NFL Week 17 Star Performers

New year, new me? No. Same me. But to that end, I still like football and Week 17 threw up a couple of ‘doozies’ as those on the other side of the pond say.

Somehow, my beloved Steelers are still in with a chance of making the playoffs (after being 2 – 6 before the bye), we saw the Packers D go to town on the Vikings to keep their hopes alive, Jared Stidham turned up to oh so nearly ruin the 49ers hopes of clinching the number one seed and the GOAT did it again. Let’s start with him, shall we?

Tom Brady

QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, W 30-24 vs Panthers

This man has been written off more times than Donald Trump’s taxable expenses and yet he keeps coming back and proving us wrong. Time and time and time and time again. I was ready to say he’d had it again after last week’s performance against the Cardinals, or the absolute pasting he took in his hometown game at Levi Stadium. Then Brady goes and pulls out a blockbuster performance against the Panthers.

432 yards on 34 completions on 45 attempts in a spot against a division rival who were pitching for a division win themselves after a gutsy run of late. The man is truly remarkable. Big shout to Mike Evans who had a monster of a game here. When these two guys are on the same frequency, there is almost nothing better in the league.

Austin Ekeler

RB, Los Angeles Chargers, W 31-10 vs Rams

Absolute fantasy football goldmine this season, Ekeler did it again this week and was lauding it over the Chargers’ LA rivals, recording 122 yards on ten carries and a brace of touchdowns. Yes, the majority of the yardage came on his 72-yard blast through the centre of a woeful Rams secondary.

But once he got those wheels turning, there was more than enough gas in the tank to see him to the endzone. He’s got one year to run on his $24.5m contract that he signed back in 2020 but he seems like incredible value today. 

James Houston

LB, Detroit Lions, W 41-10 vs Bears

Someone is doing their job right when it comes to late round linebacker picks in Detroit. They grabbed darling of Hard Knocks Malcolm Rodriguez who looks to be league-ready at pick 188 of the 2022 Draft and then follow it up with pick 217 with James Houston.

He doesn’t get elevated to the active roster until the end of November but has already picked up eight sacks on the season including three in this game. Add in a forced fumble and you’ve got yourself a Week 17 star certificate you can hang on your wall. The Florida-native has a bright future in the league if he can carry this on.

A week to forget for… Mike White

Mike White might have wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole after his performance at the Seahawks on Sunday. He’s likeable and tough, particularly given he’s seemingly playing through injury, but he’s not going to be the Jets starter next season. Neither is Joe Flacco. And neither is Zach Wilson (probably).

I feel for the Jets franchise. They’re on the second longest streak for a team without a playoff appearance now in ANY major American sport. The only team with a longer streak is the Sacramento Kings of the NBA and they’re going alright this year. The Jets could still go one better.

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Lastly, a special word to Damar Hamlin. Best wishes my man, I hope you get better soon.