Fansided

5 most interesting NFL matchups to watch Week 17

By Rucker Haringey

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns reacts late in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 27: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns reacts late in the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 13: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills fights off Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Bills Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images) /

2. Dolphins vs. Bills

Plenty of people picked the Bills to win the AFC East during the preseason. A much smaller number of prognosticators expected them to challenge for the No. 2 seed in the conference heading into Week 17. A win over Miami would give Josh Allen and his team the nod over the Steelers.

Miami arguably needs the win even more. Their miraculous Week 16 victory over the Raiders gives them control of their playoff destiny heading into their finale. Win and they’re guaranteed a postseason berth. Lose the game against Buffalo and suddenly Miami needs a lot of help to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Expect Miami to keep the identity of their starting quarterback for the matchup shrouded in mystery for as long as possible. Tua Tagovailoa is clearly the team’s franchise signal-caller of the future, but head coach Brian Flores didn’t hesitate to go to Ryan Fitzpatrick when his team needed a spark in Week 16. In many ways, it would be a surprise if Fitzpatrick didn’t get the nod against Buffalo’s stingy defense.

The play of Josh Allen and his electric group of skill players may make the Dolphins’ quarterback choice irrelevant. This team can put up points in bunches. The acquisition of Stefon Diggs has gone exactly as Bills’ officials hoped. Look for Buffalo to keep riding their wave of momentum heading into the postseason.

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