It’s the penultimate week of the 2025 season. Lots of guys hurt. Postseason awards coming in. Seeds are still unknown. Let’s take a look back at Week 17 in the National Football League!
Cooper DeJean
Gotta
start with DeJean. Just after I posted my Week 16 recap, we learned that DeJean was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for that week. Remember – he defended four passes and had a crucial interception in Philly’s win over Washington.
He followed that up with another great effort in Philly’s 13-12 win in rain-soaked Buffalo, logging 9 tackles as the Eagles moved to 11-5. He even got the LFG Player of the Game from Tom Brady, whatever that is, along with a super awkward interview post-game.
That wasn’t the only honor locked down by DeJean and others this week. Also right after I submitted Week 16, Pro Bowl rosters were announced and FIVE – yes, FIVE – former Hawks locked down spots. DeJean grabbed a spot along with George Kittle, Jack Campbell (6 tackles in a heinous 23-10 loss to Minnesota that officially eliminated the Lions from the playoffs), Tyler Linderbaum (have to mention Baltimore’s revival and also them remembering they have Derrick Henry on their roster), and Tristan Wirfts (DNP). Campbell and Wirfs landed starting spots while DeJean, Kittle, and Linderbaum nabbed back-up roles.
Tight Ends
This will be quick. Kittle? Excellent with the Pro Bowl bid, but he was out with an ankle injury suffered late in San Francisco’s Week 16 romp over the lifeless Colts. Of course he missed San Francisco’s fun as hell 42-38 nail-biter win over Chicago (Tory Taylor, our punting God, had 3 punts for 176 yards – 58.7 yard average with a long of 64.) Sam LaPorta? Out post-back surgery. TJ Hockenson? Out with a shoulder. Noah Fant? Played in Cincinnati’s 37-14 win over Arizona, but had no receptions and only one target. There – quick.
Dane Belton
Oh, the New York Giants. Now perpetual losers and guys that just can’t get out of their own way. All they have to do is lose to the Raiders in Vegas Sunday and they’re in the top spot in the draft. NOPE. 34-10 demolition. Good stuff, G-Men. Belton had 7 tackles, a pass defended, and an interception as the Giants won their third game of the year. Former Hawk Tyrone Tracy had 14 carries for 62 yards as well as 1 reception for a loss of 5.
Riley Moss
I watched this game intently on Christmas and I really don’t remember much. It was a must-win for Denver and they got the win in Kansas City, 20-13. Riley Moss had 3 tackles. I don’t know, this game was just like the Christmas slate overall – a Thursday game late in the year when everyone’s running on fumes. Bland and boring. But, Denver got the win and they remain in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the AFC, a week off, and all games running through Mile High. Good enough for me.
