In this series, “NFL Game Day Takeaways,” fantasy football superstar, NFL analyst and Del Pilar’s Diatribes columnist, William Del Pilar provides concise thoughts. He captures the essence of each game, highlighting key takeaways from winning and losing teams. We aim to distill general observations into quick hits that reflect each team’s performance and trajectory.
In NFL Game Day Takeaways for Week 17, we have five days of football, and all with playoff implications! It’s another exciting NFL week and weekend of football.
NFL Game Day – Christmas Games
Kansas City Chiefs 29, Pittsburgh Steelers 10
The NFL game day takeaway here is simplistic. The Chiefs are the best team in the NFL, from their head coach to their coaching staff to their disciplined players. The Steelers begin anew their traditional second-half-of-the-season swoon.
The Chiefs clinched the overall No. 1 seed here, and Patrick Mahomes looked sharp with over 300 yards. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will get a head coaching job as he continues to take this defense and innovate. Without DT Chris Jones (calf) they were all over the Steelers with five sacks.
- However, another game another favorable with a clear incompletion called a pass and a missed pass-interference call.
All you hear about Mike Tomlin is that he’s a head coach without a losing season. While true, this only brings mediocrity when it comes to draft picks, and the team’s history of not paying out to players limits its free agency pool. Is mediocrity a boon to the team?
Per long-time Steelers beat reporter Gerry Dulac:
- This is the fourth time in the past six years that the Steelers have lost three straight in December and the fifth time in the past seven that they’ve lost three in a row after Thanksgiving.
Russell Wilson deserves the heat he’ll catch, but Tomlin’s allowing another traditional second-half season collapse!
My final NFL game day takeaway are questions: 1. How and why do you punt it on fourth-and-two while you’re down by 19 points late in the game? 2. Fans and the uninformed will blame the quarterback and point toward Tomlin, but what is happening to this once-vaunted Steelers’ defense? They’ve given up 29, 34, and 27 points (90 total) to opposing teams in the past three weeks.
Baltimore Ravens 31, Houston Texans 2
Wow, the Texans are flailing, and the Ravens seem to be peaking at the right time. Talk about a beat down, and Ravens RB Derrick Henry doesn’t seem to be slowing down as most running backs do as the season wears on with 147 yards. My issue with QB Lamar Jackson is that he can’t hit the side of a barn. However, are we finally seeing the progress in his accuracy with his 67-yard touchdown pass to TE Mark Andrews while scrambling for his life? That looked damn good!
On the flip side, as I’ve said recently, no one’s talking about these young quarterbacks coming back down to earth. Yes, that includes Commanders’ QB Jayden Daniels. However, he’s still looking great, but C.J. Stroud has crashed along with Houston this season. This loss and only two points with a safety was a complete embarrassment! On Christmas day, to boot, with their peers and the nation watching. C.J.’s non-elite look this season is primarily because there is much film on him.
Stroud possesses nothing magical athletically like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, or Patrick Mahomes. However, he has a phenomenal head on his shoulders and can go through reads and make plays. However, the team is being decimated by injuries, and he needs a supporting cast around him. He has “Bradyesque” potential but requires a strong offensive line and healthy receivers. Like the Steelers and their fans are learning, the Texans aren’t in the same league as the Ravens or Chiefs.
NFL Game Day – Thursday Night Football
Seattle Seahawks 6, Chicago Bears 3
Holy mackerel, I said last week that the Seahawks are a team that no one wants to play, and then they throw up a stinker of a win, 6-3, but a win is a win. However, one must question one’s game plan in a cold-weather game. They had success with the run but didn’t stick to it. Let’s be honest: teams don’t always want to face a team like the Seahawks because they may be helter-skelter, but they can compete with anyone when they’re on their game. They still have something to play for, as they’re still in the playoff hunt.
Long-term, the team must look at the quarterback position as Geno Smith looks great statistically but doesn’t seem to be the type of quarterback who can put a team on his back, and in this league, that is quarterback-driven; that’s a must. However, my NFL game day take is simple: when he’s on, that’s when this team can compete with anyone, but the problem is their record, as it speaks for itself at 9-7 as he’s just as apt to turn the ball over or make a silly mistake at the worst time. The Seahawks owe this week’s win to the seven sacks the defense generated and the fact that it was the Bears they were playing.
