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NFL Nation, ESPN
Week 16 of the NFL season began Thursday evening with the Los Angeles Rams strengthening their playoff hopes whereas placing an enormous dent within the New Orleans Saints’ postseason aspirations.
To kick off a two-game Saturday schedule, the Pittsburgh Steelers routed the Cincinnati Bengals, whose playoff hopes additionally took a success. Later, the Buffalo Payments took management of their playoff future with a slender victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, who had been taking part in their first sport since firing coach Brandon Staley and normal supervisor Tom Telesco final week.
The motion continued Sunday with a Detroit Lions win over the Minnesota Vikings that locked up the NFC North title, an enormous sport by Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco and WR Amari Cooper and a go-ahead TD by the Seattle Seahawks within the final minute to maintain their playoff hopes alive. The Miami Dolphins beat the Dallas Cowboys with a walk-off discipline aim, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handed the Jacksonville Jaguars their fourth straight loss. And the New England Patriots rode a 56-yard discipline aim as time expired to beat the Denver Broncos within the evening sport.
On Christmas Day, the slate proceeded with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs getting shocked at residence by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Philadelphia Eagles eked out a win towards the New York Giants, but it surely was too shut for consolation. The Baltimore Ravens ended Week 16 with a powerful win on the San Francisco 49ers to say sole possession of the league’s greatest report.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every sport and choosing out who — or what — is rising and falling for each group. Let’s get to it.
Soar to a matchup:
NO-LAR | CIN-PIT | BUF-LAC | IND-ATL
SEA-TEN | DET-MIN | CLE-HOU | GB-CAR
WSH-NYJ | JAX-TB | ARI-CHI | DAL-MIA
NE-DEN |LV-KC | NYG-PHI | BAL-SF
Ravens
Why is the victory over the 49ers the Ravens’ greatest of the season? This clearly provides Baltimore the title of greatest group within the NFL with two weeks remaining. The Ravens have received 5 straight and have the league’s greatest report at 12-3. The extra vital a part of this victory is that Baltimore can now clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed Sunday, when the Ravens host the Dolphins. The Ravens have been the highest seed solely as soon as of their 27 years of existence. For a franchise that has one playoff victory in Lamar Jackson’s first 5 seasons, it might be big to have home-field benefit within the postseason.
Refill after the win: WR Zay Flowers. After being held to a season-low 7 yards receiving, Flowers produced 9 receptions for 72 yards and one landing. The rookie first-round decide now has 4 touchdowns in his previous 4 video games.
Inventory down after the win: The Ravens’ run sport. Within the first sport with out explosive rookie working again Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore’s working backs totaled 41 yards on 17 carries (2.4-yard common). Jackson led the Ravens in speeding (46 yards) for the seventh time this season, together with the third straight sport. — Jamison Hensley
Subsequent sport: vs. Dolphins (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
49ers
What does this loss imply for the 49ers’ playoff positioning? The Niners bought luck over the previous couple of weeks, as losses by the Eagles and Cowboys gave them a sport to play with within the race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. However the 49ers’ margin for error is now razor-thin if they need the NFC’s postseason to undergo Levi’s Stadium. San Francisco can nonetheless wrap up the highest spot with wins in its closing two video games (at Washington, vs. the Rams), or with a win and a few assist. However the 49ers now should decide up the items of a lopsided loss, hope left deal with Trent Williams (groin) heals shortly, and fly throughout the nation on a brief week. Suffice to say, nothing will come straightforward over the season’s closing two weeks.
Refill after the loss: RB Christian McCaffrey. There wasn’t a lot good for the Niners however McCaffrey was his typical, productive self, posting 131 scrimmage yards and a landing as he set franchise information for essentially the most consecutive 100-yard scrimmage video games and for essentially the most 100-yard scrimmage video games in a season.
Inventory down after the loss: QB Brock Purdy. Purdy has principally taken excellent care of the ball, however that did not occur in any respect Monday evening as he threw 4 interceptions in what was simply the worst sport of his younger profession. — Nick Wagoner
Subsequent sport: at Commanders (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Eagles
Ought to the Eagles be inspired or involved after this win? They ended a three-game slide, and so they might simply win out with a house sport towards the Arizona Cardinals and a go to to the Giants remaining on the schedule. The Cowboys have misplaced two straight, placing the NFC East crown inside Philadelphia’s grasp. However this Eagles group is liable to premature errors, and it almost value Philly once more towards an inferior opponent. It’s going to take greater than an angst-ridden win over the Giants to generate postseason confidence.
Refill after the win: LB Shaquille Leonard. Getting the beginning with Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow sidelined as a result of damage, the previous All-Professional registered his first sack because the 2020 season and added two tackles for loss and a quarterback hit. If Leonard, who has been hampered by again points, can resemble something near his outdated self down the stretch, it might be an enormous growth for the Eagles.
Inventory down after the win: WR Olamide Zaccheaus. The particular groups have been superb, however there was an enormous blunder to start out the second half when Zaccheaus bumped into returner Boston Scott, inflicting him to fumble. The Giants scored on the following possession, tightening a sport that for a second gave the impression to be heading towards a blowout. — Tim McManus
Subsequent sport: vs. Cardinals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Giants
Who do the Giants begin at QB shifting ahead? Brian Daboll would not decide to Tyrod Taylor or Tommy DeVito following Monday’s loss, saying it was too early to inform. “Speak about that this week,” the coach mentioned. The Giants have two video games remaining, each at residence, versus the Rams and the Eagles. Taylor in all probability provides the Giants the most effective likelihood to win. He was the higher of the 2 quarterbacks on Monday. However Taylor is not prone to be again subsequent season, and it may gain advantage the group extra to start out DeVito and provides him extra sport expertise, as DeVito may very well be the backup subsequent season.
Refill after the loss: WR Darius Slayton. He continues to be the main receiver on the group regardless of what number of different choices the Giants add to the roster. Slayton scored a 70-yard landing to once more present he has big-play potential. All they need to do is give him the possibility.
Inventory down after the loss: DL Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Giants cannot have one in all their greatest defensive gamers placing up duds. He had zero tackles and one QB hit Monday, every week after a one-tackle efficiency towards the Saints. — Jordan Raanan
Subsequent sport: vs. Rams (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Raiders
Has Antonio Pierce earned the full-time teaching job? Nearly. There is no query the Raiders have performed higher underneath Pierce since he changed Josh McDaniels on Halloween, going 4-3. However there’s nonetheless the style of a 3-0 residence loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Raider Nation’s mouth. There are nonetheless two winnable video games to go — on the Indianapolis Colts and at residence towards the Denver Broncos — for Pierce to totally lay his declare, and as he mentioned with tears in his eyes after his win over the Chiefs, issues will deal with themselves in due time.
Refill after the win: The go rush. Las Vegas, led by defensive finish Malcolm Koonce’s three sacks, sacked Patrick Mahomes 4 occasions. The Raiders saved Mahomes off stability lengthy sufficient that by the point he discovered his groove, it was too late for the Chiefs.
Inventory down after the win: QB Aidan O’Connell. The rookie quarterback’s play was uneven at greatest — he didn’t full a go after the primary quarter. He went 9-of-21 for 62 yards and a career-low passer score of fifty.3. With higher play from O’Connell, the Raiders would have received this sport by a landslide, due to the protection. — Paul Gutierrez
Subsequent sport: at Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Do the Chiefs have time to repair their many offensive issues? The Chiefs have been turning the ball over, dropping passes and committing penalties all season. Now, with safety issues towards the Raiders, that is so much to scrub up in a brief period of time. If the Chiefs have made no progress in fixing these points by means of 15 video games, it isn’t cheap to suppose they’ll do it in time for the playoffs. Refill after the loss: The protection did its job. Each of the Raiders’ touchdowns got here when the Chiefs had the ball. Inventory down after the loss: Mahomes. He was underneath strain on a lot of his dropbacks, and his receivers weren’t getting open on quite a lot of their routes, however he additionally needs to be higher. Mahomes had a hand in each of the Chiefs’ turnovers/Raiders’ touchdowns. — Adam Teicher Subsequent sport: vs. Bengals (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET) How does this have an effect on the Patriots’ draft place? The Patriots, who entered the evening within the No. 2 spot, now drop to No. 4. It is Chicago (from Carolina), Arizona, Washington within the prime three spots, then New England and the Chargers. This was an evening wherein the Patriots lastly discovered their offense — 20 factors within the third quarter had been essentially the most they’ve had in 1 / 4 since Week 17 of the 2021 season, once they had 21 towards the Jaguars. As a part of that output, they scored touchdowns six seconds aside, which ties the shortest span between two TDs in Patriots historical past (2013 vs. Ravens, 2014 vs. Bengals), based on the Elias Sports activities Bureau. Refill after the win: Christian Barmore. The third-year defensive deal with had three sacks and 7 tackles (two for a loss) as he continues to ascend in the most effective season of his profession. Inventory down after the win: Punt protection. A 52-yard punt return and a late penalty had been among the many notable miscues. — Mike Reiss Subsequent sport: at Payments (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Did the Broncos’ offense simply crater the group’s playoff probabilities? Nearly actually sure, given the Broncos’ AFC report is 4-6 and they’re 7-8 general. The Broncos had received 5 in a row to get into the postseason dialog, however they’ve misplaced three of their previous 4 and now have a 2% likelihood to make it. The Broncos erased a 23-7 deficit within the fourth quarter as Russell Wilson led two lengthy scoring drives, and so they made each 2-point conversions to tie it with 2:53 left. However the Patriots’ Chad Ryland kicked a 56-yard discipline aim for the profitable rating. Refill after the loss: TE Lucas Krull. Krull, who has spent a lot of the season on the apply squad, had his first multicatch sport and the primary landing reception of his profession. The Broncos entered the sport with the second-fewest catches within the league amongst tight ends with 31. Inventory down after the loss: WR Jerry Jeudy. On an evening when essentially the most constant participant on the offense — Courtland Sutton — was injured, Jeudy had a chance to fill the void, however he didn’t have a goal or a catch till a 13-yard reception with 9:09 left. — Jeff Legwold Subsequent sport: vs. Chargers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET) Does this imply the Dolphins can beat good groups? Miami had misplaced all three of its video games towards groups with profitable information coming into Week 16. The Dolphins helped their trigger Sunday with a gritty win, holding off a late comeback by the visiting Cowboys. The victory secured a playoff berth for the second straight season and is probably going to present this group confidence heading into a possible division-clinching sport towards the Ravens in Week 17. Refill after the win: Ok Jason Sanders. The Dolphins’ longtime kicker entered the sport simply 6-of-16 from 50 or extra yards since 2021, however he nailed kicks of 57, 54 and 52 yards — in addition to a 29-yarder to win the sport with time expiring. Inventory down after the win: Receiver depth/well being. Wideout Jaylen Waddle had a minimum of eight targets and 4 catches in every of his earlier 5 video games. However after he caught a 50-yard go on the Dolphins’ opening drive, eye and shin accidents pressured him out of the sport on two separate events. That was his lone reception on 4 targets. — Marcel Louis-Jacques Subsequent sport: at Ravens (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Is there something the Cowboys can do of their closing two video games to vary the notion that they can not win on the street? Most likely not. The loss all however ensures the Cowboys would be the NFC’s fifth seed, which implies they are going to possible need to win three street video games to get to the Tremendous Bowl. Historical past just isn’t on their aspect. The Cowboys have by no means gone to a Tremendous Bowl once they had a shedding report on the street within the common season. With this loss, the most effective they’ll do away from house is 4-5. Refill after the loss: DE DeMarcus Lawrence. He didn’t report an official stat by means of three quarters however confirmed why stats do not decide a participant’s price. Lawrence was essentially the most impactful defender for the Cowboys, repeatedly slicing into the backfield to disrupt Miami’s offense in each the run and go video games. Inventory down after the loss: Third-down offense. Per week after going 5-of-13 on third downs versus the Payments, the Cowboys had been simply 3-of-11 towards the Dolphins. That is the fifth time in eight street video games the Cowboys haven’t transformed greater than 40% of their third downs. — Todd Archer Subsequent sport: vs. Lions (Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET) How will the Bears overcome their self-inflicted fourth-quarter roller-coaster rides? One play after a 39-yard scramble by Justin Fields, the quarterback threw a baffling crimson zone interception that prevented the Bears (forward 24-10) from icing the sport with a three-score lead within the fourth quarter. The complete Fields’ expertise — coupled with a holding penalty on security Jaquan Brisker that negated a fourth-down cease — allowed the Cardinals to attain on the following drive and minimize the Bears’ result in eight. Chicago’s sixth win doubles its whole from a 12 months in the past, however these fourth-quarter points have grow to be method too predictable. The Bears displayed a balanced offensive assault and one other strong defensive efficiency, however this group nonetheless wants to determine end off opponents.
Refill after the win: RB Khalil Herbert. The third-year again made essentially the most of his first begin in three weeks with D’Onta Foreman inactive (private). Herbert rushed for a season-high 112 yards and ran in his first landing of the season. Most significantly, the burst that Herbert had displayed previous to an ankle damage that landed him on injured reserve throughout Weeks 6-10 was again on show. Inventory down after the win: Finish-of-half execution. The Bears would have gone into halftime with a three-score lead had it not been for Arizona RB James Conner working in a wide-open landing late within the second quarter. Chicago was penalized thrice underneath the two-minute warning and went three-and-out on consecutive drives (six whole passes, zero referred to as runs after speeding for 117 yards within the first half). — Courtney Cronin Subsequent sport: vs. Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Why are the Cardinals struggling within the passing sport? It is a mixture of issues, but it surely comes right down to this: QB Kyler Murray performed simply his sixth sport of the season Sunday, so he is nonetheless making an attempt to determine work together with his receivers and on this offense, and Arizona lacks a big-bodied pass-catcher it might go to in clutch conditions to make a play. Refill after the loss: Ok Matt Prater. The kicker took the NFL lead in 50-yard discipline objectives with a 55-yarder within the third quarter, giving him 9 (and solely two misses). Inventory down after the loss: The passing sport. Arizona accounted for simply 208 passing yards towards the Bears — after tallying simply 4 yards till about halfway by means of the second quarter. Murray threw for 85 yards within the first half and 123 within the second half. — Josh Weinfuss Subsequent sport: at Eagles (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) With the Saints’ loss and Bucs’ win, how do Tampa Bay’s playoff probabilities look? The Bucs put collectively arguably their most full sport with a dominant efficiency on protection towards the Jaguars, scoring two touchdowns off turnovers. Now the Bucs’ path to a 3rd consecutive division title has been laid out: beat the Saints subsequent week or the Panthers in Week 18. Even with a loss in both sport, the Bucs would win the tiebreaker over the Atlanta-New Orleans victor. Refill after the win: The protection. Security Antoine Winfield Jr. recorded an interception, a sack and a fumble restoration that had been pressured by cornerback Zyon McCollum. Inside linebacker Devin White had a first-quarter interception, outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby had 1.5 sacks, two tackles for a loss, a pressured fumble and a fumble restoration, and inside linebacker Lavonte David had a sack and a TFL. Inventory down after the win: Any and all oddsmakers. The Bucs had solely a 16% likelihood to make the playoffs within the preseason, per ESPN Analytics, and a 23% shot coming into Week 13. — Jenna Laine Subsequent sport: vs. Saints (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Is the Jaguars’ season slipping away? The Jaguars have a 65% likelihood to win the AFC South, per ESPN Analytics, regardless of their four-game shedding streak — due to Houston and Indianapolis additionally shedding Sunday. The Jaguars host 2-13 Carolina subsequent Sunday, after which the Texans and Colts play one another in Week 18. However the Jaguars are taking part in their worst soccer when it issues most, and nothing they did towards Tampa Bay provides any indication that they are near getting out of the funk. Refill after the loss: WR Elijah Cooks. Christian Kirk (core muscle) is on IR and Zay Jones didn’t play due to a hamstring damage, so the Jaguars wanted a receiver to step up. Cooks, an undrafted rookie, did for a bit within the first half, catching three passes for 38 yards — together with two that transformed third downs. Cooks has appeared in seven video games and people had been the primary catches of his profession. Inventory down after the loss: Ok Brandon McManus. He has missed 5 of his previous six discipline aim makes an attempt, together with a 52-yarder towards the Bucs that he pushed extensive proper. That was his third consecutive miss from 50-plus yards. His potential to make lengthy discipline objectives was one of many predominant causes the Jaguars signed him within the spring and minimize Riley Patterson. — Mike DiRocco Subsequent sport: vs. Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Ought to Jets proprietor Woody Johnson give kicker Greg Zuerlein a wildly costly Christmas current? Johnson owes Zuerlein — large time. The proprietor’s pregame proclamation that he is planning to retain coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas in 2024 appeared embarrassingly untimely when the Jets fell behind by some extent after blowing a 20-point lead. However Zuerlein, having a profession 12 months, saved everybody with a 54-yard discipline aim within the closing seconds. Johnson would not have reneged on his dedication as he believes in his management group regardless of a 6-9 report, however it might’ve been a poor optic. Refill after the win: RB Breece Corridor. Having fun with a late-season revival, Corridor recorded the primary multitouchdown sport of his profession. He completed with 191 yards from scrimmage (95 speeding, 96 receiving), displaying what the often moribund offense can do when Corridor is producing at an elite degree. Inventory down after the win: The protection. After a dominant first half, the protection collapsed by permitting 21 straight factors to fall behind. This was almost a basic letdown, fueled by expensive penalties and poor situational consciousness. The Jets had no solutions for backup QB Jacoby Brissett. — Wealthy Cimini Subsequent sport: at Browns (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET) Ought to the Commanders begin Jacoby Brissett subsequent week? Brissett performed effectively in aid of Sam Howell for the second consecutive week, main landing drives on 5 of the six drives he has performed. The offense has stagnated underneath Howell. Previously two video games, he has accomplished a mixed 17 of 48 passes for 158 yards, one landing and three interceptions. It will assist Howell to observe Brissett — and it might assist whomever the subsequent coach is to find out whether or not the problems had been on Howell or others.
