There are three weeks left within the NFL common season, and the playoff spots are starting to refill. However who would get their place within the postseason, and who would lose out?
Let’s look again at Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season
The Seahawks make Historical past
We start with the NFC West. That is the closest division within the NFL, with a three-way race among the many Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. The Rams and Seahawks have been exchanging first locations over the previous few weeks. These groups met on Thursday evening in a pivotal sport within the division race.
The Rams had the primary possession of the sport however didn’t convert on fourth down, handing possession to Seattle on the Seahawks’ 39-yard line. This error could be expensive because the Sam Darnold-led offense was capable of make it all the way down to the Rams’ four-yard line shortly. Right here, Zach Charbonnet discovered the endzone for the speeding landing to present Seattle the lead.
Los Angeles may reply by scoring factors of their very own. Matthew Stafford would transfer his offense all the way down to the Seahawks’ one-yard line earlier than discovering Terrance Ferguson for the landing. Nonetheless, a penalty on this play in opposition to the Rams took the rating off the board. The group would accept a 23-yard subject objective from Harrison Mevis. Mevis would discover the uprights on the Rams’ subsequent drive as properly, giving Seattle a one-point lead.
This lead disappeared close to the tip of the second quarter as Stafford discovered Ferguson for a three-yard landing cross. This meant that at halftime, the Rams had a 13-7 lead over the Seahawks.
Seattle had the primary possession of the second half and would use it to retake the lead. Darnold and firm shortly made it to their 45-yard line earlier than Kenneth Walker discovered the endzone for a 55-yard speeding landing to present the Seahawks the lead. However, this didn’t final lengthy, as Mevis discovered the uprights from 41 yards out on the Rams’ subsequent drive at hand it again to Los Angeles.
Then, the Seahawks made an enormous mistake when Darnold threw an intercepted cross that was returned by the Rams protection to the one-yard line. One play later, Blake Cormun discovered the endzone for the speeding landing to additional the lead. The lead grew to become even bigger at the start of the fourth quarter when Stafford discovered Puka Nacua for a one-yard landing cross.
Seattle was now 16 factors down, and their first drive of the fourth quarter led to one other interception. Fortunately for them, the Rams couldn’t do something with the ball and punted it again. The Seahawks would return the punt for a landing. A profitable two-point conversion adopted, making it an eight-point sport and giving the Seahawks hope.
The scores had been tied after the subsequent drive from Seattle when Darnold discovered Barner for a 26-yard landing cross, which was adopted by one other profitable two-point conversion. It was now the Rams on the again foot, however they’d a possibility to win the sport a couple of drives later, when Mevis was confronted with a 48-yard subject objective try. This missed, and the remaining drives of the sport from each groups went nowhere, that means that we had been going to extra time.
The Rams had the primary possession of extra time and did every part proper. Stafford discovered Nacua for a 41-yard landing cross to pressure the Seahawks to match this rating in the event that they had been going to remain within the sport. The Rams matched the Seahawks, with Darnold discovering Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a four-yard landing cross. Then, the Seahawks tried a two-point conversion to win the sport. Darnold efficiently discovered E Saubert to seal a 38-37 win.
This win offers the Seahawks a playoff berth and a one-game lead within the NFC West with two video games to play. Historical past was additionally made on this sport, with the Seahawks changing into the primary group to win in extra time after their opponents scored a landing first, and the primary to win an extra time sport on a two-point conversion. Seattle may very a lot be a pressure to be reckoned with within the playoffs. As for the Rams, they fall to 11-4, however are nonetheless in rivalry for the division title.
Subsequent week, the Seahawks face the Carolina Panthers, whereas the Rams play a must-win in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Bears do it!
Two weeks in the past, the Inexperienced Bay Packers met the Chicago Bears in a basic sport, with a late interception giving the Packers the win. Nonetheless, final week’s defeat to Denver introduced the Bears again into the NFC North race, and a win right here would give them an enormous benefit. Will we see one other basic sport between these long-term rivals?
The Packers had the primary drive of the sport and obtained all the way down to the Bears’ seven-yard line. Nonetheless, a failed fourth-down conversion gave the Bears possession. On their first drive, the Bears made their approach all the way down to the Packers’ 10-yard line. Right here, a fumble on a fourth-down try additionally misplaced them possession.
