Top 10 Takeaways from week 17 of the NFL Season

1)Officiating is a bad joke and ruining the games

The officiating errors were plain to see in Saturday night’s battle between the Lions and the Cowboys. It was clear to watch number 68 report to an official who for some reason declared number 70 eligible. We all know what happened from there: the entire NFC playoffs were changed! Detroit now has no shot at a number one or two seed.

Fast forward to Sunday, and we see the Chiefs getting several questionable calls to beat the Bengals. Jake Browning gets driven into the ground, and with no roughing, the passer is called. Then, on 2nd and 4th on the Bengals final drive, Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones lined up clearly offsides and ended up getting a sack because of it. Then you have a horrendous grounding call, which ended any chance the Bengals had at tying the game.

Are the games scripted or fixed the way some fans think? Probably not, but the screaming of the fix being in will only get louder as each game seems to have a bad call that does affect the outcome. The NFL needs to do something about this before fans turn the game off in disgust, and the outcomes start to look more and more predetermined.

This Will Go Down as The WORST Officiating Call in NFL History!

2) Lamar Jackson is the MVP

I had many doubts about this until this past week when Jackson dominated a good Miami Dolphins defense. Sure, his numbers are not the numbers of past MVPs, but he is undoubtedly the most deserving player. The addition of new offensive coordinator Todd Monken has made the difference. Jackson can make all the throws, and he has proven he can make them in tight windows. Lamar is the best quarterback playing in the NFL as of right now.

Film Study: DOMINATION: How Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens FRIED the Miami Dolphins

3) Coaches need to check their egos

Let’s start with Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell after the penalty, kick the extra point, and go to overtime! I know your thing is to be a tough guy who takes chances, but come on! How often do we have to watch coaches look at what analytics says and make a stupid decision that cost their team a game?

Are there any great coaches left? All the good ones are at least in their fifties, Tom Landry and Joe Gibbs did not need analytics, and sometimes it’s best to go with your gut. One more thing: do we have to line up in shotgun on fourth and one?

Dan Campbell Press Conference | Jan. 1, 2024

4) Mike Tomlin is a damn good coach

Three weeks ago, everybody wanted him fired, and yet he keeps finding ways to win. He beat Cincinnati and Seattle in the last two weeks, and those are two teams with better players than he has. Once again, Tomlin will, as always, end his season with a winning record. The man can coach; if the Steelers no longer want him, he will have a job the next day.

The Steelers Have Saved Their Season (in a new way)

5) Who in the  AFC can beat Baltimore?

Honestly, the correct answer may be nobody. The Ravens are the most complete team in the NFL. Questions exist about Lamar Jackson’s ability to win playoff games, but those issues were in the past with an offense the Ravens should never have been running with Jackson. The biggest issue may be the Bills if Bffalo even makes the playoffs. The Bills can run the ball, and the Ravens have sometimes struggled against the run. Cleveland could cause issues with a great defense, and they are divisional foes, which means they are familiar with the Ravens. Overall, though the Ravens are the only team capable of beating the FRavens, they will be in the Super Bowl if they don’t make stupid mistakes.

Josh Allen’s best plays from 2-TD game | Week 17

6) The Bears do NOT need to draft a quarterback

I know they have the number one pick in the draft, but Justin Fields has shown enough improvement that the Bears don’t need to get desperate. Also, everybody loves Caleb Williams, and the Bears may be able to rebuild a lot of their team through a trade of that number-one pick. They could get a haul of draft picks and maybe a veteran or two that can make the Bears a playoff team by next season.

Justin Fields’ best plays from 313-yard game vs. Falcons | Week 17

7) Jalen Hurts is not an elite quarterback

Yes, Hurts was great last season, but with a new offensive coordinator, Hurts has shown an inability to read progression this year. He is a great quarterback in an RPO system, but it’s plain to see that it is the only offense he can drive in, and it’s a limiting offense that cannot win you a Super Bowl. The Eagles look headed for an early playoff exit.

8) Miami Dolphins questions

Tua has been great this season, but the question is, can he beat playoff teams? Last week, they beat the Cowboys, but did it with Field Goals and then on Sunday, those questions became even louder with a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens. How good are the Dolphins? They are good, but Tua’s inability to play big in big games will rear its ugly head again by the divisional playoffs at the latest.

Coach Mike McDaniel meets with the media after #MIAvsBAL | Miami Dolphins

9) Jordan Love is a franchise Quarterback

Jordan Love has progressed well this season and has finally started to find the consistency to be a big-time quarterback, and I think he is already better than Jalen Hurts. The Packers are in good hands from here on out.

Film Study: PLAYOFFS? Jordan Love played GREAT for the Green Bay Packers Vs the Minnesota Vikings

10) The NFC is wide-open

The Niners have to be the favorites but questions do exist about the 49ers.. The Lions are a legit Super Bowl threat, and as long as the Cowboys are at home, they are dangerous. A team like the Rams also has enough weapons to make a deep run also.