NFL Week 17 Takeaways: Updated Playoff Standings, Biggest Storylines for Every Team
In Week 17, one team made a strong statement that brought clarity to the NFL hierarchy and MVP discussion while another squad that started the 2023 season as a Super Bowl contender finished the year on a downward spiral.
Early Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a blowout win over the Miami Dolphins. They left no questions as to who the hottest team in the league is as we look toward the postseason.
Meanwhile, AFC South clubs in the playoff hunt bounced back after a rough Week 16, which will create a lot of drama in the season-finale division matchups.
In the NFC, one team has fallen far from grace at a crucial point in the season, and another squad may catch lightning in a bottle for the second time in three years.
Bleacher Report analysts Brent Sobleski and Moe Moton will dig into the biggest takeaways with a look at what these outcomes mean for each team.
AFC Playoff Picture
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Teams that have clinched postseason berth (X). All teams updated through completed games.
Current AFC Playoff Standings
1. Baltimore Ravens (13-3) - X
2. Miami Dolphins (11-5) - X
3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-6) - X
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-7)
5. Cleveland Browns (11-5) - X
6. Buffalo Bills (10-6)
7. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
In the Hunt
8. Houston Texans (9-7)
9. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)
Eliminated: New England Patriots (4-12), Los Angeles Chargers (5-11), Tennessee Titans (5-11), New York Jets (6-10), Las Vegas Raiders (7-9), Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), Denver Broncos (8-8)
Week 18 Matchups That Could Have Biggest Impact on Standings:
· Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
· Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
· Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
Best Potential First-Round Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills
NFC Playoff Picture
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Teams that have clinched postseason berth (X). All teams updated through completed games.
Current NFC Playoff Standings
1. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) - X
2. Dallas Cowboys (11-5) - X
3. Detroit Lions (11-5) - X
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
5. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) - X
6. Los Angeles Rams (9-7) - X
7. Green Bay Packers (8-8)
In the Hunt
8. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
9. New Orleans Saints (8-8)
10. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
11. Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Eliminated: Carolina Panthers (2-14), Arizona Cardinals (4-12), Washington Commanders (4-12), New York Giants (5-11), Chicago Bears (7-9)
Week 17 Matchups That Could Have Biggest Impact on Standings:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
- Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
- Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
Best Potential First-Round Matchup: Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills
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Buffalo Bills Work The Way Toward Potential AFC East Crown
Thanks to four straight wins and the Miami Dolphins faltering Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, the Buffalo Bills now find themselves in a position to win their fourth straight AFC East title.
Buffalo's 27-21 victory over the New England Patriots may have been sloppy—300 or fewer passing yards by both teams, five total turnovers and a special teams touchdown allowed—but the result is all that matters at this juncture.
The Bills will travel to Miami later this week and face the Dolphins in a winner-take-all matchup for the division.
"Wouldn't have it any other way—it'll be a great test for us," Miami defensive line Christian Wilkins said after his team's loss.
Yes, it will be, since the Bills won the previous meeting by four touchdowns, and they're now playing better than they were earlier in the season. Considering the Dolphins have struggled against premium competition, the division should be considered Buffalo's to lose as the matchup approaches.
New England Patriots Are a Bad Football Team With Plenty to Address After Season
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gets the benefit of the doubt, because he's earned it by building arguably the greatest dynasty in NFL history. But that time is coming to an end.
The current iteration of the Patriots is a mistake-prone squad that lacks the ability to execute with any consistency and remains devoid of talent throughout the roster.
Bailey Zappe's opportunity to lead the offense provided another example of how bad things currently are for the now-failing franchise. Zappe threw three interceptions Sunday against the Bills. It's clear he's not the answer. But the Patriots don't have a solution at the game's most important position.
"We're playing good; we just don't put two halves together for our offense to execute together," Zappe said after New England's latest loss.
The Patriots are staring down a four-win campaign. It will be the lowest win total of Belichick's head coaching career, even dating back to his days with the Cleveland Browns. Massive changes are forthcoming, starting at quarterback and maybe extending to the head coach.
