NFL 2023 Week 17: Biggest questions, risers and takeaways

Week 17 of the NFL season began Thursday night with Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco continuing his hot streak before the Dallas Cowboys held on after controversy for a key victory in a battle between two of the best in the NFC on Saturday night.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions arising from each game and identifying who — or what — is going up and down for each team. Let's go.

Access a match:
NYJ-CLE | DET-DAL

SATURDAY

Cowboys

Does this victory mean anything to the Cowboys? It's certainly better than losing a third game in a row. The Cowboys have never made the Super Bowl in a season with a three-game losing streak. It was the definition of what Mike McCarthy calls complementary football. The defense made key stops in the fourth quarter after Dallas took the lead in the second half. The offense – mainly CeeDee Lamb – managed to do just enough, especially in critical moments. The Cowboys close out the regular season next week in Washington. Winning on the road is a must.

Refuel after victory: WR Brandin Cooks. In a game in which Lamb set the Cowboys' single-season records for catches and receiving yards, breaking marks held by Michael Irvin since 1995, it was Cooks who played a significant role for Dallas in the 'clutch. On the go-ahead fourth quarter, Cooks made a 21-yard grab on third-and-4 against the blitz and scored the touchdown five plays later. It was his seventh score of the season and his second straight fourth-quarter score.

Reduced stock after victory: Running back Tony Pollard. There wasn't much room for Pollard to run for much of the game, and he managed to pick up some tough yards in the second half. But he also recorded a key drop on the first possession of the third quarter that could have broken the game open for Dallas. Instead, he was forced to punt and had to endure a difficult evening. -Todd Archer

Next game: among Washington's commanders

the Lions

How much will this loss hurt their playoff seeding? Detroit came into this game having already clinched a playoff spot and the NFC North with a chance to reach the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Lions are assured of at least a No. 3 seed, but with a win they would have been in first place heading into Sunday with a half-game lead. Now it'll be tough to get first place, home-court advantage and a first-round bye, but crazier things have happened.

Refuel after loss: CB Ifetu Melifonwu. The reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week picked up another interception in the first quarter and continued to find his rhythm after being inserted into the starting lineup in Week 14.

Stock falling after loss: Third-ranked efficiency. Although the Lions were aggressive on fourth down, they only made 4 of 13 on third down. — Eric Woodyard

Next game: against the Minnesota Vikings

THURSDAY

Browns

Can anyone slow down Joe Flacco? Obviously not. As of Thursday, Flacco was already leading the NFL in passing yards (1,307) since Week 13, when he took over at quarterback. And that was before he threw for 296 yards in the first half, the most in any half of his career, against one of the best pass defenses in the NFL. The way Flacco is throwing it, to go along with their dominant defense, the Browns could be a tough outing for anyone in the playoffs.

Refuel after victory: TE David Njoku. He totaled 113 receiving yards in the first quarter and proved he is one of the best receiving threats at his position.

Reduced stock after victory: Browns WR corps. The Browns were already without star Amari Cooper (heel), then they lost their other key receiver, Elijah Moore, to a head injury during the game. –Jake Trotter

Next game: to the Cincinnati Bengals

Jets

Should the Jets tweak their defense this offseason? It's supposed to be the team's strength — a “championship-caliber defense,” coach Robert Saleh likes to say — but it was embarrassed by Joe Flacco & Co. Does that mean it should be reworked? No, it was an outlier – it’s still a solid defense – but the Jets were exposed in the middle of the field. Their linebackers and safeties were torched in pass coverage. They need game security.

Refuel after loss: RB Breece Room. He rushed for over 100 yards from scrimmage for the second straight week, finishing with 126 and a touchdown. The Jets need more players like Hall.

Stock falling after loss: LB CJ Mosley. He's not at his best when playing in space, and he's been lit up by tight end David Njoku. Mosley allowed three receptions for 75 yards as the closest defender, according to Next Gen Stats. — Rich Cimini

Next game: with the New England Patriots