Saturday's Heavyweight Bout Seattle Seahawks (14-3) 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers (12-5) 3 This wasn’t a football game; it was a street fight. In a rain-soaked Lumen Field, the Seahawks' defence put on a masterclass, holding the high-powered Niners to their lowest score in years. Sam Darnold didn’t have to be a hero; he just …
Seattle Seahawks (14-3) 13 vs. San Francisco 49ers (12-5) 3 This wasn’t a football game; it was a street fight. In a rain-soaked Lumen Field, the Seahawks’ defence put on a masterclass, holding the high-powered Niners to their lowest score in years. Sam Darnold didn’t have to be a hero; he just had to be safe, while Kenneth Walker’s late third-and-forever conversion was the dagger. Seattle clinches the NFC West and the #1 seed, meaning the road to the Super Bowl goes through one of the loudest stadiums in the world. This game also possibly put a dagger on the 9ers hype.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9) 16 vs. Carolina Panthers (8-9) 14 In a sloppy, rain-drenched mess, the Bucs kept their slim hopes alive (temporarily) by outlasting Carolina. Bryce Young couldn’t find his rhythm in the downpour, and Rico Dowdle’s fumbled flea-flicker essentially ended their chances. The Panthers left the field thinking their season was over—but the NFL scriptwriters had other plans.
Atlanta Falcons (8-9) 19 vs. New Orleans Saints (6-11) 17 The “Nobody Wants To Win The South” Bowl. It was a comedy of errors until Dee Alford snagged a late interception to seal the win for Atlanta. The irony? This win didn’t help the Falcons; it actually gifted the division title to the Panthers. Raheem Morris was fired shortly after the final whistle—winning the game but losing the room. The Falcons’ GM was also fired, and the Falcons organization continues to show how poorly it’s run.
Cleveland Browns (5-12) 20 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11) 18 The Bengals’ nightmare season ended with a whimper. The story here was all Myles Garrett, who cemented his legendary status by breaking the single-season sack record with his 23rd takedown. Rookie kicker Andre Szmyt drilled a 49-yarder at the buzzer to steal the win for Cleveland, but the real celebration was for Garrett. Bengals HC Zac Taylor spoke to the media after being unhappy with the refs stopping the game for the celebration. He said his team was “fighting for their lives,” which he was clowned on social media for because the Bengals had 0 shot to make the playoffs for a few weeks now.
Houston Texans (12-5) 38 vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-9) 30 Houston is entering the playoffs on an absolute tear, winning nine straight. They let the Colts hang around early, but the Texans’ defence eventually overwhelmed rookie Riley Leonard. Houston misses the division title because of the Jags’ win, but they are the team nobody wants to play right now.
Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) 41 vs. Tennessee Titans (7-10) 7 A total “no contest.” Trevor Lawrence was surgical, throwing three touchdowns and clinching the AFC South for Jacksonville. The Titans looked like they’d already checked out for the off-season, and losing their rookie QB Cam Ward to a shoulder injury early on just made things worse.
Minnesota Vikings (7-10) 16 vs. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1) 3 The Packers sat most of their stars, and it showed. Clayton Tune was eaten alive by the Vikings’ defence, passing for a measly 34 yards. For Minnesota, it was a “feel good” win to end a weird year, with Justin Jefferson hitting the 1,000-yard mark again despite the chaos at QB.
New York Giants (4-13) 34 vs. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1) 17 The final humiliation for Dallas. The Giants, who have been terrible most of the year, absolutely dismantled a Cowboys team that looked like it had quit. Jaxson Dart threw two scores and looked like the better QB on the field. The Cowboys head into a massive off-season overhaul, while the Giants lose the number 1 pick and retain their awful GM.
Buffalo Bills (12-5) 35 vs. New York Jets (3-14) 8 The Bills showed no mercy to their division rivals. It was a bloodbath from the jump, with the Bills’ offence scoring on five of their first six drives. Buffalo enters the playoffs as the #6 seed—a dangerous underdog if they ever have been one. For the Jets, the nightmare is finally over, and they’ve secured a top-three draft pick. The Jets also are the first team in NFL history to go through a full season without recording one interception 😂. That stat feels crazy and unrealistic, but the Jets somehow let backup Mitch Turbisky light them up.
Detroit Lions (9-8) 19 vs. Chicago Bears (11-6) 16 Detroit finishes with a winning record after a gritty win at Soldier Field. Jake Bates hammered home the game-winning field goal as time expired. The Bears had already clinched the North, but this loss—combined with results elsewhere—meant they had to sweat out their seeding until the final whistle of the afternoon.
Denver Broncos (14-3) 19 vs. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) 3 Bo Nix and the Broncos are officially the #1 seed in the AFC. They didn’t need any fireworks; they just ground the Chargers down with four field goals and a Ja’Quan McMillian pick-six. Denver gets the bye and home-field advantage. The Chargers drop to the #7 seed and a brutal road trip to New England.
Los Angeles Rams (12-5) 37 vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-14) 20 The Rams took care of business, securing the #5 seed and a date with the Panthers next week. Matthew Stafford looked sharp, and the organization looks ready for a deep run. Arizona, meanwhile, secures a top-five pick after a season they’d probably like to delete from the archives.
Las Vegas Raiders (14-3) 14 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11) 12 A defensive slugfest that summed up the Chiefs’ season. Kansas City’s offence was non-existent again, while the Raiders’ defence just squeezed the life out of them. The Raiders finish with 14 wins—an incredible turnaround—while the Chiefs look for answers in the draft. I don’t know how many people actually watched this game. As meaningless as they come.
New England Patriots (14-3) 38 vs. Miami Dolphins (7-10) 10 Drake Maye has officially arrived. He shredded the Dolphins for four touchdowns before the Pats pulled him to keep him healthy for the playoffs. New England locks up the #2 seed, and Gillette Stadium is going to be a cold, terrifying place for the Chargers next week.
Washington Commanders (5-12) 24 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) 17 The upset of the week. The Eagles had a chance to lock up the #2 seed and a bye-week-adjacent path, but they absolutely choked against a five-win Commanders team. This loss drops Philly to the #3 seed, and they now have to face the 49ers in the first round. The locker room vibes in Philly are… not great.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) 26 vs. Baltimore Ravens (8-9) 24 A classic AFC North brawl to end the season. Aaron Rodgers led a vintage game-winning drive, finding Calvin Austin III for the go-ahead TD with less than a minute left. The Ravens marched back and set up a game-winning kick, but rookie Tyler Loop pulled it wide. The Steelers clinch the AFC North, the Ravens are out, and the “Steel City” is dreaming of another trophy. Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh was also let go, ending his lengthy tenure in Ravens country.
The Final Playoff Bracket is Set:
