NFL Week 17 grades: Steelers get ‘D’ for choking, Patriots perfect vs. Jets

Welcome to the Week 17 grades!

There’s always a lot of drama in the NFL over the final two weeks of the season, and that was definitely the case once again. 

• The biggest shocker of the week happened in Cleveland where the Browns pulled off a stunning 13-6 win over Pittsburgh. The Steelers could have clinched the AFC North with a win, but now they’ll be facing the Ravens in Week 18 with the division title on the line. The Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive with a 41-24 win over the Packers on Saturday night. 
• The NFC South is also up for grabs and that race will be going down to the final week after the Panthers lost to the Seahawks on Sunday. With the loss, Carolina will now face Tampa Bay in Week 18 in a game that could determine the division title (There is one scenario where the Bucs would win that game but miss the playoffs and that will happen if the Falcons win their final two games). 
• The battle for the NFC West title will also be going down to the final week after the 49ers beat the Bears, 42-38, on Sunday night. San Francisco’s thrilling win now sets up a showdown with the Seahawks in Week 18 where the winner will win the division title AND clinch the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. 

We’re not here to talk about the playoffs though, we’re here to talk about grades, so let’s hand out grades for every game that’s been played so far in Week 17, starting with Cleveland’s shocking win. 

Cleveland 13-6 over Pittsburgh

San Francisco 42-38 over Chicago

Philadelphia 13-12 over Buffalo

N.Y Giants 34-10 over Las Vegas

Seattle 27-10 over Carolina

Jacksonville 23-17 over Indianapolis

Miami 20-17 over Tampa Bay

Cincinnati 37-14 over Arizona

New England 42-10 over N.Y. Jets

New Orleans 34-26 over Tennessee 

Baltimore 41-24 over Green Bay (Saturday)

Houston 20-16 over L.A. Chargers (Saturday)

Denver 20-13 over Kansas City (Thursday)

Minnesota 23-10 over Detroit (Thursday)

Dallas 30-23 over Washington (Thursday)