Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Blog

NFL: One Thing We Learned About Every NFC Team In Week 17

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – APRIL 26: Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears speaks answers a question from the media during his introductory press conference at Halas Hall on April 26, 2024 in Lake Forest, Illinois. Caleb Williams was drafted first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Bears could only score a field goal at home in a game that was unwatchable. Caleb Williams threw for 122 yards but once again did not have a touchdown pass. He was sacked 7 times as the offensive line gave him very little time to throw. The Bears best player was D’Andre Swift, who had 53 yards rushing to go along with 28 yards receiving.

Seattle

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 02: Noah Fant #87 of the Seattle Seahawks scores a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Ford Field on October 02, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

This was a miserable game to watch. Seattle had a late interception to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Seattle defense was the star, as they had 7 sacks to go along with a ton of pressure on Caleb Williams. It was so bad for Seattle on offense that Noah Fant led the team in receiving with 43 yards.

Los Angeles Rams

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 10: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams hands the ball off to Kyren Williams #23 during the first quarter in the game against Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)

The Rams did not do very much offensively as Matthew Stafford threw for 189 yards and no touchdowns. Puka Nacua was the star with 10 receptions for 129 yards, and Kyren Williams rushed for 56 yards and scored a touchdown. The Rams defense was the true star as they had four sacks and two interceptions to help seal the victory.

Arizona

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 29: Trey McBride #85 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after a receiving touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at State Farm Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

After playing so poorly in the first half, the Cardinals came back and had a chance to win, but an interception in the end zone sealed the game for the Rams. Kyler Murray threw for 321 yards and one touchdown, but he also had two interceptions, including the one at the end of the game. Trey McBride finally found the end zone and had 12 receptions for 123 yards, and was the star of the game. James Conner tried to play with his injured knee, but he only had four carries for four yards.

Atlanta

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 16: Michael Penix Jr. #9 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

Michael Penix Jr. showed a ton of moxie, leading the Falcons down the field to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, throwing his first-ever TD pass to Kyle Pitts. Penix still shows growing pains, but he has an arm that can get him out of trouble and shows just enough mobility in the pocket to keep plays alive. Bijan Robinson had 90 yards and two rushing TDs. Drake London had 106 receiving yards.

Washington

Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Watching Jayden Daniels is seeing something truly special. Daniels stopped playing like a rookie months ago and is now fully engaged in trying to lead the upstart Commanders to the Super Bowl. Daniels threw for 227 yards and 3 TDs.  He also ran for 127 yards and was dominant in OT. By the way, If you don’t think the revenge narrative is a real thing, you would be sadly mistaken. Players always seem to get up to play against their old teammates. WR Olamide Zaccheaus had 8 catches for 85 yards and a TD to lead Washington.

Tampa Bay

TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 31: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

This was the best game that Tampa Bay has played all season. Baker Mayfield had 359 yards passing and five touchdowns, and Bucky Irving had 113 yards rushing and 77 yards receiving. Mike Evans inches closer to another 1000-yard season with 97 yards receiving and two touchdowns. If Tampa continues to play like this, they might be able to make a run in the playoffs.

Carolina

CHARLOTTE, NC – AUGUST 25: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers throws a touchdown pass during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Detroit Lions at Bank of America Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Carolina just couldn’t do enough offensively as Bryce Young threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdown passes went to Adam Thielen who was tremendous with 110 yards receiving. The biggest problem that Carolina has is they just don’t tackle very well on defense. Tampa was able to make some huge gains because the Panthers just arm-tackled and didn’t take the runner down at first contact.

Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 15: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The Vikings had a huge lead going into the fourth quarter but barely held on to win after letting up two late touchdowns. Sam Darnold was outstanding, throwing for 377 yards and three touchdowns. Justin Jefferson had 92 yards receiving, and Jordan Addison had 69 yards receiving and a touchdown. The Vikings will have a chance to claim the top seed in the NFC next week if they can beat Detroit.

Green Bay

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 09: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers looks on to pass against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 09, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

This game was a case of too much, too little, and too late for the Packers, who scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to lose to the Vikings by two. Jordan Love was only able to throw for 185 yards and one touchdown and missed his receivers for most of the game. Josh Jacobs led the Packers with 69 yards rushing and a touchdown. Green Bay’s inability to throw the ball downfield is their Achilles heel and will likely prevent them from going deep in the playoffs.

New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 1: Juwan Johnson #83 of the New Orleans Saints is unable to make a catch against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of a game at the Caesars Superdome on December 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)

This season needs to end quickly for the Saints, who offer nothing up offensively. Juwan Johnson had 66 yards receiving, and even worse was that the Saints defense was only able to muster up one sack against a Raiders offensive line that’s been a sieve all season long.

Philadelphia

Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Eagles played really well defensively, with two interceptions of Cooper Rush. Saquon Barkley moved closer to the rushing title as he ran 31 times for 167 yards, breaking 2000 yards for the season. He needs a little over 100 yards next week to break Eric Dickerson’s season rushing record. The best player on the field for Philadelphia was DeVonta Smith, who had 6 receptions for 120 yards and two touchdowns. When they get Smith involved in their offense, they’re a much better team.

Dallas

Rico Dowdle Dallas Cowboys
Jan 7, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) carries the ball past Washington Commanders safety Terrell Burgess (32) during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

This game started out poorly for Dallas as they had an immediate pick 6 and were playing from behind. Cooper Rush was only able to throw for 147 yards and had two interceptions. Rico Dowdle led the team with 104 yards rushing to continue his strong play.

Detroit

PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 21: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on August 21, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)

It was surprising that the Lions had all their stars playing, considering the game meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. Week 18 against the Vikings is for all the marbles. As expected, the offense played great, and the defense, with all their injuries, was terrible. The Lions won’t go far in the playoffs if they can’t stop their opponents from scoring.

San Francisco

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 11: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi’s Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)


You have to have admiration for the 49ers players. Even with them being eliminated from playoff contention, they came out on MNF and played hard for their head coach, GM, and for each other. Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall had big nights and will look to finish the season strong in week 18. 

New York Giants

Malik Nabers #9 of the New York Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 08: Malik Nabers #9 of the New York Giants runs a route during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium on August 8, 2024 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Many Giants fans are going to be upset that the team won, considering now they’ve fallen from the first overall draft pick to the third pick, but you can’t blame the team for trying to win. This was the best offensive day that they’ve had all season. QB Drew Lock threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another touchdown as well. Sensational rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers had 7 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns to lead the team.