Week 17 winners, losers: Baker Mayfield dominates, Colts humiliated

With most of the NFL Week 17 schedule in the books, it is time to take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from around the league.

Winners

Baker Mayfield, quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mayfield’s career resurgence in Tampa Bay has been incredible, and he has the Buccaneers one step closer to another potential NFC South title. He was sensational on Sunday completing 27-of-32 passes for 359 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions. For the season he has accounted for 42 touchdowns (39 passing and three rushing). 

Saquon Barkley, running back, Philadelphia Eagles

Barkley entered the week needing to average 134 yards over his remaining two games to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. He gained 167 in a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys to help the Eagles clinch the NFC East and put him over 2,000 yards for the season (just the ninth player to ever do it). He is just 101 yards away from the record. The question now is whether or not he plays in Week 18 against his former team. 

Brock Bowers, tight end, Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have won two games in a row and have one of the NFL’s best young playmakers in Bowers. He set two rookie records on Sunday, breaking Mike Ditka’s record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end (1,144) and also setting a new mark for all rookies with 108 receptions. He has been a bright spot in a disappointing season for the Raiders. 

Drew Lock, quarterback, New York Giants

The Giants had nothing to play for as a team, but players like Lock are playing for their future in the league. Lock made a big statement against the Colts by completing 17-of-23 passes for 309 yards, four touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown. 

Sam Darnold, quarterback, Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have a chance to secure the No. 1 seed and a bye week next Sunday, and Darnold is a big reason why. He was outstanding in a 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers, completing 33-of-43 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns. He remains the biggest surprise success story in the NFL this season. 

Miami Dolphins’ playoff chances

They need some help, but thanks to a 20-3 win over the Cleveland Browns the Dolphins still have something to play for in Week 18. A Dolphins win over the New York Jets, combined with a Denver Broncos loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, will put the Dolphins in the playoffs. 

Losers

Indianapolis Colts

This organization just keeps finding way to miss the playoffs with an improbable string of late-season, embarrassing losses to teams they should be favored to beat. Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants to knock them out of playoff contention this season was an appalling display of defense. 

Aaron Rodgers, quarterback, New York Jets

How bad was Rodgers in a 40-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills? He was not only benched for Tyrod Taylor, he not only got called for an unnecessary roughness penalty after his second interception, but he played worse than any NFL quarterback — statistically — since Davis Mills …. three years ago.