Monday 1 January 2018 03:06, UK
It's the final week of the NFL regular season this Sunday - the last chance for teams to secure their spot in the playoffs.
We've got a cracking NFL double-header, live on Sky Sports Action from 5.30pm, to see in the new year, with the New England Patriots (12-3) first looking to secure the No 1 seed in the AFC with a win over division rivals the New York Jets (5-10).
Then at 9.25pm, there's the massive NFC South meeting between the Carolina Panthers (11-4) and Atlanta Falcons (9-6), with the visitors still harbouring hopes of winning the division, while the Falcons need a win to secure a Wild Card spot.
Here's a look ahead to New Year's Eve in the NFL...
In a tweet...
The Patriots look to secure the AFC No 1 seed and home-field advantage for the playoffs with a final-week win over their divisional rival Jets.
What's the latest?
Former Steelers star linebacker James Harrison has signed with New England. The 39-year-old veteran visited the Patriots after clearing waviers and becoming a free agent following his release by Pittsburgh and has signed a one-year deal with the defending Super Bowl champions.
The New York Jets have extended the contracts of both general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles, despite the team's 5-10 record ensuring they will miss the playoffs for the seventh straight year and the third under Maccagnan and Bowles.
Bryce Petty remains the Jets' starting quarterback going into the final Sunday of the season, but Bowles has not ruled out second-year quarterback Christian Hackenberg seeing his first action in a regular-season game at some point during the contest.
Stat attack
The Patriots have been the No 1 seed for five of their seven Super Bowl appearances in the Tom Brady era - the exceptions being in 2001 and 2004, where they were the No 2 seed both times. New England have had a first-round bye all seven times they made the Super Bowl with Brady.
Key battle
Bilal Powell versus New England's run defense. If the Jets are to have any hopes of forcing an unlikely victory in this one, they need running back Powell to have a similar outing to the 145-yard effort he enjoyed against the Chargers last week, which included a monster 57-yard TD. The Patriots have struggled to stop the run this year, allowing 4.8 yards per carry - second-worst to only the Chargers in the league.
Game-changer
Tom Brady. New England's 40-year-old QB leads the NFL in passing yards (4,387) - 136 yards better than second-placed Ben Roethlisberger. The league MVP candidate would become the oldest player to lead the league in passing, breaking Fran Tarkenton's mark, when 38 in 1978.
In a tweet...
Massive NFC South clash with playoff implications - a Panthers victory might clinch them the division, while the Falcons must win for a Wild Card spot.
What's the latest?
In a move which reflects concerns about injuries on the offensive line for Sunday's game, the Falcons have signed guard Jamil Douglas from their practice squad. Centre Alex Mack (calf) missed practice on Thursday and Friday. Left guard Andy Levitre (triceps) and right guard Wes Schweitzer (groin) were also limited on both days. Douglas started in six of 16 games played with Miami in 2015 and played in one game for the Dolphins in 2016.
Panthers' starting wide receiver Damiere Byrd will miss the remainder of the season with a lower leg injury after being injured in Carolina's win over Tampa Bay last Sunday. Earlier in the game, Byrd had a key 103-yard kick-off return for a touchdown - the longest TD in franchise history. In more positive news, defensive end Charles Johnson and linebacker Thomas Davis are scheduled to return to the 53-man roster this week after serving suspensions.
Stat attack
Expect a close game in Atlanta. The Falcons lead the NFL in games decided by eight points-or-fewer this season (10 games, 6-4 record), with the Panthers tied for second (nine games, 8-1 record). The Week Nine meeting between the two earlier this season was one of those games, with the Panthers winning by only three points, 20-17.
Key battle
Christian McCaffrey versus the Falcons' defense. McCaffrey is one of only two rookie running backs in NFL history to total 75+ receptions and five or more TD catches, along with Alvin Kamara of the Saints. The Falcons' D, meanwhile, has allowed 104 receptions to running backs this season - the most in NFL. They can't afford to allow McCaffrey similar freedom on Sunday.
Game-changer
Cam Newton. Super Cam is so often seen as the difference-maker for Carolina, and rightly so. Newton leads the Panthers in rushing yards this season, with 695 yards, and he has a favourable match-up against the Falcons this week. Atlanta have been one of the NFL's worst teams containing quarterbacks on the ground - they are third-worst in the league in rush yards per game allowed and fourth-worst in yards per carry. Plus, Newton has 662 rush yards and seven rush TDs in 13 career games versus the Falcons.
The final week of the NFL regular season kicks-off on Sunday with a double-header live on Sky Sports Action, starting with New York Jets at New England Patriots, from 5.30pm
Follow the 2017-18 NFL season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/NFL also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsNFL
