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The NFL nationESPN
Week 16 in the NFL began on Christmas Day, with a huge show of New Orleans Saints and Alvin Kamara becoming the second runners in league history to rush for six touchdowns in a game. The Saints won the NFC South with a victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
On Saturday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered an uninterrupted loss to the Detroit Lions as they played in the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Then the San Francisco 49ers upset the Arizona Cardinals, who lost control of their own destiny. playoffs.
All this and more in the biggest dishes of week 16 of the NFL Nation.
Outstanding performer: Running 49ers Jeff Wilson Jr., 183 yards rushing, 1 receiving TD
If you don’t believe in 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s candidacy, you should. Playing without Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Richard Sherman, Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt and Javon Kinlaw, among others, Saleh’s group has found a way to limit Kyler Murray & Co. in an angry victory. Saleh’s defense was devastated by injuries throughout the season and somehow managed to keep the 49ers in most games, even though the offense has repeatedly turned the ball over in recent weeks. The win will affect the position of the San Francisco project, but it should support Saleh’s argument for an available head coach position in the coming weeks.– Nick Wagoner
Next game: vs. Seahawks (16:25 ET, Sunday, January 3)
Cardinals playoff hopes are dashed after Saturday’s loss to the 49ers. All Arizona had to do was win and the Cardinals would remain in control of the playoffs. Instead, they lost and now have to rely on the Chicago Bears to lose their last two games to make the postseason for the first time since 2015. – Josh Weinfuss
Next game: at the Rams (16:25 ET, Sunday, January 3)
Outstanding performer: Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, 348 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
Brady helped end the second-longest drought in the NFL playoffs by throwing four touchdown passes in an explosive Detroit Lions victory Saturday, earning his first Tampa Bay playoff spot since 2007. Brady, appearing in The 300th game in the same city, he began his Detroit career 20 years ago on Thanksgiving – he drove five TD-driven drives in the first half before giving way to backup Blaine Gabbert in a second half, while the team collected 588 meters of total offense. “It’s just the beginning. Our goal when we started, especially this year, was just to get into dancing,” said coach Bruce Arians. “And now it’s to win 11 games. And to see where we stand and where we’re going, to know who we’re playing at. Really, very proud.” – Jenna Laine
Next game: vs. Falcons (13:00 ET, Sunday, January 3)
What is there to say, actually? It was a horrible loss for the Detroit Lions in score (47-7), in allowed yards (588) and in health (Matthew Stafford missed all but one series with a right ankle injury). This on top of the team coming out there without its head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, defensive coach and secondary coach, all having to stand because of the close contact protocols COVID-19. It was one of the worst losses in the franchise’s history – and the worst home loss in the Super Bowl era. “The problem was a crime, I couldn’t stay on the field,” said head coach / interim head coach Robert Prince. “And in defense we couldn’t get off the field.” – Michael Rothstein
Next game: vs. Vikings (13:00 ET, Sunday, January 3)
Outstanding performer: Saints running back Alvin Kamara, 155 meters in a hurry, 6 TDs in a hurry
Friday’s victory over the Vikings was another emphatic reminder that the saints can win games in a variety of ways. This time, Kamara recorded six TD races in the NFL record and a total of 264 yards (the second total in New Orleans since 1986). This was huge on a day when the receiving body and the defense of the saints were beaten by wounds and played in a short week. The Saints (11-4) still have an outside chance at No. 1 in the NFC. Regardless, they now rest extra before week 17, with the chance to heal and reach their peak in January. – Mike Triplett
Next game: at the Panthers (13:00 ET, Sunday, January 3)
This is the worst defense the Vikings have had in seven seasons under coach Mike Zimmer, and the reconstruction will take much longer than expected. Things should be better in 2021, assuming Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter return from injury and Michael Pierce returns after giving up. The Vikings still need to revise their defensive line, especially a three-man technique, after the unit put pressure on Drew Brees and the third lowest rate (23.2%) of any team this season. “If you look at the playoff game last year and look at the guys who played that game and the guys who played today it’s completely different 100%,” Zimmer said. – Courtney Cronin
Next game: at the Lions (13:00 ET, Sunday, January 3)