Week 16 in the NFL. Also known as Christmas. Many teams are still searching for a playoff spot, and a victory this week could secure them a place. So, who will get all the presents on their list, and who will be left with coal? Could the Detroit Lions clinch the NFC North?
Let’s review Week 16 in the 2023 NFL season.
The Detroit Lions: NFC North Champions?
The Detroit Lions have had one of their best seasons for a long time. This week, they faced the Minnesota Vikings. If the Lions win this game, they will become NFC North champions for the first time. Could they do this, and give the Motor City an early Christmas present?
The Detroit Lions had the opening possession of the game and would be able to find the endzone from this. Starting from their 25-yard line, the Lions offense, led by quarterback Jared Goff, made it down to the Vikings’ 16-yard line. Here, a mistake would be made. Goff would pass to Jameson Williams, who would then fumble the ball. Luckily for the Detroit Lions, the ball would roll out of bounds before the Vikings could get to it. The Detroit Lions would then be able to reach the Vikings’ one-yard line. From here, David Montgomery would find the endzone for a one-yard rushing touchdown to give the Lions an early lead.
In reply to this touchdown, the Vikings would be able to also find the endzone from their opening possession. As the Detroit Lions did on their previous drive, the Vikings would start this drive from their 25-yard line. Led by quarterback Nick Mullens, the Vikings would then be able to advance down the field to reach the Lions’ 2-yard line. From here, Ty Chandler would find the endzone for a 2-yard rushing touchdown to level the scores.
The action would continue immediately after this. On their previous drive, the Lions had fumbled the ball but were lucky to keep possession. This time, the luck would not be there. On their 49-yard line, Jahmyr Gibbs would fumble the ball, which the Vikings’ defense would then scoop up. However, Minnesota would not hold on to this for long. On the Detroit Lions’ 42-yard line, Mullens would be sacked and then fumble the ball. This ball would be recovered by the Lions. However, this play would be reviewed, and the officials would reverse this play. With the ball back, the Vikings would be able to move 2 more yards, before another mistake would occur. On this occasion, Mullens would throw a deep pass for Jordan Addison. However, this would be intercepted.
A few drives later, the Detroit Lions would again challenge for the endzone. The Goff-led offense would be able to reach the Vikings’ 18-yard line and would be faced with an important third-down attempt. But, it would all go wrong for the Lions here. Goff would be sacked and then fumbled the ball. This would be recovered by the Vikings, who would return the ball to the endzone for a touchdown. As with all scoring plays, this one was reviewed and would be reversed. The play was now only an incomplete pass from Goff. All of this would set up a 37-yard field goal attempt from Michael Badgley. He would be successful with this attempt, and the Lions would retake the lead.
The misfortunes of the Vikings would continue on their next drive. From their 18-yard line, Mullens would be intercepted again. This would prove costly for Minnesota. The Detroit Lions would make it down to the Vikings’ 14-yard line before Gibbs would find the endzone to score a 14-yard rushing touchdown to increase the Lions’ lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesJust before halftime, the Vikings would have some success. Mullens and company would be able to make it down to the Lions’ 26-yard line. From here, Mullens would find Justin Jefferson for a 26-yard touchdown pass. This meant that at halftime, the Detroit Lions would have a 17-14 lead over the Vikings.
The Vikings would have the opening possession of the second half and would start this half in the same way they finished the first. Starting from their 19-yard line, the Vikings offense would be able to quickly make it down to the Lions’ 6-yard line. This was mostly aided by a 47-yard pass from Mullens. Then, from the 6-yard line, Mullens would find Osborn for a 6-yard touchdown pass to give the Vikings the lead.
But, this lead would not last long. In a drive that started from their 25-yard line, Goff and company would slowly advance down to the Vikings’ one-yard line. Then, Goff would find Antonio St Brown for a one-yard touchdown pass. However, their extra point kick would be blocked by the Vikings, who would then attempt to score 2 points from this by returning the ball into the Lions’ endzone. This attempt would fail.
