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FOX Sports activities’ NFL specialists present the largest takeaways from each Sunday sport in Week 16 and what they imply for every crew going ahead.
Lions: They’re a greater crew when Jahmyr Gibbs touches the ball extra. I get that he and David Montgomery make for a particular tandem. Sonic and Knuckles — it is enjoyable branding. And Gibbs is 5-foot-9, 200 kilos, which suggests he is most likely not the kind of man who can final the entire season with a large workload with out coping with accidents. So it is sensible to place Gibbs in tandem with Montgomery in the long term. All that may be true — and I nonetheless suppose the Lions offense seems extra explosive with Gibbs out of his timeshare. Montgomery’s damage has pushed extra onto Gibbs’ plate. His efficiency on Sunday (23 carries, 109 dashing yards, 1 TD; 4 catches, 45 receiving yards) confirmed that, when Montgomery returns, the Lions ought to defend Gibbs’ touches. They have been in an nearly good 50-50 cut up going into this sport. I wish to see Gibbs taking over 75-25 when the playoffs roll round. The Lions shall be higher for it.
Bears: For the love of god, rent Ben Johnson. Bears QB Caleb Williams is having a misplaced yr, to the purpose the place — beneath every other circumstances — we might begin to wonder if he’ll be a bust. He is the worst of the three top-3 QBs (Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye). Bo Nix is having a greater season. However on Williams’ 45-yard landing to Keenan Allen, the Bears QB reminded the NFL world — together with Johnson, who was standing on the opponent’s sideline watching — simply how a lot potential he has. Williams put as a lot velocity on the throw as any I’ve seen by any QB this yr. Possibly it is a misplaced yr. However Williams is not misplaced altogether. He must be simply tremendous so long as Johnson makes his means from Detroit to Chicago. The Lions OC is such an apparent rent. He’ll be costly, however he’ll be value it. Williams is a particular participant who requires a particular coach. The Bears want solely take a look at the offensive playcaller who whooped them this week — the identical man who designed an intentional journey to attain a landing. — Henry McKenna
Giants: It is nearly inconceivable to think about Giants co-owner John Mara justifying one other season of Brian Daboll at this level. It isn’t simply that they are 2-13 and have misplaced 10 straight video games. Daboll earned the job three years in the past as a result of he was thought of a superb offensive coach. However his offense has grow to be utterly dysfunctional. The Giants managed simply 234 yards in opposition to a Falcons protection that ranked twentieth within the NFL. They scored seven factors or fewer for the fifth time this season. They’ve averaged solely 14.3 factors per sport this season and 11.8 within the 5 video games since their bye week. They’ve huge personnel points, significantly at quarterback, however there are groups with quarterback points that generate no less than some offense. Daboll seems utterly misplaced. They’ll draft a quarterback in April. They can not belief a rookie quarterback to this teaching workers.
Falcons: Michael Penix Jr. appeared fairly good in his NFL debut. Most significantly for the Falcons, he averted the massive errors that his predecessor, Kirk Cousins, had been repeatedly making over the previous month. Penix was 18-of-27 for 202 yards and one interception. And that one interception was truly an ideal cross to TE Kyle Pitts that may have gone for a landing if Pitts did not juggle it into the palms of the Giants protection. Penix was largely a sport supervisor in his first begin, which is not shocking. Nevertheless it was clear he had chemistry and timing together with his two high receivers — Darnell Mooney (5 catches, 82 yards) and Drake London (5-59). There’s clearly so much to work with there for the Falcons. And if Penix can maintain avoiding errors, he would possibly even be capable to assist them with their late, desperation push towards a playoff berth. They will want somewhat assist from the skin, too. — Ralph Vacchiano
Cardinals: One other week, one other head-scratching turnover by Kyler Murray. Along with his crew down three factors and driving for the profitable rating late, Murray threw the ball into protection as a substitute of working it out of bounds, leading to an interception by the Panthers. Nonetheless, Arizona’s protection held, giving Murray an opportunity to redeem himself and he moved the offense into place for a Chad Ryland 58-yard area aim to drive extra time. However the Cardinals could not transfer the ball within the further interval and have been formally eradicated from the postseason with the loss. Murray now has seven turnovers since Week 10, and the Cardinals are 1-5 since their bye. They wasted a gutsy efficiency from bruising again James Conner, who completed with 117 dashing yards and a landing, however needed to depart the sport with a knee damage within the third quarter.
