ANZ Stadium, Thursday Night
The high flying Eels came crashing back down to earth last week at the hands of the Knights in what was a comprehensive loss in the end.
It could be a game they come to rue at season's end, however, their chances for a top four birth are well and truly alive after Cronulla's loss.
This week, they take on a side in complete and utter turmoil.
Off the field, the Neil Henry and Jarryd Hayne saga continues to make headlines around the league while on the field, they've conceded 96 points in the past fortnight and have given up over 36 points a game on average over the last month.
It's a terrible time to be a Titans fan (all seven of you) and that might only get worse this weekend should Jarryd Hayne's boyhood club click back into gear.
Bevan French returns in the number one jersey for the Eels to stabilize their backs as his opposite number (Hayne) remains a 50-50 chance to play with an ankle injury.
The Titans have kept Tyrone Roberts in the halves after a successful stint in the second half last week which might give the struggling club some hope in a game that sees the Eels start clear favourites.
A strong 11-5 record against the Eels may give the Titans some hope however you can expect the Eels to shake off their poor performance last week and produce something more finals-worthy this Thursday night.
Eels by 14.
ANZ Stadium, Friday Night
Souths will be looking for their third win on the trot on Friday night as they host a reeling Warriors side at ANZ Stadium.
Despite sitting just one game clear of the Warriors on the table, the Bunnies are playing some exciting football of late while the Warriors are undoubtedly playing like wooden spooners.
While a move up the NRL table looks unlikely to end the season, the Rabbitohs have named an unchanged 17 to the side that beat the Bulldogs last week as they seek to finish another season on a strong note, despite not featuring in finals football.
Ben Matulino drops out of the Warriors side through injury with Keiran Foran returning to the halves to give the side a little more attacking flair as his time with the side draws to a close.
The Warriors are looking to avoid a seventh straight loss in 2017 with several sides looking to jump above them on the ladder. They showed glimpses of what they're capable of last week before going down to a superior side in Canberra and should they string more of that together this week, they could manage to break down the defensively unstable Rabbitohs.
Alex Johnston and Cody Walker continue to star in 2017, a couple of bright lights from a rather gloomy season for the Bunnies with the former continuing his try-scoring form last week.
While neither team has much to play for other than pride for the remainder of the season, expect Souths to come out and win this one with ease.
Rabbitohs by 8.
Suncorp Stadium, Friday Night
The big matches keep on coming to end the home and away season as the red-hot Broncos tackle a Dragons side battling to stay in finals contention.
A combined 86-10 score line across the last two weeks has Wayne Bennet's men flying towards September as they claimed second spot on the ladder last week. Their superior points differential to any of their nearest rivals can ensure they remain above the Roosters and Sharks should they slip up in the closing rounds however that doesn't look like happening.
Since Andrew McCullough's injury, the Broncos' spine has flourished, with Sam Thaiday and Ben Hunt rotating at hooker while Kodi Nikorima continues to star alongside Anthony Milford in the halves.
An unchanged 17 has been named for the Broncos to take on a Dragons side who scored a strong win over a dour Titans side last week. With Kurt Mann remaining in the halves, they too have named the same 17 from last week as they look to cause a major boilover at Suncorp on Friday night.
While the Dragons have the most offloads (275) in the competition in 2017, it's the Broncos who are the most dangerous with the football in hand in second-phase offences, as their aforementioned halves cause havoc with their speed and agility along with the line-breaking abilities of their outside backs.
A win could see the Dragons' finals hopes disappear this weekend and while they've won over 40% of their matches at the Broncos fortress, it's hard to see them overcoming the odds this weekend as the Broncos look to push their claim for a top two berth.
Broncos by 10.
McDonald Jones Stadium, Saturday Afternoon
The Melbourne Storm just keep on keeping on, defeating their nearest rival in the Roosters last week to all but sew up the minor premiership.
This week, however, presents a different challenge for the Storm as it doesn't come across as your usual top vs bottom fixture.
The Knights are flying (for the first time in a long time) and have a new lease on life after winning three games on the trot, including an impressive 29-10 win over the surging Eels last week. While they still sit at the foot of the table, the confidence in the group will be as high as it's been for a long time, and it's the Saifiti brothers leading the way.
Together with young half Brock Lamb, the Knights have reason to believe and will give themselves every opportunity at home against the ladder-leading Storm.
Craig Bellamy hinted at the possibility of the Storm resting some of their stars in the lead up to the finals, and while that may not take place this week, they'll welcome back Cameron Munster and potentially Tohu Harris (named on an extended bench) which will only make them that much scarier.
Jesse Bromwich, Joe Stimson and Dale Finucane all starred in last weeks top of the table clash as they look to build some momentum heading into the finals series.
Dane Gagai will line up on his Queensland teammate Billy Slater at the back of the park in what promises to be a tantalising duel while Shaun Kenny-Dowall appears to be appreciating his second crack at top-level football in 2017, impressing in his time at Newcastle.
