{"id":137773,"date":"2024-12-16T19:39:48","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T12:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=137773"},"modified":"2024-12-16T19:39:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T12:39:48","slug":"what-we-learned-in-nfl-week-15-mvp-is-josh-allens-to-lose-packers-stay-hot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=137773","title":{"rendered":"What we learned in NFL Week 15: MVP is Josh Allen\u2019s to lose, Packers stay hot"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>If Sunday\u2019s game in Detroit was a Super Bowl preview, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"50\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/saints\/\">New Orleans<\/a> is in for a heck of a show \u2014 and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"9zLTUSPpy6pFa4xs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/josh-allen-9zLTUSPpy6pFa4xs\/\">Josh Allen<\/a> will be front and center.<\/p>\n<p>The <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"34\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/bills\/\">Buffalo<\/a> quarterback continued his tear on Sunday, leading the Bills past the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"41\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/lions\/\">Lions<\/a> in the Motor City with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5997201\/2024\/12\/15\/bills-offensive-line-lions-dominant\/\">another electric performance<\/a>. It was the latest snapshot into just how dominant Allen\u2019s been this season: on the home field of the NFC leaders, he led an offense that piled up 559 yards and six touchdowns. Allen had a hand in four, throwing for two and running for two in the 48-42 victory. At this point, the MVP award is his to lose.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe best I\u2019ve seen him play,\u201d Bills coach Sean McDermott gushed. \u201cHe\u2019s hard to stop. People have tried. They\u2019ll keep trying.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>No one\u2019s had all that much success this season. Detroit, remember, hadn\u2019t lost a game since Week 2. One visit from Allen and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5997081\/2024\/12\/16\/lions-loss-bills-reality-check\/\">11-game win streak is history<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5990243\/2024\/12\/15\/nfl-playoff-picture-week-15-eagles-lions-texans\/\" class=\"go-deeper\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"go-deeper\">\n<div class=\"go-deeper-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/15215023\/Week-15-NFL-Playoff-Picture-e1734317582114-1024x683.jpg?width=128&amp;height=128&amp;fit=cover&amp;auto=webp\" class=\"go-deeper\" alt=\"go-deeper\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-label\">GO DEEPER<\/p>\n<p class=\"go-deeper-title\">NFL playoff picture, Week 15: Eagles join Lions atop NFC; Rams take control of NFC West<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sunday began with four teams \u2014 <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"46\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/chiefs\/\">Kansas City<\/a>, Buffalo, Detroit and <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/eagles\/\">Philadelphia<\/a> \u2014 having already clinched a playoff spot. Now we can add three more. The <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/steelers\/\">Steelers<\/a> are in. The <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"43\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/texans\/\">Texans<\/a> clinched a second straight AFC South title after a win over the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"47\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/dolphins\/\">Dolphins<\/a> and a Colts\u2019 loss in Denver. And throw in the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"48\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/vikings\/\">Vikings<\/a>, who secured their spot Sunday night after <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"42\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/packers\/\">Green Bay<\/a>\u2019s win in Seattle.<\/p>\n<p>Kansas City\u2019s top concern at the moment isn\u2019t its seed in the AFC but <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5996435\/2024\/12\/15\/chiefs-patrick-mahomes-injury-browns\/\">the ankle of its star quarterback<\/a>, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"WWwiw0IQD5ozgrHf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/patrick-mahomes-WWwiw0IQD5ozgrHf\/\">Patrick Mahomes<\/a>, who exited Sunday\u2019s 21-7 win in Cleveland in the fourth quarter. The good news? Per coach Andy Reid, x-rays revealed no break. The bad news? \u201cIt\u2019s sore,\u201d Reid said, and Mahomes will be \u201cday-to-day.\u201d Reid added that the two-time MVP could have re-entered the game, but there \u201cwas no need for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Chiefs, 13-1 and in front of the AFC, have two games across the next 10 days: at home against Houston on Saturday, then on the road the following Wednesday in Pittsburgh, on Christmas Day. They proved last year they don\u2019t need the playoffs to run through Arrowhead, but if Mahomes\u2019 ankle injury lingers, an extra week of rest might be what the champs need before they chase a third straight Super Bowl.<\/p>\n<p>If Mahomes can\u2019t go Saturday, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"znOb6BnXeLfSyHa7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/carson-wentz-znOb6BnXeLfSyHa7\/\">Carson Wentz<\/a> will step in. The Chiefs will be facing a Texans team coming off a 20-12 win over the Dolphins thanks in part to two touchdowns from <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"uLm4zaxCSFkq07U5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/nico-collins-uLm4zaxCSFkq07U5\/\">Nico Collins<\/a>. While Houston has been uneven at times this season, give DeMeco Ryans his due: he\u2019s now the sixth head coach since 2000 to win two straight division titles to open his career, joining Matt LeFleur (Packers), Sean McVay (<a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"59\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/rams\/\">Rams<\/a>), Jim Harbaugh (49ers), Jim Caldwell (<a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"44\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/colts\/\">Colts<\/a>) and Mike Tomlin (Steelers).<\/p>\n<p>The Dolphins and Colts watched their playoff hopes dim considerably on Sunday. Now 6-8, both are likely to watch the postseason from home in January.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ath_table_974710\" class=\"tab-content relative\">\n<p>AFC Standings<\/p>\n<div id=\"table-preview-974710\" class=\"table-responsive border-transparent-imp freeze-col-sel-2\">\n<table class=\"in-article table border-transparent-imp in-article-striped in-article-no-column-border-right in-article-no-column-border-left\" style=\"max-width: none; margin: 0;\">\n<thead class=\"allcaps\">\n<tr>\n<th class=\"user-select-none relative nowrap-imp\"><span class=\"left\">Division<\/span><\/th>\n<th class=\"user-select-none relative nowrap-imp\"><span class=\"left\">Team<\/span><\/th>\n<th class=\"user-select-none relative nowrap-imp\"><span class=\"left\">Record<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 41, 41, 0.3);\">\n<p><span>AFC East<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>11-3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>6-8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>4-10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-bottom: 2px solid black;\"\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\" style=\"border-bottom: 2px solid black;\"\/>\n<td style=\"border-bottom: 2px solid black;\">\n<p><span>3-11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 41, 41, 0.3);\">\n<p><span>AFC North<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>10-4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>9-5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"\"\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\" style=\"\"\/>\n<td style=\"\">\n<p><span>6-8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"border-bottom: 2px solid black;\"\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\" style=\"border-bottom: 2px solid black;\"\/>\n<td style=\"border-bottom: 2px solid black;\">\n<p><span>3-11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 41, 41, 0.3);\">\n<p><span>AFC South<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>9-5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>6-8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>3-11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>3-11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 41, 41, 0.3);\">\n<p><span>AFC West<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>13-1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>9-5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>8-6<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td\/>\n<td class=\"ia-hlt team relative\"\/>\n<td>\n<p><span>2-11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>In New Orleans, the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"62\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/commanders\/\">Commanders<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5996375\/2024\/12\/15\/commanders-win-saints-nfc-playoff-picture\/\">outlasted the Saints on the game\u2019s final play<\/a> \u2014 stopping a two-point conversion attempt that would\u2019ve won it for New Orleans. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"I1IkAdrc7kvIrrac\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/spencer-rattler-I1IkAdrc7kvIrrac\/\">Spencer Rattler<\/a> replaced <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"CWNyfvH6H0ruMPdy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/jake-haener-CWNyfvH6H0ruMPdy\/\">Jake Haener<\/a> at quarterback and nearly pulled the home team to a fourth victory under interim coach Darren Rizzi, hitting <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"6WenClLgEC7hKjxm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/foster-moreau-6WenClLgEC7hKjxm\/\">Foster Moreau<\/a> for a 1-yard touchdown as time expired to cut the Commanders\u2019 lead to 20-19. Rizzi went for two \u2014 why not? \u2014but Rattler\u2019s throw to <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"lVqjwWDqum0IC26g\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/juwan-johnson-lVqjwWDqum0IC26g\/\">Juwan Johnson<\/a> was broken up. The Commanders (9-5) remain in the seventh and final NFC playoff spot.<\/p>\n<p>In New York, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"51\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/giants\/\">Giants<\/a> fans made another plea to owner John Mara. A plane flew over MetLife Stadium before the game with a banner reading, \u201cMr. Mara Enough \u2013 We won\u2019t stop until you fire everyone.