JO_75
Hall of Famer
The 2021 NFL season has reached the two week warning. The Playoffs are starting to sort itself out, five of the seven spots in the NFC are wrapped up leaving five teams competing for two spots. The AFC meanwhile is still trying to sort itself out and following week 17, we will have much more clarity on the overall playoff picture.
1PM Early Games
Falcons @ Bills: It seems The Braves & The Georgia Bulldogs are doing the heavylifting picking up the slack for the Atlanta Falcons not pulling their weight. It's been quite an offensive struggle for first year Head Coach Arthur Smith in Atlanta as they come in to this game averaging just 18.5 points per game, 25th in the NFL. Mr. Do It All himself Cordarrelle Patterson has been a bright spot alongside first round pick Kyle Pitts, but that's all you can say about Atlanta's offense in 2021. Buffalo comes in riding a high off a huge win over the Patriots keeping their AFC East Division title hopes alive, they will be a bit healthier as they get back Cole Beasley & WR Gabriel Davis from the COVID list. The Bills can clinch a playoff spot with a win..... and Baltimore loss. *2017 Flashbacks*
Giants @ Bears: A game that has zero playoff implications but does have draft implications as it pertains to the Bears first round pick that the Giants own thanks to the Justin Fields trade. Speaking of Fields, an injury will sideline him for this game meaning Andy Dalton gets another start. Mike Glennon looks for revenge against the team that stupidly gave him $18M back in 2017. Nothing else to say other than we already have confirmation that Joe Judge will back with the Giants, it's just a matter of wondering if this is the last time Matt Nagy takes Soldier Field as the Bears Head Coach.
Chiefs @ Bengals: The Chiefs have already locked up the AFC West, but home field advantage can be won with a win and a Tennessee loss if the Chiefs lose. The Bengals meanwhile have the task of beating Patrick Mahomes in order to clinch the AFC North. The Chiefs get back Travis Kelce against a Bengals defense that has allowed near a 1000 yards to the Tight End position this season. While Joe Burrow has gotten a lot of praise for his 525 yard performance against a JV level defense, this is going to be a real test for Burrow as the Chiefs defense hasn't allowed a 250 yard passer since October and is getting healthier at the right time. If the Bengals win, coupled with help there is a chance the Bengals can win home field advantage next week.
Dolphins @ Titans: The Titans can clinch the AFC South with a win, with the only thing standing in their way is a Dolphins team who has won seven straight games and found themselves right back into the playoff mix. Tennessee finds themselves only 3-4 over the last seven games with turnovers being a big part of their late season mishaps. Their OL has also struggled to keep Ryan Tannehill upright being that Tannehill has been sacked 45 times, most in the NFL. This creates an interesting matchup as both of those issues play right into the hands of Miami's defense. Miami needs a win here to keep their playoff hopes alive with the Patriots on tap next week.
Raiders @ Colts: Indianapolis can clinch a playoff spot with a win on Sunday and due to new guidelines, the Colts are as healthy as they can be. Returning for the Colts include star Linebacker Darius Lenoard, two offensive lineman in Quenton Nelson & Mark Glowinski, cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and most importantly Carson Wentz. Jonathan Taylor continues his quest to knock off Rodgers & Tom Brady for MVP as he leads the league in rushing with 1,626 yards and 17 Touchdowns. The Raiders need to win out in order to help their playoff chances as they once again faltered down the stretch after starting the season 3-0.
Jaguars @ Patriots: Trevor Lawrence got all the hype and being deemed the next great generational prospect and the answer to the Jaguars woes. Trevor has struggled to adapt to the NFL, partly due to the poor coaching hire of Urban Meyer, hopefully they find someone who can develop Trevor into his projected generational prospect status. Mac Jones finds himself being able to help the Patriots clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Dolphins loss, leaving only the AFC East crown left undecided next week. Bill Belichick is 24-6 against Rookie Quarterbacks in his career, including 3-0 this season and look for that to improve to 4-0 as the Patriots make their return to the playoffs.
Buccaneers @ Jets: Here's an interesting stat, the Jets have never lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home in the history of their Franchise. Tampa has a chance to end that streak on Sunday, to do so they will need to make up for the injuries on offense that has stalled out the Bucs offense with Brady throwing less than 240 yards in back to back games. Bruce Arians has cleared COVID protocols and will return to coach the team, while the Bucs secondary gets much needed help with Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean returning on Sunday. Zach Wilson has struggled much like his fellow rookie quarterbacks but you can see the improvement as the season has gone on.
