An elite week of football with all the playoff implications. Between all the close games that had playoff implications, it has been my favourite week of football. I had a great time watching it, and I don't expect this week to be a lot better, but all football around Christmas is fun. To anyone who …
An elite week of football with all the playoff implications. Between all the close games that had playoff implications, it has been my favourite week of football. I had a great time watching it, and I don’t expect this week to be a lot better, but all football around Christmas is fun. To anyone who is reading this, I wish you a Merry Christmas. Enjoy.
Seattle Seahawks (12-3) 38 vs. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) 37 (OT)
Lumen Field was absolutely rocking for what might be the game of the century. The Seahawks were dead in the water, trailing by 16 in the fourth, before Rashid Shaheed completely flipped the script with a 58-yard punt return. Then things got weird: a “pass” from Sam Darnold was ruled a lateral on review, Zach Charbonnet scooped it for a two-point conversion, and we were off to overtime. Stafford was slinging it to Puka Nacua, but the Seahawks had the final word. A Smith-Njigba TD followed by a gutsy two-point conversion to Eric Saubert won it. Seattle is now sitting pretty at the top of the NFC. The Rams will now likely not be able to play a home game in the playoffs. In all of their losses this year, going into the second half, they had a bigger than 75% chance to win. That’s choking if I’ve ever seen it.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) 29 vs. Washington Commanders (4-11) 18
The Eagles are officially back on the throne of the NFC East. Jalen Hurts did his thing, but Saquon Barkley was the absolute engine of this offence, racking up 132 yards and hitting that 1,000-yard season milestone. The best part for Philly fans? This win officially killed off any hope the Dallas Cowboys had. Washington tried to make it a game, but the Eagles’ defence eventually just suffocated them. Division clinching never felt so sweet. The Eagles still don’t look normal. Even though they won the game, it was not a game that put belief into your fan base.
Chicago Bears (11-4) 22 vs. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) 16 (OT)
If you told me in September that the Bears would be 11-4 and leading the division, I’d have called you crazy. But here we are. This was a classic December scrap in the cold. Caleb Williams showed he’s the real deal, leading yet another fourth-quarter comeback. In overtime, he dropped an absolute dime to DJ Moore for a 46-yard walk-off touchdown that probably broke half the hearts in Wisconsin. With Jordan Love leaving early with a concussion, the Packers are suddenly looking very vulnerable. This was a top game as well. The fact that the Bears were able to get an onside kick. And score the touchdown, absolutely unbelievable.
Tennessee Titans (3-12) 26 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) 9
Look, there’s no other way to say it: the Chiefs are an absolute mess without Mahomes. Their offence didn’t just look bad; it looked like they’d never played together before. Getting bullied by a three-win Titans team is an embarrassment. Tennessee had zero to play for, but played like their lives depended on it. Kansas City is officially out of the hunt, and for the first time in forever, January won’t feature a trip to Arrowhead. The Chiefs just stink now.
Carolina Panthers (8-7) 23 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) 20
The NFC South is the mess that keeps on giving. The Panthers finally took the driver’s seat by grinding out a nail-biter against Tampa. Baker Mayfield was running for his life all afternoon, and Carolina’s defence wouldn’t break. If the Panthers can keep their heads on straight, they’re actually going to host a playoff game. Who would’ve guessed? The Buccaneers just look so bad, and I don’t think they are going to be able to catch the Panthers now. After their insane start, the Bucs have absolutely slid.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) 34 vs. Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1) 17
The Chargers officially booked their playoff ticket and, in the process, put the final nail in the coffin of the Cowboys’ miserable season. Justin Herbert was surgical, shredding a Dallas defence that honestly looked like they’d already checked out for the holidays. For the Cowboys, this is a total disaster of an organization right now. For the Chargers, they’re still breathing down Denver’s neck for the AFC West.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) 29 vs. Detroit Lions (8-7) 24
I don’t even know where to start. The Lions got absolutely robbed. Jared Goff scored on a miracle lateral as time expired, and the stadium went nuclear—only for the refs to call a ticky-tack offensive pass interference on St. Brown to wipe it off the board. It was a gut-wrenching way to lose. The Steelers, somehow, escape with a win that keeps them atop the AFC North, but they should probably send the officiating crew a Christmas card. Head coach Mike Tomlin continues his insane over 500 team record for the 19th time. Just unreal stuff that he can keep getting them there. Especially since there’s been a ton of firing rumours. You can’t fire a guy who hasn’t gotten them to the postseason.
