We have just one game remaining in week 17 of the NFL season. It should be a good one between the Lions and the 49ers. It is a matchup of 2 NFC teams, so with 15 games already in the books, here is a grade and breakdown for every AFC team in week 17!
Kansas City: Grade A
Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes as the Chiefs clinched the AFC’s top seed by beating the Steelers on the road. Mahomes had 320 passing yards, and Travis Kelce had eight catches for 84 yards and a touchdown. Xavier Worthy played well, too, with eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Pittsburgh: Grade C-
George Pickens had 50 yards receiving early in the game, but in the second half, the Chiefs defense clamped down on the Steelers offense, holding Russell Wilson to 205 yards passing and no touchdowns. Pittsburgh was able to run the ball effectively (202 yards rushing), but without a passing attack to complement it, the Steelers were no match for the Chiefs.
Baltimore: Grade A
Lamar Jackson loves playing this time of year as he broke the NFL quarterback career rushing record. Jackson had 87 yards rushing and a touchdown to go along with 168 yards passing and two touchdowns. Derrick Henry also had 147 yards rushing, as the Ravens seem to be playing their best football right now.
Houston: Grade F
This game was an unmitigated disaster for Houston. CJ Stroud was only able to throw for 185 yards, and the Texans rushed for 58 yards as a team. Baltimore held Nico Collins to 59 yards receiving, and Houston looks like the farthest thing from a playoff team.
Los Angeles Chargers: Grade A
Los Angeles completely dominated this game and secured a playoff spot with the route of the Patriots. Justin Herbert threw 3 touchdown passes and had 281 yards. Two of those touchdown passes went to rookie Ladd McConkey, who had eight receptions for 94 yards and looked tremendous. JK Dobbins returned to the lineup and had 76 yards rushing and a touchdown. His return is extremely important to balance out their offensive attack.
New England: Grade F
New England was in serious trouble when Drake Maye left the game when he was being diagnosed with a concussion. He returned to throw for 117 yards and a touchdown, and he also ran for 32 yards. Rhamondre Stevenson only had two carries, and I’m not even sure why they played him. Demario Douglas led the team with four receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Denver: Grade C-
Denver had a chance to win on the road and secure a playoff spot, but things got out of hand in the fourth quarter. They just didn’t throw the ball enough, only allowing Bo Nix 31 passing attempts. Nix threw for 219 yards and three touchdowns, including a long bomb to Marvin Mims, who had eight receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Had Denver challenged the Bengals secondary earlier in the game this game would have had a different result.
Cincinnati: Grade A-
The Bengals clung on to their faint playoff hopes by winning in overtime. Joe Burrow threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns and looks like an MVP candidate, even though he won’t win. Tee Higgins had 11 receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns, and Mike Gesicki had 10 receptions for 86 yards. Chase Brown left the game late with an ankle injury, but he is expected to return in Week 18.
New York Jets: Grade F
The Jets were an unmitigated disaster as they had no points through three quarters. Aaron Rodgers only threw for 112 yards and had two interceptions, and it feels like his time with the Jets is done. The only bright spot was Garrett Wilson, who had 7 receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. The Jets are a complete mess, and they need to start over.
Buffalo: Grade A
Buffalo didn’t have to do that much to win, but their defense still had four sacks and two interceptions and pressured Rodgers all game long. Josh Allen threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for another one as the Bills coasted to an easy victory at home.
Tennessee: Grade F
Tennessee can’t wait for the season to be over, as they lost their 13th game of the season. The only bright spot was Tyjae Spears, who had 95 yards rushing, but sadly, he left the game in the late third quarter with a concussion. Calvin Ridley led the receivers with 84 yards receiving.
Jacksonville: Grade B
If it wasn’t for the tremendous play of Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr. would likely be the rookie of the year. He had 7 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown and once again stood out as the best player on the field. Jacksonville’s defense also played well, pressuring Mason Rudolph and getting 3 sacks and an interception on the day.
Las Vegas: Grade A-
After having their plane get in after midnight a lot of experts thought that the Raiders were not going to show up, but their play was anything to the contrary. Aiden O’Connell threw for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Brock Bowers set two records: the first was the most receptions for a rookie, and second, the most receiving yards for a rookie tight end.
Indianapolis: Grade D
The Colts played poorly, blowing their chances at making the playoffs. There’s a good chance that this may cost GM Chris Ballard his job and maybe even head coach Shane Steichen, too. Joe Flacco threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns and Jonathan Taylor had 125 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Michael Pittman played well, with 9 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. This just goes to show how good Pittman can be when he’s got a competent quarterback throwing him the football.
Miami: Grade C
Miami hangs on to their slim playoff hopes by defeating Cleveland on the road by 17 points. Tyler Huntley ran for one touchdown and threw for another, leading the Dolphins to a victory. Tyreek Hill had one of his best games of the season, catching 9 passes for 105 yards, but this was more about Cleveland’s ineptitude on offense than it was about Miami playing particularly well.
Cleveland: Grade D-
This season seems to have gone from bad to worse for the Browns. They were only able to throw for 170 yards, and their number one running back, Jerome Ford, got injured and had to leave the game after only getting 6 carries. The lone bright spot for Cleveland on offense was Jerry Jeudy, who had 12 receptions for 94 yards. On another bright note, Myles Garrett continued his sensational season with another two sacks.
