There may not be a ton of playoff intrigue as we head toward the end of the regular season, but what we do have is about as good as it could be. Take, for example, the Week 17 showdown in the NFC North between the Packers and Vikings. A Vikings win sets up a likely win-and-get-the-1-seed game between them and the Lions in Week 18. A Packers win doesn't carry quite that level of playoff implication, but it would further cement them as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into that game, recap the Christmas Day games, and check in on the other playoff races on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Rundown

Chiefs lock up the 1-seed in the AFC with win over Steelers

Ravens move into first place in AFC North with convincing win over Texans

Packers-Vikings preview

Handicapping the remaining playoff races

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