In a highly anticipated Week 17 matchup at MetLife Stadium, the New York Giants are set to take on the Los Angeles Rams. The marquee matchup of the game will be Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald against the Giants' interior offensive line. It's no secret that Donald is one of the best defensive linemen in NFL history, and the Giants will need all hands on deck to deal with him. Guards Justin Pugh and Ben Bredeson, along with rookie center John Michael Schmitz, will have their work cut out for them.

While there have been rumblings that Donald is not the fearsome force he once was, his numbers still speak for themselves. In his 10th year in the league, Donald has six sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 21 quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus has him with 82 total pressures, which is 14 more than any other defensive tackle. Although these numbers may not be as outrageous as his 2018 season, where he recorded 20.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss, Donald is still capable of taking over a game.

The Rams enter the game on a hot streak, while the Giants are preparing to pack up for the offseason. Motivation is strongly on the side of the road team, as they have a potent passing attack led by quarterback Kyren Williams, who has already amassed 1,057 rushing yards this season. On the other hand, the Giants' offense, led by quarterback Tyrod Taylor, has struggled to find consistency regardless of who is under center.

The Giants have been grappling with their quarterback situation all season, having started three different players at the position. Meanwhile, the Rams have found success with Matthew Stafford, who continues to put up impressive numbers at 35 years old. Stafford has thrown for two or more touchdowns and has a passer rating over 100 in his last five games. The trade for Stafford has paid off for the Rams, as they won a Super Bowl in his first season with the team.

For Taylor, these last two games could be crucial for his future in the league. He is currently unsigned for the 2024 season, and a strong performance could solidify his status as a quality backup quarterback. Taylor expressed his excitement about getting back on the field, stating that there are still goals within the locker room that the team can achieve.

In another Week 17 matchup, the New York Jets will face off against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland. The highlight of this game will be the matchup between Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. Cooper had an outstanding performance in their previous game against the Texans, recording 11 catches for 265 yards and two touchdowns. He has been one of the best receivers in football for a long time, and his recent numbers have caught the attention of Jets head coach Robert Saleh.

However, Cooper may not be at 100 percent for this game, as he is listed as questionable with a heel injury. The Jets don't typically assign their corners to shadow top receivers, so it will be a group effort to contain Cooper. Gardner, who is having another spectacular season, has been targeted less than any other cornerback with at least 500 coverage snaps. He leads the league in yards after catch allowed, with just 79, and has only allowed 28 receptions and a 70.7 quarterback rating against.

This game is expected to be a matchup between two of the best defenses in the NFL. The Jets have been able to limit opposing quarterbacks to under 300 yards passing for 33 consecutive games, the longest streak in the league. However, Browns quarterback Joe Flacco, who spent time with the Jets last season, has gone over 300 yards in each of his last three starts. The Jets will need to find a way to slow him down.

The Browns will also focus on containing Jets running back Breece Hall, who has been putting up impressive numbers in his second year in the league. Hall has become a bigger part of the passing game recently, adding another dimension to the Jets' offense. The Browns' defense will look to limit his impact and make the game gritty and grimy.

One player the Jets will need to keep an eye on is Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett. Jets quarterback Trevor Siemian knows firsthand how disruptive Garrett can be, as he suffered a gruesome ankle injury when facing him in 2019. Garrett has continued to excel this season, recording 13 sacks and wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines.

In conclusion, both the Giants-Rams and Jets-Browns matchups in Week 17 promise to be exciting battles. The Giants will face the challenge of containing Aaron Donald, while the Jets will look to slow down Amari Cooper and Joe Flacco. Both games will test the defenses of the Giants and Jets, as they try to finish the season strong.