Week 17 Results
New England (at NY Jets) - 1 sack, 1 INT
The Patriots dominated the Jets as expected, but UDFA rookie Brady Cook didn't make too many huge mistakes, so this was a surprising dud.
A Look Ahead: MIA - The Patriots have little to play for in Week 18, with the Chargers deciding to rest Justin Herbert
Detroit (at Minnesota) - 7 sacks
The Lions D/ST got to UDFA rookie Max Brosmer seven times, but the Vikings played from ahead because of six Detroit turnovers, including five from Jared Goff alone.
A Look Ahead: @CHI - The Lions are running out of gas at the finish line, and the Bears are playing for the #2 seed. No thanks.
LA Rams (at Atlanta) - 1 ST TD
The Rams' defense got run over by Bijan Robinson and never put Kirk Cousins on his heels. A Jared Verse blocked field goal return still accounted for something if you played the Rams D/ST.
A Look Ahead: ARI - The Rams can still get the #5 seed and face the NFC South winner instead of Chicago or Philadelphia, but only if Seattle beats San Francisco on Saturday. If they do, the Rams D/ST is in play for Week 18.
New Orleans (vs Tennessee) - 4 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 DEF TD
Chase Young made the kind of big bully play we expected to see regularly when he was drafted #2 overall in 2020. He took the ball from Cam Ward like the quarterback was a baby holding a lollipop and ran uncontested to the end zone for a touchdown to turn the day around for the Saints in a year that seemed to turn the franchise around after a string of empty years in the post-Drew Brees era.
A Look Ahead: @ATL - The Falcons have been playing much better lately in the Kirk Cousins revival, but the Saints D/ST is hot and potentially worth sticking with.
Tampa Bay (at Miami) - 2 sacks
The Bucs defense failed to force any turnovers despite facing a seventh-round rookie quarterback in Quinn Ewers. If they back into an NFC South title, it won't be because of their defense.
A Look Ahead: CAR - If we are going to play a D/ST from this game, it will be the Panthers, even though they are on the road, because they have been a much better unit for fantasy this season and as of late.
Pittsburgh (at Cleveland) - 2 sacks, 2 INT
The Steelers were able to get two picks from rookie Shedeur Sanders, but without T.J. Watt, their pass rush wasn't that threatening. That allowed the Browns to be conservative on offense because they played with the lead for the entire game.
A Look Ahead: BAL - Whether it's Tyler Huntley or Lamar Jackson, the Steelers D/ST will have a lot of potential under the home lights in the last regular season game with the AFC North title on the line.
Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda
Minnesota (vs Detroit) - 5 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 2 INT
Brian Flores tormented Jared Goff into five turnovers, a closing argument in the case for the Vikings' defensive coordinator to get a chance to be a head coach again.
Atlanta (vs LA Rams) - 3 sacks, 3 INT, 1 DEF TD
For the second time this season, Matthew Stafford shockingly made multiple bad decisions, leading to a pick-six and a road loss to a seemingly inferior NFC South opponent. Jessie Bates III hasn't saved the Falcons from the doldrums during his time with the team, but he continues to make big plays and look like one of the best decisions of the Terry Fontenot era, which could be coming to an end if Atlanta decides to make a change at general manager this offseason.
NY Giants (at Las Vegas) - 4 sacks, 2 INT, 1 DEF TD
The Giants didn't let up in Week 17, even though they lost the #1 pick, by beating the Raiders, unless Las Vegas can beat the Chiefs in Week 18. Deonte Banks' kickoff return touchdown was the cherry on the Sunday.