NFL Week 17: Greatest questions, takeaways for each sport

A crucial Week 17 started with a pair of video games on Christmas Day, because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs took down the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens gained on the Houston Texans to change the complexion of the AFC North race. On Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks moved street groups to 3-0 on the week by taking down the Chicago Bears, preserving Seattle in play for the NFC West title and a playoff berth.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every sport and detailing the whole lot else it is advisable know for each staff. Let’s get to it.

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KC-PIT | BAL-HOU | SEA-CHI

Seahawks

Can the Seahawks beat the Rams and make the playoffs? The Seahawks did not essentially should beat the Bears to maintain their playoff hopes alive, however they should win subsequent week in Los Angeles to have any shot at claiming the NFC West, and their dud of an offensive efficiency Thursday night time does not encourage a lot confidence they’ll. Granted, the circumstances weren’t excellent, with an extended flight and a vacation condensing an already quick week. Wet situations did not assist both. However Geno Smith & Co. should be significantly better subsequent week in the event that they wish to beat the Rams — and so they in all probability want Los Angeles to lose Saturday to Arizona for that Week 18 sport to matter within the first place.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Dominant protection. The Seahawks went to work towards essentially the most sacked quarterback within the NFL, with six completely different gamers combining to drop Caleb Williams seven occasions. Leonard Williams and Devon Witherspoon every had three tackles for loss along with a sack, and Riq Woolen — who was benched for the opening drive final week after an unspecified violation of staff guidelines — sealed the win by intercepting Williams’ desperation heave.

Early prediction for subsequent week: Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb could have a greater plan for pushing the ball downfield. Smith’s 3.1 air yards per try had been his fewest of the season by half a yard and fewer than half of his 7.0 common from the primary 15 video games. Chicago took away Seattle’s deep passing sport, forcing Smith into shorter throws that required his receivers to rack up yards after the catch. — Brady Henderson

Subsequent sport: at Rams (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)

Bears

What sparked Chicago’s worst offensive efficiency of the season? Caleb Williams and the Bears offense was, in a phrase, terrible. Williams averaged 1.3 air yards per completion, which was his lowest mark of the season, and accomplished just one move for 10 or extra yards downfield. This efficiency appeared as dangerous as Chicago’s final 3-point output towards the Patriots and featured seven drives that led to punts. There have been so many irritating moments, from one other scoreless first quarter to Chicago’s clock administration on the ultimate drive when it had an opportunity to get into area purpose vary to ship the sport to additional time.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Laborious watch. Chicago’s protection put its finest foot ahead in holding the Seahawks to 6 factors, however the Bears’ offense did not get up and match that effort. The Bears tacked on their tenth straight loss, which is tied for the longest streak in a season (2022) in franchise historical past.

Greatest gap within the sport plan: The left facet of the offensive line was decimated by accidents to Braxton Jones and Teven Jenkins, who didn’t play towards Seattle. Williams is at fault for holding onto the ball too lengthy in moments, however the porous move safety towards the Seahawks’ blitz stood no probability. Williams was sacked seven occasions, bringing his season complete to 67. — Courtney Cronin

Subsequent sport: at Packers (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)

Ravens

What does this Ravens’ win imply for the AFC North? The Ravens at the moment are one win away from repeating as AFC North champions. Baltimore holds a one-game lead over the Steelers, who misplaced to the Chiefs on Wednesday. The Ravens finish the common season at dwelling towards the last-place Cleveland Browns subsequent week. With Lamar Jackson placing collectively one other NFL MVP-caliber season and a protection that has dominated lately, the Ravens not solely appear to be the staff to beat within the division however seem as if they are going to be a serious drive within the AFC playoffs.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Whole domination. Jackson and Derrick Henry mixed for 234 yards speeding, and the Ravens’ protection would have recorded its first shutout since 2018 if not for Henry being tackled in the long run zone for a security. Baltimore outgained Houston 432-210, which was the Ravens’ second-largest margin in complete yards over the previous 4 seasons. The 2 factors allowed are the fewest by any staff on Christmas since Tennessee beat Dallas 31-0 in 2000.

