1. Patriots fight back to book play-off spotpublished at 05:09 GMT 22 December 2025

    New England Patriots 28-24 Baltimore Ravens

    Jack Westover congratulates New England Patriots team-mate Drake Maye during their win over the Baltimore RavensImage source, Getty Images

    New England became the second AFC team to secure a spot in this season's NFL play-offs after fighting back to win at Baltimore in Sunday's primetime game.

    The Patriots recovered from 24-13 down in the final quarter to improve their record to 12-3 and ensure they will play in the post-season for the first time in four years.

    Second-year quarterback Drake Maye threw for two touchdowns and 380 yards, becoming the first Patriots QB to claim 300 passing yards in a game since 2023.

    The Ravens lost quarterback Lamar Jackson to a back injury late in the second quarter and have an uphill battle to reach the play-offs as they are now 7-8 behind Pittsburgh (9-6) in the AFC North.

    Graphic showing AFC play-off picture during week 16
  2. Jaguars make a statement & Steelers down Detroit - Sunday's big storiespublished at 01:40 GMT 22 December 2025

    Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville JaguarsImage source, Getty Images

    Impressive Jaguars end Denver's winning run

    The Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off a huge result to win on the road at the Denver Broncos and remain firmly atop the AFC South.

    The Broncos had won 11 on the spin before tonight, but were largely second best in a hugely impressive, and surprising, performance by the Jaguars - who looked the real deal and ready for a deep play-off run.

    Chaotic finish as Steelers stun Lions

    The Pittsburgh Steelers held on for a massive win on the road at the Detroit Lions in one of the craziest endings you are likely to see.

    An offensive pass interference call ended the game after a long discussion between officials. Certainly one of those you need to see to believe.

    The result tightens the grip on the AFC North for the Steelers while the Lions' hopes of making the play-offs have taken a huge hit after defeat.

    Panthers edge ahead in NFC South battle

    Carolina PanthersImage source, Getty Images

    The Carolina Panthers egded out Tampa Bay to replace the Buccaneers on top of the NFC South with a 8-7 record, while the visitors dropped to 7-8.

    The Panthers have not made the play-offs since 2017 and not won the NFC South since 2015, but could have a final-day decider against the Bucs when they meet again in two weeks' time.

    Bills hang on to close AFC East gap

    The Buffalo Bills kept the pressure on divisional rivals New England by holding on for a 23-20 win at the Cleveland Browns.

    Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett registered a half-sack so one more during the last two games of the regular season would take him past the single-season record of 22.5.

  3. Chiefs lose another QB to injury - best of the restpublished at 01:33 GMT 22 December 2025

    Kansas City ChiefsImage source, Getty Images

    Chiefs down to third-string QB in Titans loss

    The Kansas City Chiefs fear they have lost two quarterbacks to a torn ACL in two weeks. Patrick Mahomes suffered a season-ending injury late in last week's loss to the Chargers, which ruled Kansas City out of play-off contention for the first time in 11 years.

    Back-up Gardner Minshew was then forced off at Tennessee and third-stringer Chris Oladokun was unable to stop the Titans claiming just their third win of the season.

    Houston hold off Raiders

    The Houston Texans kept alive their slim hopes of winning their division with a hard-fought 23-21 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. They are now 10-5, second in the AFC South behind the Jacksonville Jaguars.

    Chargers move to brink of play-offs

    Los Angeles ChargersImage source, Getty Images

    The Los Angeles Chargers have one foot in the play-offs after a 34-17 win over Dallas, completing a second-half shutout of the Cowboys.

    Smyth kicks 17 points in Saints win

    Former Gaelic footballer Charlie Smyth kicked 17 points as the New Orleans Saints made it three consecutive wins with a 29-6 victory over the New York Jets.

    After impressing during his first three NFL games, Smyth was rewarded with a three-year contract in midweek and the 24-year-old from County Down, Northern Ireland, made five of his six field-goal attempts and added the extra point for both of New Orleans' touchdowns.

