Week 17 NFL Preview: Herbert Seeks Redemption, Oladokun Gets His Shot, and the Chiefs Face a QB Crossroads
As we head into Week 17, the stakes are climbing fast. Playoff positioning is on the line, and for some teams, the final two weeks of the season could define not just their postseason fate but their future outlook. Let’s take a closer look at two AFC teams with very different quarterback situations heading into the home stretch - the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Chargers Look to Exorcise Houston Demons, Herbert Focused on Execution
The Chargers are back in familiar territory - fighting for playoff seeding in the final weeks of the season. But there’s a bit of unfinished business on their minds as they prepare for a pivotal matchup against the Texans.
Last year’s blowout loss in Houston during the postseason still lingers for quarterback Justin Herbert. And he’s not pretending otherwise.
“It was one of those things that you continue to think about,” Herbert admitted. “No one felt worse than I did after that game.”
That kind of honesty tells you how much that loss has stuck with him. But Herbert’s not dwelling - he’s using it as fuel.
“I think it’s important to continue to move forward and realize that it’s what happened,” he said. “It would be crazy of me to deny the truth of what happened.”
That’s the mindset of a quarterback who gets it. He’s not trying to erase the past; he’s learning from it.
Heading into this week’s matchup, Herbert knows exactly what it’ll take to avoid a repeat of last year’s disappointment - take care of the football and capitalize on scoring chances.
“Ball security, scoring points in the red zone, and converting on third down,” Herbert said, laying out the formula. “That’s going to be really important.”
Against a Texans defense that’s shown flashes of dominance this season, execution in those three areas will be critical. The Chargers have the talent - now it’s about playing clean, situational football when it matters most.
Oladokun Gets His Shot as Chiefs Turn to Third QB in Week 17
Over in Kansas City, it’s a very different story. With both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew sidelined for the rest of the season, the Chiefs are handing the reins to third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun.
And it’s happening on the biggest stage of the regular season - Christmas Day.
For Oladokun, this isn’t just a spot start. It’s a career-defining opportunity.
“It’s a huge opportunity, and it’s something I don’t take lightly,” Oladokun said. “These opportunities don’t come around often, and so when you get them, take that and run with it.”
He’s not wrong. In a league where backup quarterbacks often live in the shadows, a start in Week 17 - with playoff implications still in play - is a rare and valuable chance to prove you belong.
“This is not only a big game for our team, but me personally a big game in terms of letting the league know what I can do,” Oladokun added. “Letting these coaches know what I do and moving forward, having that confidence in me if something were to happen - that they feel confident that I can go out there and execute the game plan.”
It’s not just about this week. It’s about planting a flag for the future. Whether it’s in Kansas City or elsewhere, a strong performance could change the trajectory of Oladokun’s career.
Chiefs Face Big Offseason Decisions at Quarterback
Looking ahead, the Chiefs’ quarterback situation is one of the more intriguing offseason storylines to watch. Patrick Mahomes is the face of the franchise - that’s not changing. But with his rehab ongoing, Kansas City will need a plan for spring workouts, and how they approach that could tell us a lot.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the team’s actions this offseason - whether they bring in a veteran with starting experience or roll with a developmental arm - might offer a glimpse into Mahomes’ recovery timeline.
Regardless, someone else will be taking snaps during OTAs and minicamp. And who that is could say plenty about how the Chiefs view their depth chart and Mahomes’ readiness for Week 1.
Final Word
Week 17 is a pressure cooker. For Justin Herbert, it’s a chance to rewrite a painful chapter.
For Chris Oladokun, it’s a shot to prove he belongs. And for the Chiefs, it’s the beginning of a quarterback evaluation process that could shape their offseason.
The playoffs are just around the corner, but for these teams, the future starts now.