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Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
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Jacksonville Jaguars Lean on Defense With QB Trevor Lawrence Out of Lineup
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence desperately didn't want to miss a game for the first time in his football career, but his current shoulder injury prevented him from taking the field. No problem. With C.J. Beathard in the lineup as the starting quarterback, the Jaguars defense dominated the Carolina Panthers.
During Sunday's 26-0 victory, the Jaguars allowed only 124 yards and one third-down conversion while generating six sacks, including three from edge-rusher Josh Allen.
Allen's performance deserves praise, since he set a Jaguars franchise record with 16.5 sacks this season.
"I couldn't do it by myself," the 26-year-old said when reporters asked about the new franchise figure. "[Travon Walker] has nine sacks on the year so far. ... It's a testament to us working and battling each other."
Obviously, the Panthers are a team in disarray. As a division leader, Jacksonville should have dominated. However, a team can be disrupted without its starting quarterback in the lineup.
Beathard didn't make any mistakes, though. The defense came to play, and the Jaguars still hold an edge for the AFC South crown.
Carolina Panthers' Embarrassing Effort Encapsulates Entire Lost Season
The Panthers couldn't have had a worse day if they tried.
Obviously, everything starts with the loss to the Jaguars. In defeat, Carolina secured the No. 1 overall spot in the 2024 NFL draft...for the Chicago Bears. The offense led by the supposed franchise quarterback Carolina acquired in its trade with Chicago threw for 67 total yards. Oh, and Panthers owner David Tepper (allegedly) threw a drink on a Jaguars fan out of frustration.
Every move the Panthers made from the start of this past offseason until now appears to have been a mistake, and they're far worse now than they were at the same point last year.
Tepper and his staff must channel their inner Rocky IV, because there's no easy way out. There's no shortcut home. The Panthers are stuck, and they must overcome all the decisions that led to this point. They must fight to make sure Bryce Young's career doesn't go in the tank.
The previous statement may seem hyperbolic, but bad situations ruin talented quarterback prospects all of the time. Sunday's effort showed how bad it's gotten in Carolina. The Panthers need to bring in a head coach who can right this sinking ship.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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New Orleans Saints Take Care of Business, Open Door Toward Division Title
At 5-7 coming off three straight losses and seemingly experiencing issues with veteran quarterback Derek Carr, the New Orleans Saints began their turnaround. They're now 8-8 following Sunday's 23-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and they have a legitimate shot to claim a division title for the first time since Drew Brees retired.
"They hit us in the mouth, and we never fought back," Buccaneers running back Rachaad White said after the contest.
New Orleans didn't come out of the game unscathed, though. Running back Alvin Kamara suffered a sprained ankle. His status will be closely watched as the Saints prepare for their regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons.
Clearly, Tampa Bay still has the inside track to a division title since they own tiebreakers and face the Carolina Panthers in Week 18. If something unexpected happens, though, the winner of the Saints and Falcons take the division.
To the Saints' credit, the season could have gone off the rails. It didn't. They played well enough down the stretch to be in the hunt. It speaks well of head coach Dennis Allen, who secured his first eight-win campaign, and his staff.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Still Have Everything In Front of Them
The Buccaneers disappointed and played poorly when they had a chance to take control of the NFC South and their postseason destiny. But all is not lost.
As noted, a win next week will send the Bucs to the postseason, where Tampa Bay will host a playoff game. However, Sunday's performance can't linger, because a trap game lies in wait.
"It didn't matter who we played today," Bowles said of his team's latest effort. "A good team. A bad team. A college team. A high school team. We wouldn't have won today."
The Panthers can play spoiler and enjoy ruining a rival's season with a win against the Buccaneers. Carolina did hold a three-point, third-quarter lead when these two squads faced one another last time.
Tampa Bay must simply shake off a bad performance, quickly put it in the past and go win a game it's supposed to win. A victory ensures a third straight division title.
Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears
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Chicago Bears Win and Claim No. 1 Overall Pick for the 2024 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears have won four of their past five games. Sunday's 37-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons was arguably the team's best performance of the season. Matt Eberflus' squad improved to 7-9 overall. The Bears are trending in the right direction, but the biggest occurrence happened away from Soldier Field.
The Carolina Panthers' shutout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars officially slotted the No. 1 overall draft pick to Chicago thanks to the Bryce Young trade.
A strong finish to the regular season coupled with significant assets in the upcoming draft creates a bright future in the Windy City.
A major decision still needs to be made regarding Justin Fields' long-term status with the team. But the path seems relatively clear. Chicago should pick up Fields' fifth-year rookie option this offseason, leverage the No. 1 overall again for further assets, use two first-round picks to build the roster around its current quarterback and continue on an ascending trajectory.
Everyone in the Bears organization should be ecstatic right now.
Atlanta Falcons Mired in Mediocrity With No Clear Path Toward Prosperity
With Sunday's loss to the Bears, the Falcons are stuck on seven wins again. If Atlanta loses next weekend to the New Orleans Saints, it'll finish with a 7-10 record for the third straight campaign. The time span also stretches across the entire time Arthur Smith has been the franchise's head coach.
Granted, the Falcons haven't had a reliable or consistent presence behind center since Smith joined the organization. At the same time, the franchise chose to move forward with the likes of Desmond Ridder and now Taylor Heinicke as its starting quarterbacks.
Atlanta took the opposite approach of Sunday's opponent and built up the surrounding cast without acquiring a potential franchise option behind center. Owner Arthur Blank must decide whether he's comfortable with Smith leading the way or if a fresh start is necessary.
More importantly, the Falcons fell short in arguably the NFL's weakest division. They've finished third or fourth in the NFC South each of the past two seasons, and the latest outcome eliminated them from playoff contention.
Quarterback is important, of course, but the Falcons must make the right decisions this offseason to ensure whoever comes into the situation will be placed in a position to succeed.
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
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C.J. Stroud Isn't the Only Centerpiece the Houston Texans Acquired in 2023 NFL Draft
The Houston Texans received some backlash when they traded up in the 2023 NFL draft to select Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. with the third pick after choosing quarterback C.J. Stroud second overall.
Stroud has been exceptional this season, carving out an inside track on becoming the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. His play helped elevate a once-moribund franchise and provided hope at the game's most important position.
Anderson hasn't received the same level of recognition, but he's played like a defensive centerpiece worthy of the pick package Houston gave up to get him. During Sunday's 26-3 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Anderson secured two sacks. In doing so, he set a Texans franchise rookie record with seven.
Going into the contest, Anderson had already created as much or more pressure than any other rookie defender. But the pressures are now resulting in actual production.
His play is even more impressive considering the edge defender has dealt with an ankle injury.
"Off the field, this week was one of the biggest challenges I faced as an NFL player," Anderson told reporters. "It's just about being a pro and learning how to be a pro."
At 9-7 and in the playoff hunt, the Texans don't seem like they gave up too much for their standout rookie defender, since the first-round pick they sent to the Arizona Cardinals currently sits at the 18th slot.
Tennessee Titans Still Don't Know What They Have in Rookie QB Will Levis
The Titans turned to second-round rookie Will Levis after their bye, in part, to evaluate what they have at the quarterback position. The situation behind center is no clearer today than it was at the time.
The initial return was phenomenal, with Levis throwing four touchdowns in a victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The next seven games didn't go nearly as well, as the first-year signal-caller posted a four-to-four touchdown-to-interception ration. Then, injuries hit.
A rolled-up ankle caused Levis to miss the past two contests. He then suffered a foot injury and didn't return during Sunday's loss to Texans.
"We'll see how it is," head coach Mike Vrabel said of Levis after the game. "I don't think it is anything that is going to be too, too serious. He couldn't finish the game. So, we'll see where things are tomorrow."
Answers are needed. The Titans should like some of the things they've seen from Levis. At the same time, his performance hasn't closed the door on considering the acquisition of another quarterback this offseason if a quality option becomes available.
Miami Dolphins at Baltimore Ravens
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Baltimore Ravens Are Kings of North, Best AFC Has to Offer
The Baltimore Ravens are the NFL's best team. They cliched their first AFC North title since 2019 thanks to Sunday's 56-19 dismantling of the Miami Dolphins. The Ravens aren't just winning; they're dominating.
Since Baltimore's Week 13 bye, Lamar Jackson and Co. are 4-0 with a plus-73 point differential. It's an impressive stretch unto itself. The opposition makes it even more so. Over the past four games, the Ravens beat four teams currently slotted into playoff spots, including the AFC's second seed and NFC's top squad.
Two aspects of this streak are vitally important when projecting postseason success.
First, champions needs to peak at the right time. The Ravens are playing as well now as they have at any point this season. They can rest their starters next weekend. They've already earned a first-round bye. They'll be as healthy and ready as possible once the season is officially on the line.
Second, others are stepping up to replace critical, albeit injured, offensive components. Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews is on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Isaiah Likely caught two touchdowns passes Sunday. Rookie running back Keaton Mitchell suffered at torn ACL in Week 15. Justice Hill provided 114 yards from scrimmage against the Dolphins.
No one should want to play the Ravens right now, because they're rolling.
Key Miami Dolphins Defender Lost To Injury During Blowout Loss to Ravens
For some unknown reason, the Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb was still on the field while Miami trailed by 30 in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the Dolphins' best defender suffered an injury and needed to be carted off the field.
"Bradley Chubb is a warrior," teammate Christian Wilkins told reporters after the game. "I hate to see it. My thoughts and prayers were with him."
The Dolphins' reactions to the injury indicate something severe, though no official confirmation of the extent has been revealed.
Chubb's potential loss for an extended period could be devastating for Miami's playoff hopes. The two-time Pro Bowl selection had been playing as well as he had at any point in his career, with 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles during the previous two contests.
To make matters worse, veteran cornerback Xavien Howard also suffered a foot injury before being ruled out of the game.
Miami is banged up on defense. Chubb and Howard are key contributors at premium positions. The Dolphins have questions about how they play against top competition. Those concerns will only grow with major injury concerns on one side of the ball.
San Francisco 49ers at Washington Commanders
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San Francisco 49ers Get Some Help From Rival, Now Rule NFC
Life is good for the San Francisco 49ers.
Kyle Shanahan's squad made the cross-country trip to the nation's capital, played during a 1 p.m. contest despite potential lag from the time-zone differential and still captured a 27-10 victory over the Washington Commanders. They took care of business after failing to do so on Christmas when facing the Baltimore Ravens.
While the 49ers polished off their win over the Commanders, the potential upset of the season occurred in Philadelphia and played in San Francisco's favor. With the Arizona Cardinals taking out the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, the 49ers officially clinched the NFC's No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
"We were all in there watching those final seconds," linebacker Fred Warner told reporters when asked about the outcome. "Thank you, Cardinals."
Despite last weekend's stumble against the AFC's best, San Francisco is built to succeed in the postseason. Shanahan's offensive scheme is arguably the league's best. The unit has playmakers everywhere, with quarterback Brock Purdy setting a 49ers record with 4,280 passing yards this season. San Francisco's defense isn't playing quite to the same level as previous years, but it still ranks among the top 10 overall.
For one day, 49ers faithful were also Cardinals fans, and the team was rewarded for handling its business—something the Eagles couldn't do.
Washington Commanders Find Themselves Playing for a Lot in Week 18
With one game left to play, the Commanders officially entered tank mode.
Sunday's loss to the 49ers placed Washington into the two-hole for the 2024 NFL draft. Considering the upcoming class is thought to feature a pair of franchise quarterback prospects in North Carolina's Drake Maye and USC's Caleb Williams, the Commanders can't risk winning in Week 18 and losing out on the kind of high-caliber quarterback prospect they've coveted for over a decade.
The franchise is almost 12 years removed from the last time it invested in an elite prospect. Robert Griffin III didn't work out as expected, but he initially sent a jolt throughout the entire franchise. The Commanders are now looking for a long-term solution.
Clearly, Sam Howell is no longer considered an option after head coach Ron Rivera decided to bench the 2022 fifth-round pick. Granted, Howell was forced back into the lineup because of hamstring injury to veteran Jacoby Brissett. Still, the team finds itself in the position it is in for a reason.
As a result, next Sunday's meeting with the Dallas Cowboys is a must-lose situation. Otherwise, the New England Patriots and/or Arizona Cardinals could leapfrog ahead of the Commanders in the draft order.
Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles
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Kyler Murray Is Still a Viable Franchise Quarterback
At 4-12, the Arizona Cardinals may finish with a top-five draft pick and have a chance to take a top-tier quarterback prospect, though Kyler Murray gave the team's brain trust something to think about when it assesses the position.
On Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, Murray had his best outing of the 2023 campaign, throwing for 232 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Sure, Murray put together a solid performance against the Eagles' subpar defense, but he did it without lead wide receiver Marquise Brown (heel). Murray spread the ball around to Greg Dortch, rookie Michael Wilson, second-year tight end Trey McBride and Rondale Moore.
If the Cardinals draft Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., the tandem could quickly become an eclectic quarterback-wide receiver duo for the long-term future.
Against the Eagles, Murray made the case that he can elevate the talent around him as a franchise player.
Eagles' Defensive Woes Will Doom Them in the Postseason
Overall, the Eagles haven't played well in December, finishing the month with a 1-4 record, and their defense has struggled for most of the season.
For the 2022 campaign, the Eagles defense ranked eighth and second in points and yards allowed, respectively. It dropped to 25th and 20th in those corresponding categories through 16 weeks this season.
Keep in mind that Philadelphia lost its defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, who's now Arizona's head coach. A couple of weeks ago, Matt Patricia took over defensive play-calling duties for Sean Desai, which suggests the team recognized a significant issue on that side of the ball.
On Sunday, without starting cornerback Darius Slay, the Eagles defensive unit gave up 29 points in the second half as the team squandered a 15-point lead.
The Eagles have the offensive firepower to score in flurries, but they haven't shown the consistency to win scoring shootouts.
Philadelphia has already locked up a playoff spot, but its loss to Arizona opens the door for the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East title, which means the Eagles may have to take their porous defense and unbalanced offense on the road. To make matters worse, wide receiver DeVonta Smith left Lincoln Financial Field on crutches.
The Eagles look like a team that's primed for a wild-card playoff exit.
Los Angeles Rams at New York Giants
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Rams Are Giving Off 2021 Late-Season Vibes
With a 26-25 win over the New York Giants, the Los Angeles Rams have won six of their past seven games following their Week 10 bye. They're arguably the most dangerous playoff-caliber team that doesn't lead its division.
Now, let's flash back to the 2021 campaign. In that year, they won five of seven contests following their Week 11 bye en route to a Super Bowl victory.
Unlike the 2021 term, the Rams struggled through the first half of the campaign, but they've gained steam after a midseason intermission thanks in part to quarterback Matthew Stafford's quality performances.
In his past five outings, Stafford has thrown for 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He won't match his 2021 passing numbers, but the Rams have a top-10 ground attack led by rising star running back Kyren Williams to balance their offense.
Going into Sunday's contest, Los Angeles ranked ninth and seventh in scoring and total yards, respectively, similar to its offensive rankings from the 2021 season.
Giants Should Move On from Darren Waller
In hindsight, the Giants' offseason trade for Darren Waller looks like a dud. He's caught 47 passes for 507 yards and one touchdown in 11 outings.
Waller has battled injuries this season, but that's part of the issue with his track record.
Since 2021, Waller has missed 19 games. At the beginning of the 2024 campaign, he'll turn 32 years old.
Typically, players don't get healthier as they age in their playing careers, and if the Giants agree with that notion, they should attempt to trade Waller. If the front office isn't able to find a trade partner, it can designate him as a post-June 1 cut and save $12 million, per Over the Cap.
Regardless, Big Blue will need to revamp its pass-catching group. In the offseason, the club could find a less expensive and more reliable player at the position in terms of availability
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts
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Colts' Physical Identity Can Help Them Fend Off Texans for Playoff Spot
The Indianapolis Colts held on to the No. 7 seed in the AFC with a 23-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and they face a tough challenge to clinch a postseason berth.
In Week 18, Indianapolis will host the Houston Texans. Both teams are 9-7, but the Colts have the head-to-head tiebreaker thanks to a 31-20 Week 2 victory over their division rivals.
Over the past three weeks, the Colts have averaged 132 rushing yards per game.
Though running back Jonathan Taylor has yet to rush for 100 yards in a contest this season, he's healthy after battling an ankle injury and undergoing thumb surgery over the past couple of months.