It doesn’t matter who the head coach is for the Bears, as they have suffered their 10th straight loss. Hey, I saw this coming. QB Caleb Williams has the physical talent but the maturity and leadership abilities of a kid who moves up the corporate ladder because his dad is the CEO – in essence, he’s given everything and not worked for anything.
It doesn’t matter who the head coach is for the Bears, as they have suffered their 10th straight loss. Hey, I saw this coming. QB Caleb Williams has the physical talent but the maturity and leadership abilities of a kid who moves up the corporate ladder because his dad is the CEO – in essence, he’s given everything and not worked for anything. Williams’ talent has given him everything but maturity and leadership. He’s more of a petulant child.
Thus, we view him as a project to become a leader, but we’ll see if he can become what many expect him to become. He’s been sacked 67 times in his defense, but many of those sacks are a product of holding on to the ball for too long. In fact, it’s a product of his college days where he could do that and get away with it. That’s not the case in the NFL. This team will likely take a hard look and give the bank away to the Lions’ offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson. With Williams as his quarterback, he may bite.
NFL Game Day – Saturday Games
Los Angeles Chargers 40, New England Patriots 7
Are the San Diego, oops, the Los Angeles Chargers finally learning to play tough? Here’s my NFL game day take: the Chargers are finally learning how to win. This game could’ve been a challenge in the past, but they came in and took care of business. That’s on head coach Jim Harbaugh and his mental toughness to handle business when needed.
The fact that the playoffs were on the line helped, but again, against the hapless Patriots, they took care of business and scored eight of ten possessions, which is typically impressive, but they did play the Patriots.
They need to get RB J.K. Dobbins closer to 100 percent than we’re seeing. Still, then again, maybe all those injuries have finally taken their toll on his body, and what you see is what you get – an average running back who shows some flashes of the potential many saw in him coming out of college. Overall, it was a solid game by the Chargers, but they still need to beat a quality team to be taken with any seriousness.
The Patriots, as stated, are hapless. This team’s play is directly based on how well rookie QB Drake Maye plays, and this week was no different, with another loss and an error-filled game that saw three turnovers. Head coach Jerod Mayo will return next season, barring anything outrageous, but he’s not ready for prime-time as a head coach and will likely not be anything but a transition head coach who may struggle to last the entire season next year.
That’s because we’re not seeing Maye’s growth as much as his talent shining through and typical rookie mistakes. He’s shown no growth, which will have to change to get him to the next level. Reps are key here this season, but he’s got to begin making better decisions to go with some of those highlight reel throws. Maybe Mayo can grow with Mayes and bring glory back to New England, but we’re not sure that can happen.
Cincinnati Bengals 30, Denver Broncos 24 (OT)
The Bengals go as QB Joe Burrows goes. That’s not an eye-opening NFL game day take, but it’s the simple truth. This team must win shootouts to win, which happened here with his performance of over 400 yards and three touchdowns. In fact, Burrows had to come and win it in overtime after PK Cade York dinged one off the goalposts in overtime, which should’ve won it.
We know what they have with their receivers, but their defense is the real talking point. They can’t stop anyone offensively, which starts up front as they can’t get to the quarterback, which is why the secondary is a sieve. You can only cover a receiver for so long before he breaks free, and when you give an opposing quarterback all day to throw, eventually, that costs you games.
That said, the Bengals are still in the playoff hunt at 8-8 and are a scary team to play because of how potent this offense is. However, as you can see, they’re a beatable team and are on the outside looking in because the opponent they beat, the Broncos, have great odds to win next week.
Rookie QB Bo Nix is the biggest surprise with the rookie quarterback class this season, as many weren’t sure what they would get. Well, he came in and gave it his best with three touchdowns and, despite the loss, are in if they beat the Chiefs next week, who will likely play their backups as they’ve clinched the No. 1 seed, a bye, and now have a meaningless game. However, this is their second loss in a row, and even if they win next week, a win against potential backups isn’t the type of momentum you want heading into the playoffs. Then there’s the fact they must win.
