The Baltimore Ravens are setting their sights on securing the top seed as they face off against the Miami Dolphins

Heading into the penultimate round of the NFL regular season games on New Year’s Eve, the Baltimore Ravens are poised to clinch the top seed in the AFC. With a current record of 12-3, the Ravens can secure home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a victory over their upcoming opponents, the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins, at 11-4, are also in the running for the top spot and know a win against the Ravens could set them up for a chance to clinch it in the final week.

This anticipated matchup is further heightened by the presence of two standout quarterbacks: the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa. Both teams have already secured their places in the playoffs.

Jackson, a frontrunner for the league’s Most Valuable Player, has impressive stats with 3,357 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 786 rushing yards. On the other side, Tagovailoa has had a standout season, leading the league with 4,214 passing yards and a 70.5% completion rate, alongside 26 passing touchdowns.

While Jackson’s MVP chances are bolstered by the Ravens’ challenging schedule and victories against nine teams with winning records, Tagovailoa’s performance is equally noteworthy. He has benefited from having Tyreek Hill, one of the NFL’s fastest and best receivers, contributing to Miami’s dynamic offense.

Tagovailoa, who has rebounded from a concussion-plagued season, could still outpace Jackson in the MVP race if he leads the Dolphins to victories over both the Ravens and the Buffalo Bills in the season finale.

When asked about the MVP award, Tagovailoa expressed indifference but praised Jackson’s abilities, highlighting his game-changing skills both in and out of the pocket. Jackson reciprocated the admiration, noting his respect for Tagovailoa’s game since his time at the University of Alabama.

Beyond the Ravens-Dolphins clash, the weekend is packed with crucial games. The defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, can secure a playoff spot despite a recent slump. With a 9-6 record and four losses in their last six games, a win against the Cincinnati Bengals would earn them the AFC West title.

The San Francisco 49ers are in contention for the top seed in the NFC, which they can achieve with a win against the Washington Commanders, combined with losses for Detroit and Philadelphia. The Detroit Lions face the Dallas Cowboys, while the playoff-bound Philadelphia Eagles, currently at 3-12, are expected to win against the Arizona Cardinals at home.

Lastly, the 2020 Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, can guarantee their playoff spot with a victory over the New Orleans Saints.