NFL Week 16 Takeaways: Largest Takeaways from 2022 Christmas Eve Video games | Information, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
NFL Week 16 Takeaways: Largest Takeaways from 2022 Christmas Eve Video games
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Because the bitter chilly gripped a number of cities throughout america and impacted a number of video games on the Week 16 Christmas Eve slate, a quarterback rose to the event and appears like the favourite to win NFL MVP.
Within the early kickoff video games, we did not simply see battles between floor assaults in frigid temperatures. The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs cruised to victory because of quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who’s performed distinctive soccer this season. He did not compile eye-popping numbers, however he basically stored his workforce within the combine for the No. 1 seed within the AFC.
In the meantime, the Minnesota Vikings discovered one other unimaginable strategy to win in opposition to a playoff contender. Whereas they’re flawed on protection, the workforce put collectively a whole efficiency on Saturday.
With Saturday’s outcomes, we’re set to see no less than two big-time battles for division crowns within the ultimate two weeks of the season.
Let’s go although some key takeaways from the Christmas Eve contests with a glance forward towards the playoffs and an early projection for the league’s most status regular-season award.
Patrick Mahomes Is the Clear-Lower Entrance-Runner for League MVP
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Patrick Mahomes performed a job in all three of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ touchdowns in a 24-10 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He went 16-of-28 passing for 224 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for eight yards and a rating. After his landing on the bottom, followers at GEHA Subject at Arrowhead Stadium chanted “MVP!”
Whereas Mahomes did not mild up the stat sheet, he tacked on respectable passing numbers because the league chief in yards and touchdowns by means of the air going into Week 16. With Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (sprained shoulder) unsure to play for the rest of the season, per NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs signal-caller must be within the pole place for league MVP honors.
Although the Chiefs locked up the AFC West title final week, they will nonetheless declare the No. 1 seed within the AFC, so Mahomes will proceed to build up passing numbers in opposition to the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders within the ultimate two weeks of the season. In his first assembly in opposition to these groups, he threw for seven touchdowns and three interceptions mixed.
Mahomes might turn out to be a two-time NFL MVP.
Bengals, Payments Win Turnover-Crammed Video games Forward of Playoff-Caliber Week 17 Matchup
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Three groups have an opportunity to say the No. 1 seed within the AFC. Whereas the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs beat the Seattle Seahawks with few bumps within the highway, the Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Payments had sloppy wins on Saturday.
Late within the fourth quarter, the Payments pulled away from the Chicago Bears to win 35-13, however quarterback Josh Allen threw two interceptions and wideout Gabe Davis misplaced a fumble in Bears territory.
Allen threw two interceptions in three consecutive video games between Weeks 8 and 10, so his turnovers can come and go. The Payments want him to maintain the soccer in opposition to a Tremendous Bowl-contending workforce that is compelled 5 turnovers in its final two video games. Buffalo can not afford to present quarterback Joe Burrow extra possessions.
Talking of Burrow, he scorched the New England Patriots’ ninth-ranked go protection within the first half, however the Bengals signal-caller cooled off after halftime and completed with 375 passing yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. Cincinnati did not rating within the second half of the competition and wideout Ja’Marr Chase had a expensive fumble within the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, the Bengals received 22-18.
The Bengals will host the Payments within the ultimate Monday Evening Soccer matchup of the common season. Within the occasion that the Payments lose, the Chiefs will take excessive spot within the AFC in the event that they beat the Denver Broncos in Week 17. The Bengals would slip into the No. 1 slot with a win and a Kansas Metropolis loss as a result of the Bengals beat the Chiefs in Week 13.
We’re certain to see some fireworks in a big-time AFC matchup with the No. 1 seed up for grabs.
Panthers Are Enjoying Their Finest Earlier than Essential NFC South Battle with Buccaneers
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Do not write the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in because the NFC South division winners but. Whether or not the Buccaneers win, lose or tie with the Arizona Cardinals on Christmas, they may fall out of first place within the division with a loss to the Carolina Panthers subsequent weekend.
Remember that the Panthers dominated the Buccaneers 21-3 in Week 7. Now, they’re coming off arguably their finest recreation of the season, knocking off the red-hot Detroit Lions 37-23. Carolina managed the competition with its floor assault, dashing for 320 yards and three touchdowns on 43 carries. Working backs D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard ran for 125-plus yards apiece.
For the reason that Panthers fired Matt Rhule, interim head coach Steve Wilks has led this workforce to a 5-5 report. With a run-first offensive components and a strong protection, Carolina might discover its means into the playoffs.
Because the Panthers look to keep up momentum from a high quality victory, the Buccaneers will stumble into their Christmas Day recreation with the Cardinals as losers in three of their final 4 outings.
With a 17-10 win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday, the New Orleans Saints stored their division title hopes alive. Carolina will doubtless must beat Tampa Bay (in Week 17) and New Orleans (in Week 18) for the highest spot within the NFC South.
Vikings Appear Destined for a Deep Playoff Run
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In consecutive weeks, the Minnesota Vikings have received in dramatic vogue. Final week, the Vikings overcame a 33-point first-half deficit to beat the Indianapolis Colts in extra time, and so they topped the New York Giants with a game-winning 61-yard area aim in a seesaw battle on Saturday.
Within the ultimate seconds of regulation, Greg Joseph made the career-long area aim to present the Vikings an exhilarating 27-24 victory at house.
Regardless that Joseph made the play of the sport along with his leg, the Vikings’ closely criticized protection and particular groups unit deserve some credit score for this win as nicely. Minnesota compelled two turnovers on its aspect of the sector and blocked a punt that arrange the offense on a brief area for a landing drive, and people have been key performs that helped it overcome New York’s 445-353 whole yards benefit.
