Jump to a gameCowboys 26, Buccaneers 24Commanders 36, Eagles 33Bills 24, Patriots 21Vikings 27, Seahawks 24Dolphins 29, 49ers 17Lions 34, Bears 17Rams 19, Jets 9Falcons 34, Giants 7Bengals 24, Browns 6Colts 38, Titans 30Panthers 36, Cardinals 30Raiders 19, Jaguars 14Ravens 34, Steelers 17Chiefs 27, Texans 19Chargers 34, Broncos 27
The NFL is enjoying a three-day weekend before taking over Christmas on Wednesday, and the AFC playoff picture has taken the full focus.
Sunday’s action saw the Washington Commanders (10–5) take down the Philadelphia Eagles (12–3) in a tremendous NFC East battle, giving Washington a huge victory towards the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts (7–8) and Cincinnati Bengals (7–8) kept their playoff hopes alive with wins over the Tennessee Titans (3–12) and Cleveland Browns (3–12), respectively.
In the late window, the Minnesota Vikings (13–2) went on the road and held off the Seattle Seahawks (8–7) in a huge matchup with playoff implications as well as seeding, while the Buffalo Bills (12–3) struggled to beat the New England Patriots (3–12) in a 24–21 affair. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8–7) were upset by the Dallas Cowboys (7–8) on Sunday night, ceding control of the NFC South to the Atlanta Falcons (8–7), who beat the New York Giants (2–13) earlier Sunday and own the tiebreaker over the Bucs.
On Thursday, the Denver Broncos (9–6) couldn’t hold off the Los Angeles Chargers (9–6), allowing Justin Herbert & Co. to score 34 points. Then, on Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs (14–1) won their 16th consecutive one-score game, moving to within a victory or loss by the Buffalo Bills (11–3) of the AFC’s top seed.
SUNDAYCowboys 26, Buccaneers 24
My take: For Tampa Bay (8–7), the loss to Dallas (7–8) could prove devastating. The Buccaneers fell behind the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South via tiebreaker, and now need to play at least one game better than the Falcons over the final two weeks. The biggest issue was trying to stop Cooper Rush, who threw for more than 230 yards in the first half before finishing with 283 yards and a score.
Stock up: Dallas’s pass rush was fantastic all night. The Cowboys got to Baker Mayfield relentlessly, notching four sacks including one from Micah Parsons. It was an excellent performance against a quality offensive line and a fairly mobile quarterback.
Stock down: Going forward, Tampa Bay now has to beat the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints at home and hope for the best. It’s all very possible, but the Buccaneers no longer control their own postseason destiny.
Up Next: Panthers at Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET Dec. 29; Cowboys at Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET Dec. 29
Commanders 36, Eagles 33
My take: In the best game of the week, Washington (10–5) overcame five turnovers against Philadelphia (12–3) to earn a key win in its postseason push. The Commanders got a virtuoso performance from Jayden Daniels, who threw five touchdowns while totaling 339 yards. For the Eagles, the loss is crushing. Any hopes of getting the NFC’s top seed are all but gone, and then there’s Jalen Hurts being lost in the first quarter with a concussion. The game should have been won, if not for DeVonta Smith dropping a wide-open, game-clinching third-down pass in the final three minutes.
Stock up: How could it not be Daniels? On a day when the offense had to win the game, the star rookie overcame three fumbles by his teammates and two interceptions of his own to win in the final seconds on a touchdown toss to Jamison Crowder.
Stock down: Philadelphia’s Super Bowl hopes. Of course, the Eagles can win it all, but now they likely will have to play three games to get to New Orleans and could have to go to either Detroit or Minnesota for the NFC title game. It’s doable, but tougher than they were hoping for.
Up Next: Cowboys at Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET Dec. 29; Falcons at Commanders, 8:20 p.m. ET Dec. 29
