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The Green Bay Packers secured the highest seed within the N.F.C. playoffs, whereas making a superb argument for Aaron Rodgers because the N.F.L.’s most respected participant. The Buffalo Bills bought the No. 2 seed within the A.F.C., whereas successfully ending the Miami Dolphins’ season. And the Cleveland Browns, after 17 seasons that led to frustration, are again within the playoffs. It was an thrilling Sunday even by Week 17 requirements, and the playoff subject was practically finalized heading into the nightcap between Washington and Philadelphia.
Here’s what we discovered:
One* Sentence About Sunday’s Games
*Except when it takes extra.
Browns 24, Steelers 22 It got here in a sport during which Pittsburgh performed with out the defensive stalwarts Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, however Cleveland nonetheless impressed on the bottom, racking up 192 yards on 31 carries, letting the crew’s largest energy carry it to the playoffs.
Bills 56, Dolphins 26 Miami was hopeful that Tua Tagovailoa may handle issues himself, since Ryan Fitzpatrick — the N.F.L.’s equal of an ace reduction pitcher — was positioned on the Covid-19 reserve checklist. It didn’t work out. While Tagovailoa threw for 361 yards and a landing, the rookie was additionally intercepted thrice, together with a pick-six, and by no means mounted a lot of a problem to Buffalo’s dominance on each side of the ball.
Packers 35, Bears 16 The beeping sound you hear is Chicago backing into the playoffs. The Bears got here into the day with management of their very own destiny, however wanted assist to earn a wild card after quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was largely ineffective and operating again David Montgomery was restricted to three.1 yards a carry.
Colts 28, Jaguars 14 Indianapolis gave the impression to be teetering on the sting of a second consecutive brutal second-half collapse, however some terrific play by the crew’s protection, and Jonathan Taylor’s 45-yard landing run within the fourth quarter, powered the Colts to victory. Taylor entered the season as a backup to Marlon Mack, however his 253 yards speeding and two touchdowns on Sunday gave him 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns in a terrific rookie 12 months.
Titans 41, Texans 38 There have been loads of good issues to say about Tennessee after it clinched a hard-won A.F.C. South title, however Houston’s gamers may maintain their heads up excessive after a terrific second half by quarterback Deshaun Watson made the division rival Titans struggle for it.
Buccaneers 44, Falcons 27 Antonio Brown (11 catches, 138 yards, two touchdowns) and Chris Godwin (5-133-2) each had terrific video games for Tampa Bay, however the Buccaneers can be holding their collective breath awaiting an replace on the well being of vast receiver Mike Evans, who injured his knee on an incomplete go in the long run zone. Evans had 46 yards receiving earlier than the harm, giving him 1,006 for the season — he’s the primary N.F.L. vast receiver to have 1,000 or extra yards in every of his first seven seasons.
Ravens 38, Bengals 3 J.Okay. Dobbins confirmed off why many individuals imagine he’s Baltimore’s high operating again going ahead, rumbling for 160 yards and two touchdowns on simply 13 carries. But Lamar Jackson was practically as efficient, speeding for 97 yards on 11 carries, which left him with 1,005 for the season. He now owns the No. 1 and No. 3 speeding seasons by a quarterback in N.F.L. historical past.
Seahawks 26, 49ers 23 San Francisco was main by 9-6 after three quarters, however Russell Wilson took over within the fourth, throwing two landing passes to Tyler Lockett. Alex Collins ran in a rating as properly and the sport wouldn’t have been as shut if not for a garbage-time rating by San Francisco’s Jeff Wilson Jr.
Saints 33, Panthers 7 Covid-19 protocols led to New Orleans being with out practically all of its operating backs, however that didn’t gradual the crew down within the slightest. Ty Montgomery, who performs some vast receiver but additionally has expertise at operating again, crammed in admirably, carrying the ball 18 occasions for 105 yards. That, mixed with Drew Brees’s three passing touchdowns and a speeding landing from Taysom Hill, was greater than sufficient towards Carolina.
Rams 18, Cardinals 7 It won’t work within the playoffs, however Los Angeles was capable of finish Arizona’s season with an offense led by quarterback John Wolford, who got here into the day with zero profession passing makes an attempt and left it with 231 yards passing, a team-leading 56 yards speeding and his first profession victory.
Giants 23, Cowboys 19 In what would be the good encapsulation of the N.F.C. East this season, the Giants’ victory got here right down to operating again Wayne Gallman recovering his personal fumble within the closing minutes, simply two performs faraway from Dallas’ Andy Dalton nearly handing Big Blue the win with an interception.
Vikings 37, Lions 35 Justin Jefferson recorded 133 yards receiving, which put him at 1,400 for the season. He broke Randy Moss’s franchise file for a rookie receiver, and completed lower than 100 in need of the 1,473 Bill Groman had for the A.F.L.’s Houston Oilers in 1960.
Minnesota’s talent gamers have been undoubtedly joyful to pad their statistics, however they need to needless to say Detroit’s protection was so dangerous this season that it allowed 6,716 whole yards and 519 factors, breaking franchise data set through the Lions’ winless season in 2008.
Chargers 38, Chiefs 21 It got here towards Kansas City’s backups, however Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was awfully spectacular in throwing for 302 yards and three touchdowns in a win that has the potential to save lots of Coach Anthony Lynn’s job. Herbert was not even anticipated to begin this season, however after being pressured into obligation in Week 2, he completed with 4,336 yards passing and a rookie file 31 passing touchdowns.
Raiders 32, Broncos 31 This sport didn’t have any playoff implications, and it was usually pretty ugly, however it had loads to supply. Denver took a late lead with a 92-yard landing go from Drew Lock to Jerry Jeudy. Las Vegas took it again with a 1-yard Josh Jacobs landing run and a 2-point conversion with simply 24 seconds remaining. After swings like that, the sport completed in the one logical method: Maxx Crosby of the Raiders blocked Brandon McManus’s try at what would have been a 63-yard game-winning subject aim.
Patriots 28, Jets 14 In what was Coach Adam Gase’s final sport with the membership, and is likely to be Sam Darnold’s final as its beginning quarterback, the Jets went into the fourth quarter tied, 14-14, after which fell aside, permitting Cam Newton to throw a pair of game-sealing landing passes. New England got here into the day with an N.F.L.-low eight landing passes this season, however managed 4 — together with one by a large receiver — towards the Jets.
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