Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season is formally within the books. The Buccaneers barely beat the Jets (and misplaced Antonio Brown in weird style alongside the way in which). Joe Burrow and the Bengals edged the Chiefs in a shootout. The Raiders survived the Colts so as to add stress to the AFC playoff image … and that was only a fraction of the motion from this week.
However what did we find out about every of the 32 groups within the course of? We’re so glad you requested. As Week 18 attracts close to and the postseason beckons, we have a look beneath at one factor we took away from every crew:
Kyler Murray nonetheless makes them a tricky out. His enchancment was the most important purpose Arizona edged Dallas. With 300-plus complete yards and his trademark elusiveness, he is the explanation they’ll truly really feel first rate a couple of playoff run once more.
Kyle Pitts is their constructing block. As in, one of many few. A hamstring damage might or might not hold him out of Week 18, however he topped 1,000 yards for the 12 months in opposition to Buffalo — a reminder he is one of many solely long-term weapons in tow.
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Lamar Jackson’s ankle might have been the ultimate straw. (For his or her 2021 playoff possibilities.) Tyler Huntley’s manufacturing dropped off in opposition to L.A. And the disruption of dropping Jackson for 3 straight has simply been icing on an injury-riddled cake.
Devin Singletary is their X issue. Everyone knows Josh Allen could make performs when he must. However when their run recreation is working other than No. 17, this crew has the makings of a real contender. It labored in opposition to Atlanta.
Matt Rhule is guilty. Not that he is not getting his justifiable share of criticism, however let’s simply contemplate the offense: each QB transfer he is made has worsened the membership. The O-line investments have been simply as shoddy. All of it confirmed (once more) vs. the Saints.
Robert Quinn has earned his paycheck. After trying like an costly reserve in his Bears debut, Quinn continued his tour of havoc in opposition to the Giants, logging a franchise-record 18th sack on the season.
Ja’Marr Chase can’t be lined. In fact, that is not completely true, however attempt holding him with out an enormous play for greater than a pair collection, not to mention video games. Cincy goes to the playoffs largely as a result of Joe Burrow retains chucking it to him.
Kevin Stefanski has points. His total offense folded in opposition to Pittsburgh on Monday night time, and his continued inexplicable dedication to profitable with Baker Mayfield’s arm ensured a 2021 sweep by the hands of the Steelers.
Their offense must get up. Sure, they made it shut in opposition to Arizona, however moreover the Washington rout, they have been sluggish for some time now. And now Michael Gallup is completed. The playoffs might deliver bother.
Vic Fangio is completed. The writing has been on the wall, however their situational soccer stays subpar. So what if Drew Lock is below middle due to damage? The muse has never been practically robust sufficient below this regime.
The protection continues to be a sieve. They’ve quite a lot of points to resolve (the long-term QB job amongst them), however man, does Dan Campbell’s “D” want reinforcements. Seattle, which has been in slow-mo aplenty, feasted in opposition to them.
The NFC playoffs run by way of Lambeau. They usually have for 3 years now, because of Aaron Rodgers and Matt LaFleur. However they need to be even higher this time round, with all the remaining they’re set to get pleasure from over the following few weeks.
Brandin Cooks deserves a brand new house. He is fared simply wonderful in Houston, however take a look at all of the manufacturing he can nonetheless provide! He is been a real No. 1 wideout — and a real, optimistic fixed — for the Texans this 12 months.
They want Carson Wentz to step up. A lot of the 12 months, Indy has stayed afloat by letting Wentz play second fiddle to Jonathan Taylor. However what occurs when Taylor is not dominating? No. 2 should clear up the important thing throws for a pivotal Week 18.
The offseason cannot come quickly sufficient. By some means, a way, they make every recreation an even bigger nightmare. Who anticipated Trevor Lawrence to look something however completely misplaced in opposition to the Patriots?
