NFL - Week Seventeen Recap (Christmas Day Games)

The Denver Broncos won in Kansas City on Christmas Day. 

The NFL playoff picture came more into focus as the Denver Broncos took a step closer to clinching home field advantage in the AFC playoffs while the Detroit Lions were eliminated from the NFC playoff race on Christmas Day.
 

Denver won 20-13 in Kansas City to improve to 13-3 as they scored on a one-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bo Nix to running RJ Harvey with 1:45 left to play in the game. The Broncos fell behind 7-3 in the second quarter  when QB Chris Oladokun hit Brashard Smith for a five-yard TD pass which led to a 7-6 halftime advantage for the Chiefs (6-10). The Broncos went in front 13-10 in the third quarter on a nine-yard scoring run by Nix. But then Kansas City tied the game 13-13 when Harrison Butker made a 47-yard field goal with 8:03 remaining in the final quarter. The Broncos defense stiffened late and held the Chiefs off as they allowed just 139 total yards. 

In Minnesota, the Vikings (8-8) played spoiler to the Detroit Lions by winning, 23-10 despite gaining only 161 yards in total offense, which included a ridiculously low of THREE net yards passing as QB Max Brosmer was sacked seven times. Jordan Addison scored on a 65-yard end around play with 3:43 left to play for a 20-10 Vikings lead and running back Aaron Jones scored on a one-yard run in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead. The Lions (8-8) had six turnovers (four fumbles, two interceptions) while totaling just 231 yards in offense. The game was tied 7-7 at halftime as QB Jared Goff (197 passing yards, one TD, two INT) tossed a four-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. 

The Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) knocked off the host Washington Commanders, 30-23 in the early game with QB Dak Prescott (3-7 passing yards) throwing for two touchdowns in the first half, including an 86-yard pass to WR KaVontae Turpin for a 21-3 lead with seven minutes remaining in the half. The Commanders (4-12) got to within seven points when RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (11 carries for 105 yards, two TD) scored on a 72-yard run with 9:34 left in the third quarter. From there, it was all field goals to account for the final score. Dallas totaled 480 yards (211 rushing yards, 269 passing) in the win, which snapped a three game losing streak. 

 

WEEK SEVENTEEN RESULTS 

Dallas 30, Washington 23 

Minnesota 23, Detroit 10 

Denver 20, Kansas City 13