Panthers: The numbers weren’t eye-popping, however second-year professional Bryce Younger continues to execute the little issues to raise his crew. Going through an inconsistent Arizona protection, Younger threw for 158 yards and two touchdowns. He additionally ran for 68 yards and a rating, holding the Cardinals on their heels defensively. Younger completed with no turnovers after totaling 4 miscues in a blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys final week. Operating again Chuba Hubbard supplied stability on offense, ending with 153 dashing yards, together with a 21-yard run for the profitable rating in extra time. Benched earlier this season, Younger has the Panthers competing every week, one thing head coach Dave Canales can construct on for subsequent season. – Eric D. Williams
Eagles: Saquon Barkley could be very deserving of being within the dialog for NFL MVP, however this sport confirmed how indispensable QB Jalen Hurts is to the Philadelphia Eagles. Hurts left within the first quarter with a concussion and the Eagles main 7-0. Kenny Pickett got here in and completed a landing drive after which acquired a 68-yard Barkley landing run on Phillys’ subsequent drive. However after that? Not so much. 9 drives, 4 punts, 5 area aim makes an attempt (4 made). The Eagles had 111 yards on two drives with Hurts taking part in most of them. They totaled 227 on 11 drives after that (and 68 of these got here on the one Barkley run). They have been lucky to get 5 turnovers out of the Commanders, however nonetheless could not put them away as a result of they could not maintain drives or attain the tip zone. Barkley could make this crew harmful on his personal, however the Eagles higher hope Hurts returns shortly and does not get harm once more with a purpose to make a Tremendous Bowl run.
Commanders: Jayden Daniels is not simply the NFL Rookie of the 12 months, he may be the most effective first-year quarterback to hit this league in a very long time. And he additionally may be essentially the most thrilling participant within the sport proper now. What he did on Sunday in opposition to the NFL’s No. 1 protection was simply outstanding. Overlook the numbers: He threw three fourth-quarter landing passes, together with one with six seconds left after he carried the Commanders for 57 yards in 1:52 to win the sport. He was a stunning, one-man present, finishing 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards and 5 landing passes whereas working 9 instances for 81 yards. And he did it when he wasn’t getting assist from anybody else on his offense. Sure, he threw two interceptions — a part of Washington’s 5 turnovers — however he did greater than sufficient to beat that. He willed the Commanders to victory in opposition to top-of-the-line groups within the NFL. He additionally might need simply established them as an actual Tremendous Bowl risk. — Ralph Vacchiano
Browns: That is Cleveland’s 2024 offense in a nutshell, within the first 5 performs of the fourth quarter: Dorian Thompson-Robinson landing run negated by a holding penalty. Incomplete. One other holding penalty. DTR recovers his personal fumble, after which throws an interception on third down. The Browns have thrown extra interceptions than every other crew within the NFL, whether or not it is Deshaun Watson or Jameis Winston or Thompson-Robinson. They’re 3-12 and nonetheless doubtlessly not choosing within the high 5. It looks as if Kevin Stefanski is secure, however this has been a nasty product all yr. The Browns are thirtieth in scoring. They’re thirty first in turnover margin. And the Watson contract remains to be an albatross holding them from addressing their wants within the offseason. The place does any optimism come from in Cleveland?
Bengals: He is pretty properly behind Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen in any actual MVP speak, however Joe Burrow has had about nearly as good a season as you possibly can have on a crew with a shedding document. Sunday introduced a typical Burrow day — no less than three touchdowns for a seventh straight sport. In that seven-game stretch, he has 24 touchdowns in opposition to 5 interceptions in lower than half a season. Cincinnati is barely 4-3 in these seven video games. The Bengals are barely alive for the playoffs at 7-8 and want an ideal state of affairs with all types of assist to sneak in, and it is a disgrace to see such a fantastic particular person season utterly obscured because it has been. — Greg Auman
Titans: The way forward for this Titans regime needs to be in critical query. It is simply 12 months 1 of the Brian Callahan-Ran Carthon partnership, however it’s been that unhealthy. You need to commend Tennessee for practically pulling off an unbelievable fourth-quarter comeback, however the actuality is that it nonetheless gave up 335 dashing yards (most ever within the franchise’s Titans period) and 4 dashing touchdowns on 6.7 yards per carry in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Colts — days after Callahan went on an expletive-filled rant about these accusing his crew of being gentle. The form of progress you search for in a struggling crew with a first-year coach hasn’t been evident. There is a jarring lack of promising younger gamers to construct round, together with a transparent verdict that Will Levis is not their quarterback of the long run. The long-term prospects of the franchise look bleak. The pink slips really feel inevitable.
