Sunday 1 January 2017 21:26, UK
As we head into the last week of the regular season, there are some huge fixtures which could drastically alter the play-off picture. There are scenarios that could change with all three of our live games, and you can follow all of Sunday's action, from 5:30 on Sky Sports 2.
We begin in Miami, as the Dolphins take on the AFC East champion New England Patriots, who can clinch home advantage throughout the playoffs with victory. Miami can improve from sixth seed to fifth with a home win, provided the Kansas City Chiefs lose to the San Diego Chargers.
At 9:25pm, the Washington Redskins need to beat the New York Giants to secure their place in the post-season. At 8-6-1, Jay Gruden's team sit just outside the qualification spots but, barring a tie between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, will progress to the play-offs with a win.
In the final game of the 2016 regular season, it all comes down to the Packers and Lions at Ford Field. Even if the Redskins lose and both team qualify, the NFC North division winner, and a home tie in the Wild Card game, will be decided here.
The Patriots coasted to an eighth straight division title with a 13-2 record, and are favourites once more to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy in February. Quarter-back Tom Brady has been in scintillating form, and is a front runner for regular season MVP, despite missing the first four games of the season.
New England have lost on their last three trips to Southern Florida, and Head coach Bill Belichick will remember this time last year, when Miami beat the Patriots 20-10. The defeat cost New England home advantage at the expense of the Denver Broncos, who went on to win Super Bowl 50.
Not since 2008 have the Dolphins qualified, and a win could lift Miami into the fifth seed, which would see them take on the Houston Texans instead of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Rookie head coach Adam Gase has impressed with nine wins in the last ten, and running back Jay Ajayi continued his stellar year with a third, 200+ yard performance in week 16. However, the Patriots have a 7-0 record on the road this year, and will want to keep it 100 per cent on Sunday.
A win in week 17 would see the Washington Redskins move into the play-off places with a 9-6-1 record, to become the third NFC East team to make this year's knockout stage.
Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been involved in altercations with Redskins corner-back Josh Norman in their last two encounters but it will be up to OBJ to keep his composure, after being suspended for a game following their last meeting.
Whether or not Beckham will even play is a question for New York head coach Ben McAdoo. The team is locked in at the fifth seed, and with many of the Giants feeling the effects after a long season, it may be wise to rest some of the key starters.
Quarterback Eli Manning is still struggling for consistency, and though the run game has picked up in recent weeks, still leaves a lot to be desired. With top corner-back Janoris Jenkins looking unlikely to play, first round rookie Eli Apple will have to be at his best all night, taking on DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon.
In the final game of the regular season, the last pieces of 2016's play-off puzzle will be decided. Green Bay have won their last five games, while quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown 11 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and entered the race for MVP.
This is the fourth consecutive year that the Packers are competing for a division title heading into the last game of the season. It is familiar territory for a team who boast the most productive wide receiver duo this season (Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams, 24 touchdowns).
The Detroit Lions, who haven't won their division since 1993, have lost all semblance of form after defeats by the Giants and Cowboys in the last two weeks.
Matthew Stafford, an early contender for MVP, has dropped off since dislocating his finger against the Chicago Bears. The Lions have also missed the presence of corner-back Darius Slay, who was absent for the loss against New York after injuring his hamstring. Reports suggest Slay will be available against the Packers, which would provide a huge boost to Detroit's secondary.
Wide receiver Randall Cobb has missed practice all week, which could see increased work for Geronimo Allison and Jeff Janis, while Lions running back Theo Riddick is out and centre Travis Swanson looks doubtful.
A win for either side guarantees them the division and home field in the Wild Card game, but a loss could see one of these teams out of the play-offs altogether. It all comes down to the 256th and final game of the regular season.
Sky Sports is your home of the NFL. Join us for Sunday's live triple header on Sky Sports 2 from 5:30pm.
