Sports
NFL Week 16 scores, results, highlights including Bills v Browns, Titans v Chiefs & Cowboys v Chargers
The Seattle Seahawks claimed a huge win over the Los Angeles Rams to kick off Week 16 in the NFL.
It was a massive boost for Seattle in their battle for the Number 1 seed in the NFC, but that was not the only drama in the league.
The Washington Commanders fell to reigning champions Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday, setting up a Sunday of nail-biting action.
Catch up with the scores, results and highlights from Week 16 in the NFL as 101GreatGoals.com looks back on the action.
Dallas Cowboys 17-34 Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert accounted for three touchdowns as the Los Angeles Chargers moved closer to a playoff place with a 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Herbert threw two scoring passes and added a rushing touchdown, guiding Los Angeles to a fourth straight victory. The Chargers improved to 11-4 and remained in position to secure a postseason berth later in the day, depending on results elsewhere.
Despite playing with his non-throwing hand heavily protected, Herbert was efficient, completing 23 of 29 passes for 300 yards as the Chargers posted a season-high 452 total yards.
Dallas made a fast start, with Dak Prescott throwing touchdown passes on the team’s first two drives, but the offense stalled thereafter. The Cowboys were officially eliminated from playoff contention, extending a difficult run that has seen them lose three straight games.
New York Giants 13-16 Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Viking edged past the New York Giants 16-13, securing a third straight win despite both teams already being out of playoff contention.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy scored on the ground earlier in the game but was forced to exit late in the first half after suffering an injury to his throwing hand.
The setback came on a strip sack by Brian Burns, who dislodged the ball and allowed Tyler Nubin to return the fumble 27 yards for a Giants touchdown, briefly shifting momentum before halftime.
With McCarthy sidelined, backup Max Brosmer stepped in and steadied Minnesota in the second half. The rookie led a key fourth-quarter drive that ended with Will Reichard converting a 30-yard field goal.
Miami Dolphins 21-45 Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow responded to last week’s shutout, throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns as the Cincinnati Bengals overpowered the Miami Dolphins 45-21.
Although both teams had already been eliminated from playoff contention, the opening half was competitive, with Cincinnati holding a narrow 17-14 lead at the break.
The game swung decisively after halftime, as Miami committed four consecutive turnovers that the Bengals converted into 28 unanswered points.
Burrow was highly efficient, completing 25 of 32 passes and posting a 146.5 passer rating before leaving early in the fourth quarter.
Chase Brown was central to the third-quarter surge, scoring three touchdowns in the space of one quarter, including two receiving scores and a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Ja’Marr Chase topped 100 receiving yards, while Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki also found the end zone.
Miami rookie Quinn Ewers impressed early in his first career start but struggled after the interval, as the Dolphins’ offense faded and Cincinnati pulled away.
Carolina Panthers 23-20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bryce Young threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns as the Carolina Panthers claimed a 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to move into first place in the NFC South.
Carolina improved to 8-7 and now controls its path to the division title following another timely response after last week’s defeat to New Orleans. Tetairoa McMillan led the Panthers’ receivers with six catches for 73 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown just before halftime that gave the hosts a 13-10 lead at the break.
The Buccaneers briefly moved back in front early in the third quarter, but Young responded with an extended play that ended in a touchdown pass to Ja’Tavion Sanders. With the score tied late in the fourth quarter, Young converted a key third down to set up a 48-yard field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald.
Tampa Bay advanced into Carolina territory on the final drive, but safety Lathan Ransom intercepted Baker Mayfield in the closing seconds to seal the win.
New Orleans Saints 29-6 New York Jets
Chris Olave caught touchdown passes from Tyler Shough and Taysom Hill as New Orleans beat the struggling New York Jets 29-6, marking the Saints’ third consecutive win. Charlie Smyth contributed five field goals, tying a team record.
Shough, the 40th overall pick in last year’s draft, threw for 308 yards, surpassing 300 yards in a game for the first time and improving his starting record to 4-3. Hill added 116 total yards, including 42 rushing, 36 receiving, and a 38-yard touchdown pass to Olave late in the game.
Cameron Jordan recorded two sacks, moving past Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson on the NFL career sack list and finishing the season with 8.5 sacks.
Jets rookie Brady Cook, making his second start, was sacked eight times, threw a fourth-quarter interception to rookie Jonas Sanker, and lost a fumble that led to a 50-yard field goal. New York has now lost three straight and five of six games, while also setting an NFL record with 15 games without an interception.
Cleveland Browns 20-23 Buffalo Bills
James Cook produced a crucial performance on the ground as the Buffalo Bills strengthened their push for a playoff place with a 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Cook rushed for 117 yards and scored twice, recording his ninth 100-yard game of the season as Buffalo improved to 11-4.
Ty Johnson also added a rushing touchdown, while Josh Allen played through a right foot injury sustained in the second quarter to guide the Bills to a fourth consecutive victory. Allen finished 12 of 19 for 130 yards and added 17 rushing yards despite clearly being limited after halftime.
Cleveland remained competitive behind rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who threw for 157 yards and a touchdown but also committed two costly interceptions that led directly to 10 Buffalo points. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. accounted for both Browns touchdowns.
Tennessee Titans 26-9 Kansas City Chiefs
Cam Ward passed for 228 yards and two touchdowns as the Tennessee Titans ended a lengthy home drought with a 26-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
The victory was Tennessee’s first at Nissan Stadium since early November and snapped an 11-game home losing streak, equalling the longest such run in franchise history since relocating to Tennessee.
Ward delivered his most efficient performance of the season, posting a 122.3 passer rating and setting a new team record for rookie passing yards. He connected with Chig Okonkwo on a short shovel pass before halftime and later found fellow rookie Chimere Dike from close range in the third quarter.
Tony Pollard added 102 rushing yards, his third consecutive 100-yard outing, while Tyjae Spears and Joey Slye also contributed scores.
Kansas City, already short-handed and without Patrick Mahomes, suffered further disruption when Gardner Minshew exited injured. The Chiefs managed only three field goals as their losing run continued.
