It takes a lot to win on the road in the NFL, but there are four teams that possess the ingredients necessary to pull off the difficult feat in Week 17.
The Patriots, Raiders, Lions and Dolphins all appear to be in position to claim road victories. The Patriots travel to Buffalo to square off against the Bills, the Raiders face the reeling Buccaneers, the Lions are taking on the struggling Packers and the Dolphins will do battle against the host Jets. Each matchup provides a unique opportunity for the visiting team to get a win.
Venue: Ralph Wilson Stadium
Last time at site: Playing in front of a national audience on Sunday night and given an inspirational message from injured Kevin Everett, the Bills came out and got smoked by the Patriots, 56-10.
Reason for road optimism: The Patriots have won four consecutive games in Buffalo and seven of the past eight at Ralph Wilson Stadim. The only loss came in the 2003 season-opener, with the Patriots still reeling from the release of veteran safety Lawyer Milloy. New England can get into the playoffs with a win and a loss by the Dolphins or Ravens, so it also has motivation. In this case, past performance may indeed gaurantee future success.
The Bills snapped a three-game losing skid with a win at Denver last Sunday, but are still limping to the finish line with seven losses in their last nine games. Buffalo has not won in front of its crowd since an Oct. 19 outing against San Diego and has been outscored 81-50 in four home games since that date (with one at Toronto). While the Bills would certainly love to end the season on a high note, it will be tough to beat the Patriots who have dominated this series of late.
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
Last time at site: Tampa Bay kicker Michael Husted kicked a 23-yard field goal with 3:04 remaining in overtime to lift the Bucs past the Raiders, 20-17, in 1996.
Reason for road optimism: Though the Bucs won the only meeting between these teams in Tampa Bay, the Raiders have dominated this regular-season series historically. They have won five of the six matchups and won the most recent contest in 2006. Additionally, Oakland is coming off its most complete performance of the year and interim coach Tom Cable is trying to finish the season off strong and have the 'interim' title removed. A potential win over the Bucs could help him do just that.
Over the past three games, Tampa Bay's defense has suffered a meltdown. Normally one of the stoutest in the league, it has allowed an average of 31 points and 402 yards over that span. The rushing defense, especially, has struggled and is now the NFL's 18th-ranked unit. While the Raiders do not possess a particularly imposing offense, their rushing attack is 10th in the league. If Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden and Co. get going, it could be curtains for the playoff hopeful Buccaneers.
Venue: Lambeau Field
Last time at site: In Brett Favre's final regular-season game as Packers quarterback, he tossed two touchdowns as Green Bay beat Detroit, 34-13, in Week 17 of last year.
Reason for road optimism: All the signs point to the Lions losing this weekend and finishing the season as the first 0-16 team. They have not won at Lambeau since 1991, they are the first squad to start 0-15 and they are dealing with the aftermath of one of their worst losses in a season full of them. Despite all of those negative factors, the Lions do have some hope. They have played far better on the road and put a scare into playoff-bound teams Indianapolis and Carolina recently.
The Packers are wrapping up a disappointing season that will see them drop from a 13-3 record and NFC Chamionship Game appearance to double-digit losses and no playoff games this season. They suffered a disheartening defeat in Chicago on Monday night and have dropped five in a row. Unless Green Bay can shake its December doldrums and summon some motivation, it just might become the first team to lose this season to Detroit which figures to be desperate for a victory.
Venue: Giants Stadium
Last time at site: The Dolpins fell to 0-3 last season with a narrow 31-28 loss as Thomas Jones rushed for 115 yards.
Reason for road optimism: Miami has a chance to take the AFC East crown with a victory. A win would also give it the best turn-around in NFL history (10 games). Former Jets QB Chad Pennington is leading the charge, and he has having perhaps his best season as a professional. Statistically, the Dolphins are not a very impressive team, but they dominate in one of the most important categories -- turnover ratio. They lead the league with a plus-14 in that area. That could propel them in this matchup as the Jets have turned the ball over 27 times.
Following a Week 12 win over the then-unbeaten Titans, the Jets were sitting pretty with an 8-3 record and seemed to be Super Bowl contenders. Since that victory, however, they have lost three of four games and their one win came in improbable fashion against Buffalo. Brett Favre has worn down with the season winding to its close and has just one touchdown with six interceptions in the past four weeks. If Favre continues to play the way he has recently, Pennington may get his revenge as he goes back to his old stomping grounds.
