Welcome to our weekly look at what has happened in the NFL over the past week and in a week that was marred with the tragic life-threatening injury sustained by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, which thankfully, he seems to be recovering slowly from, it was a week where by Tuesday morning, who stood where in the NFL didn’t really seem to matter as much.

We looked at the Damar Hamlin story in detail in our post on Tuesday this week, so in this article, we are going to focus purely on the football action from Week 17.

As always, we saw our usual share of action across the week and we saw the playoff situation resolved a bit more in both the AFC and NFC.

With just one week of games to go, plus the postponed Bills @ Bengals clash from Week 17, bet365 Sport is offering you one last chance this season to enjoy some regular season betting action on the NFL with a range of pre-match and In Game bets.

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Let’s now look at some of the main football stories of the week and say that we continue to wish Damar every positive thought possible as he continues his recovery.

NFL Matchday 17 – Main Football Stories

Patriots Defeat Dolphins To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive – Key plays from Mac Jones, Jabrill Peppers and Hunter Henry played a key role in the New England Patriots defeating their AFC East rivals the Miami Dolphins 23-21. Two defensive interceptions proved key, as did an injury to stand-in Miami quarterback Teddy Bridgewater that saw Skylar Thompson take just over half the snaps. The Dolphins are still alive in the playoffs, as are the Patriots, but both will be keeping tabs on the results in other games on the final week to see how their chances of playoff football go.

Lacklustre Eagles Fall To Resurgent Saints – It was too little too late for New Orleans as despite an excellent performance in their win over the Eagles, they are still out of playoff contention due to Tampa’s victory over Carolina. The Eagles are holding on to the NFC top seed by their fingertips now after two defeats in a row, meaning the 49ers, Vikings and Cowboys are all in with a chance of snatching that number 1 spot away from them. Jalen Hurts is most definitely being missed.

Packers Set For Lions Showdown After Vikings Victory – After a season of under-performance, Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers could still make the playoffs after their 41-17 thrashing of the NFC North topping Minnesota Vikings.  With Detroit also landing a big win, the scene is set for an enthralling Week 18 showdown between the two AFC North rivals with a chance to join the Vikings in the post-season very much on the line.

Giants And Bucs Lock Up Playoff Spot – The New York Giants have ended a long wait for post-regular season football after their 38-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts ensured that they would make it into the post-season. There they will be joined by Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers whose come-from-behind win over the Carolina Panthers ensured that regardless of the result this week, the Bucs will finish top of the NFC South.

Steelers Still Have An Outside Chance of The Playoffs – Last weekend, a Najee Harris touchdown reception was the key play that handed the Pittsburgh Steelers a victory over the Baltimore Ravens. That win moved the Steelers to 8-8 and means that they will be slugging it out this week with the Patriots, Dolphins, Jaguars and Titans for a place in the AFC Playoffs. That’s miraculous given that they have spent most of the season hovering near the foot of the Power Rankings.

NFL Star Performers of the Week – Offense/ST

  • WR Devonta Smith (Eagles) – 9 receptions for 115 yards
  • QB Daniel Jones (Giants) – 19/24 for 177 yards and 2 touchdowns, 91 rushing yards, 2 TDs
  • QB Tom Brady (Buccaneers) – 34/45 for 432 yards passing and 3 touchdowns
  • WR Mike Evans (Buccaneers) – 10 receptions for 207 yards and 3 touchdowns
  • QB Sam Darnold (Panthers) – 23/37 for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns
  • QB Jared Goff (Lions) – 21/29 for 255 yards and 3 touchdowns.
  • RB Jamal Williams (Lions) – 22 carries for 144 yards and 1 touchdown
  • WR Amari Cooper (Browns) – 3 receptions for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • RB Travis Etienne (Jaguars) – 9 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown
  • WR Davante Adams (Raiders) – 7 receptions for 153 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • RB Christian McCaffery (49ers) – 19 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown plus 6 receptions for 72 yards
  • QB Geno Smith (Seahawks) – 18/29 for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • RB Aaron Jones (Packers) – 14 carries for 111 yards
  • RB Austin Ekeler (Chargers) – 10 carries for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns.
  • RB Najee Harris (Steelers) – 22 carries for 11 yards, 2 receptions for 12 yards & a TD.

