NFL 2025 Week 16 Recap
Los Angele Rams at Seattle Seahawks was the Thursday night game. This is why we watch football. A pair of 11-3 teams faced off for the inside track on the division and the conference. The Rams moved from their own 20 to a 4th and 1 at the Seattle 39. Sean McVay went for it and Kyren Williams got stuffed for no gain. Sam Darnold went to Kenneth Walker for a 46 yard gain. Zac Charbonnet ran for a 4 yard touchdown run and a 7-0 Seahawks lead. The Rams moved from their own 24 to a 4th and goal at the one. Matthew Stafford hit Ferguson for the touchdown, but an ineligible man downfield nullified the score. Harrison Mevis hit a 23 yard field goal. The Rams got it back and in the second quarter moved to a 3rd and 2 at the Seattle 5. Stafford threw incomplete. This time McVay was not in a gambling mood. Mevis hit from 28 as the Rams now trailed 7-6.
The Rams took over t their own 38. Corum ran for 9, 4 and 3. On 3rd and 2 from the Seattle 41, Williams gained 4. Corum gained 9 and 3. Stafford hit Mumpfield for 11. Stafford went to Ferguson for a 3 yard touchdown to have the Rams up 13-7. Late in the half the Seahawks moved to a 1st and 10 at the Rams 34. Darnold went to former Rams ace Cooper Kupp for a 17 yard gain, but Kupp was sandwiched between 3 defenders and fumbled. The ball was blasted out of his hands. After a scramble, the Rams recovered in their own end zone for a touchback. The Seahawks began the third quarter at their own 35. On 3rd and 1, Barner got the yard. Walker broke free and raced for a 55 yard touchdown. Just like that, this time the Seahawks were back on top 14-13.
The Rams took over at their own 27. On 3rd and 9, Stafford went deep to Smith for a 48 yard gain. Mevis hit a 41 yard field goal to make it 16-14 Rams. A key play in the game came with the Seahawks facing 3rd and 8 at the Rams 48. Darnold was intercepted. Wallace returned the interception 56 yards to the Rams one yard line. On the next play Corum got the ball just over the pylon for the touchdown and a 23-14 Rams lead. The Rams got the ball back at their own 15. On 3rd and 3, Stafford went to Smith for 9. On the last play of the third quarter on 3rd and 3 from their own 38, Stafford went deep to Puka Nacua for a 58 yard gain. On 3rd and goal at the one to start the fourth quarter, Stafford hit Nacua for the touchdown. Now the Rams had a 30-14 lead. The Seahawks rapidly moved to a 3rd and goal at the 6. Darnold fired over the middle and was intercepted by Turner.
Just when it seemed the game was over, the Seahawks got major special teams jolt. Shaheed returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown. Mike McDonald went for 2 and Darnold hit Kupp successfully. The Seahawks were back in it down 30-22 midway through the fourth quarter. The Seahawks forced a 3 and out and got the ball back at their own 43. Shaheed ran for a 31 yard gain. Darnold went deep to Barnard for a 26 yard touchdown. A 2 point try would tie the game but this time the try failed. The Seahawks were within 30-28 with 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation. Yet then came another twist as the officials reversed themselves and declared the attempt successful. This was now a 30-30 ballgame.
The Rams moved in position for Mevis to try a 48 yard field goal just before the 2 minute warning to give the Rams the lead. This time Mevis was no good wide right. Both teams had opportunities in the final 2 minutes but both defenses dug in. If ever a game deserved overtime, this was it. The Rams in overtime had the ball at their own 20. Stafford went to Nacua for 9 and to Corum for 13. On 3rd and 6 just past midfield, Stafford hit Nacua for 7. On the next play Stafford hit Nacua on a perfect deep crossing route. Nacua split the seams and raced to the end zone to have the Rams back on top by 7. The Seahawks took over at their own 35 with 6 1/2 minutes left in overtime. Darnold went to Jaxon Smith-Nigba for 17. Darnold found Kupp for 21. On 3rd and 3 from the Rams 9, Charbonnet gained 5. Darnold went to Smith-Nigba for the touchdown. Mike McDonald went for 2 as fans everywhere begged him to kick the extra point. With everything on the line for both teams, Darnold fired over the middle to Saubert successfully as the home crowd erupted in celebration. The Seahawks are 12-3. The Rams are 11-4. The teams split the season series as the Seahawks overcame a 16 point fourth quarter deficit. This was Ali-Frazier as the Seahawks win a fine, fine football game! 38-37 Seahawks
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders was the Saturday afternoon game. The Eagles were seeking to wrap up the NFC East while the Commanders are done for the year. The Eagles fumbled the opening kickoff to give the Commanders a golden opportunity. On 2nd and goal at the 2, Marcus Mariota threw incomplete twice. Dan Quinn was not in a gambling mood. Jake Moody hit the 20 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Commanders. The Eagles took over at their own 37. Jalen Hurts hit Devonta Smith for 16. Hurts ran for 14. Hurts went to AJ Brown for 15 and again for 16. Hurts went to Smith for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Eagles. In the second quarter Jake Elliott missed a 43 yard field goal that would have extended the lead. The Commander took over at their own 33. Mariots went deep to Terry McLaurin for 40. Mariots found Deebo Samuel for 14. On 4th and 1 from the Philadelphia 2, Dan Quinn went for it. Rodriguez got the tough yard. Croskey-Merritt got the last yard to make it 10-7 Commanders. From 52 yards out, Elliott missed again as the half ended.
The Eagles took over in the third quarter at their own 17. Hurts went to Smith for 7, to Dallas Goedert for 8, to Dotson for 6, and to Smith for 9. Nick Sirianni gambled on 4th and 7 from the Washington 38. Hurts threw incomplete but defensive illegal contact meant a new set of downs. On 3rd and 1 from the the Washington 24, Saquon Barkley gained 2. Defensive pass interference added 19 down to the one. On 3rd and goal at the 15, Hurts went to Goedert for the touchdown. The mind-numbing 17 play, 83 yard drive consumed over 10 1/2 minutes off the clock and had the Eagles up 14-10. The third quarter ended with an interception of Mariota. Cooper DeJean returned the pick 111 yards to the Washington 37. On 3rd and 3 Hurts ran for 4. On 3rd and 4 from the Washington 20, Barkley ran for 8 and then for the 12 yard touchdown. The Eagles led 21-10 with 11 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Eagles took over at their own 20. Barkley ran for 6 and then broke off a 48 yard yard gain. Bigsby ran for a 22 yard touchdown to ice the game with 5:15 left. The Commanders got one more garbage touchdown. The 10-5 Eagles clinched the NFC East with 3 weeks left. 29-18 Eagles.
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears was the Saturday night game. Two weeks ago the Packers defeated the Bears 28-21 in Green Bay. The rematch came with the Bears half a game ahead in the NFC North. This one will be talked about for a very long time. A hideous first half saw both teams turn it over on downs to start the game. Twice the Packers drove deep into Chicago territory in the second quarter only to settle for Brandon McManus field goals of 26 and 22. Making matters worse, Jordan Love got knocked out with a concussion. Malik Willis played the second half. Cairo Santos hit from 46 in the third quarter to get the Bears within 6-3. The Packers for a third time moved inside the Chicago 5. This time they fumbled the ball away. The Packers got it back at their own 36. Wilson ran for 12. Watson added 10. On 3rd and 2 from the Chicago 33, Willis went deep to Romeo Doubs for the touchdown. After three quarters, the Packers led 13-3. In the fourth quarter Santos hit from 51 but McManus answered from 28. 4 times the Packers reached the Chicago 10 yard line only to settle for 3 field goals and a fumble. Yet the Packers still led 16-6 with 5 minutes left in regulation.
With only 2 minutes left, Santos came in for a 43 yard field goal try. The Bears needed a field goal and an onside kick and a touchdown. Santos hit the field goal. The Bears trailed 16-9. For the Packers, this was Failure to Close Out 1. The onside kick was perfect, as Blackwell recovered for the Bears at their own 47. For the Packers, this was FCO2. with 24 seconds left, the Bears were facing 4th and 4 at the Green Bay 6. With everything on the line, Caleb Williams hit Walker for the touchdown. This was the Packers FCO3. Ben Johnson was not in a gambling mood. FCO4 came when the extra point was good. After being totally dominated, the Bears somehow tied the game 16-16. The Packers began in overtime and moved to a 4th and 1 at the Chicago 36. A field goal try would be 54 yards. Instead, Matt LaFleur went for it. Willis fumbled and the Packers ended up short of the first down. The Bears soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 42. Monangai gained 11. Williams then went deep to Moore for a 46 yard touchdown. In an absolute shocker the Bears split the season series. The Bears are 1 1/2 games up in the division with 2 games left. 22-16 Bears, OT
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers — Both teams came in 7-7 and tied for the NFC South lead. The Buccaneers were reeling after a 1-5 start while the Panthers were rising after a terrible start. Riley Fitzgerald began with an early 27 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Panthers. The Buccaneers took over at their own 47. Baker Mayfield went to Mike Evans for 12. On 3rd and 8 from the Carolina 26, Mayfield went to McMillan for 10. Irving ran for 12. Mayfield went to Evans for the one yard touchdown to make it 7-3 Buccaneers. In the second quarter Chase McLaughlin hit from 23 and Fitzgerald hit from 41 to make it 10-6 Buccaneers.
The Panthers took over at their own 37. Bryce Young went to McMillan for 8 and to Leggett for 12. Young went to McMillan for a 22 yard touchdown as the Panthers took a 13-10 lead to the locker rooms. In the third quarter the Panthers faced 3rd and 7 at their own 37. Mayfield ran for 23. On 3rd and 1 from the Carolina 31, Irving gained 2. On 3rd and 4 from the Carolina 23, Mayfield hit Chris Godwin for 5. On 3rd and 6 from the Carolina 14, Mayfield found White for 13. Tucker ran for a one yard touchdown to have the Buccaneers back up 17-13. The Panthers took over at their own 35. Young ran for 8. Chuba Hubbard added 10. Young went to Evans for 10. On 3rd and 1 from the Tampa Bay 33, Young went to McMillan for 11. On 3rd and 5 from the Tampa Bay 6, Young went to Sanders for the touchdown. The fourth lead change had the Panthers up 20-17 after three quarters.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers moved to a 3rd and 4 from the Carolina 23. Looking for the lead, Mayfield was sacked. McLaughlin hit from 50 to tie the game 20-20. The Panthers soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 33. Young went deep to Coker for 34. Fitzgerald came in for a 49 yard field goal try with 2:20 left to give the Panthers the 3 point lead again. His kick was good. The Buccaneers moved from their own 10 to a 2nd and 9 at the Carolina 42 with 49 seconds left. On the verge of tying field goal range, Mayfield was then intercepted. The Panthers have come out of nowhere to take a one game lead in the division with 2 games left. The loss has the Buccaneers on the brink of elimination and Todd Bowles on the hot seat. 23-20 Panthers
Buffalo Bills at Cleveland Browns — The Bills came in offer a tough road win at New England. They still were one game back in their division. They only needed to see pace by defeating a terrible Browns team that had a good defense. The Browns began facing 3rd and 1 at their own 40. Judkins gained 5. Shedeurs went to Fannin for 27. Sanders went to Fannin for 13 too make it 7-0 Browns. The Bills began at their own 20. Josh Allen ran for 7 and James Cook added 8 and 15. Cook then ran for a 44 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
An interception of Sanders had the Bills starting the second quarter at their own 39. Allen went to Davis for 14 and Hawes for 18. On 3rd and 2 from the Cleveland 20, Allen gained 4. Johnson ran for 9, 5, and the 2 yard touchdown. The extra point doinked off the upright no good but the Bills led 13-7. The Browns moved to a 1st and goal at the 4. A run went nowhere, Sanders threw incomplete, and another run lost 2 yards. Szmyt hit a 24 yard field goal to get the Browns within 13-10. The Bills took over at their own 32. Allen went to Shakir for 18. Cook added 13. Allen went to Shavers for 21. Cook ran for 8 and then for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 20-10 Bills. A third quarter interception of Sanders led to a Mike Badgley field goal to have the Bills up 23-10.
The Browns slo faced 3rd and 1 at their own 42. Sanders gained 9. Corley gained 12. On 3rd and 16 from the Buffalo 43, a completion gained only 4 yards but a defensive tripping penalty gifted the Browns 15 yards. Sanders ran for 14, 8 and 3. Fannin got the lsat yard as the Browns only trailed 23-17 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter the Bills faced 4th and 4 at the Cleveland 33. A 51 yard field goal would make it 26-20. Instead, Sean McDermott gambled and Allen threw incomplete. Szmyt hit a 41 yard field goal to have the Browns within 3 points with 9 minutes left. The Browns faced 4th and 2 at their own 44 with 5 minutes left. Kevin Stefanski went for it and Sanders was sacked. The Bills faced 4th and 1 from the Cleveland 11 with 3 minutes left. Again, McDermott passed up the field goal. Again, Allen threw incomplete. With 1:49 left the Browns faced 4th and 32 from their own one. Stefanski had to punt. On 3rd and 1 from the Cleveland 40, Allen gained 2 yards and then took a couple knees. It was far from pretty but the 11-4 Bills survived. 23-20 Bills
Los Angeles Chargers at Callas Cowboys — The Chargers came in barreling toward the playoffs while the Cowboys were on the brink of elimination. The Cowboys began at their own 21. Dak Prescott hit George Pickens for 14 and CeeDee Lamb for 13. Brian Schottenheimer gambled on 4th and 2 from the Chargers 39. Prescott hit Pickens for 28. On 3rd and 4 from the Chargers 5, Prescott went to Flournoy for a 5 yard touchdown to make it7-0 Cowboys. The Chargers soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 41. Justin Herbert found Harris for 23 and again for 11. Herbert went to Johnston for a 23 yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.
The Cowboys mounted a lengthy 16 play, 7 1/2 minute drive that gained 56 yards. The Cowboys settled for a 33 yard Brandon Aubrey field goal and a 10-7 Cowboys lead. The Chargers began at their own 13. Hampton gained 18 and 5. Herbert went to Ladd McConkey for 10 and Will Dissly for 15. Herbert then went to McConkey for a 25 yard touchdown to have the Chargers up 14-10. The Cowboys took over at their own 20. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. Prescott went deep to Pickens for a 38 yard touchdown. The Cowboys led 17-14. The first half was a track meet. The second half one side took over.
Midway through the second quarter, the Chargers took over at their own 19. On 3rd and 9 from their own 32, Herbert went to Lambert-Smith for 10. Hampton ran for 6 and 12, and then for 8 and 3. On 3rd and 5 from the Dallas 13, Herbert went to Keenan Allen for 12. Herbert got the last yard with 19 seconds left in the half as the Chargers led 21-17. Dicker hit from 37 in the third quarter and from 27 to have the Chargers up 27-17. The Cowboys turned it over on downs twice. The Chargers soon faced 3rd and 9 from the Dallas 46. Herbert went to Johnston for 25. Hampton ran for 10, 5, and the 5 yard touchdown to ice the game with 5 minutes left. 20 unanswered points eliminated the Cowboys from playoff contention. The 11-4 Chargers are built Jim Harbaugh tough and are one game back in the division and conference lead. 34-17 Chargers
New York Jets at New Orleans Saints — Both teams are terrible and long eliminated from playoff contention. An early Saints fumble led to a 29 yard Nick Folk field goal for the Jets. Smyth answered from 35 for the Saints. In the second quarter Smyth hit from 49 and Folk answered from 36 for a 6-6 ballgame. Smyth hit from 36 with 90 seconds left in the half and missed from 61 to end the half as the saints took a 9-6 lead to the locker rooms. With 6 minutes left in the third quarter, the Saints took over at their own 7. Taysom Hill gained 8 and 4. Tyler Shough hit Tipton for 9, Estime for 12, and Chris Olave for 18. On 3rd and 5 from the Jets 23, Shough went deep to Olave for the touchdown to make it 16-6 Saints. Smyth hit fourth quarter field goals of 50 and 32, both set up by Jets turnovers. The Jets then turned it over on downs when a 14 yard sack gave the Saints the ball at the Jets 44. Hill went deep to Olave for a 38 yard touchdown to complete the scoring. 29-6 Saints
Minnesota Viking at New York Giants — Both teams are done for the year while the Giants have the inside track for the top pick in the 2026 Draft. A hideously ugly game had Will Reicgard hit a 43 yard first quarter field goal to make it 3-0 Vikings. In the second quarter Sauls hit a 27 yard field goal an Reichard responded from 31 to make it 6-3 Vikings. An interception of Jaxson Dart was returned 15 yards to set up the Vikings at the Giants 16. JJ McCarthy ran for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 13-3 Vikings. With 17 seconds left in the half, all the Vikings had to do was take a knee. Instead, McCarthy was sacked and fumbled. Nubin returned the fumble 27 yards for a touchdown to have the Giants right back in it down 13-10. Sauls hit a 39 yard field goal with 11 minutes left in regulation to tie the game. Reichard hit from 30 with 4:15 left to put the Vikings back up by 3. Just before the 2 minute warning on 4th and 3 from his own 47, Dart threw incomplete. League officials should burn the tape of this game. The Giants are 2-13 and still on track for the top Draft pick. 16-13 Vikings
Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans — The Titans have an outside shot at the number one Draft pick. After 9 years of dominating the AFC West, the Chiefs this year fell apart. 2 weeks ago, the 3 time defending AFC Champions and multiple super Bowl winning Chiefs were eliminated from winning their division a 10th straight time. Last week they were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era. Yet the Chiefs could still win out and have a winning season. Mahoems was out injured the rest of the year and backup Gardenr Minshew got the start. After a scoreless first quarter, the Chiefs in the second quarter pinned at their own 2 yard line. Jeffrey Simmons forced a safety for a 2-0 Titans lead. Harrison Butker eventually hit a 54 yard field goal to make it 3-2 Chiefs. The Titans took over at their own 11 yard line. Cam Ward went to Spears for 34 yards. On 3rd and 2 from the Kansas City 45, Spears gained 11. On 3rd and 1 from the Kansas City 25, Chestnut got the yard. Spears gained 15. Ward went to Okonkwo for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 9-3 Titans with 1:37 left in the half. Butker hit from 41 to have the Chiefs down 9-6 at halftime,
The Titans began the third quarter facing 3rd and 4 at their own 31. Ward went to Ayomanor for 25 and to Dike for 30. On 3rd and 6 from the Kansas City 8, Ward hit Spears for 7 and Dike for the one yard touchdown to make it 16-6 Titans. Minshew also went out injured in the first half. The third string quarterback was Oladokun, and the Tennessee defense teed off. Butker missed a 51 yard field goal but later in the third quarter hit from 27 to get the Chiefs within 16-9. The Titans soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 42. Ward threw incomplete but defensive illegal contact kept the drive going. Ward ran for 10. On 3rd and 10 from the Kansas City 28, Ward went deep to Ayonamor for 24. Spears ran for a 4 yard touchdown to make it 23-9 Titans early in the fourth quarter. Joey Slye tacked on a 27 yard field goal to complete the scoring. For the first time in the Mahomes era, the Chiefs have a losing record. This makes Andy Reid a most unhappy Walrus indeed. Despite Reid coming down chimneys and bringing presents to their fans for many years, this year he was given a lump of coal. 26-9 Titans
Cincinnati Bengals at Maimi Dolphins — Both teams were eliminated. Despite paying Tua Tagovailoa 212 million dollars, Mike McDaniel benched him and the team is expected to trade him after the season. By the end of this game, the Dolphins may or may not have realized that Tagovailoa was not the problem. Quinn Ewers started for the Dolphins. The Bengals began at their own 9. Joe Burrow went to Tee Higgins for 35. Burrow went to Samaji Perine for 8 and JaMarr Chase for 11 and 22. Burrow hit Higgins for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Bengals. The Dolphins took over at their own 35. Ewers hit Jalen Waddle for 16. devon Achane ran for a 48 yard touchdown to make it 7-7. In the second quarter evan McPherson hit a 45 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Bengals. The Dolphins took over at their own 32. Ewers hit Waller for 11. Ewers found Waddle for 21. Washington ran for a 9 yard touchdown.. The Dolphins led 14-10 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the half, but reality soon set in.
A strong kickoff return had the Bengals at their own 44. Burrow went to Chase for 11. On 3rd and 10 from the Miami 38, Burrow hit Sample for 27. Perine ran for a 4 yard touchdown to have the Bengals up 17-14 at the midpoint. A Dolphins fumble early in the third quarter set up the Bengals at the Miami 34. Zac Taylor gambled on 4th and 1. Burrow got the yard. Burrow hit Chase for 15 and Brown for a 9 yard touchdown to make it 24-14 Bengals. Ewers was quickly intercepted by Carter, who returned the pick 16 yards to the Miami 35. Burrow went to Brown for 23. Brown ran for a 12 yard touchdown to have the Bengals up 31-14. On 4th and 1 from the Miami 47, Ewers kept it and got stoned for no gain. On 3rd and 5 from the Miami 48, Burrow went deep to Chase for 36. On 3rd and 3 from the Miami 5, Burrow went to Brown for the touchdown to make it 38-14 Bengals. The Bengals got it back at their own 48. Brown ran for 12. Perine added 7 and 6. Om 3rd and 6 from the Miami 17, Burrow went to Mike Gesicki for the touchdown. Gesicki got revenge against his former team. Not counting the first half kneel down, the Bengals scored touchdowns on 5 straight possessions. The Dolphins got one garbage time touchdown. 45-21 Bengals
Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals — Both teams are done for the year. The Falcons are bad and the Cardinals are much worse. Ryland hit a 50 yard first quarter field goal to make it 3-0 Cardinals. An interception of Kirk Cousins was returned 16 yards to have the cardinals at their own 45. Carter ran for 22. On 3rd and 6 from the Atlanta 32, Jacoby Brissett went deep to Wilson for a touchdown to make it 10-0 Cardinals. Zane Gonzalez hit a 49 yard field goal to get the Falcons on the board and Rylund answered from 51 in the second quarter to make it 13-3 Cardinals.
The Falcons took over at their own 35. Cousins connected with Bijan Robinson for a 41 yard gain. Robinson ran for 11. Cousins went back to Robinson for a 13 yard touchdown to have the Falcons within 13-10. Ryland hit from 25 to make it 16-10 Cardinals. Despite making 3 field goals, the rest of the game was rough for Ryalnd. He hit the ensuing kickoff out of bounds to have the Falcons at their own 40. Robinson ran for 12. Tyler Allgeier added 11 and 7. Raheem Morris gambled on 4th and 1 from the Arizona 28. Cousisn gained 2. On 3rd and 7 from the Arizona 23, Cousins went to Pitts for 12. On 3rd and 4 from the Arizona 5, Cousins went to Pitts for the touchdown. The extra point was blocked as the game remained tied 16-16 at the half.
Ryland ended the half by doinking a 50 yard field goal try off the right upright no good. In the third quarter Gonzalez hit from 40 to give the Falcons the 19-16 lead. From 44 yards out, Ryland missed again. The Falcons took over at their own 34. Cousins hit Robinson for 9. Robinson then ran for 29. Allgeier gained 6, 3, and on 3rd and 1 from the Arizona 19, got the yard. With 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation, Cousins ran for a one yard touchdown to make it 26-16 Falcons. A double digit deficit was now a double digit lead. Midway through the fourth quarter trying to lock up the win, Cousins fumbled and the Cardinals recovered at their own 47. Ryland hit a 34 yard field goal to get the Cardinals within 7 points with 4 1/2 minutes left. The Falcons turned it over on downs and the Cardinals moved to a 1st and 10 at the Atlanta 42 with 90 seconds left. Brissett was intercepted. 26-19 Falcons
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos — The 10-4 Jaguars took on the 12-2 Broncos in a battle between division leaders. The Broncos were looking to move one step closer to locking up home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Broncos saw a 44 yard first quarter field goal try by Brandon McManus go wide right no good. The Jaguars faced 3rd and 9 at their own 35. Trevor Lawrence went to Washington for 21. On 3rd and 10 from the Denver 44, defensive unnecessary roughness gifted the Jaguars 15 yards. On 3rd and 4 from the Denver 12, Lawrence went to Washington for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Jaguars. The Broncos began the second quarter at their own 35. Bo Nix went deep to Evan Engram for 33. Nix gained 12. On 3rd and 5 from the Jacksonville 15, Nix went to Sutton for the touchdown to make it 7-7.
Wil Lutz hit 54 yard field goal to make it 10-7 Broncos. A strong kickoff return had the Jaguars at their own 41. On 3rd and 1, Lawrence got the yard up the middle. Travis Etienne ran for a 24 yard gain. Lawrence went to Strange for a 3 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 Jaguars. Little tacked on a 47 yard field to end the half with the Jaguars up 17-10. The Broncos took over at their own 27. A pair of defensive penalties gifted the Broncos 20 yards. Harvey ran for a 38 yard touchdown to again tie the game 17-17.
The Jaguars soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 34. Lawrence gained 6. Roughing the passer added 15. Om 3rd and 9 from the Denver 44, Lawrence went to Washington for 20 and to Patrick for 11. Defensive pass interference added 11 more. Lawrence got the last yard to make it 24-17 Jaguars. The Jaguars got it back and soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 27. Lawrence connected with Washington for a 63 yard gain. Lawrence then went to Etienne for a 10 yard touchdown to have the Jaguars up 31-17. The Broncos then fumbled, leading to a 25 yard Little field goal and a 34-17 Jaguars lead in front of a disbelieving home crowd. Needing 3 scores, the Broncos managed a field goal but followed that up with a Nix interception of nix and a turnover on downs. The Jaguars are 11-4 and only one game back of the 12-3 Broncos in the conference race. The Broncos are also now only one game up in their division. 34-20 Jaguars
Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions — Both teams came in 8-6 and struggling. This game will be talked about forever. It might be the most controversial finish these teams have ever had, and that includes the overtime debacle involving Jerome Bettis, Phil Luckett and the coin toss. In the first quarter Chris boswell leveled a 59 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Steelers. The Lions moved to a 4th and goal at the 3. Rather than just tie the game, Dan Campbell did what he does. Jared Goff threw incomplete and again the gamble came up snake eyes. JAKE bates hit a 36 yard field gaol in the second quarter for a 3-3 game. The Lions got it back at their own 38. Goff went to TeSlaa for 14 and to Jahmyr Gibbs for 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Pittsburgh 26, Gibbs gained 6. Goff went to TeSlaa for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 10-3 Lions with 1:55 left in the half.
On 3rd and 10 from their own 20, Aaron Rodgers went to Pat Freiermuth for 11 and 6. On 3rd and 11 from their own 30, Rodgers went to Adam Thielen for 12. On 3rd and 10 from their own 42, Rodgers went to Thielen for 13. Then the King of the Hail Mary did it again. Rodgers threw a 60+ yard bomb in this same Detroit stadium when he was with Green Bay, as Green Bay overcame a 20-0 deficit to win 27-23 on the final play. This time Rodgers uncorked a relatively smaller 46 yard bomb that was caught by Kenneth Gainwell for the touchdown to end the half tied 10-10. The play clearly deflated the Lions. In the third quarter the Steelers drove deep but fumbled the ball away. The Lions were at their own 3 yard line. On 3rd and 8 Goff was sacked for a safety to make it 12-10 Steelers. The free kick led to a mind-numbing 17 play, 64 yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes. The Steelers settled for a 23 yard Boswell field goal to lead 15-10. in the fourth quarter. The Steelers got the ball back at their own 39. Jalen Warren raced for a 45 yard touchdown run as 19 straight points had the Steelers up 22-10.
The Lions soon faced 3rd and 4 at their own 32. Goff hit Raymond for 8 and again for 14. On 4th and 2 from the Pittsburgh 27, the Lions pretty much had to go for it. Goff connected with Raymond, who took it all the way for the touchdown. With 8 1/2 minutes left, the Lions were back in it down 22-17. The Steelers soon faced 1st and 20 at their own 35. Rodgers went to DK Metcalf for 20. On the next play, it was deja vul all over again. Warren ran for another 45 yard touchdown to make it 29-17 with just over 6 1/2 minutes left. Needing 2 scores, the Lions faced 3rd and 10 at their own 32. Goff went to Williams for gains of 21 and 16 and to Gibbs for 16. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Goff went to Gibbs for the touchdown. The Lions were back within 5 points but only 4 minutes remained. Just before the 2 minute warning Boswell came in for a 37 yard try to put the Steelers back up by 8 points. Despite his earlier 59 yarder, his 37 yard try doinked off the right upright no good. The Lions took over at their own 27 with exactly 2:05 left. The Lions quickly moved to a 1st and goal at the one with 25 seconds left. The Lions were one yard away. Then came one of the craziest endings in NFL history.
Rather than ram it up the gut, Dan Campbell decided to pass the ball. Apparently he did not watch the Super Bowl where Marshawn Lynch did not get the ball. Goff went to Amra St. Brown for the touchdown as the Lions celebrated. Yet the celebration was all for naught as offensive pass interference nullified the score. A false start then had the Lions facing 1st and goal at the 16. On 2nd and goal at the 9, Goff threw incomplete twice. On 4th and goal at the 9 with 8 second left, choose ensued. Goff threw a pass to St. Brown at the goal line. desperately trying to get the ball across the plain, 2 defender pushed St. Brown back. Although forward progress may have been stopped, St Brown as he was going down somehow lateraled the ball back to Goff. Goff went straight up the middle and leapt over a defender into the end zone as the clock struck zeroes. The Lions were celebrating but again there was a flag on the play. The officials took several minutes as both teams stood around having no idea what the officials were discussing and who won the game. The fans had no idea either. This was total chaos. The officials finally sorted it all out.
St. Brown did not get the ball across the goal line. He was stopped short. The officials properly got that right. While forward progress most certainly appeared stopped, there was no whistle. The officials let the players play, which was also right. St. Brown clearly pitched the ball to Goff before he hit the ground. The toss was clearly a lateral ad not a forward pass, and therefore legal. Goff clearly and legally dove in the air into the end zone. All of that was legitimate. The officials did signal a touchdown. However…the penalty on the play was again offensive pass interference. A game cannot end on a defensive penalty. A defensive penalty results in one untimed down. Yet a game can and does end on an offensive penalty. The touchdown was again nullified. There was no time left. The game was over. A shellshocked him crowd so the Lions fall to 8-7 despite one of the craziest endings since the Holy Roller by Oakland. This would have been a touchdown for the ages, but it didn’t count. The 9-6 Steelers are on the verge of clinching the AFC North. One year after going 15-2, the Lions are on the verge of playoff elimination. This one was insane. 29-24 Steelers
Las Vegas Raiders at Houston Texans — The 2-12 Raiders have a legitimate shot at the first overall Draft pick. thE raiders have no offensive line. The Texans have the best defense in the NFL. This game had blowout all over it. In the first quarter Geno Smith was intercepted by Stingley, who raced 31 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 7-0 Texans lead. Yet the Raiders defense hung tough despite their worthless offense. In the second quarter the Raiders took over at their own 39. Smith went to Bech for a 37 yard gain. On 3rd and 6 from the Houston 7, Smith went to Brock Bowers for the touchdown. The Raiders had shockingly tied the game 7-7. Kaimi Fairbairn drilled a 55 yard field goal and then hit again from 50 as the Texans led 13-7 at the intermission. The Raiders took over at their own 15 in the third quarter. On 3rd and 2, smith went to Bowers for 13. On 3rd and 6 from their own 40, Smith found a wide open Ashton Jeanty for a 60 yard touchdown. In a shocking turn of events, the Raiders led 14-13 with 10 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Raiders got another stop on defense and had a chance to open a bigger lead. Yet Smith was sacked for a 13 yard loss. Then a shanked 31 yard punt gave the Texans gift field position at their own 47. Fairbairn hit from 49 to put the Texans back on top 16-14. The Raiders moved to a 4th and 3 at the Houston 46 early in the fourth quarter. Pete Carroll decided to punt and play field position. The Texans were pinned at their own 12. On 3rd and 4, CJ Stroud hitStover for 5. On 3rd and 8 from the Raiders 25, Stroud went deep incomplete. Yet a mindless and unnecessary defensive pass interference call on Johnson meant a 23 yard gain. Stroud hit Dalton Schultz for a one yard touchdown. The 10 play, 88 yard, 6 minute drive now had the Texans up 23-14 midway through the fourth quarter.
The Raiders soon faced 3rd and 13 from their own 32. Smith hit Tucker for 14. Jeanty then took a handoff up the gut and broke through everyone for a 51 yard touchdown tun. With 5 1/2 minutes left, the Raiders were only down by 2 points. One defensive stop and one upset would win the game for a shocking upset. It was 15 years ago that the Raiders survived a road win at Houston one day after Al Davis died. They needed his spirit. The Texans took over at their own 17. Stroud immediately fumbled. The Texans retained possession but the Texans faced 2nd and 21 from their own 6. On 3rd and 20, Stroud threw incomplete. Yet another completely dumb unnecessary defensive pass interference call on Porter gave the Texans 21 yards. On 3rd and 5 from their own 33, Stroud hit Higgins for 17. Jordan ran for 11. At the 2 minute warning, the Texans faced 3rd and 8 from the Raiders 37. One defensive stop was all the Raider Nation asked for. Stroud threw deep to Collins for 24. Yet Collins landed out of bounds. The Raiders appeared to have life. In a miserable season gone wrong, this time it was the officials who kicked the Raiders in the head. Collins was awarded the catch despite clearly landing out of bounds. The 10-5 Texans are one game back in their division while the 2-13 Raiders play the Stupor Bowl next week against the 2-13 Giants. The loser in the battle of losers almost certainly gets the top Draft pick. This one was a gut punch though. 23-21 Texans
New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens was the Sunday night game. The 11-3 Patriots missed a chance last week to lock up their division with a home loss to Buffalo. The Ravens were just trying to survive and avoid elimination. The Ravens began at their own 35. Lamar Jackson went to Zay Flowers for 19. On 3rd and 3 from the New England 39, Jackson went to Flowers for 18. Derrick Henry ran for a 21 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Ravens. The teams exchanged turnovers and the Patriots took over at their own 32. The Patriots in the second quarter faced 3rd and 2 just past midfield Drake Maye went to Hunter Henry for 5. On 3rd and 13 from the Baltimore 47, Maye went to Mack Hollins for 20 and to Austin Hooper for 26 down to the one. Maye hit Henry for the touchdown to tie the game 7-7. Borregales hit a 45 yard field goal for the Patriots and Tyler Loop answered from 6 as the teams went to the locker rooms deadlocked 10-10. In the third quarter loop’s 56 yard try was short. Justin Tucker is unemployed despite hitting from 66. Loop has been good though. Borregales hit from 41 to have the Patriots up 13-10 midway through the third quarter.
Making matters worse, Jackson got injured and backup Tyler Huntley played the second half. The Ravens soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 40. Huntley went to Deandre Hopkins for 16. Flowers took an end around for an 18 yard touchdown and a 17-13 Ravens lead. Mike Vrabel gambled on a fake punt on 4th and 10 from his own 44. The play was blown up and the Ravens took over at that spot. Huntley hit Flowers for 14. On 3rd and 1 from the New England 35, Mark Andrews took the wildcat snap for a 3 yard gain. Derrick Henry began the fourth quarter by barreling for 4, 22, 4, and then the 2 yard touchdown. with 13 minutes left in regulation, the Ravens led 24-13.
The Patriots took over at their own 27. Maye hit Henry for 6 and 5 and Williams and Stefan Diggs for 9 apiece. Maye went to Williams for a 17 yard touchdown. Mike Vrabel went for 2 and Maye hit Stevenson successfully to get the Patriots within 24-21 with 9 minutes left. On 4th and 4 just shy of midfield, John Harbaugh lined up to go for it or at least draw the defense offsides. Instead it was a false start on the offense and the Ravens punted. The Patriots took over at their own 11 with 5 minutes left. Maye went to Hollins for 20 and to Diggs for 9. With 3 minutes left the Patriots decided to go for it on 4th and 2 from the Baltimore 48. Maye went to Diggs for 21. Raimondre Stevenson then ripped off a 21 yard touchdown run. The Patriots now had a 4 point lead. The Ravens took over at their own 32 with 2:03 to play, plenty of time. Yet Huntley first completion lost 5 yards and his second completion was fumbled away. The 12-3 Patriots are still one game up in their division and one game back in the conference. The 7-8 Ravens are on the brink of playoff elimination. 28-24 Patriots
San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts was the Monday night game. Old Man Phillip Rivers nearly led a comeback at very tough Seattle last week. This week the 8-6 Colts and their 44 year old grandpa signal caller were home against the 10-4 49ers. Much of this game was a track meet. The Colts began at their own 28. On 3rd and 8, Rivers went to Jonathan Taylor for 19 and to downs for 18. On 3rd and 13 from eh san Francisco 36, Rivers went to Downs for exactly 13. Rivers went to Pierce for a 20 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Colts. The 49ers took over at their own 31. Brock Purdy went to George Kittle for 26. McCaffrey gained 9 and 2. Purdy went to Robinson for a 22 yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
The Colts fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the 49ers recovered at the Indianapolis 26. Purdy went to Kittle for 12. Purdy hit McCaffrey for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 49ers. The Colts took over at their own 34. Rivers hit Downs for 8 and Alex Ogletree for 11. Rivers went to Pierce for 17 and to Downs for 12. On 3rd and goal from the 16 to start the second quarter, Rivers went to Pierce for the touchdown and a 14-14 game. The 49ers took over at their own 31. McCaffrey gained 12. Kyle Shanahan gambled on 4th and 1 from the Indianapolis 48. Purdy gained 2. McCaffrey added 18. Purdy hit McCaffrey for 10. Purdy went to Kittle for an 11 yard touchdown to make it 21-14 49ers. Eddie Pineiro hit a 25 yard field goal to extend the lead but Blake group answered from 39 to have the Colts within 24-17 with 37 seconds left in the half.Pineiro missed from 64 to end the half.
In the third quarter the 49ers began at their own 36. Purdy hit Kittle for 15. On 3rd and 8 from the Indianapolis 47, Purdy hit Jennings for 21 and Kittle for 22. On 3rd and goal at the 3, Purdy went to Jennings for the touchdown to make it 31-17 49ers. Grupe hit a 51 yard field goal and Pineiro responded to make it 34-20 49ers. The Colts soon faced 3rd and 2 at their own 43. Rivers went to Amir Abdullah for 4. On 3rd and 3 from the San Francisco 46, Jonathan Taylor got just enough. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Rivers went to Warren for 19. Taylor ran for a one yard touchdown. With 12 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the Colts were down 34-27.
The 49ers took over at their own 30. Purdy went to Jennings for 17. On 3rd and 1 from the Indy 44, McCaffrey broke free for a 24 yard gain. On 3rd and 9 from the Indy 19, Purdy hit Jennings for 11. On 3rd and goal at the 9, Purdy went to McCaffrey for the touchdown and a 41-27 49ers lead midway through t he fourth quarter. The 49ers got it back but Purdy was intercepted. Yet one play after a 33 yard completion, Rivers was intercepted. Winters brought the darkness with a 74 yard interception return touchdown to put the game on winter ice. The Colts were game, but their second half season slide had them fall to 8-7 and the brink of playoff elimination. The 11-4 49ers are one game back in the NFC West and in the overall conference.