Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope you are all continuing to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends alike. With the stretch run of the NFL season in full swing, we are not going to take the usual approach to discussing it in our Swamps of Jersey recap. Rather than waste a lot of time on the Jets and Giants I want this week’s focus to be on teams that are actually good and are in the heat of the playoff race. We’ll walk through each playoff contenders remaining schedule and the various scenarios for each to get into the field. We have a lot to get to so let’s dive in.

Jets and Giants

The football locals split this past weekend’s games as the Jets bungled their way to victory against the Commanders and the Giants fought hard but eventually lost in Philly. It was a solid effort by Big Blue, one that featured a quarterback change from Tommy DeVito to Tyrod Taylor, who put up decent numbers and nearly led a comeback against a struggling Eagles defense. Taylor will likely finish the season under center when the Giants face the Rams and then finish up at home against the Eagles. I wouldn’t expect the Giants to win either game, which is for the best as they currently sit fifth overall and have chance to move up further in the draft order.

Meanwhile the Jets began the day by announcing that they would once again bow to Aaron Rodgers whim by retaining their incompetent coaching staff and front office. The incompetent coaching staff then put their work on full display once again as they blew a 27-7 lead to the Commanders and Jacoby Brissett only to come back and win the game on a last second field goal. Empowering this staff and the loudmouth approach the staff encourages the players to attack the game with will just produce more negative results on the field next year. The Jets will travel to Cleveland this week before finishing up with a trip to New England. Hopefully they drop both to aid their own draft position and move up in the order.

AFC Playoff Picture

We’ll start with the AFC playoff picture, which is jam packed with teams looking to make the dance, but it feels like there is only one true Super Bowl contender amongst them. A couple of teams are surging at the right time while the others are in free fall. A lot of the action in week 17 will determine how much the week 18 slate matters, so I would expect the most intense action this week.

The Dolphins: The Dolphins finally got their marquee win on Christmas Eve against the Cowboys, one that was critical to staying ahead of the surging Bills. Currently 11-4, they are two games ahead of the Bills and if they earn another big win this week against the Ravens on the road, their week 18 home clash against Buffalo won’t matter much. They have their sights set on the AFC East crown, but they can’t trip up now, which won’t be easy to avoid against a tough finishing schedule.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st @Baltimore

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th vs Buffalo

The Bills: We go from the AFC East leader to their pursuer, the surging Buffalo Bills. Josh Allen and company have pulled their season out of the fire as they picked up their third straight win this week against the Chargers. They are now in great shape to make the playoffs, sitting at 9-6, currently occupying a wild card spot. 10 wins should be enough to make the playoffs in the AFC and they should get there this week against the Pats, setting up a potential winner take all game in Miami the following week.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st vs New England

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Miami

The Ravens: Baltimore rolls into week 17 off the back of a statement road win against the Niners. The win moves them into prime position for the number one seed in the AFC, something they can lock up along with the AFC north crown this week. Their week 17 home game against the Dolphins will be another critical matchup, a tough one for them to be up for after their battle with the Niners. If they deliver this week, their week 18 contest will be rather irrelevant, good news for them and their opponent.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st vs Miami

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th vs Pittsburgh

The Browns: The fairy tale story just rolls on for the Browns and their quarterback Joe Flacco as they are now 10-5 and in complete control of their playoff destiny. They are humming on both sides of the ball and are looking like a threat to blow up the playoff field. They can lock in their spot this Thursday against the Jets before visiting the desperate Bengals, who will likely need their week 18 contest much more than Cleveland.

Week 17 – Thursday December 28th vs New York Jets

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Bengals

The Steelers: Stop me if you have heard this before, a bearded man comes to a fella named Rudolph in need of a Christmas miracle. No, I am not talking about the animated Christmas special, but rather Mike Tomlin and the Steelers being led to victory by Mason Rudolph with their season on the line this past week. They will take their 8-7 record on the road in the final two weeks as they visit the Seahawks and Ravens. It won’t be easy (unless the Ravens rest in the final week) but if they win out they will have a great shot to make the playoffs.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st @ Seattle

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Baltimore

The Bengals: The former kings of the jungle are now on life support after their loss to the Steelers this past weekend. They deserve immense credit for battling back with Jake Browning under center, but it feels like the clock is striking midnight. Sitting at 8-7, they’ll need to win both of their remaining contests and get some help if they’re going to make it, something that won’t be easy this week in Kansas City.

