Week 17 winners, losers: Ravens soar, 49ers clinch, Eagles stunned originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Not every NFL team will go into 2024 on a high note.
That surely was the case with the Detroit Lions on Saturday, who lost 20-19 at the Dallas Cowboys after a controversial overturned two-point conversion.
But, on the other hand, some teams are right where they want to be.
The Baltimore Ravens locked up the No. 1 seed in the AFC after a 56-19 thumping at home versus the Miami Dolphins. The San Francisco 49ers did the same in the NFC after beating the Washington Commanders on the road 27-10, plus getting help elsewhere.
They can enjoy some rest in Week 18 before the postseason grind commences. But before we look ahead, let’s analyze Sunday’s Week 17 action with winners and losers:
WINNER: Lamar Jackson’s MVP case
It seems every week there’s a new favorite for the MVP, but Jackson might be here to stay. The 26-year-old led Baltimore to a 33-19 win at San Francisco last time out, then pioneered the 56-19 rout over Miami in which he completed 18 of 21 passes for 321 yards, five touchdowns and no picks. Regardless of how Week 18 goes at the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jackson might have stamped his résumé to receive his second league MVP award. It’d be deserved for the leader of the league’s most in-form squad.
LOSER: Eagles stunned at home to Cardinals
The 49ers might have clinched the No. 1 seed, but they can thank the Eagles for making it much easier than initially anticipated. The then-3-12 Arizona Cardinals came into town with head coach Jonathan Gannon returning to the city where he used to be the defensive coordinator. Led by Kyler Murray’s three touchdown passes and James Conner’s 128 rushing yards and a touchdown, the Cardinals won 35-31 after a goal-line score in the closing seconds.
