The 2017 NFL regular season was marred by controversy, declining ratings, suspensions, legal battles, injuries to countless superstars, and quarreling owners. But that’s not to say it was entirely negative and uninteresting.
Through the dark clouds have comes several rays of sunshine — unexpected surprises, big plays and excitement among fan bases long hungry for success.
Here’s a look at 20 great moments of the NFL regular season.
20. Marshawn Lynch watches game from stands after ejection
Touching an official is never considered okay, so Marshawn Lynch’s ejection from a Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs was completely warranted. However, it’s what came next that was noteworthy and, in all reality, quite funny. After being given the boot, Lynch reappeared to cheer his teammates on to a 31-30 victory. Only, it wasn’t on the sideline (which would have been against the rules), but from the stands. Beastmode sat with the fans in street clothes and then carried it over into the postgame when he rode the train home from the game and took part in an anti-Chiefs chant.
19. Cam Newton and Clay Matthews’ epic exchange
In a Week 15 game between the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers, a live mic caught one of the most interested exchanges in recent memory. Recognizing something he saw on film, Packers linebacker Clay Matthews called out a wheel route. Newton fired back.
Clay Matthews: “It’s that wheel route, it’s that wheel route!”
Cam Newton: “You been watching film, huh?”
Matthews: “Yeah.”
Cam: “That’s cool. Watch this.”
After the exchange, Newton called for the ball and quickly fired a pass to running back Christian McCaffrey on a fake wheel route/slant that went for a touchdown. Brilliance and entertainment all around.
18. Tony Romo becoming a standout analyst
No one knew how Tony Romo would handle his new job with CBS, but after just one game, the world was hooked. Romo was a natural in the booth, but even beyond that, he added a unique element to the call. He accurately predicted almost every single play prior to the snap and has continued doing so for the duration of the season. While his predictions may be annoying to some, there’s something compelling and fascinating about it. Viewers have responded positively and it appears as if Romo has a long and successful future ahead of him calling games.
17. Jimmy Garoppolo saving San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers looked destined for a top pick in the NFL Draft, but that was until they acquired Jimmy Garoppolo in a trade with the Patriots, and then finally let him play. And has Garoppolo ever shined. In five games, Garoppolo is completing 69% of his passes for 1,268 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. In his starts, the 49ers have gone 4-0, compared to a 1-10 start to the season without him. In a Week 16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Levi’s Stadium was electric and had a playoff-like atmosphere. Expectations are mounting heading into 2018.
16. Teddy Bridgewater returns from devastating injury
When Teddy Bridgewater went down with a devastating knee injury in August of 2016, there was talk that his career might over. Video of the injury was stomach-churning, and the reaction of his teammates told the story. But prior to Week 10 game against the Washington Redskins, Bridgewater’s entire journey came full circle. He returned to practice for the first time and was activated for the game. Although he didn’t play, Bridgewater’s emotions could be felt by everyone watching. Then, in a Week 15 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Bridgewater finally took the field again and was met with a thunderous standing ovation.
15. Jets dance to anything
Entering the season, many expected the New York Jets to reside somewhere in the basement alongside the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers, struggling to even earn themselves a single win. And while Gang Green wasn’t necessarily a world beater in 2017, they performed well above expectations and have had fun doing it. That was never more evident than during a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills when the defense got caught dancing on the field, sparking one of the best viral crazes of the year — “Jets dance to anything.”
14. Maurice Harris comes out of nowhere with great catch
Maurice Harris, who made just eight catches in 10 games for the Washington Redskins in 2016, has repeatedly dazzled in practice. Despite that, Harris had remained relegated to the practice squad this season — at least until a Week 10 game against the Minnesota Vikings. One day prior to the game, Washington signed Harris to their 53-man roster and activated him ahead of kickoff. That decision paid huge dividends as Harris hauled in his first reception of the season in dramatic fashion — a 36-yard leaping grab over Minnesota cornerback Trae Waynes that may be the best catch of the year. The play was initially ruled incomplete, but reviewed and overturned.
13. JuJu Smith-Schuster’s stolen bike found
Steelers rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster made a name for himself around Pittsburgh for his pimped out bicycle, which he rode all over because he had neither a car nor a license. But in late October, the bike went missing and Smith-Schuster was forced to walk to practice. That’s when the story went viral and teammate Antonio Brown offered two tickets to anyone who could recover the bike. A fierce manhunt was underway in Pittsburgh and in no time flat, the bike turned up in good condition at the Mt. Oliver Police Department. Smith-Schuster has since gone on to get his driver’s license, but still enjoys riding his bike.
12. Odell Beckham pens DeShaun Watson emotional letter
Sometimes tragedy brings out the best in people, and that will be a theme for several top moments of the year. One such instance was when Houston Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson, who was having a remarkable rookie season, went down with a torn ACL. Facing the emotions of a lost season and a long road to recovery, Watson was greeted with an emotionally penned letter from New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who had suffered a fractured ankle earlier in the season.
“Now life throws you bigger problems and again you’re faced with a test. Everything is a blessing in disguise,” the letter read in part. “Truly believe that his all happens for a reason … We will be back better than ever. I’ll see you this offseason.”
11. Jake Elliott hits 61-yard game-winner to beat Giants
In a Week 3 game against the Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles had a choice to make: attempt a 61-yard field goal as time expired and risk Odell Beckham Jr. bringing it back like Auburn had done to Alabama, or take the game into overtime. They chose the former, and rather than Beckham getting an opportunity, rookie kicker Jake Elliott was immediately transformed into a Philadelphia sports icon when he connected on the longest field goal in Eagles history.
