NFL Week 17 Recaps: Patriots Crowned, Steelers Stunned, and the AFC North Set for a Finale

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The penultimate Sunday NFL regular season was a day of high-stakes drama, defensive masterclasses, and a significant reshuffling of the playoff deck. With division titles clinched and several teams pushed to the brink of elimination, Week 17 set the stage for a chaotic season finale.

NFL Week 17: Key Results & Scores

Game	Score	Key Takeaway
Philadelphia Eagles @ Buffalo Bills	13 – 12	Eagles stop a last-second 2-point try; Bills lose the AFC East.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns	6 – 13	Rodgers struggles in a massive upset; the AFC North is still open.
New York Jets @ New England Patriots	10 – 42	Drake Maye throws 5 TDs as Pats clinch the division.
Chicago Bears @ San Francisco 49ers	38 – 42	Sunday Night shootout keeps 49ers in hunt for #1 seed.
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts	23 – 17	Jags stay atop the AFC South; Colts officially eliminated.

Game Recaps

1. The Stop in Buffalo: Eagles 13, Bills 12

In a potential Super Bowl preview, the Philadelphia Eagles relied on their defense to escape Highmark Stadium with a win. The turning point was a fourth-quarter blocked extra point by Jalen Carter, which forced the Bills into a desperate situation late. After Josh Allen led a touchdown drive with five seconds left, the Bills opted for a win-or-lose two-point conversion. The Eagles’ secondary swarmed Khalil Shakir, preserving the win and clinching the AFC East title for the Patriots in the process.

2. The Upset in Cleveland: Browns 13, Steelers 6

The Pittsburgh Steelers squandered a golden opportunity to lock up the AFC North, falling to a four-win Cleveland Browns squad. Aaron Rodgers turned in one of his most difficult performances of the year, held without a touchdown. The game was sealed by Denzel Ward, who recorded three pass breakups on the final drive—all directed at Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the end zone. The loss means the AFC North will be decided in a winner-take-all matchup between the Steelers and Ravens next week.

3. Drake Maye’s Coming Out Party: Patriots 42, Jets 10

The New England Patriots didn’t just win the AFC East; they demolished it. Rookie Drake Maye delivered a statement game, tossing five touchdown passes against a demoralized Jets defense. With the Bills’ loss earlier in the day, the Patriots (13-3) officially secured the division crown and remain in a dead heat with the Broncos for the AFC’s top seed.

4. Sunday Night Fireworks: 49ers 42, Bears 38

In a scintillating offensive display, the San Francisco 49ers outlasted the Chicago Bears. Caleb Williams threw for 330 yards and three scores for Chicago, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a balanced Niners attack. The win sets up a monumental Week 18 showdown between the 49ers and Seahawks for the NFC West title and home-field advantage.

Playoff Picture Update

Clinched: The New England Patriots (AFC East) and Philadelphia Eagles (NFC East) have officially secured their divisions.
Eliminated: The Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets were all mathematically eliminated from postseason contention following Sunday’s results.
The “Win-and-In” Finale: Next week features two literal playoff games: Ravens vs. Steelers (AFC North) and Panthers vs. Buccaneers (NFC South).

Top Performers of the Day

Drake Maye (NE): 5 Passing TDs (New Patriots rookie record)
Ja’Marr Chase (CIN): 2 TDs; first player with 80/1000/7 in each of first 5 seasons.
Denzel Ward (CLE): Lockdown coverage to preserve the upset win.
Trey McBride (ARI): 10 catches; broke NFL single-season record for receptions by a TE (119).