After another defeat of Titans for the last Thursday Night Football, place now for the rest of the NFL. If the regular season 2022 is about to deliver its verdict, many uncertainties remain in the four corners of the league. The weekend will be busy everywhere and will end in style with a taste of the playoffs: Bengals–Bills. This is THE match not to be missed this week.
In the rest of this preview, special focus on ranged battles (or not) for the latest playoff spots. The Wild Cards in AFC et NFC or even the NFC South will be mentioned. Here is the program for week 17.
Kick-off in the night from Monday to Tuesday at 02:30
Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) – Buffalo Bills (12-3)
They go into playoff mode. Between the Bengals and the Bills, the issue will not be crucial in the short term. Both teams are already qualified. Buffalo is sure to win her division and Cincinnati is in a good position to do the same. No, if this match is important, it’s good that it will be a dress rehearsal before the playoffs. With Kansas Citythese are the three favorite teams to represent theAFC au Super Bowl. So there is a good chance that they will meet again in January. This meeting a few days before the start of the postseason could already give a psychological advantage to the winner.
While the teammates of Joe Burrow were getting back to the level of play that allowed them to win theAFC, they have been less serene for two games. Admittedly, victory is always at the end, but in the face of Buccaneers and to Patriots, two average teams, they shook until the end. Conversely, Buffalo seems to be gaining momentum. The trough of the mid-season wave has passed and the Bills are starting again. Will they be able to maintain this momentum with a direct competitor? We will have to wait until the end of this weekend of competition to find out. One thing is certain, two weeks before the start of the playoffs, this match should already put us in the mood.
Les Wild Cards AFC
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
New England Patriots (7-8) – Miami Dolphins (8-7)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks (7-8) – New York Jets (7-8)
Kick-off in the night from Sunday to Monday at 02:20
Baltimore Ravens (10-5) – Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8)
Before this week 17two divisions have already delivered their verdict. Kansas City et Buffalo will be winners respectively of theAFC Sud et Is and therefore qualified for the playoffs. Just like the Chargers who will also see the knockout matches. In AFC Nord, Baltimore et Cincinnati are still fighting for the first place but have already composted their ticket for the post-season. Finally in AFC Sud, Jacksonville et Tennessee will fight for last place. In summary, they remain a single place in Wild Cards pour 4 teams in this conference.
The first three are in AFC East. Miami, New England et New York still believe it. The first two clash in a decisive encounter. The loser could certainly say goodbye to his goal. Behind, Jets et Steelers need a small miracle to reach the playoffs. First, they must impose themselves on the outside. The men of Robert Saleh go to to face a team who are also aiming for a place in Wild Cards (in NFC). Pour Pittsburghit will happen against a division opponent, Baltimore. The Jets and the Steelers must win to survive and continue to hope until the last week.
Les Wild Cards NFC
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Detroit Lions (7-8) – Chicago Bears (3-12)
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
New York Giants (8-6-1) – Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1)
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Washington Commanders (7-7-1) – Cleveland Browns (6-9)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Green Bay Packers (7-8) – Minnesota Vikings (12-3)
In the other conference, the scenario is a bit different. Greater room for manoeuvre. Three divisions already have a winner, the fourth is played between Tampa Bay, Carolina et New Orleans (see below). Dallas is already qualified and there are therefore two places left in Wild Cards. They are five who can still legitimately claim it.
The two formations of NFC East what are the Giants and the Commanders are currently qualified. New York et Washington receive two affordable teams this weekend. In front of Indianapolis et Clevelandthey have the opportunity to keep control. Detroit et Seattle (see above) are next on the list. The Lions have perhaps the best dynamic of all and could drive the point home against the Bears this week. Finally, the Packers come out of nowhere but still believe in it. Green Bay remains on two consecutive victories and hope to take advantage of the slowdown in front to cap everyone at the post. This will require beating Vikings who have already validated their division title, but who are aiming for first place in the conference.
The NFC South
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) – Carolina Panthers (6-9)
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) – New Orleans Saints (6-9)
It is one of the few divisions that has not yet rendered its verdict. And for good reason, three franchises are still in the running to win and therefore qualify for the playoffs. For now, the Buccaneers are in pole position, but that could all change this weekend. The Buccaneers welcome their most dangerous adversaries: the Panthers. Carolina has the most encouraging dynamics. The men of Steve Wilks indeed remain on 5 wins during last 6 matches. Only the Steelers managed to surprise them.
Carolina is always a match behind the Floridians, but a success on Sunday would allow them to regain control of the division in favor of the tie-breaker. The Panthers had, moreover, harshly beaten Tampa Bay during the “first leg” (21-3). They should reiterate week 17 pressing down on the floor. The winner will in any case take a real option. At the same time, the Saints remain in ambush. They do not have their destiny in hand. Above all, they receive the team with the best record in the league, Philadelphia. We will therefore have to be solid and hope for a favorable scenario, but in this NFL 2022nothing is impossible.
The rest
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons (5-10) – Arizona Cardinals (4-11)
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Houston Texans (2-12-1) – Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8)
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) – Denver Broncos (4-11)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders (6-9) – San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) – Los Angeles Rams (5-10)
In the rest of the games of the week, the stakes will not be capital. In their respective conferences Kansas City et San Francisco are eyeing the 1st Seed. Both teams need the defeat of their direct competitors but can still believe in it. The Chiefs receive the Broncoswhile the 49ers to move to Las Vegas. Two teams in difficulty which should not pose many problems for these behemoths of the NFL.
For their part, the Jaguars are calm after the defeat of the Titans Thursday. They will stay ahead of theAFC Sud whatever happens and will play their qualification against Tennessee next week. Finally, the Chargersalready qualified, receive the Rams in a duel of The Angelswhile the encounter Falcons-Cardinals will be of little interest.
The posters
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons (5-10) – Arizona Cardinals (4-11)
Detroit Lions (7-8) – Chicago Bears (3-12)
Houston Texans (2-12-1) – Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8)
Kansas City Chiefs (12-3) – Denver Broncos (4-11)
New England Patriots (7-8) – Miami Dolphins (8-7)
New York Giants (8-6-1) – Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1)
Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) – New Orleans Saints (6-9)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) – Carolina Panthers (6-9)
Washington Commanders (7-7-1) – Cleveland Browns (6-9)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders (6-9) – San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Seattle Seahawks (7-8) – New York Jets (7-8)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Green Bay Packers (7-8) – Minnesota Vikings (12-3)
Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) – Los Angeles Rams (5-10)
Kick-off in the night from Sunday to Monday at 02:20
Baltimore Ravens (10-5) – Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8)
Kick-off in the night from Monday to Tuesday at 02:30
Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) – Buffalo Bills (12-3)
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