Positive, Kirk Cousins threw for 3 touchdowns, T.J. Hockenson caught 13 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns and Justin Jefferson captured the workforce’s receiving yards record for a single season with 133 receiving yards and a landing, however Minnesota received Saturday’s outing with strong play in all three phases of the sport.
Already set to host a first-round postseason contest, the Vikings could also be a workforce primed for a deep playoff run with a shot to symbolize the NFC in Tremendous Bowl 57.
Titans’ Loss Units Up AFC South Title Showdown with Jaguars in Week 18
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The Tennessee Titans dropped their fifth consecutive recreation, dropping 19-14 at house to the Houston Texans, who’ve the league’s worst report (2-12-1).
Since Week 12, the Titans have gone into a whole funk. On prime of that, they will most likely have to complete out the 2022 season with out their beginning quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, who underwent surgical procedure on his ankle this week and is “unlikely” to return for the playoffs, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
On Saturday, rookie third-rounder Malik Willis made his third begin instead of Tannehill and went 14-of-23 passing for 99 yards and two interceptions. He additionally rushed for 43 yards and a landing. Nonetheless, in contrast to Week 8, Willis could not handle the offense in a profitable effort over the Texans. The primary-year signal-caller threw interceptions on the Titans’ ultimate two drives of the sport.
Trying forward, the Titans have a troublesome matchup with the Dallas Cowboys on a brief turnaround in Week 17 after which they will play the Jacksonville Jaguars, who beat them in Week 14.
As of proper now, the Jaguars are the higher squad, profitable 4 of their earlier 5 video games with a quarterback in Trevor Lawrence who has a scorching hand, throwing for 13 touchdowns and only one interception since Week 10.
Tennessee received back-to-back AFC South titles heading into the 2022 marketing campaign, however Jacksonville could also be prepared to alter the guard within the division.
49ers Are the NFL’s Hottest Group with Third-String QB Brock Purdy
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Who noticed this coming? Nobody.
Going into Week 17, the San Francisco 49ers have the league’s longest win streak, which stands at eight video games. Much more spectacular, Jimmy Garoppolo went down with an ankle damage in Week 13 in opposition to the Miami Dolphins, however rookie seventh-round quarterback Brock Purdy has helped lead San Francisco to 4 consecutive wins by a mean margin of about 17.3 factors.
Since Purdy took over for Garoppolo, he is thrown for eight touchdowns (two in every of the earlier 4 video games) and two interceptions with a dashing rating. The primary-year signal-caller has accomplished no less than 65.4 % of his passes in all of these contests.
In fact, Purdy has had assist from a top-10 floor assault that is racked up no less than 121 yards in 4 straight outings and a stout protection that hasn’t allowed greater than 20 factors in a recreation since Week 7.
With that stated, a workforce sometimes struggles with a backup quarterback, not to mention a third-stringer, however the 49ers have not skipped a beat with Purdy and one of many NFL’s most full rosters. They’re prepared for postseason motion.
Regardless of Eagles’ Loss, Gardner Minshew Can Lead Them to NFC’s No. 1 Seed
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In a 40-34 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles got here up brief in an opportunity to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed, however Gardner Minshew performed nicely sufficient to present his workforce a shot to win. He went 24-of-40 passing for 355 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, misplaced a fumble and rushed for a landing.
Minshew made errors with three turnovers, however the Eagles protection gave up 40 factors, which is probably the most that unit has allowed in a single recreation this season.
In accordance with NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport, Jalen Hurts could sit out once more subsequent week due to a sprained shoulder. If that is the case, Minshew is able to main the Eagles to a win for the No. 1 seed within the NFC, assuming he takes higher care of the soccer.
Within the ultimate two weeks of the season, the Eagles will host the New Orleans Saints, who got here into Saturday’s video games with the Twenty second-ranked scoring offense, and the New York Giants, whom they beat 48-22 in Week 14.
No matter Minshew’s play, Philadelphia can not permit opposing offenses to go up and down the sector and put immense stress on a banged-up beginning quarterback or his backup.
Ron Rivera’s QB Choice Will not Make or Break Commanders’ Playoff Push
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The Washington Commanders benched Taylor Heinicke after he threw an interception within the 4 quarter of Saturday’s 37-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Heinicke went 13-of-18 passing for 166 yards, two touchdowns, an interception and misplaced a fumble. In reduction responsibility, Carson Wentz accomplished 12 out of 16 passes for 123 yards and a landing.
Following the sport, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera didn’t name a beginning quarterback for Week 17, which leaves a considerably important choice to make for the ultimate two video games.
Washington will end the season as hosts to the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys. At 7-7-1, they need to deal with profitable out with the Seattle Seahawks (7-8) and Detroit Lions (7-8) on their heels and the Inexperienced Bay Packers (6-8) nonetheless alive for a wild-card spot.
After a Week 6 win over the Chicago Bears, Washington positioned Wentz on injured reserve, and he underwent surgical procedure on his finger. In the meantime, Heinicke helped lead the Commanders to 5 wins in eight video games (5-2-1).
Following back-to-back losses, Rivera could attempt to spark the offense with one other quarterback switcheroo, however he must be cautious with that thought. Earlier than Wentz went on injured reserve, Washington scored 17 factors or fewer in 4 consecutive video games and had a 2-4 report.
However, no matter who begins beneath middle, the Commanders ought to depend on their Eleventh-ranked floor assault. Coming into Week 16, their subsequent two opponents, the Browns and Cowboys, tied for twenty fourth in dashing yards allowed per contest.
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