PANTHERS WIN, BUT THERE'S CONTROVERSY: Cam Newton kept Josh Norman quiet in the Panthers’ 26-15 win over Washington. The much-heralded rematch didn’t quite live up to its billing. Cam Newton was flagged on a play where he got hit in the head by a defender. He got called for taunting, but only after a blown call. The ref says he didn't see the forcible helmet hit. This was the same ref from the Panthers' Week 8 game that had Newton criticizing the league's double standard.
Cam Newton still can’t get a break from NFL referees
The Panthers quarterback got hit in the head, but didn’t get the call from refs.
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Washington’s Jordan Reed was ejected for punching Panthers’ Kurt Coleman. Reed connected with the helmet of Coleman and when Coleman tried to get Reed off of him, Reed threw a punch.
Kirk Cousins wipes out a cheerleader but she bounces right up like a champ. She was just fine after being caught off guard.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Washington's loss on Monday didn't do much to help their slim chances at a playoff ticket. Here's where things stand after Week 15.
PULL THE PLUG: Brock Osweiler was a well-meaning experiment that ended in crushed hopes. Osweiler failed as a franchise quarterback, but the Texans aren’t the only team feeling the sting of extinguished optimism.
DETROIT’S MISSING SOMETHING: Lions are good, but they need to get salty to make a playoff run. Detroit has the makings of a team poised for a playoff run, but there’s one missing ingredient they’ll need to survive a brutal two-game stretch.
GET OFF THE GUS BUS: Scapegoating Gus Bradley as the problem is bad for the Jaguars’ future. The Jaguars don’t look like they’ll make sweeping changes, and that’s a dangerous choice. Related: Bradley should’ve never gotten on the Jaguars’ plane.
POWER RANKINGS: NFL power rankings 2016, Week 16: Falcons are back, but the Broncos are fading fast. It hasn’t come against the best competition, but the Falcons offense is lighting up scoreboards again.
MOCK DRAFT: 2017 NFL mock draft: Alabama players dominate first round. Six Crimson Tide players, including three of the top six, are among the top 32.
HO HO HO: Ezekiel Elliott’s Salvation Army TD celebration led to a huge spike in donations. Elliott won’t be fined by the NFL, and he plans to make a contribution to the Salvation Army, too.
EXPENSIVE HAZING: Texans stick rookie teammate with $16,000 dinner bill. $7,700 on Hennessy?!
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