective, especially considering how poor the offense looked with Smith. Aside from Jamaal Charles this team has not looked good on offense.

Still, the Chargers don’t always play consistently, and the Chiefs have surprised us before. While we might lean Chargers, we won’t count out the Chiefs.

Next: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons