| Dates: 7 September 2023 – 7 January 2024 |
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The Miami Dolphins acquired the big-game win their season wanted as they booked their play-off spot with a dramatic late victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Eve within the NFL.
Becoming a member of Miami within the play-offs are the Detroit Lions who claimed a divisional title for the primary time in virtually 30 years, whereas the Cleveland Browns are additionally almost there after a powerful win over the Houston Texans.
The Seattle Seahawks and the Inexperienced Bay Packers got here out on prime in wild late finishes to maintain their wildcard hopes alive, whereas the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one of many kind groups within the league after successful 4 in a row.
And in a surprisingly entertaining encounter in Denver, the New England Patriots put an enormous dent within the Broncos’ play-off hopes with a last-gasp area objective giving Invoice Belichick’s facet a 26-23 victory – only a fourth win of the season for the six-time Tremendous Bowl winners.
Dolphins defeat Dallas to make play-offs
Jason Sanders kicked a area objective as time expired to provide the Miami Dolphins a 22-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, the assertion win their season wanted and one which additionally sealed their play-off spot.
It is the primary time the Dolphins have overwhelmed a crew with a successful document this season as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa led the successful drive in a giant recreation his marketing campaign was lacking – and with 11 wins and 4 defeats they’re second within the AFC play-off standings simply behind the Baltimore Ravens, who they play subsequent week.
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott’s fourth-quarter comeback was spectacular, however the Cowboys’ defence late within the recreation will probably be a fear, as will the prospect of getting to go on the highway within the play-offs.
They’ve been dominant at house, successful all seven video games, however have only a 3-5 document in away video games.
Lions finish three-decade look ahead to division title
Head coach Dan Campbell continues to revive pleasure to the Detroit Lions, as their 30-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings booked their first play-off look since 2016 and first ever NFC North title.
The final time the Lions received a division was the previous NFC Central again in 1993, with their 29-year wait for one more the third-longest in NFL historical past, and at 11-4 they’re additionally nonetheless within the working for the primary seed.
Detroit, the one NFC facet by no means to play in a Tremendous Bowl, at the moment are assured no less than one house play-off recreation, the place their long-suffering followers will hope to roar them on to a primary play-off win for 32 years, in what might be an enormous turning level for the crew.
“That is particular,” Campbell mentioned after the sport. “It is one thing you do not get to do on a regular basis. They’re at all times particular to win a division. I do not care what number of of them you get due to the work that goes into it. However to do one thing that hadn’t been finished in 30 years for a crew is particular.”
Veteran Flacco offers Browns spark
Large receiver Amari Cooper mentioned it “sort of appeared just a little straightforward” as he produced a crew document 265 receiving yards within the Cleveland Browns’ 36-22 win over the Houston Texans.
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, a Tremendous Bowl winner and MVP with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013, has added an attacking spark to a crew that already had an outstanding defence, and his reference to Cooper will make Cleveland a hazard.
“To be fully candid, I might attribute most of it to Joe,” Cooper mentioned after his document day. “He has an unbelievable really feel for the sport. He has an unbelievable arm. One of the simplest ways of explaining it’s that we mesh properly collectively.”
At 10-5 the Browns should not there but however can punch their play-off ticket by beating the New York Jets on Thursday – and 38-year-old Flacco might be key as Cleveland’s fourth beginning quarterback this 12 months proves to be their shocking X-factor.
Wild late finishes for wildcard chasers
The Seattle Seahawks acquired again into the NFC play-off locations with their second late victory in a row – this time a 20-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans got here due to a late landing throw from Geno Smith.
After back-up Drew Lock did one thing comparable final week, the Seahawks are simply the second crew ever to have two completely different quarterbacks throw successful touchdowns within the final minute of consecutive video games – however extra importantly they’re grinding out wins when it issues most.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have now received 4 in a row after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-12 as their quarterback Baker Mayfield continues to shine for the NFC South leaders.
Jacksonville have misplaced 4 on the bounce however nonetheless lead the AFC South on account of tiebreakers over Houston and the Indianapolis Colts – who misplaced 29-10 on the Atlanta Falcons.
The Inexperienced Bay Packers are nonetheless within the image after surviving a late rally from the Carolina Panthers to emerge with a 33-30 victory, whereas the Chicago Bears beat the Arizona Cardinals 27-16.
The New York Jets threw away a 20-point half-time lead towards the Washington Commanders, however nonetheless escaped with a 30-28 win due to Greg Zuerlein booting a 54-yard area objective 5 seconds from the tip.
And there may be extra NFL motion arising on Christmas Day, with three video games going down, beginning with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs internet hosting the Las Vegas Raiders, earlier than the Philadelphia Eagles face the New York Giants.
Each present prime seeds then meet in San Francisco because the 49ers host the Baltimore Ravens in what many suppose might be a Tremendous Bowl preview.