While teams battle to secure postseason berths, a collection of NFL players will be key elements to helping their franchise lock up the best playoff seed possible.
Scheduled kickoff time set the order of the list, which begins with the an AFC club fighting to clinch a wild-card spot and ends looking at the winner-take-all battle for the NFC North on Sunday Night Football.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets
New York needed a miracle, and the Baltimore Ravens provided it. Now, the Jets must avoid giving the Pittsburgh Steelers a similar gift.
The tiebreaker for the No. 6 seed in the AFC do not favor New York, which has ripped off five straight victories since dropping two straight. One of those losses, however, was to Sunday’s opponent, the Buffalo Bills.
Last time around, Ryan Fitzpatrick finished 15-of-34 and tossed two interceptions. The Bills turned one into a field goal and sealed the game with the other. During the five-game winning streak, the Jets quarterback has accounted for 13 touchdowns while throwing a single pick.
New York can clinch the second wild-card spot with a victory. A loss to Buffalo means the Jets would hope the Cleveland Browns upset Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. Good luck with that.
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
How much impact can one pass-catcher have?
The Patriots will test that question with tight end Rob Gronkowski during a clash with the Miami Dolphins where New England needs a win to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
When the AFC East foes met in Week 8, Tom Brady had his full complement of receivers. Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola, Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount — who combined for 278 total yards and three touchdowns during that matchup — are each sidelined in Week 17.
Because of the injuries, the Patriots probably won’t blast Miami again, but Gronkowski has room to improve on a successful outing against the Fins. He reeled in six passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in the blowout, so his involvement will increase Sunday.
Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson, Houston Texans
Houston is basically in the playoffs, but basically isn’t officially. The easiest way for the franchise to avoid a jaw-dropping collapse is to defeat the pesky Jacksonville Jaguars.
And that means containing a pair of explosive wide receivers in Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. Texans cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson better be ready for the test. Joseph has played at a top-tier level, while Jackson has been adequate but not special.
Robinson and Hurns have combined for 2,306 yards and 24 touchdowns, the fourth-most and best marks by teammates in the league. They tallied 14 receptions, 258 yards and three scores last week.
Now, a loss doesn’t necessarily hurt Houston, because the Indianapolis Colts need exactly nine specific results to pass the Texans. But beating the Jags eliminates the worst-case scenario. It starts with the corners.
Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Russell Wilson’s ability to lead a franchise was on full display throughout Seattle’s five-game winning streak. However, the lack of a running game immensely affected the Seahawks during Week 16’s loss to the St. Louis Rams.
The Arizona Cardinals — who need a victory to have a chance at leaping the Carolina Panthers for home field in the NFC — boast an unforgiving defense. Balance is the only way to beat the Cards.
Considering Seattle managed just 26 yards on 15 carries from running backs against the Rams, Wilson’s quickness is a significant key to the offense’s potential success. Designed quarterback runs aren’t really a part of the Seahawks’ game plan, and Wilson will only find scrambling lanes if Arizona has to respect the aerial attack.
Wilson must avoid mistakes as a passer to set himself up for production as a runner and Seattle for a statement win.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ offense focuses on effectively running the ball, so it’s no coincidence Adrian Peterson is the NFL’s leading rusher. Depending on Doug Martin’s performance against a stout Panthers defense, Peterson might have the rushing title locked up heading into Sunday Night Football.
But an individual accolade isn’t what Minnesota wants most. After years of dominance, the Green Bay Packers are vulnerable in 2015. Peterson and the Vikings can take advantage of their rival’s tough season and steal the NFC North crown. For now, both teams are 10-5.
Green Bay limited Peterson to 45 yards on 13 carries earlier this season, but the defense has surrendered at least 4.0 yards per attempt in four straight games.
Meanwhile, Peterson put together one of his better performances last week. Minnesota will attempt to ride Peterson to victory — and the division title.