What a Thanksgiving Week is was.

The NFL had more than nine hours of action on Thursday, and all three matchups were at least competitive and/or meaningful. The Kansas City Chiefs outlasted the Las Vegas Raiders on Black Friday to clinch a postseason berth, and Sunday's slate served several playoff-relevant matchups to the proverbial table.

The week ended with an unexpected offensive track meet that the Denver Broncos won to improve their postseason chances.

The calendar officially flipped to December, and playoff races became hot all around the league. Well, some are. Others aren't. For example, the Buffalo Bills already clinched the AFC East. The Houston Texans also have a strong two-game lead in the AFC South.

But four of the divisions have two squads within 1.5 games of each other atop the standings, and the wild-card race is fascinating in both conferences.

Bleacher Report NFL analysts Gary Davenport, Brad Gagnon, Kristopher Knox, Maurice Moton and Brent Sobleski broke Week 12 down, with the biggest takeaway from every game played.

AFC Playoff Picture

Current AFC Playoff Standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)*

2. Buffalo Bills (10-2)*

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)

4. Houston Texans (8-5)

5. Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)

6. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)

7. Denver Broncos (8-5)

In the Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)

9. Miami Dolphins (5-7)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)

Eliminated: Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10), Las Vegas Raiders (2-10), New England Patriots (3-10)

*= clinched playoff berth

NFC Playoff Picture

Current NFC Playoff Standings

1. Detroit Lions (11-1)

2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2)

3. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)

4. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)

5. Minnesota Vikings (10-2)

6. Green Bay Packers (9-3)

7. Washington Commanders (8-5)

In the Hunt

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

9. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)

10. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)

11. San Francisco 49ers (5-7)

Eliminated: New York Giants (2-10)

*= clinched playoff berth

Denver Broncos 41, Cleveland Browns 32

Young Stars Equal a Bright Future for Broncos

The Broncos started a new era of sorts this past offseason. Head coach Sean Payton returned for Year 2, but the Broncos parted with veteran players—like Justin Simmons, Jerry Jeudy and, most notably, quarterback Russell Wilson.

To move on from Wilson, the Broncos had to swallow a $53 million dead-cap hit, and they needed to cut salary to make that feasible. Returning to contention quickly was always going to require young players to step into the spotlight.

We've seen exactly that in 2024, and several young stars were on display against the Cleveland Browns on Monday night.

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix has been playing well enough to enter the Rookie of the Year conversation. He had some struggles against Cleveland and tossed a pair of interceptions, but he also made several high-level throws to keep the offense rolling.

However, Nix wasn't the only standout of the night for Denver. 2023 second-round pick Marvin Mims Jr. provided one of the plays of the evening when he caught a rifle pass from Nix and took it 93 yards for a touchdown.

Second-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin also made his presence felt, tallying 84 yards on the ground. On a night when the Broncos defense struggled, Denver needed all of the offensive help it could get.

It wasn't all bad for Denver's defense, though. Third-year Nik Bonitto, in particular, stood out. He repeatedly disrupted plays behind the line of scrimmage, tallied a sack and had an incredible 71-yard pick-six that extended Denver's lead late in the second half.

Third-year cornerback Ja'Quan McMillan put the finishing stamp on the game with a 44-yard interception that he returned for a touchdown and a nine-point lead.

Wilson will also carry a $32 million dead-cap hit in 2025, but the Broncos can't just survive it, they can thrive. Thanks to some of the budding stars on this roster, Denver is a playoff-caliber team now and it has an even brighter future.

The Browns Have Themselves a Playmaker in Jerry Jeudy

The Browns offense has been much more functional with Jameis Winston behind center than it ever was with Deshaun Watson.

Winston (497 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs) did plenty of good things on Monday but also showcased the inconsistency and poor decision-making that has prevented him from ever establishing himself as a franchise signal-caller.

He kept the Browns in the game for most of the night, but his three interceptions and two pick-sixes also essentially won it for Denver. The Browns need to move on from Watson, but Winston will probably be no more than a bridge option for them in 2025.

While Winston may or may not be a starter next year—in Cleveland or elsewhere—the Browns have found their new No. 1 receiver in Jeudy. The former Denver Broncos wideout was absolutely electric against his former team. He repeatedly got open with some stellar route-running before torching the defense for a 70-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Denver, it's worth noting, came into Week 13 ranked second in net yards per pass attempt allowed. Jeudy finished with nine catches, 235 yards and a touchdown.

Jeudy has really taken off with Winston at quarterback—he had 379 receiving yards over his previous four games—which suggests a few things.

For one, Cleveland's decision to acquire the 25-year-old and immediately sign him to a three-year, $52.5 million extension was a smart one. Secondly, Watson was holding the entire team back and should never start for the Browns again.

Lastly, it shows that, for as bad as this season has gone for Cleveland, the Browns do have some good young players they can build around moving forward.

Buffalo Bills 35, San Francisco 49ers 10

Josh Allen Makes MVP Case while Buffalo Bills Show They Can Win in January

This year's MVP race is wide open and ready for an individual to stake his claim as to why they are the NFL's best player. Quarterback Josh Allen definitely has a strong case, especially after the Buffalo Bills clinched another AFC East title with Sunday's 35-10 victory over San Francisco 49ers.

Statistically, the two-time Pro Bowler has had better seasons. But the Bills find themselves counted among the league's elite, with their signal-caller being a key component when plays are necessary, though no longer shouldering the entire team.

For example, the Sunday Night Football matchup appeared to be played in a snow globe. Allen's big hands, strong arm and athleticism allowed him to become the first quarterback in NFL history to throw, catch and run for a touchdown in the same game.

His pass to Amari Cooper, only to have the wide receiver lateral the ball back and then Allen dive for the end zone, will go down as one of the greatest touchdowns in NFL history.

"I threw a bad ball," Allen said during a postgame interview with NBC Sports. "I was worried it was going to get tipped up in the air and picked. I was just kind of chasing it. I made eye contact with Coop. He's a vet, saw me, put my hands out, he tossed it to me and I had to make a play."

Earlier, the 28-year-old connected with Mack Hollins to establish a three-score lead going into halftime.

Others will have better passing stats this season. Strong arguments can be made for running backs Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. However, Allen and the Bills are rolling at 10-2, and the quarterback's importance to his team reaches S-tier status.

Plus, Buffalo's victory in near-whiteout conditions shows it's capable of making a long run through the winter months, particularly when it's hosting playoff games.

"It was a lot of fun," Allen said. "We felt like we put four good quarters together. There's still probably things to learn from. .... Five in a row, but still a lot of season left."

Another Christian McCaffrey Leg Injury Signals Disappointing Finish for 49ers

In just his fourth game back, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey left Sunday's contest against the Buffalo Bills with what appeared to be another significant leg injury.

The three-time Pro Bowler battled bilateral Achilles tendinitis to start this season, and San Francisco rightly slow-played his availability as the ball-carrier worked his way through rehab. Unfortunately, he knew immediately something was wrong on his seventh carry and removed himself from the lineup and field.

"Yeah, he's not going to be returning," head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed at halftime.

After the contest, the Niners coach further elaborated, "They're saying it's a PCL."

Thankfully, McCaffrey isn't dealing with a recurrence of his previous injury, which could have long-term effects. However, a PCL issue could be season-ending.

Without McCaffrey while sitting with a 5-7 record, San Francisco's postseason hopes are fading quickly. Currently, the Niners are 2.5 games behind the Washington Commanders, who own the seventh seed.

Their remaining schedule isn't particularly easy either, with three opponents still in the mix for the playoffs, not including the NFC-leading Detroit Lions.

Los Angeles Chargers 17, Atlanta Falcons 13

Chargers Can't Expect Defense to Carry Them to the Postseason

The Los Angeles Chargers survived a rough game against the Atlanta Falcons thanks to a number of big plays from their defense.

The Chargers snagged four interceptions and scored their only touchdown of the game on Tarheeb Still's pick-six.

However, they needed every single big play to stay in a game they probably had no business winning.

The Falcons racked up 350 yards of offense while limiting Los Angeles to just 187 yards. The Chargers did next to nothing offensively in the second half and relied heavily on wide receiver Ladd McConkey just to move the football.

McConkey finished with nine receptions for 117 yards.

With J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve with a knee injury, the Chargers offense simply isn't threatening. L.A. couldn't lean on the run on Sunday, and Atlanta, which has struggled to generate pressure all season, tallied five sacks and consistently harassed Justin Herbert.

The Chargers took advantage of several Falcons mistakes to come out on top, but they have to figure out a way to generate more offense without Dobbins over the next few weeks. Their defense allowed 57 points over its previous two games and can't expect to be gifted multiple turnovers in upcoming games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos.

The Falcons May Have a Kirk Cousins Problem

The Falcons spent much of the afternoon moving up and down the field against the Chargers defense. However, two issues prevented Atlanta from ever pulling away.

Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson delivered some very predictable play calls, especially in the running game, that led to negative plays. Quarterback Kirk Cousins delivered one of his worst performances as a Falcon.

Cousins had four interceptions on the afternoon, all of them ugly. His second pick of the day was slow and telegraphed. It was also returned 62 yards for a Chargers touchdown and changed the complexion of the game significantly.

His third interception was just as bad, as Cousins delivered the ball into heavy traffic, taking Falcons points off the board. He's now thrown interceptions in three straight games, and his long-term future with the Falcons could be in doubt.

"The next six games could determine a lot about Cousins' future," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote on November 27. "He had shown the ability to get hot, throwing for at least three touchdowns in three of his first nine games with the Falcons before the recent two-game slide."

Cousins simply isn't playing well enough to make Atlanta a serious playoff threat. The Falcons also have rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. waiting in the wings. The problem is that Cousins is under contract through 2027 and isn't a viable cut candidate until 2026 at the earliest.

Even with a post-June 1 designation, cutting Cousins next offseason would trigger a $40 million dead cap and provide no cap relief whatsoever. So, if Cousins' tenure as the starter turns out to be a one-year run, Atlanta may have to try trading him or pay him handsomely to back up Penix.

Pittsburgh Steelers 44, Cincinnati Bengals 38

Steelers Find Playoff-Caliber Offense, Stay Atop AFC North with Big Divisional Win

One could forgive Pittsburgh Steelers fans for panicking a bit after last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns. Pittsburgh's offense stumbled through most of that game, and the defeat opened the door a bit for the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

Baltimore's win on Monday night put both teams at eight wins, though the Ravens had one more loss.

Against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Pittsburgh's offense looked like the playoff-caliber unit the franchise has been trying to cultivate since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement. Russell Wilson had an early pick-six—George Pickens slipped on the play—but played nearly perfect football after that.

Pickens, Najee Harris, Pat Freiermuth and the rest of the offense also played well, while a Payton Wilson fumble-return touchdown essentially put the game out of reach.

Pittsburgh racked up 520 yards of total offense on Sunday.

While Pittsburgh's offensive explosion came against a bad Cincinnati defense, it's a positive development for a team that looked like a pretender just 10 days ago. More importantly, it ensures that the Steelers stay atop the divisional race heading into next week's rematch with Cleveland.

It's a two-team race in the AFC North, and the Steelers need more offensive performances like Sunday's to outpace Baltimore. The Ravens will be on bye next week, while Pittsburgh has a brutal three-game stretch—at Philadelphia Eagles, at Baltimore and versus Kansas City—on the other side of the Browns.

Bengals Must be Aggressive in Offseason to Keep Playoff Window Open

At 4-8, the Bengals can pretty much wave goodbye to their playoff hopes. It's been an odd season for Cincinnati, especially considering how well Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the rest of its offense have played.

Just two years ago, Cincinnati was in its second straight AFC title game. Last year, the Bengals won nine games despite losing Burrow for the season to a wrist injury.

Most expected the Bengals to return to title contention this season with Burrow healthy and back under center. That hasn't been the case, though, because the Bengals' defense has been putrid more often than not.

Sunday marked the fourth time this season that Cincinnati lost while scoring 30 or more points.

If the Bengals don't want this season to mark the end of their playoff window, they have to take an aggressive approach to the offseason. They have $63.9 million in projected 2025 cap space and must use a large chunk of that to address a defense that needs help on multiple levels.

Cincinnati must also work out a long-term contract extension with Chase, who remains the team's most consistent offensive threat. Keeping fellow wideout Tee Higgins, who is playing on the franchise tag, would also be a good idea.

Spending big in free agency hasn't traditionally been part of Cincinnati's offensive plan. The team did shell out for tackle Orlando Brown Jr. last offseason, but it has typically targeted budget-friendly free agents while parting with pricey players like Joe Mixon and Jessie Bates III.

If the Bengals hope to keep pace with teams like Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Kansas City and the Buffalo Bills in 2025, they have to chase premier defensive talent on the open market. If they don't, they'll be what they are now—a team that is fun to watch but wholly incapable of beating good teams in big games.

Seattle Seahawks 26, New York Jets 21

Seahawks Must Address Special Teams Mishaps Before it Becomes a Problem

The Seattle Seahawks overcame a disastrous performance from their special teams unit for a comeback victory over the New York Jets.

In the first half, the Seahawks allowed a 99-yard kickoff return and botched three returns of their own, losing possession twice.

In the end, Seattle made up for its errors with a defensive score and a late-game touchdown, but special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh must ensure the unit doesn't repeat these errors because better teams will do a better job of capitalizing on those turnovers and holding on to first-half leads.

Yet for now, the Seahawks look like the best team in the NFC West. They're 7-5 on a three-game winning streak.

Aaron Rodgers' Time as Jets' Starting QB Could End Sooner Than Later

While the Jets played with renewed vigor coming off a bye week, Aaron Rodgers looked like a soon-to-be 41-year-old quarterback on the decline.

Rodgers completed 21 out of 39 pass attempts for 185 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson saw double-digit targets but only finished with five receptions apiece, mostly because of Rodgers' inaccuracies.

After the game, Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich told reporters that he's not considering a quarterback change right now. Still, the coaching staff will likely evaluate Rodgers week to week.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Rodgers is "a long shot" to be with the Jets in 2025. If he continues to play poorly, Gang Green may initiate an inevitable breakup with him before the end of the season.