Bo Nix’s numbers aren’t as good without some bad calls going their way. The NFL game day point here is that the season’s catching up to him as teams have more film to see on him, they can counter his tendencies, and he’s not sneaking up on anyone anymore. That said, he’s having an outstanding season based on expectations.
Los Angeles Rams 13, Arizona Cardinals 9
What happens when the season wears on and “Baby Smurf” is your quarterback? You lose and lose and realize you’re in salary cap hell because of one player – QB Kyler Murray. His decision-making is atrocious, showing he doesn’t study much film or learn from his mistakes. There’s a reason they put mandatory study time in his contract. They were idiots to take it out.
His final pass, an interception, was a bullet pass when you didn’t have to throw the bullet. Murray can’t carry a team, much less play great football as the season progresses. Here’s the actual NFL game day take. This was one of his better games, as he threw for over 300 yards. When you combine that with the Rams playing poorly on offense, they should’ve come away with the win but couldn’t. That’s on Murray.
This team relies on RB James Conner (knee), who went down to injury. They’ve lost their last five out of six, and what was once a promising, unexpected season has turned into the typical Cardinals’ putrid season. This team is going nowhere, and that’s been the story of this franchise for the past six seasons when they saw stars when drafting Murray.
The Rams are resilient. This could be Sean McVay’s finest coaching performance. He has this team playing at a high mental toughness level, and even when they don’t perform well, they have shown an ability to overcome their mistakes. They’re still in the playoff hunt, but that’s not to say injuries and some bad decisions haven’t cost them. They’ve overcome to remain competitive and are fighting for a playoff spot.
The general fan thinks “offense” with the Rams, but their defense has been playing well and keeping them competitive. They’ve bailed out the offense more than once this season and did it again this week, securing the win for the team with an end-zone interception with less than a minute left in the game. However, they did spot the ball at the one when they took over on offense. At 10-6, they’ve overachieved after a rough early start to the season.
NFL Game Day – Sunday Early Games
New York Giants 45, Indianapolis Colts 33
First, an easy NFL game day take is that Colts QB Anthony Richardson (foot, back) will not have a long career as he’s too injury-prone. Lo and behold, Joe Flacco gets the start, and despite a few miscues, the Colts put up 33 points. Then again, it was the Giants, and they still lost.
That said, Flacco will get blamed for another interception late in the game, but you must question the offensive line. You must protect your quarterback! What is up with their putrid defense? The Giants had not broken the 17-point barrier their past three games and, in that span, totaled 32 points! Then they throw up 45 – where was this offense this season? Well, you can’t play sad sacks every week!
This was a great win for the Giants’ players, and many probably saw it as their playoff game, as beating the Colts would knock them out of the playoffs. Their fans are tired of losing, so you would expect them to be happy, but the win also knocked them out of the top pick in next season’s draft.
The Colts are a mediocre team with a QB with great physical talent but the drop-back ability of a pee-wee league quarterback. This team will need at least 4-5 years of experience for Richardson. What player wants to be mired in mediocrity, and Richardson’s development is not a given? In the meantime, where does Joe Flacco play next year?
Regardless, this loss removed the Colts from playoff contention, and it was apt as they are not ready for prime time, and Richardson will cost his head coach his job next season. At what point does RB
Buffalo Bills 40, New York Jets 14
How low can the Jets go? Well, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has to decide if he wants to play again, earned an unnecessary roughing penalty. Go figure! Turnovers and sacks are the weekly banes for this team, and they continued this week with three sacks and three turnovers, with a safety on top! Things are so bad in New York that the Jets are already interviewing for next season’s head coach.
NFL game day take: the simple truth is that Rodgers is in his first year and has not developed chemistry with his receivers or looked comfortable on the field. Logic would dictate growing pains, but at his age, his toxicity within the media, and fans tired of losing, look for Rodgers to play elsewhere next year, if at all.
