Experts doubt Jalen Hurts' injury

The 32 things we learned from Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season:

1. It’s a story as old as time (or at least 105 years): Just when you think you have the NFL figured out, a day like Sunday comes along and forces a mass recalibration of the landscape… and “expert.” “Think. Example: Who is the best team? A week after defeating the Detroit Lions, the AFC East champion Buffalo Bills almost lost – at home – to the New England Patriots.

2. Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs – still on track to become the first team to win a Super Bowl three – are the only team in the league with 14 wins … even with QB Patrick Mahomes banged up and rare is able to score a convincing win.

3. As for the Lions? Just when you thought they’d suffered one serious injury too many, they’re literally playing with their food as they steamroll the Chicago Bears. Detroit remains in charge as the No. 1 seed and certainly benefited from Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

4. And Philly? The Eagles would have to lose their final two games — and the Washington Commanders would have to win — for the NFC East crown to change hands before the playoffs.

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5. However, the Eagles face the threat of having to play QB3 Tanner McKee if starter Jalen Hurts fails to comply with concussion protocol and backup Kenny Pickett’s tender ribs prove overly problematic.

6. Hurts’ absence for most of Sunday’s loss to Washington is also further evidence of why the MVP award has become synonymous with quarterbacks. Although RB Saquon Barkley rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, he couldn’t get Philadelphia past the Commanders.

7. But with a league-best 1,838 rushing yards, Barkley now needs 268 in the final two weeks to surpass Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson’s single-season record (2,105 yards during a 16-game season in 1984).

8. Barkley also became the first player ever to score four rushing TDs of at least 65 yards in a single season. Still, he really missed an opportunity to reduce Dickerson’s deficit on Sunday, managing just 41 yards in the final three quarters after rushing for 109 yards in the first.

9. Speaking of individual accolades, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels likely secured Offensive Rookie of the Year hardware after passing for 258 yards and five touchdowns, including the game-winner with six seconds left in Washington’s 36-33 victory. Daniels also rushed for a team-high 81 yards.

10. The last Washington player to pass for five touchdowns? Try QB Mark Rypien… for the 1991 team, the last to bring that franchise a Lombardi Trophy.

11. Daniels’ heroics kept the Commanders alive in the fight for the NFC East crown and have certainly helped him overshadow Denver Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix, who is in the midst of a mediocre December after losing in November played so well.

12. The presumptive 2024 MVP, Buffalo’s Josh Allen, earned his 75th career win (just under) on Sunday and needs one more to tie the record for most by a quarterback in the first seven seasons. (It’s important to note that Mahomes and Tom Brady both basically redshirted in their rookie seasons.)

13. Back to the MVP award And the underrated Minnesota Vikings…but how about a little love for QB Sam Darnold? Only Mahomes has led his team to more wins this season. If Darnold can score two more goals, the Vikes will have home field advantage. The Vikings!

14. Regardless, league accolades — and even well-deserved respect amid his career resurgence — will undoubtedly continue to elude Darnold. But you can bet there won’t be enough money for a guy who could deliver more than any other impending free agent in 2025.

15. Some true NFL bluebloods won’t be competing for the Lombardi Trophy this season, with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday after Washington’s comeback.

16. A few non-Blue players will also be left behind, with the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals also receiving their walking papers on Sunday.

17. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Cleveland Browns 24-6 and probably are The Team, no one else in the AFC field wants to sneak into the group. QB Joe Burrow extended his franchise record with this 39th TD pass on Sunday, while WR Ja’Marr Chase became the Bengals’ first-ever 1,500-yard receiver.

18. Burrow is also the first player in league history to score at least 250 yards and three touchdowns through the air in seven straight games.

19. Browns DE Myles Garrett became the 45th NFL player since 1982 (when sacks became an official statistic) with 100 in his career after beating Burrow on Sunday.

20. Garrett also joined legendary Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor as the only players with at least 12 sacks in five consecutive seasons and became the first player to reach the century mark before turning 29.

21. However, New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers needed more than his single TD pass on Sunday to get to .500 in his career… and the NYJ definitely needed it (and more) at 19: 9 loss to the NFC West leader Los Angeles Rams.

22. But another man’s misfortune is another man’s – how about a shout out to Rams TE Tyler Higbee, who scored the game-winning touchdown against the Jets in his 2024 debut? It’s been nearly a year since Higbee, who also underwent offseason shoulder surgery, was struck by a knee injury in a playoff game that led to tears in his ACL, ACL and meniscus.

23. Somehow the Jets never managed to punt despite only scoring nine points. (How do you ask? How about a few turnovers, a missed field goal, etc.) three failed fourth-down conversions.)

24. Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins became the fourth quarterback in franchise history to throw 100 TD passes in the regular season.

25. It doesn’t matter much who plays quarterback when your defense generates three sacks and three turnovers (including two pick-sixes) in a 34-7 drubbing.

26. But congratulations anyway to Atlanta Falcons rookie QB Michael Penix Jr., who despite modest individual numbers (202 yards passing, INT, 3 yards rushing) “won” his starting debut against the hapless New York Giants on Sunday after replacing veteran Kirk Cousins had replaced earlier in the week.

27. And congratulations also to the Giants, who avoided a 10-game losing streak…until their 100th NFL season.

28. But kudos goes to Big Blue’s Malik Nabers, who took 97 balls in his rookie season… and, let’s not forget, missed two games.

29. Chicago rookie QB Caleb Williams needs 729 passing yards over the final two weeks to become the first Bears player to reach 4,000 yards in a season.

30. And then there’s Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders, who is essentially having the best statistical season ever for a rookie tight end (101 catches for 1,067 yards). He needs 10 more yards in the next two games, more than any rookie at his position has ever done before.

31. Happy Holidays to the #1 CBS broadcast team of Jim Nantz and Tony Romo. Due to some quirks in this week’s broadcast, you gentlemen had to cover the 49ers-Dolphins while FOX covered the Steelers-Ravens (usually a CBS game) on Saturday afternoon. But believe me, folks, you can enjoy much better weather than Burkhardt and Brady in Charm City.

32. Also, happy holidays to the Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers and Texans. You have to feel for the players and staff on these teams, all of whom play three games in 11 days just so the league can host a Christmas doubleheader on Wednesday. Everyone was back at training on Sunday after playing on Saturday afternoon. Very difficult demands on these clubs during the holiday season – particularly Given that Baltimore and Kansas City also played on Christmas last year.

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Experts doubt Jalen Hurts’ injury

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