Week 17 within the 2024 NFL Season brings us to Christmas and New 12 months. After final week’s early reward, which groups would be capable to get top-of-the-line presents round? A spot within the NFL Playoffs. So, how did the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants (amongst others) fare this week?
The Lions Keep within the NFC North Race
The Detroit Lions have been one of the best workforce all season. They arrive into week 17 with a 13-2 document, but they haven’t gained the NFC North division. That could be a reflection of how sturdy the division is. A win of their recreation in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers within the penultimate week of the season would assist them. The 49ers have had a poor season, and a win right here within the rematch of final season’s NFC Championship Recreation would give them some pleasure.
The 49ers had the opening drive of the sport and would be capable to get the sport’s opening factors from it. Ranging from their 39-yard line, the offense, led by quarterback Brock Purdy, made their manner right down to the Lions’ three-yard line. Right here, Purdy discovered Ricky Pearsall for the landing go. In response, the Lions may discover the endzone on their opening drive. The Lions’ offense, led by quarterback Jared Goff, was down on the 49ers’ three-yard line. Right here, Jameson Williams discovered the endzone for the landing. Nonetheless, the PAT was blocked.
San Francisco prolonged their lead on their subsequent drive. Purdy discovered Kyle Juszczyk for the landing go down on the Lions’ nine-yard line. Similar to their following drive, Detroit was capable of finding the endzone, however in a novel manner. On the 49ers’ 42-yard line, Goff threw a one-yard go to Amon-Ra St Brown. Brown then threw a lateral go to Williams, who discovered the endzone for a 41-yard speeding landing. However, the 49ers additional prolonged their lead on the subsequent drive, with Purdy scrambling for a nine-yard speeding landing.
Embed from Getty Photographs
Detroit would attempt to match San Francisco, however they might fail on a fourth-down conversion on the opponents’ eight-yard line. Issues would additionally not be excellent for the 49ers, as kicker Jake Moody failed his 51-yard subject purpose try simply earlier than the half.
This meant that at halftime, the 49ers had a 21-13 lead over the Lions
The Lions had the second half’s opening drive and would be capable to degree the scores. Ranging from their 34-yard line, the Goff-led offense went right down to the 49ers’ six-yard line. From right here, he discovered Sam LaPorta for the landing go. The Lions then tried a two-point conversion try, which was profitable. This tied the scores at 21-21.
However this tie didn’t final lengthy, as Purdy discovered Deebo Samuel for a five-yard landing go to provide the 49ers the lead again. In response, Lions’ kicker Jake Bates kicked a 57-yard subject purpose to maintain Detroit inside one rating.
Then, the 49ers, who’ve been near-perfect all through the sport, make a mistake. The Lions intercepted Purdy’s deep go from the 50-yard line. This proved expensive, as Goff and firm went right down to the four-yard line. From right here, he discovered St Brown for the landing go, which gave the Lions their first lead because the groups entered the fourth quarter.
Issues obtained worse for San Francisco quickly after. Their subject purpose try from 58 yards out missed. To additional condemn their distress, the Lions prolonged their lead with a profitable subject purpose from 42 yards out. Then, Purdy threw one other interception, which Detroit may once more convert right into a landing, with Jahmyr Gibbs discovering the endzone from 30 yards out to place the win out of attain for the 49ers.
Embed from Getty Photographs
Nonetheless, they scored a comfort landing to finish the sport, with Joshua Dobbs discovering the endzone for a seven-yard speeding landing. However, it could not be sufficient, and the Detroit Lions would document a 40-34 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
This win helps the Lions of their race for the primary seed within the NFC and the NFC North title, as they enhance to 14-2 on the season. The poor season for the 49ers continues, as they fall to 6-10.
Subsequent week, the 49ers finish their season in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals, whereas the Lions face the Minnesota Vikings in what could possibly be a title decider, relying on how they fared of their recreation this week. Let’s take a look, lets…
A Decider is Set Up!
Just like the Lions, the Minnesota Vikings have had a unbelievable season. However no one anticipated this at first of the season when Sam Darnold, who struggled together with his earlier groups, was introduced because the starter, changing the injured rookie prospect J.J. McCarthy. Darnold has led this workforce to the 13-2 document coming into this recreation, preserving them within the race. This week, they confronted the Inexperienced Bay Packers, who will probably be a wildcard workforce alongside one among their NFC North rivals.
The Packers had the opening drive of the sport however made the primary mistake of the sport. On the Vikings’ 48-yard line, Josh Jacobs fumbled the ball, which the Vikings’ protection recovered. Fortunately for Inexperienced Bay, the Vikings couldn’t do something with this new possession.
