THE HFL CRIMSON CHRONICLE
Denver and Cincinnati both push to 16-0 with one week left, Jahmyr Gibbs runs for 221 yards and four touchdowns to close in on the rushing record, and Riley Leonard's near-flawless day leads the Jets to a 37-0 shutout of New England.
Denver routed the Rams 38-3 and Cincinnati handled Buffalo 38-21 in the Game of the Week, and with one week left in the regular season, the Bengals and Broncos are both 16-0. Green Bay isn't far behind at 16-1 after a 33-0 shutout of Atlanta. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 221 yards and four touchdowns in Denver's win, pushing his season rushing total to 2,884 — needing just 41 more yards in the finale to break Bijan Robinson's single-season record. And in New Jersey, Riley Leonard was nearly perfect, completing 11 of 12 passes for two touchdowns and running for two more, as the Jets blanked New England 37-0.
Week 17 Scoreboard
| Dolphins | 17 | Steelers | 6 |
| Eagles | 12 | Ravens | 24 |
| Jets | 37 | Patriots | 0 |
| Falcons | 0 | Packers | 33 |
| Titans | 21 | Browns | 10 |
| Jaguars | 34 | Chargers | 38 |
| Commanders | 21 | Cowboys | 13 |
| Bears | 12 | Vikings | 27 |
| Lions | 14 | Giants | 28 |
| Bills | 21 | Bengals ★ | 38 |
| Chiefs | 31 | Raiders | 28 |
| Rams | 3 | Broncos | 38 |
| Colts | 16 | Texans | 38 |
| Buccaneers | 24 | Panthers | 34 |
| Seahawks | 14 | Cardinals | 42 |
| Saints | 14 | 49ers | 35 |
All 32 teams were in action.
Nicholas Battle threw for 186 yards and four touchdowns, spreading scores to Cesar Ruiz, Marco Swinton, Christian Ross and Khalil Shakir, and Swinton added 110 rushing yards, as Cincinnati stayed unbeaten. Jamie Saxton intercepted a pass on defense.
Josh Allen threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns for Buffalo, and Trey Benson supplied 82 rushing yards and a score plus 94 more receiving yards and a second touchdown, but the Bills couldn't slow Cincinnati down. The Bengals are 16-0. Buffalo falls to 7-9.
Around the League
Baker Mayfield threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns despite an interception, and Byron Young had three sacks on defense, as Miami pulled away from Pittsburgh. Emmett Bennett threw for 169 yards for the Steelers, and Wan'Dale Robinson caught seven passes for 84 yards, but it wasn't enough offense to keep pace. Miami improves to 12-4. Pittsburgh falls to 5-11.
J.J. McCarthy threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns, and Tetairoa McMillan caught six passes for 91 yards and a score, as Baltimore pulled away from Philadelphia. Marquise Brown caught a touchdown for the Eagles, and Jonathan Taylor ran for 93 yards, but it wasn't enough to escape with the win. Baltimore improves to 3-13. Philadelphia falls to 11-5.
Riley Leonard completed 11 of 12 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 29 yards and two more scores, and the Jets forced four Drake Maye interceptions, as New York blanked New England. Jameson Williams caught a touchdown among his 77 yards. New York improves to 12-4. New England falls to 6-10.
Jayden Daniels threw for 132 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 attempts, and Nick Bosa had two sacks on defense, as Green Bay shut out Atlanta. Jalen Hurts ran for 49 yards for the Falcons, but Atlanta never found the end zone. Green Bay improves to 16-1. Atlanta falls to 5-11.
Dak Prescott threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns despite an interception, and Shemar Stewart had three and a half sacks on defense, as Tennessee held off Cleveland. Dominic Lovett caught a touchdown for the Browns, and Edgerrin Cooper intercepted a pass on defense, but it wasn't enough offense to complete the comeback. Tennessee improves to 8-8. Cleveland falls to 2-14.
Shane Dressler threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns despite throwing four interceptions, and Alec Westbrook scored twice — once rushing, once receiving — as Los Angeles held on despite the turnovers. Bryce Young threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns for Jacksonville, and D'Andre Swift caught nine passes for 70 yards and a touchdown, and the Jaguars' defense forced all four of those Dressler interceptions, but it wasn't quite enough to complete the comeback. Los Angeles improves to 11-6. Jacksonville falls to 6-10.
Anthony Richardson Sr threw for 211 yards and a touchdown, and Rachaad White ran for 58 yards and two scores, as Washington held off Dallas. Spencer Rattler threw for 162 yards for the Cowboys, and Tyleik Williams had two sacks on defense, but it wasn't enough offense to complete the comeback. Washington improves to 14-2. Dallas falls to 5-11.
