It all boils down to this: the Buffalo Bills (2 1/2 point favorites) need to defeat Miami, and the LA Chargers and Tennessee Titans need to lose their games today for the Bills to break their 17-year Playoff drought. The chances all this will happen is 42%. I’m not optimistic. How will your favorite NFL team perform today?
The 11-4 Saints take on the 4-11 Buccaneers. The Saints have already qualified for the post-season, but they need to win this game for home field advantage. If the Falcons could find a way to beat the Panthers, that would be most helpful too.
Deb, it’s always hard to figure out which teams will “show up” in Week 17 and who will “run for the bus.” The Bills need to win in Miami to have any chance at the Playoffs, but then they need a lot of help.
No! Panthers MUST beat the Falcons, so that Seattle can get in.
The Giants will close out their season in triumph! Not! I expect another sub-par, losing effort by the underachieving, injury-ridden, mis-coached and disappointing team. They play the Redskins in the frigid Meadowlands at 1. Since the winds are already howling here, I can only guess how bad conditions will be on the field today, and whether either team will really care. It is going to be very, very windy and cold. You’d have to be an incredibly dedicated fan to sit in the stands today, and almost as nuts as the million or so who will be watching the ball drop in Times Square tonight, where it will be the second or third coldest New Year’s Eve ever.
We’ll be home in bed asleep by then, in all likelihood.
Next test of manhood/insanity: tomorrow’s Polar Bear Plunge at Coney Island.
Jeff, we woke up to the temperature of ZERO! And, it’s supposed to be even colder tonight with windchills in the -25 range. We, of course, I staying inside our cozy, warm house but plenty of crazy people will be out on the roads tonight.
Considering that the Panthers needed a last minute touchdown to beat the Bucs last week, I think the Saints will do fine. Of course, they might have to play the Panthers again in the first round next week, as I understand it.
Go, Bills!
Jeff, even if the Bills defeat the Dolphins (not a sure thing) several other teams need to lose–Ravens, Chargers, Titans–for the Bills to slip into the Playoff via the Back Door. I’m not optimistic.
I read one thing saying that if, somehow, the Ravens manage to lose – unlikely, I know – then the Bills are in with a win. Otherwise they need both the Titans and Chargers to lose.
The Giants were looking pretty good in the section I watched.
I’m hoping the chargers lose, I really want the chiefs to take the division. I’ve surprised myself by rooting for the raiders at times.
My favorite teams remain the packers (wait till next year!!), the saints, and whoever plays against the chargers and cowboys.
One of the owners I admire is the guy who owns the falcons. He refused to hire michael vick back after his release from jail for animal cruelty. I’ve also heard that he has set a limit on how much can be charged at concession stands. And I think he was one of the first owners to support the player protests. I had mixed feelings about that when it was sitting, but taking a knee or standing with arms linked was something I could accept)
Maggie, the Chiefs have won the AFC West. The LA Chargers are playing for a Wild Card berth today. But the Bills and the Titans and the Ravens all have a shot.
George – I watch more college ball than pro, but I do enjoy a good, frozen NFL game from my over-stuffed chair in front of the TV. Happy New Year!
Elgin, if the Bills somehow make the Playoffs and get a home game, you’ll see plenty of snow and cold! Happy New Year to you, too!
Panthers MUST beat Falcons! Go Panthers! Otherwise, even if they win, Seattle is out. Of course they must beat Arizona too. We don’t get any of the “good” games here, except Seahawks, sox I won’t be seeing much of them unless I watch NFL channel for the extended highlights during the day.
Rick, it’s hard to measure the motivation of teams on Week 17. Some are just coasting into the Playoffs.
Just checked and we are getting 4 games today – the Giants hosting Washington and the Jets at New England at 1, followed by Buffalo at Miami and Carolina at Atlanta.
Jeff, the later games hold all the suspense!
Not that it matters, but the Giants won. The Eagles lost, the Vikings are about to win, as are New England and Pittsburgh. I don’t think any of those change anything.
Let’s see how Carolina and Atlanta goes.
Jeff, Diane and I will be switching channels to keep up with the events in Baltimore, Tennessee, and LA!
So far, the Ravens are losing! That would be great.
Loved the Kyle Williams touchdown and the celebration.
Jeff, this is probably Kyle Williams’s last season. It was a nice gesture by the coaches to allow Kyle to score a TD!
Whoa! What a play. 44 seconds to go to see if the Bills will be in the playoffs.
Jeff, I was on the edge of my seat watching that Bengals vs. Ravens game! Woo hoo!
So the Bills make the playoffs!!!
Scott, many thanks to the Bengals for helping the Bills break their 17-year Playoff drought!
Congrats on Bills making the playoffs, George.
Rick, sorry the Seahawks didn’t make the Playoffs.