What we discovered in NFL Week 16: NFC North showdown looms, Giants eye No. 1 choose

Eight groups are in. 13 are out. Eleven are clinging to hope — some with firmer grips than others.

With two weeks to go, the NFL’s 14-team playoff image is rising. The No. 1 seed has but to be determined in both convention, however the front-runners have put themselves in prime positions.

Within the AFC, it’s wanting just like the playoffs will run by means of Kansas Metropolis. One win from the Chiefs of their remaining two they usually’ll clinch the convention’s high seed.

The NFC, in the meantime, stays up for grabs. Per week after the Lions noticed their 11-game win streak finish, the Eagles’ 10-game streak was snapped. And because of Philadelphia’s loss, it appears just like the convention’s high seed will come down to 2 NFC North groups, Detroit (13-2) and Minnesota (13-2). If each win subsequent week — the Lions are on the 49ers, and the Vikings host the Packers — then their Week 18 assembly in Detroit would determine it.

Speak about a tasty regular-season finale.

In Washington, followers at Northwest Stadium witnessed one other wild end. Simply 1:58 away from a division title, Philly watched Jayden Daniels drive the Commanders 57 yards in 9 performs and join with Jamison Crowder for the game-winning landing with six seconds left. Washington’s 22 fourth-quarter factors have been simply sufficient to steal the 36-33 victory.

It was a signature efficiency from Daniels, who stays one of many main candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Yr. He completed with 5 touchdowns and 339 all-purpose yards in opposition to the most effective defenses in soccer. And the Commanders turned simply the second workforce all season to win a sport regardless of 5 turnovers (the Lions did so in Week 10 in opposition to the Texans).

The Eagles (12-3), who misplaced quarterback Jalen Hurts early within the sport as a result of a concussion, can wrap up an NFC East title with a win subsequent week over the Cowboys. However Sunday’s loss probably price them their shot on the NFC’s high seed.

In the meantime, the Rams inched nearer to an NFC West crown after beating the Jets 19-9. What a job from Sean McVay and his workers — this workforce was 1-4 and battered by accidents 5 weeks into the season. The Rams have gained eight of their final 10 and are two wins away from McVay’s fourth division title, which might ship L.A. to the playoffs for the sixth time in his eight-year tenure.

In Atlanta, Michael Penix Jr. impressed in his first NFL begin, main the Falcons to a much-needed 34-7 victory over the lowly Giants. Atlanta is now 8-7, and due to Tampa Bay’s loss in Dallas Sunday evening, again in entrance within the NFC South. Final week’s benching of Kirk Cousins was a gutsy transfer, however Raheem Morris might need saved his workforce’s season.

In Charlotte, the Panthers ended the Cardinals’ playoff hopes with a 36-30 additional time win. Bryce Younger’s benching approach again after Week 2 looks like a lifetime in the past — since his return to the beginning lineup, the 2023 No. 1 choose has piled up three wins, which is greater than he did all of final season. Arizona has now missed the playoffs three straight seasons and eight of the final 9 years.

In Cincinnati, the Bengals dominated the Browns 24-6 to remain alive within the AFC wild-card race. One of many groups they’re tied with at 7-8, the Colts, bounced again from final week’s embarrassing loss in Denver to beat the Titans 38-30. Jonathan Taylor dominated for Indianapolis, dashing for 218 yards and three scores.

Because of to a different terrific day from Sam Darnold (246 passing yards, three touchdowns) and Justin Jefferson (144 receiving yards and two scores) the Vikings held off the Seahawks in Seattle 27-24. Detroit beat Chicago 34-17 due to some orchestrated stumbling from Jared Goff in one of many extra inventive play designs you’ll see. The Lions’ thirteenth win additionally set a franchise report.

The Payments handed the Patriots their twelfth lack of the season, 24-21, and the Dolphins saved their skinny playoff hopes alive with a 29-17 win over the 49ers, who have been eradicated from competition earlier within the day. Identical goes for the Cowboys, who will formally watch the postseason from house for the primary time in 4 years.

Right here’s what we discovered throughout Week 16 within the NFL:

AFC probably runs by means of Arrowhead

The AFC playoff image isn’t fairly set, however the high seven groups like the place they’re at.

These already clinched: the Chiefs, Payments, Steelers, Ravens and Texans. In the meantime, the Chargers and Broncos are in wonderful positions to lock up wild-card berths.

For Kansas Metropolis to clinch the No. 1 seed, the Chiefs need to win simply considered one of their remaining two video games: at Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, or at Denver in Week 18.

The Payments’ solely path to the highest spot would require two straight Kansas Metropolis losses, one thing that hasn’t occurred since final December. At 12-3, Buffalo appears just like the No. 2 seed.

The Steelers and Ravens — each 10-5 — are in a dogfight for the AFC North crown, the winner of which probably finally ends up because the No. 3 seed. Because the two cut up their regular-season sequence, Pittsburgh has the sting as a result of a barely higher convention report. However the Steelers have the more durable two-game end: They host the Chiefs, then face a surging Bengals workforce clinging to hope.

The Ravens, in the meantime, are on the Texans on Christmas Day, then host the Browns in Week 18.

