NFL Week 17: The Ultimate Guide to Sunday's Action
The youth of the 2014 NFL season has faded into old age, as the last week of the regular season is upon us.
It seems like just yesterday we were wondering how good the New Orleans Saints and the rest of the NFC South could be while asking if this would be the year the New England Patriots dynasty would finally wither on the vine. We waited in expectation for the Johnny Manziel era to start in Cleveland, while Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell was more famous for what he was lighting up than whom.
Like every year, this NFL season was filled with surprises, disappointments, high points and lows. It has all led to this: the final week of the NFL season where we will finalize the playoff seedings and much of the draft order.
What an incredible slate of games it should be!
To help you prepare for a great day of football, Bleacher Report has prepared everything you need to know for Sunday's games. Dust those Christmas dinner crumbs off the keyboard and click the right arrow to catch up on everything you may have missed.
Biggest Questions
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Who Gets Home-Field Advantage in the NFC?
It's difficult not to look at the AFC and have "chalk" kind of thoughts about how the playoffs might go, but just about anything is possible in the NFC depending on who ends up with what seeds among the top contenders.
Though the talent at the top of the conference is undeniable, teams such as the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys are all more imposing with their home crowds behind them.
Whether it's the mystique of Lambeau Field, the grandeur of Jerry's football palace or just the noise in Seattle and Detroit, the NFC playoff race will look a lot different depending who comes out on top this weekend.
Will Fortune Continue to Favor the Chargers or will the Ravens Grab the Brass Ring?
Just a few weeks ago, it seemed as if the red carpet were laid out for the Ravens. The playoffs not only seemed to be in their grasp, but it would've taken a comedy of errors to have them miss the postseason. Well, it's been a pretty rough couple of weeks for the Ravens, as just about everything fell against them and toward the Chargers.
This week, the Chargers only need to beat the Kansas City Chiefs to get into the playoffs, while the Ravens need to beat the Cleveland Browns and have the Chargers lose as well. The Ravens go into the game without tackle Eugene Monroe (more on that later) while they face rookie quarterback Connor Shaw. The Chargers, too, get to face a backup quarterback in Chase Daniel.
If the Ravens somehow stem the tide of disappointment from the last couple of weeks, they could actually be a scary team to face in the playoffs. If not, it will be one of the craziest, "bottom-drop-outiest" finishes to the season they could've had.
Any Final MVP Statements Left to Make?
Whether it's the Associated Press award or the Pro Football Writers of America MVP, it might just be a "antiquated honor" voted on by the huffiest and puffiest of the media, but many players also have contract bonuses tied to the awards—not to mention the long-term impact on Hall of Fame voting.
Quarterbacks such as Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Tony Romo (yes, that Tony Romo) as well as non-passers like J.J. Watt, DeMarco Murray and others can all solidify a large segment of the voting bloc in Week 17. With the right combination of performances to split the vote, things could get awfully interesting.
Can Any Coaches Make A Final Pre-Black Monday Case for Their Jobs?
From Rex Ryan in New York all the way over to Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco, the important thing to remember about the hiring and firing of NFL coaches is that much of it depends on the whim of the ownership from moment to moment.
Even the most resolute of businessmen can feel awfully frustrated and embarrassed by a terrible loss, and that could cause an extra coach or two to lose his job this holiday season.
Odds and Ends
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- To find out which games are available in your area, check out these NFL coverage maps, via 506 Sports.
- Who's calling your game of choice Sunday? Here are announcer pairings for CBS and Fox, via B-FLO 360.
- Football Zebras provides a look at which referees are working each game so you can tailor your insults accordingly.
- Can't make it to a TV? SiriusXM covers every single game. Here's the lineup.
- If you don't have satellite radio, check to see if Westwood One has a game playing in your area.
- Even if you can watch your favorite team, make sure you have the Bleacher Report Team Stream app for the latest in news, fantasy football updates and highlights.
Game of the Day
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Who: Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
When: 4:25 p.m. EST on Fox
Where: Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Lions preview from Featured Columnist Jeff Risdon
- Packers preview from Featured Columnist Justis Mosqueda
The Lions haven't won in Green Bay since this columnist was six years old. That's a long time of futility in the Badger State, but it's also coincided with a stretch of terrible Lions teams that stunk it up in just about any state they were in.
This Lions team held the Packers to only seven points earlier this year—their worst mark of the season and the only time they've looked terrible offensively except against the very good Buffalo Bills defensive front. I'm not saying that the same result will happen this time around, but the Packers just dropped that game to the Bills a few weeks ago, and that could be blood in the water for the Lions' vicious defense.
Regardless of how Detroit's defense plays, however, the Lions still need a good performance from quarterback Matthew Stafford. As quoted by Kyle Meinke of mlive.com, Stafford surely knows what's at stake:
"You work out all offseason, you do OTAs, you do minicamp, all of that stuff, for games like this. For opportunities to go play a good football team at their place for the division title. It's something that we had talked about as a team as early as training camp. We've got a chance to go do that now. It's on us to go out there and play well.
