While there might not be as many playoff spots on the road at this stage as was promised when the league launched the its new 17-game schedule, there’s nonetheless lots at stake this weekend. Past the battle for seedings amongst groups who've already booked their postseason berth, there are 5 video games that can determine who joins them within the playoffs: we preview them right here.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (Sunday, 1pm EST/6pm GMT)
What the Steelers must do to win: If Ben Roethlisberger desires to increase his profession not less than yet one more sport, he’ll must win this sport after which hope that the Jacksonville Jaguars upset the Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh can solely management what they management and meaning grinding out what’s certain to be one other robust, bodily sport in opposition to their perennial rivals.
What the Ravens must do to win: Chances are high that Lamar Jackson gained’t be again, which is already an enormous drawback. It’s fairly possible that Baltimore’s season will finish because it started: with approach too many gamers on the injured record. Nonetheless, the Ravens can not less than play spoilers by profitable what could possibly be a defensive battle and benefiting from Pittsburgh errors.
Key participant: TJ Watt, exterior linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers. With yet one more sack, Watt will tie Michael Strahan’s single-season report of twenty-two.5, and desires 1.5 to interrupt it outright. And though Watt is enjoying in an prolonged 17-game season he has solely made 14 appearances to date (Strahan achieved his report in 16 video games).
Prediction: The Steelers beat the hobbled Ravens, who would nonetheless want further assist to make it to the playoffs even with a win. But it surely gained’t find yourself mattering for Pittsburgh on account of a sport down in Florida …
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 1pm EST/6pm GMT)
What the Colts must do to win: Present up? The Colts are the far superior crew and are enjoying for a postseason berth relatively than to keep away from the NFL’s worst report. They only need to play like they don't seem to be going through the season’s greatest embarrassment as a result of in the event that they sleepwalk by means of this sport, the Jaguars will bounce at an opportunity to make their opponent the butt of the joke for a change.
What the Jaguars must do to win: Can they? Let’s be actual: this sport could be the Jaguars’ Tremendous Bowl in the event that they managed to win it. Positive, the group would relatively have the primary decide on this 12 months’s draft however no NFL crew desires to go to that nicely two years in a row. It could be an indication of a franchise-wise failure to capitalize on touchdown Trevor Lawrence with the highest total decide final 12 months.
Key participant: Jonathan Taylor, working again, Indianapolis Colts. Aaron Rodgers has most likely already secured a second-straight MVP however there’s nonetheless loads of alternatives for Taylor to clinch a stable runner-up exhibiting by placing collectively one other 100+ yard dashing sport.
Prediction: The Colts win and clinch a playoff spot.
New Orleans Saints on the Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 4.25pm EST/9.25 pm GMT)
What the Saints must do to win: To start with, they need to hope that the Falcons are checked out and don’t go full out in a sport meaning nothing for them. Assuming that Atlanta do play a aggressive sport, the Saints should hope that they get one thing out of their unsettled quarterback place. Can Taysom Hill actually be their man?
What the Falcons must do to win: Technically, the Falcons’ season is finished however they will play spoilers right here, ending the Saints’ makes an attempt to sneak into the postseason. As with the Jaguars, the query is perhaps as a lot one among will as capacity (though the crew have already gone 0-2 in opposition to Hill as a starter; they could need to keep away from 0-3 only for satisfaction’s sake).
Key participant: Matt Ryan, quarterback, Atlanta Falcons. Right here’s an attention-grabbing Atlanta-centric subplot to this sport, it could possibly be Ryan’s closing sport because the Falcons’ quarterback. If that's the case, it could be good to finish issues with a win at his house stadium.
Prediction: Falcons win, ending the Saints’ playoff possibilities.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 4.25pm EST/8.25pm GMT)
What the 49ers must do to win: At this level, an damage to Jimmy Garoppolo signifies that they haven’t but introduced a starter at quarterback. Whether or not it finally ends up being Garoppolo or Trey Lance, the Niners should seize on the chance and never give head coach Mike Shanahan an opportunity to remorse his alternative.
What the Rams must do to win: LA need to be laser-focused and keep away from scoreboard watching in the event that they need to clinch the division with a win. Even with a loss, the Rams can nonetheless win the division ought to the Arizona Cardinals lose to the Seattle Seahawks. Oh and there’s the ball safety subject: if Matthew Stafford has one other a number of interception sport, this one’s most likely a wrap rapidly.
Key participant: Aaron Donald, defensive sort out, Los Angeles Rams. The reigning Defensive Participant of the Yr has probability of profitable the award as soon as once more. A couple of huge performs to assist his crew wrap up a division title gained’t harm his standing.
Prediction: Rams beat the 49ers, who nonetheless sneak into the playoffs due to the Saints’ loss and different extenuating circumstances.
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 8.20pm EST/Monday 1.20am GMT)
What the Chargers must do to win: That is how the league drew it up after they got here up with the concept of a Week 18 sport: an opportunity to finish the season with an old school win-and-advance contest. The Chargers, like at all times, will depend on the dynamic arm of their quarterback (on this case, it’s Justin Herbert relatively than Philip Rivers) and look to get separation on their opponents. If there’s one factor no Chargers fan desires to see it’s their crew in a one-score sport late within the fourth quarter.
What the Raiders must do to win: The Chargers are a extra proficient crew than these Raiders, however as Vegas will likely be enjoying at house in opposition to a crew susceptible to late-game errors. The Raiders can’t precisely play conservatively however they should play sensible, mistake-free soccer.
Key participant: Derek Carr, quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders. At this level, Carr is a identified entity. He’s a league-average quarterback who may have good video games and unhealthy video games. That is his shining second to place collectively a highlight-reel efficiency.
Prediction: It wouldn’t be a Chargers season with no last-minute collapse. The Raiders win, most likely on a last-minute discipline aim, and transfer on to the playoffs whereas the Chargers go house.
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