The first El Clasico of 2016-17 will not be shown live on British TV
Polish Women’s Volleyball champions Chemik Police beat BKS Bielsko-Biała 3-1
Lewis Hamilton: Nico Rosberg says debate over rival's tactics is 'pointless'
The first El Clasico of 2016-17 will not be shown live on British TV
Polish Women’s Volleyball champions Chemik Police beat BKS Bielsko-Biała 3-1
Lewis Hamilton: Nico Rosberg says debate over rival's tactics is 'pointless'
NFL Nation, ESPN
Week 17 of the NFL season started Thursday night with Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco continuing his hot streak in another Browns win. The Dallas Cowboys held on after some controversy for a key win over the Detroit Lions in a battle of two of the NFC’s best Saturday night.
On Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers clinched the NFC No. 1 seed, the Baltimore Ravens clinched the AFC No. 1 seed and the Chicago Bears clinched the No. 1 overall pick (from Carolina) in the 2024 NFL draft.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and picking out who — or what — is rising and falling for every team. Let’s get to it.
Jump to a matchup:
<a href="
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39201368/nfl-week-17-2023-questions-risers-fallers-takeaways-lessons-stats#nyjcle”>NYJ-CLE | DET-DAL | SF-WSH | CAR-JAX
BUF-NE | ARI-PHI | TEN-HOU
Are offensive inconsistencies a concern heading into a game for the AFC East next week? There’s good reason for concern as this was a sloppy performance. Quarterback Josh Allen had one of his worst passing games of the season (15-of-30, 169 yards, 1 interception) and was frequently just off on connecting with receivers. The offense was unable to sustain a drive of more than nine plays and only once had a drive longer than 50 yards. With a big challenge to come, Buffalo has to put together a more compete offensive performance against the Miami Dolphins.
Stock up after the win: CB Rasul Douglas. Acquiring the him at the trade deadline has turned into quite a move for the Bills with the cornerback recording two interceptions versus the Patriots and defending a pass that led to a pick by defensive tackle Ed Oliver. That extends his total in eight games with Buffalo to four interceptions — the most by a Bills defender this season.
Stock down after the win: Red zone offense. This game should not have been as close as it was with the Patriots’ four turnovers in the first half. However, the Bills having to settle for two field goals within the 20-yard line twice in the first quarter kept New England in the game, and going 2-4 in the red zone epitomized the Bills’ offensive inconsistencies. — Alaina Getzenberg
Next game: at Dolphins
How significant have turnovers been in a disappointing season? The loss to the Bills was a microcosm of the entire season, as the Patriots (four first-half turnovers, one of which was a pick-six) are primed to finish with a negative turnover differential for the first time since the 2005 season. The 17 straight seasons with a positive turnover differential was the longest streak since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. The Patriots are minus-10 on the season, with 17 takeaways and 27 giveaways.
Stock up after the loss: KR Jalen Reagor. A 98-yard return to open the game — the first for the Patriots since the 2018 season (Cordarelle Patterson) — got the game off to a strong start. But Reagor also could have been in the stock down category as a WR for a miscommunication when QB Bailey Zappe expected him to run a slant route that led to a 40-yard INT return.
Stock down after the loss: Zappe’s ball security. After playing turnover-free in a Week 15 win, Zappe was shaky early in the game and seemed to be forcing the ball on the first two of his three INTs before he settled into more of a rhythm. — Mike Reiss
Next game: vs. Jets
Have the Cardinals found their offensive rhythm? It sure seems that way and it’s hard to argue otherwise. The Cardinals came out looking as good as they have to open a game and although they didn’t find the end zone in the first half, they scored touchdowns on their first four drives of the second half and outscored the Eagles 29-10 in the final two quarters, including the game-winning touchdown by James Conner with 32 seconds left. Arizona’s offense clicked on all cylinders in the second half, but the question remains: Can it continue next week?
Stock up after the win: QB Kyler Murray. Murray played perhaps his best game of his season, which has consisted of just seven games to date. He led the Cardinals on four straight touchdown drives in the second half to give Arizona the upset victory by playing near-perfect football in the last two quarters, throwing for three touchdown passes while having just one incomplete pass.
Stock down after the win: The Cardinals’ cornerbacks. They struggled all game to keep the Eagles’ receivers at bay, failing to turn their heads at critical moments while Arizona’s defense gave up 184 passing yards. — Josh Weinfuss
Next game: at Cardinals
Is this Eagles team capable of another Super run? That feels like a stretch at the moment. They could have used a blowout win over the Cardinals give them the sense they were clicking into gear in front of the postseason. Instead, the defense faltered in the second half, the offense got conservative in the wrong moment during a key fourth-quarter drive, and Philadelphia was handed a serious setback in its chances of securing a top seed in the NFC playoffs. If the Cowboys win in Week 18, the Eagles will likely be on the road for the duration of the playoffs — a bad development for a group that feels like it’s on shaky ground.
