Five matchups that will define NFL Week 17: Can Rodgers complete Packers' push?
Aaron Rodgers' midseason remark that the Green Bay Packers could still "run the table" might not have been a fully formed prediction, but the quarterback has his team in position to make good on his words.
Green Bay has rallied back from a 4-6 start to win its last five games and set itself up for a Week 17 showdown against the Detroit Lions for the NFC North. A win would give the Packers their fifth division title in six years, and perhaps their most unlikely one in some time.
But Green Bay also could drop from the postseason entirely, as a win by the Washington Redskins earlier in the day would leave the loser of Sunday's prime time clash out of the playoffs.
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Rodgers has been the Packers' clear catalyst, completing 71.4% of his passes and throwing 11 touchdowns with no interceptions during the five-game win streak. Detroit is well-versed in how quickly he can dissect a defense after his four-touchdown first half guided Green Bay to a 34-27 win earlier this season.
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For the Lions to capture their first division title since 1993, generating pressure will be paramount. Detroit ranks just 29th in the NFL with 25 sacks. Rodgers' ability to evade the rush can be lethal for opposing defenses, but he's still recovering from left hamstring and right calf injuries.
Denying big plays is a priority for coordinator Teryl Austin's bend-but-don't-break defense. Though Rodgers is an opportunist with big plays, he's also patient enough to slice a defense with small plays. At some point, the defense will need a breakthrough or two in the form of a big play or key stand.
Cornerback Darius Slay could have a key role in his potential return from a hamstring injury. Detroit might lean on him to slow Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson, who had 101 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting between the teams this season.
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Here are four other matchups that could define Week 17 in the NFL:
Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi vs. Patriots' front seven
Ajayi might not have a full day of work against New England given that he is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. The breakout running back, however, represents Miami's best chance at moving up to the first wild-card slot and denying New England home-field advantage.
Ajayi quelled concerns about his late-season play last week by rushing for 206 yards against the Buffalo Bills, breaking the 200-yard barrier for the third time this season. With Matt Moore in for the injured Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, the second-year back likely becomes the focal point of the offense for the foreseeable future. New England hasn't given up a touchdown in two games and has allowed a league-low six rushing scores this season.
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Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Redskins CB Josh Norman
Arguably the most heated wide receiver-cornerback matchup in the NFL might lack its usual fanfare heading into Week 17. But in order to position themselves for the final NFC wild-card berth, the Redskins still must handle an offense propped by Beckham.
Both stars shrugged off questions about their history this week, suggesting that the charged confrontations that ignited the rivalry would be left in the past. Beckham had seven catches for 121 yards in a game that became known for his outburst against a kicking net. With the Giants settled into the No. 5 seed and Beckham finding his comfort zone, Sunday could make for a more reserved showdown.
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Raiders QB Matt McGloin vs. Broncos' secondary
With Derek Carr sidelined by a broken fibula, McGloin now has the keys to Oakland's first playoff season since 2002. His performance could be the key decider in the Raiders' playoff seeding - as well as a harbinger of how the team will fare after the loss of its leader.
McGloin hasn't started a game since his rookie season in 2013, but Oakland invested in him this offseason for situations such as this. Facing the top-ranked passing defense with the AFC West title - and possible home-field advantage - potentially on the line, Raiders coach Jack Del Rio isn't likely to task the former Penn State walk-on with the same role as Carr on Sunday. But McGloin will need to get up to speed for the playoffs, and how the offense fares against the Broncos could reveal how the offense is faring after this major shift.
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Chargers QB Philip Rivers vs. Chiefs' secondary
Sunday's AFC West showdown has playoff implications for Kansas City, but it could be more notable as the possible end of an era. With potential Los Angeles relocation looming, the Chargers could be playing their last game in San Diego.
San Diego has struggled to close out games (1-7 in contests decided by seven points or less) but has been resilient despite having 19 players on injured reserve. Rivers leads the league in interceptions with 19, but he and the rest of the Chargers are eager to play spoiler after giving up a 21-point lead in a 33-27 overtime loss to the Chiefs in Week 1.
Follow Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
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