Close to the top of the primary quarter, the Packers had been in a position to get the sport’s opening factors. Quarterback Jordan Love introduced his workforce right down to the Vikings’ four-yard line. However they might get no additional. This arrange kicker Brandon McManus with a 22-yard subject purpose try, which he was profitable with.
Embed from Getty Photographs
However, this lead didn’t final lengthy. On the next drive, Darnold moved the Vikings’ offense right down to the Packers’ 31-yard line. Right here, he discovered Jalen Nailor for the landing go. Minnesota was in a position to prolong their lead on their subsequent drive when kicker Will Reichard discovered the uprights from 25 yards out. Reichard may do it once more, from 50 yards out on the stroke to halftime, to additional add to the Vikings’ lead.
This meant that the Vikings had a 13-3 lead over the Packers at halftime.
Minnesota would be capable to prolong their lead on the opening drive of the second half. Ranging from their 30-yard line, Darnold and firm had been in a position to make their manner right down to the Packers’ 18-yard line. Right here, he discovered Jordan Addison for the landing go.
However, on their subsequent drive, the Vikings made a mistake. Darnold’s deep go was intercepted by the Packers’ protection, who would be capable to return the ball right down to the Vikings’ 18-yard line.
This error would show expensive for the Vikings, because the Packers took benefit of the small subject to get them again into the sport. The drive ended with Jacobs discovering the endzone from two yards out.
In response, Minnesota would make their lead bigger when Darnold discovered Cam Akers for a nine-yard landing go. This gave them a 17-point lead because the groups entered the ultimate quarter.
Embed from Getty Photographs
Inexperienced Bay may make it an eight-point recreation in the midst of the ultimate quarter. Em Wilson would discover the endzone for the speeding landing from the Vikings’ five-yard line. They then tried a two-point conversion, which was profitable. With time operating out, Inexperienced Bay must do that once more on their remaining drive of the sport to maintain them in rivalry for the win.
The drive began on their 38-yard line with round 4 minutes left. The Love lead offense shortly made their manner right down to the Vikings’ three-yard line. Right here, Love discovered Malik Heath for the landing go. Inexperienced Bay then determined to take the PAT try, which McManus was profitable with. This made it a two-point recreation, with two minutes left to play. Inexperienced Bay wanted to regain the ball.
This was one thing that they had been unable to do, because the Vikings held on for the remaining time left.
This meant the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Inexperienced Bay Packers 27-25.
The Vikings win units up an enormous recreation subsequent week. The Vikings face the Lions, with each groups tied on 14-2. The winner will get the NFC North title and the primary seed within the NFC. The loser would be the first 14-win workforce to play within the wildcard spherical of the playoffs.
As for Inexperienced Bay, they fall to 11-5 and have claimed a playoff spot. They finish their common season in opposition to the Chicago Bears.
The Giants Lock in for the Win
What may be stated that I’ve not been saying all yr concerning the New York Giants? It hasn’t been nice for the workforce this yr. Nonetheless, a silver lining for that is that they arrive into this week with a 2-13 document, also called the worst document within the league. This places them within the driving seat for the primary choose of the 2025 NFL Draft. This week, they confronted the Indianapolis Colts, who knew a win would maintain them within the playoff hunt.
The Colts had the sport’s first possession, but it surely didn’t finish effectively for them. The Colts offense, led by Joe Flacco, made their manner right down to the Giants’ 29-yard line. Right here, a mistake would occur. Flacco’s deep go was intercepted by the Giants offense. Fortunately for the Colts, New York couldn’t do something with their new possession and shortly punted the ball again to them.
Indianapolis could be extra profitable on their subsequent drive. The offense went right down to the Giants’ 13-yard line, however they might get no additional. This arrange a 32-yard subject purpose try from kicker Matt Homosexual, whose kick discovered the uprights to place the Colts into the lead.
This lead didn’t final lengthy. In response to this, the Giants’ offense, led by Drew Lock, would shortly make their approach to the Colts’ 31-yard line. Right here, Lock discovered Malik Nabers for the landing go to provide the Giants the lead.
The Colts tried to answer the landing, however Homosexual’s subject purpose from 54 yards out went extensive proper. However the momentum was effectively as true with the Giants, and on their subsequent drive, they might discover the endzone once more. This time, Lock discovered Darius Slayton for a 32-yard landing go.
Indianapolis may then rating the sphere purpose that was missed on their earlier drive. Nonetheless, the Giants uncharacteristically discovered the endzone once more, with Lock discovering Wan’Dale Robinson for a five-yard landing go on this event.
Embed from Getty Photographs
The Colts would reply with a landing of their very own. On a drive that lasted 14 performs, Flacco slowly moved the offense right down to the Giants’ three-yard line. From right here, Jonathan Taylor discovered the endzone for a speeding landing.
