Four Downs: NFL playoff picture becomes clearer as Cowboys become latest team to be shut out

EVERYONE SHAKES

Now that we’re coming to the end of the NFL season, the results are different, and that’s certainly the case with a few Week 16 results.

Perhaps none had more impact than the Commanders’ (10-5) victory over the Eagles (12-3).

While it didn’t change the standings in the NFC East, where Philadelphia holds a stranglehold on the division, Washington’s victory reverberated throughout the conference.

For starters, he knocked the Cowboys (7-8) out of the playoffs, ending an extremely disappointing season in Dallas.

The Cowboys now have two meaningless games against division opponents vying for the top playoff seed, meaning things could get even uglier as owner Jerry Jones considers retaining head coach Mike McCarthy.

Washington’s victory with a touchdown as time expired also made life difficult for the Eagles in the race for the NFC top seed, putting Philly within a game of the Lions and Vikings, who both have a 13-2 record.

FYI, Detroit and Minnesota face off in Week 18 and could play for the No. 1 seed AND the NFC North. How good the NFL is.

WHAT IF

How different would the rankings be if the Bengals (7-8) had anything resembling an NFL-caliber defense?

Quarterback Joe Burrow became the first player in NFL history to have at least 250 passing yards and at least three passing touchdowns in seven consecutive games with this week’s 24-6 win over the Browns (3-12).

With better play on the other side of the ball, Cincinnati would contend for the division and Burrow would be front and center in the MVP race.

As it stands, the Bengals need to prevail and hope the Broncos (9-6), Colts (7-8) and Dolphins (7-8) stumble in the final two games to have any hope of sneaking in in the playoffs as seventh. seed.

Stranger things have happened.

PRICE MONITORING

Presumptive MVP Josh Allen had an unusual off night in Buffalo’s ugly 24-21 win over a Patriots team that has struggled to a 3-12 record.

His main rival, Ravens (10-5) passer Lamar Jackson, put up better numbers in a crucial AFC North win over the Steelers (10-5), but MVP voters will credit that victory to Baltimore’s defense and Derrick Henry’s tough run. , who bounced back from his recent struggles with 162 rushing yards.

Meanwhile, Washington rookie QB Jayden Daniels is the prohibitive favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, having passed for 258 yards and five touchdowns in the aforementioned comeback win over the Eagles.

Daniels also rushed for a team-high 81 yards. The Commanders hit the jackpot with this draft pick.

Defensive Player of the Year appears to be a two-horse race between Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt and Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, although the latter could lose votes to teammate Nik Bonitto .

And Eagles running back Saquon Barkley appears sure to win Offensive Player of the Year, after adding another 150 yards and two touchdowns to his season totals this week.

PANIC INDEX

HIGH: Classic giants. The team is now in the locker room to land the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, in what will likely be a year without obvious slam dunks at QB.

AVERAGE: The Eagles will regret this loss to the Commanders, but QB Jalen Hurts’ concussion could really hurt.

AVERAGE: The Steelers have now lost two games in a row and have failed to score more than 17 points in either game. Something to worry about.

AVERAGE: The Cardinals and 49ers were both eliminated from the playoffs this week and face big offseason questions.