Stock up after the loss: WR Julio Jones. He caught a pair of touchdown passes — his first two-TD performance since Week 6 of the 2020 season, when he was a member of the Falcons. At age 34, Jones is the oldest Eagles player with two receiving touchdowns in a game since Irving Fryar in 1997.
Stock down after the loss: Run defense. Long considered a strength of this team, the rush defense had yielded 115 yards on average in its previous three games. It got worse against the Cardinals, who eclipsed the 200-yard mark, gaining 221. Conner’s 128 yards is the most the Eagles have surrendered to an individual rusher all season. — Tim McManus
Next game: at Giants
Can C.J. Stroud lead the Texans back to the playoffs? The Texans’ offense, which was averaging 23 points with Stroud under center, looked similar to how it looked before Stroud missed two games. In Stroud’s first game back (concussion), he threw for 213 yards and a touchdown with a passer rating of 102.7. It can simple for the Texans, If they win in Indianapolis next week, they are in. Stroud threw for 384 yards the last time he played the Colts, but they still came up short.
Stock up after the win: WR Nico Collins. He led Houston with seven catches for 80 yards and continues to show why he’s the team’s No. 1 option.
Stock down after the win: Red zone offense. The Texans went 1-for-3 and had to settle for field goals. — DJ Bien-Aime
Next game: at Colts
Will the Titans show up in the finale? They certainly didn’t show up Sunday having already been eliminated from the playoff picture. Starting quarterback Will Levis left with an injury in the second quarter after being sacked on a play — that was returned for a touchdown. The play was a microcosm of the protection issues for the Titans. Ryan Tannehill replaced Levis, but he was also sacked five times — giving the Texans six on the day.
Stock up after the loss: Tannehill. He didn’t put up points, but he came in and showed he can still play at 35. The opening-day starter completed his first 10 passes and went 16 of 20 for 168 yards.
Stock down after the loss: Run game. The Titans averaged 2.5 yards per carry as the offense failed to get going in all phases. — ESPN staff
Next game: vs. Jaguars
How significant is it that the 49ers clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed? Very significant. Sunday’s win, paired with the Eagles’ loss to the Cardinals, wrapped up the top seed and a first-round playoff bye. That’s no small thing given that the Niners’ gas tank seems to be running low — especially on defense. And though they still managed to beat Washington, the juggernaut of a few weeks ago has disappeared. A chance to rest banged-up players such as running back Christian McCaffrey and defensive tackle Arik Armstead the next two weeks is critical to their chances to make a deep postseason run.
Stock up after the win: RB Elijah Mitchell. Injuries have plagued Mitchell his whole career and limited him to 10 games this season. But with McCaffrey battling a calf injury, Mitchell got into a rhythm Sunday and finished with 81 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown.
Stock down after the win: Red zone offense. The Niners entered Sunday second in the league in red zone efficiency, scoring a touchdown on 65.6% of those trips, but they struggled against the Commanders, finishing three-of-six for the day. — Nick Wagoner
Next game: vs. Rams
How did Sam Howell respond to an odd week? Howell was benched Wednesday but started when Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) couldn’t. But, for the first half, Howell responded well by completing 9-of-13 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. He looked confident. However, in the second half a major issue resurfaced: turnovers. He was intercepted at the 49ers’ 2-yard line making a throw under duress. On the next drive he was intercepted again, failing to see a defender. It’s been his downfall.
Stock up after the loss: RB Brian Robinson Jr.. He was underused this season and, in flashes, showed Sunday why he can be a help in the future with 44 yards rushing on 4.8 per carry, and 32 yards receiving.
Stock down after the loss: Run defense. The linebackers did not help, but neither did the front as San Francisco gashed the Commanders, finishing with 184 yards and averaging 4.7 per carry. — John Keim
Next game: vs. Cowboys
Did the Jaguars get right by ending their four-game losing streak? The Jaguars kept stressing they were hurting themselves during their four-game skid, and the numbers somewhat bear that out: a league-high 10 turnovers, minus-five in turnover differential and 24 penalties. They didn’t turn the ball over and they were penalized once for 15 yards against the Panthers. Even though it came against the worst team in the league it’s an encouraging sign for a team that seemed to be in free-fall after an 8-3 start.
Stock up after the win: LB Josh Allen. He needed one sack to tie Calais Campbell‘s single-season franchise record of 14.5. He got three and now has 16.5. Allen’s performance was part of a season-high six sacks by the Jaguars.