The Bills took care of business and are trying to head into the playoffs with momentum. The real question for fans is if QB Josh Allen wins MVP, and with another three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing), he’s not hurting himself. However, the Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley just broke 2,000 rushing yards, and only eight have done it before, so he may lose out despite having an MVP season. Back to the game, it was the lowly Jets, but the defense had a morale boost from this win in turnovers and sacks. It’s something to build their confidence entering the final week and then the playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars 20, Tennessee Titans 13
Honestly, who cares what these two teams do outside their fans? The Jaguars looked solid enough and minimized their mistakes, and Brian Thomas Jr. had a great showing for his fantasy football owners, going 7-92-1 in a game only fans and gamblers cared about. However, this win will not change anyone’s mind about keeping head coach Doug Pederson around. He’s likely gone on “Black Monday.”
The Titans’ quarterback, Mason Rudolph, led the team to another loss. This team led the Jaguars in passing and rushing but lost the turnover battle in a game that could have gone either way. Third-down efficiency may have cost them, as the Jaguars moved the ball more efficiently. Regardless, they’re playing for nothing, but we do wonder where Mac Jones will go after this season.
Las Vegas Raiders 25, New Orleans Saints 10
Look out as the Raiders have a two-game winning streak going, beating up on the loser Saints, who can’t buy a win! The real story is Raiders TE Brock Bowers, who broke Mike Ditka’s rookie record for tight ends in receiving yards in a season. Bowers has 1,144 versus Ditka’s 1,076. However, Ditka only had 14 games versus Bowers’s 16, so it’s a measly record to brag about.
NFL game day take: no one will say Bowers had the better rookie season – Ditka accomplished more in less time, and the team had a winning record at 8-6 in an era where passing, as we see today, was non-existent. What is more impressive is that Bowers broke the rookie catches record that Rams WR Puka Nacua set last year. Bowers now has 108 versus Nacua’s 105. Now, that’s much more impressive.
As far as the game is concerned, Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell is trying to make this writer look like a fool as he had an impressive game. He led the team to scores on six of their first eight possessions, and RB Ameer Abdulla had his first 100-yard rushing game. What does this mean for head coach Antonio Pierce?
Well, when he has a quarterback who can ball, this team can win, but let’s be honest: the Saints are injury-riddled, and they’re the Saints. The problem is that O’Connell or Gardner Minshew aren’t the answer, as both are capable backups and spot-starters but not long-term solutions. Pierce, in all fairness, should come back, but Mark Davis, who inherited the team, is noncommittal as he’ll look to make a splash with a new hire if a big name becomes available. Who said life is fair? Not us!
The Saints are a laughingstock. With too many drops, penalties, no offense, and two turnovers to go with four sacks allowed, this team is far removed from the team that started hot with impressive wins at the start of the season. They must realize they must rebuild, trade Derek Carr, and begin anew while allowing their salary cap dilemmas to work themselves away. Playing the salary cap shell game does nothing but create mediocrity and loss. That is why former head coach Sean Payton left. He saw the writing on the wall once Drew Brees retired.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Carolina Panthers 14
The Buccaneers are a helter-skelter team. Playing poorly in games, they should win and then come out with a beat down against another team. Granted, we’re talking the 4-12 Panthers, but it was impressive. They now control their fate to win the NFC South and get the final coveted playoff spot. QB Baker Mayfield will always be compared to the disgust that is Browns QB Deshaun Watson and his over-bloated, fully guaranteed $260 million contract.
The win goes to Mayfield, and the losers remain perennial losers in Cleveland. However, Mayfield must show he can put a team on his back, and maybe he can finally do that if he can get this team to another playoff outing. He threw for 359 yards and an impressive five touchdowns. If he were your fantasy football starter in your fantasy championship game, you’d smile or curse if you faced him. That was as unlikely an outing as anyone saw coming.
Let’s not forget Bucs RB Bucky Irving, who has over 1,000 rushing yards this season. He’s electrifying, posted 190 offensive yards (113 rushing, 77 receiving), and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. This would be a significant positive if they could get into the playoffs and keep him rolling.
The Panthers suffered a setback, but the truth is, all-world-potential-bust QB Bryce Young is proving not to be a bust with his play in the second half of the season. Young will not be dealt after the season but the team must build around him. He’s not a big kid and can’t take a beating. This week, he was taken down five times by the Bucs, and that’s not satisfactory. Despite the loss, the team does not have to go quarterback-hunting this season. They need to build around Young, but Young will not be elite but serviceable, as we see Mayfield at the moment.
