With the season winding down, a playoff spot is on the line. Three teams in the East are battling for a playoff spot, but only one can clinch this week. Here’s a look at how the East matches up this week.
Green Bay Packers at Buffalo Bills, Sunday 1:05p.m. EST
The Packers are coming off a 43-37 win over the Atlanta Falcons, and will look to clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Bills; however there are a few implications. Led by Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are one of the best teams in the league and will be a tough opponent for the Bills.
Buffalo is coming off a 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos as they are now 7-6 and in third place in the East. The Bills played the Broncos tough, but in the end came up short. This week they face one of the best quarterbacks in the game, but their defense has proven strong in tough situations. Defensively, the Bills have only given up two touchdown passes over their last six games, which could work in their favor this week; although they may have to deal with Eddie Lacy in the run game if he is able to play.
The Bills continue to be very much alive in the playoff race, but the season is coming to a close and the AFC is a conference with quite a few teams searching for two Wild Card spots. The Bills have won their last two home games and will look to take this one against a very good Packers team. If the Bills want to keep their playoff hopes alive, they’ll have to beat one of the best teams in the NFL.
Final Prediction
Packers 27 Bills 17
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, Sunday 1:05p.m. EST
Like the Bills, the Dolphins are 7-6 and trying to stay alive in the playoff hunt. Last week, they lost 28-13 to the Baltimore Ravens, and this week’s matchup doesn’t get any easier. Miami struggled to put points on the board against the Ravens defense, and couldn’t stop a fast paced Ravens offense.
As for the Patriots, they are 10-3 and lead this division by three games. Tom Brady has been outstanding, and the Pats were able to shut down the Chargers last week as they won 23-14. The Pats have now won eight of their last nine, and are practically unstoppable at home.
The Pats will look to continue their success against the Dolphins and clinch a playoff berth. All New England has to do is win on Sunday and they’re in. Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins need a win Sunday to put them in a position to make the playoffs. With eight AFC teams contending for a spot in the playoffs, every game is more important than the last; and in the Dolphins case, they need wins in these final weeks.
Final Prediction
Dolphins 14 Patriots 28
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans, Sunday 4:05p.m EST
The Jets are 2-11 and coming off a 30-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Nothing has gone the Jets way this season as they have struggled tremendously to finish games on a high note; good news with that is they will have good draft position in 2015.
When it comes to this week’s game, this is a matchup that will have no effect on the AFC playoffs. The Titans are also 2-11 and are coming off 36-7 loss to the New York Giants. This will be an evenly matched game between two teams who have had their share of struggles in 2014.
Final Prediction
Jets 17 Titans 24