Week 12: Catching Up

Through eleven weeks of football, we’ve seen some big plays, clutch players, and surprise teams. We take a look at the 2017 season so far by observing the biggest stories in each division.

NFC East

The Eagles are good. The Cowboys are bad. The Giants are bad. Except for Washington, everyone has had a year opposite of what they did last year. Why? Don’t ask me.

NFC North

Will the Vikings have the firepower to play on their home turf come February? The Saints have a tough test against the Rams. If they can get the 2 seed, they could knock off New Orleans or the Eagles.

NFC South

Who will win the division? The Saints are 8-2. The Panthers are 8-3. The Falcons are 7-4. This could come down to the end of the season, so look for a fantastic finish.

NFC West

Can the Rams face their tough schedule and make a deep playoff run? The Seahawks won’t win the division without Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas, so it’s up to Los Angeles to take control of their season.

AFC East

Will Tom Brady perform well down the stretch? After a shaky game against Miami, the Patriots are in some jeopardy. They go to Miami in two weeks, and then visit Pittsburgh in week 15. A win in that game could clinch the top seed, but if they lose, things could get bad in January.

AFC North

Will the Steelers be the first non-Peyton Manning team to steal New England’s top seed since 2006? That is the question facing the Steelers. With a playoff spot guaranteed for Pittsburgh, their main focus now is seeding. JuJu Smith-Schuster has a hamstring injury that will sideline him tonight, but thankfully, it’s a small injury during an easy portion of their schedule. Other than the Patriots, the best team they still have to play is Baltimore, and it’s a home game.

AFC South

Will the Jaguars inconsistency and easy schedule come back to bite them in the playoffs? The Titans are still in the hunt for the division title despite getting bruised by Pittsburgh in a game of “exotic, smash-mouth football.” If Jacksonville gets the division, the playoffs could pose a new challenge.

AFC South

Will the division winner have a winning record? Kansas City and Denver both lost to the Giants. That’s scary and depressing. Oakland is looking bad. The Chargers have no kicker. Maybe they should have stuck with Yonghoe Koo.