The playoff rush continues in Week 16, with teams clinching January berths and fading from the race throughout the Christmas weekend. In the NFC South, the Saints and Panthers each won to move to 11-4 and secure postseason spots, while the Falcons’ loss in New Orleans means their playoff push grew more complicated. Outside that division, victorious teams in Week 16 included the Chiefs, who won the AFC West; the Vikings and Patriots, who each got one step closer to a first-round bye; and the Rams, who clinched their first division title since 2003. But for every smile, there was a jeer to go around the league—like for the Browns, who fell to 0-15 with only the Steelers remaining on their schedule, and for the Lions, whose loss to the Bengals essentially eliminated Matthew Stafford and Co. from contention. Heavyweights across the league continue to play throughout Sunday afternoon and into Monday, too: Dallas hosts Seattle in a loser-leaves-town matchup, Jimmy Garoppolo puts his perfect record on the line against Jacksonville, and Pennsylvania’s twosome look to advance their own playoff position on Monday night.
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December 26, 2017
NFL Week 16 Recap: The Four Biggest Questions About the Playoff Picture Are Now Clear
What postseason possibilities are on the table after a wild weekend of games?
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December 26, 2017
The Panthers’ Resurgent Rushing Attack Makes Them Playoff Contenders
A shift toward the ground game has balanced out Cam Newton’s streakiness as a passer
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December 25, 2017
DeAndre Hopkins Just Made the Catch of the Year
The Houston star gives Texans fans a reason to tune in every week
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December 24, 2017
The Winners and Losers From NFL Week 16
Butt picks, another catch controversy, a historic stretch for Todd Gurley, and much more holiday cheer (and sadness) on this Christmas Eve
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December 24, 2017
Jimmy GQ Isn’t Just Fun to Tweet About—He’s Officially a Franchise Quarterback
San Francisco is now 4-0 since Jimmy Montana took over, and his win over the playoff-bound Jacksonville Jaguars is his most impressive feat yet
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December 24, 2017
Marcus Mariota and the Titans Have One Game Left to Salvage Their Season
A month ago, Tennessee was atop the AFC South; now they’re in danger of missing the playoffs. To avoid a bitter end, they’ll need their QB to find his form.
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December 24, 2017
The Rams Clinched the NFC West on the Back of Todd Gurley
For the second consecutive week, the L.A. running back ran roughshod over his opponents
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December 23, 2017
'GM Street’: Saturday Sit-down Week 16
Michael Lombardi and Tate Frazier preview the most interesting games of the week
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December 22, 2017
Playoff Spots! Get ’Em While They’re Hot
Robert Mays and Danny Kelly get you set for NFL Week 16
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December 22, 2017
The Legend of Jimmy GQ Knows No Bounds
He looks the part. He’s never lost an NFL start. It’s time to ask the question that every football fan in America is now wondering: Did the Patriots trade the greatest QB of all time for a future second-round pick?
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December 22, 2017
To Any NFL Team With a Head-Coaching Vacancy: Please, Do Not Hire Jeff Fisher
Conservative retreads are bad for the league. Get yourself someone who understands the league’s efficient, fast-paced future, or get left behind.
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December 22, 2017
Do the Chiefs Have Their Mojo Back?
After wins over the Raiders and Chargers, it’s possible that Kansas City is peaking at just the right time
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December 21, 2017
Mike Francesa on the 49ers' Franchise QB, Eli's Next Move, and Week 16 NFL Picks
Plus: Detroit’s quiet season and Matt Ryan’s down year
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December 21, 2017
The Ballad of the Best Route Runner in Football
Keenan Allen has been a prized prospect, a draft steal, a breakout rookie, and an injury-plagued star. In 2017, he’s found a new niche: one of the best receivers in the NFL.
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December 20, 2017
The Panthers Are for Sale, and the Coaching Carousel Is Turning
Plus: Breaking down the Pro Bowl rosters
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December 20, 2017
The Chain Gang Is Football’s Silliest Anachronism, and We Must Protect It at All Costs
If the NFL is constantly searching for high-tech and over-complicated solutions, why has the process for measuring yardage remained the same for more than 100 years?
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December 20, 2017
‘Slow NFL News Day’: Week 16 With Special Guest Amanda Dobbins
Which NFL player would you invite to the royal wedding?
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December 20, 2017
Rob Gronkowski Is More Important to the Patriots Than Ever
It isn’t just his performance on that game-winning drive against the Steelers you should take note of—New England hasn’t been itself when he’s been out of the lineup
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December 19, 2017
The 25 Best Things About the 2017 NFL Season (So Far)
The Wentz Wagon while it lasted, the flourishing Jeff Fisher quarterback tree, the players who took a knee to take a stand, and the other stories we’ll remember from this year