Image source, Getty Images

Zane Gonzalez kicked a winning 51-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining as the Atlanta Falcons held off a Los Angeles Rams comeback to secure a 27-24 victory.

The Rams, who had already clinched a play-off spot, made a slow start and trailed 21-0 at half-time.

Harrison Mevis kicked a 35-yard field goal to open their scoring in the third quarter, before Gonzalez’s 56-yard field goal restored the Falcons' 21-point lead.

The visitors then clicked into gear over the final two quarters, with Puka Nacua's converted touchdown levelling the game.

However, Gonzalez had the final say, ensuring the hosts claimed a third successive win since being eliminated from post-season contention.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

San Francisco and Chicago showed why they are set to be two of the leading contenders in the NFL play-offs as they produced a thrilling shoot-out at the venue for this season's Super Bowl.

Sunday's prime-time clash between the NFC rivals in Santa Clara was all-action from start to finish as the Bears returned an interception for a touchdown on the opening play and had the chance to claim a game-winning score on the final play, which Caleb Williams extended beyond time had expired.

The Chicago quarterback threw for two touchdowns while D'Andre Swift rushed for two, but Brock Purdy regrouped after his early turnover. The 49ers quarterback rushed for two scores and his third touchdown pass gave his team a decisive lead with 2:15 remaining.

San Francisco now have a 12-4 record and have set up a showdown with divisional rivals Seattle (13-3) next weekend as the winners will not only secure the NFC West title but the NFC's top seed for the play-offs.

Sunday's results have created three head-to-head deciders for the final weekend of the NFL's regular season, which will determine who clinches the last two play-off spots and the NFC's top seed.

The loser of San Francisco's game with Seattle will still progress to the post-season via a wildcard, but it will be winners-takes-all in the other two games as the losers will miss out entirely while the winners will clinch their division title.

Saturday, 3 January

• NFC South: Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (21:30)
• NFC West: Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers (01:00, Sunday)

Sunday, 4 January

• AFC North: Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers (01:20, Monday)

Image source, Getty Images

Steelers stunned by Browns

The Steelers could've clinched the AFC North in Cleveland, but division games are never easy and the Browns pulled out all the stops to win a 13-6 arm-wrestle.

Aaron Rodgers almost pulled out a late comeback but was denied right at the death - no doubt missing the suspended DK Metcalf as an end zone target - meaning Pittsburgh now face a huge showdown with Baltimore next week.

One of the toughest rivalries in the NFL, the Ravens visit Pittsburgh on the final week of the season when the winner will get the final AFC play-off spot and the loser goes home.

Eagles edge Bills in tense thriller

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Billed as a Super Bowl preview by some, it all came down to a two-point conversion in the final seconds as Josh Allen missed his throw to hand the Eagles a tense 13-12 victory.

Philly had led 13-0 until the fourth quarter, when their offence collapsed and Allen changed into his Superman uniform and dived over for two touchdowns to drag Buffalo back to the brink of victory.

It was not to be though, as the Super Bowl champs pinched the win as they chase the second seed in the NFC, while defeat for the Bills ended their AFC East hopes as the Patriots clinched the division, meaning Buffalo must hit the road as a wildcard.

Bucs & Panthers another final-day showdown

Tampa Bay came unstuck against Miami, leaving the door open for the Panthers to win the NFC South, but Seattle showed their class to win 27-10 in Carolina and move a step closer to the top seed in the NFC.

Bryce Young had just 54 yards passing against the talented Seattle defence, while at least Baker Mayfield had 346 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs' defeat at the Dolphins.

And so next week the Panthers visit the Buccaneers with the final NFC play-off spot on the line.

Image source, Reuters

Maye highlights MVP claims in Pats rout

Drake Maye was almost perfect as New England dismantled the Jets 42-10, as he led the Patriots to six touchdowns in six possessions - passing for 256 yards and five of those touchdowns.

Maye completed 19 of his 21 passes as MVP chants came from the Pats fans making the trip to New York. Yes, it was against the lowly Jets but it was still a brilliant display.

The Pats joined Denver on 13-3 in the battle for the AFC top seed, and later clinched the AFC East division after Buffalo's loss to Philadelphia.

