Green Bay 33, Minnesota 10
Are the Packers a playoff team? Almost. And if they play like this one more time they will be. All they have to do is beat the Bears in the regular-season finale and they’re in; no other help necessary. Considering coach Matt LaFleur has never lost to the Bears as Packers coach, the outlook appears good, especially the way Jordan Love (three touchdown passes to boost his season total to 30), Jayden Reed (two touchdown catches), Aaron Jones (a second straight 100-yard game) and the offense have been humming.
Stock up after the win: Packers’ pass rush. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry went with a blitz-heavy game plan to try to rattle Vikings rookie quarterback Jaren Hall, sending at least one extra rusher on half of his dropbacks, which resulted in a pair of a sacks and an interception before the Vikings pulled Hall for Nick Mullens at halftime.
Stock down after the win: Samori Toure. The chest injury that ended Jayden Reed’s night in the second half meant Toure replaced him as the punt returner. He muffed a fourth-quarter punt that the Vikings recovered at the Packers’ 7-yard line and turned into their only touchdown of the game. — Rob Demovsky
Next game: vs. Bears, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday
Vikings
What happened to the Vikings’ defense? From the top, it should be pointed out that the Vikings were playing without several key starters, including outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (eight sacks) and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (three interceptions). But the Packers simply toyed with the Vikings all night. Their receivers found wide-open holes in the Vikings’ zone defense — Love’s touchdown passes went to receivers who averaged 3.1 yards of separation — and tailback Aaron Jones (120 yards) found open holes throughout. More than anything, this game showed that no scheme — including one as creative as defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ — can overcome the type of personnel deficit the Vikings brought Sunday night to U.S. Bank Stadium.
Stock up after the loss: QB Kirk Cousins. On an otherwise
Johnson Shines in Raiders Win, Adebo Struggles
Wide receiver Johnson had a career-best performance in the Raiders’ win against the Buccaneers. He caught eight passes for 90 yards and scored a touchdown, showcasing his connection with quarterback Derek Carr. On the other hand, cornerback Paulson Adebo had a tough game, allowing several big catches by Bucs wideout Mike Evans and committing an illegal contact penalty on third down.
Bucs’ Playoff Chances Hang in the Balance
The Buccaneers missed an opportunity to secure the division title with a disappointing performance against the Raiders. Quarterback Baker Mayfield struggled with accuracy, throwing two interceptions, and the offense failed to generate much momentum. The Bucs still have a 73% chance to win the division if they win their next game against the Panthers, but a loss would significantly diminish their playoff hopes.
McCollum Steps Up in Bucs’ Loss
With cornerback Carlton Davis III out due to a concussion, CB Zyon McCollum stepped in and performed well against the Raiders. He primarily covered WR Chris Olave, limiting him to three catches for 26 yards. However, the rest of the Bucs’ preparation fell short, with Mayfield’s inaccuracy, RB Rachaad White’s fumble, and several costly penalties contributing to their loss.
Ravens Secure Top Seed in AFC
Lamar Jackson’s outstanding performance led the Ravens to a dominant win over the Dolphins. He threw five touchdown passes and recorded a perfect passer rating, solidifying his case for the NFL MVP award. The Ravens clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC and the AFC North title with the victory.
Colts Show Offensive Potential in Win
The Colts displayed glimpses of their offensive potential in a close win against the Raiders. They made key plays, including a 58-yard touchdown pass to Alec Pierce and strong running from their running backs. While their offense may not be the most explosive, their playcalling and timely execution make them a threat in the playoffs.
Rams’ Kicker Woes Continue
The Rams narrowly escaped with a win against the Giants, but their kicking game remains a concern. Kicker Lucas Havrisik missed two extra points, highlighting the team
Texans vs. Colts: Texans’ Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance
The Texans have a simple task ahead of them in their next game against the Colts: win and secure a spot in the playoffs. Despite quarterback Stroud’s impressive 384-yard performance in their last matchup, the Texans fell short. However, wide receiver Nico Collins shined in the game, leading the team with seven catches for 80 yards. On the downside, the Texans struggled in the red zone, only converting one out of three attempts and settling for field goals.
Titans vs. Jaguars: Titans’ Playoff Hopes Dwindle
The Titans’ chances of making the playoffs took a hit in their recent loss to the Jaguars. Starting quarterback Will Levis left the game with an injury, and his replacement, Ryan Tannehill, was sacked five times. Despite Tannehill’s solid performance, the Titans’ running game struggled, averaging just 2.5 yards per carry. With their playoff hopes on the line, the Titans need to bounce back in their next game against the Jaguars.
49ers vs. Washington: 49ers Secure No. 1 Seed
The 49ers clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed with a win over Washington. While the victory is significant, it’s clear that the 49ers’ performance has declined in recent weeks, particularly on defense. Resting key players like running back Christian McCaffrey and defensive tackle Arik Armstead in the next two weeks will be crucial for the 49ers’ chances of making a deep playoff run. Running back Elijah Mitchell stood out in the game, showcasing his skills with 81 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. However, the 49ers struggled in the red zone, converting only three out of six attempts.
Commanders vs. Cowboys: Commanders Struggle Against Cowboys
The Commanders faced a challenging week with quarterback Sam Howell being benched and then starting due to Jacoby Brissett’s hamstring injury. Howell showed promise in the first half but struggled with turnovers in the second half, ultimately costing the Commanders the game. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. impressed with 44 yards rushing and 32 yards receiving, while the run defense faltered, allowing the 49ers to gain 184 yards on the ground.
Jaguars vs. Panthers: Jaguars End Losing Streak
The Jaguars put an end to their four-game losing streak with a convincing win over the Panthers. The team emphasized the need to eliminate turnovers and penalties, and they delivered, not giving up the ball and only being penalized once. Linebacker Josh Allen stood out with three sacks, tying the franchise record. However, the Jaguars’ red zone offense needs improvement, as they only scored one touchdown out of five trips.
Cowboys vs. Lions: Cowboys Bounce Back
The Cowboys secured a much-needed win against the Lions, breaking their three-game losing streak. The team displayed complementary football, with the defense making key stops and the offense, led by wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, doing just enough to secure the victory. Wide receiver Brandin Cooks played a crucial role in the game-winning drive, making a 21-yard catch and scoring a touchdown. Running back Tony Pollard struggled to find running room but made tough yards in the second half.
Browns vs. Jets: Browns Continue to Impress
Quarterback Joe Flacco continued his impressive performance, leading the Browns to victory against the Jets. Flacco threw for 296 yards in the first half, showcasing his skills alongside the team’s dominant defense. Tight end David Njoku had a standout game with 113 receiving yards in the first quarter. Despite the win, the Browns’ wide receiver corps was depleted due to injuries.
Overall, these recent matchups have had significant implications for the teams’ playoff hopes and performances.