Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs headlines NFL on Saturday
Sunday 17 December 2017 02:03, UK
The playoff picture is set to become much clearer as we're treated to some bonus Saturday night action in the NFL.
The Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) and Kansas City Chiefs (7-6) have the chance to edge out in front in the AFC West when the two go toe to toe in the late kick-off, live on Sky Sports Action from 1.30am.
Meanwhile, the evening's entertainment kicks off from 9.30pm with another divisional game, this time in the NFC North between the Chicago Bears (4-9) and Detroit Lions (7-6), with the latter still harbouring hopes of sneaking into a Wild Card spot.
Here's a look ahead to Saturday night's action...
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions, Sky Sports Action (407), 9.30pm
In a tweet...
Can Matthew Stafford and the Lions close the season strongly and squeeze into the NFC playoff picture? Or will Bears rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky earn them another W?
Live NFL
Stat attack
Lions quarterback Stafford has the highest passer rating of his NFL career this season, at 97.9. His yards per attempt (7.9) is also a career high, while his completion percentage (65.6) is his second best ever.
Key battle
Stafford's battle with his opposite number, Bears rookie QB Trubisky, could be the key to the game.
While the focus might be more naturally drawn to Stafford - third in the NFL in pass yards (3,683) and tied for fifth in TDs (23) - Trubisky has quietly grown into his rookie year.
In particular, over his last two games, the No 2 overall pick in the 2017 draft has thrown two touchdowns to zero picks, and has seen his season averages sky-rocket in completion percentage (52.8 to 78.7), pass yards per game (162.1 to 186.5) and passer rating (70.8 to 113.9).
Game-changer
Jordan Howard. The Chicago running back has been a real bright spot in the Bears offense. His 147-yard (and two-TD) day in the 33-7 drubbing of the Cincinnati Bengals last week saw him top the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second straight season since being picked up in the fifth round of the 2016 draft. Can he follow that up with another match-winning outing against the Lions?
Los Angeles Chargers @ Kansas City Chiefs, Sky Sports Action (407), 1.30am
In a tweet...
Two teams currently sharing the lead of the AFC West have the chance to edge out ahead in the push for a playoff spot before the final two-week run in.
Live NFL
Stat attack
The Chiefs were four full games ahead of the Chargers after four weeks of the season, having started 4-0, with the Chargers winless. But, the staggering turnaround in Los Angeles since means they could be the first team since the 1992 Chargers to reach the playoffs after an 0-4 start.
The Chargers had five giveaways in their first four games, but have had only six in their last nine games - fewest in the NFL during that span. Since Week Five, L.A. also have the league's best turnover differential (+14) and sack differential (+16).
Key battle
Alex Smith versus the fearsome Chargers pass rush. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are one of the league's best sack duos in the NFL, with their combined 20.5 bettered only by Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue in Jacksonville (23.5).
Bosa, in particular, has been superb since arriving as the No 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft, becoming only the fifth player to reach double-digit sacks in his first two seasons, and the first to accomplish the feat since Von Miller & Aldon Smith (2011-2012).
Chiefs QB Smith has shown signs of getting back to his super early-season form in recent weeks, particularly his 366-yard and four-TD display in defeat to the Jets two weeks ago. But, against a Chargers defense that is allowing only a 76.1 passer rating this season - third in the NFL - he could well have his work cut out for him.
Game-changer
The stats certainly seem to back that up - since Week 11, Rivers is the top-rated passer (119.2) in the league, while his 23-7 TD-INT ratio is the best of his career. Rivers needs only another 389 passing yards for his ninth career 4,000-yard season - trailing only Peyton Manning (14) and Drew Brees (11) for the most in NFL history.
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