The Dallas Cowboys secured another significant win without playing on Sunday, as the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers ensured their own victories, granting them an additional week of rest.
There is more clarity in the NFL’s playoff picture as we approach the final week. With nine teams securing their spots, there are still five positions up for grabs, and a total of twenty teams are still in contention for the Super Bowl.
Baltimore’s win against Miami with a score of 56-19 ensured their position as the AFC’s top seed. Lamar Jackson’s exceptional performance with five touchdown passes and a flawless passer rating not only helped the Ravens (13-3) earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the playoffs but also enhanced his opportunities to secure his second AP NFL MVP honor.
San Francisco secured the NFC’s top seed by defeating Washington 27-10 and receiving assistance from Arizona. Arizona’s impressive comeback against Philadelphia, resulting in a 35-31 victory, granted San Francisco (12-4) the coveted first place position.
The Ravens and 49ers have the luxury of giving their starters a break next week as they won’t have to play until the divisional round on January 20-21.
The Cardinals’ impressive comeback against the Eagles allowed the Cowboys to take control of the NFC East. If they win against Washington in Week 18, the Cowboys will secure the division and the No. 2 seed. In an intense game against Detroit, Dallas got lucky with some poor clock management from coach Mike McCarthy. They managed to hold on to a 20-19 victory after the officials nullified a 2-point conversion by the Lions due to a penalty caused by an ineligible receiver.
Decker was never announced as eligible, according to referee Brad Allen, who, along with his officiating team, failed to make a crucial call on Dallas’ previous drive that could have averted the chaotic conclusion.
A penalty for tripping was called on Cowboys tight end Peyton Hendershot, resulting in a significant loss of yardage. However, it should have been Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson who was penalized. The league did not provide any comment on the decision. Despite this setback, the Cowboys have the opportunity to begin the playoffs at home, where they have a perfect record of 8-0. They just need to defeat the Commanders on the road. Meanwhile, the Dolphins, who originally had a chance to secure the top seed in the AFC, now need to defeat Buffalo in order to win their division title. If the Bills are victorious, they will claim the AFC East and the Dolphins will drop to the sixth spot. A loss for Buffalo could result in them finishing sixth, seventh, or out of the playoffs altogether.
The Chiefs, who are currently the reigning Super Bowl champions with a record of 10-6, secured their eighth consecutive AFC West title by defeating Cincinnati with a score of 25-17. As the No. 3 seed, they will participate in the playoffs. Moreover, they have successfully hosted the AFC championship game for the past five years, but in order to do so again, they need a couple of teams to be unexpectedly defeated.
The Jaguars, Colts, and Texans all emerged victorious to remain competitive in the fight for the AFC South division title, each holding a 9-7 record. Jacksonville has the advantage in tiebreakers and could secure the division crown and the No. 4 seed for the second consecutive year by defeating Tennessee (5-11) in their upcoming game. In the meantime, Indianapolis will face Houston where the winner will advance as either division champion or wild-card winner, while the loser faces elimination.
Pittsburgh (9-7) managed to keep their chances of making the playoffs alive with a 30-23 triumph over Seattle. The Steelers now need a victory against Baltimore and assistance from other teams to secure a wild-card spot.
Joe Flacco and the Cleveland Browns have secured the AFC’s No. 5 seed and are set to face the AFC South champion in the wild-card round. On the other hand, Tampa Bay failed to secure their third consecutive NFC South title with a disappointing 23-13 loss against New Orleans. However, the Buccaneers still have a chance to claim the division crown by winning against Carolina in their upcoming game. Meanwhile, the Saints and Falcons will battle it out for a division title if the Panthers manage to upset Tampa Bay. Additionally, if the Buccaneers win, the Saints would still have a chance at securing a wild-card spot.
In order to secure a wild-card berth, the Los Angeles Rams narrowly defeated the New York Giants with a score of 26-25. Additionally, the Green Bay Packers dominated the Minnesota Vikings with a final score of 33-10, allowing them to overtake the Seattle Seahawks and maintain a hold on the final wild-card position. By winning their upcoming home game against the Chicago Bears, the Packers would ultimately secure their place in the playoffs. On the other hand, the Vikings would require a victory against the Detroit Lions and significant assistance from other teams to have a chance at qualifying. Lastly, the Seahawks must defeat the Arizona Cardinals and rely on the Packers losing in order to advance.
Leave a Reply