Buffalo, NY
CNN
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Here are five things to watch as the NFL enters the final weekend of the regular season.
The huge wave of support for Damar Hamlin will increase even more when the final games of the regular season begin.
There may be some uncertainty, doubts and fears about the players taking the field for the first time since the Buffalo Bills defender suffered a life-threatening injury in their game earlier this week. There will be a lot of visible emotion and any sign of injury will be eagerly welcomed.
However, Bills coach Sean McDermott said this weekend’s games will be “a celebration of life” as Hamlin has shown continued signs of progress. NFL players and fans will see his No. 3 highlighted in Buffalo Bills Blue or Red on 30-yard lines in stadiums across the country. Players will wear “Love for Damar 3” shirts before the game, and Bills players will also have a #3 patch on their game jerseys.
Conference fight top: We can witness history. For the first time, a conference title game is being played at a neutral site.
The Buffalo Bills game with the Cincinnati Bengals in which Hamlin was injured will not be over. This means that both teams will finish the regular season one game less than other playoff teams, which will affect their ability to gain home-field advantage if they advance to the AFC Championship game. So if either or both of these teams go to the title game, depending on the circumstances, we could see the title game played in a neutral location. The Kansas City Chiefs are atop the conference at 13-3. The Bills are at 12-3 and the Bengals at 11-4.
Scratch to enter: The New England Patriots are in the driving seat for the final wildcard spot in the AFC. If they beat the Bills, the Patriots are in, but they’ll have to do it on a hugely emotional day in Buffalo. If they lose, the Miami Dolphins would secure first to last place with a home win over the New York Jets.
If the Patriots and Dolphins both fall, the Pittsburgh Steelers would climb to 7th and last place if they beat the Cleveland Browns at home. It would also mean head coach Mike Tomlin wouldn’t have a losing season for the first time in his 16-year career.
The AFC South title is on the line Saturday night in Jacksonville. The scorching Jaguars host the shocked Tennessee Titans. The winner gets the 4th seed and sets up a first-round playoff match next week.
The Philadelphia Eagles are hoping a third time will be a charm for them to clinch the NFC East and the first seed in the NFC playoffs. To do that, they need to beat or tie a New York Giants team that has already secured the 6th seed and will start the playoffs on the road. If the Eagles fall back, the Dallas Cowboys claim the NFC East crown with a win over the Washington Commanders and the Eagles would slide to a Wild Card.
The 7th and final place is a three-team race between the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. The Packers and Lions face off Sunday night at Lambeau Field. For Green Bay, it’s simple: win and you’re in. The Lions and Seahawks both need to win and help to get into the playoff party.
The end of each season means there is one last chance for players to put their name in the record books. Let’s start with the QBs.
Patrick Mahomes needs 430 passing yards to break the single-season passing record of 5,477 set by Peyton Manning in 2013.
Tom Brady needs eight completions to break the all-time single-season record for most completions in a season of 485 completions set in 2021 by… Tom Brady. Surprise!
Justin Jefferson needs 194 receiving yards to break the single-season record of 1,964 yards set in 2012 by Calvin Johnson. The Minnesota Vikings star topped the mark once this season, against the Lions in Week 4.
Ryan Stonehouse has a shot at becoming the best single-season bettor of all time. The Titans star can break the record for the highest single-season punting average of 51.4 yards set by Sammy Baugh in 1940. Stonehouse’s current average is 53 yards per punt.
The final game of the regular season is huge not just for players on playoff-contending teams, but for players who can earn big bucks in the form of incentives, sometimes with just one take. Here are some of those players according to fantasy football and sports betting analyst Sal Vetri.
Christian Kirk needs two catches for a $500,000 bonus and 91 yards to trigger a $500,000 bonus.
Zay Jones needs two catches for a $250,000 bonus and 98 yards for a $500,000 bonus.
Za’Darius Smith needs a bag to win $750,000.
Preston Smith needs 1.5 sacks to win $1 million
Tyler Higbee needs 13 yards to earn a $500,000 bonus.
Gerald Everett needs five catches to bank $250,000.
Everett has had 5+ catches in 50% of his games.
Jamaal Williams needs six rushing yards to reach 1,000, which would net him a bonus of $250,000.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct the number of kills Tom Brady needs to break the all-time single-season record for most kills in a season.