NFL Star Performers Of The Week – Defense

  • Jacksonville Jaguars – It was a stunning all-round performance by the Jaguars defence in their win over the Texans which moved them one game clear of the Titans in the AFC South. They held the Texans to just 202 yards passing and 84 yards rushing across five players as they dominated their AFC opponents. The Titans are up next in a must-win game for both but the Jags go into this game as the in form team and the hot favourites.
  • Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers offense is not going to outscore too many opponents if their defense does not show up, but fortunately that is what has happened this past few weeks. In keeping the Ravens to just 13 points, the Steelers kept alive their playoff hopes and they could, as yet, squeeze through on the back of this defenses ability to keep the score down.
  • New Orleans Saints – A stunning first half performance in particular from the Saints defense put the Eagles behind the 8-ball in this game early on and it was a deficit that the NFC East team could not come back from. The injury to Joshua Sweat was a big blow for the Eagles but take nothing away from this outstanding defensive effort from the Saints, even though it proved ultimately to be in vain.
  • Seattle Seahawks – The New York Jets offense has stuttered over the last few weeks, so the Seahawks would have hoped they could post a good showing here on defense and they did just that, keeping the Jets from scoring a touchdown while racking up an impressive 23 points on offense to record a victory which very much keeps them in the frame for a playoff spot in the NFC.

NFL Rookies Of The Week

  • QB Brock Purdy (49ers) – 284 yards passing, 2 touchdowns
  • QB Kenny Pickett (Steelers) – 168 yards passing, Game winning passing touchdown
  • RB Tyler Allgeier (Falcons) – 83 yards rushing, 1 td and 12 yards receiving
  • RB Kenneth Walker (Seahawsk) – 133 rushing yards
  • LB James Houston (Lions) – 3 tackles, 3 sacks and a forced fumble
  • TE Trey McBride (Cardinals) – 7 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown
  • CB Trent McDuffie (Chiefs) – 4 tackles, 3 assists, and a sack

NFL Key Injuries

  • S Damar Hamlin (Bills) – Cardiac arrest and is out indefinitely and remains in ICU.
  • QB Nick Foles (Colts) – rib injury, will miss the game with the Giants
  • QB Ryan Tannehill (Titans) – ruled out of the game with the Jaguars with an ankle injury.
  • CB L’Jarius Snead (Chiefs) – hip injury and is day to day according to the Chiefs.
  • QB Teddy Bridgewater (Dolphins) – Day to day with injury to throwing hand.
  • RT Brian O’Neill (Vikings) – Could miss significant time with calf injury.
  • DT Leonard Williams (Giants) – Will likely be rested for the week 18 game with a neck injury
  • EDGE Josh Sweat (Eagles) – Neck injury but is considered day to day.
  • RB Christian McCaffrey (49ers) – Day to day due to a sprained ankle.

NFL Bonehead of The Week

There’s something about the end of the regular season and Carson Wentz. Last year, it was his meltdown with the Indianapolis Colts against the Jacksonville Jaguars that saw the Colts miss out on the post-season with Wentz traded a short time later to the Washington Commanders.

Well last week, the Commanders needed to win against the Cleveland Browns, but Wentz bad habits returned as he hit 16 of 28 passes for just 143 yards and worse still, 3 interceptions which proved crucial as the Browns ran out 24-10 winners.