As for the remaining wild-card spots, yet another win from the Broncos locks up the sphere: The Chargers could be the No. 6 seed and Denver could be No. 7 (the AFC North runner-up would probably find yourself because the 5 seed). The Broncos are in Cincinnati subsequent weekend, then end with the Chiefs, who may very properly have the highest seed wrapped up and will take into account resting some starters forward of one other playoff run.

A victory in both of their two remaining video games would give the Broncos the franchise’s first playoff berth for the reason that 2015 season, when the workforce went on to win Tremendous Bowl 50.

The three groups hoping for a miracle? The Colts, Dolphins and Bengals, every 7-8 and in want of a number of assist to make it into the sphere.

14 wins, opening on the street?

Image this: A Week 18 sport through which the Lions-Vikings winner not solely earns the NFC North title but additionally the convention’s high seed and playoff bye. And the loser — a 14-win workforce — would fall to the 5 seed and open the postseason as guests.

It’s wanting all of the extra probably after the Eagles’ loss on Sunday. However keep in mind, the Vikings beating the Packers subsequent week is not any certain factor. If Minnesota have been to lose, Detroit would clinch the highest seed with a win over San Francisco.

That leaves Philadelphia (12-3) within the No. 2 spot, probably internet hosting seventh-seeded Washington on wild-card weekend.

The Rams are the shock of the convention; their late-season surge has them in place to assert one other NFC West title and wrap up the No. 3 seed. Win their remaining two — house video games in opposition to the Cardinals and Seahawks — and Los Angeles will clinch it.

The Seahawks are nonetheless alive within the NFC West race, however they’ll want some assist to sneak previous the Rams. And even when L.A. loses its Week 18 sport in opposition to Seattle and each groups end with equivalent data, the Rams would all however assuredly win the tiebreaker as a result of energy of victory. (The Rams additionally gained the season’s earlier assembly.)

The NFC South champ — both the Bucs or Falcons — will probably end with the No. 4 seed. Inexperienced Bay (10-4), in the meantime, can clinch a playoff berth with a win Monday evening in opposition to New Orleans.

Whereas nonetheless alive within the NFC East by advantage of Sunday’s win over the Eagles, the Commanders, on the very least, have a stranglehold on the NFC’s No. 7 spot and are near locking up what could be the franchise’s first playoff berth in 4 years. Washington’s 10 wins this season are also tied for the membership’s most since 1991.

Will late-season surge save McCarthy?

Because the Cowboys spherical into form in late December, it’s a must to marvel: Whereas it’s too late to earn a playoff berth, is it too late for Mike McCarthy to avoid wasting his job?

Proprietor Jerry Jones has been adamant that he’s but to decide on McCarthy, whose five-year contract ends after the season. If this 12 months was speculated to be about playoff success, McCarthy hasn’t helped himself on that entrance — the Cowboys have been eradicated from competition Sunday afternoon. However Dallas, besieged by accidents for a lot of the 12 months and affected by a spotty protection, appears to have lastly discovered its footing, even with star quarterback Dak Prescott watching from the coaches’ sales space. Jones stated lately he hasn’t dominated out a contract extension for McCarthy and burdened the season’s remaining stretch will weigh heavy in his determination.

And Jones, regardless of public notion, has really change into fairly affected person with head coaches. Bear in mind, he saved Jason Garrett for 9 seasons.

“I don’t assume that’s loopy in any respect,” Jones informed a Dallas radio station in late November when requested a couple of potential McCarthy contract extension. “That’s not loopy. Hear, Mike McCarthy is an impressive coach. … It is a Tremendous Bowl-winning coach.”

Little question, this workforce is taking part in properly and taking part in exhausting for McCarthy down the stretch.

Take Sunday evening’s wild win over the Bucs. Tampa Bay threatened to erase a nine-point deficit within the remaining three minutes, however Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland swiped the soccer out of Rachaad White’s fingers after a loopy completion from Baker Mayfield with 1:40 left. That sealed Dallas’ 26-24 victory, the Cowboys’ fourth win in 5 weeks. McCarthy’s performed it with a backup quarterback in Cooper Rush.

Dallas is 7-8 and can end with a pair of division video games in opposition to Philadelphia and Washington.

Giants eye No. 1

The Giants would possibly quickly be on the clock.

New York’s 34-7 stinker Sunday in Atlanta, coupled with the Raiders’ house win over the Jaguars, means the Giants have sole possession of the league’s worst report. With two extra losses, they might safe the franchise’s first No. 1 draft choose since 1965.

The Giants will host a Colts workforce subsequent week combating for its playoff life, then will end the common season in Philadelphia, the place the Eagles will almost certainly be jockeying for postseason place. At 2-13, the Giants are a sport away from the Raiders, Jaguars, Titans, Browns and Patriots, all of which have gained three video games.

It’s been an abysmal season for New York: Sunday’s loss was the workforce’s tenth in a row, a franchise report. A Week 18 loss in Philly would depart the Giants winless of their division for a whole season — one thing that’s by no means occurred within the workforce’s 99 years of existence. And never since 1965 have the Giants completed with the league’s worst report.

The comfort prize appears to be one of many two high quarterbacks within the draft: Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward.

(Picture of Justin Jefferson: Steph Chambers / Getty Photographs)