It turns out that Week 16 saw a number of opportunities for the NFL to see new records set. Some of those records? The Bills had a chance of scoring 30 or more points in nine consecutive games in the same season, which would be a new record. The Lions had a chance of reaching win 13, which would set a new franchise record for most wins in one regular season. The Eagles had a chance of extending a record that they already set last week when they won their 10th straight game and pursued an 11th straight yesterday in Washington. And the Giants, my favorite team, could set a new record of a very different sort, as they were looking to avoid a 10th straight loss, which would set a new franchise record.
So which of these records were set yesterday? And which ones are now a memory?
Let's start with the Buffalo Bills. They entered yesterday's game as the only other AFC team with any hopes of catching the Kansas City Chiefs for home field advantage. KC defeated the Houston Texans, 27-19, on Saturday, to improve to 14-1 on the season. Usually, a team with a record that good has already clinched home field advantage throughout the playoffs. But their one loss was to Buffalo, and the Bills came in yesterday's game with an 11-3 record. At least theoretically, they could win home field advantage if they win out, and the Chiefs lose their remaining two games. Also, of course, the Bills offense had the chance to set that new record with a ninth straight game scoring at least 30 points. They had become the fifth team in NFL history to score at least 30 or more points in eight consecutive games in the same season. So a lot was riding on this one.
However, the Bills were looking decidedly off throughout the first half in yesterday's game. The New England Patriots clearly came into this one prepared. They were making Buffalo's offense look sloppy and ineffective, and the Bills defense was struggling to stop the Pats, as well. Yet despite how badly they were being outplayed at times, Buffalo was only down 14-7 at halftime. So they had not been so badly outplayed that a win was out of reach, and that gave them a chance to find a way to win in the second half.
Sure enough, Buffalo came back, outplaying New England in the second half. They outplayed and ultimately outscored the Pats with a dominant third quarter, where they outscored New England 10-0, for a 17-14 lead. Then, a defensive touchdown early in the fourth quarter nearly had the game iced. The Pats managed to make the ending a bit interesting by scoring a touchdown with a bit over one minute left, but the Bills nevertheless secured the win. No, they did not get the new record of a ninth straight scoring 30+. However, they did manage to earn the most important thing: a win. They improved to 12-3, and keep the pressure on Kansas City while remaining a game ahead of the Steelers for the second overall seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Detroit Lions stayed perfect on the road by beating the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, 34-17. The win improved their overall record to 13-2 on the year, which is a franchise best for this point in the season. It sets a new franchise record for most wins in a regular season, eclipsing the 12 wins which they managed to achieve in 1991 and last season, in 2023. The Lions go out west to San Francisco to face the 49ers in a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game, before hosting the Minnesota Vikings in the regular season finale in a game that very likely will determine who wins both the NFC North, as well as the number one overall seed in the NFC playoffs. What a game that one should be!
Of course, that game will be huge because just like the Lions, the Vikings keep Minnesota tied with the Detroit for first place in the NFC North, with both teams sporting very impressive 13-2 records. As for the Seahawks, this loss dropped them to 8-7, one game behind the Rams. The LA Rams defeated the New York Jets at the Meadowlands, 19-9. That win gave the Rams four straight wins and, for the first time all season, puts them in sole possession of first place in the NFC West title. The Seahawks will visit the Rams in Los Angeles in the regular season finale in a showdown which might determine who wins the NFC West, and the likely third overall seed in the NFC playoffs.
Speaking of NFC seeds, the Eagles had sported a franchise best winning streak that had reached 10 straight when they took the field in Washington. At some points, it sure seemed like they had the game won. But the Cardiac Commanders But Jamison Crowder grabbed a 9-yard touchdown pass by Jayden Daniels with just seconds remaining in the game to steal a win, snapping the Eagles historical streak, and dropping them to number 2 overall seed in the NFC. It also all but officially clinched a playoff berth for Washington.
The Arizona Cardinals lost a big game in overtime at Carolina, 36-30. With the loss, the Cardinals now are officially eliminated from playoff contention.
On the AFC side, the Ravens muddied the waters a bit by beating the Steelers, 34-17, handing Pittsburgh their second straight loss. Both teams now are tied stop the standings in the AFC North at 10-5. The Steelers also lost ground to the Bills for the second overall seed in the AFC playoffs. Baltimore also officially clinched a playoff spot with this big divisional win against their biggest rival.
Miami kept their flickering playoff hopes alive by defeating the San Francisco 49ers, 29-17. Indianapolis also won, hanging on for a 38-30 win over Tennessee. And Cincinnati soundly beat Cleveland, 24-6. Right now, all three of those AFC teams sport identical 7-8 records, and all still have slim chances at reaching the playoffs with their respective wins.
Last night, the Cowboys and the Bucs played a huge game with some playoff implications. There were more possible ramifications for this game before it was actually played, by which time the Dallas Cowboys had already officially been eliminated from playoff contention. However, they still managed to beat the Bucs, 26-24, which throws the NFC South race into turmoil, particularly since the Falcons crushed the Giants, 34-7. Now both the Falcons and the Bucs are 8-7, and tied atop the standings in the NFC South. That loss by the Giants, by the way, set the franchise record for most consecutive losses, with ten in a row now.
Yikes.
Earlier this evening, the Packers absolutely slammed the New Orleans Saints, 34-0. They left no doubt in this result, and now, there is no doubt left that this team has qualified for the postseason. However, they likely will be on the road, and will likely face the winner of the NFC West, which will be either the Los Angeles Rams or the Seattle Seahawks, although it is also not impossible that they will have to visit the winner of the NFC South.
The Buffalo Bills offense is making history Harry Enten Analysis by Harry Enten, CNN 5 minute read Published 12:31 PM EST, Fri December 20, 2024:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/20/sport/buffalo-bills-offense-history-enten-spt/index.html
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