[Preview] Week 17: Already The Return Of The Burrow?

Making the play-offs is good. Ask Joe Burrow: The Bengals quarterback is having a historic season, and he might not participate in it. Like Burrow, several teams (Seahawks, Buccaneers, Colts, Dolphins) have to keep their fingers crossed. Others like the Rams, Commanders, Chargers or Broncos can make sure to participate this week,

But going far in the playoffs is better. For this, it is better to be well ranked. In the NFC, the fight for first place rages between the Lions and the Vikings. Facing Minnesota, the Packers will not only be referees: with the rise of Washington, the men of Wisconsin need to secure a 5th place which will be worth a lot.

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Game of the week: Green Bay Lions?

Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Minnesota Vikings (13-2) – Green Bay Packers (11-4)

How difficult it is for a Detroit fan to support the Green Bay Packers. And yet, this week, the Wisconsin players could render a proud service to Detroit since a victory against the Vikings combined with a success for the Lions would give the latter first place in the NFC. For Green Bay, the match is also crucial. If they can no longer play for 1st place, they have every interest in securing 5th, which should normally give them an open first round, probably against the winner of the NFC South.

On the field, the match pits the best in the NFL against each other. The Packers remain on two defeats inflicted on the Seahawks (30-13) and the Saints (34-0). In the first game against Minnesota, Jordan Love (QB) was intercepted 3 times and Green Bay, trailing 28-7 before the last quarter, fell two points short of a historic comeback. The match promises to be grandiose.

Player of the week: Joe Burrow, the savior of Ohio?

Kick-off Saturday at 10:30 p.m.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) – Denver Broncos (9-6)

4,229 yards, 39 touchdowns and 8 passing interceptions… these numbers are often MVP stats. Failing that, these are the stats of a seasoned quarterback, ready to fight for the Vince Lombardi trophy. This year, these are the statistics of Joe Burrow (QB), who, given the difficult season of the Bengals, should not even have a chance to think about the playoffs.

And yet, the impossible has a chance to come true. Cincinnati must win its two matches and hope for two defeats from Sean Payton's Broncos to qualify. This is good, the Bengals face Denver this Saturday. And the Colorado players will continue with the Chiefs, so why not? Still, beating the Broncos will be anything but easy. Burrow leads the league in passing yards. The Denver only concede 6.7 yards per opposing pass, and are 4th in the league in this area. To stay alive, the thrower will have to put on the warm-up blue. Denver would qualify with a victory. For Cincinnati, we will also have to hope for a defeat for Miami and the Colts.

Coach of the week: Dan Quinn, too bad for Atlanta?

Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Washington Commanders (10-5) – Atlanta Falcons (8-7)

The Falcons regained control against the Buccaneers. Building on its two victories against Tampa Bay, Atlanta can secure its place in the playoffs by having the same results as its rivals in the last two matches. In other words, two wins, and the NFC South is theirs.

The mission begins against a known face in Washington. Commanders coach Dan Quinn made the heyday of the Georgia franchise, which he coached from 2015 to 2020, notably taking them to Super Bowl LI. And he is not in a position to give gifts: the Commanders would ensure their qualification in the event of victory. Between this reunion, the stakes, and the duel of rookies Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders) and Michael Penix Jr. (QB, Falcons), the match promises.

The stat of the week: 13

Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (12-3) – Dallas Cowboys (7-8)

This Sunday, Philadelphia can ensure they win the NFC East with a victory against the Cowboys. This would be their second victory of the year against Dallas. It has been 2011, 13 years, since Philadelphia has not won its two annual meetings against the Texan franchise. With the expected absence of Jalen Hurts (QB, Eagles), the challenge could therefore be taken up by his replacement Kenny Pickett. Facing an improving Dallas defense of late, he'll have his work cut out for him.

Division of the week: The Rams to reclaim the NFC West?

Kick-off Sunday at 2:10 a.m.
Los Angeles Rams (9-6) – Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
San Francisco 49ers (6-9) – Detroit Lions (13-2)

The Rams have their destiny in their hands. If successful against the Cardinals, Sean McVay's men will be able to afford to lose to the Seahawks next week without being overtaken by the Ospreys. This data is not official, because the two teams would be decided according to the record of the opponents that each has beaten, but the Rams' lead in this area is such that their qualification would only be in infinitesimal doubt.

Faced with an opponent eliminated after 4 defeats in 5 matches, the Californians will have the upper hand, especially since the strong point of the Arizona attack (QB, Eagles) is still uncertain. Be careful, it was the Cardinals who won the first round brilliantly.

Among all the teams eliminated from the playoffs that could play a role, San Francisco holds the top spot. Certainly, the 49ers did not have the expected season, but they remain far from easy to play, and will not be a gift for the Lions in search of first place in the NFC.

Other division shocks

Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) – Carolina Panthers (4-11)
Buffalo Bills (12-3) – New York Jets (4-11)

Facing two teams in 4-11, both the Buccaneers and Bills are big favorites. For Baker Mayfield's partners (QB, Buccaneers), a defeat could spell the end of their playoff hopes if Atlanta wins. The Panthers are in good shape and are no longer to be taken lightly.

The Bills don't play much anymore. With the Chiefs' victory, first place in the AFC is out of reach. They now only need one victory in two matches to secure second place. What is the opportunity to take advantage of this to put holders to rest? It can always be risky, and Josh Allen (QB) has an MVP title to go for.

The other matches of week 17

Kick-off Saturday at 7 p.m.
New England Patriots (3-12) – Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)

Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
New York Giants (2-13) – Indianapolis Colts (7-8)
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12) – Tennessee Titans (3-12)
New Orleans Saints (5-10) – Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Cleveland Browns (3-12) – Miami Dolphins (7-8)

It could be tempting to dismiss the Jaguars – Titans, as the stakes are so insignificant, but that would be to forget the great match that Tennessee had against the Colts last week. Unlike their franchise, the players on the field never have an interest in losing, and these low-ranked clashes can give rise to nice surprises. Same story for the Saints – Raiders.

Speaking of surprises, to avoid a bad one, the Chargers are taking the golden opportunity to ensure their qualification against the Patriots of Drake Maye (QB), interesting against the Bills, but who remain a notch below.

Colts and Dolphins are in a similar situation: a defeat and it's the door. Respectively opposed to the Giants and the Browns, they have their chances on this side. But even if they win, one win for the Broncos and Chargers, and that would be the end too. Suffice to say that Joe Burrow (QB, Bengals) will have a lot of fans this Saturday.

Week 17 matches