The Dallas Cowboys won handily once more without having to….
The Cowboys had it all while the 49ers and Ravens secured the top two seeds and were the major winners.
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Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys won another significant game without playing. To ensure they got an additional week off, the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens took care of business.
With one week remaining, the NFL playoff picture is more apparent.
There are nine participating teams. There are still five available places. The Super Bowl is still being chased by twenty clubs.
Baltimore defeated Miami 56-19 to earn the top seed in the AFC. In addition to helping the Ravens (13-3) gain a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, Lamar Jackson’s five touchdown passes and perfect passer rating increased his prospects of winning his second NFL MVP title.
With assistance from Arizona and a 27-10 victory over Washington, the 49ers secured the NFC’s top spot. After the Cardinals overcame Philadelphia 35–31, San Francisco (12–4) took the lead.
When it comes to playing until the divisional round on January 20–21, the 49ers and Ravens can rest their starters the next week.
The amazing comeback victory by Arizona over the Eagles (11-5) also handed the Cowboys (11-5) the NFC East lead. If Dallas defeated Washington on the road in Week 18, they would win the division and guarantee the No. 2 seed.
Over the weekend, the Cowboys received all the breaks. The authorities granted Dallas a respite after coach Mike McCarthy’s terrible time management almost cost the Cowboys the game on Saturday night, and the team managed to defeat Detroit 20-19. The last-minute two-point conversion attempt by the Lions to take the lead was nullified by a penalty because offensive lineman Taylor Decker was not allowed to receive the ball at the time he caught it.
Referee Brad Allen stated that Decker did not submit an eligible report. Allen and his officiating team might have avoided the ridiculous conclusion if they had answered a call during the prior drive by Dallas.
The Cowboys tight end was given a tripping penalty. Peyton Hendershot converted a second-and-three at the Detroit 44 into a first-and-25. It was Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson who should have received the tripping penalty rather than Hendershot. The league made no remarks after the call on Sunday.
The Cowboys, who were 8-0 at home, are now set to open the playoffs there. To succeed, they only need to defeat the Commanders (4–12) on the way.
The Dolphins (11-5) had to defeat Buffalo the next week to secure the division title, having previously been vying for the top spot in the AFC. The Dolphins would tumble to sixth place if the Bills (10-6) defeated Miami on the road to win the AFC East. With a loss, Buffalo would place sixth, seventh, or out of the playoffs.
After defeating Cincinnati 25-17, the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs (10-6) secured the AFC West for the ninth consecutive year. The Chiefs are slated to start as the third seed in the playoffs. They have hosted the AFC title game five years in a row, but it will take a few upsets for them to accomplish so again.
At 9-7 apiece, the Jaguars, Colts, and Texans all prevailed to maintain their position in the AFC South battle. With a victory at Tennessee (5-11) next week, Jacksonville, which owns the tiebreakers, would secure the division and the No. 4 seed for the second consecutive season. Houston is the destination for Indianapolis, with the victor moving on as the division champion or wild-card winner and the loser eliminated.
The Steelers (9-7) defeated Seattle 30-23 to maintain their hopes of making the playoffs. Pittsburgh needs assistance in addition to a victory over Baltimore to secure a wild-card place.
The Cleveland Browns (11-5) led by Joe Flacco are already guaranteed the No. 5 spot in the AFC and will face the winner of the AFC South in the wild-card round.
Tampa Bay’s lacklustre effort in a 23–13 home loss to New Orleans cost them the chance to secure their third consecutive NFC South title. Next week, if the Buccaneers (8-8) defeat Carolina (2-14), they will still have a chance to win the division.
Should the Panthers upset Tampa Bay, the Saints (8-8) and Falcons (7-9) square off for the chance to win the division. In the event that the Bucs prevail, New Orleans would still be eligible for a wild-card position.
In order to secure a wild-card berth, the Los Angeles Rams (9-7) defeated the New York Giants 26-25. After defeating Minnesota 33–10, Green Bay moved ahead of Seattle and assumed control of the last wild-card place. If the Packers (8-8) defeated Chicago at home, they would advance. To win in Detroit, the Vikings (7-9) require a great deal of assistance. The Seahawks (8-8) must defeat the Packers in Arizona in order to win.
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