We're in the home stretch of the 2024 regular season, and battles for playoff spots have reached a fever pitch.
Here are a few of the things from the weekend's games that may (or may not) have slid under the radar.
Joe Burrow deserves better
Getty Images
The Cincinnati Bengals are a longshot to make the playoffs, with their 7-8 record giving them a seven percent chance at earning a postseason berth.
If they don't make it, it won't be Joe Burrow's fault — the Bengals' quarterback has been prolific this season, having thrown for three or more touchdowns in nine games so far in 2024. He's gone seven straight games with 3+ TD passes, including this past weekend's 24-6 victory over in-state rivals Cleveland.
The 28-year-old is giving his team a chance by being the most productive QB on the field in nearly every game, but the Bengals haven't met Burrow's high standards enough times this season for it to matter.
Saquon Barkley's MVP bid continues
Greg Fiume/Getty Images
The NFL MVP award is likely Josh Allen's to lose, but if he does it'll be because Saquon Barkley was the man who took it from him.
Barkley's incredible maiden season for the Philadelphia Eagles continued on Sunday as he racked up another 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort to the Washington Commanders. Included in those numbers is this incredible 68-yard TD run.
The 27-year-old was not at fault for the Eagles' loss as the Commanders mounted an improbable fourth-quarter comeback to snatch the victory away from Philly, and Barkley now stands within touching distance of the NFL's all-time single season rushing record.
If Barkley sets the mark — and who would bet against him at this point? — he'll make a solid case that he, not Allen, should be acknowledged as the best player in the league this season.
The NFC North is a warzone
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Following Week 16's games, there are now two teams in the NFC North with 13-2 records, followed closely by the Green Bay Packers who have double-digit wins as well.
It's the most cutthroat division in the league this year, led by the Detroit Lions. But the Minnesota Vikings have pulled up alongside the Lions after eight straight wins, with Sam Darnold balling out in a way that must make New York Jets fans even more sad about the state of their team.
No one knows who will win the division, but it would not be surprising to see any of the Lions, Vikings or Packers as the NFC representative in the Super Bowl.
Trick plays are fun
Grant Halverson/Getty Images
Speaking of the Lions, they've been one of the most consistent teams througout the 2024 campaign, but that doesn't mean they can't mix it up every now and then.
Such was the case in the third quarter of Detroit's 34-17 win against the Chicago Bears, when the usually sure-footed Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs both pretended to slip and lose control of the snap, only for the QB to use the brief moment of hestiation by the Bears to find Sam LaPorta wide open for a 21-yard TD reception.
It was a fun little play that showed that the Lions are willing to take risks to win — even against a woeful team like the Bears.
No one should be surprised by the Chiefs any more
Getty Images
All season long, the Kansas City Chiefs have been confounding observers by their ability to pull out wins from lackluster performances, as the two-time defending Super Bowl champions have seemingly come back down to Earth by not dominating every game they play.
It speaks to how high they've raised the bar that run-of-the-mill victories are seen as bellwethers for an imminent downfall, but that hasn't happened as the Chiefs continue to boast the best record in the NFL despite Patrick Mahomes not being at his best for long stretches of the season.
Week 16 featured another comeback victory for the Chiefs, albeit a relatively comfortable one after they claimed the lead late in the second quarter to earn a 27-19 victory over the visiting Houston Texans. Mahomes was still effective despite dealing with an ankle issue and Xavier Worthy lived up to his name as the KC quarterback's primary target, giving the Chiefs another "W" in a season filled with them.
