NEW YORK, Dec. 27, 2023
As the NFL gears up for a thrilling Week 17, ten teams have already surpassed their previous season’s win records, setting the stage for an electrifying New Year’s Eve of football. Among the standout stories is the Miami Dolphins (11-4) and Baltimore Ravens (12-3), both vying for the AFC’s top seed. The matchup promises to be a showdown of epic proportions, with both teams already recording two more wins than the entire previous season.
In an astonishing turnaround, the Houston Texans, under rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans, have emerged as the league’s most improved team. At 8-7, they control their playoff destiny, a remarkable feat considering their lackluster performance in 2022. A victory against Tennessee Titans (5-10) could continue their extraordinary journey, possibly leading them from last to first in their division, a feat achieved by at least one team in 18 of the last 20 seasons.
A historical perspective reveals that in each of the past 20 years, at least two teams have won their divisions the season after missing the playoffs. The Detroit Lions (11-4) have already secured the NFC North title, their first in 30 years. The New Orleans Saints (7-8) and Atlanta Falcons (7-8) remain in contention for the NFC South title, demonstrating the NFL’s unique ability to breed hope and turnaround stories.
Week 17 also features eight matchups between teams contending for Super Bowl LVIII and five divisional games. The landscape is set for extraordinary endings, as seen in recent weeks where several games have been decided in the final moments, adding to the season’s thrill and unpredictability.
Among the individual highlights, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin could surpass an impressive coaching record, and Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is drawing comparisons to legendary figures with his sack records. On the team front, the Baltimore Ravens boast the NFL’s best scoring defense, while the Miami Dolphins lead in scoring offense, setting up an intriguing clash of strengths.
Lastly, Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love is on the cusp of leading his team to the playoffs in his first full year as a starter, a feat not achieved since at least 1950. With so much at stake, Week 17 promises to be a memorable chapter in the NFL season, offering fans a blend of high-octane action and historic moments as teams jockey for playoff positioning.
