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Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season is in the books, and boy were there some interesting developments. The NFL playoff picture came into clearer focus, records are being challenged (and broken), and the contenders are separating from the pretenders.
In this article, we'll react to some of the week's biggest news, answer some difficult questions, and predict what lies ahead for Week 18 and the NFL Playoffs.
Check out our key takeaways from the penultimate week of the NFL's regular season, as we prepare for the Week 18 regular season finale!
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Giants Fumble No. 1 Overall Pick
The Giants limped into Week 17 the losers of 10 straight. The only silver lining for fans of the G-Men was that the flailing franchise held the inside track for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Updated NFL Draft order through Week 17.
The Giants fell from 1st to 4th.
Oh boy. pic.twitter.com/D62YdyytWC
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) December 30, 2024
Well, that's no longer the case following New York's shocking (some would say stupid) shootout win over the Colts in Week 17. It was a victory that might make the players feel good in the short term but could set the organization back for years, as the Giants tumble from the top spot in the upcoming draft to the No. 4 pick in the latest projections.
Saquon Barkley Reaches 2,000-Yards and Eyes NFL Record
Thanks to a herculean 167 rushing yards against the Cowboys in Week 17, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in an NFL season.
The play that made history for Saquon Barkley. pic.twitter.com/oXpP87vXm0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2024
Sitting on 2,005 yards, Barkley needs 101 rushing yards in Week 18 to break Eric Dickerson's all-time NFL record of 2,105 yards in a season - a record that Dickerson has held since 1984. Normally, Barkley would sit in a regular-season finale game that's meaningless to Philly's playoff position, though I suspect he'll make a run at the record books next week against the lowly New York Giants - his former team.
Joe Burrow and The Bengals Stay Alive...But Barely
Unless you are a fan of one of the six AFC teams that have already punched their tickets to the postseason, you probably want to see the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Playoffs. Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are the most explosive passing trios we've seen in years, and Cincy's abysmal defense almost guarantees that every game is a shootout.
Scenarios for the final AFC Playoff spot:
🐎Broncos (vs. KC): Win or DEN + CIN loss
🐬Dolphins (vs. NYJ): Win + DEN loss
🐅Bengals (vs. PIT): Win + DEN loss + MIA loss pic.twitter.com/9tPJ9znuDu— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024
However, the Bengals are currently on the outside looking in at the AFC playoff picture. Cincinnati will need a win over the Steelers in Week 18 - as well as losses by both the Chiefs and Dolphins - to secure a postseason berth. It's a long shot, but fans of offense can dream.
Vikings Continue to Impress
The narrative that this was a rebuilding year for Minnesota is well out the window. Kevin O'Connell's squad handled a very good Packers team in Week 17, a victory that sets up an epic regular-season finale with the Detroit Lions that will essentially be a winner-takes-all matchup for the NFC's No. 1 seed.
"THAT'S BALLGAME!!!"
KO was mic'd up yesterday and he was like all of us on that game-sealing catch. pic.twitter.com/VzvRh6BiX0
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 30, 2024
The Vikings were never supposed to be this good, but a sizzling campaign from quarterback Sam Darnold coupled with an aggressive defensive scheme courtesy of coordinator Brian Flores, makes this Minnesota squad a legitimate title contender.
Tampa Bay Takes Back Control of Playoff Destiny
On the wrong side of a tiebreaker with the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay needed to take care of business and get a little help along the way. That's exactly what happened in Week 17, as the Bucs destroyed the Panthers and the Falcons dropped an overtime heartbreaker to the Commanders.
A sizzling Tampa Bay squad that's won five of their last six now controls their own playoff destiny. Baker Mayfield and company would clinch the NFC South title and a postseason berth with a win over the New Orleans Saints in the upcoming regular-season finale.
Baker Mayfield currently ranks 2nd in the NFL in passing yards & TD passes (tied w/Lamar) this season.
He's had no Chris Godwin since Week 7, and was without Mike Evans for a month.
He's the 19th-highest paid QB in the NFL this year. pic.twitter.com/Ynlu8eWQYh
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) December 30, 2024
Brock Bowers' Rookie Season Is One For The Record Books
Brock Bowers was considered a generational tight-end prospect after putting together a legendary college career at the University of Georgia. Despite being drafted by a Las Vegas franchise that was considered a less-than-ideal landing spot, Bowers has thrived at the pro level.
Brock Bowers breaks the Rookie tight end record for receiving yards that has stood since 1961 🔥🤯 pic.twitter.com/N1LZiAo3qG
— THE NATION (@TheNAT1ON_) December 29, 2024
His seven catches for 77 yards in Week 17 helped Bowers to break numerous records including Mike Ditka's rookie tight end mark of 1,067 yards, Puka Nacua's rookie record of 105 catches, and Darren Waller's Raiders franchise record of 107 receptions in a season.
It Just Keeps Getting Worse For The Jets
Just when you thought things couldn't get any worse for the New York Jets, Week 17 happened. Long out of playoff contention, Gang Green was embarrassed by the Bills, with the final score of 40-14 actually making things look closer than they actually were.
New York's 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers had actually looked better over the past month, which made some people wonder if the Jets might actually try to keep the future Hall of Famer in 2025. However, this disastrous outing very likely closes the book on Rodgers' horrific tenure in the Big Apple.
Aaron Rodgers is flagged for an unnecessary roughness penalty after throwing his second interception of the game pic.twitter.com/0EPORP3dh0
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 29, 2024
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