The NFL Roundup 2017 - Week 17

Written by John Edward Betancourt

(Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

​It really has been quite the incredible season when it comes to NFL Football. We’ve seen thrilling upset after thrilling upset. We’ve seen teams rally together when injuries have plagued their rosters and most importantly, we’ve been privy to some incredible games. But despite all the wonderful things the fans have experienced this season, tomorrow has a bittersweet feel to it. For tomorrow, signals the end of the regular NFL season and with it, the dream of playing in the playoffs for twenty teams. But despite the fact that so many teams will see their season come to an end, there are still games to be played tomorrow with plenty of interesting storylines hanging over all of them and here are the top ones we will be keeping an eye upon as the NFL regular season comes to a close.
 
Is this Paxton Lynch’s last chance to impress the Broncos brass?
There are incredibly high expectations that surround a first round draft pick at quarterback and for proof, look no further than Paxton Lynch, a man who has struggled to prove that he is pro ready, and has been labeled a bust by local fans for his lack of immediate development and progress. However, some of this concern is justified because he should have shown all of us more by now, and his inability to win the starting job in training camp and his lackluster play in general has all of us wondering, is tomorrow his last chance to prove to the team and the fans that he’s worthy of being on this roster? The answer is yes, with a few provisions. Because really, what the Broncos want to see out of Lynch is outright progress when it comes to his play on the field, so if his completion rate is respectable, and he gets the Broncos into the end zone a few times over the course of this game, he’ll likely remain on the roster when the offseason arrives. But if it’s more of the usual dink and dunk from Lynch, a few air balls and a low scoring affair on offense, expect Lynch to say goodbye to Denver once March rolls around.
 
Can the Tennessee Titans lock up a playoff spot?
It’s been quite the wild year for the Tennessee Titans, because at times, they have been a dominating squad, one that wins games in decisive fashion. Yet at other times, they look like the Titans of old, and their record reflect reflects this up and down style of play. But the Titans have a grand opportunity ahead of them tomorrow, because with a win over Jacksonville, they can return to the Playoffs for the first time in ages, but is this a feat they can actually accomplish? I honestly don’t see why not. After all, there’s a fair chance the Jaguars will be sitting most if not all of their starters since they’re already in and nothing will change their standing as the #3 seed. Which means that if Tennessee can put up some points, play some solid D and give us their best, then they have a shot at making the tournament.
 
Will Pittsburgh clench the number one overall playoff seed in the AFC tomorrow?
Pittsburgh is in quite the strange place entering Week 17. Sure, they’re in the Playoffs, and sure they have the first-round bye, but they’ll likely need to have their first team units on the field on both offense and defense so they can try and build an early lead against the Cleveland Browns as an insurance policy. Because, Pittsburgh simply isn’t in control when it comes to wrapping up home field advantage throughout the playoffs, their fate is in the hands of the players of the Jets/Patriots game, and New England has to lose in order for the Steelers to enjoy a potential pair of playoff games at home and really….can New York defeat the mighty, mighty Patriots? It’s a big fat maybe to be honest. The Jets are just not a great football team right now and while it’s possible that they may stun the Pats tomorrow, the odds are simply not in their favor, which is why I expect New England to wrap up the #1 overall seed in the AFC.
 
Is John Fox coaching his final game with the Chicago Bears on Sunday?
Three years ago, after an incredibly successful stint with the Denver Broncos, John Fox was let go from his job as Head Coach in the Mile High City for not getting the Broncos over the championship hump, and it didn’t take long for him to land with the Chicago Bears. The hope was, that by hiring John, the city of Chicago would see a similar turnaround like the one he pioneered in Denver and great success would come to Soldier Field. But alas, that turned out to not be the be case. Because for the past three years the Bears have finished fourth in the NFC North, and gone 13-33 thus far with John at the helm, and well…that’s just unacceptable. They’ve not improved under John, plain and simple. If anything, the team has taken a step back and that’s why I get the feeling, that regardless of how the Bears finish tomorrow, John Fox will be let go on New Year’s Day, and Chicago will start over at Head Coach once again in 2018…
 
Will the Cleveland Browns fire Head Coach Hue Jackson on Monday?
Hue Jackson has definitely found himself in the middle of the strangest coaching situation in the NFL. He’s literally been given zero fresh talent to work with, and he’s seen the front office get rid of quality players and whiff on franchise quarterbacks in the draft. Yet, he has soldiered on, and put in the work, but even that hasn’t panned out since he’s gone 1-30 as head coach of the Browns. So really, with that kind of awful record, and a changing of the guard again in the front office, will Hue Jackson be the Browns head coach in 2018? The official word from ownership is yes, they want him back, but honestly…I’m not so sure. The Browns have simply not been competitive or good during Hue’s tenure and a GM rarely inherits a coach in this league. So, I get the funny feeling, that come Monday morning, or as soon as Sunday night, Cleveland will hit the reset button on the coaching staff yet again and try to rebuild for the umpteenth time in 2018.

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