A Gift for Each of the 9 Teams Already Clinched for the Postseason
With the regular season winding down, nine teams have already punched their tickets to the NFL postseason. These teams have earned a well-deserved break, but they also have some work to do to prepare for the playoffs. Here’s a look at what each team needs to focus on during their bye week:
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are the No. 1 seed in the AFC and have a first-round bye. They’ll use their bye week to rest up and get healthy. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is dealing with a high ankle sprain, and the Chiefs will need him to be at full strength for the playoffs. They’ll also use their bye week to game plan for their potential playoff opponents.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are the No. 1 seed in the NFC and also have a first-round bye. They’ll use their bye week to rest up and get healthy. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is dealing with a shoulder injury, and the Eagles will need him to be at full strength for the playoffs. They’ll also use their bye week to game plan for their potential playoff opponents.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills are the No. 2 seed in the AFC and have a first-round bye. They’ll use their bye week to rest up and get healthy. Quarterback Josh Allen is dealing with an elbow injury, and the Bills will need him to be at full strength for the playoffs. They’ll also use their bye week to game plan for their potential playoff opponents.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are the No. 3 seed in the AFC and have a first-round bye. They’ll use their bye week to rest up and get healthy. Quarterback Joe Burrow is dealing with a knee injury, and the Bengals will need him to be at full strength for the playoffs. They’ll also use their bye week to game plan for their potential playoff opponents.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys are the No. 5 seed in the NFC and will host a Wild Card game. They’ll use their bye week to rest up and get healthy. Quarterback Dak Prescott is dealing with a thumb injury, and the Cowboys will need him to be at full strength for the playoffs. They’ll also use their bye week to game plan for their potential playoff opponents.
New York Giants
The Giants are the No. 6 seed in the NFC and will host a Wild Card game. They’ll use their bye week to rest up and get healthy. Quarterback Daniel Jones is dealing with an ankle injury, and the Giants will need him to be at full strength for the playoffs. They’ll also use their bye week to game plan for their potential playoff opponents.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are the No. 7 seed in the NFC and will travel to face the No. 2 seed San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round. They’ll use their bye week to rest up and get healthy. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is dealing with a rib injury, and the Vikings will need him to be at full strength for the playoffs. They’ll also use their bye week to game plan for the 49ers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are the No. 4 seed in the NFC and will host a Wild Card game. They’ll use their bye week to rest up and get healthy. Quarterback Tom Brady is dealing with a finger injury, and the Buccaneers will need him to be at full strength for the playoffs. They’ll also use their bye week to game plan for their potential playoff opponents.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are the No. 4 seed in the AFC and will host a Wild Card game. They’ll use their bye week to rest up and get healthy. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is dealing with a toe injury, and the Jaguars will need him to be at full strength for the playoffs. They’ll also use their bye week to game plan for their potential playoff opponents.
These are just a few of the things that the nine teams that have already clinched a playoff berth will be focusing on during their bye week. The playoffs are a grind, and these teams will need to be at their best if they want to make a run to the Super Bowl.