The penultimate week of the common season featured spectacular victories by the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, Chargers, Eagles, Vikings and Commanders, all of whom have gotten postseason nightmares for his or her opponents.
The Ravens, Commanders and Chargers all transfer up, whereas the Steelers transfer up, opening a spot for the Rams, who turned a 1-4 begin right into a 10-win season. They achieved victories and earned their spot on the listing. And do not overlook the Packers, who virtually got here again towards the Vikings.
Here are my prime 10 for Week 17 of the 2024 season.
Kevin O’Connell is an achieved close-game coach, as evidenced by the Vikings’ 26-9 document in one-possession video games over the previous three seasons. The workforce earned one other shut victory towards a division rival, beating the Packers 27-25 on Sunday, giving Minnesota the within monitor on the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Given their excellent execution in shut video games, the Vikings are constructed to play within the playoffs.
Tom Brady praises Kevin O’Connell after the Vikings’ 27-25 win over the Packers
The Bills maintain enterprise like a title contender with their dominant sacking of bottom-feeders. Josh Allen units the tone along with his hands-on playmaking model, permitting the offense to show over overmatched opponents. The MVP favourite tallied three touchdowns towards the Jets to develop into the primary NFL participant to succeed in 40 whole touchdowns, together with passing and speeding, in 5 consecutive seasons. With one other division title on the road (Buffalo’s fifth straight AFC East title) and the No. 1 seed. 2 within the pocket, the Bills are nicely positioned to make a run on the Super Bowl.
Early within the season, Detroit’s Monday night time recreation towards the Niners seemed to be a battle for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. While the Niners fell in need of their finish of the cut price, the Lions are closing in on home-field benefit with a formidable season that showcased their collective expertise, versatility and resilience. With a win establishing a winner-takes-all recreation in Week 18 towards the Vikings, the Lions’ means to focus and focus may decide whether or not they safe the coveted prime seed subsequent week.
Saquon Barkley was touted because the Eagles’ free-agent signee. As a 2,000-yard rusher with big-play potential, the Pro Bowler challenges defensive playcallers when deciding whether or not to concentrate on stopping Philly’s working recreation or an explosive aerial assault with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith on the perimeter. Given the scoring potential of the offense and the stopping means of the protection, the Eagles can match up with any heavyweight within the NFC.
The most feared workforce within the championship begins to play as title contenders. Lamar Jackson & Co. cook dinner on offense, with the two-time MVP teaming with Derrick Henry to present the Ravens an unstoppable speeding assault. As Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely settle into their roles as complementary playmakers on the perimeter, Baltimore’s offense may spark a deep postseason run that ends with an look in Super Bowl LIX.
Jayden Daniels’ heroics made the Commanders not solely enjoyable to observe, but in addition one of the crucial harmful groups to face in a single-elimination event. The sensational rookie orchestrated 4 game-winning drives, displaying the poise and playmaking of a 10-year veteran with Super Bowl pedigree. While the playoffs are a special matter, Daniels has the flexibility to cost the Commanders and carry them via the postseason event.
Despite their youth and inexperience, the Packers might be powerful within the playoffs because of their distinctive expertise on each side of the ball. While Jordan Love can lead the workforce into title rivalry along with his spectacular expertise, he should handle his gunslinger methods to keep away from pricey turnovers that might result in a brief stint within the postseason.
Jim Harbaugh has finished it once more, with the previous NFL quarterback turning the Chargers right into a playoff workforce after inheriting a sub-.500 workforce. Harbaugh’s old-school method (working recreation + protection + quarterback play = wins) makes the Chargers a nightmare playoff matchup.
Credit Sean McVay for reworking the Rams right into a blue-collar workforce that depends on a ball-control offense and opportunistic protection to win with a stable complementary soccer plan. Although Matthew Stafford gave the Rams their greatest nearer within the bullpen, McVay guided the Rams from a 1-4 begin to a 10-win season by counting on a walk-off strategy that prioritizes time of possession and battling for the turnover. With Kyren Williams posting his second straight season with over 1,000 speeding yards and over 10 touchdowns, the Rams offense can management the sport and drive opponents out of their consolation zone.
Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He additionally analyzes the sport for NFL Network and as co-host of the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
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