As the regular season comes to a close, several teams have already begun their Mad Monday preparations. Others, however, have it all to play for as ten sides jostle for top-eight positioning.
Thursday night football kicks off proceedings with the Broncos hosting the Storm in a game that has major implications for the top-four.
On Friday, a double-header featuring the Sea Eagles and Warriors, followed by the Roosters and Rabbitohs will determine the finals hopes of both home teams.
Saturday night, the Sharks head to Homebush to play a Bulldogs side who'll be eager to make a statement after a rough patch of form.
In the early time slot, the Dolphins take on a Raiders outfit resting many of their stars. In what should be a regulation win, the pressure will be on the Redcliffe-based club to rack up the score as they look to chase down a 15-point for-and-against advantage held by the eighth-placed Roosters.
MORE: Playoff picture ahead of Round 27
Analysing the matchups that will define Round 27
Broncos vs. Storm - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Despite Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Harry Grant being sidelined because of injury or suspension, the Broncos-Storm encounter on Thursday night is still a star studded affair.
Both teams will bring finals intensity as they prime themselves for next week's slate of games.
The Storm can't move up or down the ladder based on the result of this game, but will look to rekindle the combination of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Jahrome Hughes; who haven't played together since Round 17.
For the Broncos, they'll need to ignite their star fullback Reece Walsh who enters the game off the back of an outing which consisted of five line break assists, two try assists, a try and five errors against the Cowboys.
Both sides have opted for their jumbo-package when selecting their starting forwards this week - the battle between Payne Haas and Nelson Asofa-Solomona will go a long way to deciding who will gain the ascendency when these teams meet.
Sea Eagles vs. Warriors - 4 Pines Park, Sydney
The Sea Eagles' only hope of making the top-eight this season is by overcoming an 82-point differential held by the Roosters.
Expect Anthony Seibold's side to come out swinging in the opening exchanges as they look to catch a depleted Warriors outfit off of their game.
The key for the Auckland-based team will be to control field position and possession. If they can be patient, they'll likely frustrate the home side who will be urgent to score quick points.
With Wayde Egan sidelined with a hip injury, a lot more responsibility will be placed on the shoulders of Tanah Boyd, who's looked capable since being called up into the NRL team.
Roosters vs Rabbitohs - Allianz Stadium, Sydney
In a vacuum, the Roosters-Rabbitohs Round 27 matchup would be a high-stakes game because of their history of hatred.
However, the intensity of this particular contest has been elevated a level by both the surrounding off-field controversies and the implications for the Roosters' top-eight hopes.
Notably, Brandon Smith, who'll come off the bench for South Sydney, had a messy break up with the Roosters earlier this year which led to his mid-season departure to Redfern.
Further, the war of words between powerbrokers at each club regarding where their jurisdictional boundaries fall has lit a fire under this week's matchup.
For the Roosters, a win secures their position inside the top-eight, but their arch-rivals will be highly motivated to end the premiership dreams of the Eastern Suburbs club.
Bulldogs vs. Sharks - Accor Stadium, Sydney
Regardless of the result between the Bulldogs and the Sharks, Canterbury have locked up third place on the premiership ladder and will head to Melbourne in the first round of finals.
Whilst on the surface it seems like a low stakes game for Cameron Ciraldo and his side, they're not treating it that way as they've named close to their full strength lineup.
They will look to get back on course after an inconsistent stretch to prime themselves for the challenge of playing September football.
For the Sharks, much of their own season has been characterised by inconsistency, but over the last couple of months they've begun to hit their stride.
With a win, Cronulla put themselves right in the frame for an all-important top-four finish, and will be leaving no stone unturned on Saturday night.
The way these teams match up makes for an interesting back-and-forth. The Bulldogs are running with a noticeably smaller forward pack to the Sharks which will call for a very specific gameplan.
In Round four, Canterbury were able to have success against Cronulla by changing the angles of attack and using short passes around the ruck to challenge the connection of the Sharks middles.
They will likely pose the same questions of Craig Fitzgibbon's side who will need to come up with new answers if they're to get the two-points this time around.
Dolphins vs. Raiders - Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
The Raiders have locked up the minor premiership for the first time since 1990 after being tipped by many to win the wooden spoon before the 2025 season kicked-off.
With their ladder positioning secured, Ricky Stuart has elected to rest ten players from their regular side.
In most cases, Dolphins backers would like their chances matching up with a second string Raiders outfit. However, their recent proclivity to yo-yo between wins and losses raise questions about their ability to get the job done in Round 27.
This is a do-or-die game for the Dolphins who also rely on the Rabbitohs upsetting the Roosters to keep their finals hopes alive.
The key for Kristian Woolf's side will be getting their defence right. In their last five outings, they've conceded an average of 41.6 points per game - which won't be good enough in elimination round football.