Washington Commanders 42, Tennessee Titans 19

Titans WR Nick Westbrook-Ikine Deserves an Extension

At this point of the season, teams well outside the playoff picture begin to look ahead from a roster-building standpoint. At 3-9, the Tennessee Titans can focus on retaining players set to become free agents in the offseason.

Wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikine has been one of the league's most consistent scorers over the past two months. He's logged eight touchdown receptions in eight games.

Though the Titans' aerial attack runs through Calvin Ridley, Westbrook-Ikine has served as a go-to target in the red zone and produced chunk plays for long touchdowns. The underrated wideout recorded 17- and 27-yard touchdown receptions in Sunday's loss to the Washington Commanders.

Even if the Titans want a wide receiver early in next year's draft, Westbrook-Ikine should be a keeper in Tennessee.

Kliff Kingsbury's Offense Hasn't Been Figured Out Yet

During the Commanders' three-game losing streak, skeptics wondered if Kliff Kingsbury's offense hit a midseason wall. Washington's offense answered those critics, scoring 42 points and accumulating 463 yards in a dominant victory over the Titans.

Washington jumped out to a 28-0 lead by the second quarter. Though the Commanders didn't keep their feet on the gas pedal, the offense built a comfortable cushion against the No. 2 defense in total yards.

More importantly, quarterback Jayden Daniels looks healthy and isn't showing any lingering effects from an October rib injury. He threw for 206 yards, three touchdowns and an interception and rushed for 34 yards and a score.

Heading into a Week 14 bye at 8-5, the Commanders are well-positioned for an NFC wild-card spot.

Minnesota Vikings 23, Arizona Cardinals 22

Cardinals Offense Will Struggle Until Kyler Murray Is More Efficient with Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Arizona Cardinals offense needs a closer in crucial moments. Sure, Kyler Murray can find tight end Trey McBride for short gains, but the unit has struggled to produce the back-breaking play that can put the team over the top or slam the door shut on the opponent.

On Sunday, the Cardinals led the Minnesota Vikings for most of the game, but they came up short in crunch time.

The Vikings scored a late fourth-quarter touchdown, and the Cardinals failed to get into field-goal range with a little more than a minute left in regulation. Murray threw an interception (intended for wideout Marvin Harrison Jr.) on Arizona's final four-play drive.

In the loss, Harrison needed 12 targets to haul in five passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Coming into the game, he had a 54.5 percent catch rate.

Murray and Harrison must be more efficient for the Cardinals to take the next step. The rookie wideout can be a game-changer in big moments, but his connection with Murray has been hit-and-miss in critical situations.

Until Murray and Harrison are consistently on the same page, the Cardinals will come up short against playoff contenders. That said, they have time to figure it out and help lead the 6-6 Cardinals to the playoffs.

Vikings Must Tweak Ground Game to Alleviate Pressure on Sam Darnold

Even in victory, Minnesota cannot ignore its issues on offense. The Vikings' late-game rally helped them secure the victory, but they didn't score a touchdown until late in the third quarter. Up until that point, quarterback Sam Darnold mostly struggled against the Cardinals' 20th-ranked pass defense behind a shaky offensive line.

Over the last two weeks, Darnold has taken eight sacks.

Moreover, after a strong start in which he threw for 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions in the first four weeks of the season, Darnold has cooled off significantly, though it hasn't shown in the box score. Fantasy Life's Ian Hartitz noted that the Cardinals almost picked off Darnold multiple times on consecutive plays.

Sooner or later, Darnold could revert to a turnover machine reminiscent of his early years with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.

The Vikings lost left tackle Christian Darrisaw for the season and acquired Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars as a replacement, but they must keep the offense balanced with their ground game.

For most of this season, the Vikings have committed to the run—they went into Week 13 with the seventh-most rush attempts—but they may have to tweak the workloads.

Running back Aaron Jones has fumbled in each of the Vikings' past three games, and he's lost two of them. The Vikings should get Cam Akers and Ty Chandler more involved in the ground attack as they chase the Detroit Lions for the NFC North title.

Indianapolis Colts 25, New England Patriots 24

Indianapolis Colts Remain in Playoff Picture Because of QB Anthony Richardson

Head coach Shane Steichen lied to everyone. Previously, he claimed that veteran quarterback Joe Flacco gave the Indianapolis Colts their best chance of winning games. Since being reinserted into the lineup, Anthony Richardson and Co. won two of their last three games, with a pair of fourth-quarter victories that wouldn't have been possible without the second-year quarterback in the lineup.

Two weeks ago, the Colts trailed the New York Jets by five points with 2:41 remaining. Richardson led a 70-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown run by the quarterback.

During Sunday's 25-24 victory over the New England Patriots, Richardson completed a perfect pass to wide receiver Alec Pierce on 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line, and then plunged in for the two-point conversion to claim victory.

