NFL, in Week 16 and playoff picture
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It's Week 15 in the NFL, and a handful of teams' postseason hopes hang in the balance. Here are Sunday's highlights!
The upsets continued into the early window of games on Sunday, with the most notable being the Panthers forcing three turnovers against NFL MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford and shocking the Rams, 31-28. The Texans also took down the Colts, further clogging up the AFC South standings with five weeks to play.
Starting off the second half with the football, the Browns offense was able to finally get the ball down the field and put points on the board. Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt would convert on a 50-yard field goal to end Chicago's hopes of pitching a shutout in this game.
Caleb Williams hit DJ Moore for a RIDICULOUS touchdown, extending the Chicago Bears' lead over the Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers took over first place in the AFC North by surviving the Ravens after an overturned touchdown in the final minutes. The Jaguars remain atop the AFC South after dismantling the Colts, who lost Daniel Jones to an Achilles injury. And the Bills all but dashed the Bengals' playoff hopes with a 39-34 win in the snow.
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Saints vs. Panthers highlights: New Orleans stuns in NFL Week 15 game
The New Orleans Saints pulled off an upset against the Carolina Panthers in an NFL Week 15 game. Here are the highlights.
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NFL playoff projections: Bears vs. Packers highlights some huge Week 16 divisional showdowns
There are three weeks to go in the season, but for the most part we can already figure out the 14 teams that will be in the playoffs. There are nine teams alive for seven spots in the AFC, and for the moment that includes the loser of the AFC North race between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.
Watch highlights of New Orleans Saints kicker Charlie Smyth with the 42-yard field goal vs. the Carolina Panthers in Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season.
The Browns have the No. 1 pass defense in the league (169.0 yards per game), jumping ahead of the Bills last week; they are No. 2 behind only the Texans in total yards per game (279.1); they are No. 1 in tackles for lost yardage with 107; No. 1 in fewest first downs (16.4 per game); and No. 1 in third-down conversion rate (34.1%).
The NFL has implemented rule changes in recent seasons aimed at reducing lower-body injuries, including the ban on hip-drop tackles. Still, experts say the nature of the sport, built on speed, power, and rapid changes in direction, means ACL injuries remain a risk.