The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsMinnesota take on Green Bay in the Sunday Night Football game this weekend.
Week 17.
The final week of the NFL regular season. One last chance to reach the playoffs for some. One final attempt at saving some pride after a poor season for others. The NFC playoff places are wrapped up by six teams, though the order of those six can still change. Meanwhile, the AFC is totally different. There are two playoff spots left. The Texans have control of the #4 seed, but a defeat could allow the Colts to win the AFC South and take that spot. The Chiefs have one Wild Card spot, but the other is up for grabs. The Jets currently have it, but a defeat could see the Steelers in the playoffs again.
There are some big games to end the season but the biggest game of the week is at Lambeau Field. Minnesota are the visitors in the big NFC North clash, with the winner taking top spot in the division and #3 seed in the NFC playoffs. The loser will be in the playoffs, but could face a trip to the victor in Wild Card weekend.The two AFC South games are important in terms of who gets the #4 in the AFC, while the Jets travel to Buffalo knowing a win gives them playoff football.
Sunday Evening Games (6pm):
New Orleans Saints (6-9) @ Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
Like so many in Week 17, we start with a game that does not have any influence on the playoff picture. The 6-9 Saints have struggled this year, but Drew Brees has shown why he is the main man in New Orleans. Last week, the Falcons upset the Panthers to become the first team to beat them since November 2014, and will look to finishing with a winning record with victory here. The Saints won the return game at the Superdome in October.
The Falcons will go into this one as favourites, but the Saints could pull off an upset here.
New York Jets (10-5) @ Buffalo Bills (7-8)
This is an AFC East match-up that Buffalo have dominated over the past two seasons, winning the previous three matches. However, this time it is different, as the Jets know a victory will seal playoff football in the form of a Wild Card spot in the AFC. The Bills know a win would take them to a .500 record for the season, which is nothing to be ashamed of in the NFL.
The Jets will be favourites, as they have everything to play for.
Detroit Lions (6-9) @ Chicago Bears (6-9)
The Lions travel to Chicago in their final match of the 2015 NFL season, knowing they have won the last three games between the two sides. Despite starting the season with five defeats, a win here would push them above the Bears into 3rd in the NFC North. The Bears will be looking to take only their second victory over divisional opposition this year.
The Lions will be favourites because of the run of form they are on, with five wins in their last seven.
Baltimore Ravens (5-10) @ Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)
Cincinnati host the Ravens for their final match of the season, with the Bengals knowing a win could give them the #1 seed in the AFC. Losing last week to the Broncos though could mean they have to play on Wild Card weekend. The Ravens have been poor since losing Joe Flacco to injury, and their playoff hopes faded away weeks ago.
The Bengals will be clear favourites for this one.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) @ Cleveland Browns (3-12)
The other AFC North clash sees the Steelers travel to Cleveland. Another QB problem for the Browns sees Johnny Manziel ruled out for this week’s game. For the Steelers, they know they have to win to have a chance of reaching the playoffs, whilst hoping the Jets lose their game. Pittsburgh won the match-up in November, and will be looking for a repeat here.
The Steelers will be favourites to condemn the Browns to their 13th defeat of the season.
Washington Redskins (8-7) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-11)
After getting victory last week, the Washington Redskins secured their first divisional title in four seasons. They know another winner would put them in good stead for their Wild Card weekend playoff game next week. the Cowboys are only playing for pride, having lost Tony Romo early in the season to a collarbone injury. Dallas did win the Week 13 match-up, and will hope to cause an upset to end their season on a high.
The Redskins will be the favourites, having clinched the NFC East last time out.
Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) @ Houston Texans (8-7)
The Jaguars travel to Houston knowing they could spoil the celebrations in Texas. A victory for Houston would see them clinch the AFC South and the #4 seed in the AFC playoffs. The Texans have beaten the Jags on their last three meetings, but Jacksonville would love to end the season on a high, and in doing so, it could give the Colts the chance to take top spot in the division.
The Texans will be favourites to take the divisional title this weekend.
The Colts or the Texans – Only one can reach the playoffs in 2015.