  4. 'We're going to enjoy it, then root for the Patriots'published at 01:18 GMT 22 December 2025

    FT: Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    Head coach Mike Tomlin walks off the field with Aaron Rodgers and Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers after beating the Detroit LionsImage source, Getty Images

    Aaron Rodgers used to be a divisional rival of Detroit from his time with the Packers and could not keep the smile off his face as he spoke to CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.

    The Steelers now have a 9-6 record atop the AFC North, while the 7-7 Ravens face the Patriots in Sunday Night Football.

    Rodgers said: "We're going to enjoy this now, I'm going to enjoy it because I've played here lots, then we'll turn on the Sunday night game and root for the Patriots."

  5. Rodgers 'happy' Steelers survived 'chaotic' endingpublished at 01:17 GMT 22 December 2025

    FT: Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    Aaron Rodgers speaks to Jared Goff after the Pittsburgh Steelers win at the Detroit LionsImage source, Getty Images

    Speaking to CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that ending was "chaos", while the home crowd continued to boo the officials' call.

    "Watching it now, it looks like there's an OPI, that forward progress is stopped," said Rodgers. "It was a crazy game.

    "Happy to get a win. We played great in the second half on offence, picked up our defence, then came up with a big stop. It feels good to win. Everybody's picking us to lose, right?"

  6. Steelers in good position after 'remarkable' endingpublished at 01:12 GMT 22 December 2025

    FT: Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    Greg Brady
    NFL pundit on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I don't know if we've got any more [drama] left for Patriots-Ravens. I'm drained. It was remarkable.

    It makes it almost impossible for the Lions to make the play-offs and cements Pittsburgh as the likely AFC North winner.

  7. Can Detroit still make the play-offs?published at 01:10 GMT 22 December 2025

    FT: Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    Jared GoffImage source, Getty Images

    That one final play at the end of the game has had a huge swing on Detroit's play-off chances, and they're now right up against it as they need to win their final two games and hope the Green Bay Packers lose their last two in order to pinch the final wildcard spot.

    All the stats engines don't give Detroit much chance, probably because Green Bay are fancied to win at least one of their home clash with the Ravens or trip to Minnesota.

    Detroit should also beat Minnesota, but then the Bears in Chicago will be as tough as they come - but this is the NFL and as we've seen all season long, expect the unexpected!

    Packers fixtures: Ravens (H), Vikings (A)

    Lions fixtures: Vikings (A), Bears (A)

  8. Full-time scores in late gamespublished at 01:05 GMT 22 December 2025

    • Atlanta Falcons 26-19 Arizona Cardinals
    • Jacksonville Jaguars 34-20 Denver Broncos
    • Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions
    • Las Vegas Raiders 21-23 Houston Texans
  9. Bears & 49ers clinch play-off spotspublished at 00:56 GMT 22 December 2025

    That defeat for Detroit means that both the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers have booked their places in the play-offs.

    Congratulations to those two, but it's tough on the Lions who now face an uphill battle to make the post-season.

    Graphic showing NFC play-off picture during week 16
  10. Crazy win for Steelers!published at 00:52 GMT 22 December 2025

    FT: Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    Pittsburgh SteelersImage source, Getty Images

    What in the world's happened here! Jared Goff fires the ball to Amon-Ra St Brown, who is tackled right on the line but scoops it back to Goff and the Lions quarterback dives into the end zone.

    Flags fly though and the refs take an age to discuss what's going on, with the verdict that it's offensive pass interference by St Brown. He charged into Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey before taking the catch and time has expired so the game is over.

    It doesn't help that the ref announces it's a touchdown first, then says it's cancelled out by the penalty, so naturally the home crowd at Ford Field aren't best pleased.

    What a chaotic ending!

  11. Postpublished at 00:47 GMT 22 December 2025

    Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    Jared Goff throws a dart into the end zone but nobody's there.

    11 seconds left - Aaron Rodgers can't look....

  12. Final roll of the dicepublished at 00:45 GMT 22 December 2025

    Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    Huge run from Amon-Ra St Brown after catching a short screen pass - he goes for 24 yards and inside the red zone.

