The NFL Roundup 2017 - Week 6 - The Most Fascinating Games to Watch on Sunday

​Written by John Edward Betancourt

One interesting side effect of a team not doing well in the NFL around this time of year, is that fans and writers and everyone in between in a way...forget about them. After all, this is a league and a sport that celebrates winners, and we tune in to be entertained and wowed and a losing team simply doesn't provide us with either of those things, and well, perhaps saying 'maybe next year' to these franchises isn't exactly a cruel thing. By stepping away from those games, we are treated to the cream of the crop, to teams that are hungry to compete and take their season as far as it can go and really, that's what we will be focusing on today, games that feature teams with everything to lose, and who will likely leave everything out on the field, so without further ado, here are the games we are keeping an eye upon come tomorrow. 

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Green Bay Packers (4-1) at Minnesota Vikings (3-2)
U.S. Bank Stadium - Minneapolis, MN
​1:00 p.m. EST - FOX

This game represents the old concept of an immovable object running into an unstoppable force, because the Minnesota Vikings have played some incredible defense all season long, limiting teams that are often able to score at will and the Green Bay Packers, well they love to put points on the board and that means we are in for one heck of a treat when it comes to this matchup. Expect the Minnesota defense to spend their day doing their best to contain Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense and if they take away the passing game, there's a chance they can pull off the win. However, let's never forget that Rodgers is one of the smartest quarterbacks in the league, and if he can find any weaknesses or opportunities in the Minnesota secondary, he will exploit them to the fullest. It's hard to say who will walk away the winner in this one, but I'm leaning toward Green Bay simply because Rodgers makes miracles happen on the field and I don't see that changing in this one.

New England Patriots (3-2) at New York Jets (3-2)
MetLife Stadium - East Rutherford, NJ
1:00 p.m. EST - CBS

Normally, this is a game that one would expect to be a disgusting and harrowing blowout where the Patriots emerge victorious. But this go round, it's safe to say that the Jets have a chance at winning this game and the formula for a W starts with going after Brady all day long. He was inaccurate against Tampa Bay last week as they brought non stop pressure his way. But to beat Brady and the boys, the other part of the formula is to put points on the board. The Bucs big mistake was letting opportunities in the Red Zone get away from them, but if the Jets can score big, and dump Brady onto the turf every single chance they get, they can accomplish something they yearn for every single year...they can beat the New England Patriots.

Los Angeles Rams (3-2) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-2)
EverBank Field - Jacksonville, FL
4:05 p.m. EST - FOX

A year ago, this game would have been one to ignore because of how bad these teams were in 2016. But this year, they've both put on quite the show and come tomorrow...we are looking at one even matchup. After all, both teams feature dynamic running backs, and both of their game plans feature a heavy dose of pounding of the rock and ironically enough, both of their young quarterbacks are playing well under center and their defenses are playing stout. So, that really begs the question...who the heck is going to win this one? Well, I would venture to say that whichever team sticks to the run longer to wear out the defense and plays turnover free football will walk away the winner in this one, and don't be surprised if this particular game turns into quite the high scoring affair. 

Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-0)
Arrowhead Stadium - Kansas City, MO 
4:25 p.m. MST - CBS

Of all the games coming up tomorrow, this one honestly intrigues the most. Not because of how incredible the Chiefs are at this point, or how stout the Pittsburgh running game is on a regular basis. No, this game and all its mystery comes from one particular player; Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Because last week Ben turned in perhaps the worst game of his career, and even 'joked' about being washed up and well, how he responds here is going to say a lot about his future in the league. If Big Ben comes out and plays some incredible football, whether or not Pittsburgh wins, it will speak to the fact that the Steel City's franchise quarterback still has something left in the tank and is ready to continue to lead his team. But if he comes out and looks anything like he did last week, then we may be looking at the beginning of the end of his career in the NFL...