There is always a lot of drama in the film NFL during the final two weeks of the season, and that was definitely the case in Week 17.
Atlanta capped off a crazy weekend by performing delivered a decisive blow to the NFC South race with a stunning 27–24 victory. over Rams. Falcons' victory means Saturday's game between Panthers and the Buccaneers will NOT be a winner-take-all showdown.
If the Bucs beat Carolina, the Panthers will still win the division if the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday. In this scenario, all three teams would finish 8-9 and the Panthers would take home the division title. Essentially, the Bucs now need a win and a Falcons loss to clinch the NFC South title.
The Falcons' victory wasn't the only surprise in Week 17:
- The biggest shock of the week came in Cleveland, where Browns pulled off a stunning 13–6 win over Pittsburgh. Steelers could have won the AFC North, but now they have to face Crows on Sunday night in Week 18 with the division title on the line. The Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive with a 41-24 victory over the team. Packers on Saturday evening.
- The battle for the NFC West title will also continue until the final week after 49ers win Bears42-38, Sunday evening. San Francisco's thrilling win now sets up Saturday night's showdown with Seahawks in Week 18, where the winner will win the division title AND take first place overall in the NFC.
However, we're not here to talk about the playoffs, we're here to talk about grades, so let's put down grades for every game played in Week 17, starting with Atlanta's blowout win.
Atlanta 27-24 over Los Angeles Rams
Cleveland 13-6 over Pittsburgh
San Francisco 42-38 over Chicago
Philadelphia 13-12 over Buffalo
New York 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 New York Jets
New Orleans 34-26 over Tennessee
Baltimore 41-24 over Green Bay (Saturday)
Houston 20-16 over Los Angeles Chargers (Saturday)
Denver 20-13 over Kansas City (Thursday)
Minnesota 23-10 over Detroit (Thursday)
Dallas 30-23 over Washington (Thursday)