The Texans rank sixth against the run in total yards allowed per game, but they were tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns allowed (18) going into Week 17. If the Colts find their way into the red zone, they should be able to finish drives in the end zone on the ground.
Raiders Have the Right Head Coach, Need to Find Their Franchise Quarterback
The Raiders came up short against the Colts, and without defensive scoring, we saw how flat the offense looks for extended stretches.
Las Vegas fell behind 14-3 and didn't score its first touchdown until midway through the third quarter.
Though Aidan O'Connell's box-score numbers look decent (30-of-47 for 299 yards and two touchdowns), he didn't find his rhythm until the Raiders had to chase points in a two-score deficit.
As a rookie fourth-round pick, O'Connell looks destined for a career backup role. Because of his limited mobility, he needs a high-end offensive line to perform at his best.
Clearly, the Raiders have responded to interim head coach Antonio Pierce's coaching style. They're 4-4 with an impressive road win over the Kansas City Chiefs on his watch, but the club must find its franchise quarterback to become a legitimate playoff contender.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks
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Mike Tomlin Will Remain in Pittsburgh for the Foreseeable Future
Amid the Pittsburgh Steelers' midseason struggles, skeptics wondered if head coach Mike Tomlin's 17-year tenure with the team had finally run its course.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini heard chatter around the league about the possibility that the Steelers could trade Tomlin.
Between Weeks 11 and 15, the Steelers had not scored more than 18 points in a game, they fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada and went 1-4 in that stretch. Pittsburgh looked well on the way to its first losing season under Tomlin.
Before Week 16, the Steelers tabbed Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback, and they've now won consecutive games, scoring 30-plus points in both outings.
The Steelers could finish the campaign with a double-digit win total for the first time since 2020. Though they need help to clinch a playoff berth, Tomlin still has the ear of the guys in the locker room.
ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio believes the Steelers want to give Tomlin an extension.
Seahawks' Underachieving Scoring Offense Put Them in a Tough Spot
By the end of Sunday night, the Seattle Seahawks will be on the outside looking in at a playoff spot after their 30-23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next week, they'll need to beat the Arizona Cardinals and get a Green Bay Packers loss to reclaim the No. 7 seed.
Seattle can blame its underwhelming scoring offense for its position of needing help for a playoff berth.
The Seahawks haven't scored more than 23 points in a game since Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys. In their first meeting with the Cardinals, Seattle won 20-10.
On Sunday, Arizona topped the Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 on the road. If the Cardinals carry over their offensive production into next week, they can play spoiler and keep their division rival out of the playoffs regardless of what happens in the other NFC games.
Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos
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Broncos Have Set Up Jarrett Stidham for Revenge Game in Week 18
Even with a 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, the Denver Broncos are no longer in playoff contention.
Nonetheless, quarterback Jarrett Stidham has a two-week audition in a starting role. On Sunday, he put together a solid performance, throwing for 224 yards and a touchdown.
Next week, Stidham will play his former team, the Las Vegas Raiders. Last season, he started in two games for the Silver and Black, throwing for 656 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.
Early this week, Denver benched quarterback Russell Wilson and named Stidham its starter for the final two weeks. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Wilson has known for months that the team will "mostly likely" move on from him in the offseason.
As for now, Stidham can make a case to compete for the starting job next season. He's under contract through the 2024 campaign.
Chargers' 2023 1st-Round Pick, Quentin Johnston, Looks Like a Massive Whiff
The Seattle Seahawks started the run on rookie wide receivers on the back end of the first round of the 2023 draft. They took Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the No. 20 overall pick, and the Los Angeles Chargers acquired Quentin Johnston with the following selection (No. 21 overall pick).
Even with injuries at wide receiver, Johnston hasn't been able to consistently contribute to the Chargers' aerial attack.
Johnston isn't a Year 1 bust with 36 receptions for 414 yards and two touchdowns, but when you compare his receiving numbers to what Baltimore Ravens wideout Zay Flowers (No. 22 overall pick) and Minnesota Vikings receiver Jordan Addison (No. 23 overall pick) have done, the Chargers may regret passing on the latter two wideouts.
