Here are 32 insights gained from Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season:

1. The NFL continues to surprise us after 105 years. Just when you think you’ve grasped its dynamics, a day like Sunday throws everything into question, including so-called “expert” opinions. For instance, who’s the top team right now? The Buffalo Bills, fresh off a victory against the Detroit Lions, found themselves nearly losing at home to the New England Patriots.

2. On another front, the Kansas City Chiefs—who are striving for a historic Super Bowl three-peat—stand as the only team in the league with 14 wins. However, QB Patrick Mahomes has been struggling, often unable to secure a clear victory.

3. The Lions, thought to be reeling from injuries, demonstrated their resilience by dominating the Chicago Bears. They remain a strong contender for the No. 1 seed, especially following the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss.

4. The Eagles’ path to retaining the NFC East title is slim; they must lose their last two games while the Washington Commanders must win all of theirs.

5. There’s also the chance that third-string QB Tanner McKee may have to start if Jalen Hurts can’t clear concussion protocol and backup Kenny Pickett’s injury proves too serious.

6. Hurts’ absence during the loss to Washington highlights why the MVP award is often associated with quarterbacks. Despite RB Saquon Barkley’s impressive 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns, he couldn’t lead Philadelphia to victory.

7. With a league-leading 1,838 rushing yards, Barkley is 268 yards short of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984.

8. Barkley also made history by becoming the first player to score four rushing touchdowns of over 65 yards in a season. Nevertheless, he could have done more to close the gap on Dickerson, only managing 41 yards in the last three quarters after a strong start with 109 yards.

9. In the realm of individual honors, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels may have secured the Offensive Rookie of the Year award after throwing for 258 yards and five touchdowns, including the decisive score just 6 seconds before the end of Washington’s 36-33 victory. Daniels also led his team with 81 rushing yards.

10. The last time a Washington player threw for five touchdowns was QB Mark Rypien back in 1991, the year the team won its last Super Bowl.

11. Daniels’ performance has not only kept Washington in the NFC East race but also outshone fellow rookie QB Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos, who has struggled in December after a strong November.

12. Buffalo’s Josh Allen, a likely candidate for the 2024 MVP award, recorded his 75th career win on Sunday, needing just one more to claim the record for the most wins by a quarterback in their first seven seasons. It’s worth noting that Mahomes and Tom Brady both had limited play in their rookie years.

13. While we’re discussing MVPs and recognition in the league, the underappreciated Minnesota Vikings and their QB Sam Darnold deserve some attention. Darnold is second only to Mahomes in wins this season. If he can secure two more victories, the Vikings will earn home-field advantage. The Vikings!

14. Despite potential awards and recognition for his career resurgence, Darnold may not get the accolades he deserves. However, he might be in line for a lucrative contract as a pending free agent in 2025.

15. This season, some traditional NFL powerhouses, like the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, will not compete for the Lombardi Trophy after being eliminated from playoff contention due to Washington’s comeback.

16. Additionally, the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals also saw their playoff hopes dashed on Sunday.

17. The Cincinnati Bengals triumphed over the Cleveland Browns 24-6, positioning themselves as a team no one in the AFC playoffs wants to face. QB Joe Burrow set a franchise record with his 39th touchdown pass, while WR Ja’Marr Chase became the first Bengal to exceed 1,500 receiving yards in a season.

18. Burrow also etched his name in history as the first player to achieve seven consecutive games with at least 250 passing yards and three touchdowns.

19. Browns DE Myles Garrett reached a milestone in his career, becoming the 45th player since 1982 to record 100 sacks after taking down Burrow on Sunday.

20. Garrett is in elite company with Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, being one of only two players to record at least 12 sacks in five straight seasons, and the first to reach 100 sacks before turning 29.

21. Meanwhile, Jets QB Aaron Rodgers fell short of reaching his career milestone of 500 touchdowns in a 19-9 defeat to the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams.

22. On a brighter note for the Rams, TE Tyler Higbee made a triumphant return, catching the game-winning touchdown against the Jets in his first game back after nearly a year-long recovery from multiple knee injuries suffered in the playoffs.

23. Remarkably, the Jets managed to avoid punting even though they only scored nine points. (How, you might ask? They executed a couple of turnovers, a missed field goal, and three unsuccessful fourth-down attempts.)

24. Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins made history as he became the fourth quarterback in the team’s history to throw 100 touchdowns during the regular season.

25. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the quarterback becomes secondary when your defense posts three sacks and records three turnovers (which includes two pick-sixes) in a decisive 34-7 victory.

26. But kudos to Atlanta Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who, despite modest stats (202 yards passing, 1 interception, 3 rushing yards), managed to “win” his first start against the struggling New York Giants after stepping in for veteran Kirk Cousins earlier in the week.

27. Additionally, congrats to the Giants, who managed to avoid a 10-game losing streak … at least until their 100th NFL season. They now seem poised to secure the top overall pick in the 2025 draft.

28. Let’s also recognize Malik Nabers from Big Blue, who has amassed 97 receptions in his rookie season … and keep in mind, he missed two games.

29. Chicago rookie quarterback Caleb Williams needs to achieve 729 passing yards over the last two weeks to become the first Bears player to hit the 4,000-yard mark for a season.

30. Then we have Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders, who is having one of the best seasons ever for a rookie tight end statistically, with 101 receptions and 1,067 yards. He only needs 10 more yards in the next two games to break the rookie record for his position.

31. Wishing a Happy Holidays to CBS’ top broadcast duo, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo. Due to some broadcasting quirks this week, you two had to cover the 49ers-Dolphins game, while FOX showcased the Steelers-Ravens match (which is typically a CBS broadcast) on Saturday afternoon. But rest assured, guys, you enjoyed much nicer weather than Burkhardt and Brady faced in Charm City.

32. Happy Holidays also to the Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers, and Texans. It’s tough on these teams’ players and staffs, as they’re all competing in three games within an 11-day timeframe, just so the league can set up a Christmas doubleheader on Wednesday. All teams were back to practice on Sunday after Saturday’s games, making this a challenging ask during the holiday season – especially since both Baltimore and Kansas City played on Christmas last year as well.

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