With two weeks left in the NFL regular season there is no shortage of excitement for football fans. In the NFC, the #1 seed with home field advantage, NFC South title, and 2 wildcard spots are up for grabs. The AFC, a #1 seed, every division title, and the wildcard spots are still not clinched. It could be pure chaos down the stretch. Here’s 5 storylines to watch for as we move into Week 17.
The Detroit Lions will be the #1 Seed in the NFC
The Detroit Lions will walk out of Dallas with a victory in Week 17. The Cowboys are the only undefeated team at home this year, the favorite and have a tendency to choke away games late in the season. Since 2015, only 3 teams have finished undefeated at home; 2015 Panthers, 2018 Patriots and the 2021 Packers. The Lions return home in Week 18 to a loyal and rowdy Ford Field and knock off an injury riddled Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, celebrating a franchise record 13 wins in front of the home crowd. While this would be good enough for the Lions to secure the #2 Seed, the 49ers have a Week 18 matchup with the LA Rams who have their backs against the wall and will need the win to make the playoffs. It’s a long shot, I know, but we’re already talking about the Lions as a likely #3 seed so hell has already frozen over, anything can happen.
The Buffalo Bills win the AFC East and be the #2 seed in the AFC
The Miami Dolphins have outperformed all expectations this year, but water finds a level. They travel to Baltimore in Week 17 against a Ravens defense that has shut down almost everyone they’ve played this year leading the league in points against. The Dolphins play like a different team on the road that has led to only a 4-4 record away from Miami. That leads to a Week 18 showdown in Miami against a red hot Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen. The Bills host the Patriots in Week 17 and will surely be looking for retribution on their 29-25 Week 7 loss to the Pats. The momentum has been growing in Buffalo’s favor and a Week 14 slip up vs the Titans could prove costly for the Dolphins.
CJ Stroud and the Texans win the AFC South and get the #4 seed in AFC
The Jacksonville Jaguars have squandered their division lead away dropping 4 straight games. They should get back on track in Week 17 vs the Panthers. However, they travel to Tennessee in Week 18 where the Titans will be playing for nothing more than to be spoiler, which is always a trap. On the flip side, the Texans host the Titans in Week 17. The Titans have been horrible on the road, going 1-6 so far this year. Which creates a Week 18 showdown with the Texans traveling to Indy for at minimum a spot in the playoffs and a potential division title at stake. Between Indy, Houston and Jacksonville, this race is wide open and I like CJ Stroud to step up and will the Texans while the Jags complete the end of season meltdown with a loss in Tennessee.
The Broncos slide in to the AFC #7 seed
The Denver Broncos are not the same team we saw the Dolphins score 70pts on. The Broncos have an easy path with a reeling LA Chargers team at home in Week 17 and what could be a showdown with the Raiders in Week 18 for the final AFC playoff spot. Neither the Raiders or Broncos control their own destiny and would require the Jaguars dropping one of their final two games. With all the attention on the Jags, Texans and Colts in the South and having to play each other, the Broncos could slide past everyone and find themselves in the postseason.
Steelers and Packers lock in the 7 Seeds
This scenario only plays out if the Steelers go to Seattle in Week 17 and knock off the Seahawks. They have somehow played the most mediocre brand of football and skated by all season, so seeing them come out of Seattle with a win would not be shocking. This game also has implications in the NFC for the Packers, who travel to Minnesota and play a banged up Vikings team in Week 17 and finish the year at Lambeau against the Bears. As a fan of underdogs and improbable parlays, this is the scenario I’m rooting for the most but also the one I’m the least confident on.
You can test out scenarios using ESPN’s NFL Playoff Machine. Have at it: https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/machine – Here’s to an exciting final two weeks of NFL Football.
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