NFL Week 16 winners, losers: Bengals keep pace, Eagles lose late originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Week 16 intensifies the end-of-season NFL drama.
The Detroit Lions set another franchise record with a key division win, while the Washington Commanders came up late to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles.
Some results led to teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys finding out about their playoff eliminations before they even started.
Let’s take a look at the winners and losers from Sunday’s action:
WINNER: Michael Penix Jr. gets the first victory
One start, one win. After benching Kirk Cousins ​​by the Atlanta Falcons, rookie No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr. the NFC South team an important home victory against the lowly New York Giants.
Penix Jr. wasn’t great, completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards, no touchdowns and one pick (which was on Kyle Pitts). But he got help from Bijan Robinson, who rushed for 94 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns in the 34-7 loss. Atlanta will continue to battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the division title.
LOSER: Eagles can’t hold on
The Eagles had a 21-7 lead but suffered a concussion from Jalen Hurts that ruled him out. Kenny Pickett came in under center and Philadelphia held the lead until the fourth quarter, when Jayden Daniels and Co. finally erupted.
Washington scored 22 points in the fourth and won in the final seconds when Daniels hauled in a touchdown pass to win 36-33. It was Daniels’ fifth passing score of the game.
It snapped Philadelphia’s 10-game winning streak and cut the score to 12-3, while Washington moved to 10-5. The NFC East is still in play for at least another week.
WINNER: Lions earn another franchise record
Despite mounting injuries, the Lions continued to win. They defeated the Chicago Bears 34-17 on the road to ultimately capture a 13-game winning season with two to play. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 109 yards on 23 carries and a score, while Jared Goff shined with 336 passing yards, three touchdowns and no picks on 23 of 32 completions.
Caleb Williams had a solid individual effort, throwing for 334 yards, two touchdowns and no picks on 26 of 40 completions, but D’Andre Swift wasn’t helping at all in the backfield with just 20 rushing yards on nine carries. Chicago fell to 4-11 as the losing skid continued.
LOSER: Cardinals are eliminated
Arizona entered Sunday at 7-7 with the NFC West title still in play, even if its odds weren’t as good as those of the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. But the Cardinals, as Kyler Murray said, couldn’t be left out in the cold, losing 36-30 in overtime to the Carolina Panthers.
The loss mathematically eliminated Arizona from playoff contention, as Washington also won. Murray threw for 204 yards, one touchdown and one pick on 20 of 32 completions, while James Conner rushed for 117 yards on 15 carries and a score despite suffering an injury. Murray also rushed for a touchdown.
Bryce Young wasn’t perfect, but he gained confidence with a total of three touchdowns, throwing for 158 yards, two TDs and no picks on 17 of 26 completions while rushing for 68 yards on five attempts and a score . Chuba Hubbard was influential on the ground, running 25 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Carolina moved to 4-11.
WINNER: Rams inching closer to the division title
Like last season, the Rams have returned to form later this year. But this time, they’ve put themselves in position to win the NFC West thanks to the 49ers’ slew of injuries and poor form.
Los Angeles’ 19-9 win over the New York Jets made it four in a row and they are now 9-6, with the Seahawks hoping to keep pace. Matthew Stafford was poor, completing just 14 of 19 passes for 110 yards, one touchdown and a pick, while Kyren Williams racked up 122 yards on 23 carries and a score.
The Jets, as their score indicated, weren’t much better. Aaron Rodgers completed 28 of 42 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown, but they couldn’t sustain enough positive drives. New York is also now 4-11.
LOSER: Titans comeback falls short
With Will Levis on the bench, Mason Rudolph went to Tennessee and racked up 252 yards, two touchdowns and three picks in a 38-30 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis was running away with it until a 15-point fourth quarter from the Titans piled on the pressure.
But Jonathan Taylor’s incredible individual effort meant the gap was too big to bridge. While Anthony Richardson completed just 7 of 11 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and a pick, Taylor produced 218 ground yards on 29 carries for three touchdowns.
The Titans fell to 3-12, but the Colts stayed alive in the AFC wild card race at 7-8.
WINNER: Bengal turn up the pressure
After the Denver Broncos’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Cincinnati had a clearer path to sneaking into the wild card. It started with defeating the lowly Cleveland Browns at home, 24-6.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson filled in at QB but lacked inspiration, throwing for 152 yards and two picks while Jerome Ford rushed for 92 yards and a score on 11 attempts. But Joe Burrow led his team with a solid three-touchdown showing 23 of 30 completions for 252 yards. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas, their top three wideouts, all scored.
In Week 17, the 7-8 Bengals can further increase the pressure on the 9-6 Broncos when they host Denver in the thick of the AFC wild card race.
This story will be updated as more games end.
