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The Cleveland Browns are the latest NFL franchise to secure January football as they claimed a wildcard berth with a 37-20 win over the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football.
They become the seventh team to secure their spot in the postseason, and only the third in the AFC. With two weeks remaining, seven playoff places are still up for grabs - including six divisional titles.
The number one seed in both conferences, which earns the holder a first-round bye, is also still up for grabs with multiple teams eyeing a week's rest. The AFC meeting between the Miami Dolphins (11-4) and Baltimore Ravens (12-3) on Sunday could decide the #1 spot in the AFC.
We preview two of Sunday's games with playoff implications.
Miami (11-4) @ Baltimore (12-3)
The battle for supremacy in the AFC sees the #1 seed Baltimore Ravens host the #2 seed Miami Dolphins in Sunday's early slot. A Baltimore win will secure the AFC East crown and the first-round bye, while Miami can take control of their division with a victory.
The Ravens are –3.0 favourites at home – which is betting speak for the game being a toss-up – but that line can likely be expanded given the nature of the Ravens' 33-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers last weekend. Miami, meanwhile, handled the Dallas Cowboys 22-20 in another impressive win.
Baltimore has won five consecutive matches and scored 30+ points in seven of their last nine outings. Miami, on the other hand, has won five of six and scored 30+ points in just three of their last seven games. Baltimore is 43/20 to score over 30.5 team points, with Miami 17/4 to reach the same mark.
Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson is a true dual-threat talent. A potential MVP winner, Jackson has rushed for at least 50 yards in seven games in 2023 and thrown for 200+ yards in nine of 15 starts. A 50+ rushing yards, 200+ passing yard day would pay at 5/4.
Opposing triggerman Tua Tagovailoa has just two touchdown passes over the past three weeks, but has topped 224+ passing yards in 13 of 15 games this season. He has thrown multiple touchdowns in just two of his last seven starts. Under 1.5 passing touchdowns is a 20/31 parlay add.
The main weapon for Tagovailoa is the NFL receiving leader Tyreek Hill. The wideout has eight 100+ receiving yard performances in 2023 and touchdowns in 11 games. Hill boasts eight or more receptions in nine starts. A 100+ yard, eight reception, one touchdown day could be in the offing.
For Baltimore, rookie Zay Flowers has shone in 2023. He has 10 50+ receiving yard performances this term and has three touchdowns in his last four contests.
Green Bay (7-8) @ Minnesota (7-8)
Defeat for either the Minnesota Vikings or the Green Bay Packers will realistically end their hopes of reaching the postseason. The two teams currently sit outside of the playoff standings as the #8 and #9 seeds respectively and defeat will leave the Vikings with just a 4% chance of making the playoffs and the Packers just a 1% chance.
Minnesota, who will be led by rookie quarterback Jaren Hall, is a –1.0-point favourite at home over the Packers and quarterback Jordan Love. A –6.5 handicap in favour of Green Bay at 23/10 seems reasonable given Hall has thrown for just 101 passing yards in two career games.
Packers' quarterback Love has shown so much promise as the year had developed. He has 3,587 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his first full season as an NFL starter with nine multi-touchdown performances and 12 games with over 218+ passing yards, including his last nine.
Vikings' wide receiver Justin Jefferson has made just eight appearances in 2023, but still has amassed 823 yards and four touchdowns. He has four 100+ yard performances and has caught six or more passes in five of eight games. His production, however, could take a hit with Hall at the helm of the offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, Minnesota defensive lineman Danielle Hunter is third the NFL sack race with 15.5 on the season so far.
