The NFL regular season comes to a close on Sunday and by the time the action concludes we will know the line up for the playoffs but before we get there, there are just a few things to be settled on Week 17 of the campaign.
There is one division title to be decided among the early games and one last spot in the playoffs in the AFC, both of which will be covered in the usual TV coverage we get on this side of the pond, on what is an important night of action.
1pm Kick Offs (6pm UK time)
The TV coverage in the first set of matches on Sunday comes from Foxboro as the New England Patriots look to secure the number two seed in the AFC and with it next week off in the playoffs. They host the Miami Dolphins in a match they will be expected to win given the struggles the visitors have had throughout the season. The other match of interest comes from Kansas City where the Kansas City Chiefs host the Los Angeles Chargers knowing they can pinch the number two spot if they win and the Patriots do slip up.
Six other divisional battles take place at this time with the Buffalo Bills hosting the New York Jets in one of them while Carolina Panthers take on New Orleans Saints in another. Cincinnati Bengals take on the Cleveland Browns in the battle of Ohio while elsewhere the Tampa Bay Buccaneers welcome the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions face the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings will warm up for the playoffs by hosting the Chicago Bears.
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4.25pm Kick Offs (9.25pm UK time)
This is where the last remaining division title will be decided and we will see it live on TV over on this side of the pond as the Philadelphia Eagles head to the Big Apple to take on the New York Giants. A win for the Eagles will win them the division and see them hosting either the Seattle Seahawks or the San Francisco 49ers next week. Should they slip up the Dallas Cowboys will take the division if they can beat the Washington Redskins.
The final wildcard spot in the AFC will be decided in this session as well. It is all in the hands of the Tennessee Titans. If they can see off the Houston Texans they will be heading to face New England Patriots or Kansas City Chiefs next week. Should the Titans lose the door will be open for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They travel to face their arch rivals Baltimore Ravens needing to win to be in. Should both they and the Titans lose the door opens for the Oakland Raiders who will be in if they beat the Denver Broncos. The other three matches have the Jacksonville Jaguars taking on the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Rams facing the Arizona Cardinals.
Betting
I’m only going with the one bet this week and I’ll take the Baltimore Ravens to see off the Pittsburgh Steelers. I accept the argument that the Ravens will be resting many of their starters but that will only be on offense and I still think they can get the job done on defence, which has been as elite as we would expect in recent weeks and which will naturally be fired up to face their bitter rivals.
Pittsburgh have to win this to have a chance of being in the playoffs but they have got big issues in the quarterback position and the last thing you need as a side is to be taking on this defence with a misfiring quarterback. Just because the Steelers need to win doesn’t mean they will win, especially if they fall behind early and all the Ravens D to control the game. RG3 has a point to prove as a starter so there is more than enough to suggest the Ravens can still win this even without some of their starters.
Tips
WON – Back Baltimore Ravens to beat Pittsburgh Steelers for a 4/10 stake at 2.05 with 888sport
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