Colts: Close to catastrophe on the finish apart, that is the dynamic run sport all of us envisioned with an Anthony Richardson–Jonathan Taylor backfield: 38 carries, 288 dashing yards and 4 touchdowns mixed. Sunday’s dominance got here in opposition to an terrible Titans crew, however it may very well be a springboard for the tandem. Indianapolis faces poor run defenses to finish the common season within the Giants and Jaguars, in any case. The Colts will want some assist to squeeze into the playoffs within the remaining two weeks, but when they make it, they may very well be a real wild-card due to their run sport. Questioning their viability of happening a run within the postseason is legitimate, although. Richardson accomplished simply seven passes in opposition to Tennessee. His inconsistencies as a passer make it arduous to financial institution on something with the Colts. — Ben Arthur
Rams: In his first sport again since struggling an ACL damage in a playoff loss to the Lions final season, veteran tight finish Tyler Higbee was chargeable for the profitable rating, an 11-yard landing catch. Winners of 4 straight, the Rams are 13-1 in December since Matthew Stafford took over because the crew’s starter through the 2021 season. Additionally, the NFC West leaders began this season 1-4, however have gained eight of their previous 10 video games. Stafford is now 5-13 in opposition to fellow greybeard Aaron Rodgers.
Jets: New York suffered one other late-game meltdown and have now misplaced six video games this season when forward getting into the fourth quarter with a lead. Losers of 10 of their final 12, the Jets even have struggled in shut video games in 2024, going 3-7 in one-score video games this season. And this is a primary for the Jets: They did not punt however scored solely 9 factors, the primary crew to perform that doubtful feat prior to now 25 seasons. – Eric D. Williams
Vikings: Large gamers present up in huge video games, and on Sunday, Justin Jefferson confirmed why he is the most effective receiver within the NFL. Enjoying in opposition to one of many extra proficient defensive backfields within the league, Jefferson constantly created separation for giant performs. The LSU product completed with 10 receptions for 144 receiving yards and two scores, together with the profitable landing on a 39-yard reception with 3:58 left to play. On the energy of Jefferson’s heroics, the Vikings earned a giant highway win over Seattle and nonetheless have a shot to earn the No. 1 seed within the NFC.
Seahawks: The Seahawks nonetheless cannot beat good groups of their first yr beneath head coach Mike Macdonald. With a late-game loss to Minnesota, Seattle is now 2-5 in opposition to groups with profitable information. Turnovers and unforced errors have been on the coronary heart of Seattle’s points. Geno Smith threw two interceptions, together with one to finish the sport. He now has 15 interceptions this yr. And Seattle completed with 11 accepted penalties for 77 yards. The Seahawks are a sport behind the Rams within the NFC West and stay within the playoff hunt, however they have to win at Chicago subsequent week to have a shot of taking part in for the division title in Week 18 in Los Angeles. – Eric D. Williams
Patriots: Drake Maye must get higher within the clutch. It is one place the place the rookie QB clearly wants to enhance. Now, earlier than I draw the ire of Patriots followers who love Maye, I will say this: He is a very good participant who has already improved in spades from his days at UNC. There’s a lot to love about what he is achieved this season for the Patriots. However there’s additionally no denying that he has taken his crew out of competition with fourth-quarter or extra time turnovers. It occurred on this sport, within the Rams sport and within the Titans sport. (The Tennessee sport was a state of affairs the place he scored a landing as time expired, which despatched the sport into extra time — the place he threw a game-ending INT.) Maye saved it shut in opposition to the Payments on Sunday, however his two fourth-quarter turnovers have been the distinction. Each rookie could have locations the place he can develop. Each rookie will spend the offseason addressing these locations. Maye’s weak point is obvious: He must get smarter within the conditions that matter most.