Refill after the loss: RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. He ran laborious, gaining 58 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 10 carries, and he confirmed that he may very well be a much bigger a part of Washington’s future. Inventory down after the loss: Particular groups. Washington had a punt blocked, misplaced a fumble on the finish of a 24-yard run and dedicated a penalty on fourth-and-3, giving the Jets new life and main to a different landing. — John Keim Subsequent sport: vs. 49ers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Is Geno Smith getting again to type? Smith was a bit off within the first half, throwing for less than 69 yards with suspect accuracy. Then he shrugged off no matter rust he was coping with from the 2 video games he missed with a groin damage, catching fireplace within the second half. Smith (25-of-36, 227 yards) led two fourth-quarter landing drives, together with the sport winner with a minute left. He has had such an up-and-down season that his future in Seattle past 2023 is in query, however this was the kind of robust efficiency that may put that dialog on maintain. And it retains the Seahawks’ playoff hopes very a lot alive, with two winnable video games remaining vs. Pittsburgh and at Arizona. Refill after the win: WR DK Metcalf. Metcalf’s one-handed landing catch within the fourth quarter provides him six scores up to now six video games and eight for the season. He completed with 4 catches for 56 yards and likewise drew a go interference penalty to arrange the game-winning landing. Inventory down after the win: Seattle’s self-discipline. Probably the most penalized group within the NFL coming into Sunday, the Seahawks had been flagged six occasions for 47 yards, together with a go interference (Tre Brown) and pointless roughness (Artie Burns) on Tennessee’s go-ahead landing drive within the fourth quarter. — Brady Henderson Subsequent sport: vs. Steelers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET) Ought to the Titans play for a greater draft place? A lot is on the road for the Titans, despite the fact that they’re assured a shedding report. Roughly 20 potential free brokers on the Titans wish to present their worth to the remainder of the league, and different gamers like QB Will Levis wish to spin momentum into subsequent season. Ending the 12 months on a excessive word can change the tone of the offseason. It additionally would not damage for the Titans to get an opportunity to make it more durable for his or her AFC South rivals to make the playoffs with video games towards the Texans on the street and at residence towards the Jaguars. Refill after the loss: RB Derrick Henry. Henry had a a lot better day than final week, as he completed with 19 carries for 88 yards, alongside together with his 89th profession speeding landing. He additionally added his fifth profession passing landing. Inventory down after the loss: QB Ryan Tannehill. Making his first begin since Week 6, Tannehill accomplished 18 of his 26 go makes an attempt for 152 yards on Sunday. But it surely was clear that he was rusty, as proven by how he ceaselessly threw behind receivers, forcing them to take large hits at occasions. — Turron Davenport Subsequent sport: at Texans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) 0:57 Chiefs’ miscues result in 2 Raiders’ defensive TDs in 7 seconds The Raiders protection scores back-to-back touchdowns after Isiah Pacheco fumbles, instantly adopted by a Patrick Mahomes pick-six. How good can the Packers’ offense be now that Aaron Jones is wholesome? Certain, it was towards the lowly Panthers, however Jones confirmed the dynamic that the Packers have missed because the opener. That was the final time a person participant had a 100-yard sport from scrimmage, and it was Jones on that day, too. On Sunday, Jones (who has handled hamstring and knee accidents) went for 135 whole yards (together with 127 speeding for Inexperienced Bay’s first 100-yard speeding sport this season). The Packers had been the one group coming into Week 16 that didn’t have a number of 100-yard particular person video games this season. Refill after the win: TE Tucker Kraft. Kraft hasn’t let the damage to Luke Musgrave decelerate the Packers’ tight finish manufacturing. Kraft caught 4 passes for 60 yards, together with a 20-yarder that arrange the game-winning rating within the closing minute. Inventory down after the win: All facets of the protection. Per week after permitting the Bucs’ Baker Mayfield to carve them up, the Packers let rookie Bryce Younger throw for 311 yards, whereas the Panthers’ offense totaled 393 yards and 4 touchdowns following a two-week stretch wherein they hadn’t scored a single offensive TD. — Rob Demovsky Subsequent sport: at Vikings (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET) Did Bryce Younger show he might be efficient underneath heart, together with on a quarterback sneak? It is nonetheless child steps, however sure. Younger hadn’t gotten an opportunity on a sneak earlier than Sunday for concern his measurement (5-foot-10, 204 kilos) can be a hindrance. The Panthers had used Andy Dalton (6-foot-5) as an alternative. Nevertheless, Younger confirmed towards the Packers he is totally succesful, gaining 2 yards on