Week 16 of the NFL featured some of the biggest games we have seen in recent weeks, with the Bears and Seahawks sneaking out of overtime games with comeback victories. Then, the Jaguars proved just how real they were by taking down the Broncos by two scores. The 49ers also put themselves in a position for the top seed with a dominant win. But let’s get into our recap now. 

Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks

Easily the game of the week, the two NFC superpowers – who happen to be NFC West rivals – went head-to-head in a matchup for the ages. The Rams were in control early, with a legendary game from Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua. But the Seahawks recovered from a 16-point deficit and clawed their way back to tie it. Then, in overtime, Los Angeles scored, then Seattle did, and they got the two-point conversion to win 38-37. Despite the loss, Stafford had the game of his year, with 457 passing yards and three touchdowns, as he continues to add to his MVP season. The win brings the Seahawks to an NFL-best 12-3, and the Rams to 11-4. 

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders

The Eagles clinched the NFC East thanks to 21-straight points between the third and fourth quarters. Philadelphia would win this one 29-18 on the back of a good game from Saquon Barkley, who had 132 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Eagles improve to 10-5, while the Commanders fall to 4-11. 

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

In another elite matchup between these two teams, the Bears came out on top in this one, 22-16. The Packers were up 16-6 with only a few minutes left in the fourth quarter. However, Caleb Williams and the Bears charged down the field and kicked a field goal. Then, Chicago attempted an onside kick – and recovered it. Caleb Williams was able to get the ball to Jahdae Walker for a touchdown. In overtime, the Bears stopped the Packers before DJ Moore scored the touchdown to win it. The big victory from the Bears makes them 11-4 and all but clinches their spot atop the NFC North, while a Jordan Love-less Green Bay team dips to 9-5-1. 

Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants

For the ninth game in a row, the Giants lose, this time 16-13 to the Vikings. Minnesota was backed by a strong defense and no passing game from the Giants. The JJ McCarthy-less Vikings rise to 7-8, and New York drops to 2-13. 

Buffalo Bills vs. Cleveland Browns

James Cook was the X-factor in the Bills’ 23-20 win over the Browns. He had 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns in their victory. Cleveland made it a close game, but Buffalo’s strong first half would be the difference maker. The Bills jump to 11-4, while the Browns plummet to 3-12. 

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Chargers keep playing elite football, this time beating the Cowboys, 34-17. Despite having a broken left hand, Justin Herbert threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The win for Los Angeles brings them to 11-4, and Dallas goes down to 6-8-1. 

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Tennessee Titans

At the start of this season, nobody would’ve guessed the Chiefs would be eliminated from the Playoffs or beaten by the Titans. But both of those things came true, as the Titans whooped them, 26-9. Rookie QB Cam Ward had 228 passing yards and two touchdowns for Tennessee. Chris Oladokun and Kansas City fall to 6-9, while the Titans bump up their record to 3-12, winning just their first home game of the season. 

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins

The Bengals took care of the Dolphins easily, winning 45-21. Joe Burrow had 309 passing yards and four passing touchdowns for the Bengals. Miami drops to 6-9, and Cincinnati improves to 5-10. 

New York Jets vs. New Orleans Saints

The Saints have started to play good football at the wrong time. They won their third straight game, 29-6, against the Jets. Tyler Shough had 308 passing yards, and Chris Olave had 2 receiving touchdowns. New Orleans increases their record to 5-10, but New York plummets to 3-12. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers secured a huge victory over the Bucs, 23-20. Bryce Young led the Panthers’ offense with two passing touchdowns. Carolina kicked the go-ahead field goal with just over two minutes left in the game, before Lathan Ramson intercepted Baker Mayfield to seal the deal on the Bucs’ final drive. The win brings the Panthers to 8-7 and one step closer to the NFC South Title, while Tampa Bay falls to 7-8. 

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Denver Broncos

This might have been the most surprising result of all the games this week. The Jaguars secured their biggest win of the season against the Broncos, 34-20. Trevor Lawrence had 279 passing yards and four touchdowns in his statement victory. This huge win for Jacksonville moves them up to 11-4, and brings Denver down to 12-3. 

Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Falcons have been a struggling squad all year, but they snagged a 26-19 win over the Cardinals this week. Atlanta got a big game on the ground, with 152 rushing yards. The Falcons rise to 6-9, while Arizona sinks to 3-12. 

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions

The Steelers survived a wild finish to snag a huge victory over the Lions, 29-24. The Steelers had control of the game when the score was 22-10, then the Lions scored a touchdown, then Pittsburgh scored another touchdown, then Detroit scored again. After all that scoring, the Lions got the ball back, went down the field, and scored what should have been the game-winning touchdown to save their season. However, a penalty negated that touchdown and won the Steelers the game. Pittsburgh climbs to 9-6 with the win, and Detroit becomes 8-7. 

Las Vegas Raiders vs. Houston Texans

The Raiders looked like they might win the game, but instead, they fell 23-21 to the Texans. Houston was led by strong defensive plays that included an interception returned for a touchdown and three sacks. The win makes the Texans 10-5, as Las Vegas dips to 2-13. 

New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens

Drake Maye led the Patriots to a huge 28-24 win that puts them back into contention for the #1 Seed in the AFC. Drake Maye had 380 passing yards and two touchdowns for New England. The Patriots had two clutch drives in the fourth quarter that would win them the game. New England improves to 12-3, and the Ravens drop to 7-8. 

San Francisco 49ers vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have been in a downward spiral ever since Daniel Jones’ injury, and the 49ers only made things worse on Monday Night. Brock Purdy threw for a whopping five touchdowns in San Francisco’s 48-27 win. The 49ers offense is looking like the most dangerous in the NFC, and they have put themselves in a spot for the NFC #1 Seed. The 49ers jump to 11-4, and Indianapolis falls to 8-7. 

There are only two weeks left in the NFL season, and many teams have already clinched spots. There isn’t much room left for teams to fight for spots in the playoffs, but teams can determine where in the playoffs they will be seeded. 

In the AFC, the Patriots, Bills, Jaguars, Broncos, and Chargers have already clinched a playoff spot. The sixth spot will likely be the Steelers, unless the Ravens somehow manage to snag it. And the last spot will almost certainly be the Texans, who hold a two-game lead over the next team. 

In the NFC, the Eagles, Bears, Seahawks, 49ers, and Rams have all clinched playoff spots. One of the remaining spots will be the Panthers or the Bucs from the NFC South, but the Panthers do hold a one-game lead. The final spot will come down to the Packers and Lions, but the Packers would have to lose out for the Lions to have any chance, so the Packers will likely snag the last spot. 

Next week will feature big-time matchups, such as: 

Texans vs. Chargers

Eagles vs. Bills

Seahawks vs. Panthers

Bears vs. 49ers