Tennessee Titans (3-12) @ Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
The Colts know they have to win. Simple. They host a Tennessee side who have struggled this year, and are the favourites to get the first pick in the 2016 NFL draft in April. The Colts will also be hoping that the Jags can do them a favour, but they will need no new injuries to 40-year-old QB Matt Hasselbeck if they are to have a chance.
The Colts will be favourites having won their match-up in Week 3.
New England Patriots (12-3) @ Miami Dolphins (5-10)
A win for the Patriots will see them through to the playoffs with a first-round bye. It would also secure the #1 seed and give them the supposedly easier tie in two weeks tie. They travel to Miami, who have been poor this season, but will be looking to cause another upset after last week, when divisional rivals the Jets won in New England.
Patriots are favourites, but Miami could have a say in this one.
Philadelphia Eagles (6-9) @ New York Giants (6-9)
At one stage, this looked like it would be the decider for the NFC East title. However, both teams slipped up in games they should have won, and now the only thing that will be decided is who goes to London next year. The loser will make the trip over the water to face the Rams at Twickenham in October. The Eagles have won the last three meetings, so we could be seeing Eli Manning here again.
Philadelphia will be favourites, despite travelling to New York for this one.
Sunday Evening Games (9pm):
Seattle Seahawks (9-6) @ Arizona Cardinals (13-2)
One of the biggest games of the weeks sees the #2 seed Arizona side host the #6 seed Seahawks at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals won the return match-up in November, and will be looking to do the same here. A win for the Seahawks could move them into the #5 seed, depending who wins the game on Sunday Night Football.
The Cardinals will be favourites for the win, with league-MVP candidate Carson Palmer in the form of his life.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-9) @ Carolina Panthers (14-1)
The Panthers come into this one off the back of their first regular season defeat in nearly 14 months. They lost last time out to the Falcons, losing their perfect 2015 record in the process. The know a win here, however, will secure the #1 seed in the NFC. The Buccaneers have thrived under Jameis Winston, the rookie QB, and they will be stronger next season.
The Panthers are easily favourites for this match-up, especially after winning their Week 4 game.
San Diego Chargers (4-11) @ Denver Broncos (11-4)
Two contrasting records go head-to-head in this one. With victory over the Bengals last week, Denver took the #2 seed in the AFC. A win here would give them a week off to prepare for their playoff run. The Chargers have been poor this year, and will already be looking towards next season as they try to rebuild the team they used to be.
The Broncos will be favourites, as San Diego have not won a game against divisional rivals this year.
Oakland Raiders (7-8) @ Kansas City Chiefs (10-5)
The Chiefs have the best form in football, having won their last nine game straight. They are only the second team to reach the playoffs after a 1-5 start. KC also know a win could give them top spot in the division, if the Broncos lose. The Raiders know a surprise victory would give them an 8-8 finish for the season.
The Chiefs will be favourites for this one at Arrowhead Stadium.
St Louis Rams (7-8) @ San Francisco 49ers (4-11)
After completing the double over Seattle last week, the Rams will be full of confidence to end their season on a high here. The 49ers are going the other way, having only won one of their last five games. They have also lost each of their five divisional games this season. The Rams know a victory could take them to the elusive .500 mark for the 2015 NFL season.
St Louis will be favourites to send the 49ers to another defeat this year.
Sunday Night Football:
Minnesota Vikings (10-5) @ Green Bay Packers (10-5)
The NFC North comes down to this. Whoever wins, whether it be Minnesota or Green Bay, takes top spot in the division and the #3 seed in the NFC playoffs. The loser is still guaranteed a playoff spot, but they will have to travel on Wild Card weekend. If Green Bay and Seattle both win this week, then this will be the playoff match-up next weekend. If Minnesota win, then they will host Seattle, while Green Bay would travel to Washington.
The Packers will be favourites, despite the Vikings run of form, to win their fifth straight divisional title.
Playoff Picture:
AFC
Divisional – Patriots (12-3), Broncos (11-4), Bengals (11-4), Texans (8-7)
Wild Card – Chiefs (10-5), Jets (10-5)
In the Hunt – Steelers (9-6), Colts (7-8)
NFC
Divisional – Panthers (14-1), Cardinals (13-2), Packers (10-5), Redskins (8-7)
Wild Card – Vikings (10-5), Seahawks (9-5)
