It’s the final day of the 2015 NFL regular season, and playoff spots are still on the line. The New York Jets are a win away from clinching the second AFC wild card spot, but they’ll have to get past their former coach Rex Ryan and his Buffalo Bills to do so. And on Sunday night, the NFC North title will be on the line as the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.
Read on below for a quick breakdown of these top matchups below. And for a comprehensive look at the final slate of NFL regular season games, check out our complete Week 17 picks here.
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New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills (1:00 PM ET)
Line: New York Jets (-3) at Buffalo Bills (+3); total 41.0 – view all NFL lines
The New York Jets have been on fire of late, going 5-0 (4-0-1 ATS) in their last five games. Defense has been the team’s calling card all season – it’s No. 7 in scoring defense (19.5 points allowed per game) – but it’s the offense that has stolen the headlines recently. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown 13 TDs against just one INT over his last five, with wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker the main beneficiaries.
[sc:NFL240banner ]They’ll go on the road to face a Buffalo Bills team that has nothing but pride left to play for. The Bills have lost four of their last six games, but have won the last three games at home, as well as their last three home games against the Jets. Head coach Rex Ryan won his first meeting against his old team this season, 22-17.
Writer’s Prediction
The Jets (-3) take care of business with a 27-21 win.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (8:30 PM ET)
Line: Minnesota Vikings (+3) at Green Bay Packers (-3); total 45.5 – view all NFL lines
With the defense back to full strength, the Minnesota Vikings delivered a truly dominant display in a 49-17 win over the New York Giants last Monday night. Adrian Peterson had his first 100-yard game in a month with 104 on 22 carries and a touchdown. The Vikings will now go back on the road, where they are 6-0 ATS in their last six games.
On the other side, the Packers are coming off a humiliating 38-8 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. With his offensive line decimated by injury, Aaron Rodgers was sacked eight times and turned the ball over three times. The Packers will be looking for some Lambeau magic to lift them against their division rivals. Green Bay is 8-1-1 (7-3 ATS) in its last 10 home games against Minnesota.
Writer’s Prediction
The Packers (-3) take the NFC North title with a 27-24 home win.