Eye-popping stat: Jackson reached a most pace of 21.25 mph on his 48-yard landing run within the third quarter. Based on Subsequent Gen Stats, that is the best high pace of Jackson’s seven-year profession. It’s the second-fastest max pace by a quarterback this season, rating solely behind Arizona’s Kyler Murray (21.27 mph). — Jamison Hensley

Subsequent sport: vs. Browns (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)

Texans

Can this Houston staff win within the playoffs? As a result of the Texans gained the AFC South, they will host a playoff sport. However proper now Houston does not look primed to make a playoff run. In opposition to successful groups, the Texans are 1-5, and shedding to the Ravens within the vogue they did offers little indication they’ll compete with the very best of the very best.

Most stunning efficiency: The line of defense. The Texans sacked quarterback Lamar Jackson solely as soon as and allowed the Ravens to hurry for 251 yards. Defensive ends and stalwarts Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. mixed for 0.5 sacks.

Early prediction for subsequent week: Texans starters play solely 1 / 4 towards the Tennessee Titans. Houston is locked into the No. 4 seed, so there’s little incentive for them to play starters for lengthy in Week 18. Risking necessary gamers getting damage is not value it, particularly when security Jimmie Ward, nickel Jalen Pitre, and receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell are already out for the season. — DJ Bien-Aime

Subsequent sport: at Titans (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)

Chiefs

Because the AFC’s high seed, ought to the Chiefs sit key gamers subsequent week? Undoubtedly. That is significantly true for gamers with accidents, like Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones. The Chiefs ought to develop the checklist of resting gamers as a lot as doable to incorporate Xavier Worthy and others. These gamers could have an prolonged break as a result of the Chiefs may also get a first-round playoff bye, however coach Andy Reid might want to discover a approach to preserve them sharp.

What we discovered in regards to the QB on Wednesday: It has been an extended wait however Mahomes can nonetheless full the lengthy ball. Mahomes’ 49-yard move to Justin Watson within the first quarter traveled 40 yards within the air, making it his second longest such move of the season. His TD to Worthy in Week 4 towards the Chargers went 54 yards within the air.

Most stunning efficiency: Mike Danna took benefit of expanded taking part in time within the absence of Jones to have a giant pass-rushing sport. Danna, who entered with 1.5 sacks this season, had two extra towards Russell Wilson. The Chiefs sacked Wilson 5 occasions. — Adam Teicher

Subsequent sport: at Broncos (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)

Steelers

Are the Steelers able to making noise within the postseason? Regardless of three consecutive losses, the Steelers are nonetheless postseason-bound. However the struggles which have plagued this staff throughout this stretch have all however erased any chance of them being a contender. The once-stout protection is not creating the takeaways or getting off the sphere, and Russell Wilson is taking part in extra just like the Wilson that struggled in his first season in Denver than the one who gained 5 of his first six begins in Pittsburgh.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Revealing loss. With a lift from the return of a number of key gamers, the Steelers had an opportunity to proper the ship — or at the very least begin turning it round — towards a tricky staff taking part in with out its finest defender in Chris Jones. As a substitute, they took on extra water in a blowout loss and do not seem like a staff able to making noise within the playoffs.

What we discovered in regards to the QB on Wednesday: The clock is perhaps near placing midnight. Wilson held on to the ball too lengthy at occasions, contributing to a season-high 5 sacks. He additionally had his second crimson zone turnover in as many weeks, this time on an interception in the long run zone. However regardless of his miscues, Wilson nonetheless confirmed flashes of brilliance — it was simply too inconsistent to make up the distinction. — Brooke Pryor

Subsequent sport: vs. Bengals (Jan. 4 or 5, TBD)