Eagles @ Washington: The NFC basically can be wrapped up with all seven spots filled before next week given the circumstances caused by COVID. The Eagles just need a win over Washington and what now appears to be a given Vikings loss without Kirk Cousins in order to clinch a playoff spot. Of course, the last time these teams faced Garrett Gilbert was the starter but Washington will have Taylor Heinicke back for this game. Following their blowout loss to Dallas, Washington looks to play spoiler to the Eagles playoff hopes.
4PM Late Games
Broncos @ Chargers: Well COVID has hit another team hard, this time the Denver Broncos as they put eight starters, 14 overall on the COVID list this week. With Teddy Bridgewater still out due to injury, Drew Lock once again gets the start. The Chargers were stunned last week against Houston, and now face another trap game against rival Denver Broncos. Chargers activated eight players from the COVID list and they get back a huge piece to their secondary in Safety Derwin James. With both teams fighting for their playoff hopes, which team will enter week 18 with a chance at the playoffs?
Texans @ 49ers: All signs point to Trey Lance making his second career start on Sunday against the Texans in a must win game. The 49ers can lock in their playoff spot with a win and Saints loss but Davis Mills and the Texans aren't content rolling over after their upset over the Chargers last week. Davis Mills has thrown the most touchdowns of all rookie quarterbacks this season and leads all rookie quarterbacks with a passer rating of 86.2. In the battle of rookie quarterbacks, Trey Lance has the weapons to outduel Mills but the Texans defense is sixth in the league when it comes to interceptions. Getting Lance to make mistakes early and create turnovers will be key if Houston wants to win this one.
Cardinals @ Cowboys: One of the best offseason coaching hires turned out to be Dan Quinn who took over as Defensive Coordinator for the Cowboys. He has made that defense into something special, and great scouting and drafting the likes of Trevon Diggs who has a franchise tying record of 11 interceptions and 2021 rookie sensation Micah Parsons. Dallas leads the league in takeaways with 33, and with an offense clicking behind the arm of Dak Prescott, Dallas is finally clicking on all cylinders on both sides of the ball and primed to make a postseason run. Arizona will have to get off to a fast start offensively and defensively if they want to have a shot at the NFC West next week.
Panthers @ Saints: The Saints get back Taysom Hill who is on track to start against the Panthers following Ian Book's first start thanks to COVID and injuries last Monday. Carolina meanwhile still doesn't know what their QB is as Sam Darnold once again gets the start this week amongst a report that David Tepper has buyers remorse when it comes to Matt Rhule's seven year contract. New Orleans looks to keep their playoff hopes alive as a loss to Carolina would certainly doom their fate and help the Eagles & 49ers lock in their playoff spot.
Lions @ Seahawks: Is this Russell Wilson's final home game as the Seahawks starting quarterback? Seattle is going to be an interesting team to watch in the offseason as many rumors of big changes are swirling, be it Pete Carroll being gone or Wilson being traded, Seattle seems ready to rebuild in 2022. Detroit will be without Jared Goff as Tim Boyle will once again get the start as the Lions look to build on a 2021 season that saw the Lions come close to winning multiple games.
Sunday & Monday Night Football
Vikings @ Packers: A must win game for the Vikings has become a nightmare as Kirk Cousins won't be available after testing positive for COVID. Green Bay needs a win and Dallas lost to clinch Home Field and it seems the task will be much easier. Minnesota is starting Sean Mannion over rookie Kellen Mond as this looks set to be the coldest game in the history of this rivalry. The key to this game will be to get Dalvin Cook going and limit as many chances for Aaron Rodgers and company to do damage.
Browns @ Steelers: The last of the 2004 Quarterbacks taken in the first round says his farewell to Heinz Field for the last time on Monday Night. Big Ben Roethlisberger looks to end his career at Heinz Field with a win over divisional rival Cleveland Browns. The AFC North can still be won by either of the four teams and given the Bengals play the Chiefs and Ravens host the Rams, the winner of this game will go into next week with division title hopes. Look for the Steelers passing game to take advantage of a Browns secondary who will be without both of their starting safeties and CB Troy Hill out for this game. Pittsburgh will be thin at Linebacker for this game, which will allow Cleveland to lean on the run and not the arm of Baker Mayfield. Does Big Ben have just enough left in the tank to potentially get Pittsburgh back to the playoffs or will the Browns end Big Ben's final playoff chances setting up a huge showdown with Cincinnati next week for the AFC North?
Note: The Manningcast Season Finale will feature Roger Goodell, Aaron Rodgers, Bill Cowher & Snoop Dog.
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