Six NFL games that matter most in Week 17

As the 2015 NFL season comes to a close in Week 17, there are still a few details to iron out when it comes to the postseason playoff picture.

Some teams, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, find themselves faced with crucial must-win situations. Other postseason-bound teams head confidently into their final week practically set on cruise control.

Featuring an NFC North showdown with significant playoff implications, coaches facing former teams and backup quarterbacks attempting to hold down the fort, these six NFL games matter most in Week 17.

New York Jets (10-5) vs. Buffalo Bills (7-8)

Ironically, Rex Ryan and the Bills are the only obstacle standing in the way of Ryan’s team clinching a Wild-Card playoff spot in Week 17.

Fortunately for the Jets, they are on quite the roll, posting wins in each of their last five games. Meanwhile, the middling Bills have lost four of their last six matchups.

That said, here’s a stat that could tilt the balance in favor of the home team Sunday.

During their last meeting in Week 10 when not as much was at stake, the Jets fell victim at home to the Bills. Now in Week 17, the Jets’ future depends on a road win against the Bills on Sunday. If the Jets get caught with their guard down and let Buffalo escape with the win and the Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Cleveland Browns, then New York will be watching the playoffs from the comfort of their home sofas.

Obviously a win is the best way to ensure the Jets snag one of the final wild-card slots rather than relying on the fate of an unpredictable Steelers unit that will be looking to avenge last week’s horrific upset against Baltimore.

Since Buffalo merely serves as a spoiler, having a hand in at foiling the Jets from possible playoff contention will surely be motive enough for Ryan and the Bills. They are sure to arrive Sunday with their boxing gloves on, ready for a heavyweight battle.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) vs. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

When the Steelers dumped a game last week against the Baltimore Ravens, it hurt big-time. Now, Pittsburgh is in dire straits in a must-win game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17.

Still in the hunt for a playoff spot, a loss is not at option. The Steelers will only be able to advance if the New York Jets lose to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Fortunately for Ben Roethlisberger and Co., the Browns are up next. The Steelers have faced the Browns five times the past seven years on the final weekend of play and have come away with a win each time. Surely Pittsburgh’s offense, which is the third-best in the NFL, can get back on course and put the screws to Cleveland’s 26th-ranked defense.

The Browns are heading into the game with backup Austin Davis under center, and they’ll just be looking to end 2015 on a positive note. Johnny Manziel (concussion) has been officially sidelined, which means this game could feature little drama.

In the minimal opportunities that Davis has had to play this season, he has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 307 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

With how ineptly the Browns have been performing overall this season, Pittsburgh should be able to take advantage.

However, after witnessing the Steelers shockingly fall victim to the Ravens last weekend, led by a fourth-string quarterback, nothing should be taken for granted as Sunday’s game approaches.

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) vs. Houston Texans (8-7)

The Texans haven’t seen the playoffs since 2012, and a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday would be the winning ticket to send Houston to the postseason.

With the entire AFC South struggling to post wins this season, and the unfortunate luck that struck the Indianapolis Colts at the quarterback position, Houston has managed to rise to the top.

This Sunday’s game favors the Texans to reign supreme over the Jaguars. However, Jacksonville’s offense is averaging 357.7 yards per game, and they are sneaky-good. Blake Bortles has scored the third-most touchdowns of all NFL quarterbacks this season and is quite capable of taking games over.

Fortunately for the Texans, Bortles has also endured the second-most quarterback sacks (43). This is where J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney (if he plays) can swoop in. DeAndre Hopkins and the Texans’ offense clearly stand to take advantage of the Jaguars’ porous defense that practically gives away the farm as far as points allowed (27.9) on a weekly basis.

A win for the Texans would see one of the NFL’s preseason underdog teams advancing to compete with the big boys in the playoffs upon conclusion of Sunday’s game.

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

After watching the Kansas City Chiefs crash and burn at the beginning of the season, the team has now snagged a playoff spot after making a fabulous comeback and winning their last nine games in a row.

However, there are more spoils to be had if the Chiefs can win again in Week 17 against the Oakland Raiders. A win for Kansas City and a loss for Denver to the San Diego Chargers (don’t laugh) would have the Chiefs the winners of the AFC West. This would in-turn give them the home-field advantage for their first playoff game.

And, a loss by Denver, coupled with a loss by the Cincinnati Bengals to the Baltimore Ravens, would see the Chiefs take over the third seed in the AFC.

With the main focus being to seal a win against the Raiders this Sunday, the Chiefs are going to have to muster up some better football than they played in a narrow victory over the Cleveland Browns last Sunday. After commanding a 17-3 lead at halftime, the Chiefs never scored again and let the Browns get close to pulling off an upset.

For the Raiders, they haven’t seen this many wins in one season since 2011. Featuring a Derek Carr led-offense, coupled with Khalil Mack and Charles Woodson wreaking havoc on the defense, this team is a threat to opposing teams every week.

If Smith and the offense can remain aggressive and the defense can force mistakes from the Raiders, the Chiefs should be looking at win No. 10 in a row.

Seattle Seahawks (9-6) vs. Arizona Cardinals (13-2)

Sunday’s game between the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals, who have both clinched playoff spots in the NFC, should be electric. Both teams feature top-five offenses and defenses, and neither would be surprising Super Bowl champs at the end of the playoffs.

For Arizona, there is a huge difference between finishing with the first or second seed. A win Sunday, coupled with a loss by the Carolina Panthers, would give the Cardinals homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Not surprisingly, Arizona head coach Bruce Arians says he doesn’t plan to rest his starters.

If Arians sticks by his word, there is of course the obvious risk of injury that if any occurred, would come at the worst time to one of the NFL’s overall best-performing teams.

This is also a big game for Seattle, though not to the same extent, which could move up to the fifth seed with a win if the Minnesota Vikings lose Sunday evening.

The Seahawks will definitely want to use this opportunity to challenge themselves against a stellar Cardinals team and also avenge last week’s disturbing loss to St. Louis. Furthermore, adding to the revenge angle, the Seahawks lost to the Cardinals the last time they tangoed in Week 10.

Minnesota Vikings (10-5) vs. Green Bay Packers (10-5)

The Packers have dominated the NFC North for far too long, according to the Minnesota Vikings who are tired of seeing Green Bay win the division every year.

Therefore the goal entering Sunday’s game at Lambeau Field is a win for Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings, who would win the division if they can upset Green Bay on its home turf.

Both teams will make the playoffs, though the outcome of this game will determine who and where the Packers and Vikings will play next week when the postseason begins. If the Vikings win, they will host Seattle at home next week. If the Packers win, they will have a home game against Seattle as well.

The loser will hit the road to face Washington.

The Vikings are coming off of a massive ego-boosting win (49-17) against the New York Giants last weekend, who simply had no answers — or heart, for that matter — after being eliminated from playoff contention the night before when Washington beat Philly. They’ll look to continue their reign of terror against Aaron Rodgers’ Packers, who were simply miserable and got destroyed by Arizona last week (38-8).

The last time the two NFC North teams met was in Week 11 when the Packers dealt the business to the Vikings in Minnesota. However, since then Green Bay, and in particular its offensive line that just allowed Rodgers to sustain eight sacks, has struggled due to injuries.

Meanwhile, the Vikings’ stock has risen considerably.

This will be the final game of the regular season, and it should be a dandy.