fourth-and-1 to maintain a drive alive. Carolina has used Younger extra underneath heart of late, which opened up play-action passing that led to a career-high 311 yards Sunday. Refill after the loss: TE Tommy Tremble. The third-year tight finish had 4 catches for a career-high 59 yards after having 16 catches for 118 yards over the primary 14 video games — and not more than 35 yards receiving in a sport his first three seasons. Inventory down after the loss: Ok Eddy Pineiro. Carolina’s kicker missed two additional factors every week after kicking three discipline objectives (together with the sport winner as time expired) to earn NFC Particular Groups Participant of the Week honors. — David Newton Subsequent sport: at Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Can the Browns maintain airing it out like this? With Joe Flacco’s large, correct arm, completely. Flacco set the tone in Houston with a 53-yard completion to Amari Cooper on the opening drive, essentially the most air yards (45) on a Browns completion this season. Flacco got here again within the second quarter with a 75-yard scoring strike to Cooper off play-action and a 21-yard landing dime to tight finish David Njoku by means of site visitors. The Browns are abruptly a dynamic downfield passing group, with Cooper, Njoku and others making performs — and Flacco, 38, zinging the ball round prefer it’s 2012 yet again. Refill after the win: WR Amari Cooper. Cooper joined Terrell Owens as the one different NFL participant with 200-yard receiving performances for 3 totally different franchises, whereas changing into the primary Cleveland participant to submit back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Inventory down after the win: Particular groups. The Browns gave up a 98-yard kickoff return landing to Dameon Pierce and misplaced dependable kicker Dustin Hopkins to a hamstring damage on the identical play. They went for 2 factors following each landing after Hopkins departed. — Jake Trotter Subsequent sport: vs. Jets (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET) Ought to the Texans swap to Davis Mills if C.J. Stroud is out any longer? Sure. Case Keenum’s run has been shaky at greatest, because the offense in two video games averaged 9.5 factors, and three of these factors got here of their time beyond regulation win towards the Tennessee Titans. Keenum went 11-of-17 for 62 yards with two interceptions earlier than coach DeMeco Ryans put Mills in to complete the sport with the rating out of hand. The Texans (250 yards) had been outgained by Browns receiver Amari Cooper, who had 265 receiving yards. So long as Stroud is out, they need to a minimum of strive Mills. Refill after the loss: CB Derek Stingley Jr. Stingley had one other interception, his fifth of the season. That is 5 in eight video games. Inventory down after the loss: The go protection. Browns quarterback Joe Flacco handed for 368 yards and three touchdowns, and Amari Cooper had two TDs. — DJ Bien-Aime Subsequent sport: vs. Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) What does profitable the NFC North imply for the postseason? The offense appeared robust behind a strong floor assault, and the Lions have received their first division crown because the 1993 season. With two video games remaining earlier than the postseason, Detroit has to tighten up on protection. Nick Mullens is the fourth QB to start out for the Vikings this season, and he was letting it fly towards the secondary, which ought to trigger concern for the Lions since they are going to face higher competitors within the playoffs. Refill after the win: WR Jameson Williams. The second-year receiver has continued to enhance from week to week and posted his first profession sport with a minimum of 5 receptions. He may very well be a key participant down the stretch. Inventory down after the win: Particular groups. Kicker Michael Badgley’s additional level try was blocked within the third quarter. — Eric Woodyard Subsequent sport: at Cowboys (Saturday, 8:15 p.m. ET) Is that this it for the 2023 Vikings? Nearly actually. Based on ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index, Sunday’s loss introduced the Vikings’ possibilities of making the playoffs right down to 25%. They actually have a built-in excuse, having misplaced their two most vital gamers — quarterback Kirk Cousins and receiver Justin Jefferson — to accidents for giant parts of the season. However they’re going to nearly actually rue the character of a few of their losses, nearly all of which had been by one rating. Lots of them had been aided by turnovers; they entered the week ranked third within the NFL with 29. Ultimately, the Vikings will wind up about the place everybody figured they might be — out of the playoffs — however they missed the chance for a particular season. Refill after the loss: WR Justin Jefferson. When the Vikings focused him, he was again to his outdated electrical self, together with a diving 29-yard landing reception within the second quarter that NFL Subsequent Gen Stats recorded because the lowest-probability scoring reception (21%) of his profession. Inventory down after the loss: RB Ty Chandler. Per week after thrilling Vikings followers with a 132-yard breakout sport in Cincinnati, Chandler could not get going towards