The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THIS week brings with it a sobering but eager mood. The 2015-2015 NFL regular-season will draw to a close, narrowing down the field of 32 teams to 12.

As it stands, ten of the 12 playoff teams have already been determined; the two remaining spots exist in the AFC.

The Patriots, Broncos and Bengals have all locked up division titles in the AFC’s East, West and North divisions respectively.

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans are clinging to a one-game lead over the Indianapolis Colts, a team that is also battling the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers for the last wildcard slot.

In the NFC, the Panthers, Cardinals and Redskins have all locked up their divisions, leaving the Packers and Vikings in a week 17 showdown for the NFC North division crown in the last match of the year on Sunday night.

I am excited to watch these games play out; there is a lot to be determined and a lot of pride on display.

I am coming into this week at 137-103 on the year after going a respectable 9-7 the last time out.

New York Jets (10-5)

@ Buffalo Bills (7-8)

Jets want to get in to the dance. Win and they’re in; lose and they need a lot of help.

BILLS

New England Patriots

(12-3) @ Miami

Dolphins (5-10)

Patriots want to lock up the AFC’s top seed. The Dolphins virtually guarantee that happens.

PATRIOTS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(6-9) @ Carolina

Panthers (14-1)

A loss by Carolina and an Arizona win means the road to the Super Bowl on the NFC side would have to go through Glendale.

Carolina might rest some starters but Cam knows the importance of getting into the playoffs firing on all cylinders.

PANTHERS

New Orleans Saints (6-9)

@ Atlanta Falcons (8-7)

Both teams playing for pride in this contest.

FALCONS

Baltimore Ravens

(5-10) @ Cincinnati

Bengals (11-4)

The Bengals can fall anywhere between two and four in the AFC standings. This team, more so than any other in the conference, needs a playoff bye.

BENGALS

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) @ Cleveland Browns (3-12)

Steelers can’t focus on what the other teams are doing, they need to win … let’s start with that.

STEELERS

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) @ Houston Texans (8-7)

Houston has positioned itself at the welcome mat of the party - guys, it is time to go in.

TEXANS

Tennessee Titans (3-13) @ Indianapolis Colts (7-8)

Titans are done, the Colts need this win.

COLTS

Oakland Raiders (7-8) @ Kansas City Chiefs (10-5)

The Chiefs are looking to make it 10 in a row. I think they get it.

CHIEFS

Washington Redskins (8-7) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-11)

Boarded the Redskins bandwagon, seated comfortably behind Kirk Cousins and next to DeSean Jackson. We like that.

REDSKINS

Philadelphia Eagles (6-9) @ New York Giants (6-9)

Both teams playing for pride in this contest.

GIANTS

Detroit Lions (6-9) @ Chicago Bears (6-9)

Both teams playing for pride in this contest

LIONS

San Diego Chargers (4-11) @ Denver Broncos (11-4)

Do the Broncos falter after a huge week? There is a big chance that they do.

BRONCOS

Seattle Seahawks

(9-6) @ Arizona

Cardinals (13-2)

Again, a loss by Carolina and an Arizona win means the road to the Super Bowl on the NFC side would have to go through Glendale. Seattle are not going to go away easily: expect points, hard hits and a lot of chatter between both units.

CARDINALS

St Louis Rams (7-9)

@ San Francisco

49ers (4-11)

Both teams playing for pride in this contest.

RAMS

Minnesota Vikings

(10-5) @ Green

Bay Packers (10-5)

Definitely the game of the week. Adrian Peterson is salivating at this match-up, but the Packers are angry after getting ‘manhandled’ by the Cardinals.

VIKINGS