NFL Week 16 results: Playoff pressure leads to exciting finishes across the league
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Exciting games were played across the NFL in Week 16, starting Thursday night with the Seattle Seahawks’ overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams and continuing into the weekend.
The NFL playoff picture also came into focus with more teams eliminated from contention and top players entering the spotlight.
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Seattle Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert, second from left, celebrates after making a two-point conversion during overtime in an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Seattle. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
The AFC’s postseason standings are confusing at best. There is only one team that clinched a spot in Week 16 and it was the Denver Broncos. There are five teams with at least 11 wins and six teams with at least 10 wins.
At the end of Sunday night, the New England Patriots were the second team to clinch a spot in the AFC playoffs.
The Detroit Lions’ close loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers meant they were living on a prayer to make the playoffs. It also meant the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers got spots. The Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams will also participate starting in Week 16.
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This is how the games developed.
Thursday December 18, 2025
- Seattle Seahawks 38, Los Angeles Rams 37 (overtime)
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams drives away from Green Bay Packers’ Lukas van Ness during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Chicago. (Nam Huh/AP Photo)
- Philadelphia Eagles 29, Washington Commanders 18
- Chicago Bears 22, Green Bay Packers 16 (OT)
Sunday, December 21, 2025
- Buffalo Bills 23, Cleveland Browns 20
- Los Angeles Chargers 34, Dallas Cowboys 17
- Tennessee Titans 26, Kansas City Chiefs 9
- Cincinnati Bengals 45, Miami Dolphins 21
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, left, battles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo)
- New Orleans Saints 29, New York Jets 6
- Minnesota Vikings 16, New York Giants 13
- Carolina Panthers 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
- Jacksonville Jaguars 34, Denver Broncos 20
- Atlanta Falcons 26, Arizona Cardinals 19
- Houston Texans 23, Las Vegas Raiders 21
- Pittsburgh Steelers 29, Detroit Lions 24
- New England Patriots 28, Baltimore Ravens 24
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Monday, December 22, 2025
- San Francisco 49ers @ Indianapolis Colts
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor at News Digital.