While a common theme has emerged where Steichen has used Richardson's size and athleticism to the team's full advantage, the developing passer completed nine-of-15 passes during those two fourth-quarter drives.

Even if these outcomes didn't end up in the Colts' favor, the decision to play Richardson would have been the right one. An organization doesn't invest a top-four draft pick in a quarterback only to give up on him after a handful of starts simply because he looks exactly like the project everyone knew he would be.

At the same time, the amount of growth and maturity Richardson has shown after being benched while developing an understanding of what it takes to be a successful NFL quarterback has quickly become obvious—which was reportedly the reason behind the aforementioned benching. Richardson is going to have his moments, good and bad. But he helps keep the Colts competitive. Even when the quarterback doesn't hit the deep shots, his ability to run allows the offense to maintain an edge.

With a 6-7 record, the Richardson-led Colts remain in the hunt for one of the AFC's wild-card spots. Indianapolis goes into its bye week knowing it still has a chance, particularly with three of its next four opponents holding a losing record. The other happens to be the Denver Broncos, which are currently sitting in the seventh spot to claim a postseason bid. Everything is in front of the Colts, and Richardson is the biggest reason why.

QB Drake Maye Is Special, Rest of New England Patriots' Roster Is Not

A rookie quarterback completing 80 percent of his passes with 238 passing yards and 59 rushing yards should signal a victory. For Drake Maye and the Patriots, the performance wasn't enough.

"It's heartbreaking. ... Just came up short," Maye told reporters after New England's loss to the Colts. "It's a bummer. I hate it for these guys. I hate it for these coaches. We're practicing hard. We're fighting hard. Just coming up short."

The Patriots offense managed 422 yards, with 200 of those coming via the ground game at 6.5 yards per tote. But seven penalties for 88 yards and converting only two-of-six red-zone possessions for touchdowns sealed New England's fate.

Even Maye suffered from a touch of bad luck, with a near-impossible interception when safety Julian Blackmon picked the ball off the body of a falling Hunter Henry right near the goal line.

"That's a play I have to make," Henry said afterward.

The game was there for the taking. The Patriots aren't a team that knows how to win. Fortunately, they have a clear building block at the game's most important position. Even with a 3-10 record that puts them firmly among the league's worst squads, the Patriots have plenty of reasons to hope for better days ahead—and it starts with Maye.

Houston Texans 23, Jacksonville Jaguars 20

WR Nico Collins Is Driving Force Behind Houston Texans Offense

The Houston Texans aren't C.J. Stroud's team. The Texans are Nico Collins' team.

A week ago, Stroud stated after Houston's embarrassing loss to the Tennessee Titans that his play hadn't been good enough. Life is always much easier on a quarterback when he has an elite wide receiver to target.

In Stroud's case, he can always look toward Collins when necessary. Collins' 211 receiving yards over the last two games account for 43 percent of the Texans' passing offense. No one else has more than 95.

Through the heart of the campaign, the 25-year-old receiver missed four games because of a hamstring injury. During that stretch, Houston finished 2-3. Now, Collins is coming on strong with an extra week off thanks to a well-timed bye week for the Texans.

In each of the last three weeks, he's looked more and more like himself, with eight receptions for 118 yards during Sunday's 23-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars

At 8-5, the Texans are in control of the AFC South. The team has legitimate postseason aspirations. But Houston will only be able to achieve something of substance with a healthy Collins leading the way.

Trevor Lawrence Injury Punctuates Already Lost Season for Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars' season had already been caught in a downward spiral. Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair's illegal hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence—which resulted in an automatic ejection—only made matters worse.

"It's a play that has no business in our league," Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson told reporters after the game.

Lawrence was immediately ruled out of the contest with a concussion.

At this juncture, the quarterback's health is more important than the results of the final five contests. Jacksonville has already lost its last five games. At 2-10, the organization currently owns next year's first overall draft pick.

The 25-year-old Lawrence remains the future of the franchise. The organization has no incentive whatsoever to put him back in the lineup this season.

While Pederson may be coaching for his job, those smarter in the front office understand the opportunity that's now been presented to leverage that first pick into a windfall of extra assets to place around Lawrence and help the Jaguars actually live up to their potential in 2025.

The team should place Lawrence on injured reserve while letting the season end with a whimper.

Los Angeles Rams 21, New Orleans Saints 14

Rams Unleash Two-Headed Rushing Attack to Stay Alive in Playoff Race

The Los Angeles Rams got back to .500 with a much-needed win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. It wasn't always pretty—and L.A.'s defense had some concerning breakdowns—but the Rams did enough to outlast the scrappy Saints.

