Week 17 began on Christmas day with two huge AFC games featuring four playoff teams. On Thursday night, we also saw a potential playoff team keep pace in the NFC. Saturday’s three games had four playoff hopefuls in the mix.

This was particularly surprising given we got two matchups between four teams guaranteed playoff spots. But it hit home the harsh reality of the AFC. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this is three-team playoff race.

The Ravens will finish no worse than the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoffs. Their Week 16 win also prevented Pittsburgh from locking down the division. Now, the Ravens need one more win than the Steelers in the final two weeks of the season to lock down an AFC North title and host a first-round playoff game.