2023 NFL Week 16 RECAP | The Update with Santiago Leon & Dan Madden

Santiago Leon and Dan Madden recap the 2023 #NFL Week 16.

Contributors

Santiago Leon – @sleon

Dan Madden – @danimal2478

CIN 11 PIT 34
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 34–11. The Steelers’ Mason Rudolph threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns for wide receiver George Pickens. The Steelers also picked off Jake Browning three times, and Pickens scored two big plays.

BUF 24 LAC 22
Josh Allen did his part Saturday night by rushing for two TDs and throwing for one, but it took a 29-yard field goal by Tyler Bass with 28 seconds remaining for the Bills to escape with a 24-22 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers

Cameron Dicker kicked a career-high five field goals and QB Easton Stick passed for 210 yards for Los Angeles (5-10), which has lost six of seven.

WAS 28 NYJ 30
the New York Jets defeated the Washington Commanders 30-28 at MetLife Stadium

The Commanders had a poor start, trailing 17-0 in the first quarter and 27-7 in the third quarter. 

However, backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett led the Commanders to a 28-27 lead.

In the late game, the Jets scored a 54-yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein to win the game.

Jacoby Brissett replaced the benched Sam Howell in the third quarter and led the Commanders on three straight touchdown drives, including Antonio Gibson’s 2-yard run that put Washington ahead 28-27 with 4:52 remaining.

Trevor Siemian finished 27 of 49 for 217 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception in his first start in place of the injured Zach Wilson. Hall ran for 95 yards and two TDs and caught 12 passes for 96 yards in the home finale for New York.

DET 30 MIN 24
The Detroit Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings 30-24. The Lions’ win clinched their first division title in 30 years and a playoff spot since 2016

Jahmyr Gibbs had two rushing touchdowns, Amon-Ra St. Brown had 106 receiving yards and a third-quarter go-ahead score and Ifeatu Melifonwu had the game-sealing interception at the 5-yard line with 49 seconds left to lead the Lions past the injury-ravaged Vikings 30-24 on Sunday.

Vikings QB Nick Mullens was intercepted four times to offset two touchdowns on 411 passing yards, none more crushing or cringe-worthy for Minnesota than the underthrown ball to an open Justin Jefferson three plays after his leaping grab in double coverage on third-and-27 kept the last-minute drive alive.

Jared Goff passed for 257 yards without a turnover and David Montgomery had a rushing touchdown for the Lions (11-4) in another prolific performance by one of the NFL’s most potent offenses. Detroit secured a home playoff game for the first time in 22 seasons at Ford Field, where an NFC North champions banner will soon hang. The last one was for winning the NFC Central in 1993.

CLE 36 HOU 22
the Cleveland Browns defeated the Houston Texans 36-22.

The Browns’ offense was a highlight of the game, with Amari Cooper and Joe Flacco being nearly unstoppable. Cooper broke the franchise record with 265 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and a 2-point conversion. Kareem Hunt’s eighth touchdown run of the season extended the Browns’ lead to 34-6.

move closer to a playoff berth.

Houston’s playoff hopes took a blow as the Texans fell to 8-7 on a day when Case Keenum threw for just 62 yards with two interceptions in his second start in place of star rookie C.J. Stroud, who’s recovering from a concussion. Keenum was replaced by Davis Mills late in the third quarter.

GB 33 CAR 30
the Green Bay Packers beat the Carolina Panthers 33-30

The Packers held a 23-10 lead at halftime and 30-16 in the fourth quarter. 

But Bryce Young, who threw for a career-high 312 yards, rallied the Panthers (2-13) from a 14-point deficit with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to DJ Chark to tie the game at 30-30 with 4:05 remaining.

 With 19 seconds remaining in the game, quarterback Jordan Love throws for two touchdowns, runs for one, and makes two big completions to set up a 32-yard field goal by Anders Carlson, giving the Packers the lead.

Young had never eclipsed 250 yards passing in a game prior to Sunday.

SEA 20 TEN 17
Geno Smith threw his second touchdown pass of the fourth quarter on a 5-yarder to Colby Parkinson with 57 seconds left and the Seahawks more than kept their playoff hopes alive by beating the Tennessee Titans 20-17 Sunday for their second straight victory.

The Seahawks recover from a 17-13 deficit to win their second straight game.

Eliminated from the playoffs last week, the Titans (5-10) lost consecutive games for the third time this season. They have lost at least 10 games for a second straight season for the first time since 2014-15.

Tannehill made his first start since spraining his right ankle on Oct. 15, filling in for rookie Will Levis who left last week’s overtime loss late with a sprained left ankle. Titans right guard Daniel Brunskill also was out with an injured ankle, leaving the Titans leaning on lots of players new to the team.

