The penultimate lap in a long-distance race is considered one of the most crucial. It is because the runner contending for the podium needs to put himself in the position to pounce by sticking as close to the race leaders as possible. The strategy is to pounce on the final lap, where slip-ups and mistakes happen, and to leave everything on the track with no regrets. As week 17 and the first Sunday of 2023 looms, several teams are fighting for their playoff lives, and the goal is to stay alive somehow by grabbing a win. If they do, they will get the chance to put it all on the line in week 18 to make it to the postseason and even a chance to win the division. The weekend is stacked with intriguing matchups that two other games would merit consideration. I have the Packers winning in Lambeau, but a Giants and Commanders win over the Colts and Browns would make it hard for them to make the playoffs. Also, I have the Cowboys defeating the reeling and decimated Titans. With that out of the way, let us discuss in detail the five hottest matchups in week 17.
Last week: 5-0
Overall: 55-25
1. Miami Dolphins (8-7) at New England Patriots (7-8) at -1 p.m. ET (CBS)
Car experts say that to stop a skid, the driver has to take their feet off the pedals by not braking or accelerating. Then, quickly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want to go. These two will look to perform this quick thin maneuver because the Patriots are on a two-game losing streak while the Dolphins have slumped to four losses in a row. The big news heading into the matchup is the status of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who has reentered concussion protocol and is doubtful for the game. Miami’s offense had been its strength early in the season but opposing defenses have clamped down by bringing pressure which the Patriots will look to do against Tua or Teddy Bridgewater. The Patriots’ losses have been fluky in the past two weeks, and at this juncture, they are slightly the better team. Just.
Patriots 23-Dolphins 20.
2. Carolina Panthers (6-9) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)-1 p.m. ET (Fox)
Before the start of this season, my prediction for this matchup would be the Buccaneers blowout win at home. However, the 2022 Tampa Bay is a wildly unpredictable team that struggles to score points even with Tom Brady at the helm. The Panthers also have the psychological edge because they defeated the Bucs 21-3 in week 7 of this season. The key to the Panthers is their running game because they averaged 272 yards in the game in their past two wins. However, in their loss to the Steelers sandwiched between those games they rushed for only 21 yards. I think the Bucs’ defense will slow down the run game, and Tom Brady will come up with clutch throws in a big spot to grab the win. Never bet against Tom Brady, right?!
Bucs 20-Panthers 17
3. N.Y. Jets (7-8) at Seattle (7-8) at 4:05 p.m. ET (Fox)
No team in NFL history has EVER made the playoffs after going 0-4 in December, and like the Dolphins, it is the fate of the New York Jets. The Jets’ offense is terrible, and the team has officially given up on the 2021 NFL first-round draft pick, Zach Wilson, who has benched for the upcoming game with the likely return of Mike White. Despite the return of White, I think the matchup will be difficult to go across the country in a hostile environment. The Seahawks are on a three-game losing streak but two of those games were against the 49ers and Chiefs. Geno Smith is already 2-0 this season against his former teams, the Giants and Chargers. Unfortunately for the Jets, they drafted Geno in 2013, and he will be out for revenge. I think he does it and beats them in a tight affair.
Seahawks 24-Jets 17
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) at Baltimore Ravens (7-8)-Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC)
They say cats have nine lives, but it’s impossible to believe that the Steelers still have a shot at making the playoffs. Credit must go to Mike Tomlin and his staff for getting him to play through adversity. However, like Boyz 2 Men song, this will be the “end of the road.” The Ravens beat this team in week 14 by a margin of 16-14 in Pittsburgh. In this week 17 matchup, Lamar Jackson is still questionable, and even if he doesn’t play I think Tyler Huntley is a capable backup of grinding out a tough win. These two hate each other and would love to spoil each other team’s season.
Ravens 19-Steelers 15
5. Buffalo Bills (11-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (12-3)-Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET (ESPN)
It has all the makings of a Monday Night Football classic. It features two of the best teams and quarterbacks in the league. It also pits two of the hottest teams in the league because the Bills have rebounded from a midseason slump to rattle off five consecutive wins, while the Bengals have won seven games in a row and 9 out of their last 10. The two teams boast high-powered offenses, and I expect it to be a high-scoring affair, with a late interception being the difference. I think Allen is likely to make that slight miscue, and I have the Bengals winning the game narrowly in a thriller.
Bengals 33-Bills 31