4th & Monday: NFC playoff picture thrown in complete disarray
As former NFL coach Jim Mora once said, "You think you know, but you don't know."
Just a few short days ago, the NFC playoff picture seemed crystal clear. After the wild events of Week 14, it's in disarray.
The Eagles clinched the NFC East, but concern is running high in Philadelphia after Carson Wentz suffered a knee injury that ruled him out for the remainder of a win over the Rams. The Vikings failed in their attempt to secure the NFC North and now the Lions and Packers — who get Aaron Rodgers back next week — are still lurking in the background should Minnesota's struggles continue.
* CHECK OUT THE UPDATED NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE *
The NFC South got decidedly more interesting after Week 14. After the Falcons beat the Saints on Thursday, the Panthers prevailed to put three teams within a game of the division lead.
The Cowboys, once left for dead, are closing in on Ezekiel Elliott's return and remain in solid position for playoff contention.
Meanwhile, the Steelers became the first AFC team to claim a playoff spot, but a comeback win over the Ravens might just be an appetizer for next week's showdown with the Patriots.
MORE: 40 things we learned in Week 14 | Playoff picture
THE MUST-SEE MOMENTS YOU MISSED
- The NFL’s worst nightmare almost became real life when a Seahawks player tried to enter the stands to fight a Jaguars fan who threw a drink at him. It all got started thanks to a Michael Bennett cheap-shot when Jacksonville was in victory formation.
- After a knee injury sidelined Eagles QB Carson Wentz during his team's win over the Rams, Wentz took to Twitter after the game while reports swirled that he had torn his ACL.
- The NFL got its first epic snow game in quite some time when the Bills beat the Colts in overtime in a massive snowstorm. To force overtime, Adam Vinatieri made another memorable kick in the snow, just as he did 16 years ago in the famous "Tuck Rule" game.
- What's it going to take for the NFL to fix how it handles head trauma? That's the question Paste BN Sports' Nancy Armour wants answered after Texans QB Tom Savage was shaking on the ground after a big hit. He was allowed to return to the game before being ruled out with a concussion shortly thereafter.
- Did you catch the Cowboys' new uniforms? They're perfect. Never change them back.
- It wasn't all bad on Sunday, though. Check out how the Pittsburgh Steelers honored injured teammate Ryan Shazier before their Sunday Night Football rivalry game against the Ravens.
- The Cowboys rolled the Giants on Sunday, but that didn't stop DE DeMarcus Lawrence from shooting a few expletives at the refs.
- He said what? Agent of former Browns player rips coach Hue Jackson after another embarrassing loss. LeBron James wasn't too thrilled either.
- Rex Ryan's trolling knows no bounds. The former coach and current analyst continued to spar with Giants QB Geno Smith, this time cracking a joke about his "soft chin."
- Seahawks rookie Malik McDowell was arrested for disorderly conduct.
- Browns wideout Josh Gordon hauled in his first touchdown in four years. The NFL is much, much more fun with him around. Sunglasses and all.
- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell granted a terminally ill firefighter a bucket list wish.
- The "Bills Mafia" was apparently tired of jumping through tables. Now they are on to grills.
- One amazing streak came to an end on Sunday. NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson took a bathroom break. It was his first during the broadcast in *four* years.
- The Houston Texans had a new cheerleader on their sideline on Sunday. If she looked familiar, that's because she is an Olympic gold medal gymnast.
TOP GALLERIES: Best of Week 14 | NFL Cheerleaders
THE RUNDOWN
Bills 13, Colts 7: After a missed field goal and a penalty negated the Colts' go-ahead 2-point conversion, LeSean McCoy carried the Bills to an overtime win.
Bears 33, Bengals 7: The Bears offense sent the Bengals to rock bottom in a blowout win.
Packers 27, Browns 21: Green Bay scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and overtime to keep the Browns from earning their first win of the season.
Chiefs 26, Raiders 15: Kareem Hunt and the Chiefs defense spurred Kansas City to a big division win, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Cowboys 30, Giants 10: Eli Manning struggled in his return to the starting lineup, and the Cowboys took advantage.
Lions 24, Buccaneers 21: It was a narrow win over the Bucs, but the Lions kept their playoff hopes alive.
Panthers 31, Vikings 24: Cam Newton and the Panthers broke out to end Minnesota's eight-game win streak.
49ers 26, Texans 16: Jimmy G balled out for 334 yards and a touchdown in San Francisco's win.
Broncos 23, Jets 0: Denver ended an eight-game skid, shutting out the Jets at home.
Cardinals 12, Titans 7: Still in the playoff hunt, Marcus Mariota and the Titans stumbled in a loss to the Cardinals.
Chargers 30, Redskins 13: Staying in a tie atop the AFC West, the Chargers set up a Week 15 first-place showdown with the Chiefs.
Eagles 43, Rams 35: Carson Wentz left the game with a knee injury, but the Eagles held on to clinch the NFC East.
Jaguars 30, Seahawks 24: This game was marred at the end when a Seahawks player tried to go into the stands to confront a beverage-throwing Jaguars fan.
Steelers 39, Ravens 38: The Steelers rallied from a double-digit second-half deficit to clinch the AFC North crown. Next up: the Patriots for AFC supremacy.
Falcons 20, Saints 17 (Thursday): Falcons LB Deion Jones picked off Drew Brees in the end zone late to seal the win over the Saints.
EYES ON THE (FANTASY) PRIZE
Wentz’s fantasy owners hopefully have a decent backup on their roster. Nick Foles would start for the Eagles in Week 15 against the New York Giants if Wentz can't play.
Otherwise, check on the availability of Jameis Winston, Jimmy Garoppolo or Mitchell Trubisky. And don't forget ... Aaron Rodgers will be back next week.
Bears wide receiver Kendall Wright had 10 catches Sunday for a season-high 107 yards.
And Arizona Cardinals running back Kerwynn Williams could help fantasy owners if Adrian Peterson's neck injury lingers. Williams has a total of 170 rushing yards over the past two weeks and will have the Washington Redskins up next.
MORE: Fantasy takeaways from Week 14
INJURY UPDATE
- Houston Texans QB Tom Savage suffered a concussion after a scary hit against the 49ers.
- Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz left the game against the Rams with a knee injury that doctors fear is a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a person familiar with the injury told Paste BN Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the extent of the injury had not been confirmed.
- Los Angeles Rams CB Kayvon Webster was carted off the field against the Eagles with a a torn Achilles.
- New York Jets QB Josh McCown suffered a broken left hand in a loss to the Broncos.
- Buffalo Bills QB Nathan Peterman is in concussion protocol after taking a big hit against the Colts.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers DT Gerald McCoy left the Bucs' loss to Detroit after suffering a right shoulder/biceps injury.
COMING THIS WEEK
Monday: Week 14 concludes Monday night when Tom Brady and the New England Patriots travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) with the chance to clinch the AFC East.
Tuesday: Paste BN Sports' NFL experts offer their power rankings for all 32 NFL teams after Week 14. Don't agree with our rankings? Speak up! Submit your own rankings to tell us where our experts got it wrong with our NFL Fan Power Rankings.
Thursday: Week 15 kicks off Thursday night in Indianapolis as the Colts play host to the Denver Broncos (8:25 p.m. ET, NBC).