Week 17’s NFL All-Star Team
By Rhys Knott
Week 17’s All-Star team highlights how the NFL really is a QB league. Even at the “business end” of the season when a strong defence and running the ball are supposed to win games the receivers and tight ends are putting up huge numbers.
Week 17’s All-Star Quarterback
Technically Dak Prescott had the most passing yards this week. But he isn’t the All-Star QB this week. Prescott had 345 yards through the air and another 5 on the ground. But he threw 38 passes! Only 3 quarterbacks had more pass attempts this week. And Aidan O’Connell (47), Trevor Siemian (45) and Tyrod Taylor (41) all lost! Prescott ended the Cowboys game against the Lions with a passer rating of 103.5 after throwing 2 touchdowns and a pick. He was also sacked 3 times as Aidan Hutchinson continues to remind Trent Baalke why he should have picked him first in 2022.
But Week 17’s All-Star quarterback is the same guy who won the job last week. Lamar Jackson followed up his sparkling display in Santa Clara by putting up a perfect passer rating against the Dolphins. He threw 5 touchdown passes as the Ravens secured top spot in the AFC. He also ran for 35 yards, and he was only sacked once as the Dolphins defense struggled to affect the Ravens offense.
Week 17’s All-Star Running Back
Isiah Pacheco was dealing with concussion last week, so nobody really expected him to be at full strength against the Bengals. But he was and oh boy was he strong. Pacheco ran the ball 18 times and picked up 130 yards! He also caught all 7 of his targets, ending the game with 35 receiving yards. He even lined up in the slot to catch his only touchdown of the game.
In love with Andy Reid's design on Pacheco's rec TD
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 1, 2024
4 pass catchers to one side of the field
17 clears outside. 87 clears vertical. 4 clears inside.
Instead of Pacheco running into the flat, like many RB routes, the Chiefs attack the created void with a hard cut upfield pic.twitter.com/eqldueBCSH
Week 17’s All-Star Wide Receivers
DAK TO CEEDEE FOR A 92-YARD TD 😱#DAL pic.twitter.com/baVd5kRcd4
— ESPN (@espn) December 31, 2023
CeeDee Lamb had the game of his life against the Lions. It was the first time he’d crossed the 200-yard mark as a professional. His 227 yards were 36 more than his previous best, that also came this season. Lamb racked up 191 yards against the Eagles back in November. He has 4 career games with 150 yards or more and they have all come in 2023! They have all been in his last 10 games!
Lamb’s 92-yard touchdown reception was the longest of the season so far!
D.J Moore has also had a 200-yard game this season. His came against the Commanders in Week 5. The Cowboys are playing the Commanders on Sunday, so there’s something to look out for. But back to the topic in hand and Moore being an All-Star.
This week Moore caught 9 passes for 159 yards against the Falcons (who seem to be a different team on the road). Moore hauled in a touchdown at the back of the endzone too,
Mike Tomlin has managed to get George Pickens engaged and completely committed to the Steelers cause. And he’s lead them to crucial wins in two weeks. That’s given the Steelers playoff chances a huge boost. And it’s made Mason Rudolph look like the new Nick Foles (in a good way). Pickens followed up his 195 yards last week with 131 this week. But he caught 7 of his 9 targets in Seattle, compared to 4 from 6 last week. Another big game from Pickens this week, against a Ravens team who won’t want to pick up any injuries could propel them to a playoff game against the Bills.
Week 17’s Tight End
In the first quarter alone, @Browns tight end David Njoku hauled in 4 receptions for 113 yards, 86 after the catch.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) December 29, 2023
On the season, Njoku has accumulated +166 YAC over expected, 3rd-most by a tight end in a season since 2018.
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/SQdzuSYdcb
David Njoku is a machine! His 134 yards was the third highest total in the league this week. And it wasn’t even the most of his career. It was however the most he’s managed in a sinlge game since he played against the Chargers back in 2021! Njoku’s1234 yards came on just 6 catches, so he averaged 22.33 yards per reception! His receiving yards accounted for 31% of the Browns yards on offense against a struggling Jets team.
Week 17’s D/ST
Well, the Jags did shut out the Panthers, but as previously discussed, it doesn’t count if you do against Carolina.
The Ravens defense dominated a Dolphins team who knew they’re most important game is at home against the Bills this week. So it’s difficult to say the Baltimore defensive display was the best of the week.
The Bears on the other hand gave the Falcons the run around in a snowy Chicago. They held them to 17 points by picking off Taylor Heinecke 3 times and Desmond Ridder once! They also sacked the Falcons’ quarterbacks 4 times. Cairo Santos kicked 7 of his 8 attempts too, ending a game the Bears won 37-17 with 13 points! Tyrique Stevenson is having a wild season. The Bears rookie DB is allowing 11.2 yards per completion, and he’s surrendered 284 yards after the catch in 2023. But he made 2 interceptions this week and he successfully defended 4 more passes. And his 5 tackles lead the team.
RHYS KNOTT
NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST
Rhys has been watching the NFL for 30 something years and still hasn’t managed to pick a team to support. When he’s not fixatED on pass rushers you can find him blithering on about most sports on Twitter @wrhys_writes