Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season was the busiest yet, with the action kicking off with Christmas Day games on Wednesday. The holiday slate saw the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens beat the Houston Texans in a blowout and an entertaining halftime show from Beyonce to round out an exciting day of holiday football.
The week continued with a low scoring "Thursday Night Football" game between the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears and we also got a triple-header on Saturday. The bout between the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals had a lot on the line. Lose and the Bengals are out, but quarterback Joe Burrow wasn't going to let that happen, even if it took nearly all of overtime.
There's a lot on the line for teams still in contention for a playoff bid, as those eliminated play for pride.
It's been jam-packed week of NFL action; if you missed any of it, don't worry, because we have you covered with some of the biggest moments and plays you may have missed:
1. Bengals live to see another day
The Bengals have struggled all season, but by the hands of Joe Burrow they are somehow still in playoff contention. With 1:29 remaining in the game, the Bengals were on the 1-yard line with the score at 17-17. Run down the clock, kick a field goal and the game was likely theirs. Burrow ran it in himself for the score, giving Bo Nix and the Broncos offense plenty of time to lead an impressive drive for a touchdown of their own.
Burrow sneaks for the lead with 1:29 left!
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/eP9p2IA2pN
It took nearly nine minutes of overtime and a missed Cincinnati field goal, but Burrow and the Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive by driving down the field to get the win. With 1:01 left in OT, Burrow found wide receiver Tee Higgins for the game-ending score to win 30-24. The Bengals still need some help to extend their season, but this wild-ending game was the first step in possibly making that happen. This marked the first time in Bengals history they scored an offensive touchdown in overtime.
Here's a look at the biggest plays from the game-winning drive:
JOE'S TAKING THIS INTO HIS OWN HANDS.
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/3izlmZGlSB
BENGALS WIN. BENGALS STAY ALIVE.#DENvsCIN pic.twitter.com/XQSz8bCnpY
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
2. Trick plays and great dance moves
This section is all about the fun. From bringing out the unique plays to the unique dance moves, teams got creative this week.
The Saints got creative for their first touchdown pass of the day. Quarterback Spencer Rattler tossed the ball back to running back Kendre Miller, who threw the ball back to Rattler, who then found Foster Moreau for 30 yards and the score.
The @Saints get TRICKY for the TD!
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
📺: #LVvsNO on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/Pvh6142JlV
The Vikings dance squad never disappoints, and this week was no different. They broke out the "High School Musical" "We're All in This Together" dance and I think Troy Bolton would be proud.
We're all in this together 🎶 pic.twitter.com/ztDdLzxOua
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 29, 2024
3. Best surprise performances of the week
This week, there were some impressive performances that we may not have seen coming.
Giants fans were likely rooting for a loss so they could keep their No. 1 overall pick for the upcoming draft, but quarterback Drew Lock had other plans. Lock had a 73.9 completion percentage, 309 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and a touchdown on the ground in the 45-33 win over the Colts.
Here's a look at some of his highlights:
SLAYYY 👏
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 29, 2024
1 repost = 1 vote! #WPMOYChallenge + Slayton
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/EoaeVbFDr7
This Nabers catch 👀
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 29, 2024
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/dAdsVIPTJy
Drew Lock runs it in
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 29, 2024
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/5m2v3z0zWd
Joe Flacco hasn't played a game since Nov. 10, but came in for an injured Anthony Richardson and despite the loss, put up some decent numbers. While he did have two interceptions, he also had 330 passing yards, fourth most in the league in Week 17.
Here are some of Flacco's best throws from the day:
AP down there somewhere. 🚀
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 29, 2024
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/Fbnfet6svG
Joe to MPJ and we have a one-score game.
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 29, 2024
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/nBHwYHL9q8
Trey McBride Fantasy owners were certainly happy with the Cardinals tight end's performance this week. He had 123 yards, his third most for this season, but more importantly he finally got a much-awaited receiving touchdown. It took 128 targets and 98 receptions for him to get in the end zone as a receiver, which marks the most receptions in a single season by a player without scoring a touchdown in NFL history.
Take a look at the big moment:
MOM WAKE UP IT'S A TREY MCBRIDE TOUCHDOWN@mcbtrey + #WPMOYChallenge pic.twitter.com/0eYG59tHpy
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) December 29, 2024
4. Best grabs around the league
As is now tradition, we will highlight some of the best grabs from the week. Players impressed with their toe-taps, one-handed catches and managed to complete passes in tight coverage.
Here's a roundup of some of the best:
What a grab by Parker Washington!
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
📺: #TENvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/gN9eynZ2T1
This back shoulder grab from MHJ 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
📺: #AZvsLAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2QtKNxtKER
TOUCHDOWN MARVIN MIMS JR. WOW.
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/oC9GXAwXdJ
Derius Davis lays out for the Herbert pass for the @Chargers TD!
— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2024
📺: #LACvsNE on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/FGmg2fLRbb
5. Off-the-field antics
This week, there were some off-the-field moments that you don't see too often.
The first was from Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who brought the Christmas spirit to the locker room. After they clinched the AFC No. 1 seed, first-round bye and home-field advantage, Reid came in to celebrate, and dressed the part. The Chiefs better not cry, they better not pout, because they're playoff bound.
"Merry Christmas," Reid said. "For the present, you get home-field advantage!"
"For the present, you get home field advantage."
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2024
Santa Reid giving the best gift of all. 😂🎅 #NFLonNetflix pic.twitter.com/vUBUCI0lZT
Another funny moment from this week was a surprise guest showing up to the Buccaneers game against the Panthers. The duck had to be escorted off the field.
TAMPA DUCK UPDATE: the bird has been escorted to the sideline pic.twitter.com/WF90vCWrfw
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 29, 2024
he just wanted in on the action 🦆 pic.twitter.com/6uqSxyI2lS
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
Should they be renamed the Tampa Bay Duck-aneers?