Just like that, the NFL regular season is in week 17. The season has gone by quickly, and here are four games to watch while you enjoy the final week of the regular season.
Jets vs Bills
With a playoff spot on the line, New York faces a 7-8 Buffalo team that is coached by Rex Ryan, who failed to lead New York to the postseason the past few seasons before being fired at the end of last year. The playoff scenario for the Jets is simple, win and make the playoffs as a wild card. For Buffalo, this has been a disappointing season, as many people expected them to finally reach the playoffs. Instead, they are in line for another season without a winning record. Some animosity still exists between the Jets and Ryan, so they’d love to clinch a playoff berth against him.
Important Injury: RB LeSean McCoy, Bills
McCoy won’t play due to a MCL injury that he suffered two weeks ago. He was the focal point of Buffalo’s offense this season, so they will miss him as they attempt to spoil the Jets postseason chances. Karlos Williams and Mike Gillislee will replace McCoy.
Raiders vs Chiefs
With a nine-game win streak (tied for the NFL lead with Arizona), Kansas City is arguably the hottest team in the NFL and has already clinched a spot in the playoffs. Despite this amazing streak, they may not win their division due to a 1-5 start. They can clinch the AFC West division with a victory and a Denver loss. Oakland won’t make it easy for the Chiefs. The Raiders are a young team on the rise that is attempting to earn a .500 record, which would signify a lot of progress for Jack Del Rio’s team. Oakland hasn’t had a winning season since 2002 and have been 8-8 twice in the same time frame. When these two teams played earlier in the season, the Chiefs emerged victorious by a score of 34-20.
Matchup to Watch: WR Amari Cooper vs CB Marcus Peters
This matchup potentially has the NFL’s offensive and defensive rookies of the year. Cooper has racked up 1,050 receiving yards (the most by a Raiders’ receiver since Randy Moss), and Peters is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with eight.
Seahawks vs Cardinals
Two of the premier teams in the NFC face off, but very little will be on the line in this game. Both Arizona and Seattle have already clinched playoffs berths. Arizona has cinched a first round bye, and Seattle will be a wild card team. While there may not be much to play for, neither of these teams wants to give the other any momentum heading into the postseason, and they don’t want to see their division rival win another game. The Seahawks and Cardinals are two of the best teams in the NFL, so you are going to want to watch the game, even if they are both already in the playoffs.
Play the Backups?
Due to the circumstances discussed above, Pete Carroll and Bruce Arians will likely debate bringing in the backups at some point in the game. It will be interesting to see what each head coach decides to do.
Vikings vs Packers
By far the game of the week, Minnesota and Green Bay will play for the NFC North title on Sunday Night Football. The loser of the game is still guaranteed a playoff spot, but there is a tremendous difference between hosting a playoff game and having to travel. The key to the game for both teams is their running games. For Minnesota, Adrian Peterson has had some struggles in recent weeks, but he still leads the league in rushing yards and is the Vikings’ go to player on offense. For Eddie Lacy and Green Bay, to say it has been an up and down season would be an understatement. In his last four games, he has twice averaged over five yards per carry and twice averaged less than 2.2 yards per carry.
Playoff Rematch?
In 2012, Minnesota and Green Bay played in week 17 and then in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. This year a similar event could occur based on the result of this game and the result of the Seahawks’ game. (Seattle would have to jump into the No. 5 spot.)
The post NFL Week 17 Games To Watch appeared first on Fanspeak NFL Blog.