Games of the Week

 


For the first time in a while, we have a very full Sunday slate. With New Year’s Day on Monday, and it being dominated by college games, we have 14 games on Sunday with just one on Thursday and one on Saturday. That gives us plenty of football to watch on Sunday. Below are the five games on the slate that have caught my eye.

Early Games:

New Orleans Saints (7-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
About: This is a fierce fight in the NFC South. The Buccaneers have seized control with a strong late run, but the Saints still have a glimmer of hope. If the Buccaneers get the win on Sunday, it’s all but over in the South. If the Saints get the win, and can beat the Falcons in Week 18, they can claim the division. The stakes are huge in this divisional clash.

Miami Dolphins (11-4) at Baltimore Ravens (12-3)
About: A lot is on the line in this game as well. The Dolphins have a range of outcomes for the season that go from being the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC to a Wild Card and the No. 5 seed on the road for the playoffs. They face the Ravens to decide how that race is shaping up on Sunday. With a win, the Dolphins lock up the AFC East and move into the top spot. A loss, coupled with a Bills’ win, puts the Dolphins in danger of slipping to the Wild Card. For the Ravens, meanwhile, it’s simple—a win and they’re the best in the AFC with the lone bye week for the conference.

Late Games:

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
About: Both teams come in over .500 and both come in looking toward the playoffs. The winner here will have a great shot at claiming a Wild Card slot. The loser will likely have some challenges. The Steelers beat the Bengals in Week 16 to breathe life into their season, but they have to keep winning. The Seahawks, meanwhile, have won two straight and need one more to help guarantee them a spot in the post-season. Who will step up and who will dig themselves a hole in this one?

Cincinnati Bengals (8-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-6)
About: Both these teams figured to be among the AFC’s best this season and yet both find themselves on the cusp of missing the playoffs entering Week 17. The Bengals had played themselves back into a good position before being beaten soundly by the Steelers in Week 16. Now, they are desperate for wins in a crowded AFC. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have endured tough losses of their own. They have the Raiders and Broncos chasing them in the AFC West and need a win to secure a division crown and a home playoff game. A pair of losses to end the season and Patrick Mahomes could well be watching the first round of the playoffs at home.

Sunday Night Football:

Green Bay Packers (7-8) at Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
About: This is essentially a loser leaves the playoff race matchup. After looking good a few weeks ago, the Packers hit a skid. A Week 16 loss gave them some life, but they need to win out if they want a chance at the post-season. The Vikings, meanwhile, bounced back from injuries and a tough start to the season but they have a brutal closing stretch. They lost to the Lions in Week 16 and face them again in Week 18. They need a win at home in Week 17 to give themselves a shot at the post-season.

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