# NFL 2023: Week 17 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [December 27, 2023, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234 "2023-12-27T15:23:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/121 "2024-01-01T01:14:42Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > This is probably not the way to enamor yourself to your fan base. Well, he tossed it on Jaguar fans - but he’s still a garbage person. The Chefs’ win was cathartic. The offense remains a total dumpster fire of epic proportions, but Rashee Rice is a clear WR1 now, and Pacheco is a ball of energy. The defense is simply electric. They seem to thrive on emotion, and completely shut things down as if the NBA Jam guy has just yelled “he’s on fire!” If they can get the WRs to just catch the damn ball, they may make a run. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/122 "2024-01-01T01:46:33Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Pacheco is a ball of energy. Except for Mahomes’ 4 scrambles/keepers, the only Chiefs ballcarrier today was Pacheco. He carried the ball 18 times for 130 yards. He also had 7 receptions for 35 yards and the only touchdown. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/123 "2024-01-01T03:15:02Z")
To call back to that Kadarious Toney snafu a few weeks ago, I made the argument that officials are wildly inconsistent on how they enforce WR alignment. This play is a terrific example that illustrates the point. While the left WR must be off the line to allow Decker report and be eligible, the right WR also _must_ be **on** the line of scrimmage in order to ensure that Sewell is covered. These players are essentially lined up exactly the same. The nearer WRs back foot is a bit further back but their lead feet are damn near identical with respect to the LOS. So if you want to be a rule nazi you can make a case that this play should have been flagged for that reason. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/124 "2024-01-01T03:57:08Z")
Bills didn’t get any help aside from the Ravens game. Buffalo must beat Miami next week or hope that either the Jags or Steelers lose, in order to get a playoff berth. It’s very probable that both the Jags and Steelers will win, given that they’re both facing opponents (Titans and Ravens) who have nothing to play for. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/125 "2024-01-01T04:02:56Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > The nearer WRs back foot is a bit further back but their lead feet are damn near identical with respect to the LOS. Are you looking at the correct player? He’s second from left. There is only one WR on the other side and that WR’s lead foot is lined up with Decker’s rear foot. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/126 "2024-01-01T04:09:58Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Buffalo must beat Miami next week or hope that either the Jags or Steelers lose, in order to get a playoff berth. Interesting that if Buffalo wins, they are the #2 seed in the AFC. But if they lose, they may not make the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/127 "2024-01-01T04:28:16Z")
I think the Browns are locked into the 5 seed. Always frustrating when bad division winners get a home game when the better wild card team has to play away, but I get it. This means they can rest their starters next week, and combined with the fact that they played a Thursday game and have a few extra days off hopefully means they can get a good chunk of rest before the playoffs. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/128 "2024-01-01T05:04:44Z")
Brisset got injured in practice, so Howell started and was as mediocre as usual ( against SF’s good defense). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/129 "2024-01-01T05:24:46Z")
Yeah, we’ll see how it shakes out. NYTimes give them 95% to make the playoffs, and ESPN apparently gives them 97% (though I can’t find where on their page they say that; it was referenced in an article I was reading.) At any rate, I got my fingers crossed for them. But they’ve had some bad beats historically, so I hope I don’t jinx this. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/130 "2024-01-01T05:55:09Z")
The Vikings sure put up feeble resistance… ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/131 "2024-01-01T06:10:55Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > The Vikings sure put up feeble resistance They’re 1-5 in their past six games, and inconsistent QB play after Kirk Cousins was lost for the year is undoubtedly a big part of it. Their one win in that stretch was when they beat the Raiders, 3-0. Meanwhile, Jordan Love has been putting together a stretch of pretty darned good play. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/132 "2024-01-01T07:10:28Z")
This kid might just be alright. Green Bay has to beat Chicago at home in Lambeau on a cold January day to make the playoffs. Make sure to send your money to the refs early to guarantee they get all the calls. That Chiefs game got real close at the end until the checks finally cleared. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/133 "2024-01-01T07:35:11Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > Brisset got injured in practice, so Howell started and was as mediocre as usual ( against SF’s good defense) Well to be fair, they weren’t really trying all that hard. Currently clinging to a #2 overall pick thanks to the Cardinals winning, which I think they can lock in with a loss next week and a Patriots win. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/134 "2024-01-01T10:25:05Z")
Also, forgot to mention: Jordan Love now has more passing yards and touchdowns in a single season than any quarterback for the Bears. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/135 "2024-01-01T16:12:44Z")
Bears have never been a QB-emphasizing team. It seems to be embedded in their culture. Even when they won the Super Bowl in 1986, that was on the back of a stifling defense, and their QB (McMahon) was a totally forgettable guy. Their most recent Super Bowl trip (2006) was also with a forgettable guy (Grossman,) leaning on a strong defense. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/136 "2024-01-01T16:41:33Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Even when they won the Super Bowl in 1986, that was on the back of a stifling defense, and their QB (McMahon) was a totally forgettable guy. What?!? Clearly you missed his starring role as the punky QB in the [Super Bowl Shuffle video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooT_uz--O2A). ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/137 "2024-01-01T17:08:05Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Bears have never been a QB-emphasizing team. They’ve spent the #2 draft pick on Mitch Trubisky. They spent the #11 pick on Justin Fields. They’ve spent #12 on Cade McNown. They spent #22 on Rex Grossman. They spent #26 on Jim Harbaugh. They traded 2 first round picks, a 3rd rounder, and a QB for Jay Cutler. They most certainly have been a QB-emphasizing team. They’re just really, really bad at it. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/138 "2024-01-01T17:14:08Z")
But the Bears (fans) are wonders of taunting. For example, I clearly heard chants of “Green Bay sucks! Green Bay sucks!” yesterday at Soldier Field while the Bears were hosting the Atlanta Falcons! ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/139 "2024-01-01T18:24:39Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > and their QB (McMahon) was a totally forgettable guy. Forgettable for his on-field performance, perhaps, but he was definitely unforgettable from a personality standpoint. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2024, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234/140 "2024-01-01T18:27:56Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > They most certainly have been a QB-emphasizing team. They’re just really, really bad at it. Pretty much. Jay Cutler now holds most of the Bears’ career passing records, and that was more a matter of simply being their starter for most of eight seasons, than by being a particularly great quarterback. And, when Cutler set those franchise marks, he was breaking the old records, held by Sid Luckman, who had retired in **1950**. They’ve certainly tried to find an answer at quarterback for decades, and have been plagued by promising guys either not panning out, or getting injured. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2023-week-17/995234.md?page=8)