2019 NFL Week 16 Recap

By Rob Woodfork
December 23, 2019 | 2:35 AM

Chicago Bears inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (44) pressures Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019. — <b><i>Chiefs 26</i></b> <b><i>Bears 3</i></b> Look, I'm not advocating for bribery … but maybe <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/16/cordarrelle-patterson-wonders-if-he-should-start-bringing-donuts-for-the-refs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cordarrelle Patterson really should bring doughnuts for the refs</a>. But Kansas City already has a sweet treat in Patrick Mahomes. In his 30th career game, he became the fastest player to reach 9,000 passing yards and 75 touchdown passes, and <a href="https://twitter.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1208947503585996800?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trolled the most notable team</a> to pass him by in the 2017 draft. If T-Sizzle helps that Chiefs defense stay on <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1208968204057493504?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">its hot streak</a>, this is the only real threat to Baltimore in the AFC.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) scores a touchdown as Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson dives for the tackle during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Seattle. — <b><i>Cardinals 27</i></b> <b><i>Seahawks 13</i></b> In the most stunning upset of the day, Seattle apparently misinterpreted <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/20/pete-carroll-it-would-really-be-ok-if-we-could-win-by-a-lot-sometimes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/20/pete-carroll-it-would-really-be-ok-if-we-could-win-by-a-lot-sometimes/&source=gmail&ust=1577160325113000&usg=AFQjCNFaLtmaF8GUH6LTNN096f9IpsQD-A">Pete Carroll's plea</a> for a blowout. The Seahawks need only beat the 49ers at CenturyLink Field to clinch the division, and perhaps, home-field advantage, but with three home losses already, is anyone particularly confident that matters to Seattle anymore?

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) catches a touchdown pass over Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) and Xavier Woods (25) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Philadelphia. — <b><i>Cowboys 9</i></b> <b><i>Eagles 17</i></b> Dallas' <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1208921648889520128?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/1208921648889520128?s%3D20&source=gmail&ust=1577160325113000&usg=AFQjCNGsvSm2wTTv3yoLYstK-BKOikwNHg">consistent failure in one-score games</a> is exactly why Jason Garrett is basically done in Big D, and why Philly is about to steal the NFC East. Don't be surprised if the woebegone Redskins deliver the deathblow to the Cowboys — especially if, you know, <a href="https://twitter.com/fishsports/status/1208933630422274050?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/fishsports/status/1208933630422274050?s%3D20&source=gmail&ust=1577160325113000&usg=AFQjCNG1LSj8y3u8643fUveS3_7Cog9RpA">they can't get back home for the game</a> — and the Eagles come up short against the Giants but win the division by default.

CARSON, CA — DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Derek Carr (4) of the Oakland Raiders scores a touchdown against Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. — <b><i>Raiders 24</i></b> <b><i>Chargers 17</i></b> Believe it or not, the Raiders enter their last game associated with Oakland with playoff hopes still alive at 7-8. I'm not sure if that's good or bad for a team with a big name coach working under a 10-year contract. However, it's unequivocally bad the Chargers have such a home-field disadvantage they have to take <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28350767/sources-chargers-forced-use-silent-count-week-15-home-loss-vs-vikings" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28350767/sources-chargers-forced-use-silent-count-week-15-home-loss-vs-vikings&source=gmail&ust=1577160325113000&usg=AFQjCNHcfOlOlJebGVP60N9hdX0FbrcMfw">drastic precautions</a> to combat cheering for the opposition's fans. Somehow, I don't think that's going to change in their swanky, new stadium.

DENVER, CO — DECEMBER 22: Drew Lock (3) of the Denver Broncos passes against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter of a game at Empower Field on Dec. 22, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. — <b><i>Lions 17</i></b> <b><i>Broncos 27</i></b> It's mostly coincidental but Denver is 3-1 with Drew Lock starting at QB. <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/15/von-miller-losing-the-way-we-lose-defeats-my-soul/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/15/von-miller-losing-the-way-we-lose-defeats-my-soul/&source=gmail&ust=1577160325113000&usg=AFQjCNETJM0c8EcLpLM11k9a1zJ1GNfeEQ">Von Miller's soul</a> needs that to continue in 2020.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, right, catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Daniel Jones, not visible, as Washington Redskins strong safety Landon Collins (20) tries to defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Landover, Md. — <b><i>Giants 41</i></b> <b><i>Redskins 35 (OT)</i></b> The Redskins won (?) the battle for the second overall pick in 2020, and presumably, the right to get Hyattsville-native Chase Young in Burgundy and Gold. Yet, the Giants' future seemed brighter, with Daniel Jones becoming the first rookie to throw for 350 yards, 5 TDs and no picks and Saquon Barkley churning up 279 total yards. If the first Giants game had <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/19/dwayne-haskins-gets-ill-thinking-about-first-game/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dwayne Haskins sick</a>, it figures to be awhile before this matchup soothes his stomach.

