Week 17 in the NFL: Quarterbacks Getting it Done

Quarterbacks keeping their team’s playoff hopes alive was a highlight of Week 17 in the NFL. The quarterback position is the most important in football. Additionally, these “QBs” guided their teams to victory.

Highlights from Sunday:

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson continued his MVP campaign against the fellow American Football Conference elite team, the Miami Dolphins. Jackson completed 18 of his 21 pass attempts (85.7 percent) for 321 yards and five touchdowns without throwing an interception, earning a passer rating of 158.3. This performance led to the Baltimore Ravens demolishing Miami 56-19. Jackson also contributed to the run game with 35 rushing yards. Jackson has a season total of 4,499 combined passing, rushing, and receiving yards this season and 29 total touchdowns. Baltimore has a 13-3 record and the number one seed locked up for the AFC conference playoffs. Jackson looks to secure his second MVP at the age of 26.

The National Football Conference’s number-one team has been led by the second-year quarterback Brock Purdy all season. Purdy is the QB for the San Francisco 49ers. The team secured its home-field advantage in the playoffs after beating the Washington Commanders on Sunday 27-10. Purdy was surgical in Washington, passing for 230 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 124.7. Purdy has accumulated 4,280 passing yards this season, setting a new single-season record for passing yards in 49ers franchise history. Purdy’s 124.7 passer rating was the 10th time this season he has had a passer rating of 120 or higher, the most by a player in his two NFL seasons in NFL history.

The Bills are not the only hot thing in Buffalo; they are on a four-game winning streak and on the doorstep of the playoffs. This resilient effort has been led by playmaker quarterback Josh Allen. The 6’5-foot playmaker has been on a tear. This past Sunday, he continued his play by passing for 169 yards, rushing for 44 yards, and scoring two rushing touchdowns. This gives Allen 15 rush touchdowns, which is currently tied with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season. It is his fifth consecutive game with a rushing touchdown, making him the fifth quarterback to accomplish this feat in the Super Bowl era. Allen and the Bills take on division rival Miami Dolphins in week 18 in a huge game; if the Bills win, they are in the playoffs. Allen will need to bring his A-game.

It has been a challenging year for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The seven-year veteran is still one of the best QBs in the NFL. Despite its offensive struggles, Kansas City was able to clinch the AFC West title for the eighth consecutive season. The team claimed the division championship after defeating the Bengals 25-17. Mahomes threw for 245 yards and one touchdown. Kansas City is 10-6 on the season and is currently the third seed.