Analysis
12/31/22
4 min read
NFL Week 17: Storylines We're Following As Playoffs Approach
Vikings at Packers
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson enters Sunday just 208 receiving yards shy of Calvin Johnson's single-season record (1,964 in 2012). In the first matchup with the Packers, Jefferson had nine catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
Cardinals at Falcons
J.J. Watt, who announced he would retire after the season, needs a half-sack to reach double digits for the sixth time in his career.
Bears at Lions
Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown needs 11 catches to set the NFL record for most receptions in a player's first two seasons. St. Brown goes into Sunday's game with 186 receptions i his first two seasons, 10 behind Justin Jefferson and Michael Thomas (196), eight behind Jarvis Landry (194) and one behind Christian McCaffrey and Odell Beckham Jr. (187).
Jaguars at Texans
The last-place Texans are the only NFL team that has not won a home game this season (0-6-1 at NRG Stadium).
Broncos at Chiefs
In 10 career starts against the Broncos, Patrick Mahomes has never lost (4-0 at home). However, one of his worst statistical career games came last December at Arrowhead Stadium, a 22-9 Chiefs victory in which he completed just 52 percent of his passes, with no touchdowns, an interception and was sacked six times.
Dolphins at Patriots
With a win Sunday, Miami would sweep the season series against New England in back-to-back years for the first time since 1999-2000. The Dolphins beat the Patriots, 20-7, in the season opener in Miami.
Colts at Giants
Giants running back Saquon Barkley needs 54 yards rushing to top his career-best total of 1,307, which he amassed during his rookie season, and New York can end a five-year playoff drought with a win.
Saints at Eagles
With three rushing touchdowns against New Orleans, the Eagles will surpass the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers (33) for the most rushing touchdowns in a season during the Super Bowl era.
Panthers at Buccaneers
The Buccaneers, who can clinch consecutive NFC South titles for the first time in franchise history, are 0-7 when their opponent scores at least 20 points, and 7-1 when they hold teams to 19 points or less.
Browns at Commanders
The Browns (6-9) last week secured their second straight losing season and 14th in the last 15 years. In fact. Cleveland has had just four winning seasons since 1990.
49ers at Raiders
San Francisco edge rusher Nick Bosa has recorded at least one sack in 12 games in 2022 and can become the fourth player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with 13 such games in a season.
Jets at Seahawks
Five of the Seahawks’ last six opponents have attempted at least 33 rushes, averaging 180.8 yards per game. Seattle is 1-5 during that stretch. Overall, the Seahawks are surrendering a 155.5 yards per game on the ground this season — second-worst in the NFL to the Texans.
Rams at Chargers
With his next catch, Chargers running back Austin Ekeler will become the fifth running back in NFL history to record 100-plus receptions in a season. With a touchdown reception, Ekeler can also join Lenny Moore as the only players in NFL history with at least 30 rushing touchdowns and 30 touchdown receptions in their first six seasons.
Steelers at Ravens
The Steelers' Diontae Johnson has the seventh-most targets (130) of any receiver this season, but has yet to score a touchdown. The Ravens have only given up 18 passing touchdowns on the season.
Bills at Bengals
The Bengals enter Monday night's game having won seven consecutive games, while the Bills have won their past six. This marks the third game since 1978 – when the 16-game schedule was instituted – to feature teams each on winning streaks of six or more in the final two weeks of a season.