Week 17 NFL Preview: Brady's Turbulent Season Towards Playoff Race Climax
Tom Brady's NFL tenure spans more time than his departure, drafted by the Buccaneers back in 2000 at 22 years and 8 months (8,292 days). 8,295 days later, the seven-time Super Bowl champ will face off against the division rivals, Carolina Panthers, on Sunday.
Rarely has a season been as turbulent for the legendary player, retiring briefly following the last season break and yet to make good on that decision.
The Buccaneers currently hold the top spot in the NFC South, however they only lead the Panthers by a single game. A loss on Sunday would see both teams tie on record, with Carolina taking the lead in the tiebreaker, ignoring Brady's or Todd Bowles's teams' records of a 7-7 tiebreak record. Two wins to start the New Year was the expected outcome.
Inspired by their 21:3 win over Tampa in Week 7, the Panthers will field P.J. Walker as quarterback. Sam Darnold is set to reclaim the mantle as he aims to build on his 250-yard, 3-touchdown performance against Detroit Lions in their previous meeting and secure another victory.
Kickoff is for 1 PM ET on Sunday.
Buffalo Bills (12-3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)
Monday Night Football may not offer the same playoff stakes as Carolina @ Tampa Bay, but it promises excitement in equal measure-two teams with Super Bowl pedigree and formidable quarterbacks.
Josh Allen's goals for the Bills include securing their 13th win and the seventh straight, clinching the AFC East title, and maintaining their exceptional form heading into the playoffs.
The Bills share the same record as regular Super Bowl contenders Kansas City Chiefs, but hold the tiebreak advantage. A Bills victory this weekend would ensure their crucial first seed in the AFC, offering a first-round bye and a home playoff game-Crucial field advantage during the postseason.
The Bengals have been on a roll lately, with Joe Burrow receiving AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors following his 375-yard, 3-touchdown effort against the New England Patriots. Along with Ja'Marr Chase, Burrow was instrumental in Cincinnati's seven-game winning streak.
The game begins at 8:30 PM ET on Monday.
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8) vs. Baltimore Ravens (10-5), Sunday, 8:20 PM ET
The Ravens have secured a playoff berth, but the last two games of the regular season will hold significant influence on their Super Bowl journey.
Lamar Jackson, MVP in 2019, has missed the last three games due to a knee injury, but hopes to return in time for this weekend's game. In his absence, Tyler Huntley will start.
Should the Ravens win, the Week 18 matchup against the Bengals will determine the AFC North title-both teams meeting for the second time in this season, with Baltimore having triumphed in their earlier encounter opposite Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, marking his first-ever losing season in his 15-year career.
The Steelers' playoff hopes have suffered a further blow, as the Los Angeles Chargers clinched a playoff place on Monday at the expense of the Indianapolis Colts. Tuesday night's defeat also put a substantial threat to Tommy's impressive career run.
The Steelers-Ravens rivalry is a storied one, a heated and historic tradition in the NFL. The AFC North teams have met in four playoff matches and claimed four Super Bowl titles between them.
Act fast and tune in on Sunday at 8:20 PM ET to find out who comes out on top.
Minnesota Vikings (12-3) vs. Green Bay Packers (7-8)
Aaron Rodgers' dreams of a second Super Bowl victory seemed dashed after the Packers' defeat against Philadelphia Eagles in late November, but the team have enjoyed a recent resurgence, accompanied by the faltering form of some NFC rivals, giving them a seemingly unlikely path to the Wildcard matchup, this Sunday.
But the Packers and their cheese-loving supporters will have to face the Division champions, the Minnesota Vikings, who handily defeated them in the opening week.
It was one of the few easy victories for the Vikings in this season, while they've demonstrated their prowess in close-fought games. They are the first team in NFL history to win eleven such games.
A vital contribution to the Vikings' success was the breakout performance of third-year WR Justin Jefferson, tormenting defenders throughout the campaign. His latest masterclass came last weekend against the New York Giants, setting a franchise record for the most receiving yards in a season.
Kickoff is at 4:25 PM in the Lambeau Field, Green Bay, on Sunday.
Miami Dolphins (8-7) vs. New England Patriots (7-8)
The Miami Dolphins looked set for their first playoff appearance since 2016 but have squandered numerous opportunities, dropping their last four games. As the indication of a promising year fades, the team faces a legitimate threat of finishing without a playoff berth.
Dolphins' woes escalated further this week, with star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffering a second concussion, leaving his availability uncertain for their upcoming game. In his absence, Teddy Bridgewater is expected to step in.
The Dolphins have yet to secure a win without Tua under center this season, placing their playoff drought potential at renewal, depending on the results of the remaining league fixtures.
Meanwhile, the Patriots need a victory this weekend to keep their playoffs aspirations alive. Their stingy defense allows the fewest points per game in the league, but their offense has struggled, with sophomore QB Mac Jones ranking 32nd in ESPN's QBR rating.
Catch the action at 1 PM in the Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Sunday.