Philadelphia Eagles 41, Dallas Cowboys 7
The untold story, because Eagles RB Saquon Barkley is hogging the spotlight with a few extra rushing yards, is the Eagles’ backup quarterback situation. Sure, Jalen Hurts (concussion) is due back for the season finale, but how long will he play, as another hit on the Noggin could affect his playoff chances? Backup QB Kenny Picket (ribs) went down with aggravated ribs, and Tanner McKee stepped in, forcing the team to lean on Barkley.
Look, Barkley is playing lights out, but do you want to risk him and extra carries before the playoffs? No, you don’t, which makes the big story much more perplexing for head coach Nick Sirianni. What should they do in Week 18 as they’re locked into the No. 2 playoff spot.
As far as the game is concerned, the Cowboys are a mess, and this writer puts it fully on the front office. The front office is overvaluing players, creating bad contracts that bite them with the salary cap, and proving nepotism is a four-letter word. Stephen Jones, Charlotte Jones Anderson, and Jerry Jones Jr. are as inept as possible in building a franchise. Let’s always blame the head coach, which is the Cowboys’ mantra under owner and daddy Jerry Jones.
Even if WR CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) had played, the Cowboys would’ve been blown out. They’re that bad, giving up four turnovers and a sack and being unable to stop the Eagles defensively even when they knew Barkley would get the ball. It was an embarrassment, and again, it’s easy to blame head coach Mike Holmgren, but this team needs a makeover, and that’s not going to happen.
The Cowboys are beginning the start of more than a few years of mediocrity, and Holmgren may last into next year, as this blowout may have sealed his future, but that’s not a given yet. NFL game day prediction: five years from now, we’ll see this team go through what this writer predicts will be at least three head coaches.
Let’s get back to the real story: Eagles RB Saquon Barkley is finally fulfilling the NFL career most expected from him when the Giants took him second overall in 2018. Barkley joins the rank of the elite 2K club!
- O.J. Simpson (1973) – 2,003 yards
- Eric Dickerson (1984) – 2,105 yards
- Barry Sanders (1997) – 2,053 yards
- Terrell Davis (1998) – 2,008 yards
- Jamal Lewis (2003) – 2,066 yards
- Chris Johnson (2009) – 2,006 yards
- Adrian Peterson (2012) – 2,097 yards
- Derrick Henry (2020) – 2,027 yards
- Saquon Barkley (2024) – 2005 yards and still counting.
Note: OJ Simpson did it in 14 games, thus making his record the best of the best. Barkley will have a chance to break Eric Dickerson’s league-best, but Dickerson did it in 16 games, whereas Barkley will have a 17-game season.
NFL Game Day – Sunday Late Games
Miami Dolphins 20, Cleveland Browns 3
This writer has always had a soft spot for the underdog, and Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley shows what limited talent and hard work can do. This writer always roots for him. The Dolphins needed a win to stay alive in the playoff hunt, and Snoop (Huntley) came through with 225 passing yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing).
With Tua Tagovailoa’s (hip) causing him to miss this past week and his status for the season finale still up in the air, this was a great morale builder if Snoop must start again. The Jets will come in to play spoiler, but they’re so bad; even with Huntley starting the Dolphins, chances aren’t bad. They need outside help and are on the outside looking in; never say never, as the Rams learned when four out of five wins and losses had to happen and did.
The Browns are a mess. They started the season with three bad quarterbacks and will end it with three bad ones. Some will say the Browns’ defense held its own this week, but did it? They were playing a backup quarterback who struggled most of the time and still allowed 20 points to be put up on them. NFL game day question is whether the Browns will look at a possible quarterback in the draft despite QB Deshaun Watson’s bloated, full-guaranteed contract.
Minnesota Vikings 27, Green Bay Packers 25
What a game this one was, going down to the final minutes. Vikings QB Sam Darnold will not win the MVP, but he’s fulfilling everything this writer predicted he would! Yes, the Vikings record is no surprise here at Grumblings Media. He needed some quality mentoring and got it starting last season with the 49ers. To go with his three touchdowns was 377 yards, but he did have a pick and has a habit of too many of those. He’s tied for fourth worst with 12 interceptions this season.
