One thing we learned about each NFL team in Week 17: Chiefs’ big plays return; CeeDee Lamb’s case as best WR

The NFL regular season is set to wrap up, just as the world has moved on from 2023. Heading into 2024, 18 teams will be playing their final game of the regular season while 14 will be taking a shot at a Super Bowl LVIII berth. 

Week 18 is going to be bittersweet with the postseason incoming. Teams will be preparing for the playoffs and front offices will be making critical decisions on the state of their respective franchises. This is a weird, but exciting time of the year for the NFL as the long winter months approach with Christmas and New Year’s Day in the rearview mirror. 

As 17 weeks have past and the end of the year is approaching, here’s one thing we learned from each team after the Week 17 slate of games. 

They can run the ball: The way Arizona ran the ball in Sunday’s win over the Eagles is nothing new, if you have been paying attention to the Cardinals in recent weeks. The Cardinals rushed for 221 yards in Sunday’s win over the Eagles, the second time they passed 200 yards rushing in the last three weeks. Arizona leads the NFL in rushing yards per game (174.5) over the last five weeks and is second in yards per carry (5.5). This is with James Conner being the only player on the roster having over 300 rushing yards. The Cardinals’ run scheme works. 

Somehow they can win the NFC South: Even with the blowout loss to the Bears Sunday, the Falcons can still win the NFC South. A Buccaneers loss in Week 18 and a win over the Saints gives the Falcons the division and the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs. Atlanta will be going home if Taylor Heinicke stops throwing interceptions (three in Week 17 after an efficient first start back), but who knows who will be quarterback after Desmond Ridder replaced him. Through all this, Atlanta still has a shot. 

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Author : Jeff Kerr

Publish date : 2024-01-02 15:39:25

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