Week 16 concluded with a clear indication of which teams will make it to the playoffs and which ones are still fighting for the spot. These are the key takeaways from this gameweek.

1. Carolina Panthers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Panthers won a 23-20 matchup against their division rival Buccaneers. Bryce Young executed a 22-yard touchdown pass to Tetairoa McMillan, and gave the Panthers a 13-10 lead. He scored another in the third quarter with Ja'Tavion Sanders and made a 34-yard pass to Jalen Coker. 

The Buccaneers, struggling for six weeks and publicly ranted against by their own coach, Todd Bowles, performed fine. Mike Evans scored a touchdown, but failed to keep up with their opponents. Baker Mayfield was intercepted due to miscommunication between him and Evans, and fell to the Panthers.

1. Buffalo Bills vs Cleveland Browns

Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders made a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Harold Fannin Jr. in the opening drive. He was intercepted twice and failed to perform well despite starting out well.

For their 11th win this season, the Bills defeated the Browns 23-20. Josh Allen completed 12 passing attempts out of 19 for 130 yards. In the first half, James Cook covered 100 yards and scored two touchdowns on nine carries for the Bills. 

The Bills clinched a spot in the playoffs after week 16. According to Next Gen Stats, the Bills’ chances of facing the Patriots (12 - 3) for the AFC East at 34 per cent. But the Colts must lose on Monday if the Bills wish to get the chance.

1. Dallas Cowboys vs Los Angeles Chargers

The Cowboys are officially eliminated from the playoff race. Although both teams were giving each other a hard time, the Chargers eventually won 34-17 and are still fighting to make it to the playoffs. The turning point came right before halftime when Justin Herbert made a 1-yard touchdown run. Despite George Pickens’ 38-yard touchdown catch and four catches in 86 yards, the Cowboys let the match slip through. In the second half, the Cowboys dropped the ball on three possessions and couldn’t recover. 

1. Kansas City Chiefs vs Tennessee Titans

For the first time in a decade and Patrick Mahomes’ career, the Chiefs did not make it to the playoffs. Mahomes, injured and out for the season, was replaced by Garden Minshew, who played for a quarter before injuring his knee.

Meanwhile, Titans’ Cam Ward gave his best overall game yet. He made a 30-yard throw at Chimere Dike in the third quarter after escaping a sack attempt. He scored two touchdowns with a completion rate of 75 per cent. 

1. Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos

Both the Jaguars and the Broncos have a chance to take a spot in the playoffs. But the Jaguars won 34-20 against the Broncos and edged closer. All the units of Jaguars performed well, but the defence pulled through when it was needed the most. They forced two fourth-down stops, including an interception, and won their sixth consecutive game.

While Bo Nix fell short, Trevor Lawrence scored in six of seven possessions and turned a 10-7 deficit into a 34-17 lead. 

1. Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions

While the Steelers are still fighting, their 29-24 victory has pushed the Lions further below. Thanks to Aaron Rodgers, their playoff hope are well and thriving. The veteran played exceptionally well and threw a 45-yard touchdown to Kenneth Gainwell and completed 27 of 41passes for 266 yards. 

Meanwhile, the Lions’ Jared Goff struggled and completed 4 of 12 attempts for 36 yards. He was sacked twice by the Steelers.

1. New England Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens

The Patriots, already headed to the playoffs, celebrated another win. This time against the Baltimore Ravens. After a close 28-24 match, the Ravens have a minuscule chance of making the playoffs.

Drake Maye passed a 37-yard touchdown to rookie Kyle Williams, as first 300-yard game of his career. He also made a short pass to Stefon Diggs, resulting in a fourth down for a 21-yard gain. Rhamondre Stevenson charged into the end zone on a 21-yard game-winning touchdown. 

Jackson Lamar had missed three games before he walked off the field with a back injury. Early in the fourth quarter, the Ravens were leading 24-13, but watched Maye and his team turnover the entire thing.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das