a Lions protection that has been susceptible towards the run and completed with 17 yards on eight carries. — Kevin Seifert Subsequent sport: vs. Packers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET) Can the Atlanta Falcons run the desk? If Atlanta performs prefer it did Sunday — a balanced run/go assault with 406 yards of offense and a protection that had six sacks and held the Colts to 262 yards — it is potential. It’s the greatest whole sport Atlanta has performed this season, and whereas the Falcons should do it on the street, dealing with the under-.500 Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints is manageable. Playoffs or not, this could present reputable progress, together with Atlanta’s first over-.500 report since 2017 and the primary three-game profitable streak in the identical season in Arthur Smith’s three years as coach. Refill after the win: QB Taylor Heinicke. Within the first begin of Heinicke’s second stint because the Falcons’ starter, he was environment friendly, finishing 23 of 33 passes for 229 yards, one landing, no interceptions and a passer score of 99.2. Inventory down after the win: CB Jeff Okudah. The fourth-year professional seems to have been displaced by rookie cornerback Clark Phillips III within the beginning lineup after Okudah barely performed defensively and Phillips recorded three tackles with a go defended. — Michael Rothstein Subsequent sport: at Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) What does latest inconsistency say in regards to the group? The Colts confirmed up flat one week after simply disposing of the Steelers in a important win. This got here after a blowout loss the earlier week in Cincinnati. The Colts have been overachieving, and their disparate outcomes is perhaps a sign of who they are surely. One instance of how they’ve gotten essentially the most out of their season: The Colts entered with a takeaway in 19 straight video games, however they noticed that streak snapped Sunday. They’d additionally received 5 of six earlier than Sunday — the most effective report within the NFL throughout that span. Now, Indianapolis has misplaced two of three on the flawed time and its playoff probabilities dropped to 42%. Refill after the loss: LB. E.J. Velocity. Though the protection was disappointing, Velocity was all around the discipline Sunday, recording a profession excessive in tackles for the second straight week. He recorded 13 whole stops after netting 10 towards Pittsburgh final week. Inventory down after the loss: Go rush. The unit entered the sport on fireplace, netting 25 sacks up to now six video games. However was stymied Sunday, recording only a lone sack and creating little strain on Heinicke. — Stephen Holder Subsequent sport: vs. Raiders (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) How regarding was this efficiency because the Payments proceed their playoff push? It is a reminder of what this season has been. Of the Payments’ 14 video games, 10 have been one-score affairs. Adequately closing out opponents has been a difficulty. James Prepare dinner’s ball safety is a matter, and the protection is permitting too many drives. Profitable is in the end what issues at this level, however Saturday confirmed this group nonetheless has issues to work on regardless of now controlling its playoff future. Refill after the win: Sam Martin. The punter has had some up-and-down video games currently, however he was key to giving the Chargers an extended discipline. Three of his 4 punts went contained in the 20-yard line, and he averaged 52.3 yards. That is a very good signal for this particular groups unit. Inventory down after the win: Passing sport. Josh Allen & Co. bought issues going once they wanted to, however the Chargers got here into this sport with one of many worst go defenses within the league. Allen accomplished simply 15 of 21 passes for 237 yards, a landing and a decide with miscues all through the sport in connecting with receivers. It stays inconsistent. — Alaina Getzenberg Subsequent sport: vs. Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Is there cause to be involved about Derwin James? James has been one of many Chargers’ greatest gamers since he was drafted in 2018, establishing himself as one of many league’s greatest safeties. However in James’ first sport because the Chargers fired coach Brandon Staley, James performed two snaps at security and 40 for the sport, each season lows. He performed many of the sport as a nickel cornerback. Below Staley, James performed the nickel position in spots, however his predominant residence was at security, making Saturday’s sport significantly shocking. Refill after the loss: Kicker Cameron Dicker. Staley earned the nickname “fourth-and-Staley” for his willingness to go for fourth-down conversions, typically leaving Dicker on the sideline. Within the first sport since Staley’s firing, Dicker made a career-high 5 discipline objectives, nearly profitable the sport for the Chargers himself. It was the primary time the Chargers made 5 discipline objectives since 2012. Inventory down after the loss: Operating again Joshua Kelley. Kelley performed a season-low 12 whole snaps, together with seven on offense. Kelley was the Chargers’ backup working again coming into this season and