Week 17
Games to watch:
- Miami Dolphins (projected 10-5) @ Buffalo Bills (projected 12-3)
- Baltimore Ravens (projected 10-5) @ Cincinnati Bengals (projected 2-12-1)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (projected 13-2) @ Cleveland Browns (projected 10-5)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (projected 1-14) @ Indianapolis Colts (projected 10-5)
The silver lining for the Miami Dolphins? Facing a 12-3 Buffalo Bills team with nothing to gain by winning in Week 17 sets them up for a potential stolen win at the end of the season. The Bills will either be the AFC’s No. 2 or No. 3 seed and either way will be hosting a home playoff game on Wild Card weekend the following week. So with that in mind, why would the Bills push their starters out onto the field in the first year that each conference only gets one team on a bye?
That sets up favorably for the Dolphins to win and, consequentially, lock in a playoff spot.
Elsewhere, the same goes for Pittsburgh and the Browns, although Pittsburgh was eons better than the Browns the first time they played. Both Baltimore and Indianapolis feel destined for wins as well — and if both Cleveland and Miami lose, the Dolphins would still claim a tie-breaker to make the postseason.
Predicted AFC Standings after Week 17:
- Kansas City Chiefs — 14-2
- Pittsburgh Steelers — 13-3
- Buffalo Bills — 12-4
- Tennessee Titans — 11-5
- Miami Dolphins — 11-5
- Baltimore Ravens — 11-5
- Indianapolis Colts — 11-5
Just missed: Cleveland Browns (10-6)