    St Brown then catches what looks like the winning touchdown, but this time the flag flies in against Detroit and they move back to the 11.

    22 seconds left on the clock.

  13. Another flag!published at 00:43 GMT 22 December 2025

    Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    This time a blatant trip by Alex Highsmith that costs Pittsburgh 15 hige yards and the ball is now on their own 36. Highsmith can't believe he's just done that, it could cost his side dear.

  14. How late with the flags!published at 00:41 GMT 22 December 2025

    Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    The call stands so it's 4th&2 and Jared Goff fires a ball over the middle - it's broken up but just as Pittsburgh celebrate the flags come flying for a pass interference call by the refs.

    Pretty late flags, probably the right call but it's a close one. Big break for Detroit.

  15. Get Involved - Have Jags now earned respect?published at 00:41 GMT 22 December 2025

    NFL Have Your Say

    Surely the Jags are going to get some respect after this result!

    Nathan, Barrow-in-Furness

  16. Postpublished at 00:39 GMT 22 December 2025

    Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    Big call coming up by the zebras - as Jared Goff thinks he's made a nice completion but the ball may have bobbled in the receivers hands.

    It's either a 4th&13 or 4th&2 - a huge difference!

  17. Texans keep AFC South hopes alive with winpublished at 00:36 GMT 22 December 2025

    FT: Las Vegas Raiders 21-23 Houston Texans

    Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn kicks a field goal for Houston.Image source, Getty Images

    The Houston Texans kept their slim hopes of winning the AFC South alive with a hard-fought 23-21 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

    The Texans didn't score an offensive touchdown until midway through the fourth quarter as they were held to field goals throughout from a gritty Raiders defence.

    Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty found the endzone twice for the visitors who pushed all the way but ultimately the Texans were able to hold on.

    The Texans move to 10-5 on the season, second in the AFC South behind the Jacksonville Jaguars who moved to 11-4 with their impressive win over the Denver Broncos. Las Vegas drop to 2-13.

  18. Doink!published at 00:34 GMT 22 December 2025

    Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 Detroit Lions

    Oh no! Chris Boswell smacks the right-hand post when attempting the field goal to make it an eight-point game, but now Detroit have the chance to go down the field and win the game with a touchdown.

    It's a second mistake as Aaron Rodgers threw the ball away under pressure on the previous play, which stopped the clock, when just taking the sack would've kept it running or cost their final timeout.

    We're at the two-minute warning now with Jared Goff looking to go and pull out a victory.

  19. FT: Huge win for Jaguarspublished at 00:27 GMT 22 December 2025

    Jacksonville Jaguars 34-20 Denver Broncos

    Jacksonville JaguarsImage source, Getty Images

    What an upset and what a performance up at Mile High in Denver by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who both the flying Broncos on both sides of the ball to come away with a huge victory.

    Trevor Lawrence was as tough as they come when throwing for 279 yards and three touchdowns despite being sacked five times by this fearsome Denver pass rush.

    Bo NIx had 352 yards passing but also threw an interception and lost a fumble as the Jaguars defence made the big plays at the right times to ensure a sixth straight win - their longest run since 1999.

    The Broncos had won 11 on the spin before tonight, but were largely second best in a hugely impressive, and surprising, performance by the Jaguars - who looked the real deal tonight.

  20. Falcons edge out Cardinals to make it back-to-back winspublished at 00:26 GMT 22 December 2025

    FT: Atlanta Falcons 26-19 Arizona Cardinals

    Bijan Robinson in action for the FalconsImage source, Getty Images

    The Atlanta Falcons beat the Arizona Cardinals 26-19 to make it back-to-back wins for just the second time this season.

    Bijan Robinson had a monster day with 168 yards from scrimmage, taking him to over 2,000 on the season.

    Kyle Pitts also got into the endzone as he kept up his impressive recent form of late.

    The Falcons move to 6-9 on the season while the Cardinals drop to 3-12.