Jags still chasing top spot

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The 12-4 Jacksonville Jaguars are also still in the hunt for the AFC top seed after coming through a big test in Indianapolis as the Colts again proved there are no easy divisional games (apart from the Patriots against the Jets).

Trevor Lawrence has become a genuine dual-threat quarterback recently, running in two more touchdowns as the Jags came from behind to win 23-17 for an eighth victory in nine.

Liam Coen's men still need a win next week to guarantee they win the AFC South ahead of the streaking Texans - and should Denver and New England lose they'd also remarkably bag top spot in the AFC.

Signs of life for the Saints?

New Orleans may only be 6-10 but it's now four wins in a row for the Saints, even if this latest 34-26 success did come against the Titans.

Former Gaelic footballer Charlie Smyth kicked a career-long 57-yard field goal as Tyler Shough dragged the Saints back from 13-0 down with 333 passing yards and two touchdowns, showing that next season could be a good one down on the bayou.

Joe Burrow also went off as the Bengals battered the Cardinals - with Ja'Marr Chase and Chase Brown having two touchdowns each in another case of too little too late for Cincinnati this season.

• Arizona Cardinals 14-37 Cincinnati Bengals
• Pittsburgh Steelers 6-13 Cleveland Browns
• New Orleans Saints 34-26 Tennessee Titans
• Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17 Indianapolis Colts
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17-20 Miami Dolphins
• New England Patriots 42-10 New York Jets
• Seattle Seahawks 27-10 Carolina Panthers
• New York Giants 34-10 Las Vegas Raiders
• Philadelphia Eagles 13-12 Buffalo Bills

Anthony Wootton
NFL expert on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

I think the Bears are the real deal. I think head coach Ben Johnson's done a fantastic job, their run game has been outstanding.

It'll be a fascinating game this evening. There's lots at stake, especially for the 49ers, and the Bears have been a very fun team to watch this season.

What. A. Game.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

That dramatic defeat for the Buffalo Bills will have been cheered on by New England Patriots fans, as they have been crowned AFC East champions as a result.

At 13-3, Drake Maye and his men are level with Denver at the top of the entire AFC, though, so will be looking to bag the crucial top seed next week.

The Pats face Miami while the Broncos play the Chargers and the prize is a huge one, with a bye week off on wildcard weekend and home-field advantage throughout the play-offs.

Anthony Wootton
NFL expert on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

The story was there. The super-hero Josh Allen had rushed for those two touchdowns and he had that moment right at the end to clinch it at the death and what a momentum-shifter that would have been for the Buffalo Bills heading into January. Now it's a crushing loss.

It was baffling because he did have some pressure on him but once he evaded the rush, there was nobody around Josh Allen. All he had to do was compose himself because Khalil Shakir was wide open in the end zone there.

Jalen Hurts just couldn't get his Eagles offence moving in the second half, but the defence showed up big time to see out victory by the skin of their teeth.

Josh Allen will be kicking himself.

The chance to snatch victory and keep the Bills in the AFC East title race was right there in front of him, but now Buffalo will have to settle for a wildcard spot. No home-field advantage for them.

It's no good and the Eagles surely win!

Allen dropped back and had Khalil Shakir wide open to the left but pulled the throw wide.

The Bills QB is absolutely furious with himself. That is a bad, bad miss.

A reminder - the Buffalo Bills are one for six on two-point conversions this season.

Image source, Reuters

Incredible drama!

The Bills are awarded a touchdown as Dawson Knox catches a pass from Josh Allen and dives for the goal-line, but the replay shows he was a fraction short!

After the review he is ruled down at the half-yard line.

Fourth and goal.

The clock resumes and the Bills let it get down to six seconds before calling time-out.

Here we go.

Unbelievable play!

On fourth down Allen finds Tyrell Shavers down the middle, who then laterals the ball to Ty Johnson who runs for a first down.

Allen then finds James Cooks with a 36-yard bomb.

Image source, Getty Images

Who you got then? Bills or Eagles?

Thumbs up for Bills down for Eagles.

The Buffalo Bills have a 3rd & 9 situation in their own half. There's little margin for error now, they need to make something happen.