The Detroit Lions would be able to extend their lead on their next drive. Starting from their 17-yard line, the Lions would be able to make it deep into the Vikings’ red zone at the 3-yard line. Then, Gibbs would find the endzone for a 3-yard rushing touchdown, his second touchdown of the game.
In reply to this score, the Vikings would make another mistake. From their 17-yard line, Mullens would throw a deep pass intended for Jefferson. However, this pass would be intercepted by the Lions. Luckily for Minnesota, Detroit would be unable to do anything notable with this possession.
However, the Vikings would be able to get something from their next possession. Starting from their 16-yard line, Mullens and company would be able to make it into the Lions’ red zone. This was mostly aided by a large penalty against the Detroit Lions for unnecessary roughness. The Vikings would be able to reach the Lions’ 8-yard line before the drive would stall. This would set up a 26-yard field goal attempt from Vikings kicker Greg Joseph. Joseph would make this kick, and the Vikings would trail by 6 points. They would need a touchdown on their final drive to win the game. Could they do it?
Embed from Getty ImagesThis drive would start on the Vikings’ 12-yard line. Minnesota would slowly move the ball to their 33-yard line. Here, as we have seen throughout this game, Mullens would be sacked and then fumble the ball. Fortunately, the Vikings would regain possession of the ball, albeit at their 16-yard line. The drive would still be on. After this minor setback, the Vikings would be able to get the ball to the Lions’ 30-yard line. From here, Mullens would throw a deep pass to Jefferson. However, like many of these passes in this game, it would be intercepted by the Detroit Lions. The game would end here.
The Detroit Lions had defeated the Minnesota Vikings 30-24, to win the NFC North.
This victory gives the Lions their first divisional title since 1993. The last time this happened, the division was not called the NFC North, but the NFC Central, and featured the 4 teams who are currently in the North and the Tampa Bay Buccanneers. Now, with a playoff spot guaranteed, can the Detroit Lions win their first playoff game since 1991?
We’ll find out in a few weeks.
This victory improves the Detroit Lions to 11-4 for the season. The defeat means that the Vikings fall to 7-8 for the season, but are still in playoff contention. Next week, the Vikings face the Green Bay Packers, while the Detroit Lions face the Dallas Cowboys,
And, on the subject of the Dallas Cowboys
The Dolphins Deny the Cowboys
On paper, this matchup was the game of the week. The Dallas Cowboys faced the Miami Dolphins. Two teams that have been strong all season, but always seem to struggle in the playoffs. The Cowboys clinched a spot in the playoffs last week, the Dolphins could this week with a win over Dallas. Could this happen?
The Cowboys would have the opening possession of the game and would be able to challenge for the endzone. The Cowboys’ offense, led by quarterback Dak Prescott would start this drive from their 25-yard line and would be able to move the ball down to the Dolphins’ one-yard line. However, on the goalline, a mistake would be made. At the one-yard line, Prescott would fumble the ball. The ball would then be scooped up by the Dolphins’ defense, ending any chance that the Cowboys would have to score on this drive.
This mistake would be costly for Dallas. Starting from their 2-yard line, the Dolphins offense, led by quarterback Tua Tagovalioa, would be able to quickly advance down to the Cowboys’ 39-yard line. However, here the drive would stall. This would set up a 57-yard field goal attempt from Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders. He would be successful with this attempt, giving the Dolphins the early lead in this game.
But this lead would not last long. Prescott and company would be able to quickly move the ball from their 25-yard line to the Dolphins 49-yard line. From here, Prescott found CeeDee Lamb for a 49-yard touchdown pass to take the lead, and potentially right the wrong that was the lost fumble on their previous drive.
Miami would immediately try to regain their lead on their next drive. Tagovalioa and company would be able to make it down to the Cowboys’ 5-yard line, where the Dolphins would decide to attempt a 4th down conversion. On this attempt, Tagovalioa’s pass would be incomplete, and possession would be handed over to the Cowboys.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, the Dolphins would be able to get some points from their next drive. On this occasion, the Dolphins drive would stall at the Cowboys 34-yard line. This set up a 52-yard field goal attempt from Sanders, who would make the kick.
