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NFL Nation, ESPNDec 28, 2024, 09:54 PM ET
A vital Week 17 started with a pair of video games on Christmas Day, because the Kansas City Chiefs took down the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens gained on the Houston Texans to change the complexion of the AFC North race. On Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks moved highway groups to 3-0 on the week by taking down the Chicago Bears, retaining Seattle in play for the NFC West title and a playoff berth.
Saturday’s tripleheader kicked off with the Los Angeles Chargers punching their playoff ticket with a straightforward win over the New England Patriots, then continued when the Cincinnati Bengals picked up an extra time victory over the Denver Broncos to remain alive within the AFC playoff race.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every recreation and detailing every thing else it is advisable to know for each workforce. Let’s get to it.
Soar to:
KC-PIT | BAL-HOU | SEA-CHI
LAC-NE | DEN-CIN
Cincinnati 30, Denver 24 (OT)
Did Tee Higgins play his final recreation in Cincinnati? Maybe. Along with his contract up after this season, Higgins is about to be a free agent. And after the sport, he acknowledged that Saturday may have been his remaining recreation at Paycor Stadium, with no residence video games on the docket no matter whether or not the Bengals make the playoffs or not. However after catching 11 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns, Higgins confirmed why his companies will probably be coveted across the league in 2025.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Absolute chaos. Cincinnati blew two probabilities to win the sport late however did not squander the third to maintain its playoff probabilities alive heading into Week 18.
Most stunning efficiency: Cincinnati’s protection, which has been scrutinized all season, had an enormous efficiency. Even after Cincinnati blew a possible game-winning subject purpose try in extra time, the Bengals bought a three-and-out, giving the offense sufficient time to return down the sector for Higgins’ third and remaining landing of the evening. — Ben Child
Subsequent recreation: at Steelers (Jan. 5, TBD)
Broncos
Can the Broncos bounce again and win a make-or-break recreation for a playoff spot? Going into the Week 16 contest with the Chargers, the Broncos had three video games to get the one win they wanted to make the playoffs. After losses to the Chargers and Saturday in opposition to the Bengals, Denver should win the regular-season finale in opposition to the Chiefs to get the tenth victory they should clinch a postseason spot. The Broncos have been a downcast group after Saturday’s loss, conscious of how a lot respiratory room they’ve let slip away. The Chiefs would possibly relaxation gamers after clinching the AFC’s No. 1 seed Christmas Day, however the Broncos should beat their nemesis to finish an eight-year playoff drought.
Early prediction for subsequent week: The Chiefs will take a look at cornerback Riley Moss. Such is life for the man reverse of Pat Surtain II, and Moss was principally as much as the problem earlier than struggling a knee damage final month. However Moss discovered himself squarely within the sights of Joe Burrow time and again in his first recreation again. Moss had struggles in opposition to Bengals receiver Tee Higgins and should put together to be the main focus of the Chiefs’ passing assault subsequent week.
What we discovered in regards to the QB immediately: Bo Nix has found how totally opposing defenses can regulate to a quarterback in-season. He has discovered it more and more troublesome to get to throws in the midst of the sector and did not have a completion longer than 16 yards Saturday till his 51-yard landing throw to Marvin Mims Jr. with 8:48 to play. However Nix did overcome an interception late within the fourth quarter to throw a game-tying landing move to Mims, one among three he threw Saturday. — Jeff Legwold
Subsequent recreation: vs. Chiefs (Jan. 5, TBD)
L.A. Chargers 40, New England 7
Chargers
Can the Chargers make a deep playoff run? Saturday’s win mirrored a workforce geared up to win playoff video games. The Chargers’ mixture of dashing and Justin Herbert‘s passing prowess made for a blowout win in opposition to a foul Patriots workforce. The problem for the Chargers is re-creating that formulation in opposition to successful opponents. The Chargers can nonetheless safe a better playoff seed with a win over the Raiders and a Steelers loss subsequent week. In that situation, the Chargers would have a first-round matchup in opposition to the Houston Texans, who’ve misplaced three of their previous 5 video games.
Most stunning efficiency: Derwin James Jr. had two sacks Saturday, which introduced him to a career-high 5.5 this season. After one among James’ worst seasons in 2023, Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has James enjoying like one of many league’s finest once more. Saturday’s recreation was one among his most dominant performances of 2024.
