NEWSLETTER
Let’s recap the best of Sunday’s Week 14 action in today’s NFL Notes.
Chiefs Clinch 9th Straight AFC West Title
The Kansas City Chiefs secured their ninth consecutive AFC West title with a dramatic 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium. The win came down to a game-ending 31-yard field goal by kicker Matthew Wright, which hit the left upright before bouncing through. This was one of several last-second victories for Kansas City this season, showcasing their resilience in close games.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs with remarkable poise despite relentless pressure from the Chargers’ defense, which hit him 14 times. Mahomes was especially clutch on the final drive, converting key plays, including a crucial 3rd-and-7 pass to tight end Travis Kelce that set up the game-winning field goal. Though the Chiefs’ offense was not at its peak—scoring just one touchdown—Mahomes’ ability to deliver under pressure made the difference.
The Chargers showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in the second half when they scored on back-to-back drives. However, costly mistakes, including a misjudged kickoff late in the game and defensive lapses on critical plays, ultimately sealed their fate. Despite a valiant effort, the Chargers’ defense couldn’t hold the Chiefs on their final drive, allowing Kansas City to run out the clock.
With the win, the Chiefs advanced to 12-1, further solidifying their position as Super Bowl contenders. The Chargers, now 8-5, must regroup to stay in playoff contention.
Here’s what Jim Harbaugh had to say after the loss:
rise and fight again pic.twitter.com/Syz7XChdjC
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 9, 2024
Rams Outlast the Bills in Highest Scoring Game of the Season
The most exciting game of the day occurred in Los Angeles, where the Rams and Bills combined for 86 points and 12 touchdowns in the season’s highest-scoring game.
Los Angeles edged out Buffalo in a 44-42 thriller at SoFi Stadium, snapping Buffalo’s seven-game winning streak. The Rams showcased their offensive firepower, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, and running back Kyren Williams. The Rams racked up 457 total yards, narrowly outpacing Buffalo’s 445 yards, and maintained their playoff hopes with the victory.
Despite a historic performance by Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who accounted for six touchdowns (three passing and three rushing), Buffalo’s defense faltered. Allen became the first player in the regular season since Otto Graham in 1954 to achieve a “3-and-3” game and added to his MVP case by avoiding turnovers and leading a furious late-game rally. However, the Rams recovered the Bills’ onside kick with a minute remaining, sealing the win.
The game was an offensive showcase, with both teams trading touchdowns in a second-half shootout that featured seven touchdowns on 10 drives. Nacua stood out for Los Angeles, delivering 162 receiving yards, including several crucial third-down catches and a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown on a cleverly adjusted screen play. Williams contributed 87 rushing yards and two scores, while Stafford threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns.
Buffalo’s effort was equally impressive on offense, with Allen completing 22-of-37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 82 yards and three more scores. His receivers stepped up in a losing effort, with Khalil Shakir tallying 105 yards and a touchdown, Amari Cooper adding 96 yards, and Mack Hollins scoring his third touchdown in five games. However, Buffalo’s defensive shortcomings, particularly against the Rams’ stars, ultimately proved costly. The win moves the Rams to 7-6, keeping them in the NFC West playoff hunt, while the Bills fall to 10-3.
Seahawks Stay Atop the NFC West
The Seattle Seahawks secured a crucial 30-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on the road, maintaining their lead in the NFC West. After Arizona’s early 41-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to Michael Wilson, the Seahawks took control with scoring drives on four of five first-half possessions. Geno Smith connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 19-yard touchdown following an interception, and Zach Charbonnet added a 1-yard rushing score and a 51-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, giving Seattle a 24-10 halftime lead.
Jason Myers added three field goals, while the Seahawks’ defense limited Arizona to a single touchdown in the second half. Seattle’s offense racked up 409 total yards, with Charbonnet achieving a career-high 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns and Smith throwing for 233 yards and one score. The Cardinals, now on a three-game losing streak, dropped to 6-7, while the Seahawks improved to 8-5 with four regular season games remaining.
Eagles Squeak One Out Against the Panthers
The Philadelphia Eagles extended their winning streak to nine games with a 22-16 victory over the Carolina Panthers, clinching a playoff spot with the win and Arizona’s loss.
Saquon Barkley led the charge with 124 rushing yards, breaking LeSean McCoy’s single-season franchise rushing record (1,607 yards from 2013) and Wilbert Montgomery’s record for most 100-yard games in a season (now nine). Jalen Hurts contributed three total touchdowns, including the decisive 4-yard pass to Grant Calcaterra in the fourth quarter after a critical 35-yard scramble.
Carolina stayed competitive, with Bryce Young engineering long scoring drives and nearly connecting on a potential game-winning touchdown to Xavier Legette in the final minute. However, the Panthers ultimately turned the ball over on downs, securing the Eagles’ 11-2 record and solidifying Barkley’s MVP-caliber season.
No Kirk Cousins Revenge Game in Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings earned their sixth straight win with a dominant 42-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, improving to 11-2. Sam Darnold had a career day, throwing five touchdowns, all to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, who combined for 15 catches, 265 yards, and five scores. The Vikings’ potent passing attack showcased the vision the team had when drafting Addison, pairing him with Jefferson to overwhelm defenses.
Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins, returning to U.S. Bank Stadium as a Falcon, had two interceptions and 344 passing yards, continuing his recent struggles with no touchdowns in his last four games. Darnold, in contrast, has been red-hot, throwing for 11 touchdowns without an interception during the same stretch.
The Falcons fell to 6-7 slipping in the NFC South standings, while Minnesota remains just one game behind the division-leading Detroit Lions (12-1) with four games remaining in the regular season. The Vikings get the struggling Bears next week on Monday Night Football.
Dolphins Beat Jets In OT
The Miami Dolphins kept their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling 32-26 overtime win over the New York Jets. Improving to 6-7, the Dolphins overcame an early season slump, winning four of their last five games. With the loss, the Jets (3-10) were officially eliminated from playoff contention, extending their league-leading postseason drought to 14 seasons.
The Jets’ offense recorded a season-high 402 yards and scored on five consecutive drives, but Miami rallied behind several key performances. Tyreek Hill’s touchdown reception and Jason Sanders’ game-tying 52-yard field goal pushed the game to overtime. In the extra period, Tua Tagovailoa led a decisive drive, capped by Jonnu Smith’s game-winning 10-yard touchdown catch—his first reception of the game.
Both quarterbacks shined. Aaron Rodgers threw for 339 yards and his first 300-yard game since 2021, while Tagovailoa posted 331 yards and two touchdowns, marking his third consecutive 300-yard game with multiple scores. Despite missing defensive stalwarts Sauce Gardner and C.J. Mosley, the Jets’ defense couldn’t contain Miami’s offense in crunch time.
