The latest week in the NFL showcased pivotal matchups as teams jostle for playoff positioning. A dramatic last-second field goal helped the Kansas City Chiefs solidify their lead for the top seed in the AFC, while the Buffalo Bills, despite a remarkable performance from quarterback Josh Allen, suffered a narrow defeat.
As the regular season approaches its final stretch, the Chiefs (12-1) are looking strong to secure home-field advantage after clinching a 19-17 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, courtesy of Matthew Wright’s 31-yard field goal which hit the left upright before going through at the end of the game. Their recent success marks their 15th consecutive win in one-score games, largely thanks to the clutch performances from Patrick Mahomes when it mattered most.
Currently, Kansas City holds a two-game lead over both the Buffalo Bills (10-3) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3). Although the Bills are trailing, they have the tiebreaker advantage over the Chiefs after defeating them in Week 11. Christmas Day will see the Chiefs visit the Steelers in what could be another critical contest.
Russell Wilson led the Steelers to a 27-14 victory against the Cleveland Browns, improving his record to 6-1 this season with two touchdown passes. In Buffalo’s recent match, Allen made history by becoming the second player ever to throw for three touchdown passes while rushing for three scores in a single game—an achievement previously accomplished by Otto Graham in the 1954 NFL championship. Nonetheless, the Bills’ defense fell short against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, resulting in a disappointing 44-42 loss, ending their seven-game winning streak. The Bills will face the Detroit Lions in their next game, while the Steelers are slated to take on the Eagles.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles secured a tense 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers, but the circumstances left some players feeling disappointed about their offensive display. Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith expressed their discontent regarding the performance, especially with the reliance on Saquon Barkley, who delivered a stellar 124 rushing yards. Jalen Hurts managed only 108 passing yards but contributed two touchdown passes along with one rushing touchdown.
Barkley has now broken LeSean McCoy’s single-season franchise record for rushing yards, accumulating 1,623 yards and inching closer to breaking the league record set by Eric Dickerson in 1984. Frustration was evident on the sidelines as Brown, after a lackluster third-quarter performance, openly pointed out the need for improvement in the passing game. He noted the challenge receivers face in getting into a rhythm when the offense tends to run-heavy, highlighting systematic limitations in their playstyle.
The Eagles’ victory extends their win streak to nine games, placing them just one game behind the Detroit Lions (12-1) for the top seed in the NFC, with the Lions currently holding the tiebreaker advantage.
Pursuing their own playoff aspirations, the Minnesota Vikings managed to stay competitive by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 42-21, led by Sam Darnold’s impressive career-high of 347 passing yards and five touchdowns. This win marked Minnesota’s sixth consecutive victory as they aim for a critical matchup against the Lions that could be decisive for the NFC North division and the top playoff seed.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took sole possession of first place in the NFC South with a 28-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, compounded by the Atlanta Falcons’ ongoing struggles, leading to their fourth straight loss. The Buccaneers now stand at 7-6 after achieving their third consecutive victory.
In the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks claimed a 30-18 win against the Arizona Cardinals, maintaining their position at the top of the tightly contested division. The race remains close among the Seahawks (8-5), Rams (7-6), Cardinals (6-7), and 49ers (6-7), potentially culminating in a critical meeting between the Seahawks and Rams in the final week of the season.
As the regular season nears its conclusion, the competitive landscape remains dynamic, setting the stage for an electrifying finish as teams vie for playoff contention.