What we discovered in regards to the QB on Saturday: With out strain, it’s almost not possible to cease Herbert. The Patriots pressured him on solely six of his 40 dropbacks (15%), the fifth-lowest strain price of his profession. When Herbert was not pressured, he made the Patriots pay, ending 23-for-32 with 257 yards and three touchdowns. — Kris Rhim
Subsequent recreation: at Raiders (Jan. 5, TBD)
Patriots
What does the loss say about first-year head coach Jerod Mayo and the course of the franchise? Nothing good. The three-13 Patriots performed the AFC East champion Payments robust final week, so their hope was to construct on it and supply some stage of optimism heading into the offseason. As an alternative, they have been dominated from the outset — of their residence stadium, which was possibly a bit greater than half full. When a workforce endures a season like this, there are sometimes important modifications in consequence. Proprietor Robert Kraft has some vital selections to make about Mayo, the teaching workers and vp of participant personnel Eliot Wolf and his workers.
Describe the sport in two phrases: No cost. The Patriots ran 15 offensive performs within the first half, tied for the fewest by any workforce in a primary half previously 5 seasons — a mirrored image of how they have been outclassed from the beginning.
Eye-popping stat: Along with his 36-yard landing strike to receiver DeMario Douglas, Drake Maye now has three landing passes this season of at the least 35 air yards, essentially the most such landing passes by a Patriots quarterback since Tom Brady had three in 2009. — Mike Reiss
Subsequent recreation: vs. Payments (Jan. 5, TBD)
Seattle 6, Chicago 3
Seahawks
Can the Seahawks beat the Rams and make the playoffs? The Seahawks did not essentially need to beat the Bears to maintain their playoff hopes alive, however they should win subsequent week in Los Angeles to have any shot at claiming the NFC West, and their dud of an offensive efficiency Thursday evening would not encourage a lot confidence they’ll. Granted, the circumstances weren’t best, with a protracted flight and a vacation condensing an already quick week. Wet situations did not assist both. However Geno Smith & Co. should be a lot better subsequent week in the event that they need to beat the Rams — they usually in all probability want Los Angeles to lose Saturday to Arizona for that Week 18 recreation to matter within the first place.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Dominant protection. The Seahawks went to work in opposition to essentially the most sacked quarterback within the NFL, with six totally different gamers combining to drop Caleb Williams seven instances. Leonard Williams and Devon Witherspoon every had three tackles for loss along with a sack, and Riq Woolen — who was benched for the opening drive final week after an unspecified violation of workforce guidelines — sealed the win by intercepting Williams’ desperation heave.
Early prediction for subsequent week: Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb can have a greater plan for pushing the ball downfield. Smith’s 3.1 air yards per try have been his fewest of the season by half a yard and fewer than half of his 7.0 common from the primary 15 video games. Chicago took away Seattle’s deep passing recreation, forcing Smith into shorter throws that required his receivers to rack up yards after the catch. — Brady Henderson
Subsequent recreation: at Rams (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)
Bears
What sparked Chicago’s worst offensive efficiency of the season? Caleb Williams and the Bears offense was, in a phrase, terrible. Williams averaged 1.3 air yards per completion, which was his lowest mark of the season, and accomplished just one move for 10 or extra yards downfield. This efficiency seemed as unhealthy as Chicago’s final 3-point output in opposition to the Patriots and featured seven drives that led to punts. There have been so many irritating moments, from one other scoreless first quarter to Chicago’s clock administration on the ultimate drive when it had an opportunity to get into subject purpose vary to ship the sport to extra time.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Exhausting watch. Chicago’s protection put its finest foot ahead in holding the Seahawks to 6 factors, however the Bears’ offense didn’t get up and match that effort. The Bears tacked on their tenth straight loss, which is tied for the longest streak in a season (2022) in franchise historical past.
Largest gap within the recreation plan: The left aspect of the offensive line was decimated by accidents to Braxton Jones and Teven Jenkins, who didn’t play in opposition to Seattle. Williams is at fault for holding onto the ball too lengthy in moments, however the porous move safety in opposition to the Seahawks’ blitz stood no likelihood. Williams was sacked seven instances, bringing his season complete to 67. — Courtney Cronin
Subsequent recreation: at Packers (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)
Baltimore 31, Houston 2
Ravens
What does this Ravens’ win imply for the AFC North? The Ravens at the moment are one win away from repeating as AFC North champions. Baltimore holds a one-game lead over the Steelers, who misplaced to the Chiefs on Wednesday. The Ravens finish the common season at residence in opposition to the last-place Cleveland Browns subsequent week. With Lamar Jackson placing collectively one other NFL MVP-caliber season and a protection that has dominated not too long ago, the Ravens not solely appear to be the workforce to beat within the division however seem as if they are going to be a serious drive within the AFC playoffs.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Complete domination. Jackson and Derrick Henry mixed for 234 yards dashing, and the Ravens’ protection would have recorded its first shutout since 2018 if not for Henry being tackled in the long run zone for a security. Baltimore outgained Houston 432-210, which was the Ravens’ second-largest margin in complete yards over the previous 4 seasons. The 2 factors allowed are the fewest by any workforce on Christmas since Tennessee beat Dallas 31-0 in 2000.