\u201d (There was a similar banner in the skies before last week\u2019s loss.) This week\u2019s result \u2014 Ravens 35, Giants 14 \u2014 was more of the same. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5996409\/2024\/12\/15\/giants-loss-ninth-straight-press-box-perspective\/\">One of the league\u2019s worst teams<\/a> inched a little closer to earning the first overall pick in April\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n<p>At this rate, the Giants (2-12) should be rooting for the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"53\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/raiders\/\">Raiders<\/a> (2-11) Monday night. A Las Vegas win would give New York a clear path to the top pick. Three more losses to close the season and it\u2019s theirs.<\/p>\n<p>In Tennessee, the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"37\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/bengals\/\">Bengals<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5996458\/2024\/12\/15\/bengals-win-titans-weird-plays-ranked\/\">kept their slim playoff hopes alive<\/a> by beating the Titans 37-27. And in Jacksonville, Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5996533\/2024\/12\/15\/davante-adams-jets-jaguars-contract-situation\/\">offered a peek at what could\u2019ve been for the Jets<\/a> \u2014 if not for the nightmare of the previous three months. The longtime teammates connected for 198 yards and two scores in a 32-25 win over the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"45\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/jaguars\/\">Jaguars<\/a>, who are now 3-11. It\u2019s New York\u2019s first win since Halloween.<\/p>\n<p>In Carolina, <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"GjTFYZULHqPUuSFQ\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/cooper-rush-GjTFYZULHqPUuSFQ\/\">Cooper Rush<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5996635\/2024\/12\/15\/ceedee-lamb-cowboys-1000-yards-panthers-win\/\">threw for a career-high three touchdowns<\/a> in the Cowboys\u2019 30-14 win over the Panthers. Bryce Young \u2014 undeniably better in recent weeks \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5996509\/2024\/12\/15\/panthers-loss-bryce-young-turnovers-cowboys\/\">turned it over four times and was sacked six times<\/a>. He\u2019s now 4-21 as a starter, dating to last season.<\/p>\n<p>In the late afternoon slate, the Bucs increased their lead in the NFC South with a 40-17 rout of the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"56\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/chargers\/\">Chargers<\/a>. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"60\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/buccaneers\/\">Tampa Bay<\/a>, now 8-6, has won four straight to earn some breathing room ahead of the reeling <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"32\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/falcons\/\">Falcons<\/a>. Atlanta (6-7) faces the Raiders on Monday night, looking to snap a four-game skid.<\/p>\n<p>In Arizona, the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"31\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/ari-cardinals\/\">Cardinals<\/a> beat the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"49\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/patriots\/\">Patriots<\/a> 30-17 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5996856\/2024\/12\/15\/arizona-cardinals-marvin-harrison-jr-playoffs\/\">to remain a game back in the NFC West<\/a>. With <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"57\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/seahawks\/\">Seattle<\/a>\u2019s loss Sunday night, the Seahawks and Rams \u2014 both 8-6 \u2014 are tied atop the division. Los Angeles currently owns the tiebreaker by virtue of a Week 9 win, but the two will meet again in Week 18.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what we learned across Week 15 in the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/\">NFL<\/a>:<\/p>\n<h2>Bills can beat anyone<\/h2>\n<p>Dan Campbell knew this week the Bills would bounce back. He knew they were too talented, too well-coached and too resilient not to put up a better effort than they did in last week\u2019s 44-42 loss to the Rams.<\/p>\n<p>He was right. And suddenly, Detroit\u2019s lead in the race for the NFC\u2019s top seed has vanished.<\/p>\n<p>This was the Bills at their best, at least on offense, scoring early and often and in any way they wanted. This was Allen doing a little bit of everything: forcing the pile forward for an early touchdown run, scrambling in the pocket and rifling throws while piling up four touchdowns in another ridiculous performance. It\u2019s just a shame his chest pass for a score was called back due to holding.<\/p>\n<p>And don\u2019t forget about <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"yynfZqHDAdhkOwK4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/james-cook-yynfZqHDAdhkOwK4\/\">James Cook<\/a> (14 carries, 105 yards), who continues to show how lethal this Buffalo attack can be when the run game is rolling.<\/p>\n<p>The Bills have scored 90 points in their last two games and have put up 30 or more in eight straight, tied for the longest streak in NFL history. The four previous teams to do it \u2014 the 2013 <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"40\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/broncos\/\">Broncos<\/a>, 2007 and 2010 Patriots and 2000 Rams \u2014 each had the eventual MVP on the roster. Allen is now the first player in NFL history with at least two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns in consecutive games, and the first ever to do it three times in the same season.