You add a Vikings defense that is gelling well heading into the postseason, and this team is not one you want to face. They shut the Packers down for most of the game but allowed them to come back. That’s an issue the Vikings must understand – how to put teams away. It’s the second time this season they have almost allowed the Packers to come back and steal the win.
They’ll face the Detroit Lions next week in a potential matchup for the No. 1 seed. This team will face many questions at the end of their season. What do they do with Darnold? What happens on defense if defensive coordinator Brian Flores, actively campaigning for another head coaching gig, moves on? NFL game day take: he’s not likely to get a gig as he’s got too many deficiencies as a leader and human being. Never say never.
The Packers’ average age is 25, so this team is still maturing and, despite that, are legitimate Super Bowl contenders even as a wild-card team. The NFL game day point is that they must stop starting slowly if they hope to be Super Bowl contenders. Penalties also hurt them, but again, they are a maturing young team. Despite their 11-5 record against winning teams, they struggle, so while they can beat anyone on any given Sunday, a long stretch as a wild-card team doesn’t bode well for them.
Sunday Night Football
Washington Commanders 30, Atlanta Falcons 24 (OT)
This was a very well-coached game and execution by Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. The Commanders took it in overtime with three touchdowns and broke Robert Griffin III’s rookie rushing record of 815 yards. Daniels has 864 and one game to go. The big talk is that he joins the rookie 30-plus TD club with 31 total touchdowns. The team needed the win to begin gaining momentum as they’re playoff-bound and got it. Their defense played pretty well in shutting down Falcons RB Bijan Robinson in the second half.
The inept Falcons went from controlling their playoff future to being on the outside looking in. The NFL game day point here is that he’s still struggling with clock management and game decisions in his second tenure as a head coach. This writer didn’t like him as the new head coach, and he’s proving me right.
The change to Michael Pennix Jr. in a game with one of the league’s better teams proved too much for the young man as they kept him in check with 223 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. This team has a long way to go before they’re seen as a playoff-caliber team. Even if they do get in, odds are they’ll be blown out. That said, NFL game day prediction: they don’t get in.
Monday Night Football
Detroit Lions 40, San Francisco 49ers 34
A lot will be said about the Lions’ ability to post big numbers, but they did face a 49ers defense that is a shell of itself and, in some ways, an embarrassment to the defenses they fielded in previous seasons. That said, the Lions offense can play with anyone, and that may be their ticket to the Super Bowl this year as, once again, their defense is a sieve with too many holes to counter most of the playoff-bound teams. However, this season, injuries are taking their toll.
They are still a well-coached team defensively and adjusted to turn a close game into a catch-up game for the 49ers. Their key to victory were two key interceptions of QB Brock Purdy and two sacks to go along with winning the time of possession battle.
However, realize the Niners are 6-10 this season for a good reason: they’re not very good. As good as the Lions look this week against a subpar team, they’ll be facing stronger defenses in the playoffs. Can their offense keep up? My NFL game day take is yes, but that’s a fine line that can get away from any team in the postseason.
The Niners are limping to the end of the season but did show up and play a strong game. Unfortunately, they have no horses to carry them as their wideouts have been inconsistent, and they have no current rushing attack, as their 75 yards on the ground proved.
This team’s best wideout is TE George Kittle. However, he’s been hampered for the past few years because of poor offensive line play. Thus, he’s forced to stay in and block much more than the team would like. However, when the team uses him as a receiver, he’s one of the league’s best, as his 8-112-0 stat line shows. By the way, he had eight targets, thus catching every pass that went his way.
The team must bulk up and improve its offensive line, and enough with the wideouts with a couple of solid seasons, then hold out and destroy the salary cap. We saw that this season, as the team didn’t have the quality depth to counter their injuries. Another key NFL game day take many don’t talk about: too many coaching changes on the defense helped speed up its demise this year. Finally, PK Jake Moody didn’t cost them the game, but his two missed field goals changed how the game went. He also missed an extra point. Look for the team to look hard at other kickers for next year.
There are your NFL game day takeaways for the Week 17 games. We’ll conclude the week with three Sunday games as they wrap up. Don’t forget to check out our “Blindside Blitz” and “Points on the Board” podcasts. Where we discuss NFL game day issues and other sports making headlines.