Inexperienced Bay would be capable of get the primary factors of the sport on its subsequent drive. Jordan Love and the offense made their approach all the way down to the Bears’ eight-yard line earlier than stalling. This arrange Brandon McManus with a 26-yard subject objective try, which was profitable. McManus would double the Packers’ lead on their subsequent drive. Nonetheless, Love would get injured on this drive, forcing Malik Willis to be the quarterback for the remainder of the sport.
At halftime, the Packers had a 6-0 lead over the Bears, however would the change in quarterback assist or hinder the Packers’ possibilities?
The Bears had the primary possession of the second half and scored their first factors of the sport. Caleb Williams led his offense all the way down to the Packers’ 28-yard line earlier than stalling. This arrange Cairo Santos with a 46-yard subject objective try which was profitable.
The Packers seemed like extending their lead on the subsequent drive, with the group making it all the way down to the Bears’ three-yard line. Right here, a mistake occurred. Josh Jacobs fumbled the ball and misplaced each possession and the possibility to attain. Fortunately for him, the Bears did nothing with this possession, and Willis discovered Romeo Doubs for a 33-yard landing cross on their subsequent drive. This meant that, going into the fourth quarter, the Packers had a 13-6 lead over the Bears.
Chicago would reduce into this lead on their first drive of the quarter, when Santos discovered the uprights from 51 yards out. Any benefits of this had been instantly eliminated when McManus kicked a 28-yard subject objective on the subsequent drive. One other subject objective from Santos with 2 minutes left made it a one-possession sport. However, the Bears wanted to get possession to be able to have an opportunity to problem the Packers.
Chicago efficiently made an onside kick to maintain possession and to present them their scoring alternative. Williams and firm transfer down the sector to the Packers’ six-yard line. Right here, the quarterback discovered Jahdae Walker for the landing cross to stage the rating. Inexperienced Bay did nothing on the ultimate drive, that means that this sport was going to extra time.
The Packers had the primary possession of extra time and made it all the way down to the Bears’ 36-yard line. Right here, a essential fourth-down conversion needed to occur. Sadly for Inexperienced Bay, Willis fumbled the ball, and Inexperienced Bay misplaced possession. This gave the Bears an enormous alternative to win the sport.
The Bears’ offense made it all the way down to the Packers’ 46-yard line, and right here, Williams discovered DJ Moore for a 46-yard landing cross to present the Chicago Bears a 22-16 win over the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
This comeback win has been dubbed the “Windy Metropolis Miracle” and reveals that the Bears, together with the Seahawks, might be challengers in a good NFC. The Bears enhance to 11-4 with the win and have clinched a playoff spot. They lead the NFC North by two video games, and will win the division with a win subsequent week or a Packers loss. As for Inexperienced Bay, they fall to 9-5-1 and are nonetheless in playoff rivalry.
Subsequent week, the Bears face the San Francisco 49ers, whereas the Packers play the Baltimore Ravens.
Can the Jags really change into champions?
The Jacksonville Jaguars have, in the previous few weeks made themselves not solely the favorite to win the AFC South (partly due to the collapse in type of the Indianapolis Colts) and the AFC. A important rival for the latter is the Denver Broncos, whose quite a few shut wins this season have given them a powerful document coming into this sport. These groups met in a pivotal sport for playoff seeding within the AFC.
The primary three drives of the sport all led to punts, and it was the Broncos who had the primary alternative to interrupt this impasse. Led by quarterback Bo Nix, the offense made its approach all the way down to the Jaguars’ 26-yard line. Right here, the drive stalled, establishing Will Lutz with a 44-yard subject objective try, which missed, conserving the rating tied.
This impasse could be damaged on the subsequent drive by the Jags. Trevor Lawrence led his offense all the way down to the Broncos’ 12-yard line. Right here, he discovered Parker Washington for the landing cross to present them the lead. The lead didn’t final lengthy, nevertheless, as Nix would discover Courtland Sutton for a 15-yard landing cross on the subsequent drive to stage issues up.
Denver would be capable of take the lead on their subsequent drive by means of a 54-yard subject objective from Lutz. In response to this, Lawrence would discover Brenton Unusual for a three-yard landing cross to swing it again to the Jaguars. A late subject objective from Cam Little meant that at halftime, the Jaguars had a 17-10 lead over the Broncos.
The Broncos had the primary possession of the second half and would use it to stage the rating once more. Nix and firm made their approach all the way down to the Jaguars’ 38-yard line, when RJ Harvey would discover the endzone for a speeding landing to tie the sport.