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) 34 vs. Denver Broncos (12-3) 20
Trevor Lawrence went into Mile High and played the game of his life. Snapping Denver’s 11-game winning streak is no small feat, and the Jags did it with style. Their defence was the real story, though—they hounded Bo Nix all day. Denver is still the top seed, but the “invincibility” aura is officially gone. Jacksonville is a serious Super Bowl threat. For the Jaguars, they are going to be a crazy hot team and one to look out for if Trevor Lawrence is playing like that. They, in my opinion, are the hottest team and not a team you want to play right now.
New England Patriots (12-3) 28 vs. Baltimore Ravens (7-8) 24
Sunday Night Football was the Drake Maye show. The young QB looks like a 10-year vet out there, outdueling Lamar Jackson in a high-stakes thriller. Lamar unfortunately went down with a back injury, and without him, the Ravens’ playoff hopes are looking incredibly shaky. The Pats are now tied with Denver for the best record in the AFC. The Patriots seem to find ways to win games. I can’t lie, it was a little closer than I thought it would be, but they found a way.
New Orleans Saints (5-10) 29 vs. New York Jets (3-12) 6
The Saints have suddenly found their pulse, winning three straight. This was a masterclass in kicking, with Charlie Smyth tying a club record by nailing five field goals. Tyler Shough had his best game yet, and the Saints’ defence treated the Jets like a practice squad, racking up eight sacks. The Jets just continue to suck, and the Saints somehow find a way to look promising. I’m curious to see how the Saints continue to rebuild.
Minnesota Vikings (7-8) 16 vs. New York Giants (3-12) 13
Not exactly a shootout, but a massive win for the Vikings’ slim playoff hopes. It was a defensive slog from start to finish, with both teams struggling to find the end zone. Minnesota did just enough to escape New Jersey with its season still technically on life support. Even when quarterback McCarthy went down, the Vikings found a way, and they should be happy with that. Jaxson Dart also leaves me in question whether he is the guy in New York.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-10) 45 vs. Miami Dolphins (6-9) 21
A total “nothing to lose” performance from Joe Burrow. He absolutely lit up the Dolphins’ secondary in a game that didn’t mean much for the standings, but reminded everyone that Cincy is still dangerous when healthy. Cincy always finds a way to look good in certain games. Unfortunately, this is a year to look down, and this game means absolutely nothing. Quinn Ewers’ debut for Miami was not a good one, and the quarterback Position will be much different next year. Joe Borough was able to absolutely light up and would have helped many of your guys’ fantasy teams or not, lol.
Atlanta Falcons (6-9) 26 vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-12) 19
The Falcons were able to pull out a useless win against the Cardinals. Off the backs of a phenomenal performance from Bichon Robinson with a touchdown and 168 total yards. Despite a tough year from the Cardinals, I am curious to see where they go from here. Probably another rebuild in the books. For the Falcons, the Rams have their first-round pick, so losing next year is not an option, and I am not convinced Michael Pennix is the quarterback to lead this team.
Houston Texans (10-5) 23 vs. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) 21
Houston is playing with fire. They nearly blew it against a struggling Raiders squad but managed to clinch a victory that keeps them right in the mix for a top AFC seed. CJ Stroud made enough plays late to save the day, but they can’t afford to play down to their competition like this next week. After saying the Texans are the team to beat, I was proved wrong after this performance. The Jags have taken that spot, and I’m very curious to see if the offence can do enough for the Texans to get them to the promise spot.
Buffalo Bills (11-4) 23 vs. Cleveland Browns (3-12) 20
This was way closer than it had any right to be. The Bills’ offence went completely cold in the second half, and they needed every bit of Greg Rousseau’s 2.5 sacks to bail them out. Josh Allen took a nasty hit to the nose early but stayed in to grind out the win. A “scuffed” victory, but it keeps them tied for the best record in the AFC. Still a lot of questions surrounding the bills. But all in all, James Cook’s two touchdowns got them that win. In the playoffs, they would not be able to get away with that.
San Francisco 49ers (11-4) 48 vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-7) 27
Brock Purdy just put the MVP race in a blender. Five passing touchdowns in a single night? In primetime? That’s video game stuff. Christian McCaffrey remains his favourite weapon, and the Colts just had no answer. Philip Rivers’ comeback story ran into a brick wall late in the game with a massive pick-six that ended any hope of a miracle. The Niners have won five straight and are terrifying everyone in the NFC right now. The Niners are a little scary. The NFC West continues to show why it’s the best division in football.
