NFL Week 17: Stats and Storylines for five Video games on FOX

[ad_1] Week 17 is upon us, with Christmas and Saturday taking a number of dishes off the Sunday soccer desk.

However Sunday's slate on FOX nonetheless options 5 matchups, with 4 of them having fairly main playoff implications. One of many video games additionally features a potential Tremendous Bowl preview. The Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Payments meet up in Orchard Park for "America's Recreation of the Week," with Tom Brady, Kevin Burkhardt, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi on the decision.

Listed below are the stats and storylines to look at within the penultimate weekend of the common season.

The Jaguars have thrived underneath first-year coach Liam Coen, and if they will merely beat the Colts and Titans of their final two video games, they're going to have their greatest file since going 14-2 in 1999. The AFC's prime seed continues to be in play for them, although they're a greater workforce away from house, scoring not less than 25 factors in each street recreation. The Jaguars have crushed the Broncos, Chargers and Texans, in order that they've confirmed themselves in opposition to AFC playoff groups.

Tom Brady on Philip Rivers’ NFL Return and Beginning for Colts This Week Can 44-year-old Philip Rivers play in addition to he did Monday in opposition to the 49ers? He threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns. However, as a warning, the Jaguars are second within the NFL in interceptions (19) and takeaways (28). Rivers' subsequent misplaced fumble will transfer him right into a tie for third-most all-time, with Matt Ryan's 49.

The Buccaneers danger elimination in the event that they lose right here and the Panthers win in opposition to the Seahawks, and Tampa Bay is making an attempt to get out of a slide that has seen it lose six of seven video games.

Miami has turned to seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers at quarterback. The Dolphins truly had a 14-10 lead on the Bengals simply earlier than halftime final week after which gave up 35 straight factors. Ewers went 20 of 30 for 260 yards, however threw two interceptions.

Can Tampa Bay's struggling protection preserve working again Devon Achane in verify? Miami has executed that fairly nicely itself these days. Achane had 20-plus carries in three straight wins, totaling 428 dashing yards, however has 34 whole within the final three video games.

Keep watch over Bucs rookie corners Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish, who will play key roles on the again finish.

The Jets have an actual likelihood to be the primary NFL protection within the Tremendous Bowl period to complete a complete season with out an interception. They've none in 461 passes thrown by opponents, and the closest any workforce has come to that was the 2018 49ers, however they nonetheless had two interceptions that 12 months. What's amusing is that head coach Aaron Glenn had 41 interceptions in his NFL profession. For reference, Vikings security Harrison Smith has probably the most amongst any lively participant with 38.

Mahomes Mountain for Week 17: Will Trevor Lawrence or Drake Maye attain the highest? New England needed to rally to beat Baltimore on Sunday night time and is battling for the highest seed within the AFC. Drake Maye threw for a career-best 380 yards and now faces a Jets' protection unhealthy sufficient that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was fired. They've given up 34 factors per recreation of their final three. By some means, the Jets have held the Patriots to solely three factors in two of their final 4 conferences, albeit each earlier than Mike Vrabel's arrival.

Keep in mind how the Bengals' protection wasted an MVP-caliber season from Joe Burrow final 12 months? They by some means acquired worse. They're useless final within the NFL in factors (30.5) and yards (403) allowed per recreation.

This recreation has some extent whole of 52.5, the very best within the league this week. That quantity may nonetheless be too small. The Cardinals have given up 40-plus factors 4 occasions within the final two months, and the Bengals simply scored 45 on the Dolphins. The league-high for mixed factors is 89 this 12 months, and the Bengals have been in two of the highest scoring non-overtime video games.

Arizona quarterback Jacoby Brissett leads the NFL with seven video games of not less than 40 go makes an attempt this season. If that is eight, it's going to be probably the most in a season since Sam Howell had that many with the Commanders in 2023. Do not fret, the NFL file is 13, which was set by Matthew Stafford in 2012 and matched by Tom Brady in 2022.

Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Payments (4:25 p.m. ET) Do you prefer to see a number of working performs? That is your recreation. Buffalo has the NFL's No. 1 dashing assault, averaging 159 yards per recreation and 5.1 yards per carry, however the Payments even have the league's third-worst run protection, giving up 144 yards per recreation and 5.4 yards per carry.

That Payments' protection will get to go up in opposition to the Eagles' Saquon Barkley, who's beginning to look extra like his 2024 self of late. He is rushed for over 120 yards in two of the final three video games.

'They got here to life' 🦅 Greg Olsen on Eagles' second-half efficiency vs. Commanders The Payments' James Cook dinner has an NFL-best 1,532 dashing yards with two video games left and a 43-yard lead on the Colts' Jonathan Taylor, who won't be enjoying with the lead a lot these last two video games.

The Payments are one recreation behind the Patriots for the AFC East lead and are probably on the street within the playoffs. That is vital as a result of Buffalo has misplaced its final eight street playoff video games, the final street win coming in 1993.

The Eagles will not less than begin the playoffs at house. They've gained 5 straight house playoff video games and are 7-1 at house within the final decade.

Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand spent a decade overlaying the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Instances and The Athletic. You may comply with him on Twitter at @gregauman.

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