This could be it for Rex Ryan in New York after three straight seasons without a winning record. We argued on the podcast that he shouldn't take all the blame for an offense that's scored 20 or fewer points in four of its last six games while committing a whopping 29 turnovers this season.
Ben Roethlisberger is 16-1 against the Browns, tied with Roger Staubach (vs. the Giants) and Tom Brady (vs. the Bills) for the highest winning percentage by a starting quarterback against a single opponent through their first 17 starts.
Will Trent Richardson finish his shaky season with a bang? Before these two played in Week 4, Jaguars players admitted they were more impressed with Donald Brown's speed than anything T-Rich had put on film.
Washington's seven-game losing streak is the team's longest since dropping that many to start the 1998 campaign. One reason? An awful special teams unit that's allowed five touchdowns this season. Since 1990, only the 2008 Vikings have given up more.
The Packers had 312 yards of offense against Chicago the first time these teams played despite Seneca Wallace playing most of the game. Using our Seneca Wallace-to-Aaron Rodgers statistical translator, that means Green Bay will have 811 yards Sunday.
Alex Smith does not go deep down the field much -- 75.8Â percent of his passes have been thrown less than 10 yards downfield, the highest percentage of any QB this season who has thrown at least 300 passes. We doubt Smith will get a chance to change those numbers Sunday; Chiefs coach Andy Reid will probably rest his starters.
Denver only needs 18 points to set the all-time record for most points in a season with 590. They have scored at least 20 points in each game in 2013, and will be playing to win Sunday because they need a victory to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Bucs' chance for an upset is diminished because rookie quarterback Mike Glennon is struggling. He's completed 53.8 percent of his passes over the last four weeks, averaging 151.8 yards per game, with four touchdowns and four interceptions.
Billick: Cases for coaches under fire
With Black Monday nearing, Brian Billick lays out the reasons that several coaches on the hot seat should keep their jobs. **READ**
After opening the season 6-3, Detroit has lost five of its last six games with a turnover differential of -12 during that ugly stretch. The Lions also lead the league with an outrageous 44 dropped passes.
A franchise-worst 14-straight losses for Houston on Sunday would lock up the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Texans haven't had any luck since starting 2-0, but that second victory came against Tennessee, a team that many believe will part ways with Mike Munchak after Sunday.
Harrison: Week 17 Game Picks
It all comes down to a final week packed with now-or-never matchups. Elliot Harrison makes his Week 17 picks. **READ**
The Seahawks' offense is not closing the season strong. Seattle has averaged only 16.4 points over the last three weeks, with their average yards-per-game going down 100 yards. The Rams' defense dominated Seattle the first time these two teams played in St. Louis.
The 49ers can be anywhere from the No. 1 seed to the No. 6 seed in the NFC depending on this weekend's results. This could be an NFC championship preview -- if the Cardinals won this game, the New Orleans Saints lost Sunday and both the 49ers and Cardinals won two straight games on the road.
Nick Foles has averaged 9.03 yards per attempt passing this year. That's the fifth-highest number in a season since 1990. Two of the folks above Foles on the list (Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers) won MVPs that year. The other two names above him: Kurt Warner (2000) and Chris Chandler (1998).
The latest "Around The League Podcast" delivered a Christmas gift, analyzing the chaotic playoff picture in both conferences.
