NFL Week 16 live updates: Playoff spots up for grabs as scores and highlights roll in

Late 2Q: Jaguars 14, Broncos 10

After a Wil Lutz field goal gave the Broncos a lead for the first time, the Jaguars marched right back down the field and got the ball into the end zone for a second time with this Trevor Lawrence touchdown pass to Brenton Strange. Really nice catch by Strange, plucking the ball out of the air on the back shoulder spin. In a game with massive playoff implications, the Jaguars have the lead once again.

Early 2Q: Broncos 7, Jaguars 7

Sutton is off to a great start in this one, with four catches for 53 yards and a score already. Really nice job by Nix laying this ball out there so his man could run under it while under some pressure from the Jaguars defense.

Late 1Q: Steelers 3, Lions 0

Detroit drove the ball all the way down to the goal line but came up empty as it was stopped on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line. The Lions ran a trick play on the previous snap to get down to the 3, but their fourth-down try was easily shut down on a play-action rollout where nobody flashed open and Jared Goff had to throw late over the middle and it fell incomplete.

AFC standings

1. x-Denver Broncos (12-2)
2. New England Patriots (11-3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
6. Buffalo Bills (11-4)
7. Houston Texans (9-5)

x-clinched playoff berth

NFC standings

1. x-Seattle Seahawks (12-3)
2. Chicago Bears (11-4)
3. y-Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
4. Carolina Panthers (8-7)
5. x-Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

NFL Week 16 playoff picture: Panthers seize NFC South lead; Bills, Chargers maintain wild card position

Tyler Sullivan

Late 1Q: Jaguars 7, Broncos 0

What a ridiculous throw and catch right here for the Jaguars, who take an early lead in the biggest game of the day. It was a great drive for the Jags, running 10 plays and 66 yards after Wil Lutz had missed a field goal on Denver's previous possession.

FINAL: Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20

Carolina pulled out come-from-behind victory over Tampa down in Charlotte and improved to 8-7, moving into first place in the NFC South in the process. The Panthers trailed 10-3 and 17-13 at different points in the game, but responded with scores each time. Bryce Young threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense ended the game with an interception of Baker Mayfield. The two teams will meet again in the regular season finale that could serve as an NFC South championship game.

FINAL: Chargers 34, Cowboys 17

Los Angeles took care of the Cowboys down in Dallas with a decisive win. Justin Herbert had a monster afternoon, completing 23 of 29 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns. Omarion Hampton added 85 yards and a score on his 16 carries. Like the Bills, the Chargers improved to 11-4 with the win and moved one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. All they need now is for the Texans OR Colts to lose OR tie their games.

FINAL: Bills 23, Browns 20

It was closer than expected, but Buffalo got it done. James Cook had a huge game for the Bills, rushing 16 times for 117 yards and two scores. Buffalo improved to 11-4 with the win and moved one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. All the Bills need now is for the Texans OR Colts to lose OR tie their games.

Late 4Q: Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20

Carolina kicked a field goal after a seven-play, 43-yard drive stalled out around Tampa's 30-yard line. The Buccaneers will have 2:20 and two timeouts to answer the score and either tie the game or take the lead.

Late 4Q: Chargers 34, Cowboys 17

The Cowboys went for it on fourth-and-10 in their own territory while down by 10 points and didn't convert, and the Chargers made quick work of their ensuing drive, which ended with the rookie running back -- in his third game back from a fractured ankle -- plowing it into the end zone from a few yards out. The lead is up to three scores and once they win this game, the Chargers will be a Texans or Colts loss away from clinching a playoff spot.

Late 4Q: Bills 23, Browns 20

Locked in a closer-than-expected battle with Cleveland late in the game, the Bills came up with a huge stop on fourth-and-2 just shy of midfield as Greg Rousseau came away with a sack on Shedeur Sanders to stone the drive in its tracks. Bills take over and have a chance to run some clock and add to their lead.