The tie didn’t final lengthy, as on the primary Jags drive of the half, Lawrence discovered the endzone for a one-yard speeding landing. It grew to become a two-possession sport quickly after when Lawrence discovered Travis Etienne for a 10-yard landing cross.
The Broncos wanted to get one thing on the board on their subsequent drive in the event that they had been going to launch a fourth-quarter comeback. Sadly for them, Nix fumbled the ball on their 39-yard line and misplaced possession. The Jaguars would be capable of convert this into three extra factors through a 26-yard subject objective from Little.
The most effective Denver may do on this quarter was a 21-yard subject objective from Lutz instantly after Little made his kick. They struggled on this quarter, and the win slipped away.
The Jacksonville Jaguars had defeated the Denver Broncos 34-20.
The win improves the Jags to an 11-4 document and has sealed their spot within the playoffs. They’ve a one-game lead over the Houston Texans, however face the Colts and Titans of their final two video games. Jacksonville couldn’t solely win the division but in addition be the highest seed within the AFC if issues go its approach. As for Denver, the defeat means they fall to 12-3 for the season. They’re nonetheless the present prime seed within the AFC, however at the moment are tied with the Patriots.
Subsequent week, the Jaguars face the Colts, whereas the Broncos face the Patrick Mahomes-less Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Christmas Day.
What occurred within the different video games?
The Philadelphia Eagles confronted the Washington Commanders this week, the place a win would give the Eagles their second consecutive NFC East title. Saquon Barkley ran for 132 yards and one landing within the Eagles’ 29-18 victory to seal the division and a playoff berth for the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions.
After their win over the New England Patriots final week, the Buffalo Payments confronted the Cleveland Browns. This was not a simple sport for the Payments, however 117 yards from James Cook dinner alongside two touchdowns was sufficient to get a 23-20 win.
The Los Angeles Chargers saved themselves within the playoff race with a win over the Dallas Cowboys. Justin Herbert threw for 3000 yards and two touchdowns of their 34-17 victory. The AFC West remains to be out there for the Chargers for yet one more week.
Final week, Patrick Mahomes went down with an damage and is out for the remainder of the season. Gardner Minshew was his substitute because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs confronted the Tennessee Titans. However Minshew didn’t final lengthy within the sport and was changed by Chris Oladokun. He struggled on this sport, and the Titans dominated, recording a 26-9 win.
Former Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers made his NFL debut this week because the Miami Dolphins confronted the Cincinnati Bengals. Ewers had an ample sport, throwing for 260 yards and two interceptions. However Joe Burrow had a sport to recollect, throwing for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns within the Bengals 45-21 win.
Tyler Slough continued his good rookie season because the New Orleans Saints confronted the struggling New York Jets. He threw for 308 yards and one landing within the Saints’ 29-6 win.
The battle for the NFC South heated up this week because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers confronted the Carolina Panthers. A late subject objective from Ryan Fitzgerald gave the Panthers a 23-20 win to place them in first place within the division.
The Atlanta Falcons confronted the Arizona Cardinals this week. Kirk Cousins threw for 2 touchdowns within the Falcons’ 26-19 win.
The Pittsburgh Steelers confronted the Detroit Lions in a really tight sport. A late landing cross for the Lions would have given them the win. Nonetheless, a penalty on the play in opposition to the Lions price them the landing and the win. This gave the Steelers a 29-24 win, placing them one win away from the AFC North title.
The Houston Texans stayed within the AFC South race with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders. CJ Stroud threw for one landing and 187 yards within the Texans’ 23-21 victory.
The New England Patriots saved up with the Broncos and Payments of their respective races with a win over the Baltimore Ravens. A late landing from Rhamondre Stevenson gave the Pats a slender 28-24 victory over the Ravens.
Philip Rivers continued his shock return to soccer because the Indianapolis Colts confronted the San Francisco 49ers. Rivers threw for 2 touchdowns on this sport. However this was nothing in comparison with Brock Purdy, who threw for 5 touchdowns within the 49ers’ 48-27 win.
The New York Giants performed the Minnesota Vikings this week. The Giants’ offense barely turned up, because the Vikings gained 16-13.
Subsequent week, now we have Christmas video games (however none of them are mouth-watering affairs). We even have the Eagles going through the Payments, the Bears vs the 49ers, and the Giants face the Raiders within the battle for the primary choose.
