With only four weeks left in the season, it is the time of year when playoff scenarios are being thrown around, and teams can clinch berths to the postseason.
Bills vs Eagles
Ever since Chip Kelly made his stunning trade of LeSean McCoy in March, this game has been on the calendar. If this game wasn’t a must watch before this week, McCoy made it so with his comments earlier in the week about Kelly. The trade situation wasn’t handled that well, and McCoy has voiced his opinion on that. Other than this, the game is important because both teams are fighting for playoff spots. At 6-6, Buffalo is one game out of the wild card spot. Despite a 5-7 record, Philadelphia is still in the hunt due to the weakness of the NFC East, where three teams are tied for first place with that record.
Player to Watch: RB Demarco Murray, Eagles
Murray was signed to a $40 million contract to replace McCoy at running back, but Murray has produced only 51.7 yards per game on the ground and was essentially benched last week, playing only 14 snaps in the Eagles victory over New England. How much will Murray play this week?
Steelers vs Bengals
With four games left in the season, Cincinnati holds a three game lead over Pittsburgh in the AFC North. That means with the Bengals will clinch the division with a win this week. It seems inevitable that the Bengals will win the division with this lead, but Pittsburgh is one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now, and anything is possible in football. Ben Roethlisberger leads one of the most explosive offenses in the game against the No. 1 scoring defense. Cincinnati allows 16.3 points per game, and if they can hold Pittsburgh to that number it would be very impressive.
Player to Watch: WR Antonio Brown, Steelers
Part of the explosive Steelers’ offense is Brown, who is second in the NFL in receiving yards. The Bengals’ secondary is really banged up right now, with five defensive backs listed on the injury report. Brown is already matchup nightmare and, Cincinnati will be doing it with an injured secondary.
Raiders vs Broncos
Since Denver switched over to Brock Osweiler at quarterback, they are 3-0, and the offense has looked much more like a normal Gary Kubiak offense. At running back C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman are improving, and the defense has been as stingy as normal. Last week they held San Diego to just three points. This week, the Broncos can clinch the AFC West with a victory and a Kansas City loss to San Diego. After a hot start, the Raiders have lost four of their last five games.
Unit to Watch: Raiders’ wide receivers
Amari Cooper (62 catches) and Michael Crabtree (66 catches) lead a receiving corps that is playing very well, and earlier this week Crabtree signed a four-year contract extension. They will have their work cut out for them this week against Denver’s strong secondary that features Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward.
Patriots vs Texans
As with other teams, the New England Patriots can clinch their division this week. The Patriots win the AFC East with a victory and a Jets loss to the Titans. After a poor start to the season, Houston is back on track and are tied for first place in the AFC South with a 6-6 record thanks to a four-game win streak that was snapped last week. The main reason for the Texans’ resurgence has been the reemergence of their defense, as they have allowed an average of 13 points per game in their last five games.
Important Injuries: TE Rob Gronkowski, Patriots and DE J.J. Watt, Texans
Two of the best players in the NFL will either be playing injured or missing the game due to injury. Gronkowski injured his knee the other week and his status is unknown for the game. Watt broke his hand in practice the other day, but is expected to play with a cast.
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