On the final drive of the half, the Dolphins would finally get what they wanted for most of the first half. The Tagovalioa-led offense would start this drive on their 29-yard line. They would be able to advance down the field and reach the Cowboys’ 4-yard line. From here, Tagovailoa would find Raheem Mostert for a 4-yard touchdown pass to give the Dolphins a 13-7 lead over the Cowboys at halftime.
The Dolphins would have the first possession of the second half but would be unable to do anything with this, and would quickly punt the ball to the Cowboys. In response to this, the Cowboys would do the same.
This would only be the prelude to what we would see next. On the Dolphins’ next drive, the offense would stall at the Cowboys’ 36-yard line, setting up a 54-yard field goal for Sanders, which he would be successful with. In reply to this, the Cowboys would also kick a field goal on their next drive. The Prescott-lead offense would not be able to advance any further than the Dolphins 25-yard line. This set up a 43-yard field goal attempt from Cowboys’ kicker Brandon Aubrey, which he would unsurprisingly make.
But, the kicking would not stop there. The next drive from the Dolphins would stall at the Cowboys’ 17-yard line, resulting in a successful 35-yard field goal from Sanders. This would be followed by another field goal from the Cowboys. This time, Aubrey would be successful from 33 yards out. Miami would then break the streak of field goals, but not the kicking streak, as they would punt on their next drive. This means that since the second half started, every drive had ended in a kick. The Festival of Kicking had traveled south to Miami for Christmas. Anything to recover from that terrible New York derby.
In the middle of the final quarter, the Cowboys would break the kicking streak. This drive would start from their 31-yard line, Prescott and his Cowboys offense would then slowly move the ball down the field to the Dolphins’ one-yard line. Could the mistake that occurred the last time the Cowboys were on the Dolphins’ one-yard line be avenged? No. Prescott would get sacked and Dallas would have to move back 7 yards to the 8 yard line. This would not stop them. From the 8-yard line, Prescott would find Brandin Cooks for an 8-yard touchdown pass to give the Cowboys a one-point lead with 3 minutes left on the clock. Could the Dolphins score and win the game?
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Dolphins offense would start this drive from their 25-yard line. Then, Tua Tagovalia and the Dolphins offense would make their way down to the Cowboys 11-yard line. This set up a game-winning 29-yard field goal attempt from Jason Sanders, who had made field goals twice as long already in this game. Sanders would be successful with this, meaning that the Miami Dolphins had defeated the Dallas Cowboys 22-20.
The victory for the Dolphins gave them a spot in the playoffs for a second consecutive year. However, the battle for the AFC East with Buffalo will continue for at least one more week. This victory improves the Dolphins to an 11-4 record for the season. The Cowboys had already gained a spot in the playoffs coming into this game, but this defeat will have consequences for the NFC East division battle between them and the Philadelphia Eagles. The defeat means that the Cowboys fall to 10-5 for the season. Next week, the Cowboys face the Detroit Lions, while the Dolphins face the Baltimore Ravens.
And, on the subject of the Baltimore Ravens.
A Christmas to Forget for Brock Purdy
Coming into this week, both the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers have clinched a place in the playoffs. But, the race for the AFC North, and both the conferences’ number one seeds are still up for grabs, and both of these teams are in contention. They met on Christmas Day. Who would get the best present ever in this game?
The Ravens would have the opening possession of the game, but would not be able to do anything with it, and would be forced to punt the ball to the 49ers. In reply to this, the 49ers would have a strong opening drive. Led by quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers offense would start from their 11-yard line and be able to advance down to the Ravens 15-yard line. This was mostly aided by a 58-yard pass from Purdy to George Kittle. But, on the 15-yard lines, things would not go to plan for San Francisco. Purdy threw a pass intended for Deebo Samuel. However, this was intercepted by the Ravens’ defense in the endzone, and they would be able to return the ball to their 8-yard line.
