Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels produced an incredible late rally to help the Washington Commanders stun the Philadelphia Eagles on a Sunday full of play-off movement in the NFL.
Daniels showed why he could be a huge star in the NFL by ending Philadelphia’s long winning run, as the Eagles struggled to deal with the loss of their own quarterback Jalen Hurts with concussion.
That leaves the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings on a collision course for what could be an almighty final week showdown – as the two divisional rivals are locked in a battle for the top seed in the NFC.
But it was the end for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Arizona Cardinals, who were all eliminated from play-off contention, while the Los Angeles Rams and Atlanta Falcons increased their chances with crucial wins.
Daniels sparks epic comeback win
Washington’s number five Daniels threw five touchdowns to overcome five team turnovers and lead a thrilling last-gasp 36-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia lost Hurts to an early concussion but Saquon Barkley rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns in a sparkling first quarter.
He would manage just 34 more yards though as Washington’s defence stepped up and Daniels showcased his special talent – which included adding 81 rushing yards to his five touchdown passes in a stat line no rookie quarterback has ever managed before.
Producing a 57-yard drive and game-winning touchdown pass with just six seconds left on the clock takes something special – to do it against the NFL’s best defence, as a rookie, is quite incredible.
“I always believe that we can win the game no matter what,” said Daniels. “The game’s never over till the clock hits zero. If you really love this sport, you live for those big-time moments where it comes down to the end.”
Daniels’ heroics moved Washington to 10-5, and their best record since their 1991 Super Bowl-winning season, ended Philly’s 10-game winning streak and – as an added bonus for Commanders fans – also eliminated Dallas from the play-offs.
Lions & Vikings battle for NFC top spot
Philadelphia’s defeat means they drop a game behind in the race to claim the top seed in the NFC, with both Detroit and Minnesota winning to go 13-2 in a battle that will go down to the wire.
The Lions dominated the Chicago Bears 34-17 to get to 13 wins for the first time in their history, with their 7-0 away record and 493 total points this season also team records.
The Lions just cannot shake off the Minnesota Vikings though, who came from behind to beat the Seattle Seahawks 27-24 and match Detroit on 13-2 – just the second time the team have had such a record.
Quarterback Sam Darnold, who was seen as just a one-year stopgap this season, impressed again with three touchdown passes – two to Justin Jefferson, who had a huge 144-yard game.
With two games left this battle could have a thrilling climax as the Lions and Vikings meet in Detroit on the final weekend – and, with the number one seed getting a bye and home advantage in the play-offs, the stakes are huge.
Cowboys & 49ers out of play-off hunt
Last season’s beaten Super Bowl side the San Francisco 49ers have struggled all season with injuries and were put out of their misery before their defeat at the Miami Dolphins when they were eliminated from the play-offs.
After three 12-win seasons the famed Dallas Cowboys were also eliminated before their game – but they still beat Tampa Bay 26-24 to deal a huge blow to the Buccaneers’ own play-off hopes.
The Bucs had won four on the spin to lead the NFC South, but defeat in Dallas coupled with Atlanta’s dominant 34-7 victory at the New York Giants meant the Falcons regained top spot and Tampa Bay dropped out of the play-off places.
Atlanta started rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr in place of veteran Kirk Cousins and his debut could not have gone smoother.
Both sides are 8-7 but only the division winner is likely to advance.
The Los Angeles Rams also took charge of their division after edging the New York Jets 19-9 to move a game ahead of the Seahawks – with Seattle now needing the Rams to lose before their final-week divisional showdown.
It was also the end of the line for the Arizona Cardinals after an overtime defeat at the Carolina Panthers, meaning just six teams remain in the hunt for four remaining play-off spots.
The Green Bay Packers can take one of those with a win over the New Orleans Saints on Monday (01:15 GMT, Tuesday).
Bills chasing Chiefs & Bengals still alive in AFC
The Buffalo Bills were huge favourites against the three-win New England Patriots but divisional games in the NFL are never that straightforward – and it took a big defensive effort for the hosts to claim a 24-21 victory.
MVP favourite Josh Allen had one of his quieter games, and also suffered a late hit to his throwing arm, while cornerback Taron Johnson’s opportunistic fumble recovery touchdown proved the difference.
Miami’s win over the 49ers put them on 7-8, alongside the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals – who both also won to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.
Jonathan Taylor had a monster game, with 218 rushing yards and three touchdowns, as the Colts beat the Tennessee Titans to show why they should have been running the ball a lot more all season.
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase continue to produce eye-popping performances as the Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns for a third straight win, as they keep clinging on.
Burrow had more than 250 yards and three touchdown passes for the seventh straight game – another NFL record in an extraordinary season he has produced despite the Bengals struggling.
The Bengals, Colts and Dolphins all need to win their last two games and hope that results elsewhere somehow go their way to grab one of the two AFC wildcard spots.
The Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars are both well out of things but the Raiders did at least end their 10-game losing streak by beating the Jags.
NFL Results – Week 16
NFL Highlights – Week 16
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