2021 NFL Week 17 Recap

Browns 14
Steelers 26

In what is believed to be Ben Roethlisberger’s final game in Pittsburgh, the game itself was about everybody but him — Najee Harris broke a generations-old record, T.J. Watt’s four-sack effort has him on the brink of the single-season sack record and Mike Tomlin is the first coach in NFL history to have 15 consecutive non-losing seasons. And, oh by the way, the Steelers are still alive in the playoff hunt. Give Big Ben his props for going 26-3-1 against the Browns in his illustrious career but his performance Monday night was the most forgettable part of what was a helluva night in the Steel City.

Vikings 10
Packers 37

Aaron Rodgers has a lot of ridiculous stuff to say these days but the only thing I hope is true is his vow not to drag out his offseason decision (like his predecessor Brett Favre did for several seasons, which led to Rodgers landing in Green Bay to begin with). This beatdown ensures the road to the Super Bowl has to come through Titletown — and that this won’t be Rodgers’ final appearance at Lambeau Field.

Cardinals 25
Cowboys 22

Thanks in part to the NFL’s catch of the year, Kyler Murray continues to make Jerry World his planetary playground like Thanos did Earth. And like the Mad Titan, Dallas choking away a big game in December is inevitable.

Lions 29
Seahawks 51

If this was Russell Wilson’s Seattle swan song, it’s a helluva way to go out … and a helluva audition for his next team. Scroll down the rest of this gallery to see where I think he should make a beeline for in the offseason.

Broncos 13
Chargers 34

With the way Justin Herbert is playing and how hot Derek Carr is of late, Chargers at Raiders is absolutely the right call as the Sunday night finale in Week 18. Now that’s a prime-time matchup.

Texans 7
49ers 23

I know it came against a lousy Houston team but Trey Lance was a San Francisco treat for a 49ers team on the brink of a return to the playoffs. I don’t like his chances in L.A. against Aaron Donald and company but Lance has the weapons to look good in 2022.

Panthers 10
Saints 18

Look, I get that Cam wasn’t getting it done but this continued bid to prop up Sam Darnold like he’s not damaged goods is pretty ridiculous. This ain’t it, Carolina — and neither is Matt Rhule making the decision.

You know what is it, though? This New Orleans defense. If I’m Russell Wilson, I’m doing whatever I have to do to get to the Crescent City in the offseason.

Eagles 20
Washington 16

As we near the 30th anniversary of Washington’s last Super Bowl, the Burgundy and Gold have now officially missed the playoffs for the 23rd time and registered double-digit losses 14 times in the 29 seasons since that dominant 1991 championship team. I know there’s a long list of legitimate reasons why 2021 fell apart for Washington (just like its home stadium … and Wendell Smallwood’s helmet) but do we really feel like this team is better than it was before Ron Rivera? Just that question’s legitimacy after two seasons is damning.

Rams 20
Ravens 19

It wasn’t exactly payback for 2019, but L.A. got the win to boost their playoff chances while dealing a near-fatal blow to Baltimore’s postseason chances. Let’s see if the Rams have as much fight for the 49ers as they do each other — and whether Cooper Kupp can rewrite the receiving record books in front of the home crowd.

But Baltimore has plenty of fight despite being ravaged by injury. Does anyone in the AFC want to see the Ravens in the wild card round, especially if Lamar Jackson’s ankle gets right? Methinks not.

Bucs 28
Jets 24

Antonio Brown’s insanity should be a surprise to exactly no one who’s seen his antics over the years. What left my mouth agape was the fact that Tom Brady was opposed by a quarterback exactly half his age. We may never see this on an NFL field again — and hopefully, we’ve seen the last of AB on one too until he gets the help he obviously needs.

Jaguars 10
Patriots 50

This game highlights the importance of where (location) a quarterback gets drafted is light years more important than where (in the draft order) a quarterback gets drafted. If proclaimed “generational talent” Trevor Lawrence made it to New England and Mac Jones were relegated to Jacksonville, imagine how much different the narrative surrounding each QB would be.

Falcons 15
Bills 29

Regardless of who plays QB in Atlanta, we know who the top target is for the foreseeable future: Kyle Pitts is the second rookie tight end in NFL history — joining Hall of Famer Mike Ditka — to notch 1,000 receiving yards in a season and will only get better in 2022, if healthy.

Buffalo, meanwhile, is a home win over the Jets away from back-to-back AFC East titles. Though the Bills have already clinched a playoff berth, they don’t deserve one if they can’t handle Gang Green.

Giants 3
Bears 29

Memo to Joe Judge: A perfect indicator as to whether you’re a clown show organization is by putting on a passing performance so historically terrible that you left the stadium with fewer yards than when you showed up. If his postgame presser were a tweet, I’d urge him to delete it.

Chiefs 31
Bengals 34

Joe Brady … I mean, Burrow is the first player in NFL history to throw for 400+ yards and 4 TDs in consecutive games and Ja’Marr Chase’s historic 266-yard effort against KC is the most receiving yardage in a game by a rookie in NFL history. AFC North champion Cincinnati just might have the best QB-WR tandem entering 2022, regardless of age.

Dolphins 3
Titans 34

Few have exacted such perfect revenge on their former team as Ryan Tannehill just did — a 127.1 passer rating in a 31-point victory to clinch Tennessee a playoff berth while simultaneously eliminating Miami from postseason contention. Delicious.

Raiders 23
Colts 20

On a day in which the entire NFL remembered the late, great John Madden, the Silver and Black came back to ensure Las Vegas’ first Week 18 will be meaningful.

In a separate Raiders homage, does anyone else notice that the longer Derek Carr’s hair gets, the more he looks like Lyle Alzado?

How come Derek Carr looks like Lyle Alzado #travelingcoach56 pic.twitter.com/HOj4w9ZHGq

— C_Mascolo (@traveling_coach) November 7, 2021