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When the Pittsburgh Steelers host the LA Raiders on Saturday, it will likely be a kind of uncommon moments in sport the place the outcome gained’t actually matter.
As a substitute, ideas will likely be with Steelers legend Franco Harris who died earlier this week on the age of 72.
Harris’ loss of life got here simply days earlier than the fiftieth anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception,” a game-winning landing catch from Harris which led the Steelers to a well-known win over the Oakland Raiders.
The Steelers will nonetheless rejoice the anniversary but in addition honor Harris’ life by retiring his No. 32 jersey at halftime of the sport.
“We’re all heartbroken, however we do sit up for honoring him and his legacy this weekend,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin stated, per ESPN.
“And clearly, the place our consideration must be is on the preparation required to place collectively the kind of efficiency that’s becoming of an awesome man like Franco.”
On the sphere, the Steelers will hope to maintain their slim playoff possibilities alive with one other win – the franchise has impressed recently by profitable three of its final 4.
It’s the same story for different groups across the NFL, with this promising to be an thrilling weekend of motion through the Christmas interval.
For Chase Younger, Christmas will come a day early with the 23-year-old anticipated to make his long-awaited season debut for the Commanders on Saturday.
Younger hasn’t performed since he suffered a critical knee harm in November final 12 months however coach Ron Rivera says he’s excited to lastly get again amongst it in opposition to the 49ers.
“He practiced with confidence,” Rivera stated, per NFL.com, talking about Younger’s progress.
“He confirmed us a willingness to stay that leg within the floor and roll off of it, plant it and reduce off of it. He had week, so we’re fairly enthusiastic about that.”
The defensive finish had returned to apply final week however has been slowly ramping up his exercise after an already prolonged rehabilitation course of.
The Commanders will hope for an prompt affect from 2020’s second general draft decide as they appear to maintain their playoff hopes alive after a disappointing loss to the New York Giants on Sunday evening.
There isn’t a lot room for one more loss because the common season races to the enterprise finish.
The Eagles (13-1) and Cowboys (10-4) face off on Saturday. The stakes are excessive for these divisional rivals, with postseason positioning on the road.
The Eagles have the chance to win the NFC East and the general prime seed within the NFC, subsequently incomes a first-round bye and home-field benefit within the playoffs.
It will be a a lot greater problem for Dallas to win the NFC East. They clinched the playoffs final week, regardless of dropping to the Jacksonville Jaguars. However to win the division, they would want to not solely win on Saturday, but in addition win out the remainder of the season and see the Eagles lose their remaining video games. It’s a tall order, however not unattainable.
The final time these groups met, the Cowboys performed with out beginning quarterback Dak Prescott. This time round, the Eagles will play with out their beginning quarterback, Jalen Hurts.
Hurts suffered a sprained shoulder throughout final week’s win over Bears. The harm will not be thought-about long-term and he’s anticipated to return for the postseason. In his absence, Gardner Minshew will take over as sign caller.
This sport is a superb alternative for the Cowboys to get heading in the right direction, between having the house benefit and the advantage of going through a backup quarterback. Particularly after final week’s loss, they want this win rather more than the Eagles; they want all of the momentum they will get within the ultimate weeks of the common season to hold into the playoffs.
Tune into the NFC East showdown on Saturday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
It’s going to be a nail-biting spectacle on Christmas Day with each groups trying to maintain their wafer-thin postseason hopes alive.
The Dolphins can assure a playoff berth by profitable all of their three remaining video games however go into Sunday’s conflict on the again of three consecutive defeats.
The Packers, in the meantime, are coming off back-to-back victories however their playoff future continues to be not of their palms.
They need to win all three of their remaining video games and hope both the New York Giants or Washington Commanders slip up.
“What’s crucial factor is that we’re nonetheless enjoying a significant soccer sport on Christmas and acquired an opportunity to have a variety of issues in entrance of us,” Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers advised reporters.
“We’ve acquired to go down and get a win, and I stated just a few weeks in the past, we simply get one, then we get one other one, and issues look a little bit bit completely different going into this sport. And we get this one, issues look a little bit bit completely different going into the subsequent one.”
The Bears (3-11) will welcome the Payments (11-3) to Chicago.
The forecast predicts beneath freezing temperatures, gusting winds, and harsh winter climate, which may play a significant component within the consequence of this sport. Whereas each groups are acclimated to enjoying in unfavorable circumstances, their gameplans should be adjusted for the weather.
This sport options two quarterbacks who can produce in each the run sport and the passing sport. Nevertheless, they’re best in reverse methods.
Bears’ quarterback Justin Fields is more practical speeding, whereas Payments’ quarterback Josh Allen has the sting within the air. With a transparent lack of weapons on the receiving finish, the Bears are going to attempt to run the ball as a lot as doable. Their sport on the bottom won’t be as impacted by the heavy winds and winter climate.
The Payments, alternatively, won’t be able to rely as a lot on their superior passing sport; Allen must alter to how the winds affect his accuracy. For these causes, the Bears have a barely greater likelihood of handing the Payments the upset.
Kickoff is ready for Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
Lastly, the Bengals (10-4) have a shot at clinching a playoff berth in opposition to the Patriots (7-7).
They’ll safe their spot within the postseason in the event that they win or tie, or if the Jets lose or tie. The Patriots are on the surface of the playoff image trying in. They would want a win on Saturday to maintain their hopes alive.
The Pats will host the Bengals at a below-freezing Gillette Stadium. They enter this sport recent off an embarrassing last-second loss to the Raiders in Week 15. They’ve struggled this season, largely resulting from inexperienced management and questionable teaching choices.
Cincinnati is within the midst of their hottest stretch of the season with wins of their final six contests. Quarterback Joe Burrow has hit his stride at crucial a part of the common season, on the brink of energy by way of the postseason.
To win this sport, the Bengals might want to come out robust and get forward early; they need to outpace New England. The Patriots will likely be enjoying with out three starters, which implies they’re already working from an obstacle. If the Bengals come out the gate and get factors up early, it will likely be troublesome for the Pats to crawl out of a deficit.
To see who comes out on prime, tune in on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
Right here’s methods to catch these groups and others throughout the league in motion, from wherever you’re.
Australia: NFL Recreation Cross, ESPN, 7Plus
Brazil: NFL Recreation Cross, ESPN
Canada: CTV, TSN, RDS, NFL Recreation Cross on DAZN
Germany: NFL Recreation Cross, ProSieben MAXX, DAZN
Mexico: NFL Recreation Cross, TUDN, ESPN, Fox Sports activities, Sky Sports activities
UK: NFL Recreation Cross, Sky Sports activities, ITV, Channel 5
US: NFL Recreation Cross, CBS Sports activities, Fox Sports activities, ESPN, Amazon Prime
