The clock is ticking for NFL teams.

Whether aiming to enhance their playoff standings or striving to secure a postseason berth, Week 16 offered a crucial opportunity for teams to strengthen their playoff resumes.

One of the most surprising outcomes occurred in Washington, where the Commanders pulled off an impressive comeback against the Eagles. This win keeps Dan Quinn’s squad in contention for the NFC East title while complicating Philadelphia’s quest for the conference’s top seed.

The competition for the No. 1 seed is fierce, with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings tied at 13-2, making each game critical.

Below is a rundown of this week’s winners and losers.

WINNERS

Vikings Maintain Title Hopes in NFC

A significant hurdle for the Vikings this season has been sharing the NFC North with the strong Lions. Their narrow loss to Detroit in Week 7 still heavily weighs on their seeding prospects.

However, the Vikings achieved a 27-24 victory against the Seahawks, a team battling for a playoff spot. Quarterback Sam Darnold has rejuvenated his game, forming a strong rapport with star receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Defensively, the Vikings contributed two turnovers against Seattle, bringing their season total to 30, trailing only the Steelers. The road ahead is tough, as Minnesota faces the Packers (10-4) and likely will have a pivotal game against Detroit in Week 18 that could determine the top NFC seed.

Rams Move Closer to Division Title

While the Rams (9-6) may not always win in style, they have demonstrated resilience this season. Thanks to the Seahawks’ loss, Los Angeles is now a game ahead in the NFC West after their 19-9 win over the Jets.

Upcoming challenges include games against the struggling Cardinals and a season finale against the Seahawks, which could be pivotal for the division title. Running back Kyren Williams has been a standout performer, accumulating 421 rushing yards and four touchdowns throughout December, contributing to their current four-game winning streak.

Penix Sparks Falcons; Cowboys Help Solidify Standings

Making his debut as a starter, rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. led the Falcons to a dominating 34-7 victory over the Giants, reinforcing coach Raheem Morris’ choice to relegate Kirk Cousins to the bench.

Penix was impressive, showing poise and accuracy while executing plays. He completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards and had one interception, which was caused by a bobble from tight end Kyle Pitts. Despite some expected rookie struggles, he effectively steered the offense, and with the Cowboys’ win over the Buccaneers, the Falcons temporarily seized the lead in the NFC South.

Jayden Daniels Approaches OROY Status

Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels continued to shine during a thrilling comeback against the Eagles, throwing for 258 yards and five touchdowns, alongside 81 rushing yards despite suffering two interceptions.

Daniels has showcased remarkable composure and efficiency late in games, including orchestrating a game-winning drive with under two minutes left, where he threw for 33 yards, ran for another 14, and only had one incompletion due to a spike.

LOSERS

Eagles’ Collapse Complicates Top Seed Chase

Philadelphia faced their struggles mostly without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion). While they currently hold the No. 2 seed in the NFC at 12-3, catching the Lions for the top seed is increasingly unlikely with just two games remaining.

The Eagles forced five turnovers but still suffered a loss, wasting two 14-point advantages and a 13-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Key players missed opportunities, including DeVonta Smith, who dropped a crucial third-down catch. The Eagles struggled on third downs, converting just 19%, along with a mere 50% in red-zone situations. Now, Philadelphia needs a small miracle to surpass Detroit.

Buccaneers Lose First Place in NFC South

Tampa Bay required a victory against the Cowboys to maintain their lead in the NFC South, but the 26-24 defeat was a disappointment for the Buccaneers (8-7).

The situation is further complicated as the Falcons hold the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series with Tampa. Nonetheless, the Buccaneers’ chances aren’t gone; if Atlanta falters against Washington next week, Tampa can regain traction, with upcoming matches against the Panthers (4-11) and Saints (5-9). However, they must improve their protection of Baker Mayfield and tighten their defense against explosive plays.

Cardinals’ Late-Season Struggles Continue

Once above .500 and leading the NFC West, the Cardinals now showcase struggles, managing only one victory in their last five games, the most recent being a 36-30 overtime defeat to the Panthers.

The loss that cost the Cardinals their chance at the playoffs was a tough one.

The Cardinals had a poor tackling performance against the Panthers. Kyler Murray, completing 20 of 32 passes for 202 yards with two touchdowns and two turnovers, showcased his ability to make plays but frequently faced issues with his precision. His connection with his receiving corps remains underwhelming; the top receiver against Carolina was Michael Wilson, who managed just two receptions for 44 yards. Although Arizona has youthful talent, it falls short of being a genuine contender.