NFL 2025 Week 17 Recap
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders was the Thursday Christmas morning game. Both teams were done for the year. With Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota injured, third string quarterback Josh Johnson started for the Commanders. The Cowboys began at their own 22. On 3rd and 6, Dak Prescott threw incomplete but defensive pass interference meant a 9 yard gain. Davis ran for 21. On 3rd and 5 from the Washington 26, Prescott went to George Pickens for 19. Prescott went to Ferguson for a 6 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Cowboys. The Commanders moved to a 3rd and goal at the 3, but Johnson was sacked. Jake Moody hit a 29 yard field goal to get the commanders on the board.
The Cowboys took over at their own 35. Defensive unnecessary roughness added 15. Defensive pass interference added 7. Davis ran for 16. Prescott hit Pickens for 19. The second quarter began with Brian Schottenheimer gambling on 4th and 2 from the Washington 23. Prescott went to Tolbert for 4. Schottenheimer gambled again on 4th and 1 from the Washington 10. Williams got the yard. Williams ran for a 4 yard touchdown to cap the 17 play, 65 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive to make it 14-3 Cowboys. The Cowboys got the ball back at their own 3 yard line and made it look easy. Prescott hit CeeDee Lamb for 11. On 3rd and 11 from their own 14, Prescott uncorked a bomb to Kevontae Turpin for an 86 yard touchdown. Just like that, the Cowboys were cruising 21-3.
The ensuing kickoff was short of the landing zone, giving the Commanders the ball at their own 40. Deebo Samuel ran for 29. A defensive horse collar penalty added 15. Corskey-Merritt ran for a 10 yard touchdown to get the Commanders within 21-10. Brandon Aubrey hit a 42 yard field goal to put the Cowboys up 24-10 at the half. The Commanders took over in the third quarter at their own 28. One play and 10 seconds was enough for risky-Merritt to burst free for a 72 yard touchdown run. just like that, the Commanders were within 24-17. Then the field goal kickers took over. Aubrey hit from 52 and Moody responded from 23 to get the Commanders within 27-20. In the fourth quarter Aubrey missed from 58 but hit from 51 to give the Cowboys breathing room up 30-20 with 4 minutes left. Needing 2 scores, Moody hit from 51 to get the Commanders back within 7 just before the two minute warning. The Commanders needed a defensive stop. With the Cowboys facing 3rd and 1 at their own 36, Prescott hit Pickens for 21. With 10 seconds left on 4th and 1 from the Washington 34, Prescott gained 3 to end it. 30-23 Cowboys
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings was the Christmas Thursday afternoon game. The Vikings were done and the Lions were all but done, needing to win out and get help after losing last week in heartbreaking controversial fashion on the final play. Two years ago the Lions had nothing to play for and hit a Green Bay team with everything to play for in the mouth. This year the Lions had everything to play for. A first quarter fumble gifted the Vikings the ball at the Detroit 16. Aaron Jones ran for 9, 2, 4, and on 3rd and goal from the one, the yard for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Vikings. In the second quarter the Lions mounted their drive of the year. A mind-blowing 19…yes, 19…plays. They moved 80 yards and took 10…yes, 10…minutes off the clock. On 3rd and 16 from their own 14, Jared Goff went to TeSlaa for 28. On 3rd and 9 from their own 43, Goff went to Amra St Brown for 13. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 8 and 6. On 3rd and 15 from the Minnesota 35, Goff went to st Brown for 23. On 4th and 1 from the Minnesota 3, it was time for a Dan Campbell gamble.Montgomery got the carry, initially appeared stopped, got a late surge, and then got blasted by 2 defenders. Montgomery appeared to be just short but officials ruled he got the first down by less than the nose of the football. On 4th and goal at the 4, Campbell refused to kick a field goal. Goff fired over the middle between two defenders and TeSlaa made a leaping catch, hit the ground hard, and somehow held on to the ball. The game was tied 7-7 at the half.
The Lions in the second half turned the ball over on 3 straight possessions. Two third quarter interceptions of Goff led to Will Reichard field goals of 52 and 56 for a 13-7 Vikings lead. In the fourth quarter Goff was sacked and fumbled. Midway through the fourth quarter the Lions took over at their own 45. They moved to a 2nd and 8 at the Minnesota 30. Goff threw incomplete twice. On 4th and 8 with 4 1/2 minutes left in regulation, the time Dan Campbell decided to play it safe. Bates hit the 48 yard field goal to get the Lions within 13-10. The Lions defense had played well all game, and now they needed a stop. Instead, Jordan Addison took a pitchout and raced down the right sideline for a 65 yard touchdown. Replay showed that Addison was knocked out at the one yard line. somehow, the officials blew it and kept the touchdown. Given that the Lions entire season was on the line, better officiating would have been nice. The Vikings led 20-10. With 3 minutes left in desperation mode on 3rd and 10 from the Minnesota 43, a shotgun snap was fumbled. Goff fell on it and had it ripped out of his hands by Van Ginkel while Goff was on the ground. Although Goff had it, somehow the officials awarded the ball to the Vikings. Reichard tacked on a 42 yard field goal to complete the scoring. The Lions are 8-8 and eliminated from contention. While the officiating was awful, the Lions turned the ball over 6 times. That is what did them in. 23-10 Vikings
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs was the Christmas Thursday night game. The Chiefs had won the AFC West 9 straight times, made 5 Super Bowls including the last 3, and won 3 super Bowls. For the first time in a decade, The Chiefs have been eliminated from division contention, eliminated from playoff contention, and entering with a losing record of 6-9. Mahomes and backup Gardner Mnshew were out injured, so the Chiefs started 3rd string quarterback Chris Oladukon. This was expected to be Travis Kelce’s final home game before retirement.The 12-3 Broncos had a one game lead in the division and the conference. The Broncos reached a 3rd and 6 from the Kansas City 9 on they opening drive. Bo Nix threw incomplete. Wil Lutz hit a 27 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Broncos. On their next series an interception of Nix had the Chiefs at the Denver 35. On 3rd and 6, Oladukon hit Kelce for 11. Walrus Andy Reid went for it on 4th and 1 from the Denver 11. Karim Hunt gained 5. On 3rd and goal from the 5, Oladukon hit Smith for the touchdown to make it 7-3 Chiefs. Lutz hit from 30 to end the half and Butker responded from 53 in the third quarter for a 10-6 Chiefs lead.
