NFL Snapshots: Week 17 (2022)

During the Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin collapsed and went into cardiac arrest after making a tackle. Immediately, CPR was performed and a defibrillator was used.

The game was suspended, as we all turned our attention to Hamlin and praying that he would be okay.

As of this writing, Hamlin has “excellent” neurological function and his breathing tube has been removed. He spoke with his teammates via FaceTime on Friday and posted a message on social media today, thanking everyone for their support.

Simply put, this is amazing news.

This was the scariest situation I’ve ever seen unfold on the field of play at a sporting event, so to know that Hamlin is doing okay, and improving, is a huge sigh of relief.

There is a lot more I can say about Hamlin, but cramming all of it into the introduction of this post wouldn’t do it justice.

Here are my Week 17 snapshots.

Arizona Cardinals (4-12)
The Cardinals haven’t won a game since November 13.

Atlanta Falcons (6-10)
The Falcons defeated the Cardinals last week in the Bird Bowl.

Buffalo Bills (12-3)
I don’t know how the Bills are going to look on the field on Sunday. I’m sure their team is emotionally drained, but I know they’re going to want to win it for Damar Hamlin and will pull inspiration from him.

Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
Lamar Jackson still isn’t back and the Ravens are using coy phrases like, “strong chance he returns for the wild card game” and “hopeful he’s back”.

Carolina Panthers (6-10)
Jim Harbaugh’s name has been linked to the Panthers lately. Honestly, that’s going to be a tough place for any head coach they bring in.

Chicago Bears (3-13)
Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet could each surpass 500 receiving yards on the year in Week 18.

Cincinatti Bengals (11-4)
The Bengals aren’t happy that if they lose to the Ravens, and end up facing them in the wild card round, the home team will be determined by a coin toss.

Cleveland Browns (7-9)
Jadeveon Clowney was sent home after criticizing the coaching staff and saying there’s a 95% chance he won’t be back with the team next season. Not to be a smart aleck, but I think it’s 100% now.

Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
If the Cowboys beat the Commanders and the Eagles lose to the Giants, then Dallas will win the NFC East.

Detroit Lions (8-8)
The Lions need to defeat Green Bay at Lambeau Field in primetime. They also need the Rams to beat the Seahawks. If both of those things happen, they make the playoffs. I still believe in them, but that loss to the Panthers in Week 16 hurts so much.

Denver Broncos (4-12)
The Broncos spent $400,000 on a new playing surface for the final game of the season. They will replace this new surface by the start of next season. It’s a lot of money to spend for just one game, but if it helps prevent injuries, then it’s worth it. Here’s hoping they send pieces of the field to soccer or football fields in the community, once they’re done with it.

Green Bay Packers (8-8)
If the Packers defeat the Lions, they are in the playoffs. I didn’t see this coming. I’ve been on the Lions bandwagon for a while. However, if the Packers get in, I love it for the chaos that will ensue.

Houston Texans (2-13-1)
The Texans and Colts face off for the first time since Week 1, where the game ended in a tie. Let’s bookend the season with ties, shall we?

Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1)
The Colts and Texans square off for the first time since Week 1, where the game ended in a tie. Let’s bookend the season with ties, shall we?

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)
If the Jaguars defat the Titans, they win the division. I want this to happen.

Kansas City Chiefs (13-3)
Even if the Chiefs finish with the best winning percentage in the AFC, there are scenarios in which they would not host the AFC championship game – it would be moved to a neutral site as a result of the Bills and Bengals playing one fewer game.

Las Vegas Raiders (6-10)
I’ll preface this by saying that I like Derek Carr and think he’d be a good fit with the Jets next season. When the Raiders decided to bench Carr for the final two games of the season, I didn’t take it as: “We are never ever getting back together” just because their replacement at quarterback next season will probably be worse than, or equal to, Carr. I don’t disagree that they need to make a change, but they should’ve been preparing for this moment by drafting and developing a QB in waiting.

Los Angeles Rams (5-11)
If the Rams want to play spoiler, they’ll find a way to beat the Seahawks and leave the door open for the Lions to make the playoffs.

Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)
I think the Chargers are a sleeping giant right now, while we’re all distracted by the Chiefs, Bills, and Bengals.

Miami Dolphins (8-8)
The Dolphins need to defeat the Jets, while hoping the Patriots lose to the Bills, in order to make the playoffs. And they’ll have to do it with third-string rookie quarterback, Skylar Thompson.

Minnesota Vikings (12-4)
The Vikings plan on having all of their starters out there when the game starts on Sunday against the Bears. They’ve wrapped up the division and can’t win the NFC. I’d be okay with going with the backups for the entire game, especially against a Bears team that isn’t even playing Justin Fields.

New England Patriots (8-8)
If the Patriots defeat the Bills, they are in the playoffs. Personally, I’d love to see them make it because even if they are one and done, Belichick will find a way to scare his opponent.

New Orleans Saints (7-9)
With a win against the Panthers, the Saints will end the season on a 4-game winning streak.

New York Giants (9-6-1)
Cc: Vikings
It looks like the Giants will be resting some of their key players in Week 18, in preparation for the playoffs. It’s a smart move.

New York Jets (7-9)
I’m a bit confused as to why Joe Flacco is starting in Week 18, but good for him. Does this mean they’ve completely given up on Zach Wilson, to the point where they don’t even want to give him more NFL experience in a meaningless game?

Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
Jalen Hurts will return from injury and start in Week 18, as the Eagles look to hold on to the top seed in the NFC. Their best case scenario is a 28-0 lead at halftime, so Gardner Minshew can come in and finish the game.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)
The Steelers need to win. The Patriots need to lose. The Dolphins need to lose. If those three things happen, the Steelers are in the playoffs.

San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell are back just in time for the playoffs. This team is dangerous.

Seattle Seahawks (8-8)
The Seahawks need to beat the Rams and then hope the Lions defeat the Packers, in order to make the playoffs. In a perfect/fair world, these games would be played at the same time. Because if the Seahawks win, the Lions are eliminated. I’m sure they’ll still try their best to play spoiler and prevent the Packers from getting in, but let’s be honest, they’ll be dejected. Not exactly the mentality the Seahawks would want from a team they need to win.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)
The Buccaneers clinched a playoff berth and I feel bad for the NFC team who will have to go to Tampa Bay and face Tom Brady in the first round.

Tennessee Titans (7-9)
Joshua Dobbs has been with the Titans for 17 days and he’s going to be the starting quarterback in Week 18 against the Jaguars, where the winner wins the division and the loser goes home.

Washington Commanders (7-8-1)
I’m here to let you know that at halftime of last Sunday Week 17 game, the Commanders thought it was the best time to debut their new mascot. The mascot’s name is Major Tuddy and is a pig in a helmet.

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