Week 17 featured some big-time games that will result in even higher-stakes games in Week 18. The Texans had a big win over the Chargers, the Ravens secured a huge dub against the Packers, the Eagles squeezed out a win against the Bills, and the 49ers overpowered the Bears for a huge victory. So, seeing how there is so much to be excited about, let’s start our recap.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
The Cowboys have had a rough season, but at times, they have looked promising – and this win against Washington was one of those instances. Dak Prescott threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, as Dallas won 30-23. The Cowboys move up to 7-8-1, while the Commanders drop to 4-12.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings can’t make the playoffs, but that won’t stop them from playing spoiler and attempting to avoid finishing last in the NFC North. They did both of those things when they beat the Lions, 23-10. Minnesota had two rushing touchdowns to power them to the victory. Both teams are 8-8 after this game, as a disappointing season for the Lions eliminates them from playoff contention, clinching a Packer playoff berth in the process.
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Broncos were kind of scaring us for a while, but they had a clutch touchdown and then an equally clutch defensive stand to win 20-13. Bo Nix led Denver with two total touchdowns. The Broncos rise to 13-3, and the Chiefs plummet to 6-10.
Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers
The Texans had a big game to prove just how real they are, beating the Chargers 20-16. Houston’s defense is looking really scary going into the playoffs, and they racked up five sacks plus an interception against a strong Los Angeles offense. This game brings both teams to 11-5, as the Chargers’ loss clinched the AFC West for the Broncos.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers
The Ravens had a season-saving game against the Packers when they beat them, 41-24. The Ravens have had such a strange year, as has Derrick Henry, but he locked in to keep his playoff hopes alive with 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns. This huge win carries Baltimore to 8-8, while a Jordan Love-less Green Bay team dips to 9-6-1.
New York Giants vs. Las Vegas Raiders
In the battle for the first overall pick, the Giants won in typical Giants fashion. In fact, the Raiders looked so bad, that anyone might think they were purposely tanking. The Giants looked like a solid team, regardless of who they were playing, winning 34-10. Jaxson Dart had 207 passing yards and rushed for two touchdowns in the win. New York’s victory makes their record 3-13. and Las Vegas’s record 2-14.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Bengals crushed the Cardinals 37-14, as Joe Burrow threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Chase Brown also rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns for the Bengals. Cincinnati rises to 6-10, but Arizona sinks to 3-13.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This game was a must-win for the Steelers, but the Browns had other plans. Their defense kept Pittsburgh to two field goals in the 13-6 win for Cleveland. This win makes next-week’s game against Baltimore a must-win for the Steelers. The Browns bump their record up to 4-12, while the Steelers fall to 9-7. Myles Garrett has one more chance to break the NFL single-season sack record against the Bengals next week.
New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans
Despite having a rough year, the Saints appear to have found something in Tyler Shough, as he leads them to another win. Shough threw for 333 yards and two touchdowns in the 34-26 victory. New Orleans improves to 6-10, while the Titans descend to 3-13.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Jaguars haven’t clinched the AFC South yet, but they appear likely to, as they continue to play elite football. This time, they beat the Colts, 23-17. Trevor Lawrence ran for two touchdowns, as he led the Jaguars to another win. Indianapolis has been straight awful over the last seven weeks, dropping down to 8-8. Jacksonville, however, climbed to 12-4.
Miami Dolphins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It seems like the Bucs don’t even want the playoff spot that is basically being given to them, seeing how they lost to the Dolphins and their rookie QB, Quinn Ewers. The Dolphins snagged this win, 20-17. Miami and Tampa Bay are both 7-9 after this game.
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
Drake Maye might have secured his MVP award after a beautiful performance where he threw for 256 yards and five touchdowns. The Patriots won this game 42-10, as they jump to 13-3, while the Jets drop to 3-13.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers
The game was pretty uneventful in the first half, but the Seahawks scored 24 points in the second half to take control and ultimately win 27-10. Zach Charbonnet had a big game, rushing for 110 yards and two touchdowns. The victory brings Seattle to 13-3, and Carolina to 8-8.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Buffalo Bills
In what was mostly a defensive game, the Bills had a chance to win this one. They scored a touchdown to bring it within one, then Josh Allen missed an open Khalil Shakir on the two-point conversion, as the Eagles won 13-12. This win is a huge morale booster for Philadelphia, who have struggled mightily at different points this year, and Buffalo really needed this one but instead become 11-5, the same record as the Eagles.
Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have looked like the best team in the NFC the way they have been playing recently. They took down an elite Bears team in wild fashion, 42-38. Brock Purdy had 303 passing yards and five total touchdowns, including one with under three minutes remaining. Then, when it was needed most, the San Francisco defense got a big stop to win it. The 49ers improve to 12-4, and Chicago falls to 11-5.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have had a rough year, but the one sure thing has been that Bijan Robinson has always been great. He had 229 total yards and two total touchdowns in the 27-24 win. The Rams, who seemed like the best in the NFL, now have lost two straight and will be one of the highest seeds in the NFC. Los Angeles drops to 11-5, and Atlanta looks to play spoiler next week by jumping to 7-9.
The shape of the playoffs is still not set in stone, as games in Week 18 will decide many things. In the AFC, the Patriots and Broncos will fight for the top overall seed. The Ravens and the Steelers will play to see who wins the AFC North and makes the playoffs. The Jaguars will look to secure the AFC South, while the Bills, Chargers, and Texans all play to try and get a better seeding. In the NFC, the Seahawks vs. 49ers matchup will decide the #1 Seed. The Panthers and Bucs will clash to see who wins the NFC South. The Bears, Packers, Eagles, and Rams will all be fighting for higher seeds.
A few games to watch next week include:
Panthers vs. Buccaneers
Seahawks vs. 49ers
Chargers vs. Broncos
Ravens vs. Steelers
