| Dates: 7 September 2023 – 7 January 2024 |
| BBC protection: Take heed to stay commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports activities Additional and the BBC Sport web site each Sunday. |
Nearly something continues to be attainable heading into the ultimate week of the NFL common season, with 20 of the 32 groups nonetheless within the hunt for the Tremendous Bowl with 5 play-off spots and 4 divisional titles all up for grabs.
We’re assured of a pulsating ending to a very thrilling marketing campaign that noticed 109 video games received by six factors or much less – the second-most in NFL historical past – with 13 of the closing 16 video games having direct play-off implications.
And since they’re all divisional video games it means there are some large rivalries happening, some large winner-takes-all matches and a few sophisticated permutations to be discovered.
There’s additionally the prospect that one of many biggest coaches in NFL historical past, Invoice Belichick, might be taking cost of his last recreation in New England.
Ravens & 49ers earn prime seeds
The San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens have been the standout groups within the NFL this season, and the respective roads to the Tremendous Bowl will undergo them, as incomes the highest seeds means they’ll play at residence all through the play-offs.
Either side additionally get the one first-round byes on provide, so in addition to resting their prime stars this week, they’ll relax and loosen up subsequent week because the remaining six groups from every convention battle it out within the wildcard spherical.
Play-off image because it stands
AFC
| 1. Baltimore Ravens (13-3) | Received AFC North & prime seed |
| 2. Miami Dolphins (11-5) | Clinched play-off spot |
| 3. Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (10-6) | Received AFC West & third seed |
| 4. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7) | |
| 5. Cleveland Browns (11-5) | Clinched fifth seed |
| 6. Buffalo Payments (10-6) | |
| 7. Indianapolis Colts (9-7) | |
| Within the hunt | |
| 8. Houston Texans (9-7) | |
| 9. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) |
4 groups have booked play-off spots with the Ravens, Chiefs and Browns already securing the primary, third and fifth seed, whereas Miami face Buffalo within the recreation of the week.
One of many Jaguars, Texans and Colts will take fourth spot, with one of many different possible ending seventh and the opposite lacking out, whereas the Steelers want so much to go their method to sneak in.
NFC
| 1. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) | Received NFC West & prime seed |
| 2. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) | Clinched play-off spot |
| 3. Detroit Lions (11-5) | Received NFC North |
| 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) | |
| 5. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) | Clinched play-off spot |
| 6. Los Angeles Rams (9-7) | Clinched play-off spot |
| 7. Inexperienced Bay Packers (8-8) | |
| Within the hunt | |
| 8. Seattle Seahawks (8-8) | |
| 9. New Orleans Saints (8-8) | |
| 10. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) | |
| 12. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) |
San Francisco occupy the Baltimore place as prime canine, whereas Dallas will end second with a win however may swap locations with Philadelphia in the event that they lose and the Eagles win – and given how a lot better the Cowboys are at residence than away then closing that out might be large for his or her possibilities.
Tampa Bay want a win to clinch fourth, however defeat will open the door for the Saints and Falcons, who regardless of being twelfth can nonetheless sneak in by profitable their division.
Inexperienced Bay face a pleasant and easy win-and-in recreation however the Vikings want a win and plenty of assist elsewhere to carry out a minor miracle.
Buffalo v Miami headlines must-win video games
The Buffalo Payments have seemed like among the best groups within the league over the previous month, however whereas they might win the AFC East by beating Miami, a defeat may see them miss out on the play-offs fully.
Quarterback Josh Allen has been again enjoying at MVP stage however Miami have a high-powered assault and desire a first division title since 2008 – plus the winner will seize the second seed and at the very least two residence play-off video games, which is an important benefit.
The Inexperienced Bay Packers will make the play-offs in the event that they win at residence towards the Chicago Bears – who they’ve overwhelmed in 9 straight video games – whereas a defeat leaves them in search of a ton of assist.
Chicago have been in good type the second half of the season although and Justin Fields is enjoying to persuade his group to not use the highest decide of the 2024 Draft on a brand new quarterback.
His reverse quantity Jordan Love would like to succeed the place Aaron Rodgers failed final season, when the Packers misplaced to the Lions in an identical situation.
Each the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts have improved dramatically this 12 months and the winner of their Saturday night time recreation will advance whereas the loser goes residence.
The victor may additionally win the AFC South if the Jacksonville Jaguars lose on Sunday, they usually’re sweating over the health of their quarterback Trevor Lawrence earlier than the sport towards the Tennessee Titans.
Is that this Belichick’s last recreation with the Patriots?
The top of Invoice Belichick’s twenty fourth season in command of the New England Patriots may properly be his final as he has already secured his worst report in his 29-year head teaching profession with 12 losses.
Snow is forecast in New England on Sunday, the place defeat towards large rivals the New York Jets, who Belichick’s group has overwhelmed 15 occasions in a row, would nearly cap a depressing ending to a legendary stick with the Pats.
“Nicely, I’ve all the time appreciated the chance, and I am simply trying ahead to Sunday’s recreation towards the Jets,” mentioned Belichick when requested about his future on Friday.
“Like I mentioned, making an attempt to place our greatest recreation on the market this 12 months. That is what we’re working in direction of.
“I am certain there will likely be one other time to speak about different issues, however proper now we’re simply making an attempt to deal with the Jets.”
With six Tremendous Bowls beneath his belt Belichick will go down as one of many greats no matter what occurs, however even he sounds as if the tip is close to – and if he’s to catch fellow teaching legend Don Shula for essentially the most head teaching wins in NFL historical past, they could have to return away from New England.
All smiles for lengthy struggling Browns & Lions
And eventually, what a few phrase for the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions, the one two groups to ever go 0-16 in a season and two fanbases which have been starved of any type of success.
The final time either side made the play-offs in the identical 12 months was in 1994 (when Belichick was Browns head coach) and since then Detroit have an 0-6 play-off report and the Browns 1-2.
Detroit received their first divisional title since 1993 this 12 months although, whereas Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has finished wonders to get into the play-offs regardless of having to discipline 4 beginning quarterbacks resulting from accidents.
The Browns are simply the eighth group to make the play-offs utilizing 4 beginning quarterbacks, they usually would be the first group in 35 years to start out 5 after they relaxation their new hero, 2012 Tremendous Bowl winner Joe Flacco, for his or her last recreation.
It simply exhibits you that something actually can occur within the NFL, and with a lot at stake throughout so many video games there are certain to be loads of twists and turns because the curtain comes down on one other eventful common season.