Honestly, if you missed the NFL action this past weekend, you missed what was arguably the most chaotic stretch of the 2025 season. We saw lateral touchdowns get snatched away by penalties, 44-year-old legends returning to the pocket, and some massive playoff seeding shifts that have the AFC looking like a total jigsaw puzzle.
If you just want the raw numbers, the NFL scoreboard Week 16 had a bit of everything. From the Seahawks winning a 38-37 overtime thriller over the Rams to the 49ers dropping nearly 50 points on the Colts, it felt like every game had something on the line.
What Happened in Detroit Was Absolutely Unreal
Let’s start with the game everyone is still screaming about. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Detroit Lions 29-24, but that score doesn't even begin to tell the story. Detroit was down by 12 points late in the fourth quarter. They clawed back. They were basically dead in the water after Chris Boswell missed a field goal that gave them a tiny sliver of hope.
Then things got weird.
In the final seconds, it looked like the Lions won. Jared Goff completed a pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown near the goal line, and St. Brown flipped a lateral back to Goff, who ran it in as time expired. The stadium went nuts. But then? Flags. Offensive pass interference. The score was wiped off, the game ended, and just like that, Detroit’s playoff hopes are basically on life support (they’re at about a 6% chance now).
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For the Steelers, Aaron Rodgers looked like his old self, dicing up the defense on third downs and letting Jaylen Warren do the heavy lifting. Warren had two separate 45-yard touchdown runs. That’s just pure efficiency.
The AFC Seeding Chaos (and the Jags’ Statement Win)
While everyone was focused on Detroit, the Jacksonville Jaguars went into Denver and absolutely bullied the Broncos 34-20. This wasn't a fluke. Trevor Lawrence was on fire, throwing for three touchdowns and running for another.
The Broncos have been the "safe" pick for the No. 1 seed for weeks, but this loss opened the door wide. Now, the New England Patriots are breathing down their necks for that top spot after they escaped Baltimore with a 28-24 win on Sunday night.
Week 16 Scoreboard Highlights
Here’s how the rest of the slate shook out for those keeping track:
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- Seattle Seahawks 38, LA Rams 37 (OT): Sam Darnold recovered from two picks to lead a massive 16-point comeback. The two-point conversion in OT was the difference.
- Chicago Bears 22, Green Bay Packers 16 (OT): Caleb Williams is proving he has that "clutch gene." An onside kick recovery and a DJ Moore walk-off TD? Peak rivalry football.
- Carolina Panthers 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20: The Panthers actually took control of the NFC South with this one. Baker Mayfield threw a late pick that essentially ended Tampa's afternoon.
- New England Patriots 28, Baltimore Ravens 24: Drake Maye and the Pats defense survived a Derrick Henry onslaught. A late Zay Flowers fumble sealed the deal.
- Tennessee Titans 26, Kansas City Chiefs 9: Yeah, you read that right. The Chiefs are officially out of the playoff hunt, and the Titans—who have struggled all year—beat them by three scores.
The 44-Year-Old Elephant in the Room
Can we talk about Philip Rivers for a second? The man is 44 years old. He came out of retirement to start for the Colts on Monday Night Football against the 49ers. He actually threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns!
It didn't matter because San Francisco is a juggernaut right now. Brock Purdy and the Niners didn't punt a single time. Not once. They won 48-27 and looked like the best team in football doing it. The Colts are now on the brink of elimination, and the 49ers are in the driver's seat for the NFC's top seed if they win out.
Why These Scores Matter for Your Bracket
If you're looking at the standings, the "clinched" list grew significantly this week. The Bills, Chargers, Jaguars, and Patriots all punched their tickets to the postseason.
In the NFC, it’s a bit more settled at the top with the Seahawks, Bears, and Eagles all "in," but the NFC South is a total mess. The Panthers at 8-7 are currently leading the division, which sounds crazy given where they were a month ago.
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Hard Truths from Week 16
- The Chiefs’ era (for this year) is over. They’ve struggled with offensive identity all season, and the loss to Tennessee was the final nail.
- Bo Nix is human. After 11 straight wins, the rookie finally hit a wall against a disguised Jaguars defense.
- The Lions are the unluckiest team in the league. Losing on a lateral-penalty combo is a soul-crushing way to see your season likely end.
Looking Ahead: Actionable Next Steps
If you're following the playoff race, there are a few things you should be tracking immediately.
Watch the Injury Reports: Lamar Jackson left the Ravens' game early, and that completely changed their offensive dynamic. If he’s out for Week 17, the Ravens are done.
Keep an eye on the NFC South Tiebreakers: If the Panthers beat the Seahawks next week and the Bucs lose to the Dolphins, Carolina clinches the division. If not, we are headed for a Week 18 "winner-takes-all" showdown in Tampa.
Check the AFC West Seeding: The Broncos and Patriots are tied at 12-3. The Broncos have the tiebreaker right now, but they play the Chargers in Week 18. That game might decide who gets the first-round bye and home-field advantage.
The NFL scoreboard Week 16 didn't just give us scores; it gave us a roadmap for the final two weeks of the season. Everything is still on the table for the top seeds, and the wild card race is officially a sprint.