The 2021 NFL Regular Season will be history starting Monday. While some things came as expected, we’ve also had a few surprises so far. We can also look forward to exciting encounters on the last day of the game, the outcome of which will ultimately determine our entry into the NFL playoffs.
In the AFC, at least mathematically, the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis Colts have hope. While the Raiders and Chargers play a head-to-head duel in the night game, the Baltimore winner against Pittsburgh will have one eye on Jacksonville, where the Colts would have to falter.
NFC with long-distance duel for the playoffs
With the NFC teams things seem clearer. Here in the evening on German free TV on ProSiebenMaxx there will be a long-distance duel between the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints for the last remaining playoff ticket.
Colleague Daniel Wolf has already extensively discussed the night game, we therefore devote ourselves to the seven contenders of the pairings from 7 p.m. and 10:25 p.m.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are on the hunt for the last playoff ticket and their opponent the Atlanta Falcons have no chance of the postseason themselves. With a little help from Los Angeles, the Louisiana team can even do it. Basically a realistic scenario.
But the Falcons kept hopes of the playoffs up until a week ago. It wouldn’t be surprising if Atlanta motivates itself to perform at its best in its own stadium against the rivals and with a young head coach and New Orleans destroys the dream of the postseason.
The Saints narrowly defeated the Carolina Panthers 18-10 last weekend after a fumble and an interception by Sam Darnold. Atlanta won away in their first meeting, and quarterback Matt Ryan was barely stopped by the New Orleans defense in a 27-25 win. For a long time last week, the Falcons had a good chance of defeating the Buffalo Bills before they were shot down.
Atlanta will demand a lot from New Orleans and keep the game open for a long time. Tip: 21-17 Saints
San Francisco 49ers
Perhaps the San Francisco 49ers need support from Atlanta even more urgently than the Saints and the furious competition for the last playoff ticket in the NFC is developing into a snail race. The Los Angeles Rams will need a win in their own stadium to win their own division and should therefore make life difficult for the 49ers.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford would have to get back on track for that. In the last week, he threw two more interceptions against the Baltimore Ravens (including a pick-six) and fumbled. The game was only just won in the end. The Rams should be curious about Cam Akers’ return. The running back suffered a torn Achilles tendon in pre-season and, after a wonderful healing process, is now back in time for the playoffs.
San Francisco will return to veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo against a tough defense. While rookie Trey Lance played well against the Houston Texans last week, LA and away, especially when it comes to the playoffs, is a different caliber. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan will trust his perennial starter. Finally, with excellent running and outstanding defense, Jimmy was already tearing down his West Coast rival in the first encounter with 31-10.
An exciting duel at eye level is forecast with a slight advantage for the Los Angeles Rams. Tip: 24-20 Rams
Indianapolis Colts
In Jacksonville, the fate of the AFC will be decided this Sunday. However, the Jaguars themselves should be happy to finally bring this disastrous season to an end. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz was able to prepare extensively all week after surviving COVID-19 and wants to make everything clear with his team.
#Colts breathe easy: #CarsonWentz Eligible to play again after corona infection#ranNFL #ranNFLsuechtig #IndianapolisColts https://t.co/VkUTmjyBIm
— ran (@ransport) January 2, 2022
The Colts have it in their own hands and are playing against a team that has been unable to stop the run or the pass this year and has had few surprises on its own offense in the form of rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. How they plan to stop the current leader in rushing yards and touchdowns, Jonathan Taylor, remains a mystery in preparation for the game.
But Jacksonville, as a blatant underdog, has often won games against the Colts, which keeps the outcome a little open. Tip: 28-14 Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers oder Baltimore Ravens
Last Monday’s 26-14 win over the Cleveland Browns surprisingly kept the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff hopes alive. If the Colts lose in Jacksonville, there is even a chance of a tenth playoff participation in 15 years together for head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
In addition to a strong defense again, this year’s success is guaranteed by the running game around rookie running back Najee Harris and an almost perfectly set up run blocking of the Steelers offensive line. Harris has the best run defense in the league against the Baltimore Ravens.
It will therefore again depend on whether the defense around TJ Watt can contain the Ravens’ mobile quarterback play. Watt is close to breaking the NFL season sack record. To do that, he’ll need to take down backup Tyler Huntley. Starter Lamar Jackson has been suffering from an ankle injury since week 14 and will not play again.
The Ravens must win after several unfortunate defeats, most recently against the LA Rams, and also hope for the unrealistic outcome of a victory for the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Colts. Otherwise, it is at least about who keeps the upper hand in the eternal rivalry and places himself in front of the competitor in the division.
Baltimore has a worse hand without Lamar Jackson. But if the Ravens score more than 20 points, they shouldn’t be able to take the win away. Tip: 25-19 Ravens
Who goes to the playoffs
It is certainly daring to make your own forecast of the decisive games to make it into the playoffs, but it is always a nice thought exercise. Thanks to the Playoff Machine on ESPN everyone can really guess the outcome of all games on the last day of the game and see what scenarios arise for the postseason. If we’re right, we’re looking forward to the thrilling rematches between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs in the wild cards.
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