IND 10 ATL 29
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Indianapolis Colts 29-10

The Colts scored first with Jonathan Taylor’s one-yard touchdown run on a 13-play, 75-yard drive. However, the Falcons’ balanced offense totaled 406 total yards and Taylor Heinicke’s turnover-free leadership at quarterback led to the victory.

Heinicke finds Kyle Pitts for a 24-yard touchdown

The Falcons (7-8) benched Desmond Ridder this week for the second time this season following two straight losses, providing an opportunity for Heinicke to boost the team’s fading playoff hopes. Ridder had been unable to avoid turnovers, throwing 10 interceptions with 11 fumbles to go with 10 touchdown passes.

Heinicke completed 23 of 33 passes without an interception, including a 24-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts. Tyler Allgeier added a 31-yard touchdown run. The Falcons’ 29 points set a season high.

The Indianapolis defense had only one sack of Heinicke, while the Colts’ Gardner Minshew was sacked six times.

Minshew completed 20 of 37 passes for 201 yards with one interception.

JAX 12 TB 30
THE FLORIDA DERBY
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-12 at Raymond James Stadium.

The Buccaneers’ victory improved their record to 8-7 and put them in a position to win their third consecutive NFC South title.

• Mayfield’s passing: Baker Mayfield threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns.
• Mike Evans’ touchdowns: Mike Evans has two touchdowns in the game.
• Antoine Winfield Jr.’s defense: Antoine Winfield Jr. has all-around defensive dominance.
• Calvin Ridley’s performance: In the second half, Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley has four receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown.
• Turnovers: The Jaguars’ offense is turnover-prone, giving the Buccaneers defense four times. The defense doesn’t force a punt until the fourth quarter.
• Special teams: Kicker Chase McLaughlin makes all three of his field goal attempts.

Mayfield threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, pacing a 30-12 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars that propelled the Bucs (8-7) into position to clinch a third consecutive NFC South title next week.

Tampa Bay has won four straight games on the heels of a stretch that saw the team lose six of seven.

Evans finished with seven receptions for 86 yards. The touchdown catches were his 12th and 13th of the season, and the 10th-year pro joined Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (eight), Terrell Owens (seven), Marvin Harrison (six) and Randy Moss (six) as the only players in NFL history to have at least 12 TD receptions in a season five or more times.

Lawrence — cleared to play after spending all week in the NFL’s concussion protocol — was intercepted on two of Jacksonville’s first three possessions.

The Jaguars believe Lawrence, who has not missed a game in his three-year career, sustained a head injury while scrambling up the middle on the team’s final drive during the previous week’s 23-7 loss to Baltimore.

Lawrence finished 17 of 29 passing for 211 yards. In addition to three turnovers, he was sacked three times.

Backup C.J. Beathard played the fourth quarter and had a 1-yard TD pass to Ridley in the closing minutes.

DAL 20 MIA 22
the Miami Dolphins beat the Dallas Cowboys 22-20 in Week 16 of the NFL season. The Dolphins’ victory clinched a playoff berth and improved their record to 11-4.

Jason Sanders kicked his fifth field goal of the day, a 29-yarder as time expired, and the Dolphins secured a playoff berth with a 22-20 victory over the Cowboys.

Tua Tagovailoa threw for 293 yards and a touchdown for the AFC East-leading Dolphins (11-4), who beat a team with a winning record for the first time this season. He connected with Tyreek Hill twice on the decisive drive, which covered 64 yards and took the final 3:27 off the clock.

Dak Prescott went 20 of 32 for 253 yards and two touchdowns for the Cowboys (10-5), who have already clinched a playoff spot but fell a half-game behind Philadelphia in the NFC East.

CeeDee Lamb caught six passes for 118 yards for the Cowboys, including a 49-yard score in the first quarter.

AZ 16 CHI 27
the Chicago Bears defeated the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 at Soldier Field. The Bears’ strong start led to the win, with 39 carries for 250 yards and a strong performance by Justin Fields.

Justin Fields threw for a touchdown and ran for another score, and the Bears beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-16 on Sunday night.

Tight end Cole Kmet caught four passes for a career-high 107 yards despite missing the second half because of a knee injury.

Khalil Herbert ran for a season-high 112 yards and a touchdown, and the Bears (6-9) came out on top after collapsing down the stretch at Cleveland a week earlier.

The Bears finished with 420 yards, including 250 rushing after being held to 88 against Cleveland.

Murray threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns in his sixth game since his return from a torn ACL in 2022 that caused him to miss roughly 11 months.

