It's about that time, folks. We are heading for the climax of the regular season in the NFL, and the conclusion of Week 17 promises to throw up a number of enthralling storylines.
The action kicked off on Christmas Day, with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens defeating the Houston Texans, and continued with the Seahawks' win over the Bears overnight.
An expanded slate of games on Saturday and Sunday lie before us.
Here are five things to look out for this weekend.
Saturday night fever
The clash between the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday (9.30pm) is key for both teams' play-off hopes this year.
The Broncos are in a position to clinch a play-off berth with a win, currently holding the sixth spot in the AFC, whereas the Bengals are at 6-8 on the year, facing elimination with a loss and sitting 10th in the AFC standings.
Statistically, Joe Burrow has been exceptional for the Bengals, with 361 completions out of 527 attempts for 3,977 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions, making him one of the league leaders in passing.
On the offence, Ja'Marr Chase has been a significant threat, but the Bengals have struggled to get over the line on various occasions this campaign and it will be a huge task for the team to make the play-offs at this stage. They need to win their final two games (which includes a Week 18 trip to the Pittsburgh Steelers).
On the other side, the Broncos have shown resilience this year, with running backs like Javonte Williams and Audric Estime contributing significantly.
Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has impressed in his first season. Through 16 weeks, Nix has matched Justin Herbert, CJ Stroud and Russell Wilson for most games with at least two passing touchdowns and zero interceptions as a rookie. He has a chance to take over this record solo in the final weeks of the year.
Bo Nix with his 2nd TD pass of the night!@NFL | @Broncos | #TNFonPrimepic.twitter.com/JmL3WOgd7f
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 20, 2024
The Broncos rank third in run defence, allowing only 3.88 yards per carry, which could be crucial in controlling the pace on Saturday evening.
The Broncos have not made the post-season since winning Super Bowl 50 in February 2016. Reaching the play-offs in Sean Payton’s second season would be a major result for the Colorado franchise.
A battle for the NFC West
It seems like all the action is on Saturday night this week, with a game that will have crucial repercussions for the NFC West late in the evening.
The Arizona Cardinals will travel to Los Angeles to face the LA Rams early Sunday morning Irish time (1.10am) in a contest which has added significance after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Chicago Bears 6-3 on Thursday night.
In order to win the division and make it into the play-offs, the Seahawks need the Rams to lose to the Cardinals (who have already been eliminated) and they then need to defeat the Rams in what is now a potential win-and-in scenario in the final weekend.
If the Rams defeat the Cardinals, then it becomes a lot tricker for Seattle to get there. More on that next week, if it comes to it.
"What's been really good about our football team is these guys have just been in the moment." pic.twitter.com/xq82of4Glf
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 26, 2024
The Rams know what they need to do: win and they're in. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford has shown efficiency, throwing for 3,463 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions so far this season.
While WR Cooper Kupp has been a little inconsistent at times, there is no doubt that he remains a big threat in an offence that is starting to tick in the final weeks.
Kupp has 737 receiving yards and five touchdowns, and other elements in the Rams offence are starting to elevate their performance.
Kyren Williams has been a game changer for the Rams at running back, rushing for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The combination of Stafford’s ability to pass the ball, while knowing when to run the ball against a stout Cardinals team who will want to stifle a rivals playoff push will be crucial here.
Draft focus
With one week left in the regular season, many teams who are now eliminated are focusing on 2025, but we have seen a significant shift in the draft board over the past week.
The biggest change over the Christmas period has been that of the New York Giants, who currently have the first pick in the draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders fell to sixth after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars last week - while the Chicago Bears are now inside the top seven following another loss on Thursday Night.
Battle for the North
We have a big NFC North match-up on Sunday as the 11-4 Green Bay Packers travel to the 13-2 Minnesota Vikings.
The North's Packers, Lions, and Vikings have dominated this year, with an unbelievable combined record of 37-8. Four of those eight losses have come from within the NFC North. It’s clear where the talent is in the NFC.
This game is significant for both the Packers and the Vikings, though for different reasons.
The Packers have already secured a play-off spot, ensuring they'll be in the post-season, but they cannot win the division and are set to start their playoff journey away from Lambeau Field, regardless of this game's outcome.
Packers QB Jordan Love has potential for big plays against Minnesota this week, given his ranking as second in the league for completions of 20-plus yards downfield, per PFF.
This allows Love to exploit the Vikings' defence, which currently ranks 29th in allowing deep completions. Expect some big plays from Green Bay this weekend.
For the Vikings, however, the stakes are higher. They are still in contention for the number one seed in the NFC, which would grant them home-field advantage throughout the play-offs, including a bye in the first round.
Home advantage on Sunday could be crucial as they aim to get over the line.
We know how well they can play. Through 16 weeks, Sam Darnold has thrown for 32 touchdowns, with a passer rating of 105.4, reigniting his career.
Justin Jefferson has been the team's receiving leader, amassing 1,387 yards and scoring multiple touchdowns, catching 10 or more passes in multiple games. Both need to be 'lights out' on Sunday.
Bowl season
Finally, many Irish players are currently playing in bowl games across the US as the college football Season comes to a close, with the National Championship on 20 January in Atlanta, Georgia.
County Derry’s Jack Scullion was part of the Rutgers team who just lost out to Kansas State on Thursday night in the Rate Bowl, while Kerryman David Shanahan will play his final game for Georgia Tech on Friday night against Vanderbult in the Birmingham Bowl.
