SBK Edge Rush: It is crunch time for several teams in the NFL

While a defeat won’t mathematically knock them out of playoff contention, a Giants, Jets, Patriots, Chargers or Seahawks loss this week would mean their post-season ambitions hang by a thread. 

Let’s start with the New York Giants, who have been slowing in recent weeks after their fairytale first half of the season. They have recorded just one win in last five games, and come into a divisional match-up against the 11-1 Eagles off the back of a frustrating game against fellow Wild Card challengers and divisional rivals the Commanders, where they blew a late fourth-quarter lead to allow overtime. They missed a shot to win the game at the end of the extra period, and instead shared the spoils. 

That tie could prove crucial as the Commanders, who are now on a bye week, have found their rhythm and are trending in the other direction (6-1-1 in their last eight games). One of those victories came against the Eagles. 

Philly, the current NFC East pacesetters, have strengthened their run defence in recent weeks and will hope to keep Giants running back Saquon Barkley, whose returns have diminished after an extraordinary first seven games, quiet. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is playing for a new contract, which New York still may consider despite the short-stacked corp he has around him (Darius Slayton is the Giants leading receiver with 566 yards, barely enough to sneak into the Top 50). 

Over on our SBK Edge Rush Podcast, Prop-O has picked New York to keep it within a touchdown as his Drew Lock of the Week, but, even if they keep it tight, a win seems unrealistic, which makes next week’s game against Washington doubly important. 

Philadelphia Eagles: play the New York Giants this weekend

The Seattle Seahawks are also in the race for a Wild Card berth with the maths indicating that two victories out of their final three games would see them make the cut. Like the Giants, they have stalled of late as proven by dropping two of their last three games, but they have a good bounce-back spot this weekend as they host Carolina. 

Running back Kenneth Walker is dealing with an ankle injury, and his absence is key – next up on the depth chart is Travis Homer, who has posted a grand total of 43 yards on the season. Geno Smith is a lock for comeback player of the year and the Hawks should have enough to keep their playoff hopes rolling. Given their run-in, which includes San Francisco and Kansas City, they need to chalk up these more straightforward victories. 

Which team is doing their level-best to waste one of the great, young quarterbacks in the NFL? You guessed it: the Los Angeles Chargers. Justin Herbert has suffered week-on-week behind a porous offensive line. They play in primetime this Sunday against a Miami side that is licking its wounds after a heavy loss to the 49ers. The Fins offence should hit back with a banged-up O-line unlikely to suffer similar pressure, and a re-invigorated ground game going up against the 29th-ranked run defence in the NFL.  

Conversely, the Chargers’ ground game ranks second-last in yards per game, which puts too much pressure on Herbert to win with his arm. Miami should take the win, cement their playoff spot, and in turn push the Chargers out of the mix. 

Patriots and Jets need to win

The Patriots also play in primetime on Monday Night Football and are improbably still in the mix at 6-6. Sophomore quarterback Mac Jones displayed his disaffection at the Pats offensive game plan last time out, and his regression is indelibly linked to a confused co-ordinator situation and lack of ambition in the play calls. 

They face Arizona - a dumpster fire of disaster this season considering the talent on the roster. But the Cardinals are an unpredictable crew, and Kyler Murray could echo the success on the ground that Justin Fields had against New England a few weeks back. Lose, and the Pats also drop to 6-7 and most likely on the outside looking in. 

That leaves us with the Jets, who appear to have a tough task to beat the 9-3 Buffalo Bills this week. But, they have already beaten them this season - albeit a Buffalo side that was missing Matt Milano, who will start on Sunday. 

Ten wins seems to be the consensus target for a Wild Card spot in the East. After this weekend, The Jets have the Lions, the Jaguars, the Seahawks, and the Dolphins, and, if they don’t get the upset win against Buffalo, they will need to win three out of those four to progress. It’s do-able, but a tall order nevertheless.