NFL Week 16 recap

Dec 22

All of the AFC "In the Hunt" Teams: Dolphins, Chargers, and Colts Win to Stay Alive, Awaiting a Slip from Either the Broncos or Chargers. THE Cardinals’ Offense Showed Up LAte But Get A Game Tying Field Goal l As time Expired Only For Arizona To Arrive On Time For Their Funeral as The Panthers and Bryce Young Take Down Kyler Murray And The cArds Eliminating Arizona From playoff Contention in overtime 36-30.

**Jags vs. Raiders**

The Jaguars and the Raiders faced off to determine which team would end up with a worse record, and surprisingly, the Raiders managed to win this game 19-14. This victory gives the Giants a clear hold on the number one pick for now, while the Jaguars' loss moves them up to the second pick, and the Raiders fall to fifth. The Jaguars' last first-round pick, Brian Thomas Jr., had a standout game with nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown, marking the first 1,000-yard receiving season of his career. Meanwhile, fellow rookie and Raiders tight end Brock Bowers also achieved a 1,000-yard receiving season with 11 receptions for 99 yards, becoming only the third rookie tight end to surpass the 1,000-yard mark. Ultimately, the Raiders held off the Jaguars.

**Texans vs. Chiefs**

The Chiefs once again proved that experience and clutch performance can outshine youthful energy, as Patrick Mahomes led his team to a 27-19 victory over CJ Stroud and the Texans on Saturday. The Texans' last chance to swing the momentum fell flat when Tank Dell caught what could have been a game-tying touchdown but missed the extra point. Unfortunately, Dell exited the game with a dislocated knee, adding to a mounting list of injuries that have plagued his rookie season. Dell had already faced significant adversity before this season, having suffered gunshot wounds prior to his rookie year. After a promising start, his 2023-2024 season has been hindered by injury.

Neither the Texans nor the Chiefs are currently worried about playoff positioning, but both teams have concerns as they head into the final stretch of the season. Mahomes shook off any worries regarding his ankle injury to compete against Stroud. "Never a doubt," Mahomes insisted as the Chiefs aimed for the top seed. However, there are issues beyond Mahomes's health; the Chiefs' offense has become more predictable and less explosive, leading to concerns about Mahomes's ability to make deep throws. Currently, he ranks 22nd according to PFF’s deep passing stats. His inability to effectively throw passes over 20 yards could allow defenses to load up underneath coverage, minimizing the effectiveness of short plays. The Chiefs lead the league in both total plays and plays per drive, effectively wearing down defenses methodically. This style of play can work if they maintain a lead or remain close in the game, but if they fall behind, they may struggle to mount a comeback.

During the Chiefs' first drive against the Texans, they methodically advanced the ball following a CJ Stroud interception, culminating in a touchdown by Mahomes after a successful scramble. The Chiefs faced some setbacks, including a holding penalty, but Mahomes's perseverance shone as he converted key plays. The Texans responded with a solid offensive drive, taking a page from the Chiefs' playbook to methodically score, capped off by a touchdown pass from Stroud to Dalton Schultz. Stroud also connected with Nico Collins on a 30-yard deep pass during this drive. Unfortunately, the Texans' offensive rhythm was interrupted when Stroud threw his second interception, a costly mistake that transitioned momentum to the Chiefs.

The Texans managed to cut into the Chiefs' lead with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Stroud to Dell after a Chiefs punt. However, they missed the extra point, and Dell suffered a significant knee injury on the play when a teammate landed on him. The Texans have struggled with injuries to their receiving corps this season, and Dell's loss—just as he was starting to find his footing—adds another challenge to their plight. The Texans had acquired Stefon Diggs to mitigate injury issues but lost him mid-season. Additionally, Jon Metchie missed Saturday's game due to a shoulder injury. Although the Texans forced a turnover on downs from the Chiefs, they could not capitalize on the opportunity. Mahomes orchestrated one final touchdown drive, culminating in an 8-yard catch from Zavier Worthy, helping the Chiefs secure a 27-19 win. Mahomes finished the game with 28 completions on 41 attempts for 260 passing yards and one touchdown, while Stroud completed 23 of 39 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.

**Lions Vs. Bears**

The Lions bounced back from only their second loss of the season by defeating the Bears 34-17, dropping the Bears to their ninth straight loss despite a Herculean second-half effort from Caleb Williams.

The Lions' defense looked ready to make a statement after struggling against the Bills last week. They forced two early turnovers from the Bears, but Caleb Williams and the still-struggling Bears offense struck back, scoring two passing touchdowns before halftime, including a 45-yard touchdown catch by Keenan Allen. This kept the game within two scores. Aside from a missed 60-yard field goal, the Lions scored on every drive to start the game. After starting with a field goal, Jahmyr Gibbs got the Lions their first touchdown after initially having a touchdown erased, blasting through the Bears' defensive line after being shut out for three straight runs. The Bears' defense wouldn’t stop the Lions again for a while in this game. Jared Goff connected with Jameson Williams for an 82-yard catch and run, giving the Lions a comfortable 20-0 lead in the second quarter.

Chicago found some life in the passing game before halftime, but the Lions continued to dominate the Bears' defense. The Bears' first offensive drive of the fourth quarter was halted when the Lions were in the Bears' red zone on a 4th and 3 situation. However, Goff connected with Sam Laporta for 21 yards, and he and Amon-Ra St. Brown converted a crucial 3rd and 17 on the same drive. Despite not scoring on this drive, the Lions continued to assert their dominance over the Bears.

The Lions finished the game by stopping the Bears' offense, forcing three incompletions from Caleb Williams and stopping the Bears on downs. They secured the victory 34-17. Jared Goff completed 23 of 32 passes for 336 yards, three touchdowns, and a passer rating of 137.0. Jahmyr Gibbs had 23 carries for 109 rushing yards and one touchdown. The Lions' offense racked up 475 yards in total offense but allowed 375 yards to the Bears. Caleb Williams completed 26 of 40 passes for 334 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 107.7. Despite being called “washed” all season, Keenan Allen caught nine passes for 141 yards and one touchdown, while Rome Odunze had four catches for 77 yards. The Lions remain a team that can outshoot or outlast any opponent, but the defense still needs at least one player capable of making big stops and plays. Detroit continues to move toward securing the NFC bye week in the playoffs. Williams had great success passing across the field, particularly when throwing to his right, completing 12 of 14 attempts for 223 passing yards and a touchdown. Undersized quarterbacks like Williams often excel when given half-field reads.

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**Falcons Vs. Giants**

The Falcons' defense scored two touchdowns to help Michael Penix secure his first game as the Falcons' starter, keeping Atlanta's playoff hopes alive by defeating the Giants 34-7.

Typically, a Giants game this late in a lost season wouldn’t draw much attention, but the Falcons generated significant buzz by beating Kirk Cousins and starting rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons plan on moving on from Cousins, who always seemed like a puzzling choice for Atlanta, but no one knows if their decision hinges on Penix's success in this late-season stretch. The Giants faced a similar dilemma when they elevated Eli Manning over veteran Kurt Warner. Although Eli struggled, Warner advised the Giants to allow him to keep starting. If Penix doesn’t demonstrate immediate success, could the Falcons stick with him?

Penix's first two drives showed some promise, highlighted by a 19-yard connection with Drake London, which set up a missed field goal attempt for Atlanta. Unfortunately, the offense didn’t look much different from when Cousins was at the helm. Penix maintained a similar dropback style, but his winding release resembled a catapult, making it challenging for him to hit passes outside. The Giants and Drew Lock managed to score a touchdown after running back Tyrone Tracy capped off a 14-play, 70-yard drive with a two-yard toe-tap touchdown. The Giants are currently favorites to secure the number one pick in the draft, and Lock was cautious not to overdo his audition for a potential bridge job.

After the Falcons stalled on another drive, Lock threw an interception to safety Jessie Bates, who returned it for a touchdown. Penix then led the Falcons to their first offensive touchdown of the game with a 9-play, 86-yard drive finished off by Bijan Robinson’s four-yard touchdown run. Setting Penix's starting debut aside, the Falcons effectively utilized Robinson, who had 12 carries for 49 yards early on. Although a drop pass by Falcons tight end resulted in a red zone interception before halftime, the Falcons managed to take a 17-7 lead over the Giants in a must-win game for Atlanta. After halftime, the Falcons' defense scored another touchdown on Lock’s first throw of the half, picking him off and allowing Matthew Judon to return it for a touchdown, pushing the Falcons' lead to 24-7.

Bijan Robinson's second score of the game further solidified the Falcons' dominance.

**Bengals vs. Browns**

The Bengals still have a shot to make the playoffs despite having thinly sliced odds, coming in with a record of 6-8. Outside of a tie between the Chargers and Broncos, Thursday night’s outcome would have worked in the Bengals' favor as they needed either team to lose a game. The Broncos' loss is even better for Cincinnati since they will face the Bengals next week, just before the Bengals move on to a tough game against the Steelers in Week 18. Joe Burrow left no doubt about this one by clinically dismantling the Browns, maneuvering around their pass rush and scoring two touchdowns, along with a diving connection to Tee Higgins, giving the Bengals a 17-0 lead at the start of the game.

The Browns' defense pitched a shutout against the Bengals for the first 28 minutes of the second half but eventually succumbed to Ja'Marr Chase, who caught a 32-yard touchdown pass with just over 1:50 left in the game. This touchdown secured Chase his 16th touchdown of the year and 1,500 receiving yards. Chase finished the game with six catches for 97 receiving yards and one touchdown. Burrow had an efficient performance, completing 23 of 30 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite some impressive plays by Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who had some prolific scrambles, the Browns managed only 275 yards of offense and turned the ball over three times (two interceptions and one fumble), not including multiple turnovers on downs. They managed just one touchdown. Thompson-Robinson completed 20 of 34 passes for 157 yards and had 9 scrambles for 49 yards. Jerome Ford had one touchdown and 11 carries for 92 rushing yards. The Bengals have taken on the persona of a lurking tiger as they hunt for that last playoff spot, now preparing to face one of the last teams standing in their way: the Denver Broncos.

