NFL Week 17 Roundup

The penultimate week of the NFL has just wrapped up as 2023 finished and 2024 began. For now, we have to look back at everything that just unfolded, as we have only one more week to go before the playoffs are ready to go.

With three spots left for grabs on the AFC and two on the NFC, things get heated, as some tickets were locked in this last matchday, while a few teams are on the hunt for the remaining spots, like the Jaguars, Bills, Colts, the Buccaneers and the Packers.

But before we dive into what will unfold in this last week of the NFL Regular Season, we will break down what went down in some of the most relevant matches of the penultimate week!

NFL Week 17: Dallas Cowboys 20 – 19 Detroit Lions

When?

Saturday, December 30, 8:15 pm ET in AT&T Stadium

Moneyline odds: 

Cowboys 1.41 

Lions 2.97

Where Can I Watch? 

NFL on DAZN and FOX

The Cowboys hold off the Lions on Detroit’s last-second two-point conversion attempt and remain in the NFC East title mix.

The latest controversy surrounding referee Brad Allen and his officiating crew (involving an overturned 2-point conversion by the Lions) may have been avoided, if not for another missed call on the Cowboys’ previous possession.

Allen’s officiating crew should suffer a downgrade, influencing whether those officials are chosen for the postseason.

The Cowboys owned a 17-13 lead when they intercepted Jared Goff at the Lions’ 29-yard line with 2:05 remaining. Tony Pollard’s 7-yard run on the ensuing play was called back after Dallas tight end Peyton Hendershot was called for tripping, and the Cowboys faced a first-and-25 on the Lions’ 44.

A penalty against the Lions on that play would have set up the Cowboys with a first down after the two-minute warning and a chance to run more of the clock while forcing the Lions to use their remaining timeouts.

Instead, the Cowboys called three consecutive passing plays to get back into field goal range and took a 20-13 lead with Brandon Aubrey’s 43-yard field goal with 1:41 remaining. That turned out to be more than enough time for the Lions to score a touchdown and set the stage for the controversial call on Detroit’s ensuing 2-point conversion attempt.

The Lions trimmed their deficit to 20-19 on Goff’s touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown with 23 seconds remaining, opting for the 2-point conversion. Taylor Decker hauled in what would have been the go-ahead catch but the officials flagged the Lions offensive lineman for an illegal touching penalty for not reporting as eligible.

The Cowboys stopped the Lions’ 2-point retry and held on for the 20-19 victory.

NFL Week 17: Baltimore Ravens 59 – 19 Miami Dolphins

When?

Sunday, December 31, 1:00 pm ET in M&T Bank Stadium

Moneyline odds: 

Ravens 1.64 

Dolphins 2.32

Where Can I Watch? 

NFL on DAZN and FOX

The fight for the AFC’s top seed between the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens was neck and neck for about 27 of the game’s first 30 minutes.

After that, Baltimore went on a 28-3 run that lasted until the early stages of the fourth quarter, virtually ending the game. 

Even with the game well in hand, the Ravens send a message by scoring another 21 unanswered points in the final frame.

With a Lamar Jackson-led avalanche, the Ravens cruised to a 56-19 victory to ensure the AFC’s road to Super LVIII in Las Vegas will run through Baltimore. They will be the only team in the conference with a first-round bye. 

While the offense was the focal point, Baltimore’s defense deserves credit for containing a high-powered Miami attack. The Ravens forced three crucial turnovers, including two picks on Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

NFL Week 17: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13 – 23 New Orleans Saints

When? 

Sunday, December 31 at 1:00 pm ET in Raymond James Stadium

Moneyline odds: 

Buccaneers 1.69 

Saints 2.17

Where Can I Watch? 

NFL on DAZN and FOX

Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced a New Orleans Saints team that knew it needed a win to keep their postseason hopes alive. Todd Bowles’ club didn’t match that intensity.

The New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-13, ending the Bucs’ four-game winning streak and chance to clinch the NFC South in Week 17. 

The Saints imposed their will on both sides of the football for most of the matchup, reaching a domineering 20-0 lead through the third quarter as self-inflicted wounds hindered the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay tallied four turnovers, which spurred the defeat.

Baker Mayfield and the offense went three-and-out on four of their first six possessions. The other two ended in turnovers. The Bucs’ defense gave up 17 first-half points, allowing Derek Carr to carve them up over the middle of the field.

NFL Week 17: Kansas City Chiefs 25 – 17 Cincinnati Bengals

When? 

Sunday, December 31 at 4:25 pm ET in Arrowhead Stadium

Moneyline odds: 

Chiefs 1.27 

Bengals 3.96

Where Can I Watch? 

NFL on DAZN and FOX

The Chiefs clinched their eighth consecutive division title with their 25-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, along with a ninth straight playoff berth and an opening-round home game.

The Bengals notched a field goal at the end of their opening nine-minute drive, and the Chiefs answered with a seven-play drive that ended with a touchdown to running back Isiah Pacheco.

The lead didn’t last long when Bengals running back Joe Mixon caught a seven-yard touchdown pass to take a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.

A Trey Hendrickson strip-sack of Patrick Mahomes helped the Bengals get a great field position, and they increased their lead to 17-7 with a TD run from quarterback Jake Browning.

The Chiefs ended the half with two straight field goals to cut the lead to 17-13 at halftime. Kansas City drove the field 82 yards and ended with a Harrison Butker field goal to cut their deficit to 17-16.

The Chiefs connected on their longest pass play of the year with a 67-yard catch-and-run reception from Rashee Rice that got them into the red zone at the end of the third quarter. They ended the drive with their third straight field goal that helped them take a 19-17 lead early in the fourth quarter after a Butker 24-yard field goal. Later, they went strong with another 6 points to finish the deal in the match.