The Ravens started their next drive deep in their territory. They would only be able to get to their 20-yard line when an interesting penalty would be given out that would have consequences on this drive. On the play, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw an incomplete pass. However, there would be an intentional grounding penalty against Jackson, forcing the Ravens back 20 yards. This took them to their endzone, and as you cannot start your drive on the literal goalline, a safety was awarded to the 49ers, giving them a two-point lead.
The 49ers would extend this small lead on their next drive. Purdy and company would be able to advance down the field and reach the Ravens’ 27-yard line. This drive would stall here and would set up a 45-yard field goal attempt from 49ers kicker Jake Moody. Moody would be successful with this kick.
In reply to this, the Ravens would have a field goal attempt of their own. Their drive was mostly aided by a penalty against the 49ers defense, which allowed them to reach the 49ers 10-yard line before the drive stalled. This set up a 28-yard field goal attempt from Ravens’ kicker Justin Tucker. Tuckers would make this kick, and the Ravens would get their first points of the game.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe good luck would continue for the Ravens. On the 49ers’ next drive, the offense would be able to quickly make it to the Ravens’ 37-yard line. But there, Purdy would make another mistake, and throw his second interception of the game. This mistake would prove costly for the 49ers, as on the following drive, the Ravens would be able to make it down to the 49ers’ one-yard line. From here, Gus Edwards would find the endzone for a one-yard rushing touchdown to give the Ravens the lead.
The 49ers would want to shake off their previous mistakes and have a drive that would end in points. Unfortunately for them, this would not happen. From their 30-yard line, Purdy would throw his third interception of the game. This mistake would again prove costly. The silver lining is that the Ravens’ drive would not go far. But, this did set up a 41-yard field goal attempt from Tucker, which he would make to extend the Ravens’ lead.
However, the 49ers’ would finally be able to put something together on offense near the end of the first half. Starting from their 33-yard line, the Purdy-led offense would be able to drive down the field and quickly reach the Ravens’ 9-yard line. From here, Christian McCaffrey would find the endzone for a 9-yard rushing touchdown to keep San Francisco in the game.
Baltimore would have the final drive of the half and would be able to get points from it. The Jackson-led offense would reach the 49ers’ 11-yard line with 10 seconds left on the clock. Then, as time ran out on the half, Tucker kicked a 28-yard field goal to extend the Ravens lead. This meant that at halftime, the Ravens had a 16-12 lead over the 49ers.
The 49ers had the opening drive of the second half but were unable to do anything with this possession, and would punt the ball away to the Ravens. On the other hand, the Ravens would be able to do something with their first possession. Starting from the 49ers’ 44-yard line, the Ravens offense made it down to the 6-yard line. From here, Jackson would find Nelson Agholor for a 6-yard touchdown pass to extend the Ravens lead.
In reply to this touchdown, Brock Purdy, the apparent favorite of the MVP this year, threw his fourth interception of the game. This led to another touchdown for the Ravens, as Jackson would find Zay Flowers for the 9-yard touchdown pass.
This lead would be extended on the Ravens’ next drive. This drive would start on their 5-yard line. The Ravens would then slowly make their way down deep into the 49ers’ red zone, before reaching the one-yard line. Here, the drive would stall, and the Ravens would then be forced back 5-yards. This gave Tucker a 24-yard field goal attempt, which he would be able to make to hand the Ravens an unassailable lead.
Embed from Getty ImagesLate in the fourth quarter, the 49ers would be able to get what would be a consolation touchdown score. However, in this drive, Purdy would exit the game with a knee injury, so in came former New York Jet and Carolina Panther, Sam Darnold. Darnold would be able to bring the offense down to the Ravens’12-yard line. From here, Darnold found Ronnie Bell for a 12-yard touchdown pass.
The 49ers would then try to score another on their final drive. But, like the majority of their drives in this game, it would not end well. Darnold would throw an interception on the goalline, and the game would be over.
The Baltimore Ravens had defeated the San Francisco 49ers 33-19.
