The penultimate week of the NFL’s regular season has the bulk of the games being played on Saturday, and there is plenty still at stake with a number of play-off positions still to be decided. Kevin Jeffers previews the action and looks at the possible permutations of each division.
NFC East
The Philadelphia Eagles upset the New York Giants 24-19 in Week 16’s opening game, ending any chance the Giants had of catching the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East. That gives Dallas (12-2) both the division crown and the top overall seed in the NFC, meaning they could potentially rest their starters in their two remaining games. Does that mean it’s time for Tony Romo?
NFC North
Dallas’ situation could potentially be good news for Detroit Lions (9-5), who are tenuously holding on to a one-game lead over red-hot Green Bay Packers (8-6). The Lions play at Dallas (Tuesday, 5.30am) and need a win, so hopefully for them the Cowboys do rest their starters, while also hoping the Packers are upset by Minnesota Vikings (7-7). If the Packers do win, a Week 17 match-up between the Packers and Lions will decide the division.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons (9-5) need a win or tie at Carolina Panthers (Saturday, 10pm) while also hoping for a Tampa Bay Bucaneers (8-6) loss at New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 1.25am). The Falcons can also catch West champions Seattle Seahawks (9-4-1) for the No 2 seed.
AFC North
The singular game with the biggest stakes involves the two teams vying for the AFC North crown. The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens (Monday, 1.30am), and the Steelers (9-5) are division champions with a win. Baltimore (8-6) are only a game behind, though, and both teams could still grab a wild-card spot even with a loss.
The rest of the AFC
East champions New England Patriots (12-2) are the top seed with a win over the New York Jets plus an Oakland Raiders loss to the Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1.05am). The Raiders (11-3) win the West with a win plus a Kansas City Chiefs (10-4) loss to reeling Denver Broncos (Monday, 5.30am). In the South, both Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans are 8-6, with the Texans holding the tie-breaker. Houston and new starting quarterback Tom Savage host hopeless Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 5.25am) while the Titans are at hapless Jacksonville Jaguars (Saturday, 10pm).