James Conner caught five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 45, and the Cardinals finished with 93 yards rushing after racking up 234 in a blowout loss to San Francisco.

NE 26 DEN 23
Patriots deliver a near-fatal blow to the Broncos’ playoff hopes with a 26-23 victory Sunday night.

The New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos 26–23 on Sunday, December 24, 2023. The Patriots won with a 56-yard field goal by rookie kicker Chad Ryland with two seconds left in the game

• The Broncos started the game well, with defensive lineman D.J. Jones stripping Bailey Zappe of the ball on the first play and recovering it at New England’s six-yard line.
• The Patriots scored two touchdowns in a six-second span of the third quarter.
• Russell Wilson’s touchdown passes in the fourth quarter tied the game.
• Some say the game was forgettable, but the Patriots are the improbable victors.

After falling behind 23-7, the Broncos tied it when Russell Wilson threw touchdown passes to rookie tight end Lucas Krull and wideout Brandon Johnson and converted 2-point passes to Johnson and Javonte Williams.

The Broncos’ already pedestrian offense suffered a big loss when wide receiver Courtland Sutton went out in the first half with a concussion, and all Denver managed through 3 1/2 quarters was Williams’ 3-yard TD run to open the scoring. Denver gained just 15 yards and had one first down in the third quarter.

Bill Belichick improved to 11-10 against the Broncos during his 24-year tenure in New England, denying Denver the status as the only opponent with a winning record against him during his time with the Patriots.

Christmas Games
LV 20 KC 14
the Las Vegas Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs 20-14 at Arrowhead Stadium

The Raiders won by taking advantage of two defensive touchdowns in a row and an aggressive mindset that shut down Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs struggled for most of the game, turning the ball over at crucial points.

The Raiders’ defense allowed just six points, limiting rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell to 62 passing yards and 205 net yards.

• Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones sacks Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell early in the first quarter.
• Raiders cornerback Jack Jones intercepts the ball for a pick six, giving the Raiders a pair of defensive scores on consecutive plays.
• Carlson’s extra point goes for a touchback, brining the Chiefs’ offense back on at their own 25-yard line.

Taking advantage of two defensive touchdowns for the second straight week, and riding an aggressive mindset that shut down Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the Kansas City offense, the Raiders held off the Chiefs 20-14 on Monday to not only deny their longtime AFC West rival another division crown but keep their postseason hopes alive.

On the next offensive play for Kansas City, Mahomes was picked off by Jones, whose 33-yard return gave Las Vegas its fourth defensive TD in the past two weeks, along with a 17-7 lead over its longtime divisional nemesis.

NYG 25 PHI 33
Giants are out of the playoffs.

The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Giants 33-25

Jalen Hurts scored on the “tush push” that gave him the NFL record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season and he threw for 301 yards and a touchdown to lead the Philadelphia Eagles past the New York Giants 33-25 on Monday night.

The Eagles’ victory gave them a one-game lead in the NFC East.

Swift’s TD made it 27-18 and it came in handy when New York’s Tyrod Taylor — who replaced Tommy DeVito to open the second half — connected with Darius Slayton for a 69-yard score late in the fourth that made it 30-25.

BAL33 SF 19
Ravens are the best team in the NFL

Lamar Jackson threw two touchdown passes in a span of 18 seconds in the third quarter and the Ravens intercepted Brock Purdy four times in a 33-19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 33-19 in a showdown between two of the NFL’s best teams. The Ravens’ victory came as a statement road win that helped them take control of the AFC.

• Lamar Jackson: In the third quarter, Jackson threw two touchdown passes in a span of 18 seconds. 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa said that Jackson’s performance “surprised a proud 49ers defense”.
• Brock Purdy: Purdy threw four interceptions in 19 attempts, a career high.
• Interceptions: The Ravens intercepted Purdy four times, including a fifth interception by defensive back Marcus Williams that sealed the win.
• Mike Macdonald: Some say that Mike Macdonald and his unit were the MVP of the game.

Predictions
NYJ-CLE
The Cleveland Browns will seek their fourth consecutive victory and a trip to the postseason when they open Week 17 of the 2023 NFL schedule at home against the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. Cleveland (10-5), which has appeared in the playoffs just once since 2002, is coming off a 36-22 victory at Houston last Sunday. New York (6-9) squandered a 20-point lead against Washington in the second half, but came away with its second win in three contests, a 30-28 victory in its home finale.

Kickoff from Cleveland Browns Stadium is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. Cleveland is a 7.5-point favorite in the latest Jets vs. Browns odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 35. Before making any Browns vs. Jets picks, you need to see the NFL predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced model.

DM: CLE