Week 16 of the NFL season was full of excitement, drama, and playoff implications. Here are some of the highlights and lowlights from the action-packed weekend.
Dolphins secure playoff berth with walk-off field goal
The Miami Dolphins secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2016, thanks to a 22-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Jason Sanders kicked his fifth field goal of the game, a 29-yarder as time expired, to seal the win for the AFC East-leading Dolphins (11-4). Tua Tagovailoa threw for 293 yards and a touchdown, while Tyreek Hill had nine catches for 99 yards. The Dolphins beat a team with a winning record for the first time this season1.
The Cowboys (10-5), who have already clinched a playoff spot, suffered a heartbreaking loss that could cost them the NFC East title. Dak Prescott threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, but also had three turnovers, including a fumble on the goal line on Dallas’ first drive. The Cowboys also lost star receiver Keenan Allen to a hamstring injury in the first quarter1.
Lions end 30-year drought, win NFC North
The Detroit Lions ended their 30-year wait for a division title, clinching the NFC North with a 42-17 rout of the Denver Broncos on the road. The Lions (10-5) dominated the game from start to finish, scoring on their first six possessions and holding the Broncos to just three points in the first half. Jared Goff had his best game of the season, throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for a score. D’Andre Swift added 136 yards and two touchdowns on the ground2.
The Broncos (7-8), who entered the game as 10-point favorites, had no answer for the Lions’ offense. Teddy Bridgewater threw for 257 yards and a touchdown, but also tossed two interceptions and lost a fumble. The Broncos’ defense, which had been one of the best in the league, gave up 461 yards and six touchdowns to the Lions2.
Buccaneers outlast Packers in NFC showdown
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-20 in a battle of NFC heavyweights. The Buccaneers (11-4) led by as many as 21 points in the third quarter, but the Packers (10-5) rallied to cut the deficit to seven with 10 minutes left in the game. However, the Buccaneers sealed the win with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski. Brady finished with 307 yards and three touchdowns, while Gronkowski had seven catches for 123 yards and two scores3.
The Packers, who had won five straight games, could not overcome their early mistakes. Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Sean Murphy-Bunting. Rodgers also lost a fumble on a sack by Shaquil Barrett. Rodgers did throw for 341 yards and two touchdowns, but it was not enough to keep up with the Buccaneers. The Packers dropped to 10-5 and lost the top seed in the NFC to the Arizona Cardinals3.
Other notable results
- The Buffalo Bills hung on to beat the New England Patriots 33-21, vaulting themselves back into first place in the AFC East. Josh Allen threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns, while Mac Jones struggled to find openings against the Bills’ defense4.
- The Indianapolis Colts cruised past the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-13, behind a dominant performance by running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns, breaking the Colts’ single-season rushing record2.
- The Kansas City Chiefs routed the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-10 to clinch the AFC West title. Patrick Mahomes threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, while the Chiefs’ defense forced four turnovers4.
- The Dallas Cowboys celebrated the NFC East title with a 56-14 rout of the Washington Commanders. Dak Prescott threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns, while the Cowboys’ defense scored two touchdowns of its own2.
- The Baltimore Ravens edged the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7 on Sunday night, thanks to a 37-yard field goal by Justin Tucker as time expired. Lamar Jackson threw for 215 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 86 yards2.
NFL Week 16 Roundup: Dolphins clinch playoff spot, Lions win NFC North, and more
Week 16 of the NFL season was full of excitement, drama, and playoff implications. Here are some of the highlights and lowlights from the action-packed weekend.
Dolphins secure playoff berth with walk-off field goal
The Miami Dolphins secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2016, thanks to a 22-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Jason Sanders kicked his fifth field goal of the game, a 29-yarder as time expired, to seal the win for the AFC East-leading Dolphins (11-4). Tua Tagovailoa threw for 293 yards and a touchdown, while Tyreek Hill had nine catches for 99 yards. The Dolphins beat a team with a winning record for the first time this season1.
The Cowboys (10-5), who have already clinched a playoff spot, suffered a heartbreaking loss that could cost them the NFC East title. Dak Prescott threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns, but also had three turnovers, including a fumble on the goal line on Dallas’ first drive. The Cowboys also lost star receiver Keenan Allen to a hamstring injury in the first quarter1.
Lions end 30-year drought, win NFC North
The Detroit Lions ended their 30-year wait for a division title, clinching the NFC North with a 42-17 rout of the Denver Broncos on the road. The Lions (10-5) dominated the game from start to finish, scoring on their first six possessions and holding the Broncos to just three points in the first half. Jared Goff had his best game of the season, throwing for 296 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for a score. D’Andre Swift added 136 yards and two touchdowns on the ground2.
The Broncos (7-8), who entered the game as 10-point favorites, had no answer for the Lions’ offense. Teddy Bridgewater threw for 257 yards and a touchdown, but also tossed two interceptions and lost a fumble. The Broncos’ defense, which had been one of the best in the league, gave up 461 yards and six touchdowns to the Lions2.
Buccaneers outlast Packers in NFC showdown
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-20 in a battle of NFC heavyweights. The Buccaneers (11-4) led by as many as 21 points in the third quarter, but the Packers (10-5) rallied to cut the deficit to seven with 10 minutes left in the game. However, the Buccaneers sealed the win with a 12-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski. Brady finished with 307 yards and three touchdowns, while Gronkowski had seven catches for 123 yards and two scores3.
The Packers, who had won five straight games, could not overcome their early mistakes. Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Sean Murphy-Bunting. Rodgers also lost a fumble on a sack by Shaquil Barrett. Rodgers did throw for 341 yards and two touchdowns, but it was not enough to keep up with the Buccaneers. The Packers dropped to 10-5 and lost the top seed in the NFC to the Arizona Cardinals3.
Other notable results
- The Buffalo Bills hung on to beat the New England Patriots 33-21, vaulting themselves back into first place in the AFC East. Josh Allen threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns, while Mac Jones struggled to find openings against the Bills’ defense4.
- The Indianapolis Colts cruised past the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-13, behind a dominant performance by running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns, breaking the Colts’ single-season rushing record2.
- The Kansas City Chiefs routed the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-10 to clinch the AFC West title. Patrick Mahomes threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, while the Chiefs’ defense forced four turnovers4.
- The Dallas Cowboys celebrated the NFC East title with a 56-14 rout of the Washington Commanders. Dak Prescott threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns, while the Cowboys’ defense scored two touchdowns of its own2.
- The Baltimore Ravens edged the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7 on Sunday night, thanks to a 37-yard field goal by Justin Tucker as time expired. Lamar Jackson threw for 215 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for 86 yards2.