Leaning on Kyren Williams, Blake Corum and the ground game provided an advantage that the Rams haven't always enjoyed this season. It helped take pressure off of Matthew Stafford, who was an efficient 14-of-24 for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Stafford was only sacked twice a week after being sacked five times by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Williams (93 rushing yards, 1 TD) has been a dangerous dual threat for most of the season, but the Rams had struggled to complement him on the ground. They finally got Corum going against the Saints.

The rookie out of Michigan carried eight times for 42 yards on Sunday, both career-highs.

Sticking with a heavy dose of both backs should be a big part of Los Angeles' game plan moving forward. Protecting Stafford has been an on-and-off issue for the Rams all season, and their remaining schedule features several defenses that can get after the opposing quarterback.

L.A.'s margin for error is incredibly slim, and the Rams will finish their year against the Buffalo Bills, at the San Francisco 49ers, at the New York Jets, against the Cardinals and against the Seahawks.

Taysom Hill Injury Is Huge Blow to Saints' Dwindling Playoff Hopes

It may be too late for the Saints to make a serious run at an NFC South title, though the Falcons have done nothing to slam the door shut on the division. If do-it-all utility man Taysom Hill is forced to miss significant time, the Saints are going to have a tough time staying afloat.

Hill has filled multiple roles in New Orleans' offense, serving as a pass-catching tight end, a gadget quarterback and the top rushing complement to Alvin Kamara. He racked up 188 scrimmage yards and three scores back in Week 11—New Orleans was on bye last week—and he had five catches and 10 rushing yards against the Rams on Sunday before exiting with a knee injury.

Hill "is feared" to have suffered a season-ending injury, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

The 34-year-old has been an incredibly vital piece of the offense when healthy, and the Saints struggled mightily without him earlier in the year—Hill missed four games during New Orleans' seven-game losing streak.

Hill was again missed late in Sunday's game, as the Saints drove inside the Rams' 10-yard line seeking a game-tying touchdown. Three short Kamara runs set up 4th-and-3 from the Rams' 9. Derek Carr threw incomplete amid heavy pressure, and Los Angeles never gave the ball back.

It's fair to wonder if things would have unfolded differently on that final series with Hill serving as an additional running and receiving threat. It's also fair to wonder if New Orleans' latest injury-related loss will be the one that finally puts an end to its season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26, Carolina Panthers 23

Buccaneers Might Win NFC South But Are Too Flawed to Be Title Contenders

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still alive in the NFC South race thanks to Sunday's overtime victory. However, it's hard to view Tampa as a serious threat in its conference. Injuries have been a problem for most of the season, though the offense kept the team competitive—thanks to some strong play by Baker Mayfield and some terrific game planning by coordinator Liam Coen.

Tampa isn't an elite team, though, and that was evident on Sunday. The Buccaneers defense played poorly far too often, and head coach Todd Bowles employed some questionable defensive plans in critical situations.

The Bucs allowed the Carolina Panthers to record three points late in the first half by surrendering far too many easy yards with off coverage. Tampa coughed up 367 yards of offense in total.

Mayfield was sacked four times and also threw a pair of interceptions. Racking up seven penalties for 54 yards certainly didn't help matters.

The close margin shows how much of a liability Tampa's defense can be and just how reliant the Buccaneers are on getting clean play from their quarterback. The Bucs were in prime position to lose the game in overtime before Chuba Hubbard fumbled at the Tampa 30-yard line.

Tampa has beaten NFC contenders like the Eagles and Lions this season, but that was early in the year when players like Chris Godwin and Jordan Whitehead were healthy. They might be able to win a game or two in the postseason, but winning three straight to reach the Super Bowl feels unlikely.

Given the challenges the Buccaneers have faced this year, though, a fourth straight division title might be viewed as a success.

Bryce Young Continues to Play His Way Into Panthers' Future

Early in the season, 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young was sitting on Carolina's bench and the topic of trade chatter.

"Sources around the league believe it is only a matter of time before Carolina completes a deal involving the second-year quarterback, ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote on September 21.

However, Young got another starting opportunity after Andy Dalton suffered a thumb injury in a car crash. Since returning to the lineup in Week 10, the Alabama product has all but erased any thought of trading him in the offseason.

Young's pocket presence, poise, accuracy and timing have been on full display over the last few weeks, and they flashed again against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Young was particularly impressive late in the first half while driving the Panthers into scoring position in only 38 seconds—though he was aided by some incredibly soft Buccaneers coverage.

The second-year quarterback was even more impressive late in the second half, leading a go-ahead touchdown drive with just over three minutes remaining. The only thing he did wrong was leave enough time on the clock for Tampa to force overtime with a quick field-goal drive.

Tampa won in overtime, but Young (26-of-46 for 298 yards, 1 TD) did more than enough to deliver Carolina's third win in four games. It's a credit to his development and the coaching of Dave Canales.

Things looked dire early in the season, but the Panthers have become an exciting team with a capable young quarterback and a bright future.