began two video games whereas Austin Ekeler was out with an damage, however he seems to have fallen out of favor within the Chargers’ backfield. — Kris Rhim Subsequent sport: at Broncos (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET) Who will begin at quarterback towards the Seattle Seahawks? After the sport, Mike Tomlin advised reporters it was too early to ask. Perhaps so, but it surely’s actually not too early to think about the likelihood that Mason Rudolph has earned the chance to start out once more after throwing for 279 yards and two touchdowns. QB Kenny Pickett was a restricted participant in apply this week after having TightRope surgical procedure on his proper ankle on Dec. 4. He was inactive towards the Bengals however may very well be able to play the Seahawks. Nonetheless, Rudolph performed a sensible sport and earned his first sport ball — and possibly one other begin. Refill after the win: Large receiver George Pickens. Pickens had a profession efficiency with 195 receiving yards and two touchdowns on the heels of every week wherein he was closely criticized for immaturity and a scarcity of effort, displaying that he has an impossibly excessive ceiling when he is at his greatest. Inventory down after the win: Hearth Mike Tomlin chants. Arduous to seek out a lot that went flawed in a convincing win. But it surely was a troublesome sport for any disgruntled followers who got here into Acrisure Stadium able to unleash Hearth Tomlin chants. As an alternative, the fourth quarter had 4 Mason Rudolph chants and one for Rudolph the Pink-Nosed Reindeer, one thing Steelers gamers agreed was a welcome change. — Brooke Pryor Subsequent sport: at Seahawks (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET) Does this loss finish Cincinnati’s playoff probabilities? Effectively, it actually places an enormous dent in them. The Bengals’ playoff likelihood is right down to 14% after the loss, per ESPN Analytics. But when the Bengals miss the postseason, they’ll squarely level at their AFC North report. After Saturday, the Bengals are 0-5 in divisional play. Cincinnati was swept by Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Relying on what occurs over the subsequent two weeks, even a win towards the Browns on Week 18 would possibly imply nothing for the Bengals. Refill after the loss: WR Tee Higgins. With Ja’Marr Chase out, he racked up 5 catches for 140 yards and a landing, together with an 80-yard landing within the third quarter. Inventory down after the loss: QB Jake Browning. Browning pressured the problem too typically and threw three interceptions in his worst efficiency as a starter instead of the injured Joe Burrow. — Ben Child Subsequent sport: at Chiefs (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET) Does the offense make the Rams a severe risk to make a playoff run? The Rams aren’t within the playoffs but — they have a 78% likelihood, per ESPN Analytics — however they’re taking part in like a group that would make a run. Since RB Kyren Williams returned in Week 12, this Rams group has appeared like a special group than the one which sat at 3-6 throughout its Week 10 bye. There’s “little question,” coach Sean McVay mentioned, “we’re totally different when he performs.” Los Angeles has scored a minimum of 28 factors within the 5 video games since Williams returned and has received six out of its previous seven video games, the lone loss coming towards the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens. Refill after the win: QB Matthew Stafford. The Rams quarterback has thrown a number of passing touchdowns in 5 straight video games, his longest streak since becoming a member of the Rams, based on ESPN Stats & Info. He is additionally gone 4 straight video games with out an interception, which is tied for his longest streak with Los Angeles. Inventory down after the win: Kicker Lucas Havrisik missed a 47-yard discipline aim try within the second quarter. Los Angeles has missed a league-high 11 discipline objectives. It is essentially the most by any group because the 2015 Buccaneers (11), based on ESPN Stats & Info. — Sarah Barshop Subsequent sport: at Giants (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Can the Saints regroup with playoff hopes dwindling? The Saints need to win out and get some assist to make the playoffs. Their loss uncovered points throughout each defensively (tackling) and offensively (they struggled to transform on third and fourth down). The Saints now need to journey to Tampa Bay for a divisional sport after the frustration of such a pivotal loss. How they reply will possible dictate any choices made in regards to the teaching workers or personnel as soon as the season ends. Refill after the loss: WR Chris Olave. Olave battled by means of an ankle damage that induced him to overlook Sunday’s sport and responded with a season-best 9 catches for 129 yards to get him over 1,000 receiving yards. Inventory down after the loss: CB Alontae Taylor. Taylor was benched for Ugo Amadi late within the sport, and Saints coach Dennis Allen mentioned the Rams bought Taylor “a few occasions together with his eyes.” — Katherine Terrell Subsequent sport: at Buccaneers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
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