This meant at halftime that the Giants had a 21-13 lead over the Colts.
This lead would solely develop on the primary play of the second half. On the kickoff, Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned the ball for a 100-yard landing. The Giants have struggled on virtually the whole lot this season, so seeing a enjoying like that is, to place it merely, bizarre.
The Colts may maintain themselves within the recreation on their first drive of the second half. From their 30-yard line, Flacco and firm may transfer right down to the Giants’ 26-yard line. Right here, Taylor discovered the endzone for the speeding landing to make it an eight-point recreation. This grew to become a two-point recreation at first of the fourth quarter when Flacco discovered Alec Pierce for a 13-yard landing go. The Colts then determined to go for a two-point conversion try. Nonetheless, this failed.
The 2-point hole didn’t final lengthy. On the sport’s subsequent drive, the Giants’ offense once more shone. This time, Lock discovered Nabers for a 59-yard landing go. The Colts matched this rating on their subsequent drive when Flacco discovered Michael Pittman for a seven-yard landing go to revive the two-point deficit.
Embed from Getty Photographs
However, once more, the lead wouldn’t final lengthy. On the Giants subsequent drive, they might once more discover the endzone. On this event, the offense was in a position to make its manner right down to the Colts’ five-yard line. From right here, Lock scrambled into the endzone for his fifth landing of the sport.
Then, when they didn’t wish to, the Colts made a mistake. Flacco threw an interception, which the Giants would convert right into a subject purpose. Kicker Graham Gano would rating from 30 yards out to seal an unlikely win for the Giants.
The New York Giants had defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-33.
This defeat places the Colts out of playoff rivalry and falls to 7-9 for the season. Nonetheless, the ramifications for the Giants are large. They may not be winless at dwelling this season and enhance to 3-13. This places them in a four-way tie for the primary choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, with the Giants coming into the week at quantity 4. With all of the contenders going through opponents who’re more likely to beat them, the eye might be on the underside groups to start the day earlier than transferring to the NFC North conflict to complete the day.
Subsequent week, the Colts face the Jacksonville Jaguars, whereas the Giants play the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Los Angeles Chargers have fallen underneath the radar all season lengthy. Because of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, they had been by no means within the hunt for the AFC West title, however they’ve performed sufficient to maintain themselves in playoff rivalry. They arrive into their recreation with the struggling New England Patriots, understanding {that a} win could be sufficient to ship them to the postseason.
The Chargers had the sport’s opening drive however couldn’t do something with it. Nonetheless, the workforce could be extra profitable on their second drive. Ranging from their nine-yard line, the Chargers offense, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, made their manner right down to the Patriots’ 23-yard line. Herbert discovered Derius Davis for the landing go from right here to provide Los Angeles the early lead. This lead could be prolonged on their subsequent drive. This time, the offense made it right down to the Patriots’ nine-yard line, however no additional. This arrange Cameron Dicker, the Chargers kicker for the 27-yard subject purpose try, which was profitable.
The nice luck would maintain coming for the Chargers when Patriots quarterback Drake Maye would fumble the ball, and the workforce would lose possession of it. This error would show expensive, as on the next drive, Herbert discovered Ladd McConkey (who is just not getting the eye he deserves) for a six-yard landing go.
Embed from Getty Photographs
Issues would lastly look good for New England on their subsequent drive. Ranging from their 27-yard line, Maye shortly moved the offense right down to the Chargers’ 36-yard line. Right here, he discovered DeMario Douglas for the landing go. This was the eighth consecutive recreation that Maye had thrown a landing, a brand new franchise rookie document, beating the document set in 1971 by that yr’s number-one choose Jim Plunkett. He would go on to win two Tremendous Bowls with the Raiders.
Nonetheless, on the primary half’s remaining play, the Chargers would prolong their lead. Dicker kicked a subject purpose from 38 yards out.
This meant that the Chargers had a 20-7 lead over the Patriots at halftime.
Los Angeles was ready so as to add to their lead on the primary drive of the second half. Ranging from their six-yard line, Herbert and firm went right down to the Patriots’ 40-yard line. Right here, he discovered McConkey for the landing go to provide the Chargers a 20-point lead.
Embed from Getty Photographs
This lead grew even additional on their subsequent drive when Dicker kicked a 41-yard subject purpose. One other landing for the Chargers adopted this. This time, J.Ok. Dobbins discovered the endzone from two yards out.
In between, and all through the entire second half, the Patriots could be unable to do something vital with the ball and thus scored no factors within the second half.
