Bears mini-bye: Must-see NFL games in Week 17

The Chicago Bears are enjoying a Sunday off following a Thursday Night Football loss to the Seattle Seahawks. With just two games remaining in the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take final shape, with three teams in the NFC North all vying for the best seeding possible.

With no game for the Bears on the Sunday schedule, there are still some games worth watching in Week 17, including two games in the NFC North and a showdown between two rookie quarterbacks facing off and fighting for their spot in the playoffs. Either narrative could've been a possibility for the Bears -- a showdown with their NFC North rival to get a spot in the playoffs or their rookie quarterback leading them to a potential wild card berth like Jayden Daniels has for the Washington Commanders. Instead, there's more questions than answers surrounding Caleb Williams.

Here are three must-see games in Week 17:

1. Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Sunday, Dec. 29, 3:25 p.m. CT, FOX

With all the talk surrounding the Detroit Lions and their potential Super Bowl run, the Minnesota Vikings have been the biggest surprise of the season. Although the Green Bay Packers have clinched their playoff berth, the Vikings are still fighting for a shot at the NFC North division title, and the Packers can keep the rivalry strong between them. Even with the Packers playoff position set, they'll have the opportunity to spoil Minnesota's hopes, and the last time they met, the Vikings snuck away with a two-point victory.

2. Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Commanders,

Sunday, Dec. 29, 7:20 p.m. CT, NBC

Due to the fact that the Washington Commanders drafted Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick, while the Bears selected Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, and both teams are on complete opposite ends of their season, the comparisons will always be there. Daniels has gotten the Commanders into position to earn a playoff berth, controlling their destiny as they sit in the seventh and final seed in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Atlanta turned to rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. after Kirk Cousins continued to underperform in the first year of his $100+ million contract.

Both Atlanta and Washington have given themselves an opportunity to not only advance to the playoffs, but make some serious noise while doing so. The Commanders and Falcons also serve as a perfect display of what the Bears wish they were this season, a team led with head coaches that know how to win and have strong leadership personalities, who also focus on putting their rookie quarterback in the best position to succeed. The same can't be said for Williams in Chicago. So fans would have a great idea of what things could be in the future, if the Bears organization finds the right coach to pair with Williams.

3. Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers,

Monday, Dec. 30, 7:15 p.m. CT, ESPN

After destroying the Bears in Week 16, the Detroit Lions have a chance to beat up on a banged up and underperforming San Francisco 49ers team. Looking to gain ground and separate themselves from the race with the Minnesota Vikings for the divisional title, the Lions will be rooting for the Packers while also trying to handle their own business in San Francisco. A Week 18 matchup against Minnesota awaits them, and the Lions have a perfect opportunity to put an emphatic stamp on the end of their regular season.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears mini-bye: Must-see NFL games in Week 17