This week, more teams joined the Eagles and Steelers and officially clinched a spot in the playoffs. With a blowout win over the Bengals, the Minnesota Vikings are the NFC North champions. The Jaguars are in the playoffs for the first time in a decade after demolishing the Texans.
NFL scores 2017: Live results, highlights, and more from Week 15
Three more teams joined the playoff party this week.
Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
Aaron Rodgers made his return for the Packers, but he wasn’t enough to get them a win over the Panthers.
Nick Foles, in his first start filling in for Carson Wentz, helped the Eagles hold off the Giants. Philadelphia now owns a first-round bye in the playoffs.
In the late afternoon, the spotlight was the Patriots’ alidfhaigodvuyaoifhelgv (not a typo, just our reaction) win over the Steelers. New England has now won the AFC East for the ninth straight year.
The day ended in similarly weird fashion when the Raiders fumbled their season right out of the end zone in a loss to the Cowboys.
Catch up with all the top highlights and major news from Sunday:
News
Blake Bortles torched the Texans and Jadeveon Clowney still thinks he’s ”trash.”
Marvin Lewis denied reports that he’s planning on calling it quits as Bengals head coach.
Panthers owner Jerry Richardson announced he will sell the team after allegations of workplace misconduct.
Diddy is campaigning to buy the Panthers and he has support from Stephen Curry.
Ryan Shazier says the incomplete pass ruling in Patriots vs. Steelers was BS.
Highlights
Cam Newton tells the Packers “watch this” and then throws a touchdown.
Aaron Rodgers looks like he never left after hitting Davante Adams for a touchdown.
The Packers celebrated Aaron Rodgers’ first TD in his return by racewalking.
JuJu Smith-Schuster spread some holiday cheer with a surprise jersey signing.
Jaydon Mickens went from sleeping in his car last month to scoring TDs for the Jaguars.
Stefon Diggs paid tribute to Kobe Bryant with a fadeaway jumper TD celebration.
Gregg Williams’ painfully conservative defensive calls are costing the Browns.
The refs decided one butt cheek was enough to rule Damiere Byrd’s catch a TD.
TEDDY BRIDGEWATER MAKES HIS DEBUT! (And throws a pick on his first pass.)
Everything you need to know about the Browns’ season, summed up in three moves.
The refs made the right call on Geronimo Allison’s catch and fumble that sewed up the Panthers’ win over the Packers.
Ryan Shazier makes a surprise appearance at the Patriots vs. Steelers game, two weeks after his spinal injury.
Martavis Bryant’s one-handed touchdown vs. the Patriots could not have looked more casual. Then Bryant mimicked JuJu Smith-Schuster’s hit on Vontaze Burfict during the celebration.
Smith-Schuster’s 69-yard catch and run couldn’t save the Steelers vs. the Patriots.
The NFL explained why the Steelers’ game-winning TD against the Patriots was overturned. Here’s the flaw.
A Raiders pick-six was wiped out because Cole Beasley touched Sean Smith’s chinstrap.
The Cowboys got a crucial first down thanks to a folded piece of paper (no, really).
Injuries
Davante Adams left to be evaluated for a concussion after a blindside hit from Thomas Davis. A suspension is likely coming for Davis.
Antonio Brown was helped off the field with a calf injury while Steelers fans chanted “MVP.” Brown was taken to the hospital and did not return. His regular season is likely over, but Brown is expected to play in the postseason.
Week 15 scores and schedule (all times Eastern)
Buffalo Bills 24, Miami Dolphins 16
Carolina Panthers 31, Green Bay Packers 24
Baltimore Ravens 27, Cleveland Browns 10
Jacksonville Jaguars 45, Houston Texans 7
Minnesota Vikings 34, Cincinnati Bengals 7
New Orleans Saints 31, New York Jets 19
Philadelphia Eagles 34, New York Giants 29
Washington 20, Arizona Cardinals 15
Los Angeles Rams 42, Seattle Seahawks 7
New England Patriots 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 24
Dallas Cowboys 20, Oakland Raiders, 17
The top stories from Sunday’s NFL action
Before the games
Week 15 is here and the playoff races are reaching a fever pitch. Two teams have already clinched a postseason spot last week, and several more can join them on Sunday.
The biggest game of the early window features Aaron Rodgers making his return as the Packers face the Panthers. Rodgers’ recovery from a broken collarbone could end up saving the Packers’ season, but they still need some help to sneak into the playoffs. Green Bay is 7-6, two games behind the 9-4 Panthers and one behind the 8-5 Falcons and Seahawks.
There are a few clinching scenarios to watch at the 1 p.m. block. The Jaguars can punch their playoff ticket for the first time since 2007 by beating the Texans. The Vikings can have a chance to wrap up the NFC North when they play the Bengals. And the Eagles, still reeling from the loss of Carson Wentz, will win home-field advantage with both a win and a Vikings loss.
The late afternoon is where the major games lie this week. The Seahawks host the Rams for a shot to take control of the NFC West, but they might have to do it without Bobby Wagner, questionable with a hamstring injury. In the AFC, the Steelers and Patriots battle for the No. 1 seed tiebreaker, and New England can clinch the AFC East with a win. This has all the makings of a fantastic battle, though the Patriots were strangely flat in a decisive loss to the Dolphins last week.
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