Late 4Q: Panthers 20, Buccaneers 20

With the NFC South lead on the line, the game is all tied up with less than 5 minutes remaining. Going to be a tight finish here.

Late 3Q: Bills 23, Browns 17

Here's Fannin's second touchdown of the game, this time of the rushing variety. Cleveland got down to the goal line and had a few tries with Rocket Sanders, but instead it's the tight end rushing it into the end zone while lined up as a fullback.

Late 3Q: Panthers 20, Buccaneers 17

It's a back-and-forth affair down in Charlotte now. After the Tucker touchdown to put Tampa in front, we've got Bryce scrambling and finding his tight end in the back of the end zone late in the down to put Carolina back on top. Sanders made a few plays with his legs on this drive.

Mid 3Q: Buccaneers 17, Panthers 13

Tampa is back in the end zone for the second time today. This Tucker TD run capped a 14-play, 66-yard drive that took 8 minutes and 19 seconds off the clock and put Tampa ahead in this battle for the NFC South lead.

Early 3Q: Bills 20, Browns 10

Second time today that Sanders has been intercepted on a deflected pass. The first one wasn't hit fault but on this one he left the throw low enough to be tipped up into the air by a defensive lineman and brought down by another.

Early 3Q: Vikings 13, Giants 10

The Vikings will play the rest of the game without J.J. McCarthy, who was ruled out with an injury to his throwing hand. Max Brosmer is now in at quarterback.

McCarthy suffered the injury late in the first half, when the Giants strip-sacked him and returned the ball for a touchdown.

Allen had X-rays on his foot at halftime. They were negative and he's cleared to return for the second half.

HALF: Saints 9, Jets 6

Second-round rookie Tyler Shough has passed, passed and passed some more in the first half against the Jets. He's completed 21 of 32 passes for 206 yards, but the Saints are still looking for their first touchdown. 

Both of these teams are currently picking in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

HALF: Vikings 13, Giants 10

The Giants, Raiders and Titans all entered Sunday with 2-12 records, but New York holds the tiebreaker for the No. 1 overall pick.

At halftime, the Giants trail the Vikings 13-10. Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores had Jaxson Dart in a blender in the first half, with the rookie QB completing just 1 of 5 passes for 2 yards, an interception and three sacks taken.

But right before the break, the Giants pulled within a field goal after Brian Burns, the team's best player this season, made yet another impact play. He blew past the protection for an unblocked sack of J.J. McCarthy, knocking the ball loose. Tyler Nubin scooped it up and returned it 27 yards for the score.

Late 2Q: Panthers 13, Buccaneers 10

It's been a somewhat slow game down in Carolina but Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan just got his team on the board for their first touchdown of the day. He beat the cornerback off the line of scrimmage and then created late separation to come down with the ball and put Carolina in the lead. Really nice throw from Bryce Young to beat the blitz.

Late 2Q: Chargers 21, Cowboys 17

The Chargers converted multiple third downs on their late-half drive down in Dallas, which ended with Herbert's tush being pushed across the goal line to give the Chargers the lead again just before halftime.

Judkins was hurt on a swing pass from Shedeur Sanders and has been carted to the locker room. It did not look good.

Mid 2Q: Titans 2, Chiefs 0

2022 seventh-round pick Chris Oladokun is now in the game at quarterback for the Chiefs. He replaces Gardner Minshew, who is questionable to return with a knee injury. 

Oladokun, who starred at South Dakota State, entered Sunday with one career NFL pass.

Sanders has returned to the game after the finger injury.

Late 2Q: Bills 20, Browns 10

Cook hit pay dirt for the second time today with this run. He did a really nice job to stay off the ground, landing on a defender and reaching for the end zone to cap the score.

Mid 2Q: Cowboys 17, Chargers 14

After two consecutive down games, Pickens is off to a monster start in this game against L.A. He already has 4 catches for 86 yards and this score. Dak Prescott is on fire to start the game as well, 13 of 17 for 149 yards and two touchdowns.