📰 Table Of Contents
Colts @ Broncos
The Denver Broncos’ chances to make the playoffs increased to 91% after they beat the AFC’s eighth-seeded Colts at home 31-13.
The Broncos dominated the second half, outscoring the Colts 24-0 after Indy went into halftime with a 13-7 lead.
In the third quarter, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor reached the end zone on a 41-yard run. However, the touchdown was overturned after a replay review showed that Taylor had dropped the football in celebration before crossing the goal line, making it a live ball. The live ball then bounced out of the back of the end zone, giving Denver possession on a touchback and wiping a Colts TD off the board to keep the score 13-7.
🫣 Jonathan Taylor DOES NOT SCORE
Officials rule he dropped the ball before crossing the goal line.
Taylor was +100 for an Anytime TDpic.twitter.com/8NeO79wVIu
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) December 15, 2024
Midway through the third, Bo Nix threw his third interception of the day. But, the Broncos recovered a Colts fumble on the next play and used the good field position to kick a field goal and make it 13-10.
2023 Pro Bowler Marvin Mims later returned a punt 60 yards to the Indianapolis 15 yard line. That led to a 15-yard Bo Nix touchdown pass, to put Denver up 17-13.
On the next drive, Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto intercepted a backward lateral and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown to give Denver the 24-13 advantage.
An Anthony Richardson interception deep in Colts territory led to a Bo Nix touchdown to make it 31-13 as the Broncos won and improved to 9-5.
With the Colts’ loss, the Houston Texans clinched the AFC South while the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a playoff berth.
Bills @ Lions
This was the highest-scoring game of the 2024-25 season.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen followed up his historic week 14 performance with 362 passing yards, 69 rushing yards, and four total TDs in a 48-42 win over the NFC’s top team.
After a Lions punt, the Bills scored on a 73-yard drive to go up 7-0 thanks to a Josh Allen one-yard touchdown run.
Allen later scored another rushing TD from four yards out to make it 14-0 Buffalo.
The next three drives resulted in touchdowns, bringing the score to 21-14 in favor of the Bills. Both teams missed field goals in the second quarter, keeping the score 21-14 at the half.
Coming out of the break, Buffalo running back James Cook took a 41-yard carry to the house to give the Bills the 28-14 lead.
A Lions fumble deep in their own territory set up the Bills with prime field position which they would turn into a six-play touchdown drive to take the 35-14 lead.
Jared Goff found wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 66-yard touchdown reception to cut the lead to 35-21. But Buffalo would score in the fourth quarter to go up 17.
After three consecutive touchdown drives, Buffalo hit a 41-yard field goal to take a 48-35 lead with under two minutes left.
The Lions ate up 1:51 to score a touchdown and make it 48-42 with 12 seconds left in the game.
Detroit’s comeback attempt ended there after the Bills recovered an onside kick to hold on for the 48-42 win.
Despite the loss, Amon-Ra St. Brown had a stellar day going for 14 catches, 193 receiving yards, and a touchdown. Jared Goff also looked excellent in the losing effort, throwing for five touchdowns and over 490 passing yards.
Steelers @ Eagles
The Eagles needed to win this game to keep up with the Lions for the NFC’s best record. Thankfully, Philly quarterback Jalen Hurts looked like an MVP candidate against one of the best defenses in the NFL, accumulating 335 total yards and three total TDs.
Facing a 3-3 tie, Hurts connected with wide receiver A.J. Brown for a seven-yard touchdown to go up 10-3.
After the Steelers punted, Philly scored another touchdown, bringing the lead to 17-3.
Pittsburgh answered back with a 55-yard touchdown drive and then a field goal to cut the lead to 17-13 at halftime.
A 60-yard field goal drive to open the third quarter put the Eagles up 20-13.
Pittsburgh tried to respond, but a drive that reached Philly’s 26 came to a screeching halt after the Steelers fumbled the ball away.
Najee Harris fumbles the ball as the Eagles recover 👀pic.twitter.com/rWbYrNVtpl
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 15, 2024
On the ensuing Eagles series, Philly went up 27-13 thanks to a Jalen Hurts tush push, which would be the final score.
The win brought Philly’s record to 12-2, putting them in a tie for first place in the NFC with the Lions.
Since starting the season 2-2, the Eagles have won ten consecutive games.
Patriots @ Cardinals
The Cards kept their playoff hopes alive after they were easily able to take care of the New England Patriots to move to 7-7 on the season.
After opening the game with a field goal, a 53-yard run by Arizona tailback James Conner set up a Cardinals touchdown, giving them a 10-0 advantage.
New England and Arizona would exchange field goals before going into halftime with a 13-3 Cardinals lead.
Another field goal to start the third quarter put Arizona in front 16-3.
The Pats drove 66 yards to Arizona’s four yard line, but a rush attempt on 4th and 1 would come up short, and the Cards would get the ball back deep in their own territory.
Fast forward to early in the fourth quarter when James Conner found the end zone on a one-yard run to put Arizona up 23-3.
Drake Maye did throw a touchdown pass and run for another, but the Cardinals would hold on for a 30-17 win after a late James Conner touchdown run.
Buccaneers @ Chargers
The Buccaneers put even more space between themselves and the NFC South’s second-place team, the Atlanta Falcons, as the race for the divisional crown comes down to the wire.
Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans had an excellent game, catching nine passes for a season-high 159 receiving yards and two TDs. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 288 yards and four passing touchdowns.
Both teams opened the matchup with touchdowns and field goals to make it a 10-10 game before Baker Mayfield was picked off, resulting in a 27-yard touchdown drive by the Bolts to go up 17-13 at the half after the Buccaneers answered back with a field goal.
Following an LA three-and-out, Baker Mayfield hooked up with wide receiver Mike Evans for a 57-yard touchdown reception to reclaim the lead 20-17. Another field goal made it 23-17.
Late in the third, Mayfield completed a 35-yard pass to Evans for his second touchdown of the day to go up 30-17.
In the fourth, Mayfield found running back Rachaad White for his fourth passing touchdown of the contest and a 37-17 lead.
Tampa would make one more field goal and the Chargers benched quarterback Justin Herbert as the Buccaneers secured a convincing 40-17 win.
