Saturday’s NFL action was a breath of fresh air for fans after Week 17 started off with holiday letdowns. Christmas brought a pair of blowouts, and Thursday night’s game was more of a snoozer than a thriller, with just three field goals in the first quarter and nothing in the second half. But Saturday? Saturday delivered.

We saw three games that had playoff implications in each one. The Chargers had a clear path to the playoffs with a win over the Patriots. The Broncos and Bengals squared off in what felt like a playoff game, with the Bengals needing a victory to keep their postseason hopes alive. And in Los Angeles, the Rams were one step away from virtually locking up the NFC West, though not quite officially.

Each game had its own flavor: dominance, drama, and gritty defense. As the playoff picture starts to take shape, these matchups gave us everything we love about December football.

Chargers Dominate Patriots to Clinch Playoff Spot

Los Angeles Chargers 40, New England Patriots 7

The Los Angeles Chargers couldn’t have asked for a better performance in their playoff-clinching win over the New England Patriots. Quarterback Justin Herbert was in total command, throwing for 281 yards and three touchdowns. 

Rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey added a spark with two touchdown receptions and 94 yards, capping off what has been an impressive debut season for the second-round pick. The offense flowed seamlessly, with the Chargers’ deep passing game on full display — Herbert threw 21% of his passes over 20 yards, carving through the Patriots’ defense with ease.

On the other side, the Patriots struggled to find answers. Their defense couldn’t generate any pressure, allowing Herbert an average of over three seconds per dropback — far too much time for a quarterback of his caliber. To make matters worse, they generated pressure on just 16% of those plays, which is the second-lowest of the season.

Offensively, rookie quarterback Drake Maye showed flashes of brilliance despite the team’s lackluster supporting cast. Maye’s development is one of the few bright spots in a season where New England has found itself battling for a top draft pick.

Heroes of the Chargers’ Victory

Justin Herbert’s day was one for the history books as he surpassed Peyton Manning for the most passing yards in a player’s first five seasons. (Now at 20,747.) It’s a testament to Herbert’s consistency and ability to perform at an elite level, no matter what the situation is around him. 

Meanwhile, Ladd McConkey continued his breakout rookie season, proving to be a critical piece for the Chargers’ offense. The rookie’s knack for finding the end zone and making big plays has made him one of the biggest steals of the 2024 draft.

Chargers Punch Their Playoff Ticket

With the win, the Chargers officially secured a spot in the postseason. It’s a significant achievement for a team that’s shown steady improvement under head coach Jim Harbaugh. For New England, the loss highlights the need for a roster overhaul. With Maye emerging as their quarterback of the future, the Patriots are in prime position to land one of the top non-quarterback prospects in next year’s draft. The contrast between these two franchises’ trajectories was on full display, and Saturday’s game marked a clear turning point for both.

Bengals Prevail in Overtime Thriller to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Cincinnati Bengals 30, Denver Broncos 24

The Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff dreams alive with a dramatic 30-24 overtime win over the Denver Broncos. While the game started slowly, with both offenses struggling to find rhythm, things exploded in the second half and overtime. 

Joe Burrow looked every bit like the MVP candidate he should be, leading a game-winning drive in overtime to cap off a spectacular day. 

On the other side, rookie Bo Nix showcased poise beyond his years, keeping Denver competitive and matching Burrow blow for blow. It was a quarterback duel that not many could've imagined, with both players completing over 75% of their passes.

The game had no shortage of pivotal moments. Cade York’s missed field goal in overtime gave the Broncos the opportunity they needed to secure the win, but the offense sputtered and punted back to the Bengals. Joe Burrow stepped up and delivered a clutch touchdown pass to Tee Higgins — his third of the game — to seal the deal.

Big-Time Plays, Big-Time Players

Joe Burrow’s stat line tells the story of a quarterback at the top of his game. He threw for 412 yards, completing an astounding 80% of his 49 pass attempts. When he wasn't blitzed, Burrow thrived, completing 23 of 26 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown. His eight straight games with 250+ passing yards and 3 touchdowns also happen to be an NFL record.

Tee Higgins, battling injuries, delivered a heroic performance with 131 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner. Ja’Marr Chase was equally impressive, breaking his own franchise record for receiving yards in a season, a mark he originally set as a rookie. 

On Denver’s side, Bo Nix continued to impress in his debut season, throwing for 219 yards and three touchdowns while completing 77% of his passes. Though he was only blitzed on 10% of plays in this game, he took full advantage of that and made good decisions for the majority of the game. 

One Step Closer, One Step Back

For the Bengals, this was a playoff game already. While they still need help from other teams to secure a playoff spot, their offensive firepower makes them a dangerous opponent if they can sneak in.

The Broncos, on the other hand, missed a golden opportunity to clinch a postseason berth. Now, they’ll have to face the Chiefs in Week 18, a matchup where they'll likely be favored if Kansas City rests its starters, but is far from a guarantee with Andy Reid’s creativity. 

Rams’ Defense Shines in Narrow Win Over Cardinals

Los Angeles Rams 13, Arizona Cardinals 9

The Los Angeles Rams found a way to grind out a 13-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in a game where defense took center stage and every yard gained felt hard-earned. 

This wasn’t your typical high-flying Rams offense. Instead, it was their defense that stole the show, suffocating Kyler Murray and forcing the Cardinals into mistakes, including a game-sealing interception in the final minutes. It was a win that reflected a new identity for the Rams, who have now won all five games this season where Matthew Stafford threw for under 200 yards.

For Arizona, this game felt all too familiar. The Cardinals stayed competitive throughout, with their defense delivering one of its strongest performances of the year. But as has been the story of their season, missed opportunities and late-game errors cost them. 

Kyler Murray flashed the talent that makes him so highly regarded, but his decision-making (not including the game-ending interception, which bounced off Trey McBride’s helmet) continued to raise questions about his development in year six.

Dominant Defense Defines the Day

The Rams’ defense is peaking at just the right time. From the front line to the secondary, they’re playing like a cohesive unit. Rookie Braden Fisk and company controlled the trenches, with Fiske getting two sacks on the day. 

The secondary came up big, with Ahkello Witherspoon and Kamren Kinchens combining for two interceptions, including the game-clincher. It’s no coincidence that this defense has fueled their current winning streak.

For the Cardinals, tight end Trey McBride was a bright spot, racking up 123 receiving yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, his night ended in heartbreak when Murray’s pass deflected off his helmet into the hands of a Rams defender. Despite the miscue, McBride’s performance highlighted his emergence as the go-to weapon for Arizona’s offense.

Rams Take Control of NFC West

With the win, the Rams moved one step closer to officially clinching the NFC West. According to NextGen Stats, their playoff odds now exceed 99%, and they could secure the division through a strength-of-victory tiebreaker depending on the outcome of other Week 17 games. For a team that has reinvented itself after key departures, they’re much more well-rounded than most people give them credit for.

The Cardinals, now officially eliminated from playoff contention, will look to regroup and address the recurring issues that have plagued their season. From inconsistent execution to untimely errors, it’s clear there’s work to be done as they look toward 2025.

All statistics provided by NFL Pro NextGen Stats