NFL Saturday Schedule 2017: Week 15 Start Times, TV Channels, Online Info

Alex Smith Chiefs — Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs runs the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at the StubHub Center on Sept. 24, 2017 in Carson, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Football is back on Saturday for the first time in the 2017 NFL season. The schedule features two games between division opponents, one of which could determine a playoff berth.

It starts at 4:30 p.m. EST when the Chicago Bears visit the Detroit Lions. The Kansas City Chiefs host the Los Angeles Chargers at 8:25 p.m. EST. Both games can be seen on NFL Network or with a live stream online at nflnonline.nfl.com.

The late contest is the much bigger matchup of the two games. Tied atop the AFC West, Kansas City and L.A. are battling for sole possession of first place in the division.

The Chiefs appear to be in a freefall with six losses in their last eight games, though they can come close to locking up the division title with a win. Kansas City beat Los Angeles earlier this year, so winning Saturday would give them the tiebreaker.

The loser would still be alive in the AFC wild-card race. With Kansas City currently in the playoffs because of their victory in Los Angeles in Week 3, the Chargers are the conference’s No.8 seed in Week 15. They share a 7-6 record with the No.7 Baltimore Ravens and No.6 Buffalo Bills.

Don’t be surprised if the AFC’s current No.5 seed falls out of the playoff picture. The Tennessee Titans are 8-5, but they could be underdogs in each of their last three games as they visit the San Francisco 49ers and host the division-leading Los Angeles Rams and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Neither Chicago nor Detroit is in contention for the NFC North title. The Lions haven’t been technically eliminated from the divisional race, but they trail the Minnesota Vikings by three games with three weeks remaining. The Bears can’t make the postseason even if they win their final three games.

Saturday’s game does mean something for Detroit’s wild-card hopes. They are a game out of the wild-card race as the NFC’s No.8 seed, and they are in a virtual must-win situation. The Lions defeated the Bears 27-24 four weeks ago.

Two more Saturday games will be on the Week 16 schedule. Every Week 17 contest is scheduled for Sunday.