Jordan Love threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns, and Jayden Reed caught six passes for 151 yards and two more, as Minnesota pulled away from Chicago. Lorenzo Whitworth threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns for the Bears, and Terrelle Dodson caught five passes for 140 yards, but it wasn't enough to keep pace. Minnesota improves to 5-11. Chicago falls to 8-8-1.
Cam Skattebo ran for 126 yards and a touchdown, and DaRon Bland intercepted a pass, as New York pulled away from Detroit. C.J. Stroud threw for 174 yards and a touchdown for the Lions, and Brandon Aiyuk and Chuba Hubbard each scored, but it wasn't enough to keep pace. New York improves to 9-8. Detroit falls to 5-12.
Jalen Milroe threw for 234 yards and four touchdowns without an interception, as Kansas City outlasted Las Vegas. Ja'Marr Chase caught seven passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders, and Jaxson Dart threw for 245 yards and two more scores, but it wasn't enough to escape with the win. Kansas City improves to 7-9. Las Vegas falls to 2-15.
Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 221 yards and four touchdowns, pushing his season rushing total to 2,884. See this issue's Feature Story for the full account. Trevor Lawrence went 13-of-23 for 114 yards for Los Angeles, and Justin Jefferson caught five passes for 22 yards, but the Rams' offense never found its footing against Denver's defense. The Broncos are 16-0. Los Angeles falls to 6-10-1.
Quintin Warner threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns without an interception, and Zay Flowers caught nine passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, as Houston routed Indianapolis. Christian McCaffrey caught five passes for 98 yards and a touchdown for the Colts, and Derrick Henry ran for 81 yards, but it wasn't nearly enough to keep pace. Houston improves to 11-5. Indianapolis falls to 1-15.
Joe Burrow threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns without an interception, and Cecil Kilgore caught three passes for 91 yards and a touchdown, as Carolina upset Tampa Bay. Justin Herbert threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns for the Buccaneers, and Ladd McConkey caught two touchdowns among his four catches, but it wasn't enough to hold on. Carolina improves to 7-9. Tampa Bay falls to 9-7.
Brock Purdy threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns on just three attempts, and DeVaunte Whitley ran for 94 yards and a touchdown, as Arizona routed Seattle. Louis Geyer caught five passes for 67 yards for the Seahawks, and Darnell Mooney caught a touchdown among his 40 yards, but it wasn't enough to keep pace. Arizona improves to 12-4. Seattle falls to 1-16.
Cam Ward threw for 165 yards and three touchdowns, and De'Von Achane ran for 118 yards and two more, as San Francisco pulled away from New Orleans. Lamar Jackson threw for 268 yards for the Saints, and Rashee Rice caught a touchdown among his 66 yards, but four Jackson interceptions were too costly. San Francisco improves to 11-5. New Orleans falls to 10-6.
The All-HFL Weekly Team
Week 17's honor roll, built straight from the box scores.
QB, Texans
HB, Broncos
WR, Texans
TE, Texans
LEDGE, Titans
SS, Packers
K, Packers
Streaks & Trends
- Cincinnati and Denver are both 16-0. One week left, and neither has lost.
- Green Bay is right behind at 16-1 after a 33-0 shutout of Atlanta — the widest margin of the week.
- Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 221 yards and four touchdowns, pushing his season rushing total to 2,884. See this issue's Feature Story.
- Quintin Warner threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns without an interception in a 38-16 rout.
- Zay Flowers caught nine passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the same game — the best receiving day anyone had this week.
- The Jets shut out the Patriots 37-0, forcing four Drake Maye interceptions.
- Riley Leonard completed 11 of his 12 passes and scored four total touchdowns in that win.
Milestone Watch
- Jahmyr Gibbs, HB, Broncos. 2,884 rushing yards through 16 games — a 180.3-yard-per-game pace, after a 221-yard, four-touchdown day. He needs 41 more yards in the regular-season finale to break Bijan Robinson's single-season record of 2,924 — comfortably within his own pace.
Record Book Watch
Nothing in the all-time top five changed this week for rushing yards, passing yards or passing touchdowns, but Jahmyr Gibbs's four-touchdown afternoon ties for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns the Chronicle has ever logged in a single game.
Feature Story: Cincinnati and Denver Both Reach 16-0
With one week left in the regular season, Cincinnati and Denver are both still perfect. The Bengals handled Buffalo 38-21 behind four Nicholas Battle touchdown passes, and the Broncos routed the Rams 38-3 behind Jahmyr Gibbs's 221 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Green Bay isn't far behind at 16-1 after its own shutout of Atlanta. Whether either the Bengals or the Broncos — or both — finish the regular season 17-0 comes down to one final week.
