Week 15 within the NFL season led to extra possibilities for groups to clinch their playoff berth, with the San Francisco 49ers (11-3) the one squad to have written their ticket to the postseason final week.
Three extra groups on the NFC facet joined them, although, because the Philadelphia Eagles (11-3) and Dallas Cowboys (10-4) can have an opportunity to compete for the Lombardi Trophy. Nevertheless, the NFC East squads didn’t get a win to take action.
With the Atlanta Falcons dropping in a large upset to the one-win Carolina Panthers, in addition to the 49ers caring for enterprise in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals on the highway, the Eagles have been locked right into a playoff spot earlier than kickoff on Monday night time. Sure, they received, however they went into Lumen Subject figuring out they a minimum of have been in a position to get into the playoff place.
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Micah Parsons, #11 of the Dallas Cowboys, appears on as he stretches previous to an NFL soccer sport between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Michael Owens/Getty Photos)
In the meantime, the Cowboys have been blown out by the surging Buffalo Payments, however it didn’t matter. They obtained in because of the Falcons’ loss as nicely.
Nevertheless, quarterback Dak Prescott was not joyful following the 31-10 rout that occurred at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo on Sunday night time. When requested about nonetheless clinching the playoffs, Prescott, who noticed a five-game win streak snapped, had a blunt response.
“Don’t care, to be honest,” he mentioned to the reporter.
On the opposite facet of the league, the primary AFC staff heading to the postseason is the Baltimore Ravens.
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Lamar Jackson and firm went to Jacksonville, Florida, the place the Ravens took down Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars to lock of their playoff berth. Jackson is absolutely entrenched within the MVP dialog, as Baltimore continues to roll and can see Brock Purdy and the Niners on Christmas night time to probably decide who will get the award.
Additionally price noting, the Detroit Lions (10-4) obtained again on observe, taking down the Denver Broncos on Saturday night time to place themselves in place to attend for a Seahawks loss. Nevertheless, a miraculous game-winning drive by backup quarterback Drew Lock and the Broncos led to an enormous upset that retains Seattle within the playoff race and leaves Detroit to attend one other week earlier than they get in.
The Lions wish to get within the playoffs for the primary time since 2016. Led by Jared Goff at quarterback, Detroit remains to be trying to find the franchise’s first Tremendous Bowl title.
With these spots set, let’s check out the remainder of the playoff image proper now, beginning with the NFC.
Baker Mayfield, #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, warms up earlier than a sport in opposition to the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Nov. 5, 2023 in Houston. (Tim Warner/Getty Photos)
NFC South No. 4 seed battle
The NFC South race continues to remain shut because of wins by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. The Bucs took down the Inexperienced Bay Packers, 34-20, on the highway, whereas the Saints ended the Tommy DeVito magic experience in opposition to the New York Giants within the Superdome, 24-6.
Say what you need in regards to the NFC South, however 7-7 for each of those squads makes this an attention-grabbing a part of the league to observe within the last three video games arising.
On the similar time, the Falcons will not be out of it, sitting one sport again at 6-8 after the dreadful loss to the 2-12 Panthers.
The Bucs will tackle the Jaguars, one other staff gunning for his or her division title, subsequent week. The Saints, in the meantime, have the Los Angeles Rams on a brief week earlier than these NFC South foes face off in Week 17.
Neck and neck wild playing cards
With losses by the Falcons and Packers, we now have two groups taking a look at a 6-8 document heading into Week 16. On the similar time, although, they’re only one sport out due to the Seahawks, Bucs, Saints, Minnesota Vikings and Rams all at 7-7.
In fact, the NFC South winner secures the No. 4 seed, and nobody is catching the Cowboys and Eagles for the No. 5 seed at this level within the season.
In order that leaves the No. 6 and No. 7 seeds up for grabs. Groups just like the 5-9 Giants and Chicago Bears are additionally not mathematically out of it, although they want somewhat assist.
Mitch Trubisky, #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers, appears on from the sphere throughout an NFL soccer sport in opposition to the New England Patriots at Acrisure Stadium on Dec. 7, 2023 in Pittsburgh. (Picture by Cooper Neill/Getty Photos)
AFC North outcast
The Pittsburgh Steelers proceed to spiral, falling to the Indianapolis Colts to grow to be 7-7 on the yr.
The Colts moved into the ultimate wild card spot within the AFC, whereas the Steelers moved out of playoff place. Now, they’re the one staff within the AFC North that doesn’t have a playoff spot in the meanwhile.
The Cleveland Browns, led by Joe Flacco, pulled off a second-half comeback in opposition to the Bears to maneuver to 9-5. They maintain the No. 5 seed within the AFC, whereas the Cincinnati Bengals have the No. 6 seed, as they proceed to win below Jake Browning, who took down the Vikings.
Payments rise, Broncos fall
Josh Allen and the Payments have confronted their gauntlet of a remaining schedule head on, taking down the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Cowboys to maneuver up two spots to No. 9, simply outdoors of a playoff place. The Houston Texans, who wanted an time beyond regulation area objective to beat the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, are the one staff forward of them.
Buffalo Payments quarterback Josh Allen, #17, celebrates with teammates after scoring a landing in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys through the second quarter of an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Picture/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Because the Payments went up the standings, Russell Wilson and the Broncos fell after the loss to the Lions. It has been unimaginable to see this staff come from the depths of the AFC West and sit at 7-6 going into Saturday.
Nevertheless, they’ve extra work to do in the event that they want to attain the playoffs within the first season below head coach Sean Payton.
Elimination station
Lastly, let’s pour one out for all of the groups eradicated from postseason soccer this season: the Tennessee Titans and New York Jets.
New York went with Zach Wilson once more on Sunday in opposition to the Dolphins after he shocked the Texans with 30 factors within the second half of their Week 14 matchup. Nevertheless, Wilson would go away the sport early attributable to a concussion, and Trevor Siemian didn’t stand an opportunity in opposition to the Dolphins, even with out Tyreek Hill within the sport.
The Titans gave it their all, as rookie quarterback Will Levis fought to power time beyond regulation. It was all for naught after Ka’imi Fairbairn kicked a 54-yard area objective as time expired in time beyond regulation.
Lamar Jackson, left, and Dak Prescott each clinched a playoff berth for the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, respectively. (Getty Photos)
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Transferring ahead, Levis will nonetheless get much-needed reps heading into his second NFL season, the place he often is the starter popping out of coaching camp.