Philadelphia Eagles 24, Baltimore Ravens 19

Vic Fangio's Defense Elevates Philadelphia Eagles Postseason Aspirations

Defense wins championships, or so the cliché states. For the Philadelphia Eagles, an unbelievable turnaround on defense thanks to new coordinator Vic Fangio once again has the team in the Super Bowl conversation.

During Sunday's meeting with the Baltimore Ravens, the league's top-ranked defense faced its most explosive offense. The Eagles defense stood tall in the 24-19 victory.

Philadelphia held Lamar Jackson and Co. to nearly 55 yards below their season average. If that number doesn't seem all that impressive, consider the following: 70 of the Ravens' total came during garbage time when the Eagles already held a 12-point lead with just over a minute left to play.

"They run it effectively, they play past it effectively, they drop back effectively," Fangio told reporters last week. "You've got the Lamar Jackson gun run game to defend. [Derrick] Henry, they've got a lot of weapons and a lot of ways they can hurt you."

Yes, the Eagles have talent at all three levels. But how the coach deploys said talent is vital to the unit's success.

"I was told, in essence, you're making such a big deal about the scheme, but wait until you see the game plans," PHLY's Zach Berman reported when he asked about Fangio's hire earlier this year.

Keep in mind, the Eagles fielded the league's seventh-worst defense last season. They entered Sunday's contest at No. 1, and then they held the Ravens in check. Specifically, Henry didn't get rolling.

Philadelphia has now won eight straight games. During that stretch, only one team scored more than 20 points. The Eagles are once again counted among the NFC's elite, and Fangio is the biggest reason why.

Baltimore Ravens Have a Justin Tucker Problem

A tough conversation needs to be had within the Ravens organization centering on the poor play of kicker Justin Tucker.

Tucker is the greatest kicker in the game's history. He used to be automatic. Now? Not so much.

Every kicker eventually loses his swing. The 35-year-old, five-time first-team All-Pro looks like he's lost his.

Ultimately, the Ravens lost Sunday by five points to the Eagles. During the contest, Tucker missed two field goals and an extra point. He's now missed 10 attempts in total (five field goals and two extra points). To make matters worse, his leg used to be one of the league's deadliest weapons. But Tucker is now four-of-nine from 50 yards or longer.

"If you're asking me if we're moving on from Justin Tucker, I'm not really planning on doing that right now," head coach John Harbaugh told reporters after the game. "I don't think that'll be wise."

Harbaugh's wording is interesting. He simultaneously provided his kicker with a vote of confidence while hedging with his assessment.

Maybe the Ravens don't move on from Tucker. After all, he's done a lot for the organization. But Baltimore's front office must also acknowledge a problem exists that's costing the team games and measures need to be taken if things don't improve.

Kansas City Chiefs 19, Las Vegas Raiders 17

Aidan O'Connell Can Make a Case to Be Raiders' No. 2 QB in 2025

Despite Aidan O'Connell's athletic limitations, he has a quick release and makes good decisions in the pocket. In Friday's loss to the Chiefs, he threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns, nearly leading the Silver and Black to one of the biggest upset victories of the season.

Fresh off injured reserve on a short week, O'Connell only needed a half to find his rhythm. Then, early in the fourth quarter, he threw a 58-yard touchdown pass to Tre Tucker.

With five games left on the Raiders schedule, O'Connell can show he's a high-end backup signal-caller.

In today's NFL, O'Connell's inability to improvise on plays that break down severely limits his ceiling, but he's good enough to be a placeholder-bridge-gap option until the Raiders find their franchise quarterback.

Chiefs Need a Wake-Up Call

At 11-1, the Chiefs aren't in danger of missing the playoffs, but after a loss to the Buffalo Bills, they have had stretches of going through the motions against inferior opponents, flirting with disaster.

Last week, against the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City nearly squandered an 11-point fourth-quarter lead and needed a field goal to win as time expired on the clock.

In this contest, the Chiefs settled for multiple field goals, which kept the Raiders in the game. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Las Vegas took the lead 17-16.

Once again, Kansas City flirted with an upset loss and needed a go-ahead field goal to knock off one of the league's worst teams.

Head coach Andy Reid said the Chiefs got a "good wake-up call" in last year's loss to the Raiders on Christmas Day. Kansas City can use this game for the same purpose in preparation for a playoff run.

Green Bay Packers 30, Miami Dolphins 17

Same Old Dolphins When it Matters Most

The Miami Dolphins' reputation precedes them. They fall short against quality opponents, particularly on the road and particularly in the cold.

It was a perfect storm Thursday night in Green Bay, with all of the above ingredients.

The result? A 13-point loss that was more lopsided than the margin would suggest.

The talent is there. It has been for several years, outside of stretches without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. But something's missing.