The Chargers would finish their time on the ball by scoring extra factors. This time, Cameron Dicker made one other subject purpose from 35 yards out to seal what was already a giant win.
The Los Angeles Chargers defeated the New England Patriots 40-7.
This was a dominant win, but it surely was to be anticipated, contemplating the struggles of the Patriots this season. Herbert threw three touchdowns on this recreation because the Chargers improved to 10-6. The win seals their spot within the playoffs. As for the Patriots, the defeat continues their stoop, falling to 3-13 on the season. However, as we’ll discover out later, this might put them into rivalry for a really excessive draft choose.
Within the remaining week, the Chargers face the Las Vegas Raiders, whereas the Patriots finish their season in opposition to the Buffalo Payments.
What Occurred within the Different Video games?
This week, there have been two video games held on Christmas Day. The primary was between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Patrick Mahomes threw for 3 touchdowns and 320 yards within the Chiefs’ 29-10 win to provide them the primary seed within the AFC. As for the Steelers, the outcomes of the next recreation will influence their battle for the AFC North title.
The opposite Christmas Day recreation was between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans. This was one of many poorest video games of the season. The Texans performed like they didn’t flip up, and the Ravens ran rings round them. Baltimore cruised to a 31-2 win, giving the Ravens a one-game lead within the AFC North battle in opposition to the Steelers.
The ultimate Thursday Evening Soccer recreation between the Seattle and Chicago Bears felt like a throwback to TNF video games of previous. That’s my manner of claiming that it was an absolute bore fest. Each offenses struggled to do something on this recreation, and a late subject purpose from Jason Myers from 50 yards out gave the Seahawks a 6-3 win over the Bears.
The Denver Broncos met the Cincinnati Bengals in what could be a really entertaining recreation. Joe Burrow threw for 412 yards and scored three touchdowns, and Broncos quarterback Bo Nix matched this. The sport went to additional time because of a landing with eight seconds left to play. Throughout this era, Burrow discovered Tee Higgins for the successful rating to provide the Bengals a 30-24 win. This retains each groups within the race for the AFC Wildcard.
Embed from Getty Photographs
The Los Angeles Rams are one win away from the NFC West title because of their victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Nonetheless, it was not assured, and the Rams needed to depend on a late interception within the endzone at hand them a 13-9 win over the Cardinals.
The Buffalo Payments confronted the New York Jets in a recreation whose outcome you could possibly already guess. Buffalo managed to destroy the Jets with a 40-14 win, sealing the quantity two seed within the AFC. Questions must be requested about the way forward for Aaron Rodgers. He has not helped the Jets one bit.
After their win in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars final week, the Las Vegas Raiders could have performed themselves out of a high draft choose with their victory over the New Orleans Saints. Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw for 2 touchdowns, and Brock Bowers broke two rookie information (most receiving yards by a decent finish and most catches) because the Raiders defeated the Saints 25-10.
Embed from Getty Photographs
The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East title with a convincing win over the Dallas Cowboys. Star operating again Saquon Barkley has run for over 2000 yards this season and will break information in subsequent week’s recreation in opposition to the Giants (so as to add additional distress to our season). The Eagles gained this recreation 41-7.
The NFC South division remains to be up for grabs. One of many groups in rivalry is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This week, they performed the Carolina Panthers. On this recreation, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 5 touchdowns as Tampa Bay cruised to a 48-14 win.
The opposite NFC South contender is the Atlanta Falcons. They confronted the Washington Commanders on Sunday Evening Soccer, understanding {that a} win would make the groups degree going into the ultimate week. A late landing rating from Michael Penix Jr to Kyle Pitts despatched this recreation to additional time. However, on this interval, it was Jayden Daniels and the Commanders who obtained the landing to document a 30-24 win. This provides the Commanders a wildcard spot within the playoffs and provides Tampa Bay a one-game lead.
Embed from Getty Photographs
The Tennessee Titans confronted the Jacksonville Jaguars in a battle of two groups on the backside of the league. This was an in depth recreation, however the Jags may maintain on for a 20-13 win. This places the Titans in rivalry for the primary choose.
One other workforce within the hunt for the primary choose is the Cleveland Browns. They confronted the Miami Dolphins this week and misplaced. The Browns by no means actually appeared like they might win this recreation, because the Dolphins, with out injured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, recorded a 20-3 win.
So, that was Week 17 of the 2024 NFL Season. There’s another week left within the common season, and there’s a lot nonetheless to play for. The sport of the week, and possibly the season, comes from Ford Subject, because the Detroit Lions face the Minnesota Vikings in a winner-take-all conflict. Earlier than that, the primary choose of the draft might be sorted out, which is a four-way tie coming into the ultimate week.
