Week 17 Review: Challengers Reach for Perfection
This weekend was, yet again, full of suspense, anguish and excitement for coaches, players and fans alike! It, the penultimate game week of the season, saw some memorable plays: some awe-inspiring (look for Amari Cooper’s TD reception against the Jets) and some downright perplexing (Kenny Pickett’s self pass! The Giants LOSING the number one pick by winning! And Rodgers’ first ever unnecessary roughness immediately after earning “the most sacked QB” record the previous play!) It was another pulsating week in the battle for playoff positions, retaining employment and the mouth-watering race for MVP.
Eagles Dominate Pitiful Cowboys
Saquon Barkeley rushed for 165 yards against a Cowboys that appear to have checked out: the mini revival accredited to Mike McCarthy, by Jerry Jones admittedly, has been brought down to earth by a tremendous bump. Barkley was instrumental in the dismantling of a Cowboys that waned after a decent first quarter performance. He became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for two thousand yards plus in one season: he will want to surpass total record holder Erik Dickerson next week against the team that dumped him last summer: the Giants! Barkley is 101 yards behind Dickerson. The Eagles have secured the second seed in NFC, and will play the seventh seed at home on Super Wild Card Weekend.
Eagles 41 Cowboys 7
Bills Humiliate Jets
Josh Allen strolled to win this QB battle between his indomitable Bills and the limping Jets. Allen was even happy to allow QB Two Mitchell Trubisky to enter the game during the third quarter: he had already recorded a Touchdown pass and rushing touchdown score for the 63rd game: he is now second only to Cam Newton: who has 65 games with a passing/rushing couplet recorded. The Bills’ defense ran amok! They sacked Rodgers four times and intercepted him twice: Rodgers departed the game with 568 sacks. When he surpassed Tom Brady’s record, he immediately threw one of two interceptions. He completed just 112 yards. It looked as if Rodgers’ zeal for the game had been quenched: he reportedly requested Jets’ Head Coach Jeff Ulbrich to take him out of the game. The Jets were held scoreless until Tyrod Taylor replaced Rodgers. The Bills have secured the AFC second seed. It is completely up in the air as to where Rodgers’ season and future lies! Many neutrals hope the Bills make it to February’s Super Bowl!
Bills 40 Jets 14
Mayfield Leaves Bucs Fans Salivating
Baker Mayfield threw five touchdowns and 359 yards in a stunning performance against the Panthers. The former number one pick completed nearly 85% of all passes: there is no doubt the Bucs will enter next week’s Week Eighteen game against the Saints high in confidence. Mayfield (once doubted during struggles while at the Browns, Panthers and Rams) has found a home in Tampa Bay and has flourished with Mike Evans. The Bucs have lost one in six and that loss to the Cowboys has ignited the Bucs’ charge towards the postseason! Keep an eye out for the resurgence of Mayfield and the righting of the Bucs’ ship post-Brady.
Buccaneers 48 Panthers 14
It has been a momentous weekend for teams and individuals: most notably Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. The second round pick from April’s Draft, has helped the Commanders to near the sixth seed in the NFC. The Commanders first playoff game since 2020. It is a delight to tune in each week and see young rookies or accomplished veterans putting on stunning displays of grit, determination and athleticism when the rest of us have our feet up and are gorging ourselves on festive fare! Here’s to more jaw-dropping moments of skill and athleticism during Week Eighteen!