Record-setting performances, big DC surprise highlight NFL’s week 17

Week 17 in the National Football League (NFL) produced several record-setting performances. To cap off a jam-packed weekend, there was also one massive surprise in Washington, D.C.

Barkley breaks 2,000-yard barrier

The excitement began with Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. He rushed for 165 yards in a blowout win against the Cowboys as the Eagles clinched the NFC East division. In the process, Barkley became the 9^th player in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season.

“Just being a fan of the running back position, to reach this milestone and put myself up there with 8 other backs that I respect and some of them I grew up watching definitely means a lot but at the same time I wouldn’t be able to do it without this team”, Barkley said after the game.

Barkley now has 2,005 total yards and needs just 101 against the New York Giants during Week 18 to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season record. Dickerson set his record during a 16-game schedule, and it has stood for 40 years. However, Barkley and the Eagles will have to decide whether he’ll play, and potentially risk injury. The team already clinched the No. 2 spot in the playoffs, making the next game meaningless for the playoff picture.

Bowers breaks rookie record

Speaking of meaningless games, The New Orleans Saints and Las Vegas Raiders are both out of the playoff picture, but Raiders tight end Brock Bowers caught seven passes for 77 yards, giving him 1,144 yards on the season. That mark breaks the 63-year-old rookie record held by Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. Bowers is only the third tight end in history to go over 1,000 yards in a season.

“I mean it’s pretty awesome, it’s always been a childhood goal to play in the NFL obviously. then to come in here and catch as many balls as I have and as many yards, it’s shocking to me I guess, it’s pretty cool,” Bowers said.

Garrett sets new sack mark

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett had two sacks in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. Garrett became the first player in NFL history with at least 14 sacks in four straight seasons.

The future-Hall of Famer is a free agent after the 2025 season, but he could force a trade out of Cleveland in Spring 2025.

Commanders win on and off the field

To wrap up the week on the night of Sunday, Dec. 29, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels passed Robert Griffin, III with the most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback in a season with 864. He ran for a season-high 127 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. He also threw three touchdown passes including the game winner in overtime, putting the Commanders in the playoffs with their 11^th win of the season.

Daniel’s play may not have been the most exciting part of the game. The best play may have come after the game when Commander’s safety Jeremy Reaves went to the stands, helped his longtime girlfriend over the railing and down to the field, then he dropped to one knee and proposed. It didn’t take long for her to say yes.

Win ✅ Clinch ✅ Propose ✅ pic.twitter.com/s0nbDw0tZG

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 30, 2024

Final week frenzy coming

As the final week of the regular season begins, there are still two playoff spots up for grabs, one in each conference. There is also a big game happening in New England. If the Patriots lose to the Buffalo Bills, the team will finish with the worst record in the league and have the top pick in the NFL Draft come April 2025.