The NFL Roundup 2022: Week 17 Recap

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Hello once again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that is going to be a bit emotional in nature. Because there were a lot of big and moving moments that took place this past weekend and some shocking ones as well. The kind that speaks to a need for better mental health care in the NFL and also informed us that the playoffs will be anything but predictable. So, with all of that in mind, let’s dive right in and reflect upon all the big stories and moments, that Week 17 in the NFL sent our way.
 
Antonio Brown’s actions speak to a need for better mental health care programs in the NFL.
Ironically, this is a topic that came up earlier this year when we saw several players take part in some ugly actions related to poor mental health and here, we are talking about it again. Because whether you’re a fan of Antonio Brown or not, we can all agree upon the fact that his actions on Sunday were not healthy in the slightest and that moment and the many odd ones he’s brought forth in the past, speak to a man that needs help and sadly, the league really doesn’t offer that. Instead, it still stands by outdated notions that men must be men and if they don’t tough it out, they’ll get mocked by Terry Bradshaw (as was the case here), and well… look, enough is enough. The league has the resources, and they need to use those resources in offering counseling and care from a mental health perspective to all of its players and personnel so that we don’t have to see a moment like this one, become a meme, ever again.
 
Turns out the Bengals still have a little fight left in them.
Make no mistake about it, the Cincinnati Bengals should have lost at home on Sunday. Because they’ve been playing loose, and Kansas City has been playing hungry. But clearly, they knew what was at stake and they knew they had a chance to knock out an AFC juggernaut to lock up the AFC North and boy… did they impress. For they played fearless football on Sunday and hung with the Chiefs every step of the way and for their efforts… they do indeed ‘run the north’ and they have a chance to do something quite special in the playoffs. All because it turns out that they hadn’t given up or lost the fight they exhibited earlier in the season. They just needed a wakeup call, and they certainly answered it.
 
The Philadelphia Eagles proved their worth on Sunday.
Let’s be honest, the Eagles are a team that has slipped through the cracks in every way imaginable. Because they really haven’t had many flashy games this season, they’ve just been grinding quietly behind the scenes and amassing just enough wins to put them into playoff contention. But they’re definitely on our radar now, because their win over the Washington Football Team was quite significant. Since it put them into the postseason for the first time in a couple of years, behind a new coach and a slightly green QB no less, and that means that this is a team to keep an eye upon in the playoffs. Because teams that stick to fundamentals and grind on the field, are tough to beat and don’t be surprised in the slightest if Philadelphia pulls off a stunning upset in the postseason, courtesy of the foundation they've built this season.
 
It is definitely safe to say, the New York Giants are a mess right now and will be for some time.
There are a great many things that indicate to fans that their favorite franchise is stable and in a good place. For instance, the roster is loaded with talent, and the team is hungry for success and has an identity. Plus, bad behaviors are held accountable and their head coach… don’t go off on weird tangents for twelve minutes that are nonsensical in nature. And it is that latter issue, that has made it clear that the New York Giants are NOT stable nor are they in a good place. Because that’s exactly what Head Coach Joe Judge did on Sunday and uh, it really does leave one to wonder what it is going to take to get this team back to glory and stability and sadly… it will take some guts on ownership’s part to clean house and get some real football minds in there. But it doesn’t seem as though ownership is inclined to do much but stay the course right now, and that’s just terrible for the fans.
 
Ben Roethlisberger received one heck of a send-off last night.
For most players in the NFL, their careers end in a supremely unceremonious manner. Wherein the ones on the ‘decline’ find themselves bouncing around the league before retiring, or some are simply cut and never return to the game again. Which is why it is a big deal when a player actually gets to decide when their career ends and that decision is only sweetened further when said player gets a beloved send off from the fan base. Because it speaks to what they accomplished and how much they meant to their town and that’s why last night’s Monday night game was so special. Since Ben Roethlisberger received that kind of beautiful farewell against the Browns and well… it will be weird to not see #7 prowling the sidelines at Heinz Field next year, but it is clear that he is bucking the norm and going out on his own terms and it is a wonderful thing that his goodbye tour involved one last game beneath a sea of terrible towels, and loyal fans.  

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