Week 17 - Sunday December 31st @ Kansas City

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th vs Cleveland

The Jaguars: There is collapsing and then there is the Jags. Just a few short weeks ago, Jacksonville looked like a fringe Super Bowl contender with designs on capturing the number one seed in the AFC. Since then, they have fallen off, losing three in a row while Trevor Lawrence plays through injury. At 8-7, they are in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC south and will face the lowly Panthers and Titans to conclude this season. Their soft schedule may be the only thing that bails them out here to finish the year.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st vs Panthers

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Titans

The Colts: The second of three teams tied at the top of the AFC South is the Colts. Indy has been one of the surprise teams this season, especially under the guidance of signal caller Gardner Minshew. They will play a pair of “playoff games” to finish the season, as they face Vegas and Houston at home. These two games should be pretty dramatic, certainly making them a highlight of the last two weeks.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st vs Raiders

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th vs Texans

The Texans: After getting hot in the middle of the season, the Texans have dropped two of three with CJ Stroud injured. Case Keenum has performed admirably in relief of the young star, but it feels like he is overmatched. They have the Titans this week, a very winnable game that could set up a winner take all match in Indianapolis in the final week. The good news is CJ Stroud may be about to return to the lineup.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31 vs Titans

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Indianapolis

The Chiefs: Oh how the mighty have fallen. The Chiefs have gone from one of the favorites to win it all to a group that looks like they’re headed for a first round exit. Kansas City has dropped three of their last four games and look completely lost on offense. They’ll still win the AFC West and are hard to bet against come playoff time, but it may not be their year to win another title.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st vs Cincinnati

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Los Angeles Chargers

The Raiders and the Broncos: Rounding out our tour of the AFC playoff picture are two AFC west teams. The Broncos suffered a heartbreaking loss this past weekend to the Patriots, all but eliminating them from playoff contention, while the Raiders stunned the Chiefs this weekend. With both at 7-8, they’ll need to win out and get help to make the dance. While they’ll both be disappointed if they miss out the on the playoffs, both have taken steps in the right direction in spite of organizational issues.

Broncos Remaining Schedule

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st vs Los Angeles Chargers

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Las Vegas

Raiders Remaining Schedule

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st @ Indianapolis

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th vs Denver

NFC Playoff Picture

As for the NFC, things are much more top heavy. While several AFC playoff teams feel like they have the potential to make a run to the Super Bowl, the list of NFC contenders is much shorter. The wild card race is tight as well and the teams involved are playing some pressure packed games. Let’s take a look at the field!

The Eagles: The Birds finally broke their losing streak this past week against the Giants on Christmas Day. After a tough run where they dropped three straight, Philly regained some of their form on offense putting 33 points on the board, while their defense still struggled. This win, coupled with the Cowboys loss to Miami, cleared a path for them to win the NFC East and still have a shot at the one seed. They have two more soft opponents in front of them, which will serve as a good opportunity to work out the kinks before the playoffs while locking in the East crown and their seed.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st vs Arizona

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ New York Giants

The Cowboys: The more things change, the more they stay the same. The Cowboys have once again found a way to squander a golden chance at taking command in the NFC. Three weeks ago, they manhandled the Eagles to move into a tie for the NFC East lead and the conferences number one seed. Since then, they have been blown out by the Bills and then just gave one away to the Dolphins on Christmas Eve. They’re well on their way to the playoffs with their 10-5 record, likely as a wild card team, but will look to improve that mark to close the season against Detroit and Washington.

Week 17 – Saturday December 30th vs Detroit

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Washington

The Lions: What a story the Detroit Lions have been this year! After showing they could compete with the best last year, they picked up where they left off and have gone on a run to win the division title. After losing two of three to the Bears and Packers, they have bounced to win their last two and sit at 11-4. They will get the chance to pass another big test this week in Dallas before wrapping up at home against Minnesota. They’re currently the three seed and could draw the Rams with former quarterback Matt Stafford under center in round one.