With Brodie Croft and Jahrome Hughes both named on an extended bench, there is a chance that the Storm springs some late changes to their side should they choose to rest their stars, however, if they remain at full strength, it's hard to see the Knights keep their winning streak alive.
Storm by 10.
Allianz Stadium, Saturday NightÂ
The Roosters return home on Saturday night looking to ensure they don't slip further down the ladder after last weekend's last gasp loss in Melbourne.
They face a Tigers side buoyed after their own dramatic fixture last weekend, scoring with just two minutes remaining to stun Manly.
Wests welcome back Chris Lawrence to their starting side as they seek to thwart off a late Newcastle run to avoid the wooden spoon. While defensively frail at times last weekend - something that won't be forgiven with the Roosters - Luke Brooks led the way for the Tigers in attack, forcing numerous repeat sets while halves partner Tuimoala Lolohea scored a try and set up another as they stormed home in the second half.
The Roosters welcome back Michael Gordon at fullback to add some more back to their back line which will feature Blake Ferguson after he went down with a heavy shoulder knock last week.
Connor Watson starred for the Roosters off the bench against the Storm and will look to lift his side once more against the exciting spine of the Tigers.
A win - and a strong one at that - is vital for the Roosters as they look to maintain their position in the top four while gaining momentum for their clash with the Sharks next week.
Roosters by 8.
1300SMILES Stadium, Saturday Night
The North Queensland Cowboys injury list continues to grow as Justin O'Neill and Shaun Fensom were added to that list after last weeks loss to Penrith.
While they have included Kalyn Ponga and Te Maire Martin into their side for their clash with the premiers, the valuable experience that O'Neill and Fensom provide will be missed as they look to cling on to their spot in the top eight. Fortunately, Michael Morgan overcame a knock and will take his place in the side.
Cronulla head north after a poor performance last week against the Broncos, which has seen them slip to the cusp of the top four. The loss last week was compounded by their loss to fellow finals hopeful Canberra just a week prior and with this fixture along with the Roosters to come, there is a real danger of the Sharks dropping out of the prized top four positions.
With veteran Chris Heighington named on an extended bench, the Sharks have the same line up as last week as they seek to hand the Cowboys their fourth successive loss and bump them out of the top eight.
James Maloney's second week back from injury will hopefully see him return to the form that we know he is capable of in a game that we believe will see the Sharks bounce back to winning ways.
Sharks by 6.
GIO Stadium, Sunday AfternoonÂ
Every game for the Raiders from here on in is important but none more so than this one. A loss would all but end their 2017 season while a win would inch them closer to the top eight while putting a big dent in the Panthers' hopes.
In saying that, the Panthers are flying. Six consecutive wins including an impressive one over the Cowboys last week saw them jump to sixth on the ladder and have given themselves a legitimate shot at climbing into the top four should results fall their way.
The Raiders, meanwhile, are also on the charge however it could be a case of too little too late for Ricky Stuart's men. Their offence is flourishing lately, however, scoring at least 30 points in each of their last three games for three wins, giving themselves a fighting chance at finals football.
While the Raiders are unchanged, Peter Wallace is out for the Panthers in a big blow meaning Sione Katoa slots into the number nine jersey.
Penrith's big men have been extremely impressive over the course of their winning streak with Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Isaah Yeo and Moses Leota leading the charge.
Needless to say, Nathan Cleary and Matt Moyland have been driving the ship.
This game is proving to be a Sunday afternoon cracker and one that extremely hard to decide.
Both sides are flying, and while the Raiders have been installed as favourites at home, are they in good enough form to halt the rampaging Panthers?
We don't think so.
Panthers by 4.
ANZ Stadium, Sunday Afternoon
The inconsistent Sea Eagles are by far the hardest side to gauge at the minute as they position in the top eight continues to see-saw. A win last week would've seen them tied with the fourth-placed Sharks however their last-minute loss has thrown them back to dangerous territory.
They face a Bulldogs side just begging for 2017 to end. Off-field, talks surrounding Des Hasler's future continues along with their apparent salary caps woes for 2018 while on the field, injuries to Josh Reynolds and Sam Kasiano leave them with holes to fill in their line up as they look to slow their freefall down the NRL ladder.
Young gun Matt Frawley takes Reynolds' place in the halves as he remains a bright spot for them this season with Francis Tualau taking Kasiano's place on the bench.
For all of their offensive struggles in 2017, the Bulldogs' defence has been admirable and ranks higher than two teams in finals contention, including the Sea Eagles.
While the Trbojevic brothers starred once again last week despite the result, Matthew Wright's performance was on another level from both a defensive and offensive perspective. It's the kind of form they'll want to see from the winger as finals football approaches.
With a relatively easy fixture in the remaining three rounds, we'll back the Sea Eagles to close the round with a push towards a home final.
Sea Eagles by 12.