Battle spread the ball to four different pass-catchers for touchdowns — Cesar Ruiz, Marco Swinton, Christian Ross and Khalil Shakir — while Swinton also added 110 rushing yards. Denver, meanwhile, barely needed to throw: Warren Davis attempted just five passes, and Gibbs did the rest, breaking a 72-yard touchdown run among his four scores. Both rookie quarterbacks remain undefeated as starters; Denver and Cincinnati are a combined 32-0 in games Davis and Battle have started this season.
The number that matters most heading into the finale: Gibbs is now at 2,884 rushing yards, needing just 41 more to break Bijan Robinson's single-season record of 2,924. At his 180.3-yard-per-game season pace, the record should fall next week regardless of what else is on the line — but with Cincinnati and Denver both alive for a perfect season, there's no shortage of drama to go with it.
Press Row & Transaction Wire
Press Row
No letters reached the desk this week. Press Row stays open for the season finale — a word about your own team, a shot across the division, a prediction you'll put your name to. It runs in Issue 18.
Transaction Wire & Injury Report
Nothing crossed the trade wire this week. Two new names hit the injury report: Derrick Harmon, DT, Bills and Kenneth Walker III, HB, Saints, both now on IR. The rest of the list is unchanged: Sam LaPorta, TE, Packers, Will McDonald IV, LEDGE, Dolphins, Zach Sieler, DT, Dolphins, Bobby Brown III, DT, Dolphins, John Campa, TE, Vikings and Cam Beasley, FS, Patriots all remain out with no change in status.
Rookie Watch
Both rookie quarterbacks are still undefeated as starters, and one of them barely had to throw the ball to stay that way.
Offensive Rookie of the Year lean: Warren Davis and Nicholas Battle remain the story — Denver and Cincinnati are a combined 32-0 in games their rookie quarterbacks have started. Davis attempted just five passes in Denver's rout; Battle threw for 186 yards and four touchdowns in the Game of the Week.
Defensive Rookie of the Year lean: still wide open. No rookie had a signature defensive week.
Upcoming Week Preview — Week 18
New Orleans is 10-6 and fighting to close the season strong; Arizona is 12-4 and has won five of its last six.
Jenna's pick: Cardinals
A housekeeping note: all 32 teams are in action in the regular-season finale. The picks below cover all sixteen games.
Los Angeles is 6-10-1; Seattle is 1-16 despite Louis Geyer's five-catch day.
Tennessee is 8-8 off Shemar Stewart's three-and-a-half-sack day; Minnesota is 5-11.
Carolina is 7-9 off an upset of Tampa Bay; Atlanta is 5-11.
Green Bay is 16-1; New York is 9-8.
Philadelphia is 11-5; Dallas is 5-11.
Chicago is 8-8-1; Detroit is 5-12.
Miami is 12-4; New England is 6-10.
Kansas City is 7-9 off an upset of Las Vegas; Jacksonville is 6-10.
Los Angeles is 11-6; Las Vegas is 2-15 despite Ja'Marr Chase's two-touchdown day.
Denver is 16-0; Cleveland is 2-14.
San Francisco is 11-5; Tampa Bay is 9-7.
Washington is 14-2; Pittsburgh is 5-11.
Cincinnati is 16-0; Baltimore is 3-13.
New York is 12-4 off a 37-0 shutout of New England; Indianapolis is 1-15.
Houston is 11-5 off Quintin Warner's five-touchdown day; Buffalo is 7-9.
Jenna's Picks — Season Record: 189-64-1 (74.4%)
Thirteen right, three wrong in Week 17 — the Eagles over the Ravens, the Bears over the Vikings and the Buccaneers over the Panthers were the three the desk missed. The season mark climbs to 74.4% with one week to go.
Fan Mailbag
No letters reached the desk this week, so the Chronicle wrote the questions it's confident somebody in this league is asking. The real mailbag is open and runs with your name on it.
League Poll
Results from last issue's poll are in: Louis Geyer's four-touchdown day in the Game of the Week took every vote cast. It's the second issue in a row Geyer's name has topped the ballot.
Seventeen weeks down, one to go. Cincinnati and Denver are both still perfect, Jahmyr Gibbs needs one ordinary week to become the league's all-time single-season rushing leader, and the Jets just posted the most complete team performance of the week without anybody outside New Jersey noticing.
Press Row is open, the mailbag runs with your name on it, and the poll is live — vote, and the Chronicle will see everybody back here after the regular-season finale.
Until next week, the Chronicle stands with all 32.
— Jenna Tulls, Senior HFL Correspondent
Beat Jenna
Every Game of the Week pick, scored. Jenna is 7-1 on the 8 games she has called.
| Member | W | L | Beat Jenna | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MrPlanters NE | 7 | 0 | 1/5 |
| 2 | luke2612 | 1 | 0 | 0/0 |
| 3 | skeem__ | 0 | 1 | 0/0 |
| — | Jenna Tulls DESK | 7 | 1 | — |
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