"
The X-factor for the Packers in this game is running back Eddie Lacy. Though the Lions have a good rushing defense and react well to screens and draws (thanks to linebacker DeAndre Levy), the Packers can put together a good day defensively if Lacy runs through tackles (as he is wont to do) and is valuable out of the backfield as a receiver as well.
That also means stopping the Lions from scoring a heap of points and from coming back late in the game. With Stafford, that means applying a heavy rush and hoping his ill-conceived heaves to Calvin Johnson don't work out.
The Packers can do that.
They've beaten the Lions doing just that for quite a long time.
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Rest of the Slate (Sunday Night Football)
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Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (8:30 p.m. EST on NBC)
As always with these two teams, the only question is which version of the teams shows up...
So far this year, the Bengals have been able to win with or without the best efforts of quarterback Andy Dalton. That's largely because of a defense that has gotten better as the year went on. Rookie running back Jeremy Hill has also powered one of the more underrated offensive lines in the league.
For the Steelers, they need "Big" Ben Roethlisberger to be at his best—especially against the Bengals pass rush—because there are too many holes on the defense and on the offensive line for the team to win if Roethlisberger is making too many mistakes.
This is for all the marbles in the AFC North. Which team wants it more?
Both teams have the talent, but which group can showcase the consistency and big-game fortitude it needs in Week 17?
Rest of the Slate (Fox)
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Dallas Cowboys at Washington (1 p.m. EST)
The chance of the Cowboys getting home-field advantage throughout the entire playoffs is slim, as a tie would have to happen in another game for them to get the top seed, but they can get a first-round bye if they take care of business here and get some help in a few other places.
That means simply doing what they do best—dominating at the line of scrimmage and making timely, high-percentage throws.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (1 p.m. EST)
A big segment of the population will look at this game (and the next few games on the list) with a "don't know, don't care"-type attitude, but a divisional game to end the season can still have a big impact on the momentum these teams have in the offseason and as they decide what to do with various roster-building decisions.
I'll be watching Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and how he handles the pressure that Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is sure to bring.
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. EST)
Here, pay attention to Vikings left tackle Matt Kalil against a Bears defense that hasn't exactly been adept at applying pressure this season. Kalil has been terrible all season long, and while I don't think the Vikings would move on from him so soon in his career, another egg laid here could make them think twice before trusting him with Teddy Bridgewater's blind side much longer.
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (1 p.m. EST)
Once upon a time, a lot of people thought that this game would be for all the marbles in the NFC East, but that is not the case. The Eagles' season crumbled late, while the Giants never really put it together.
This could be the last time we see Tom Coughlin on an NFL sideline, so this is appointment viewing for many on that basis alone. There's a much (much) lower chance for that also being true about quarterback Eli Manning, but stranger things have happened, and this is going to be an offseason of upheaval for the Giants.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m. EST)
The Saints are also unlikely to stand pat this offseason with potential for big changes both in coaching and personnel. A win against the Buccaneers isn't likely to change that, but an embarrassing loss (perhaps with an inability to cover the gigantic receivers of Tampa Bay) could expedite matters.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. EST)
The Cardinals most likely need to win here if they want to have home-field advantage in the playoffs and if they want to win the NFC West. We know they're going to the playoffs, but Week 17 could mean the difference between being a difficult out in the playoffs and being an easy one-and-done.
Either way, with Ryan Lindley under center things may not be easy this week or in the playoffs.
St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. EST)
The Rams relish the idea of playing spoiler, and spoiling this week could be extra sweet because a Seahawks loss here could mean falling all the way down to the final seed in the playoffs and needing to go on the road each and every week against the best of the NFL's best.
It doesn't end the Seahawks' season, as they've already clinched a playoff spot, but it would certainly make things interesting for the next month.
Rest of the Slate (CBS)
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Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m. EST)
The Ravens need to win if they want to keep playing this year, and getting to sharpen their defensive teeth against undrafted rookie Connor Shaw should make that a pretty easy proposition. Still, when the Ravens have been asked to come through this season, they've fallen flat on their face.
I want to predict an easy Ravens win here, but the Browns defense has just enough firepower of its own to make things a little interesting if the Ravens' protection isn't completely on point.
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans (1 p.m. EST)
This game doesn't mean a whole lot, and if the Colts' efforts against the Cowboys last week mean anything, there's a good chance this will devolve into a preseason game about halfway through—even more so than the normal.
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (1 p.m. EST)
When pressed into duty in the past, Chase Daniel has been more than capable for the Chiefs. He understands Andy Reid's offense and has just enough of an arm to not completely embarrass himself on the throws that need a little more velocity. The Chargers defense is a stiff task, however, and their offense will put pressure on the Chiefs to put some crooked numbers on the scoreboard.