Week 17 – Saturday December 30th at Dallas

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th vs Minnesota

The Packers and The Vikings: These two are very similar to the Raiders and Broncos, as their playoff hopes are on life support sitting at 7-8. The Pack looked set to make a return to the playoffs before back-to-back to losses to the Giants and Buccaneers. The same goes for Minnesota who was heading towards a spot with Josh Dobbs under center before the wheels came off. They face each other this week in a DeFacto playoff game where the loser will likely be eliminated from contention. Both have positives to take away from their seasons, but their fan bases have high standards and will be disappointed to come away empty handed this year.

Packers Remaining Schedule

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st @ Minnesota

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th vs Chicago

Vikings Remaining Schedule

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st vs Green Bay

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Detroit

The Buccaneers: The NFC South, better known as “tank division,” as dubbed by my favorite Youtuber, was always going to give us a bit of a random playoff team. Preseason we thought it would be the Saints, by the halfway point we started to think it would be Atlanta, but with two weeks left the Buccaneers are in the driver seat. They’re led by a resurgent Baker Mayfield and if they beat New Orleans this week, they’ll be playoff bound, where they’ll likely face the Cowboys for the second year in a row. The question is, are they more of a threat this time round.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31 vs New Orleans

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Carolina

The 49ers: As we move to the NFC West, we begin with the juggernaut Niners. San Francisco looked a little less impervious this past week as they lost to the Ravens at home. The good news for them is the loss did not hurt their NFC standing as they hold the tiebreakers in conference for their 11-4 record to keep them ahead of the Eagles. They’ll get the chance to bounce back this week in Washington before they take on a Rams team that may need to win the game to get into the playoffs in week 18.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st at Washington

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th vs Los Angeles Rams

The Rams: The second of three NFC West playoff contenders is the Rams, who sit at 8-7, looking to return to the playoffs after missing out last year. This has been Sean McVay’s best coaching job yet as this group has rallied together to win five of their last six games and play their way into a wild card spot. If they win this week in New York, they’re likely home free, lose and they will have to win to get in next week at San Franciso…my advice to them is to get it done this week.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st at New York Giants

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th vs San Francisco

The Seahawks: The last of our NFC contenders is the Seahawks, as they are one of the last teams in control of their own destiny. At midyear Seattle looked like a playoff lock before losing Geno Smith to injury. Since then, they have been up and down but were saved by a pair Christmas miracle game winning drives from Drew Lock and Geno Smith. If they can win this week at home against Pittsburgh (in what is essentially another playoff game), they’re likely locked in for the playoffs as they have the Cardinals in week 18.

Week 17 – Sunday December 31st vs Pittsburgh

Week 18 – Sunday January 7th @ Arizona

Playoff Predictions

With all the information above in mind, let’s make some predictions for this year’s playoffs. We’ll check back before they start to see how I faired both preseason and with two weeks left. We’ll have full playoff previews as the games get closer, so stay tuned for a lot more NFL content. And if you’re wondering, yes, we did leave the Saints and Falcons out. Frankly they don’t deserve to be in this group even if they wind up making the playoffs.

AFC Playoff Predictions

1. Baltimore Ravens (AFC North Winner)
2. Miami Dolphins (AFC East Winner)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West Winner)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South Winner)
5. Cleveland Browns (Wild Card Number 1)
6. Buffalo Bills (Wild Card Number 2)
7. Indianapolis Colts (Wild Card Number 3)

NFC Playoff Predictions

1. San Francisco 49ers (NFC West Winner)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East Winner)
3. Detroit Lions (NFC North Winner)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South Winner)
5. Dallas Cowboys (Wild Card 1)
6. Los Angeles Rams (Wild Card 2)
7. Seattle Seahawks (Wild Card 3)

Stay tuned for more to come this week. We are still waiting on the next big Yankee and or Met moves (we may be here a while given the MLB offseason’s pace) and we’ll have some more specialty Rangers hockey content coming as well. There will also be a look ahead to the college football playoff dropped before the games on New Years Day. Follow me on Twitter @YNWA9623 and subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner of your screen and entering your email address.