4th & Monday: Was it a catch? Steelers lose to Pats on controversial finish
If you were watching the 49ers rally past the Titans or the Rams steamroll the Seahawks, we're sorry you missed what was the craziest finish of this NFL season.
After what looked like a game-winning touchdown catch by the Steelers was overturned on replay review, Ben Roethlisberger tried a fake spike play that went horribly wrong for the Steelers in the game's closing seconds. And now the Patriots have the inside track on home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs.
The Bill Belichick- and Tom Brady-led Patriots have reached seven Super Bowls in the last 16 seasons, and an eighth appearance together seems within reach after what transpired in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
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While the Steelers blew their shot at hosting playoff games at Heinz Field throughout January, the Jaguars are emerging as a threat to derail that Patriots playoff train. With one of the league's finest defenses, the Jaguars are back in the postseason for the first time since 2007. With two weeks left to play, Jacksonville is just a game behind Pittsburgh for the AFC's second playoff seed and a coveted first-round playoff bye.
MORE: 40 things we learned in Week 15 | Playoff picture
THE MUST-SEE MOMENTS YOU MISSED
- The Patriots beat the Steelers in one of the crazier finishes in recent memory, and fans totally freaked out over an overturned touchdown catch in the closing moments of the game.
- Just a few weeks removed from needing spinal stabilization surgery, Steelers defender Ryan Shazier got a standing ovation while making a surprise appearance at Heinz Field.
- JuJu Smith-Schuster came off a one-game suspension and celebrated a teammate's touchdown by reenacting the moment that got him suspended.
- Frustrations continue to build in Seattle, where Earl Thomas questioned Bobby Wagner's decision to play through a hamstring injury.
- Despite being on the wrong end of a 45-7 beat down, Jadeveon Clowney called Blake Bortles "trash," despite the fact that the Jaguars QB had one of the best performances of his career.
- This is how you celebrate a touchdown.
- Lions CB Darius Slay offered an honest assessment of Bears rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky after Slay had two picks in Saturday's win.
- With Christmas just around the corner, the Lions celebrated a touchdown by pulling out one of the Rockettes' most-famous moves.
- The NFL is taking over the Panthers investigation into owner Jerry Richardson's workplace conduct. Amid those extremely unsettling allegations, Richardson is selling the team.
- The Vikings clinched the NFC North in a rout. But perhaps of more importance long term, Teddy Bridgewater made his long-awaited return to an amazing ovation from fans and teammates alike.
- Bengals coach Marvin Lewis sparked some confusion when he denied a report that he won't return to coach Cincinnati next year. Should he leave, here's a helpful list of potential candidates to replace him.
- When they say put your money where your mouth is, this is what they're talking about. Cam Newton called out the Packers defense and then promptly threw an easy touchdown pass.
- Vicious hits have become common place in the NFL. Panthers LB Thomas Davis launched himself into Davante Adams and was visibly distraught after the hit.
- After the crucial AFC West showdown Saturday in Kansas City, Tamba Hali gave pass-rushing tips to Joey Bosa on the field after the game.
- Rob Riggle and Fox mocked a certain outspoken basketball dad in a football-themed parody.
TOP GALLERIES: Best of Week 15 | NFL cheerleaders
THE RUNDOWN
Cowboys 20, Raiders 17: With Ezekiel Elliott slated to return in Week 16, the Cowboys are very much in the thick of the NFC playoff race after the slimmest of wins in Oakland.
Patriots 27, Steelers 24: The Patriots took a major step toward home-field advantage (again) in the AFC playoffs with another win over the Steelers, who couldn't finish what they started.
Rams 42, Seahawks 7: The Rams' rout of the Seahawks might have signaled a changing of the guard in the NFC West.
49ers 25, Titans 23: Jimmy Garoppolo is 3-0 as a starter for the 49ers, who damaged the Titans' AFC South title hopes.
Jaguars 45, Texans 7: The Jaguars stomped the Texans to clinch their first playoff berth in a decade.
Bills 24, Dolphins 16: With two weeks left to play, the Bills are still in contention to end the NFL's longest playoff drought.
Saints 31, Jets 19: The Saints maintained their tenuous hold on the NFC South, while at the same time eliminating the Jets from playoff contention.
Panthers 31, Packers 24: Aaron Rodgers' much-anticipated return couldn't keep the Packers from the brink of elimination, which could come as soon as Monday night.
Redskins 20, Cardinals 15: After back-to-back embarrassments, the Redskins' defense managed to keep the Cardinals out of the end zone.
Ravens 27, Browns 10: The Ravens might be on the outside looking in at the moment in the AFC playoff picture, but the schedule is doing Baltimore favors, starting with this week's cakewalk over Cleveland.
Vikings 34, Bengals 7: A comfortable win over the Bengals meant clinching the NFC North crown and the long-awaited return of Teddy Bridgewater.
Eagles 34, Giants 29: Nick Foles played admirably in place of injured quarterback Carson Wentz.
Chiefs 30, Chargers 13 (Saturday): The Chiefs have rebounded from a horrendous midseason skid to take control of the AFC West.
Lions 20, Bears 10 (Saturday): Mitchell Trubisky threw three picks as the Lions beat the Bears. After the game Detroit CB Darius Slay offered encouraging words to the rookie QB, but with one caveat.
Broncos 25, Colts 13 (Thursday): The Broncos' rally to beat the Colts put Indy in position for a dubious place in NFL history.
EYES ON THE (FANTASY) PRIZE
It's almost impossible to find someone on the waiver wire good enough to start with a fantasy title on the line, but Jaguars wide receiver Keelan Cole might be one of those players. Cole stepped forward when Marqise Lee exited with an ankle injury, catching seven passes for 186 yards and a touchdown, and could start next week at San Francisco.
If owners in your league gave up on the return of Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen from a foot injury, his nine receptions for 116 yards and a score showed he's back. He has a great Week 16 matchup at home vs. Tampa Bay.
MORE: Fantasy takeaways from Week 15
INJURY UPDATE
- Steelers WR Antonio Brown was taken to the hospital after suffering a left calf injury.
- Packers WR Davante Adams suffered a concussion in a loss to the Panthers. Adams was on the wrong end of a personal foul call on Panthers LB Thomas Davis.
- Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette was inactive for Jacksonville's rout of Houston with a quad injury.
- Broncos QB Trevor Siemian left his team's win over the Colts with a shoulder injury, and was later placed on season-ended IR.
- Bengals RB Joe Mixon did not clear concussion protocol and did not play against the Vikings.
- Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor was placed on injured reserve.
- Falcons RB Tevin Coleman has been in the concussion protocol and was ruled out of Monday night's game against the Buccaneers.
COMING THIS WEEK
Monday: Week 15 concludes Monday night when Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons look to keep their division title hopes alive on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Tuesday: Paste BN Sports' NFL experts offer their power rankings for all 32 NFL teams after Week 15. 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.
Saturday: The Thursday night slate for the 2017 season is complete, so Week 16 kicks off Saturday. First, the Baltimore Ravens will try to improve their playoff chances when they host the Indianapolis Colts (4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network). Later, the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings (8:30 p.m. ET, NBC), who are still in the running for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.