Image source, Getty Images

It could be the end of an era in the NFL as the Kansas City Chiefs were denied a spot in the post-season on a dramatic Sunday. There were some thrilling match-ups in the hunt for the play-offs while several key players suffered injury blows, most notably a two-time MVP.

The Los Angeles Chargers came from 13-3 down to beat Kansas City 16-13, eliminating the Chiefs from play-off contention for the first time in 11 years. Three-time Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes was forced off late in the game and it later emerged that the 30-year-old quarterback tore the ACL in his left knee.

Rams become first team to book play-off spot

The Los Angles Rams came from behind to beat the Detroit Lions 41-34 and become the first team to clinch a play-off place. But the 11-3 Rams suffered late injury scares involving star receivers Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.

Broncos also reach post-season

Moments after the Rams' win, Denver also booked a play-off spot with their 11th straight victory. The Broncos held on for a 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers, who fear defensive star Micah Parsons has also suffered a torn ACL.

Seahawks deny Rivers comeback victory

Phillip Rivers started his first game in five years after coming out of retirement for Indianapolis but Seattle denied the 44-year-old grandfather victory, claiming an 18-16 win in a thrilling finale.

Image source, Reuters

Smyth kicks game-winner for Saints

Former Gaelic footballer Charlie Smyth continued the superb start to his NFL career as he kicked a last-gasp field goal to give New Orleans a 20-17 win over Carolina.

Dallas' play-off hopes dealt blow

The Dallas Cowboys' hopes of a place in the play-offs were dealt a blow with a 34-26 defeat by the Minnesota Vikings in Texas. Dallas need to win their final three regular-season games and have the Philadelphia Eagles lose all three of their games to secure a spot.

Image source, Getty Images

Bills deny Patriots AFC East title

Buffalo fought back from 21-0 down to claim a thrilling 35-31 win at New England and end the Patriots' 10-game winning streak. Josh Allen's Bills (10-4) also prevented their divisional rivals securing the AFC East title and with three games remaining, can still catch Drake Maye's Patriots (11-3) to win the division for a sixth straight year.

Bengals out of play-off contention

Cincinnati's hopes of snatching a post-season spot in the AFC North were dashed as division rivals Baltimore won 24-0 to improve to 7-7 and put pressure on Pittsburgh before their game against Miami on Monday.

Jags romp to fifth straight win

Image source, Getty Images

Jacksonville reached 10 wins for the first time since 2017 after beating the New York Jets 48-20. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence had the best passer rating of his five-year NFL career (136.7), throwing for a career-high five touchdowns, and rushing for another.

That extended the Jags' winning streak to five and kept them clear of Houston atop the AFC South, as the Texans beat Arizona 40-20.

Bears & Eagles back to winning ways

Chicago are second to the Rams in the NFC standings after beating Cleveland 31-3 to go 10-4 for the season, while defending champions Philadelphia are third on 9-5 after beating Las Vegas 31-0 to halt a three-game losing streak.

As we now know, Patrick Mahomes has torn his ACL, but he's trying to stay positive as he posted on X to say "I will be back stronger then ever" after being injured during the Chiefs' defeat to the Chargers.

Mahomes also has to recover from missing the play-offs for the first time in his career, in what was likely the worst day he's had in the NFL so far.

And although he's desperate to put things right, he faces a race to be fit in time for the start of next season now.

Image source, Getty Images

*denotes teams who have qualified for play-offs

AFC

Division Leaders

• Denver Broncos (12-2)*
• New England Patriots (11-3)
• Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
• Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)

Wild cards

• Los Angeles Chargers (10-4)
• Buffalo Bills (10-4)
• Houston Texans (9-5)

In the hunt

• Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
• Baltimore Ravens (7-7)
• Miami Dolphins (6-7)

Eliminated from post-season

• Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
• Cincinnati Bengals (4-10)
• New York Jets (3-11)
• Cleveland Browns (3-11)
• Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
• Tennessee Titans (2-12)

Image source, Getty Images

NFC

Division Leaders

• Los Angeles Rams (11-3)*
• Chicago Bears (10-4)
• Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)

Wild cards

• Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
• San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
• Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)

In the hunt

• Detroit Lions (8-6)
• Carolina Panthers (7-7)
• Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

Eliminated from post-season

• Minnesota Vikings (5-8)
• Atlanta Vikings (5-9)
• New Orleans Saints (4-10)
• Washington Commanders (4-10)
• Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
• New York Giants (2-12)

Image source, Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers fear that Micah Parsons has torn his ACL, just like Patrick Mahomes did earlier tonight.

He limped out of their defeat in Denver and if true it'll be a massive blow to their chances, with their blockbuster trade capture from Dallas one of the best defensive game wreckers in the league.

Wow! While we all recover from a crazy Sunday night of action and headlines, here is a full look at tonight's results.