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5997467\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\">\n<div class=\"wp-caption-image-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-5997467 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/16002001\/GettyImages-2190123036-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/16002001\/GettyImages-2190123036-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/16002001\/GettyImages-2190123036-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/16002001\/GettyImages-2190123036-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/16002001\/GettyImages-2190123036-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/static01.nyt.com\/athletic\/uploads\/wp\/2024\/12\/16002001\/GettyImages-2190123036-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-credits\">\n<div class=\"inline-credits-container\">\n      <span class=\"table-cell-span\"\/><br \/>\n      <span class=\"credits-text\">Josh Allen led a Bills offense that scored six touchdowns and punted just once versus the Lions. (Mike Mulholland \/ Getty Images)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McDermott is right: Allen has never played better. And the Bills have never looked more dangerous. No team in the AFC has a higher ceiling, and that includes Kansas City. At their best, the Bills can beat anyone, and they\u2019ve proven it over the last month with convincing wins over the Chiefs and Lions.<\/p>\n<p>Detroit, meanwhile, falls to 12-2 and into a tie with Philadelphia for the NFC\u2019s top seed. Minnesota, a half-game back at 11-2, will face <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/bears\/\">Chicago<\/a> Monday night.<\/p>\n<p>Most troubling for the Lions are the injuries, which keep coming. After the loss, Campbell said the fear is defensive tackle Alim McNeil and cornerback <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"0xq9hmlZr7Alkf5H\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/carlton-davis-0xq9hmlZr7Alkf5H\/\">Carlton Davis<\/a> could be lost for the season. And that\u2019s after the team entered Sunday\u2019s game with more than a dozen players on injured reserve.<\/p>\n<p>As for the No. 1 seed, the Lions remain in the driver\u2019s seat. If Detroit wins its final three \u2014 at Chicago, at San Francisco and home against Minnesota \u2014 it will secure the top seed.<\/p>\n<h2>Eagles let it fly<\/h2>\n<p>Broken finger? Alleged beef with his star receiver? No room for error in the race for the NFC\u2019s top seed? Say this much for <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"yhzPJprUoEnfzPvf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/jalen-hurts-yhzPJprUoEnfzPvf\/\">Jalen Hurts<\/a>: he just keeps winning.<\/p>\n<p>Make it 10 straight after the Eagles\u2019 star quarterback pushed his team to 12-2 Sunday with a 27-13 victory over the Steelers in the Pennsylvania state championship. Hurts finished with just seven incompletions on 32 attempts for 290 yards and two scores, then added another on the ground.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s dealing with a broken finger on his non-throwing hand, and speculation swirled last week about his relationship with wideout <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"EJI9GRcayoZKGPpF\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/aj-brown-EJI9GRcayoZKGPpF\/\">A.J. Brown<\/a> after Eagles defensive end <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"lYce9CW27C8Gb5Hg\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/brandon-graham-lYce9CW27C8Gb5Hg\/\">Brandon Graham<\/a> hinted on a radio show that the two weren\u2019t as close as they once were. The pair collectively dismissed the story, both in their words last week and their play Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Brown finished with eight catches for a team-best 110 yards and a touchdown. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"rRK5EifpLOPY5iRv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/devonta-smith-rRK5EifpLOPY5iRv\/\">DeVonta Smith<\/a> added 109 of his own.<\/p>\n<p>After Brown\u2019s score, he danced with Hurts on the field in celebration. Asked later about it, Brown said, \u201cThat was our moment to tell everybody to shut up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe scrutiny is never-ending,\u201d Hurts said. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing new. It\u2019s something I find the thrill in. I appreciate being told that \u2018I can\u2019t\u2019 and that \u2018We can\u2019t.\u2019 I know that I lead this team, and it demands a lot out of you. I just wanna be the best I can be for the guys on this team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A passing game that had stalled in recent weeks looked pretty sound on Sunday. Add in an Eagles\u2019 defense that held the Steelers to just 2 fourth-quarter yards, and this was another convincing victory for a team that has the makings of a Super Bowl contender. This roster is deep and battle-tested. This team\u2019s going to be a tough out in January.<\/p>\n<h2>Broncos pass test; Colts flunk it<\/h2>\n<p>This is the part of the season where teams reveal themselves. The Broncos and Colts did so Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>Denver, chasing its first playoff berth in nine years, overcame three interceptions from <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"wgAV0x6fsMAcpuy1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/bo-nix-wgAV0x6fsMAcpuy1\/\">Bo Nix<\/a> to bury Indianapolis 31-13. Sean Payton\u2019s team ripped off 21 straight to close the game, Denver\u2019s fourth win in a row. Coupled with the Chargers\u2019 loss, the Broncos are currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs.<\/p>\n<p>But this one said far more about Indy. This was the Colts\u2019 biggest game of the season, against the team one spot ahead of them in the playoff race. They\u2019d looked revitalized since <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"FjC3SnpekrKYntTs\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/anthony-richardson-FjC3SnpekrKYntTs\/\">Anthony Richardson<\/a> returned to the starting lineup, winning two of three. Here was their chance.<\/p>\n<p>And not only did they blow that chance, but also they blew it in inexplicable fashion. Two plays cost the Colts a golden opportunity to climb the ladder in the AFC playoff standings. One was careless. The other was reckless.<\/p>\n<p>In the second quarter, with the Colts leading 13-7, running back <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"mOJfkT1ezS1XnPyT\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/jonathan-taylor-mOJfkT1ezS1XnPyT\/\">Jonathan Taylor<\/a> found a hole behind the right side of his offensive line and took off. Forty-one yards later he was in the end zone untouched \u2014 but not before dropping the football inches before he reached the goal line. The Broncos took over by virtue of a fumble out of the end zone.<\/p>\n<p>A game that should\u2019ve been 20-7 suddenly tightened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat can\u2019t happen,\u201d Taylor said later. \u201cCan\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then, trailing 17-13 early in the fourth quarter, the Colts dialed up a trick play that went horrifically wrong. Richardson lobbed it to rookie wideout <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"uwIiPujoaBqlli5Y\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/adonai-mitchell-uwIiPujoaBqlli5Y\/\">Adonai Mitchell<\/a>, who then tried to throw it back to Richardson. Problem was, the Broncos sniffed it out. Easily. Mitchell\u2019s throw was late, and Denver linebacker <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"AwtvYpeHyDxar42M\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/nik-bonitto-AwtvYpeHyDxar42M\/\">Nik Bonitto<\/a> swiped the pass and returned it for a touchdown.<\/p>\n<p>The rout was on from there, and the Colts had no one to blame but themselves.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe repped that play all week, and it was great,\u201d coach Shane Steichen said. \u201cIn practice, (Mitchell) threw it great \u2026 that one didn\u2019t work out. Maybe he didn\u2019t see the guy, to be completely honest.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The loss sinks Indianapolis\u2019 playoff chances to just 7 percent. The Colts have now gone 10 straight seasons without winning the AFC South.<\/p>\n<h2>Green Bay could be a problem<\/h2>\n<p>The Packers currently sit in third place in the NFC North. They\u2019ve lost twice to the Lions. They\u2019ve beaten just three teams currently in the playoffs.<\/p>\n<p>And yet, they might be the NFC team no one wants to see in January.<\/p>\n<p>Matt LeFleur\u2019s team is now 10-4 after beating the Seahawks 30-13 in Seattle on Sunday night.<\/p>\n<p>The offense has shown it can score in a hurry, putting up 30 points or more five times since Halloween. <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"hKoINpSJMsyZAYt3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/player\/jordan-love-hKoINpSJMsyZAYt3\/\">Jordan Love<\/a> has cut down on his interceptions, an early-season problem. And Jeff Hafley\u2019s proven to be an excellent defensive coordinator hire.<\/p>\n<p>This was a team that last year won its final three regular season games to make the postseason at 9-8. Then the Packers embarrassed the <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"39\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/cowboys\/\">Cowboys<\/a> in Dallas in the wild-card round and nearly upset the top-seeded <a class=\"ath_autolink\" data-id=\"58\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/nfl\/team\/niners\/\">49ers<\/a> in San Francisco in the divisional round.<\/p>\n<p>Could they be dangerous again come the postseason? It\u2019s not all that hard to envision. This will be LeFleur\u2019s fifth trip to the playoffs in six seasons in Green Bay. His team can get hot when it counts.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><em>(Photo of Jordan Love: Steph Chambers \/ Getty Images)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5996906\/2024\/12\/16\/bills-lions-josh-allen-mvp\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If Sunday\u2019s game in Detroit was a Super Bowl preview, New Orleans is in for a heck of a show \u2014 and Josh Allen will be front and center. The &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=137773\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-137773","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sports","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=137773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137773\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=137773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=137773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=137773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}