This victory keeps the Ravens in the race for the number one seed in the AFC, as they improve to a 12-3 record for the season. With this defeat, the 49ers fall to 11-4, which makes the race for the number one seed in the NFC incredibly close, with it currently being a three-way tie between the 49ers, Eagles, and Lions. The next two games will be massively important for these teams. Next week, the Ravens face the Miami Dolphins, in a game that could decide the number one seed in the AFC, while the 49ers will hope for a better performance against the Washington Commanders.
The Best Gift Ever for Las Vegas
Two weeks ago, the Las Vegas Raiders scored 0 points as they lost a game 3-0. Last week, they couldn’t stop scoring, as they defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 63-21. Ever since they fired Josh McDaniels, this team has been strong and is now in the race for the AFC West. At least for now. This week, they faced the Kansas City Chiefs, knowing that a win for the Chiefs would give them another AFC West title. The Chiefs are on a downward spiral at the moment, could the Raiders surprise us all and defeat the Super Bowl Champions?
The Chiefs had the opening drive of the game but were unable to do anything with this possession, and would move backwards with the ball. This resulted in a punt to the Raiders, who would do the same. This would happen for a few more drives.
This streak would be broken by the Raiders. The Raiders offense, led by quarterback Aidan O’Connell, would be able to advance down the field and reach the Chiefs’ 6-yard line. The drive would stall here. This set up a 24-yard field goal attempt from Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson. He would be successful with this, and the Raiders would take the early lead in this game.
The Chiefs would be able to respond to this with a score of their own. Starting from their 26-yard line, the Chiefs offense, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, would be able to make it down to the Raiders’ 12-yard line. From here, Isaiah Pacheco would find the endzone for a 12-yard rushing touchdown to take the lead.
But, this lead would not last long. On the first play of the Chiefs’ next drive, Pacheco, who had just scored the touchdown to give the Chiefs the lead, fumbled the ball. The ball would be then scooped up by the Raiders defense, who would return the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. Las Vegas would then attempt a two-point conversion, but this failed.
Embed from Getty ImagesOn the very next play of the game, Mahomes threw an interception to Jack Jones. Jones would then return the ball to the endzone for a 33-yard pick-6 touchdown. As they did in their previous touchdown, the Raiders would then attempt a two-point conversion. This time, the attempt would be successful.
Would it be third time lucky for the Chiefs? Could they not lose possession of the ball on the opening play? On the final drive of the half, Mahomes and company would be able to slowly move the ball down to the Raiders’ 18-yard line. This set up a 36-yard field goal attempt from Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. Butker would miss this attempt, finishing an extremely poor half for Kansas City.
This meant that at halftime, the Raiders had a 17-7 lead over the Chiefs.
The Raiders would have the opening possession of the second half, but would not be able to do anything with this possession and would punt the ball to the Chiefs.
However, a few drives later, the Raiders would be able to extend their lead. On a drive that started on the Chiefs’ 42-yard line, the O’Connell-led offense would make it down to the Chiefs’ 17-yard line, where their drive would stall. This set up a 35-yard field goal attempt from Carlson, which he would make to give the Raiders a large lead over the Super Bowl Champions.
Embed from Getty ImagesEvery drive in this have, the Chiefs have tried to find the endzone, but have turned the ball over to the Raiders due to a failed 4th down conversion attempt. This took them out of the game. However, on the final drive of this game, the Chiefs would find the endzone for what would be a consolation touchdown.
Mahomes and company would be able to drive down to the Raiders’ 7-yard line. From here, Mahomes would find Justin Watson for a 7-yard touchdown pass. But, this was not enough, and the Las Vegas Raiders had defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20-14.
This game was won on the two defensive touchdowns scored by the Raiders. Las Vegas did not have much of an offense, with quarterback Aidan O’Connell throwing for only 62 yards in this game, and all of them came in the first quarter. O’Connell threw for 0 yards in 3 quarters and yet still won the game. This shows us how strong the Raiders’ defense is. Or, it shows us that the Chiefs are easily beatable, and they let one or two mistakes get to them and affect their performance for the whole game.
The victory improves the Raiders to 7-8 for the season, while the Chiefs fall to 9-6. This does mean that the AFC West race is still alive for another week. Next week, the Raiders face the Indianapolis Colts, while the Chiefs face the Cincinnati Bengals.