Stock down after the win: Red zone offense: The Jaguars scored a touchdown on one of five red zone trips. Coach Doug Pederson likely would have been more aggressive on some of those fourth downs had Trevor Lawrence been on the field, but 1-for-5 won’t cut it when they’re playing for the AFC South title in Tennessee next week. — Mike DiRocco
Next game: at Titans
Should quarterback Bryce Young‘s wish list for 2024 start with the offensive line? No doubt. Young was sacked six times Sunday by a defense ranked 27th with 32 sacks coming in to give him 59 for the season. He’s gotten pressure from everywhere. Outside of right tackle Taylor Moton and right guard Austin Corbett (on season-ending IR with a knee injury for the second straight year) everyone else’s job is in jeopardy. No quarterback could be effective behind this group.
Stock up after the loss: LB Brian Burns. The edge rusher had his first sack after going four straight games without one and continued to give second effort, chasing down players for tackles (eight overall) on a day when he left in the first half with a knee injury.
Stock down after the loss: LT Ikem Ekwonu. He was beaten for two sacks on Young in the first half to give him 18 on the season, which is the most by any player regardless of position in the NFL, per ESPN Analytics/NFL Next Gen Stats. — David Newton
Next game: vs. Buccaneers
Does this win mean anything for the Cowboys? It’s certainly better than losing a third straight game. The Cowboys have never made a Super Bowl in a season with a three-game losing streak. This was the definition of what Mike McCarthy calls complementary football. The defense came up with key stops in the fourth quarter after Dallas took a second-half lead. The offense — mainly CeeDee Lamb — was able to do just enough, especially in the critical moments. The Cowboys close the regular season next week at Washington. Winning on the road is a must.
Stock up after the win: WR Brandin Cooks. In a game in which Lamb set the Cowboys’ single-season records for catches and receiving yards, breaking marks held by Michael Irvin since 1995, it was Cooks who came up big for Dallas in the clutch. On the go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter, Cooks had a 21-yard grab on third-and-4 against the blitz and scored the touchdown five plays later. It was his seventh score of the season and second straight go-ahead score in the fourth quarter.
Stock down after the win: RB Tony Pollard. There wasn’t a lot of room for Pollard to run for a good portion of the game, and he was able to pick up some tough yards in the second half. But he also had a key drop on the opening possession of the third quarter that could have broken the game open for Dallas. Instead, it was forced to punt and had to slog through a difficult evening. — Todd Archer
Next game: at Washington Commanders
How much will this loss hurt their playoff seeding? Detroit came into this game having already clinched a playoff spot and the NFC North with a shot at reaching the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Lions are guaranteed at least the No. 3 seed, but with a win, they would have been in the No. 1 spot heading into Sunday with a half-game lead. Now, it’ll be tough to get the top spot, home-field advantage and a first-round bye, but wilder things have happened.
Stock up after the loss: CB Ifeatu Melifonwu. The reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week snagged another interception in the first quarter and has continued to find a groove after being inserted into the starting lineup in Week 14.
Stock down after the loss: Third-down efficiency. Although the Lions were aggressive on fourth down, they went just 4-for-13 on third downs. — Eric Woodyard
Next game: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Can anyone slow down Joe Flacco? Evidently not. Coming into Thursday, Flacco was already leading the NFL in passing (1,307 yards) dating back to Week 13, when he took over at quarterback. And that was before he threw for 296 yards in the first half, the most in any half of his career, against one of the NFL’s top pass defenses. The way Flacco is slinging it, to go along with their dominant defense, the Browns could be a difficult out for anyone in the playoffs.
Stock up after the win: TE David Njoku. He had 113 receiving yards in the first quarter and is proving he is one of the top receiving threats at his position.
Stock down after the win: Browns WR corps. The Browns were already without wideout Amari Cooper (heel), and then they lost their other key receiver, Elijah Moore, to a head injury during the game. — Jake Trotter
Next game: at Cincinnati Bengals
Do the Jets need to tweak their defense in the offseason? This is supposed to be the strength of the team — a “championship-caliber defense,” coach Robert Saleh likes to say — but it got embarrassed by Joe Flacco & Co. Does this mean it needs to be overhauled? No, this was an outlier — it’s still a solid defense — but the Jets were exposed in the middle of the field. Their linebackers and safeties were torched in pass coverage. They need a playmaking safety.
Stock up after the loss: RB Breece Hall. He went over 100 yards from scrimmage for the second week in a row, finishing with 126 and a touchdown. The Jets need more players like Hall.
Stock down after the loss: LB C.J. Mosley. He’s not at his best when playing in space, and he got lit up by tight end David Njoku. Mosley allowed three receptions for 75 yards as the nearest defender, per Next Gen Stats. — Rich Cimini
Next game: at New England Patriots
