NFL Week 16 breakdown: Tom Brady leads another comeback win. Packers still have hope.
NFL Week 16 is (almost) complete. Hope you enjoyed the three games on Christmas Day! Here are some of the biggest developments from this weekend's action:
- These would be the playoff teams ... if the season ended today.
- The Eagles will have to wait another week to clinch home-field advantage in the NFC.
- The Bills and Chiefs are in a tight race for home-field advantage in the AFC.
- The Packers close out the season with two home games and playoff hopes still intact.
- The Buccaneers rallied to keep their one-game edge in the NFC South.
Biggest moments of NFL Week 16
- After the Packers' win on Christmas Day, Jaire Alexander gave an all-timer of an interview with Fox Sports' Pam Oliver.
- Rams LB Bobby Wagner intercepted his former Seahawks teammate, Russell Wilson.
- The Broncos were not in the Christmas spirit at SoFi Stadium.
- Nickelodeon's broadcast of the Rams-Broncos game meant lots of slime, a Yeti and Santa doing the Griddy.
- Chiefs players gave head coach Andy Reid the perfect gift for Christmas.
- The Bengals' Eli Apple said that a block by Patriots QB Mac Jones was "a dirty play."
- Lions QB Jared Goff ripped the field conditions at Carolina's Bank of America Stadium, which replaced its grass field with artificial turf last season.
- The Texans have won two games, yet can still finish the season with a winning record in their division.
- Zach Wilson was benched in favor of CFL-winning quarterback Chris Streveler on Thursday night. Is the Zach Wilson era over for the Jets after just two seasons?
Key storylines from NFL Week 16
- Packers' playoff bid no longer farfetched: Green Bay is knocking on the door of the playoffs, a possibility that was nearly unthinkable a month ago.
- Tua, Dolphins unravel: Tua Tagovailoa threw three interceptions on consecutive drives in the fourth quarter of a costly defeat against the Packers.
- 'That's not a loss': Pick your mistake for the Eagles' loss to the Cowboys because there were plenty. Here's why A.J. Brown said he was glad it happened.
- Should Titans rest starters in Week 17 vs. Cowboys? What happens next week doesn't matter much for Tennessee, which faces a must-win scenario in Week 18.
- Gifting Trevor Lawrence to Jaguars may haunt Jets for a long time: During the 2020 season, the Jets cleared the way for the Jaguars to draft Lawrence, while New York selected Zach Wilson.
NFL Week 16 results
- Buccaneers 19, Cardinals 16 (OT): Tampa Bay kept its one-game edge in the NFC South ahead of a big showdown against Carolina.
- Rams 51, Broncos 14: The defending Super Bowl champions had their best game in what has been a dismal season against the hapless Broncos.
- Packers 26, Dolphins 20: While the Dolphins' fourth straight loss put their playoff hopes in jeopardy, the Packers are very much alive in the NFC postseason chase.
- Steelers 13, Raiders 10: After retiring the jersey number of the late Franco Harris, the Steelers rallied to victory one day after the 50th anniversary of the "Immaculate Reception."
- Cowboys 40, Eagles 34: While Gardner Minshew had his moments, there were too many mistakes for the Eagles in their quest to lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
- 49ers 37, Commanders 20: The Brock Purdy party continued for the 49ers, who have now won eight straight.
- Texans 19, Titans 14: The Titans' fifth straight defeat moved the surging Jaguars into the top spot in the AFC South.
- Bills 35, Bears 13: Buffalo kept its hold of the AFC's top playoff seed with this sloppy win in frigid Soldier Field.
- Vikings 27, Giants 24: Despite this setback, things broke the Giants' way in Week 16.
- Bengals 22, Patriots 18: The Bengals escaped New England with their seventh consecutive victory.
- Saints 17, Browns 10: The Saints were 0-6 in games played outdoors until managing to emerge victorious in artic-like conditions in Cleveland.
- Chiefs 24, Seahawks 10: With this victory, the Chiefs now have won 16 straight regular-season games against NFC opponents.
- Panthers 37, Lions 23: Carolina remains in hot pursuit of the NFC South division title.
- Ravens 17, Falcons 9: This victory - coupled with the Bengals' win over the Patriots - assured the Ravens of a playoff berth for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
- Jaguars 19, Jets 3: The Jaguars continued their playoff push with a decisive win over the stumbling Jets, who benched quarterback Zach Wilson in favor of Chris Streveler.
Are you ready to talk some football?
Run a post route to our NFL Facebook Group📲, The Ruling Off the Field 🏈, to engage in friendly debate and conversation with football fans 🏟. Not a member yet? Sign up today!✍
If you enjoy reading 4th & Monday 📰, tell your football fan friends to subscribe. Follow the writer of this newsletter on Twitter @jimreineking 📱.