The secondary is weak. Possibly the Bengals are simply that good throwing the ball (and they’re fairly darn good), however Charvarius Ward and Co. might want to shore issues up, or else Andy Reid’s offense might be required to attain 30-plus.
They’re again to enjoying powerful. What number of occasions have we written them off this 12 months? If Derek Carr can lastly get Darren Waller again in Week 18, they have an actual shot. They deserve props for sticking with and beating the Colts.
Austin Ekeler continues to be underrated. His presence out and in of the backfield, in tandem with Justin Jackson, provides Justin Herbert such a useful security valve. He helped headline their enormous win over Denver and may energy them to the playoffs.
Matthew Stafford is enjoying with fireplace. Sure, they’re playoff-bound, however he is been getting away with fairly a couple of badly off-target throws and, worse, premature selections. Luckily for them, their protection has stayed aggressive.
The win streak amounted to nothing. Besides possibly slightly satisfaction, as a result of they acquired destroyed by the Titans with every little thing on the road. Tua Tagovailoa didn’t ship. Jaylen Waddle disappeared. A number of questions coming this offseason.
Mike Zimmer’s time is up. Or so it appears. Kirk Cousins’ COVID-related absence did not assist the coach in opposition to Inexperienced Bay, however neither did refusing to see what Kellen Mond has to supply, or trusting a porous secondary to carry up in opposition to Aaron Rodgers.
Mac Jones is again on observe. It helped he acquired the Jaguars’ protection on Sunday, however nonetheless, a few of his finest throws have been true beauties, together with a laser landing reference to Jakobi Meyers. New England is not completed but.
Dennis Allen has saved them within the hunt. Sean Payton’s offense has suffered too many key accidents/losses, principally at QB, to be trusted. And but the protection right here has them primed to doubtlessly sneak their manner into the playoffs in Week 18.
Joe Choose could be delusional. Preaching about former gamers calling him as much as reward the tradition in New York? Excuse me, however since when do on-field outcomes (just like the pitiful ones below his watch) not matter in any respect within the analysis course of?
They’re making progress, however they’re nonetheless a good distance out. Zach Wilson and Co. truly appeared poised to upset Tom Brady for many of Sunday’s recreation in opposition to Tampa Bay. Predictably, they hit street bumps proper after they could not afford to, in crunch time.
Jalen Hurts is on his solution to returning as QB1 in 2022. It has been a 12 months of massive highs and lows for the younger man, however he is by no means misplaced his cool, and he was at his steadiest throughout the Eagles’ necessary win over Washington to assist clinch a playoff berth.
T.J. Watt is the Defensive Participant of the 12 months. Ben Roethlisberger acquired all the eye Monday night time at Heinz Subject, however Watt was an absolute freak off the sting, approaching the all-time single-season sack report. Greatest needs to the Ravens in Week 18.
Kyle Shanahan deserves props. Not as a result of the QB state of affairs is totally resolved (it is not; Jimmy Garoppolo, whereas extra dependable, stays the lower-ceiling starter), however as a result of he frequently will get RB1 manufacturing from anybody within the backfield.
Rashaad Penny has earned himself a job. It has been an unpleasant 12 months for Seattle, particularly offensively, however good for Penny, getting back from damage to steal the present down the stretch. He ought to at the least be in competition for beginning duties in 2022.
They want peak Tom Brady within the playoffs. Why? As a result of with Antonio Brown now executed for good, their receiving corps is severely hampered. If TB12 is ever gonna flip nobodies into somebodies out huge once more, the time is now.
They’re primed to make noise within the playoffs. They’re again to enjoying the way in which they need to play, even with out Derrick Henry (who could be on his manner again). Mike Vrabel was completely proper: they simply do not die.
Ron Rivera must go daring at QB. As a result of settling for Taylor Heinicke or one other Ryan Fitzpatrick will not reduce it in 2022. Heinicke began scorching in opposition to the Eagles, solely to return up brief within the pink zone and because the recreation wore on.
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