NFL Matchday 17 – Results

  • Dallas Cowboys 27-13 Tennessee Titans
  • Arizona Cardinals 19-20 Atlanta Falcons
  • Miami Dolphins 21-23 New England Patriots
  • New Orleans Saints 20-10 Philadelphia Eagles
  • Indianapolis Colts 10-38 New York Giants
  • Carolina Panthers 24-30 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Denver Broncos 24-27 Kansas City Chiefs
  • Chicago Bears 10-41 Detroit Lions
  • Cleveland Browns 24-10 Washington Commanders
  • Jacksonville Jaguars 31-3 Houston Texans
  • San Francisco 49ers 37-34 Las Vegas Raiders (OT)
  • New York Jets 6-23 Seattle Seahawks
  • Minnesota Vikings 17-41 Green Bay Packers
  • Los Angeles Rams 10-31 Los Angeles Chargers
  • Pittsburgh Steelers 16-13 Baltimore Ravens
  • Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals – Game Suspended – TBD.

NFL Standings After Matchday 17

NFC North NFC West NFC East NFC South 
Vikings12-449ers12-4Eagles13-3Buccaneers8-8
Lions8-8Seahawks8-8Cowboys12-4Saints7-9
Packers8-8Rams5-11Giants9-6-1Panthers6-10
Bears3-13Cardinals4-12Commanders7-8-1Falcons6-10
AFC North AFC West AFC East AFC South 
Bengals*11-4Chiefs13-3Bills*12-3Jaguars8-8
Ravens10-6Chargers10-6Patriots8-8Titans7-9
Steelers8-8Raiders6-10Dolphins8-8Colts4-11-1
Browns7-9Broncos4-12Jets7-9Texans2-13-1

Teams qualified for the playoffs are shown in Italics.

Teams confirmed as Divisional Winners are shown in Bold.

*indicates that the Bengals v Bills games was postponed – NFL yet to announce what happens next.

Current Playoff Picture

NFC

  1. Philadelphia Eagles – 13-3
  2. San Francisco 49ers – 12-4
  3. Minnesota Vikings – 12-4
  4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 8-8
  5. Dallas Cowboys – 12-4
  6. New York Giants 9-6-1
  7. To Be Decided

Still In The Hunt

Seattle Seahawks (8-8), Detroit Lions (8-8), Green Bay Packers (8-8)

AFC

  1. Kansas City Chiefs – 13-3
  2. Buffalo Bills – 12-3*
  3. Cincinnati Bengals – 11-4*
  4. AFC South Winners – To Be Decided (Jaguars or Titans)
  5. Los Angeles Chargers – 10-6
  6. Baltimore Ravens – 10-6
  7. To Be Decided

Still In The Hunt

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8), New England Patriots (8-8), Miami Dolphins (8-8), Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8), Tennessee Titans (7-9)

*Bengals v Bills game still to be completed after postponement this week.

NFL Matchday 18 – Fixtures

Saturday 7th January

  • Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) @ Las Vegas Raiders (6-10)
  • Tennessee Titans (7-9) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

Sunday 8th January

  • Baltimore Ravens (10-6) @ Cincinnati Bengals (11-4)
  • Cleveland Browns (7-9) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)
  • Minnesota Vikings (12-4) @ Chicago Bears (3-13)
  • New England Patriots (8-8) @ Buffalo Bills (12-3)
  • New York Jets (7-9) @ Miami Dolphins (8-8)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
  • Carolina Panthers (6-10) @ New Orleans Saints (7-9)
  • Houston Texans (2-13-1) @ Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1)
  • Arizona Cardinals (4-12) @ San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
  • Dallas Cowboys (12-4) @ Washington Commanders (7-8-1)
  • Los Angeles Rams (5-10) @ Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
  • New York Giants (9-6-1) @ Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
  • Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) @ Denver Broncos (4-12)
  • Detroit Lions (8-8) @ Green Bay Packers (8-8)

NFL Matchday 18 – Top Betting Tips With Bet365

Last week was rubbish as none of our tips hit, although the Bengals v Bills game was voided. Let’s hope this final set of tips for the season comes in:

  • Jaguars to cover the spread (-6.0) against the Titans – 10/11
  • Bills to beat the Patriots by 7-12 points – 10/3
  • Dolphins to beat the Jets by 1-6 points – 11/4
  • Eagles to beat the Giants by 13-18 points – 16/5
  • Packers to beat Lions by 13-18 points – 11/2

NFL – Power Rankings (After Week 17)