Johnston has played with backup quarterback Easton Stick for most of the past four weeks, but Addison lost his starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, in Week 8, and he's still a viable threat in the Vikings' passing game.
Johnston has plenty of time to develop into a lead receiver, but the Chargers likely expected more out of him with wideouts Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer all missing multiple games this season.
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
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Chiefs' Young Playmakers Are Peaking at the Right Time
All season, many have asked, "what's wrong with the Kansas City Chiefs offense?"
Well, the Chiefs lead the league in drops, and they've turned the ball over eight times since Week 13.
However, Kansas City's offense showed some promise in a 25-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals that locked the club into the No. 3 seed as AFC West champions.
Second-year running back Isiah Pacheco ran for a career-high 130 yards and caught seven passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Rookie wideout Rashee Rice caught five passes for a career-high 127 yards.
As pros, Pacheco and Rice had their most productive performances, and Kansas City will need to rely on them to make big plays in the postseason. Keep in mind that four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce has played through six consecutive outings without scoring a touchdown.
Bengals Have Found Viable Backup QB in Non-Playoff Season
Jake Browning put himself on the NFL radar with a sparkling performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 13, throwing for 354 passing yards and scoring two touchdowns.
Unfortunately for the Bengals, Browning lost some of his luster over the past four weeks, throwing for six touchdowns and five interceptions in that span.
Overall, Browning hasn't had a bad stretch, but he turned the ball over three times in a 34-11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and struggled to move the ball through the air in Sunday's 25-17 loss to the Chiefs.
In fairness to Browning, Kansas City sacked him six times; the Bengals offensive line deserves some fault for the defeat.
On the bright side, Browning has shown that he can fill in if necessary for Joe Burrow, who's missed at least six games in two of his four seasons.
The Bengals don't have to hit the panic button if Burrow goes down with an injury. Browning can rack up respectable passing numbers in big spots. He's thrown for nine touchdowns and six interceptions in eight games while completing at least 67 percent of his passes in five of his six starts.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
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Jordan Love Is Tuned Up to Do What Aaron Rodgers Failed to Accomplish Last Season
Next week, Jordan Love will play in the biggest game of his career with a chance to punch the Green Bay Packers' ticket to the playoffs.
Ironically, former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers found himself in an eerily similar situation last year when Green Bay needed to beat the Detroit Lions to claim the No. 7 seed in the NFC. At home, the Packers lost to a Lions team that hit its stride in the second half of the 2022 campaign.
In Week 18, Green Bay will host the Chicago Bears, who have won four of their past five games. The Bears have one fewer win than the Lions team that beat the Packers last year.
The Packers' playoff hopes will come full circle over the course of a year with a 25-year-old gunslinger in the pocket. This season, Love has thrown for 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a bunch of first- and second-year pass-catchers, including Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Romeo Doubs, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft.
On Sunday, in a 33-10 victory, Love lit up the Minnesota Vikings pass defense for 256 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a score as well. He seems ready to make a statement in the most important matchup of his career, a game that can get skeptics to see him as a franchise quarterback.
Vikings Will Solve a Case of Musical Chairs at Quarterback in the Offseason
After the Vikings lost quarterback Kirk Cousins (torn Achilles) for the season in Week 8, they tried to patch up the position with multiple stopgaps.
The Vikings acquired Joshua Dobbs from the Arizona Cardinals, activated Nick Mullens from injured reserve and even gave rookie fifth-rounder Jaren Hall a shot to showcase his potential, but they couldn't find a signal-caller who could move the ball through the air with consistency and stabilize the offense.
Dobbs struggled with turnovers and routine throws in the short passing game before the team benched him in Week 14. Mullens made big plays, but he turned the ball over at an alarming rate. On Sunday, against the Packers, Hall didn't look ready to run an offense, completing five out of 10 pass attempts for 67 yards and an interception in two quarters.
Minnesota has Mullens and Hall under contract through the 2024 campaign, but Cousins' contract will void in the offseason.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah must figure out if he's going to re-sign Cousins to a new deal, and if the team has adequate backups behind the 35-year-old signal-caller.
In the event the Vikings move on from Cousins, they will join several teams that will take an extensive look at a strong class of quarterback prospects.
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