Vikings (4-4) @ Redskins (5-3)
After an inauspicious start, Minnesota suddenly itself running neck & neck for the NFC North division. Meanwhile, WAS is in the driver's seat for a wildcard berth. This game has definite playoff implications, as these two teams may very well be vying for the same wildcard berth come week 17 if MIN can't overtake GB for the division before then.
Texans (7-1) @ Jaguars (8-0)
The Jags are the hottest team in the league and one of the 3 remaining undefeated. They boast probably the fastest secondary in the league that has generated more INTs than any other team by a mile, signed Knighton to clog the middle, and have a workhorse RB tearing up the league in Peterson. Houston's offense has been on a tear, but this will easily be the best defense Brock & his unreliable accuracy has faced yet. Can he limit his bad throws? Can HOU make the AFCS divisional race interesting or will they fall back to the wildcard race?
But as big as HOU-JAX is, it's still not the real
GOTW
Cowboys (8-0) @ Steelers (8-0)
Realistically this game probably doesn't have major playoff implications. Both these teams are going to win their division by a mile. Dallas has perhaps the easiest schedule in the entire league and will cruise to a playoff BYE. PIT might only have 1 more playoff team remaining on their schedule, as well. Whoever wins will have a real shot at 16-0. But anytime two 8-0 teams are facing off, that's a must-watch GOTW. And this game DOES matter: this will be the first & only real test for Dallas all regular season. But a light schedule can be a blessing & a curse. There's a chance PIT could be the only playoff team they face all season (!!). This is certainly the only game DAL will play all year where they aren't the obvious favorite. A win in Pittsburgh would go a long way toward their confidence heading into the playoffs against far more battle-tested NFC & AFC contenders. Which of these teams will walk away with a very good shot at 16-0?
After an inauspicious start, Minnesota suddenly itself running neck & neck for the NFC North division. Meanwhile, WAS is in the driver's seat for a wildcard berth. This game has definite playoff implications, as these two teams may very well be vying for the same wildcard berth come week 17 if MIN can't overtake GB for the division before then.
Texans (7-1) @ Jaguars (8-0)
The Jags are the hottest team in the league and one of the 3 remaining undefeated. They boast probably the fastest secondary in the league that has generated more INTs than any other team by a mile, signed Knighton to clog the middle, and have a workhorse RB tearing up the league in Peterson. Houston's offense has been on a tear, but this will easily be the best defense Brock & his unreliable accuracy has faced yet. Can he limit his bad throws? Can HOU make the AFCS divisional race interesting or will they fall back to the wildcard race?
But as big as HOU-JAX is, it's still not the real
GOTW
Cowboys (8-0) @ Steelers (8-0)
Realistically this game probably doesn't have major playoff implications. Both these teams are going to win their division by a mile. Dallas has perhaps the easiest schedule in the entire league and will cruise to a playoff BYE. PIT might only have 1 more playoff team remaining on their schedule, as well. Whoever wins will have a real shot at 16-0. But anytime two 8-0 teams are facing off, that's a must-watch GOTW. And this game DOES matter: this will be the first & only real test for Dallas all regular season. But a light schedule can be a blessing & a curse. There's a chance PIT could be the only playoff team they face all season (!!). This is certainly the only game DAL will play all year where they aren't the obvious favorite. A win in Pittsburgh would go a long way toward their confidence heading into the playoffs against far more battle-tested NFC & AFC contenders. Which of these teams will walk away with a very good shot at 16-0?
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