The NFL playoff race concludes the regular season with the Pittsburgh Steelers facing the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title, while the NFC South remains undecided between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. The Philadelphia Eagles narrowly defeated the Buffalo Bills, and the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Cleveland Browns, setting the stage for an exciting final day.
Philadelphia Eagles 13-12 Buffalo Bills
The Philadelphia Eagles narrowly defeated the Buffalo Bills 13-12, with Josh Allen failing to connect with Khalil Shakir on a crucial two-point conversion attempt in the final seconds. The Eagles maintained a 13-0 lead in the fourth quarter, bolstered by a touchdown from Dallas Goedert and field goals from Jake Elliott. Defensive standout Jalen Carter contributed significantly after returning from injury, blocking an extra-point attempt. Despite Allen scoring a touchdown shortly before, the Bills opted for a two-point conversion instead of overtime, but the pass fell incomplete, leaving them at the No. 7 seed in the AFC as the Eagles secured at least the third seed in the NFC playoffs.
New England Patriots 42-10 New York Jets
Drake Maye threw a career-high five touchdown passes, leading the New England Patriots to a dominant 42-10 victory over the New York Jets and finishing the regular season undefeated on the road. With this win, the Patriots (13-3) secured the AFC East championship for the first time since 2019, aided by Buffalo’s loss to Philadelphia. Maye completed 19 of 21 passes for 256 yards and a perfect quarterback rating of 157.0 before being replaced by Joshua Dobbs in the third quarter. He became one of only three New England quarterbacks to surpass 4,000 yards passing in a season, joining Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe.
Pittsburgh Steelers 6-13 Cleveland Browns
Shedeur Sanders threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, leading the Browns to a 13-6 victory over the Steelers, preventing Pittsburgh from clinching the AFC North. With the loss, the Steelers (9-7) will host the Ravens for a decisive game to determine the division champion. The Browns (4-12) ended a four-game losing streak and managed to hold the Steelers without a touchdown for the first time since December 2009, with rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. scoring a touchdown and Andre Szmyt adding two field goals.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-20 Miami Dolphins
Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers led the Miami Dolphins to a 20-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, throwing for 172 yards and two touchdowns in his second career start. Ewers’ first touchdown pass was a 63-yard completion to receiver Theo Wease Jr. The Buccaneers, currently on a four-game losing streak, remain in contention for the NFC South but must win against the Carolina Panthers in the upcoming finale to secure a playoff spot.
Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17 Indianapolis Colts
Trevor Lawrence led the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 23-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, scoring two rushing touchdowns. Cam Little’s 42-yard field goal clinched the win, bringing the Jags to a 12-4 record and within one win of their first AFC South title since 2022. This victory marked their seventh consecutive win and eliminated the Colts from playoff contention. Jaguars’ coach Liam Coen made history by transforming a four-win team into a 12-win team in one season. Lawrence completed 23 of 37 passes for 263 yards, ending his streak of games with at least 225 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating over 100. He also threw his first interception in five weeks.
Seattle Seahawks 27-10 Carolina Panthers
Zach Charbonnet led the Seattle Seahawks with 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 27-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers, capitalizing on two third-quarter turnovers. Sam Darnold had a productive game for the Panthers, completing 18 of 27 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown, but threw an interception in the end zone. The Seahawks, now 13-3, can secure the NFC West title and top seed with losses or ties from the 49ers and Rams. The Panthers, currently 8-8, must win against the Buccaneers next week to have a shot at the NFC South title and end a seven-year playoff drought.
Arizona Cardinals 14-37 Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase caught two touchdown passes from Joe Burrow in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 37-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Chase recorded seven catches for 60 yards, making history as the first NFL player with at least 80 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and seven TD catches in each of his first five seasons. Burrow threw for 305 yards, marking the 28th time he surpassed 300 yards, tying Andy Dalton for the franchise record. Chase Brown contributed with 101 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Arizona’s Trey McBride set a new NFL record for tight ends with 119 catches this season, surpassing Zach Ertz’s previous record of 116.
New York Giants 34-10 Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders fell to the New York Giants 34-10, solidifying their position to potentially secure the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft with a loss next week against Kansas City. This marks the Raiders’ tenth consecutive loss, matching last season’s streak. The Giants, who ended a nine-game losing streak with this victory, could also claim the top pick if they lose to Dallas and the Raiders win. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart showcased his skills by passing for 207 yards and rushing for 48 yards and two touchdowns, earning his first win as the interim coach.
New Orleans Saints 34-26 Tennessee Titans
Tyler Shough led the New Orleans Saints to a comeback victory over the Tennessee Titans, throwing a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Austin Jr. with 6:22 left, finalizing the score at 34-26. Shough improved to 5-3 as a starter, completing 22 of 27 passes for a career-high 333 yards and two touchdowns. The Saints won their fourth consecutive game, outscoring the Titans 24-6 in the second half and gaining 331 yards compared to the Titans’ 152. Audric Estime contributed with a 32-yard touchdown run late in the game.
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