Payments: Buffalo’s main receiver had 26 yards. And it wasn’t a receiver. It was working again James Cook dinner. Even for a Payments crew that preaches profitable in numerous methods, this was a bizarre sport. However hey, they gained. That is what issues. And to me, that exhibits why Buffalo is a championship-caliber crew. The crew’s most dependable pass-catcher, Khalil Shakir, could not haul in two large performs and completed with simply two catches on six targets. Quarterback Josh Allen handled a hand damage. On a brutally chilly day, the MVP candidate performed poorly and appeared out of sync together with his pass-catchers. However the protection confirmed up, even after permitting 43 factors per sport prior to now two matchups. On this sport, the protection generated an interception and a fumble for a landing within the fourth quarter. This win is harking back to one thing the Chiefs would do. And that is a very good factor for Buffalo, which is able to most likely have to drag off one thing identical to this to beat Ok.C. (and others) within the playoffs. — Henry McKenna
49ers: San Francisco had been eradicated from playoff competition earlier than Sunday’s sport even kicked off, and this was one other disappointing loss for a depleted crew. Brock Purdy had respectable numbers (313 passing yards, 2 TDs), however with the sport on the road, needing a landing to win, he was intercepted to finish any hope. Regardless of having George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings, the offense could not muster a play longer than 28 yards. The shortage of any run sport — decimated by accidents — permits defenses to drop extra in protection and drive the 49ers to work beneath. San Francisco has now misplaced 5 of its previous six video games, and what was as soon as a wide-open NFC West is now out of attain. That shifts the main target totally to the offseason, and the largest query is what the 49ers will do with Purdy, quickly eligible for an extension.
Dolphins: Miami entered Sunday barely mathematically alive for the playoffs, and the Dolphins saved that hope alive for an additional week. Unsung in Miami’s offense this season has been Jonnu Smith, who had six catches for 62 yards in opposition to the 49ers and set franchise single-season information for catches (76) and receiving yards (802) by a good finish. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have been underwhelming, however Smith has been a pleasing shock and a dependable goal for Tua Tagovailoa. Miami now must not solely win its final two video games, however have the Colts lose one and have both the Chargers or Broncos each lose their two remaining video games. — Greg Auman
Jaguars: Travis Hunter would look nice in a Jaguars uniform. Why? Effectively, Sunday’s loss was a reminder of their dearth of younger receiver expertise outdoors of Brian Thomas Jr., who surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the season on Sunday. And although the secondary wasn’t an enormous subject in opposition to a Raiders crew that’s expertise poor at huge receiver, Jacksonville entered the sport league-worst in cross protection. The Colorado star, after all, might assist each points together with his two-way means. The Jaguars are at present pegged to pick out No. 3 general, per Tankathon, placing them proper behind the Patriots, one other crew that may very well be focusing on Hunter. The Hunter sweepstakes is one to look at within the final couple weeks of the season.
Raiders: The Raiders harm their case for the No. 1 general decide by snapping their 10-game shedding streak, however I do not suppose they care. Regardless that their victory Sunday wasn’t fairly, it was indicative of the satisfaction they’re nonetheless taking part in with. Of their first sport with out celebrity edge rusher Maxx Crosby, the Raiders recorded a number of takeaways for simply the second time this season and confirmed up huge within the fourth quarter. The gang at Allegiant Stadium was engaged too, seemingly wanting a victory simply as badly because the crew. Antonio Pierce may very well be teaching for his job, so Sunday’s sport could also be one which helps him — however not Las Vegas’ probabilities for Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. The Raiders have dropped to sixth within the draft order, in response to Tankathon, behind three quarterback-needy groups: the Giants (No. 1), Titans (No. 4) and Browns (No. 5). — Ben Arthur
Buccaneers: Tampa Bay has handed management of the NFC South again to the Falcons with two weeks to play. Their four-game win streak had given them management of their playoff future, however Sunday’s disappointing loss — they’re 0-6 in prime time during the last two seasons — means they want Atlanta to lose for them to have a shot at a fourth straight division title. The keys to the division have been handed forwards and backwards now — factor is, if the Commanders beat the Falcons subsequent week and the Bucs can merely beat the Panthers, then Tampa Bay shall be again in first with per week to play. As a lot as this was a blown alternative, the chances are nonetheless within the Bucs’ favor, unusual as it might appear.
Cowboys: If the Cowboys as a roster have been making an attempt to make a case for Mike McCarthy to return subsequent season, profitable 4 out of 5 with a backup quarterback would work properly. Dallas was eradicated from the playoffs earlier than Sunday night time’s sport, however they knocked off a Bucs crew that had gained 4 in a row and had the whole lot on the road. Cooper Rush has stepped in admirably, and the protection harassed Baker Mayfield with 4 sacks and constant strain. The Cowboys are simply 7-8, a disappointment within the huge image, however profitable 4 of 5 — together with the Commanders and Bucs — may give the crew an upward trajectory for the offseason. Rico Dowdle was held in verify Sunday, however he had essentially the most dashing yards within the league over the earlier three weeks. Followers wouldn’t love McCarthy coming again, however the gamers proceed to make a case for it on the sector. — Greg Auman
The next writers contributed to this story: Ben Arthur (@benyarthur); Greg Auman (@gregauman); Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis); Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano); Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV); Eric D. Williams (@eric_d_williams).
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