Overall, this game will likely hinge on how protected Philip Rivers is, because if he is under duress all day and allows the Chiefs to tee off on him, the Chargers' season could see the door slammed shut on it.
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. EST)
We know Joe Philbin's job is safe, but the Jets might not let Rex Ryan back on the...uh...Jets' jet if this is a bad loss. I mean, he's likely out the door either way, but this game might decide whether he's cleaning out his own desk.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (1 p.m. EST)
Part of me could see the Bills and that vicious defense relishing the idea of simply teeing off on every single Patriots offensive player for 60 minutes and making things as tough as possible for them. The other (bigger) part of me knows New England will talk the talk but hardly walk the walk if the decision is between winning this game and being healthy for the playoffs.
Either way, the Bills will need their best if they want to pick up a December win at Foxboro.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (4:25 p.m. EST)
This game will decide the NFC South...
That is depressing...
More on this matchup later, but I'll say this here: If the Falcons can win big here and host a playoff game, they could end up winning that one as well. I'm not quite as trusting in the Panthers or their home-field advantage, but the Falcons have just enough firepower to make things interesting if they make the big dance.
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos (4:25 p.m. EST)
Do the Broncos rest here, or do they try to tune up against a Raiders defense that has been hot in recent weeks? I say tune up—especially at home—because things aren't going to get any easier for them and the offense has sputtered and stopped far too much as of late.
Biggest Matchups
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Calvin Johnson (WR Lions) vs. Dom Capers (Packers Defensive Coordinator)
We know the Packers can get pressure on Matthew Stafford, but if Johnson finds himself wide open within three or four seconds of the snap and Stafford's pass actually finds its way to him, it doesn't matter how creative the Packers' blitzes are.
Ryan Kalil (C Panthers) vs. Falcons Run Defense
The Falcons aren't the best at rushing the passer (or protecting their own, for that matter), but if they can run the ball and stop the run, they have managed to grind out a few wins that way this season. The Panthers need the rush to succeed, so that will mean Kalil making the most out of his presence in the trenches.
Tom Brady (QB Patriots) vs. Mario Williams (DE Bills) et al.
Alluded to this in the previous slide, but a more X's and O's treatment here seems due.
Brady has always been one of the best quarterbacks in the league against the blitz. He's smart enough and makes quick enough decisions to make teams pay for sending an extra rusher at him. However, when teams are able to create pressure with only their front four (see: the New York Giants in a couple of Super Bowls), he's often wilted.
That's been the Bills' M.O. this season, and they could win this game in pretty dominant fashion if that trend continues here.
Anquan Boldin (WR 49ers) vs. Patrick Peterson (CB Cardinals)
If the Cardinals are going tow in this game, they're going to need to contain the 49ers rushing attack (not easy) and keep Boldin from dominating in the intermediate passing game. I don't think Peterson will mirror Boldin, but the two are going to end up on one another more often than not, and Boldin's physicality vs. Peterson's athleticism should be a fun matchup to watch unfold.
Notable Injuries
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Marcel Dareus (DT Bills)—Doubtful, Knee
We've talked about how the Bills like to create pressure with their front four. Well, Dareus is a huge part of that. This is a meaningless game for Buffalo, so if he's not 100 percent, he'll likely sit, and that's a huge help for Brady and the Patriots.
Alex Smith (QB Chiefs)—Out, Lacerated Spleen
We've come back to this one a few times as well, and I don't know if it's really that big of a loss for the Chiefs (even though I've been a pretty consistent Smith fan throughout his career). He just signed a big contract for a lot of guaranteed money, but Smith doesn't want to get Wally Pipped here.
Marshawn Lynch (RB Seahawks)—Questionable, Back
The Seahawks need this win, and that means having their one big offensive weapon not at the quarterback position. Even if Lynch plays, back injuries flare up, and he has been in and out at the start of several games recently. They need him to be in Beastmode.
Eugene Monroe (OT Ravens)—Doubtful, Ankle
The Ravens offense is driven by line play, and Monroe is a big part of that. If he doesn't go, that's a domino effect all over the front, which could mean a poor offensive day for the Ravens. That would finish the epic collapse we've talked about elsewhere in this column.
Other Notable Injuries:
Jamie Collins (LB Patriots)—Questionable, Hip
Rashad Jennings (RB Giants)—Probable, Ankle
Jordan Matthews (WR Eagles)—Probable, Knee
T.Y. Hilton (WR Colts)—Questionable, Hamstring
T.J. Ward (S Broncos)—Questionable, Neck
Bleacher Report Expert Consensus Predictions
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To follow how the B/R writers stack up against writers from across the web, check out NFLPickwatch.com.
Michael Schottey is an NFL National Lead Writer for Bleacher Report and an award-winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Find more of his stuff on his archive page and follow him on Twitter.
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