NFL Week 17 preview: Giants among teams that can clinch playoff spot; others looking for division title

Within the NFL, each snap, each drive, each landing actually makes a distinction it doesn’t matter what week it’s. 

However, with Week 17 on our doorstep, playoff spots are there for the taking. For others, backs are towards the wall, and yet one more loss may finish every little thing. 

9 groups, 5 from the AFC and 4 from the NFC, have clinched spots within the playoffs with the hope of taking part in within the Tremendous Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, dwelling of the Arizona Cardinals. 

Division winners which have already been topped are the Buffalo Payments (AFC East) and Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (AFC West) and the Minnesota Vikings (NFC North) and San Francisco 49ers (NFC West). 

Within the AFC, the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens are nonetheless vying for the AFC North crown, however they’re each already within the playoffs. The Los Angeles Chargers simply clinched their berth Monday night time by beating the Indianapolis Colts. 

For the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles are only one win away from proudly owning the No. 1 seed within the convention and incomes the NFC East title, whereas the rival Dallas Cowboys are already within the playoffs, too. They nonetheless have a shot on the division if Philly loses out. 

Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants warms up earlier than kickoff towards the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium Sept. 26, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Cooper Neill/Getty Photos)

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With these groups in, coaches shall be cautious to play starters within the coming weeks. The groups we’re going to characteristic right here will want all of the firepower they will get in Week 17.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) vs. Carolina Panthers (6-9) — 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Tom Brady escaped with an extra time victory over the Cardinals Christmas night time. The Bucs are one win away from an NFC South title. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) calls a play towards the Arizona Cardinals throughout the second half of a sport Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. 
(AP Picture/Rick Scuteri)

It hasn’t been fairly in any respect for Tampa Bay. Many had been ready to see when Brady would go on a run, however it simply hasn’t occurred. If the Bucs misplaced to the Playing cards Sunday, this matchup towards the Panthers would’ve seen each groups at 6-9 on the yr, and Carolina already holds the tiebreaker after its 21-3 win earlier this season. 

The Panthers have been taking part in nicely not too long ago underneath interim head coach Steve Wilks, and quarterback Sam Darnold appears to be thriving since he obtained the beginning job. A win for the Panthers makes Week 18 an attention-grabbing time for the division. 

But when Brady may even this division sequence and are available away victorious, he’ll be again within the playoffs as soon as once more. Then, who is aware of what these Bucs can do? 

New York Giants (8-6-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts (4-10-1) — 1 p.m. ET, CBS

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws throughout the first half towards the Carolina Panthers Sept. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J.
(AP Picture/Noah Ok. Murray)

The Eagles and Cowboys are in, however as issues stand getting into this week, all the NFC East makes it to the playoffs. 

The Giants and the Washington Commanders personal the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds, respectively, and the Giants will earn their first playoff spot since 2016 with a win over a Colts group that has struggled to seek out consistency from its quarterbacks all season lengthy. 

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Nick Foles obtained his first begin of the season Monday night time, and it was brutal. He threw three interceptions, and the Colts scored simply three factors. 

Saquon Barkley has by no means been to the playoffs. Neither has Daniel Jones. With the sport at dwelling, the Giants are searching for their followers to indicate up and provides them as a lot of an edge as attainable to finish the drought. 

Miami Dolphins (8-7) at New England Patriots (7-8) — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Tua Tagovailoa is again in concussion protocol, and whereas that’s the essential information popping out of Miami, the Dolphins nonetheless wish to get into the playoffs throughout Mike McDaniel’s first season as head coach. 

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throughout a stoppage in play in a sport towards the New England Patriots Sept. 11, 2022, at Laborious Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
(Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)

A Dolphins win Sunday and a New York Jets loss or tie will get the Dolphins within the postseason. The Dolphins additionally qualify in the event that they tie, the Jets lose and the Pittsburgh Steelers lose or tie. 

Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson are the quarterbacks for the Dolphins as a result of Tagovailoa has already been dominated out. The Dolphins are hoping to keep away from dropping 5 straight video games. 

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Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) vs. Buffalo Payments (12-3) — Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Whereas each of those groups have clinched a playoff berth, this shall be a enjoyable matchup to observe because it could possibly be a preview of a playoff sport. 

The Bengals even have an opportunity to clinch the AFC North title with a win and a Ravens loss or tie. 

The Payments nonetheless have home-field benefit to play for as the present No. 1 seed within the AFC. They are going to clinch that with a win and a Chiefs loss. 

Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals makes an attempt a cross throughout the second quarter towards the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium Dec. 24, 2022, in Foxborough, Mass. 
(Winslow Townson/Getty Photos)

Each groups are on lengthy win streaks. The Bengals have gained seven straight to the Payments’ six. Josh Allen and Joe Burrow are two of the highest younger quarterbacks on this league.