CLEVELAND, OHIO — DECEMBER 22: Mark Ingram (21) of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter in the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on Dec. 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. — <b><i>Ravens 31</i></b> <b><i>Browns 15</i></b> Baltimore avenged one of their few losses by continuing the torrid pace to <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/19/ravens-closing-in-on-all-time-rushing-record/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rewrite the rushing record books</a>, becoming the first team since 1978 to top 200 rushing yards in at least eight games in a season, while Lamar Jackson set a franchise-record with his 36th touchdown pass to tally the most ever by a QB before his 23rd birthday. The road to the Super Bowl officially comes through Baltimore, and it's hard to see anyone stopping this juggernaut.

MIAMI, FLORIDA — DEC. 22: Mike Gesicki (88) of the Miami Dolphins celebrates with Isaiah Ford (84) after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. — <b><i>Bengals 35</i></b> <b><i>Dolphins 38 (OT)</i></b> Now that Miami no longer has to tank for Tua, the Dolphins have won four of their last eight games to fall to fifth in the draft order, while Cincinnati is now officially on the clock for the No. 1 overall pick. Joe Burrow would probably love to stay in school another year.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA — DECEMBER 22: Christian McCaffrey (22) of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. — <b><i>Panthers 6</i></b> <b><i>Colts 38</i></b> Greg Olsen may call this "<a href="https://twitter.com/scott_fowler/status/1208872172623671298?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a collective failure</a>" but Christian McCaffrey helped get me into my fantasy football championship game so I respectfully disagree.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes the catch against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Austin Calitro (58) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Atlanta. Jones became the fastest player to reach 12,000 career receiving yards. — <b><i>Jaguars 12</i></b> <b><i>Falcons 24</i></b> Jacksonville <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/19/jaguars-turn-back-the-clocks-after-firing-tom-coughlin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/19/jaguars-turn-back-the-clocks-after-firing-tom-coughlin/&source=gmail&ust=1577160325114000&usg=AFQjCNHwtTIsWUbgTFvU9MbbOPMjMda6Kg">finally got their clocks right</a> but not in time to save their lost season, while Atlanta finally looked like the team it should have been all along, going 5-2 after an awful 1-7 start. It's hard to make a case for Dan Quinn to return but it's also easy to see the Falcons replacing him with someone worse.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (19) scores against Los Angeles Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. — <b><i>Rams 31</i></b> <b><i>49ers 34</i></b> San Francisco got the kind of <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28350144/niners-get-emotional-win-cj-beathard-family-tragedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">emotional victory</a> that sparks a championship run, while Los Angeles suffered the kind of loss that <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/22/major-changes-expected-for-the-rams/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leads to rebuilding</a>. You know the Niners are hot if they're <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/22/kyle-shanahan-third-and-16-isnt-a-fun-area-until-today/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">making 3rd-and-long fun</a>.

FOXBOROUGH, MA — DEC. 21: Tom Brady (12) of the New England Patriots looks to throw during the second quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 21, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. — <b><i>Bills 17</i></b> <b><i>Patriots 24</i></b> If <a href="https://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/2019/12/josh-allen-has-michael-jordan-clutch-gene-buffalo-bills-teammate-thinks-so.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Josh Allen is Michael Jordan</a>, he's clearly still in the Can't-Beat-The-Pistons stage of his career. Tom Brady had his best single-game completion percentage in over two years to hold off Buffalo (and the buzzards) and win New England its NFL-record 11th straight division title. The Patriots aren't dead yet.

TAMPA, FLORIDA — DEC. 21: Johnathan Joseph (24) of the Houston Texans intercepts a pass intended for Breshad Perriman (19) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter of a football game at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 21, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. — <b><i>Texans 23</i></b> <b><i>Bucs 20</i></b> Much like their quarterback "<a href="https://wtop.com/gallery/nfl/2019-nfl-week-15-recap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Great Equalizer</a>," Tampa's <a href="https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/12/21/bucs-lead-league-in-points-scored-and-allowed-off-turnovers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fascinating turnover fortunes</a> once again keep them close but ultimately short of victory. Houston won't get so many holiday gifts in their winner-takes-division matchup with Tennessee next week.

13 OF 13

The NFL Week 16 Recap celebrates the holidays with three sweet treats, two overtime games and a time change in a pear tree. Or something like that.

Quarterback Alex Smith’s grueling road to recovery chronicled in ESPN program

By CNN
April 28, 2020 | 10:34 PM

NFL quarterback Alex Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury that put his career in jeopardy and had him fighting for his life, and his long and grueling road to recovery is chronicled in an upcoming one-hour program from ESPN called "Project 11." The leg injury occurred Nov. 18, 2018, in the third quarter of a game between the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans. After being sacked by the Texans' J.J. Watt and Kareem Jackson, Smith suffered a spiral and compound fracture of the right tibia and fibula.

Related News

Quarterback Alex Smith’s grueling road to recovery chronicled in ESPN program

2019 NFL Conference Championship Recap

2019 NFL Divisional Round Recap