Miami is now 0-3 on the road against opponents with winning records this season, and 0-5 overall in those spots. It's lost eight consecutive games against winning opponents dating back to last winter, and it's been outscored by 69 points in its last three road games in temperatures below 50 degrees.

The good news is the schedule only presents two more potential cold-weather road games this year, and those come against the Browns and Jets. The bad news is the damage is probably done.

And even if the Dolphins were to make a magical run and sneak into a playoff spot, they would be traveling to a place like Kansas City, Buffalo, Pittsburgh or Baltimore on wild-card weekend.

Good luck.

Packers Heating up Just in Time

It'll be tough for the Green Bay Packers to leapfrog Detroit in the NFC North, but a third consecutive post-bye win and another clinical performance has them alive ahead of a showdown with the Lions next Thursday.

Beat a limping Lions team in that spot and anything's possible, especially because Detroit has to play Buffalo one week later. And that's a winnable game for a Packers squad that is again getting the best from Jordan Love down the stretch and starting to make big plays on defense.

Even if the Packers don't come back to win the division, though, they're pretty much a lock to grab a wild-card spot. And they're gaining the momentum necessary to make a potential surprise playoff run in the new calendar year.

Dallas Cowboys 27, New York Giants 20

Trey Lance Must be Horrible

Why else does Trey Lance remain on the Dallas sideline while Cooper Rush averages 5.4 yards per attempt against a defense that entered this week surrendering 7.8 yards per throw?

We know Rush isn't the answer, so there are three possible reasons why we continue to see so little of Lance:

1. The Cowboys legitimately believe Lance is so much worse than Rush that it isn't worth giving him a shot until they're mathematically eliminated.

2. Dallas believes the 2021 No. 3 pick gives it a better chance to win and that's not something it's interested in doing right now (oops).

3. The organization has an axe to grind with Lance.

I'd buy any of them, but the fans are the victims here. At least let them see what the 24-year-old has to offer in regular game action.

It's ridiculous that Lance has had a chance to throw just 108 passes in four NFL seasons.

Giants' Path to No. 1 Overall Pick is Getting Clearer

They cut that a little close, but as losers of seven straight games at 2-10, the New York Giants are now becoming favorites to land the top pick and position themselves to choose their next franchise quarterback.

Jacksonville and Las Vegas continue to be factors with just two wins each, and a handful of teams are just one win up on the G-Men, Jaguars and Raiders, but it's hard to see this Giants team hanging with the Ravens, Falcons or Eagles in Weeks 15, 16 and 18, respectively.

It might come down to home matchups with the Saints (who are playing good football again after a month-long vacation in October) and the Colts (Week 17).

On Thursday, the Giants generally looked like a team relatively uninterested in winning, even if they had some nice moments early and ultimately put up a half-hearted late fight against an opponent that is equally as dispirited.

That's the way it oughta be.

Now let's sit back and let the Shedeur Sanders buzz grow.

Detroit Lions 23, Chicago Bears 20

Lions Can't Afford to Execute This Poorly in Bigger Spots

The best thing the Detroit Lions can do is chalk this up as a win being a win. They still have just a single loss this season, and it came by only four points in Week 2.

Six of their previous eight victories came by double-digit margins, and this one looked to be headed down that path as they dominated the Bears throughout the first half.

The play-calling wasn't great, they couldn't finish drives, and they committed a brutal turnover in the red zone in the first half that kept Chicago alive.

In other words, they nearly blew it. But they didn't. They survived and won their first Thanksgiving game since 2016.

That matters, because they won't always be pretty. You have to learn to weather storms, and you have to learn from dud performances. The fact that they arguably delivered a dud on Thursday and still got the W is promising.

However, they will have to execute better if they want to extend this winning streak against the Packers next Thursday and/or against the Bills in Week 15.

They can't afford another performance like this in January.

Is That it for Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus?

The Chicago Bears are now 4-8, but four of those losses have come by a combined 10 points during their current six-game losing streak.

In one case, they were embarrassingly unprepared for a Hail Mary attempt. In another, poor execution on special teams cost them a victory. And Thursday, unforgivably bad clock management in the final 30 seconds cost them a legitimate chance to at least take a superior opponent to overtime on short rest on the road.

Wins in any of these spots could have saved their season. It's the same for their Week 12 overtime loss to the Vikings, but they've now lost eight of their last 10 one-score games.

That could signal the end for Matt Eberflus, who has remained employed while seeing two offensive coordinators get scapegoated in the last 10 months. Eventually, it's got to fall on the head coach.

And while Caleb Williams deserves his share of the blame for the chaos that saw them leave a timeout in their pocket as the clock expired with the offense in field-goal range in Detroit, Eberflus is the man responsible for preparing this young team for situations such as those.

At this point, the Bears are likely to win fewer games this year than they did in 2023. I don't know how Eberflus survives that.