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) (7,4,2,1,3,2,2,2,1,2,1,1,1,1,1,1,1)
  2. Kansas City Chiefs (13-3) (2,2,4,3,2,3,3,3,4,4,2,2,4,5,6,3,2)
  3. Buffalo Bills (12-3) (1,1,1,2,1,1,1,1,2,3,4,5,5,2,2,2,3)
  4. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) (16,11,17,15,9,10,13,10,14,13,10,8,6,4,3,5,4)
  5. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4) (8,15,12,11,13,9,9,13,11,12,9,7,7,6,4,4,5)
  6. Dallas Cowboys (12-4) (19,17,11,6,4,7,6,5,5,9,6,4,3,3,7,7,6)
  7. Minnesota Vikings (12-4) (9,12,13,9,5,4,5,4,3,1,3,3.2,7,5,6,7)
  8. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6) (3,5,16,10,8,6,10,12,13,14,16,14,15,12,9,9,8)
  9. New York Giants (9-6-1) (22,10,15,14,6,5,4,7,7,5,11,12,12,13,10,11,9)
  10. Baltimore Ravens (10-6) (6,8,6,8,7,8,11,8,10,11,8,11,9,8,8,8,10)
  11. Green Bay Packers (8-8) (11,9,7,5,10,11,15,16,20,18,18,20,22,18,18,12,11)
  12. Detroit Lions (8-8) (28,21,25,27,29,30,32,32,28,25,20,19,18,17,14,16,12)
  13. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8) (31,26,14,18,21,25,28,29,26,28,31,26,28,22,20,14,13)
  14. Seattle Seahawks (8-8) (23,25,29,24,25,20,12,9,8,10,13,15,10,10,15,19,14)
  15. New England Patriots (8-8) (26,20,24,28,24,19,23,15,15,15,14,16,17,16,17,20,15)
  16. Miami Dolphins (8-8) (13,7,3,4,14,16,14,14,12,6,7,6,8,9,11,10,16)
  17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) (4,3,8,12,11,12,16,21,16,17,17,17,16,19,23,17,17)
  18. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8) (10,16,21,29,32,26,30,30,31,30,29,27,21,23,22,18,18)
  19. Washington Commanders (7-8-1) (18,23,26,30,28,27,21,19,18,16,15,13,14,14,13,15,19)
  20. New York Jets (7-9) (32,27,31,26,19,13,7,11,6,8,12,10,11,11,12,13,20)
  21. New Orleans Saints (7-9) (12,14,18,23,17,21,25,18,19,23,25,28,26,29,25,23,21)
  22. Las Vegas Raiders (6-10) (17,24,30,21,27,28,24,28,29,31,27,25,19,20,19,22,22)
  23. Tennessee Titans (7-9) (24,31,23,19,12,15,8,6,9,7,5,9,13,15,16,21,23)
  24. Cleveland Browns (7-9) (14,18,9,13,16,22,26,22,22,27,26,24,20,21,21,25,24)
  25. Carolina Panthers (6-10) (30,32,28,31,31,32,29,27,30,29,23,23,25,24,24,24,25)
  26. Atlanta Falcons (6-10) (29,30,27,20,23,18,19,20,21,21,19,18,23,25,26,27,26)
  27. Los Angeles Rams (5-11) (5,6,5,7,15,14,17,17,17,22,24,29,29,26,28,26,27)
  28. Arizona Cardinals (4-12) (25,19,22,17,18,23,18,23,24,19,22,21,24,28,30,28,28)
  29. Denver Broncos (4-12) (20,13,10,16,20,24,27,24,23,24,28,30,30,30,27,28,29,29)
  30. Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1) (15,29,20,25,22,17,20,25,25,20,21,22,27,27,29,30,30)
  31. Houston Texans (2-13-1) (27,28,32,32,30,31,31,31,32,32,32,32,32,32,32,31,31)
  32. Chicago Bears (3-13) (21,22,19,22,26,29,22,26,27,26,30,31,31,31,31,32,32)
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