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Week 16 in the NFL began Christmas Day with a great performance from the New Orleans Saints and Alvin Kamara, who became the second runner in league history by pitching six touchdowns in a game. The Saints also got the NFC South with a win over the Minnesota Vikings.
On Saturday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handed the Detroit Lions a disproportionate loss as they secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2005. Then the San Francisco 49ers upset the Arizona Cardinals, who lost control of their own destiny. playoffs.
All of this and more in week 16 of the NFL Nation’s most important meals.
Outstanding performer: 49ers running Jeff Wilson Jr., 183 running yards, 1 receiving TD
If you don’t believe in 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s head coaching candidacy, you should do it now. Playing without Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Richard Sherman, Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt and Javon Kinlaw, among others, Saleh’s group found a way to limit Kyler Murray & Co. in an annoying victory. Saleh’s defense has been devastated by injuries throughout the season and has somehow managed to keep the 49ers in most games, although the offense has changed the ball repeatedly in recent weeks. The win will hurt San Francisco’s draft positioning, but it would only have to bolster Saleh’s case to get a head coach position available in the coming weeks.– Nick Wagoner
Next match: vs. Seahawks (16:25 ET, Sunday, January 3)
The Cardinals’ playoff hopes begin to dash after Saturday’s 49ers loss. Arizona only had to win and the Cardinals would have kept control of their playoff fate. Instead, they lost and now have to rely on the Chicago Bears losing their last two games to make the postseason for the first time since 2015. – Josh Weinfuss
Next match: at Rams (16:25 ET, Sunday, January 3)
Outstanding performer: Tom Brady, Buccaneers quarterback, 348 passing yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
Brady helped end the second-longest playoff drought in the NFL, throwing four touchdown passes in a landslide victory over the Detroit Lions on Saturday, taking first place in the Tampa Bay playoffs since 2007. Brady, who appeared in the his 300th game in the same city, he started his career Detroit, 20 years ago, Thanksgiving, led five TD albums in the first half, before giving way to Blaine Gabbert in the second half , as the team compiled 588 total offense yards. “It’s just the beginning. Our goal when we started, especially this year, was just to get into the dance,” coach Bruce Arians said. “And now it’s to win 11 games. And to see where we stand and where we’re going, he knows who we’re playing for. Really, really proud.” – Jenna Laine
Next match: vs. Falcons (13:00 ET, Sunday, January 3)
What is there to say, really? It was a horrible loss for the Detroit Lions on the scoreboard (47-7), in allowed yards (588) and in health (Matthew Stafford missed every series except one with a right ankle injury). This at the top of the team that went there without their head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, defense coach and secondary coach, all of whom had to sit down due to COVID’s close contact protocols -19. It was one of the worst losses in franchise history and the worst home loss in the Super Bowl era. “The problem was on offense, we couldn’t stay on the field,” said Robert Prince, the coaches coach and acting coach. “And on defense we couldn’t get out of the field.” – Michael Rothstein
Next match: vs. Vikings (13:00 ET, Sunday, January 3)
Outstanding performer: Saints Alvin Kamara, 155 running yards, 6 running TDs
Friday’s victory over the Vikings was another emphatic reminder that the Saints can win games in a variety of ways. This time, it was Kamara’s NFL record that tied six TD runs and a total of 264 running yards (New Orleans ’second-highest total since 1986). It was huge on a day when the defense corps and the Saints defense were beaten by injuries and were playing in a short week. The Saints (11-4) still have an outside chance at No. 1 in the NFC. Regardless, they now rest longer before week 17, with a chance to heal and reach their peak in January. – Mike Triplett
Next match: in Panthers (13:00 ET, Sunday, January 3)
This is the worst defense the Vikings have had in seven seasons under coach Mike Zimmer and the rebuild will take much longer than expected. Things should be better in 2021 assuming Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter return from injury and Michael Pierce returns after retiring. The Vikings have yet to revise the defensive line, especially a three-point technique, after the unit put pressure on Drew Brees and the third lowest rate (23.2%) of any team this season. “If we look at last year’s playoff game and look at the guys who played in that game and the ones who played today, it’s completely different 100%,” Zimmer said. – Courtney Cronin
Next match: at Lions (13:00 ET, Sunday, January 3)