This Christmas will likely be a joyous one for just a few NFL franchises. Listed here are the groups and gamers who would be the happiest, the winners of Week 16.
Detroit Lions: Detroit is partying like “Jurassic Park” is the top-grossing movie within the nation.
It has been a very long time for the reason that Lions have gained a division, however the 30-year wait lastly ended with Sunday’s 30-24 win over the Vikings.
Miami Dolphins: How’s that for beating a superb group? Miami notched its largest win of the season by topping the Dallas Cowboys, 22-20, clinching a postseason berth for the second consecutive season. Previous to Week 16, the Dolphins have been 0-3 towards groups with a profitable file this season. Afterward, head coach Mike McDaniel mentioned the importance of the consequence.
Miami ends the common season towards the Baltimore Ravens (11-3) and Buffalo Payments (9-6) and its win over the Cowboys (10-5) means it will not should reply questions on whether or not it may well beat a superb group beforehand.
Dolphins security DeShon Elliott defending the complete area: The most important play of Miami’s signature win of the season was Elliott’s touchdown-saving deal with on the objective line on Cowboys operating again Tony Pollard.
The deal with arrange the Cowboys with a first-and-goal from the half-yard line, however as a substitute of scoring a landing on the drive, on the very subsequent play Prescott and operating again Hunter Luepke mishandled the handoff alternate, leading to a misplaced fumble.
Amari Cooper: The Browns (10-5) are near-locks for the postseason due to Cooper’s – and quarterback Joe Flacco’s – good sport towards the Texans in a 36-22 win. Cooper set a Browns franchise file for receiving yards in a sport (265) and added two touchdowns on his 11 receptions. ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared the elite firm Cooper joined on account of his unimaginable efficiency.
Washington Commanders: The Commanders almost did the worst factor for the group on Sunday – win a sport. Out of playoff rivalry, Washington is finest off enhancing its place within the 2024 NFL Draft, which it did by escaping New York with a 30-28 loss to the Jets.
Quarterback Sam Howell, for all of the yards he is thrown for this yr, is not value one other season. He was benched on Sunday after going 6-of-22 for 56 yards and two interceptions and the offense instantly improved with backup Jacoby Brissett. The Commanders want a franchise quarterback and Sunday’s loss will get them nearer to discovering one within the draft.
Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Payments: Each groups sat at dwelling on Christmas Eve following wins earlier within the week and had their playoff odds enhance. The Rams (8-7) gained 30-22 over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday evening and noticed one among their principal opponents a wild-card spot, the Vikings, lose to Detroit. Buffalo’s day was even higher.
After profitable 24-22 on a walk-off area objective towards the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, the Payments watched the complete AFC South implode, shifting them from exterior the playoff area to the No. 6 seed.