Sunday 18:00

• Baltimore Ravens 24-0 Cincinnati Bengals
• Cleveland Browns 3-31 Chicago Bears
• Arizona Cardinals 20-40 Houston Texans
• New York Jets 20-48 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Los Angeles Chargers 16-13 Kansas City Chiefs
• Buffalo Bills 35-31 New England Patriots
• Las Vegas Raiders 0-31 Philadelphia Eagles
• Washington Commanders 29-21 New York Giants

Sunday 21:25

• Carolina Panthers 17-20 New Orleans Saints
• Green Bay Packers 26-34 Denver Broncos
• Detroit Lions 34-41 Los Angeles Rams
• Tennessee Titans 24-37 San Francisco 49ers
• Indianapolis Colts 16-18 Seattle Seahawks

Monday 01:20

• Minnesota Vikings @ Dallas Cowboys

Image source, Getty Images

The Denver Broncos will play in the post-season after a fine win over Green Bay moved them to 12-2 and move outright top of the AFC after the Patriots lost earlier tonight.

Jordan Love was contained by Denver's awesome defence and Bo Nix threw four touchdowens and 303 yards it a pretty impressive all-round Broncos display.

Micah Parsons going off injured was another blow for the Packers, who at one stage tonight were going top of the NFC but now end up down on seventh after surrendering the division lead to Chicago.

Image source, Getty Images

The Los Angeles Rams came from behind to beat NFC rivals Detroit Lions 41-34, becoming the first NFL team to secure a play-off spot.

The Rams were 24-17 down at start of the second half, but 368 passing yards and two passing touchdowns from Matthew Stafford inspired a comeback for the LA side.

That was despite both Puka Nacua and Davante Adams suffering third quarter injuries for the Rams, although Nacua returned to the field later on during an 181-yard reception game.

Detroit impressed in the first half, with Amon-Ra St.Brown taking 13 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Lions teammate Jameson Williams also received for 135 yards in a thriller.

Image source, Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Tennessee Titans 37-24 to record their fourth straight victory and move to a season record of 10-4.

Quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 295 yards and three touchdown passes, as well as a rushing touchdown for Christian McCaffrey as San Francisco kept pace with NFC West rivals Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.

The Titans, who have won just twice all season, battled bravely with running back Tony Pollard scoring a touchdown and carrying for over 100 yards.

A fourth down facing Green Bay but Jordan Love doesn't even have the chance to get a throw off as he's sacked.

That Denver 'Orange Rush' defence is something else.

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced that Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL during Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, which eliminated the team from the play-offs.

"Patrick and the club are currently exploring surgical options," the Chiefs posted on social media.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

A big upset in the NFC South as division leaders Carolina Panthers have lost 20-17 to bottom of the standings New Orleans Saints.

The Panthers led 17-7 in the third quarter before 13 unanswered Saints points saw them pick up just their fourth win of the season.

At 17-17 with six seconds to go, Irish kicker Charlie Smyth converted a 47-yard field goal to clinch a victory in the last seconds of the game.

Field goal - Saintspublished at 00:30 GMT 15 December 2025

00:30 GMT 15 December 2025

Carolina Panthers 17-20 New Orleans Saints

Six seconds to go and Charlie Smyth has absolutely nailed that kick. Perfection!

The Saints, who started tonight 3-10 for the season, are about to beat NFC South leaders Carolina Panthers.

A huge upset in the division.

Just a few seconds on the clock now and Irish kicker Charlie Smyth will have a 47-yard field goal attempt to decide this game.

It all comes down to this on just his third NFL outing...

For just the fourth time in team history the Seahawks won a game without scoring a touchdown, as six Jason Myers field goal managed to sneak a victory over Philip Rivers and the Colts.

Both defences deserve credit, but so too does 44-year-old Rivers, who obviously had some ring rust to shake off but still managed to lead his side to a field goal inside the final minute to go in front.

But 47 seconds was enough time for Sam Darnold to get Seattle into range for Myers to win it, as Seattle win their 11th game of the season to keep pace with the Rams in the NFC West.

What a finale in New Orleans!

Tyler Shough runs with the ball, slides on the ground for a short gain but is met with a late challenge from Lathan Ransom that results in a penalty of 15 yards. That slide completely bamboozled him.

Cue Charlie Smyth, who waits on offering little emotion ahead of a potentially game-deciding kick.

Tyler Shough does it again, a 15-yard pass to Chris Olave gets them into the Panthers' half.

They are 48 yards from the end zone and with 12 seconds remaining, the Panthers take a timeout.

Nail-biting stuff.

Tyler Shough makes back-to-back passes of 20 and nine yards and all of a sudden, the Saints are giving themselves a chance of a last-gasp winner.

A reminder, their kicker is Charlie Smyth. He has form for this...

Less than a minute left on the clock and the Panthers have no choice but to punt.

The Saints have the ball but eight yards from their own goal. Barring a series of big plays, this one looks destined for overtime.