What Happened in the Other Games?
The Los Angeles Rams continued their push for the playoffs against the New Orleans Saints, who are locked in a tight battle for the NFC South title. The Saints would have a fourth-quarter surge, but this would not be enough to stop Matthew Stafford and company, as the Rams defeated the Saints 30-22
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ streak of having a winning season under head coach Mike Tomlin looked like it would be over a few weeks ago. That is not the case now. The Steelers faced fellow AFC North side the Cincinnati Bengals, who are still in the race for a playoff spot. The dream for the Bengals took a massive dent, as the Steelers dominated the Bengals to record a 34-11 victory and improve their record to 8-7
After last week’s embarrassment at the hands of the Las Vegas Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers faced the Buffalo Bills. A late comeback in the form of 3 consecutive field goals from Cameron Dicker, the Chargers kicker gave them a late lead. But, Bills Kicker Tyler Bass would kick the game-winning field goal to give the Bills a 24-22 victory, and to keep them in the playoff race. Another loss within 3 points for the Chargers. Some things never change.
The Atlanta Falcons are still in the playoff race but needed to defeat the Indianapolis Colts to keep them in it. They were able to. The Falcons would defeat the Colts 29-10, to help their playoff chances, and to endanger the Colts’ chances.
The Seattle Seahawks faced the already-eliminated Tennessee Titans this week. A late touchdown pass from Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith to Colby Parkinson gave Seattle a 20-17 victory over Tennessee. This keeps the Seahawks in a tight NFC Wildcard race.
Embed from Getty ImagesIn a battle of two teams that cannot make the playoffs, the New York Jets faced the Washington Commanders. These are two teams that have struggled this season. At halftime, the Jets had a 27-7 lead, but the Commanders were able to come back. It took a late field goal from Jets kicker Greg Zuerlein to give them the 30-28 victory.
More NFL
After last week’s win in front of nobody, the Carolina Panthers faced the Green Bay Packers. We would again see a late comeback. This time, a 32-yard field goal from Packers kicker Anders Carlson gave the Wisconsin side a 33-30 victory, and kept their playoff hopes alive for this week.
Are we seeing vintage Joe Flacco in Cleveland? The Browns this week faced the Houston Texans. Flacco would throw for 368 yards with 3 touchdowns, with Amari Cooper setting a Brown record for receiving yards with 265 yards in the game. Cleveland would win this 36-22. As for the Texans, their playoff race is still alive. For now.
The Tampa Bay Buccanneers took control of the NFC South this week with a victory over state rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Buccs quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 283 yards as they recorded a 30-12 victory. This makes Baker Mayfield only the second NFC quarterback to defeat Trevor Lawrence. The other? Daniel Jones.
With both their seasons dead or nearly dead, the Arizona Cardinals faced the Chicago Bears. Chicago would dominate this game and record a 27-16 victory.
The Sunday Night Football game this week was between the already-eliminated New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos. We would again see a late comeback, with Chad Ryland kicking a 56-yard field goal to give the Patriots a 26-23 victory, to dash the playoff hopes of the Broncos. To add some more lack of hope to Broncos country, they have decided to bench quarterback Russell Wilson for the last two games.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd finally, a festive edition of “How did the New York Giants ruin my weekend”. It should be “How they ruined my Christmas” as this game was played on Christmas Day. With the Eagles on a three-game losing streak, could the Giants cause a Christmas Miracle? No. Jalen Hurts was dominant.
Editor’s Picks
Tommy DeVito was benched for Tyrod Taylor, and the Giants did attempt a late comeback. But this ended in an interception to end all playoff hopes for the Giants. The Eagles would win this game 33-25, to keep the race for the NFC East title alive. Now, let us hope for revenge in two weeks.
That was week 16 in the 2023 NFL Season. Next week, with two weeks left in the regular season the playoff races near their conclusion. Also, history will be made as every game will feature a team in some form of playoff contention. We’re getting closer to finding out who will make the Super Bowl.
