In the penultimate week of the NFL season, here are five of the biggest takeaways from an eventful and pivotal week 17.
It’s more than a game
With this week’s Monday Night Football matchup was expected to be the game of the year with high playoff stakes as the Buffalo Bills matched up against the Cincinnati Bengals. The game couldn’t be more devastating as Bills second-year safety Damar Hamlin collapsed after a play and went into cardiac arrest. Amidst being resuscitated, both teams watched the horrific events unfolding before being sent away in an ambulance. Hamlin remains in critical condition but has received thoughts and prayers throughout the league.
Mike Tomlin keeps his Pittsburgh Steelers in contention
After starting the season 2-6, the Steelers have gone 6-2 since, with the possibility of sneaking into the playoffs again. Tomlin keeps his streak of non-losing seasons alive as rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has another fourth-quarter comeback against rival Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers will need help with losses by the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, but Tomlin has his team in the thick of things at the right time.
The Eagles need Jalen Hurts
Since Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts sustained a shoulder injury, the Eagles have lost two in a row with quarterback Gardner Minshew at the helm. With only one more win to clinch home-field advantage, the Eagles desperately need Hurts back in a week 18 matchup against the New York Giants to not lose home field and possibly the division.
Daniel Jones is the future of the New York Giants
Earlier in the week, it was reported that the New York Giants were in long-term contract negations with quarterback Daniel Jones. With his four-touchdown performance in week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts and clinching a playoff berth for the first time since 2016, Jones may be the future of the Giants. Jones has been laughed upon as a poor quarterback throughout his career, but has come out in 2022 and had a career year proving his doubters wrong.
Nobody wants to play the Packers
Since starting 4-8, the Green Bay Packers have gone on a four-game win streak and control their destiny to clinch a playoff berth in a pivotal week 18 matchup against the Detroit Lions. On Sunday, the Packers didn’t just beat the 12-3 Minnesota Vikings; they dominated them in a 41-17 victory to put the whole league on notice.
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