-
NFL NationESPN
Week 16 in the NFL kicked off Christmas Day with a massive outing from the New Orleans Saints and Alvin Kamara, who became the second running back in league history to rush for six touchdowns in a game. The Saints also made it to the NFC South with a win over the Minnesota Vikings.
On Saturday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers handed the Detroit Lions a lopsided loss while capturing a playoff spot for the first time since 2005, then the San Francisco 49ers upset the Arizona Cardinals, who lost control of their own playoff fate.
All that and more at NFL Nation’s biggest takeaways of week 16.
Notable Performer: 49ers run Jeff Wilson Jr. back, 183 rushing yards, including 1 TD
If you didn’t believe in Robert Saleh’s candidacy as 49ers head coach, you should do so now. Without playing the likes of Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, Richard Sherman, Jimmie Ward, Jaquiski Tartt and Javon Kinlaw, Saleh’s group found a way to get Kyler Murray & Co. limit in an upset victory. Saleh’s defense has been plagued with injury throughout the season and somehow managed to keep the 49ers in most games, even though the offense has flipped the ball over repeatedly in recent weeks. The win will hurt San Francisco’s provisional position but should only bolster Saleh’s case for an available head coach position in the coming weeks.– Nick Wagoner
Next game: vs. Seahawks (4:25 PM ET, Sunday, January 3)
Hopes of the Cardinals’ playoffs are starting to slip after Saturday’s loss to the 49ers. All Arizona had to do was win and the Cardinals would have controlled their fate in the playoff. Instead, they lost, and now have to rely on the Chicago Bears to lose their last two games to make it to the postseason for the first time since 2015. – Josh Weinfuss
Next game: at Rams (4:25 PM ET, Sunday, January 3)
Notable Performer: Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, 348 passing yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
Brady helped end the NFL’s second-longest playoff drought by throwing four touchdown passes in a Detroit Lions blowout Saturday, climbing Tampa Bay’s first playoff berth since 2007. Brady, who is in his 300th game appeared in the same city where his career began – Detroit, 20 years ago on Thanksgiving Day, led five TD scoring runs in the first half, before giving way to backup Blaine Gabbert in the second half when the team reached 588 yards to total violation. “It’s just the beginning. Our goal when we started, especially this year, was just to get into the dance,” said coach Bruce Arians. “And now it’s to win 11 games. And look where we are and where we are going, know who we are playing against. Really very proud.” – Jenna Laine
Next game: vs. Falcons (1:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 3)
What is there actually to be said? It was a gruesome loss to the Detroit Lions in score (47-7), yards allowance (588) and health (Matthew Stafford missed all but one series with a right ankle injury). This on top of the team going out without its head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive line coach, linebackers coach, and secondary coach, all of whom had to sit due to COVID-19 close contact protocols. It was one of the worst losses in franchise history – and the worst loss at home in the Super Bowl era. “The problem was we couldn’t stay on the field,” said Robert Prince, coach / acting head coach. “And as a defense we couldn’t get off the field.” – Michael Rothstein
Next game: vs. Vikings (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, January 3)
Notable Performer: Saints Running Back Alvin Kamara, 155 Immersive Yards, 6 Immersive TDs
Friday’s victory over the Vikings was another emphatic reminder that the Saints can win matches in different ways. This time, it was Kamara’s NFL-record draw of six TD runs and a total of 264 rushing yards (New Orleans’ second-highest total since 1986). That was huge on a day when the receiving corps and the Saints’ defenses were beaten up by injuries, and they played in a short week. The Saints (11-4) still have an outside chance at the NFC’s No. 1. Regardless, they are now getting some extra rest for week 17, with a chance to heal and peak in January. – Mike Triplett
Next game: at Panthers (1:00 PM ET, Sunday January 3)
This is the worst defense the Vikings have had in seven seasons under coach Mike Zimmer and the rebuild will take much longer than expected. It should be better in 2021 assuming Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter return from injury and Michael Pierce return after opting out. The Vikings still have to rethink the line of defense, especially a three technique, after the unit has put one push on Drew Brees this season and the third lowest percentage (23.2%) of any team. “If you look at last year’s playoff game and you look at the guys who played in that game and the guys who played today, it’s completely 100% different,” said Zimmer. – Courtney Cronin
Next game: at Lions (1:00 PM ET, Sunday January 3)