The Broncos took over at their own 28. On 3rd and 3 from their own 46, Nix hit Adam Trautman for 11. On 1st and 20 from their own 47, Nix hit Cortland Sutton for 23. On 3rd and 2 from the Kansas City 22, Nix hit Franklin for 3. Sean Payton gambled on 4th and 1 from the Kansas City 10. Nix got the yard. Nix then ran for a 9 yard touchdown to have the Broncos up 13-10 after three quarters. the 14 play, 72 yard drive took 10 minutes off the clock. The Chiefs got a break when a 44 yard punt return had them at the Denver 45. Butker hit from 47 to tie the game 13-13 midway through the fourth quarter. The Broncos took over at their own 35 and slowly bled much of the clock down. At the 2 minute warning, the Broncos faced 4th and 2 at the Kansas City 9 yard line. A field goal would be a chip shot 26 yarder but would leave the Chiefs plenty of time to try and tie or win it. A failed attempt to go for it would be catastrophic. Sean Payton lined up to go for it. It may have been a bluff to get the Chiefs to jump. In front of a devastated home crowd, they did.
The Chiefs had not committed a penalty all night. Yet at the worst possible time, their defensive star Chris Jones committed the killer infraction. On 3rd and goal at the one, Nix rolled out and fired to Harvey in the end zone. The Broncos led by 7 with 1:45 left. The Chiefs had one timeout. The Chiefs got a major break when an injury to a Denver defender gave the Chiefs an extra clock stoppage. With 25 seconds left the Chiefs had moved to a 3rd and 3 at the Denver 22. The Chiefs then took a delay of game to make it 3rd and 8. Oladukon threw incomplete. On 4th and 8 with 20 seconds left, OLadukon went to the end zone and threw high and incomplete. The Chiefs now for the first time in the Mahomes era have double digit losses at 6-10. Th Broncos survived to get to 13-3. A win next week would guarantee he Broncos home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Sean Payton with the win became only the second coach in NFL history along with Bill Belichick to hav at least five 13-win seasons. 20-13 Broncos
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers was the Saturday afternoon game. Last year in the playoffs, the Texans eliminated the Chargers when the Houston defense intercepted Justin Herbert 4 times. This year the 10-5 Texans and 11-4 Chargers are each one game out in their respective divisions, with the Chargers also one game back in the conference. The Texans began at their own 16. On the third play from scrimmage on 3rd and 1, Stroud went bombs away to Higgins for a 75 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Texans lead. The Texans got the ball back at their own 28. Stroud hit Higgins for 18 and Hutchinson for 11. Stroud then threw another touchdown bomb, this time to Noel for 43 yards and a 14-0 Texans lead.
The rest of the first half was a mini blunder bowl. A second quarter interception of Stroud had the Chargers deep, but they settled for a 27 yard Cameron Dicker field goal. The Chargers drove deep again. A Justin Herbert pass inside the opposing 10 yard line bounced off of the receiver’s fingers and was intercepted at the goal line. Yet Stroud was then intercepted again, only for the normally reliable Dicker the kicker to miss a 32 yard chip shot. Despite 3 trips to the red zone, the Chargers got only 3 points. In the third quarter Kaimi Fairbairn hit a 42 yard field goal for a 17-3 Texans lead.
The Charges got the ball at their own 36 and finally found signs of life. On 3rd and 3 from their own 43, Herbert went to Keenan Allen for 17. On 3rd and 14 from his own 44, Herbert ran forward, banged over tough defender Darryl Stingley Jr., and ended up with a 28 yard gain. On rd and 6 from the Houston 12, Herbert appeared to be sacked. with a man all over him trying to pull him down, Herbert somehow willed an 8 yard completion to Johnston. Herbert found a wide open Gadsden for a one yard touchdownDespite being dominated, the Chargers only trailed 17-10 after three quarters. Yet Houston’s defense clamped down. Fairbairn hit a 44 yard field goal with 6 1/2 minutes left in regulation to give the Texans breathing room up 20-10.
The Chargers took over at their own 25. Herbert went deep to Ladd McConey for 31, the first time McConkey had even been targeted all game. On 3rd and 6 from the Houston 40, Herbert was sacked. However, illegal contact on the defense gifted the Chargers a new set of downs. Herbert then found Gadsden for 25. Hampton took a handoff up the gut for a 5 yard touchdown. Yet Dicker’s nightmarish game continued when he missed the extra point. The Chargers trailed by 4 with 3 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The Texans took over at their own 26. Stroud went to Nico Collins for 19. The Chargers took their final timeout with the Texans facing 3rd and 9 with 2 1/2 minutes left. One first down would end the game. Stroud was buried and sacked, but a killer defensive illegal contact penalty gave the Texans an automatic first down. Marks ran for 8 and 3 and Stroud took a couple knees. Both teams are 11-5. The Texans overcame an 0-3 start. The Chargers will be a wildcard, since their division and the conference are now out of reach. The Texans with some help can still win their division. 20-16 Texans
Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers was the Saturday night game. The 7-8 Ravens were on life support. They needed to win and out and get help to make the playoffs. The 9-5 Packers were in the playoffs but needed to win out and get help to win their division. With Lamar Jackson and Jordan Love both out injured, backups Tyler Huntley and Malik Willis got the starts. The Ravens began at their own 25. Huntley hit Mark Andrews for 9. Derrick Henry ran for 12, 4 and 9. On 3rd and 6 from the Green Bay 25, Huntley hit Andrews for just enough. On 3rd and 2 from the Green Bay 11, Henry ran for 8 and then the 3 yard touchdown. The 13 play, 75 yard, 8 minute drive had the Ravens up 7-0. The Packers took over at their own 31 and struck quickly. Willis went deep to Romeo Doubs for 40. Willis then went deep to Watson for a 39 yard touchdown and a 7-7 game.
The Ravens took over at their own 26. Huntley went to IsaIah Likely for 7 and 9, Huntley hit Bay Flowers for 13. Henry ran for 7 and 5. Henry then ran for 3, 9, 5, and on 3rd and goal at the one, the one yard touchdown. The 13 platy, 74 yard, 7 1/2 minute drive made it 14-7 Ravens. Matt LaFleur gambled on 4h and 1 from his own 34. Josh Jacobs got stopped cold for no gain. Tyler Loop hit a 22 yard field goal to make it 17-7 Ravens. The Ravens held the ball for 20 of the first 23 minutes and ran 33 plays to only 6 for the Packers. The Packers then fumbled, leading to a Loop field goal from 34 for a 20-7 Ravens lead.
The Packers took over at their own 24. Willis went to Watson for 13, to Doubs for 13, and to Brooks for 11. Willis ran for a 22 yard touchdown to get the Packers within 20-14 with 1:24 left in the half. The Ravens took over at their own 35. Huntley ran for 25. Huntley hit Likely for 11 with defensive unnecessary roughness adding 15. Henry ran for a 3 yard touchdown with 10 seconds left to have the Ravens up 27-14.
The Packers in the third quarter mounted an 11 play, 68 yard, 6 minute drive. Yet on 2nd and goal at the 7, Willis completed a pass for no gain and then ran for only one yard. Brandon McManus hit the 24 yard field goal to get the Packers within 27-17. The Packers got it back and soon faced 2nd and 17 at their own 7. Yet on 3rd and 5, the Baltimore defense jumped offsides. Willis then went deep to Watson for 23. On 3rd and 2 from the Baltimore 45, Willis went deep to Melton for 34. Willis then faked a handoff and scrambled around the right end for an 11 yard touchdown. With 2 minutes left in the third quarter, the Ravens were right back in it down 27-24.
The Ravens soon faced 3rd and 5 at their own 20. Henry ripped off big gains of 9 and 30. On 3rd and 4 from the Green Bay 35 to start the fourth quarter, Huntley ran for 9. Henry added a pair of 7 yard gains. On 3rd and 3 from the Green Bay 10, Huntley went to Flowers for the touchdown. The 12 play, 85 yard, 7 minute drive gave the Ravens a 34-24 lead with 10 minutes left in regulation. Needing 2 scores, the Packers drove to the Baltimore 35. Willis got injured on the drive. Third string quarterback Tune came in. Tune threw a pass that bounced off of the receiver’s hands and was intercepted by Humphrey. On 4th and inches from the Green Bay 32, John Harbaugh went for it. Andrews lined up at center and the defense bit on the hard count and jumped offsides. With 3:$3 to play, it was a killer penalty. On 3rd and 5 from the Green Bay 31, Huntley scrambled and got just enough. Mary LaFleur unsuccessfully challenged the call, burning a timeout.
With 2:02 left, the Packers were cooked. Henry put in the dagger as he took a pitchout and raced down the left sideline for a 25 yard touchdown. Both quarterbacks played we.. Willis was 18 of 21 for 288 yards, one touchdown and 0 interceptions. Huntley was 16 of 20 for only 107 yards but also with one touchdown and 0 interceptions. The Baltimore running game gashed the Green Bay defense with a whopping 308 yards on a ridiculous 52 carries, a 6 yards per carry average. Henry was the lead beast running for 216 yards on a monstrous 36 carries, also for a 6 yards per carry average. The Ravens at 8-8 had a simple situation. If Pittsburgh lost on Sunday, Baltimore would play Pittsburgh in a do or die regular season Week 18 finale for the division crown. If Pittsburgh won this Sunday, Baltimore was out and the regular season finale would be meaningless. Pittsburgh lost. Baltimore was alive. Green Bay was already in the playoffs, but the loss put their division out of reach. They are a wildcard and may rest their starters in the regular season finale. 41-24 Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns — The 9-6 Steelers with a win would clinch the AFC North. The Browns are eliminated but Myles garrett needs one more sack to set the single season NFL record. The Browns got the ball back at their own 14. On 3rd and 5, Williams gained 9. Shedeur Sanders went to Harold Fannin for a 28 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Browns. Boswell hit second quarter field goals of 44 and 40 to have the Steelers within 10-6 at the midpoint. A brutal second half saw the Steelers take over at their own 20 with 2:16 left in regulation. Aaron Rodgers threw 4 straight incompletions. Szmyt hit a 33 yard field goal to have the Browns up by 7 with 1:40 left. The Steelers moved from their own 35 to a 2nd and goal at the 7 with 30 seconds left. Rodgers threw 3 straight incompletions as the Dawg Pound erupted in celebration. The Steelers now have a regular season showdown against Baltimore. The winner takes the division. The loser is out of the playoffs. The Browns supposedly had nothing from a team standpoint to play for. Nobody told them. Taking? Hardly. This game represented everything right about football. 13-6 Browns
New England Patriots at New York Jets — The 11-4 Patriots are one game up in the AFC East with an outside shot at home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Patriots began at their own 39. Drake Maye went to Stefan Diggs for 12. Raimondre Stevenson ran for 4 and 24. Maye went to Hunter Henry for 13 and to Austin Hooper for a 2 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Patriots. The Patriots got it back at their own 15. Maye went to Williams for 11. Maye found Chism for 30. Henderson ran for 12 and Stevenson added 11. Defensive pass interference added 18. Stevenson got the last yard for a 14-0 Patriots lead. For some reason, league rules required that the remaining 50 minutes be played. The Patriots got it back at their own 34. Maye went to Diggs for 31. On 3rd and 4 from the Jets 29, Maye went to Williams for just enough. On the first play of the second quarter on 3rd and 7 from the Jets 22, Maye went to Stevenson for the touchdown. The Patriots had the ball for 12 minutes to only 3 minutes for the Jets. The Patriots led 21-0 and had more points than the Jets 13 total yards.
The Jets managed a field goal but the Patriots kept coming from their own 26. Maye went to Diggs for 21. Henderson added 17. Mike Vrabel gambled on 4th and 3 from the Jets 20 in what seemed to be a total lack of respect for an inferior opponent. Maye ran for 11. Vrabel did it again on 4th and goal at the 3 rather than take the easy field goal. Maye hit Diggs for the touchdown to make it 28-3 Patriots. The Patriots got it back at their own 9 yard line with 1:44 left in the half. Maye threw incomplete on 3rd and 6 but roughing the passer gifted the Patriots 15 yards. Maye hit Stevenson for a pair of 7 yard gains. Maye hit Diggs for 26. On 3rd and 1 from the Jets 23, Maye gained 2. Maye hit Henry for a 13 yard touchdown to make it 35-3 Patriots with 30 seconds left in the half. In the third quarter Aaron Glenn tried a fake punt that didn’t work. The Patriots took over at the Jets 47. Maye went to Chism for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 42-3 Patriots. Maye had 5 touchdown passes, so Vrabel decided to teach him a new skill. It was time for Maye to learn how to hold a clipboard. He was benched for all the right reasons as backups finished the game. The J-E-T-S chant of Just End The Season has never been truer. The 12-4 Patriots awaited results of other games. A Buffalo loss later in the day meant the Patriots clinched the AFC East. They are still one game back in the conference chase for home field. The Jets got one garbage touchdown in a garbage season. 42-10 Patriots
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans — Both teams are eliminated. Joey Slye hit first quarter field goals of 50 and 38 sandwiched around a missed 43 yard try by Smyth for a 6-0 Titans lead. The Titans face 2rd and 1 at their own 45. On the last play of the first quarter, Mullings gained 4. Mike McCoy gambled on 4th and 2 from the New Orleans 43. Ward connected with Okonkwo for the touchdown to make it 13-0 Titans early in the second quarter.
Smyth nailed a 56 yard field goal to get the Saints on the board. Then came craziness. The Titans faced 1st and 20 at their own 44. Ward went back to pass and was sacked by Chase Young. Young also ripped the ball out of Ward’s hands. Although ward may have already been down, officials ruled the play legal. Young raced for a 33 yard defensive touchdown to have the Saints within 13-10. The Titans then took over at their own 20. Ward hit Van Jefferson for 11. On 3rd and 2 from their own 43, Ward hit Ayomanor for 4. On 3rd and 14 from their own 43, Ward went bombs away incomplete but drew a 50 yard defensive pass interference call. Ward then hit Ayomanor for a 7 yard touchdown to make it 20-10 Titans.
The Saints faced 3rd and 4 at their own 32 in the third quarter. Tyler Shough hit Chris Olave for 7. Estime ran for 9 and 2. Shough hit Johnson for 30. On 3rd and 9 from the Tennessee 19, Shough went to Olave for the touchdown to have the saints within 20-17. Slye hit from 28 to extend the lead, Smyth blasted one from 57, and Slye blasted one right back from 58 in the fourth quarter to make it 26-20 Titans.
The Saints took over at 20 with 8:45 left in regulation. Estime ran for 12. Shough went bombs away to Olave for a 60 yard gain. Shough went to Austin for a 10 yard touchdown. Despite being outplayed most of the game, the Saints somehow had a 27-26 lead with 6 1/2 minutes left. The Saints got it back at their own 36 with 5 minutes left. On 3rd and 1, Shough went to Johnson for 23. Estime then ran for a 32 yard touchdown to have the Saints up by 8 with 3:44 left. On 1st and 10 from the New Orleans 37, Ward threw 3 straight incompletions and on 4th and 10 was sacked as the clock hit the 2 minute warning. The Titans took their timeouts on defense as only 23 seconds came off the clock. With 18 seconds left from the New Orleans 43, the Titans had 2 shots at the Hail Mary. The first one fell incomplete and the second one never got off the ground as Ward recovered his own fumble and then threw short incomplete. 34-26 Saints
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts — The 11-4 Jaguars are one game up in the AFC South with an outside shot at home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Colts are eliminated. 44 year Old Man Philip Rivers started again for the Colts. The Colts came in having lost 5 straight while the Jaguars entered having won 6 in a row. Blake Grupe hit a 33 yard field goal to make it 3-0 Colts. The Jaguars drove right down to the field for a 1st and 10 at the Jacksonville 17. Liam Cohen opted for a hook and lateral play that backfired and was fumbled away. The Colts took over at that spot. Rivers went to Warren for 13 and to Mallory for 16. On 3rd and 3 from the Jacksonville 39, Rivers hit Warren for 5. On 3rd and 1 from the Jacksonville 25, Jonathan Taylor gained 6 , 6, 6, 5, and then the 3 yard touchdown to make it 10-0 Colts in the second quarter.
The Jaguars soon faced 3rd and 3 at their own 38. Trevor Lawrence went to Jakobi Meyers for 8 and then 8 more. On 3rd and 5 from the Indianapolis 36, Lawrence went to Strange for 15. Travis Etienne ran for 10 and 5. On 3rd and 3 from the Indianapolis 4, Lawrence got around the end for the touchdown to get the Jaguars within 10-7. In the third quarter the Jaguars took over at their own 19. Lawrence went to Thomas for 17. Dallas gained 17. On 3rd and 10 from the Indianapolis 43, Lawrence went deep to Washington for 37. Lawrence ran for a 6 yard touchdown to have the Jaguars up 14-10. The Colts soon faced 3rd and 10 at their own 39. Rivers went to Downs for 18. Rivers went deep to Pierce for 26. Rivers hit Mo Alie-Cox for a 5 yard touchdown to have the Colts back on top 17-14. Little hit from 34 to tie the game 17-17 after three quarters. Midway through the fourth quarter, an interception of Rivers was returned by Jones 13 yards to the Indy 21. Little hit from 42 to have the Jaguars up 20-17. Little drilled another field goal from 53 with 18 seconds left in regulation to have the Jaguars up by 6. That was enough time for Rivers to throw a Hail Mary that reached the end zone. It was intercepted. The 12-4 Jaguars with a win next week will clinch he AFC South. They have an outside shot at the top conference seed with home field advantage throughout the playoffs. 23-17 Jaguars
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins — The 7-8 Buccaneers can win out and still win the NFC South. The Dolphins are eliminated. The Buccaneers took over at their own 32. Baker Mayfield went to Cade Otton and to McMillan for 8 apiece. Todd Bowles went for it on 4th and 1 from the Miami 44. Tucker gained 2. On 3rd and 7 from the Miami 39, Mayfield went to McMillan for 18 and 13. On 3rd and 4 from the Miami 5, Mayfield went to Chris Godwin for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Buccaneers.
Quinn Ewers, starting in place of the benched Tua Tagovailoa, went bombs away to Theo Wease for a 63 yard touchdown. It was Wase’s first NFL touchdown in his second NFL game that was tied 7-7.
Riley Patterson hit a 29 yard second quarter field goal to make it 10-7 Dolphins. An interception of Mayfield had the Dolphins at their own 24. Devon ache ran for 15. Ewers found Dulcich for 13. wright and Achane each added 7. Ewers went to Achane for 20. On 3rd and goal from the 11, Ewers went to Dulcich for the touchdown to have the Dolphins up 17-7 at the break. A 55 yard field goal try to get the Buccaneers within 7 to end the half was blocked. From 33 in the third quarter, McLaughlin was good. Patterson answered from 31 early in the fourth quarter to have the Dolphins up 20-10. On the next two Buccaneers drives, Mayfield was intercepted and then sacked and fumbled. With 1:50 left the Buccaneers took over at their own 9. They rapidly moved 91 yards as Mayfield hit Mike Evans for a 4 yard touchdown with 50 seconds left. The onside kick failed. Despite the loss, Carolina also lost. Next week the Buccaneers have a showdown with Carolina. If The Buccaneers win, they are in. Lose, and they are out. 20-17 Dolphins
Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers — The 12-3 Seahawks are one game up in the NFC West and in the conference with the inside track for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The 8-7 Panthers with a win next week would win the NFC South regardless of this game. An early defensive slugfest saw Jason Myers hit a 48 yard first quarter field goal and Fitzgerald responded from 35 in the second quarter for a 3-3 bonelock. In the third quarter the Seahawks moved down the field only for Sam Darnold to be intercepted in the end zone for a touchback. Yet the very next play saw Chuba Hubbard fumble and the Seahawks recover at the Carolina 21. On 3rd and 9, Darnold went to Barner for 16. On 3rd nd goal at the 2, Zac Charbonnet ran it in for a 10-3 Seahawks lead. Bryce Young was then intercepted by Love, who returned the pick 26 yards to the Carolina 29. On 3rd and 2, Charbonnet ran for 4. Darnold went to Barner for a 17 yard touchdown to make it 17-3 Seahawks.
The Panthers soon faced 4th and 1 at their own 40. Dave Canales went for it. Young got around the end for an 8 yard gain. On 3rd and 7 just past midfield, Young hit Hubbard for 8. Rico Dowdle ran for 9 and 4. Young ran for a 10 yard touchdown. Early in the fourth quarter, the Panthers were only down 17-10. They would get no closer. The Seahawks from their own 33 moved 56 yards in 14 plays and took 8 minutes off the clock. Jason Myers hit from 30 to give the Seahawks breathing room up 20-10 with 5 1/2 minutes left. The Panthers turned it over on downs to set up the Seahawks at the Carolina 25. Charbonnet did the rest, running for 4, 15, 4, one, and on 3rd and goal at the one, the touchdown to ice the game. The 13-3 Seahawks with a win next week will win the NFC West and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The 8-7 Panthers blew a golden chance to lock up their division. They have a showdown next week against Tampa Bay. If the Panthers win, they are in. If they lose, they are out. 27-10 Seahawks
Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals — Both teams are eliminated. The Bengals began with 3rd and 8 at their own 30. Joe Burrow went to Hudson for 13. On 3rd and 10 from the Arizona 45, Burrow hit JaMarr Chase for 22. On 3rd and 2 from the Arizona 16, Samaji Perine gained 3. Burrow hit Chase for the 13 yard touchdown to cap the 12 play, 72 yard, 6 minute drive to make it 7-0 Bengals. The Bengals got it back at their own 21. Burrow went to Higgins for 10. Brown ran for 13. Defensive pass interference added 16. Burrow went to Iosivas for a pair of 12 yard gains. Zac Taylor went for it on 4th and 1 from the Arizona 2. Burrow got the yard for the first down and Perine got the last yard for the touchdown. The extra point was no good but the Bengals led 13-0.
The Cardinals took over at their own 30. Jacoby Brissett went to McBride for 15 and to Carter for 8. Brissett connected to Wilson, who made a spin move. Thanks to miserable tackling, Wilson somehow stayed in bounds and completed the 38 yard touchdown to get the Cardinals within 13-7. Evan McPherson belted a 56 yard field goal to make it 16-7 Bengals. A 43 yard punt return gave the Bengals the ball back at the Arizona 36. Brown ran for 25. Burrow hit Chase for an 8 yard touchdown t make it 23-7 Bengals. The Bengals just poured it on. They moved 84 yards in 11 plays and 6 1/2 minutes, with Brown running for a 6 yard touchdown. Then the Bengals moved 82 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes, with Brown running for a one yard touchdown. The Bengals led 37-7 after three quarters. In the fourth quarter garbage time, the Cardinals needed 3 or 4 touchdowns and managed only one. 37-14 Bengals
New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders _ This game is the Stupor Bowl. The Raiders and the Giants are both 2-13, having each lost 9 straight games. The loser of this game is most likely to get the number on pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. So why bother trying to win the game at all? Why not just tank?
Because tanking is wrong. It is just plain wrong. It goes against everything i believe in as an American and as a sports fan. It violates my competitive spirit. It violates the integrity of the game.
As the late John Madden said, “The worst thing you could say about somebody is that they lost on purpose…for the sake of football, for the sake of what’s right…you gotta win.”
In 2006 when the Raiders were the second worst team. The Lions were the worst. Then in the final week of the season, with nothing to play for, the Lions won. The Raiders were now the worst and got the number one pick. The Raiders chose quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was a total bust. The Lions with the second pick chose wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who went on to have a Hall of Fame career.
When the Raiders were winning, they were often accused of cheating. Yet they were never accused of cheating the game itself. No tanking. Not now. Not ever. Just win, baby.
Sadly, the Raiders chose to put Brock Bowers and Maxx Crosby on injured reserve, shutting down their best offensive player and their best defensive player. An enraged Crosby insisted he was healthy enough to play. He had been battling a knee injury for 9 weeks but was adamant about playing. He was overruled. The Raiders will deny this was tanking, but John Madden was rolling over in his grave.
In the first quarter the Raiders moved 64 yards in 10 plays and 5 minutes. Yet then Geno Smith did what Geno Smith does. On 2nd and 7 from the Giants 12, Smith was intercepted by Okereke, who returned the pick 47 yards to the Raiders 44. Singletary ran for 29 and then added the one yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 Giants. A short kickoff had the Raiders taking over at their own 41. Yet on 3rd and 6 from the Giants 22, Smith was sacked. Daniel Carlson hit the 42 yard second quarter field goal to get the Raiders on the board.
The Giants soon faced 3rd and 1 at their own 44. Jaxson Dart gained 7. Dartwent to Hodgins for 8 and to Darrius Slayton for 21. Dart ran for a 12 yard touchdown to make it 14-3 Giants. Sauls then tacked on a 32 yard field goal to have the Giants up 17-3 at the midpoint. Sauls hit again from 23 in the third quarter to have the Giants cruising 20-3.
The Raiders managed a 14 play, 65 yard, 7 minute drive. On 4th and 2 from the Giants 13, Smith hit Thornton for 7. On 4th and goal at the 4, Smith fired over the middle to Tyler Lockett for the touchdown. The raiders were within 20-10, but this game was over. The Raiders were terrible on offense and defense. The only thing left for them was to be terrible on special teams. They quickly obliged for the trifecta. Banks returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to have the Giants up 27-10 after three quarters. Smith threw another interception. The Giants then pounded the Raiders into dust with a 15 play, 75 yard, 9 minute drive. Dart ran for a 2 yard touchdown end the scoring 34-10. The Giants snapped their 9 game losing streak. The Raiders lost their 10th straight. If the Raiders lose next week, they are guaranteed the number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. 34-10 Giants
Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills — The stakes were very high in this potential Super Bowl matchup. The defending champion Eagles were 10-5. They had already clinched the NFC East. They were seeking to move up in seeding. The 11-4 Bills were one game back in the AFC East and in the conference race for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. With hard rain coming down, the first half was all Eagles. Helped by a 50 yard bomb, the Bills reached the Philadelphia 23 before fumbling the ball alway. After a mad scramble the Eagles recovered the ball all the way at the Buffalo 45. Jalen Hurts went to AJ Brown for 27. On 3rd and 1 from the Buffalo 5, Saquon Barkley gained 3. Hurts went to Dallas Goedert for a one yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Eagles in the first quarter. Both offenses then took long stretches off. Jake Elliott hit second quarter field goals of 47 and 28 as the Eagles took a 13-0 lead to the locker rooms. Late in the third quarter the Bills moved to a 4th and goal at the 3. Allen scrambled everywhere and was finally brought down inches short of the goal line. The Bills got the ball back at moved to a 3rd and 8 at the Philadelphia 27. Yet with Allen scrambling for his life, he was sacked for a 17 yard loss.
Buffalo’s defense was keeping them in the game, and a 28 yard punt return by Shakir set up the Bills at the Philadelphia 46. On 3rd and 5 from the Philly 24, Allen hit Shakir for 13. On 3rd and 1 from the Philly 2, a very violent tush push got Allen in the end one. After 55 minutes, the Bills had finally scored. Yet the extra point was blocked as the Bills trailed 13-6. The Eagles weren’t doing much on offense either. Hurts did not complete a pass the entire second half. The Eagles had only 17 yards of total offense in the second half. With 3:20 left, the Bills took over at their own 17 yard line with all 3 timeouts. With 1:51 left, the Bills faced 4th and 10 at their own 29. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio brought the house. A perfectly executed hook and lateral saw Allen fire over the middle to Shavers, who lateraled to Johnson for a 25 yard gain. Allen then went deep to Brandin Cooks for a 36 yard gain that resembled the David Tyree helmet catch. Allen then scrambled with two defenders chasing him and somehow managed to get in the end zone. Yet on further review, the touchdown was reversed. The Bills took their last timeout with 8 seconds left. Everything came down to 4th and goal at the one. Allen’s tush push initially appeared stopped but he was practically lifted over the top for the touchdown. Sean McDermott opted to go for two, risking the entire division on one play. With everything on the line, Allen had an open receiver but overthrew him incomplete. 5 seconds still remained, but the onside kick never had a chance. The 11-5 Eagles still had a shot at the two seed in the NFC while the Bills saw their 5 year reign atop the AFC East end. They will have to win it all as a wildcard. 13-12 Eagles
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers was the Sunday night game. Both teams came in 11-4. The Bears had already clinched the NFC North. The 49ers were one game back in the NFC West. Both teams were one game back in the conference race for home field advantage. The 49ers began the game at their own 24. On the very first play from scrimmage, Brock Purdy had his pass batted in the air and intercepted. Edwards picked up a convoy and returned the interception 34 yards for a defensive touchdown. The Bears led 7-0 only 15 seconds into the game. The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 7 at their own 38. Purdy went to Tonges for 18. McCaffrey ran for 9 and one. On 3rd and 2 from the Chicago 26, Purdy went to Robinson for 25 down to the one. Purdy hit tones for the touchdown for a 7-7 game only 4 minutes in.
The 49ers took over at their own 34. McCaffrey ripped off a 41 yard gain. Robinson added 15. Purdy ran for a 10 yard touchdown to make it 14-7 49ers. The Bears took over at their own 23. Caleb Williams went to Buren for 10. Swift ran for 8 and defensive low block penalty added 15. Williams went deep to Burden for a 35 yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14 after the first quarter. The 49ers took over at their own 25. Purdy went deep to Pearsall for a 30 yard gain. On 3rd and 2 from the Chicago 37, Purdy ran for 4. Purdy hit Pearsall for 13. McCaffrey gained 16 and then ran for the 5 yard touchdown to make it 21-14 49ers in the second quarter. The Bears took over at their own 35. Monangai ran for 18. Williams went to Monangai for 11. Williams went deep to Loveland for a 36 yard touchdown for a 21-21 game only 2 1/2 minutes into the second quarter.
The 49ers took over at their own 28. Purdy hit Tonges for 10. Moore ran for 10. Purdybhit McCaffrey and Pearsall for a pair of 14 yard gains. On 3rd and 2 from the Chicago 16, McCaffrey gained 7. On 3rd and goal at the 7, Purdy was intercepted. Yet defensive illegal contact nullified the interception. Purdy ran for a 3 yard touchdown. The 15 play, 72 yard, 9 minute drive had the 49ers up 28-21 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the half. The Bears began the third quarter at their own 35. Williams went to Smythe for 11. On 3rd and 14 from the San Francisco 46, Williams went to Walker for 19 and to Burden for 24. On 3rd and goal at the 2, Swift got in for a 28-28 game. The 49ers took over at their own 35. Purdy went to Bourne for 25. McCaffrey ran for 4 and 6. Purdy hit Brian Robinson for 6 and Kyle Juszczyk for a 6 yard touchdown to have the 49ers up 35-28 after three quarters. The Bears took over at their own 20. Williams hit Swift for 10. On 3rd and 8 from their own 37, Williams found Burden for 27. Williams hit Walker for 11. On the last play of the third quarter, Ben Johnson gambled on 4th and 5 from the San Francisco 31. Williams hit Loveland for 9. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Swift ran for a 22 yard touchdown. The game was tied for the 5th time at 35-35.
The 49ers moved to a 3rd and 7 at the Chicago 43. Purdy threw incomplete. Kyle Shanahan decided not to try a 61 yard field goal or go for it. The 49ers punted and the Bears took over at their own 11. They moved to a 2nd and goal at the 8, but a Williams completion lost 3 yards followed by an incompletion. After 10 touchdowns, the game had its first field goal attempt. From 29 yards out, Cairo santos was good as the Bears led 38-35 with 5 1/2 minutes left in regulation. The 49ers soon faced 3rd and 6 at their own 29. Purdy went to Tonges for 7. Purdy went to McCaffrey for 18. purdy then went deep to Jauan Jennings for a 38 yard touchdown. The 49ers led by 4 points, but they may have scored too early. 2:15 still remained. The Bears had all 3 timeouts.
The Bears took over at their own 35. The Bears moved to a 4th and 5 at the Frisco 26. Williams hit Loveland for 13 as the Bears took their final timeout with 25 seconds left. The Bears had 4 shots to get 13 yards. Ben Johnson went to the bag of tricks and called a hook and lateral. The Bears got the first down but the clock was ticking. The Bears raced up to the line and spiked the ball to stop the clock with 4 seconds left. The Bears were at the 2 yard line. One play and 2 yards separated both teams from possible home field. Williams escaped a pursuer, rolled to his left, and kept retreating. With a man in his face, he fired to the end zone low and incomplete. The 49ers had survived. The Bears are 11-5. The top seed is out of reach. The 49ers are 12-4 and next week host an NFC West showdown against Seattle for all the NFC marbles. This game was an instant classic, and a playoff rematch would be well worth the price of admission. 42-38 49ers
Los Angles Rams at Atlanta Falcons was the Monday night game. While the top seed was out of reach, the Rams still had a chance to steamroll into the playoffs. The Falcons were eliminated and had nothing to play for. A ESPN uber-announcer Chris Berman reminds us, “THAT’s why they PLAY the GAMES.! The Falcons took over at their own 35. Kirk Cousins went to Sills for 13. On 3rd and 8 from midfield, Cousins went to Mooney for 13. On 3rd and 2 from the Rams 29, Cousins went to Sills for 20. On 3rd and goal at the 4, Cousins hit Bijan Robinson for the touchdown to make it 7-0 Falcons. The Rams drove to a 3h and 1 at the Atlanta 11. Sean McVay went for it and Kyren Williams got blasted in the backfield for a 2 yard loss. In the second quarter, Matthew Stafford was intercepted by Bates, who returned the pick 34 yards for a defensive touchdown and a 14-0 Falcons lead. Stafford tied Brett Favre for the all time lead in interceptions for touchdowns. Stafford went deep again and was intercepted again. With 90 seconds eft in the half the Falcons were pinned at their own 7 yard line. Robinson broke through the line and raced for a 93 yard touchdown and a 21-0 Falcons lead. Mevis hit a 35 yard third quarter field goal for the Rams but Zane Gonzalez answered from 56 to make it 24-3 Falcons.
The Rams tried to make game of it from their own 35. Stafford went to Williams for 10. On 3rd and 1 from the Atlanta 42, Stafford hit Colby Parkinson for 15. Stafford then went deep to a wide open Ferguson for a 27 yard touchdown to get the Rams within 24-10. Late in the third quarter Gonzalez for a 37 yard field goal try to put the Falcons up by 17. 27-10 would not end the game but it would tighten the screws. Blocked! Gonzalez’s kick was blocked. Jared Verse got the block, got the bounce right to him, and raced the other way for a 76 yard touchdown in front of a shocked home crowd in Atlanta. Instead of being down by 17, the Rams were right back in down 7. The Rams trailed 24-17 after three quarters. The Rams got it back and moved to a 3rd and 8 at the Atlanta 33. Stafford fumbled but the defense jumped offside. A 3rd and 3 run gained only one yard. On 4th and 2, Sean McVay passed up a field goal and went for it. Watts jumped the route and raced 75 yards the other way for a defensive touchdown. Yet on further review, Watts stepped out at the Rams 43. Also, a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Atlanta bench on the return moved the Falcons back to their own 42. Instead of a 31-17 lead, the Falcons ended up punting.
The Rams took over at their own 11. Williams ran for 15. Stafford went to Williams for 21. On 1st and 10 from the Atlanta 41, Stafford went bombs away to Nacua. The perfectly thrown ball beat the double coverage for a spectacular touchdown. Yet offensive holding wiped it off the board. On 3rd and 2 from the Atlanta 33, Williams gained 22. Stafford went to Nacua for an 11 yard touchdown as the Rams tied the game 24-24 with 2:45 left in regulation. It was the biggest Falcons collapse since the Super Bowl 9 years earlier when the Falcons blew a 28-3 lead. Yet the Falcons only needed a field goal to win this game. The Falcons moved from their 35 to a 1st and 10 at the Rams 35. Raheem Morris went ultra-conservative and ran Tyler Allgeier into the line 3 straight times for 3 total yards. Gonzalez came in for a 51 yard field goal try for the lead and redemption. This time Gonzalez was good. The Falcons led by 3 with 21 seconds left. The Rams took over at their own 35. On 1st and 10 Stafford had a wide open receiver deep but overthrew him. On 2nd down, a perfectly thrown bomb was dropped due to blatant defensive pass interference that was not called. It was horrendous officiating. Nacua made an acrobatic third down catch in field goal range, but further review showed he bobbled the ball incomplete. On 4th and 10 with 5 seconds left, rather than try the Hail Mary, a shorter pass fell incomplete. The 11-5 Rams are still going to the playoffs but this game was a missed opportunity. 27-24 Falcons