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**Vikings vs. Seahawks**

The Seahawks and the Vikings delivered a thrilling NFC matchup, with Jason Myers’ fourth-quarter, game-tying attempt falling three yards short, allowing the Vikings to come away with a crucial Week 16 victory. Geno Smith showcased some aerial heroics, throwing three touchdowns, but with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, he couldn't connect enough to get Seattle in range for another game-tying field goal. Instead, Smith threw his second interception of the game from his own end zone.

Smith’s last touchdown, a four-yard connection with A.J. Barner, gave the Seahawks their first lead of the game after a lengthy 11-play, 68-yard drive that consumed 6:16 in the fourth quarter. The Vikings responded in a flash, needing only four plays to cover 70 yards, culminating in a touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson for 39 yards. Smith continued to lead the Seahawks' offense, with nearly 50 dropbacks compared to just 15 rushing attempts. He completed 31 of 43 passes for 314 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions, and absorbed two sacks.

The loss puts the Seahawks two games back, as the Rams now control the tiebreaker. The teams could meet again in Week 18 with identical records, but the Rams hold a better division/conference record, meaning Los Angeles would need to lose both games for the Seahawks to make the postseason. Despite some positives throughout the season, the Seahawks experienced too many ups and downs along the offensive line. Jaxson Smith-Njigba stepped up as a key option, catching eight passes for 95 yards and one touchdown, while DK Metcalf had three catches for 57 yards and a score. The Seahawks’ defense managed some pressure on Darnold with three sacks and seven quarterback hits, but it wasn’t enough to stop late-game play.

Justin Jefferson had a standout performance, tallying 10 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Darnold finished with 22 of 35 completions for 246 yards. The Vikings will face off against the Lions in Week 18, which could determine the division and the number one seed. If the Vikings and Lions end up with the same record after Week 17, the winner will take the division based on better overall performance. The Seahawks also faced disappointment in the Cardinals’ game, as Arizona lost to the Panthers in overtime, effectively ending their playoff hopes. Had Arizona won, Kyler Murray and his team would have had something to compete for against the Rams in Week 17. Now, the Cardinals enter next week with nothing to gain, which could result in a lackluster performance against Los Angeles—an outcome the Seahawks need to avoid in hopes of making their own postseason push.

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**Ravens vs. Steelers**

The Ravens avenged their earlier loss to the Steelers, overcoming the Steel Curtain with the powerhouse performance of Derrick Henry, who rushed for 162 yards. The Ravens clinched their playoff spot and now sit even with the Steelers in terms of record, but Pittsburgh still holds the tiebreaker. After starting 4-0 with Russell Wilson at quarterback, the Steelers have lost three of their last five games. Wilson turned the ball over twice, including a crucial fumble after a hard hit, turning a promising 19-yard gain and potential first-and-goal into a turnover in the Ravens' end zone with the game tied at 7-7. From there, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens...

**Bengals vs. Browns**

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**Vikings vs. Seahawks**

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**Ravens vs. Steelers**

**Eagles vs. Commanders**

The Eagles lost Jalen Hurts in the first half due to a concussion, and DeVonta Smith had a missed reception on a slant pass that turned into a drop. As a result, the Eagles blew a commanding lead and lost to the Commanders, 36-33. Despite overcoming five turnovers, the Commanders managed to climb out of a 13-point deficit in the second half to defeat the NFC East-leading team.

Jayden Daniels shook off two second-half touchdowns to lead the Commanders on three touchdown drives, all capped off by his passing. The Eagles scored three touchdowns in the first half with Kenny Pickett filling in for Hurts, but their offense stalled in the second half. The Commanders effectively contained Saquon Barkley for the most part in the latter half, while the Eagles could only manage four field goals, which ultimately wasn't enough.

Despite the Eagles' reputation as one of the top passing defenses, Daniels threw for five touchdowns—some of them occurring under flukey circumstances, like the 49-yard touchdown to Zaccheaus after a 12-man penalty against the Eagles. Daniels ended the game with a shaky performance, finishing 24 of 39 for 258 yards and adding 81 yards on the ground on nine carries. Jamison Crowder of the Commanders caught two passes, both of which were touchdowns.

While Brian Robinson fumbled twice and receiver Dyami Brown lost another fumble, the Commanders benefited from timely defense and some fortunate breaks from the Eagles' offense, creating multiple opportunities. The Commanders contained Saquon as best they could; he finished with 29 carries for 150 yards and two touchdowns. A.J. Brown had a strong game, catching eight passes for 97 yards and one touchdown.

It's hard to make sense of this game, as the Commanders should have lost. The Eagles, playing without Jalen Hurts, failed to execute in crucial moments. One can't expect too much of this situation going forward. Hurts has a history of injuries late in the season, which can impact his postseason performance. It raises questions about how his concussion symptoms will progress. The Eagles don’t seem likely to secure the top seed over the Lions or Vikings, and they may even hold Hurts out for an extended period.

On the other hand, the Commanders overcame a rocky start and at least masked their sloppy play with resilience.

Jason Strachan

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