Eye-popping stat: Jackson reached a most velocity of 21.25 mph on his 48-yard landing run within the third quarter. In keeping with Subsequent Gen Stats, that is the very best high velocity of Jackson’s seven-year profession. It’s the second-fastest max velocity by a quarterback this season, rating solely behind Arizona’s Kyler Murray (21.27 mph). — Jamison Hensley
Subsequent recreation: vs. Browns (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)
Texans
Can this Houston workforce win within the playoffs? As a result of the Texans gained the AFC South, they’re going to host a playoff recreation. However proper now Houston would not look primed to make a playoff run. Towards successful groups, the Texans are 1-5, and shedding to the Ravens within the vogue they did provides little indication they will compete with one of the best of one of the best.
Most stunning efficiency: The line of defense. The Texans sacked quarterback Lamar Jackson solely as soon as and allowed the Ravens to hurry for 251 yards. Defensive ends and stalwarts Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. mixed for 0.5 sacks.
Early prediction for subsequent week: Texans starters play solely 1 / 4 in opposition to the Tennessee Titans. Houston is locked into the No. 4 seed, so there’s little incentive for them to play starters for lengthy in Week 18. Risking vital gamers getting harm is not price it, particularly when security Jimmie Ward, nickel Jalen Pitre, and receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell are already out for the season. — DJ Bien-Aime
Subsequent recreation: at Titans (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)
Kansas City 29, Pittsburgh 10
Chiefs
Because the AFC’s high seed, ought to the Chiefs sit key gamers subsequent week? Positively. That is significantly true for gamers with accidents, like Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones. The Chiefs ought to broaden the record of resting gamers as a lot as attainable to incorporate Xavier Worthy and others. These gamers can have an prolonged break as a result of the Chiefs can even get a first-round playoff bye, however coach Andy Reid might want to discover a approach to maintain them sharp.
What we discovered in regards to the QB on Wednesday: It has been a protracted wait however Mahomes can nonetheless full the lengthy ball. Mahomes’ 49-yard move to Justin Watson within the first quarter traveled 40 yards within the air, making it his second longest such move of the season. His TD to Worthy in Week 4 in opposition to the Chargers went 54 yards within the air.
Most stunning efficiency: Mike Danna took benefit of expanded enjoying time within the absence of Jones to have a giant pass-rushing recreation. Danna, who entered with 1.5 sacks this season, had two extra in opposition to Russell Wilson. The Chiefs sacked Wilson 5 instances. — Adam Teicher
Subsequent recreation: at Broncos (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)
Steelers
Are the Steelers able to making noise within the postseason? Regardless of three consecutive losses, the Steelers are nonetheless postseason-bound. However the struggles which have plagued this workforce throughout this stretch have all however erased any chance of them being a contender. The once-stout protection is not creating the takeaways or getting off the sector, and Russell Wilson is enjoying extra just like the Wilson that struggled in his first season in Denver than the one who gained 5 of his first six begins in Pittsburgh.
Describe the sport in two phrases: Revealing loss. With a lift from the return of a number of key gamers, the Steelers had an opportunity to proper the ship — or at the least begin turning it round — in opposition to a troublesome workforce enjoying with out its finest defender in Chris Jones. As an alternative, they took on extra water in a blowout loss and do not look like a workforce able to making noise within the playoffs.
What we discovered in regards to the QB on Wednesday: The clock may be near hanging midnight. Wilson held on to the ball too lengthy at instances, contributing to a season-high 5 sacks. He additionally had his second pink zone turnover in as many weeks, this time on an interception in the long run zone. However regardless of his miscues, Wilson nonetheless confirmed flashes of brilliance — it was simply too inconsistent to make up the distinction. — Brooke Pryor
Subsequent recreation: vs. Bengals (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)
