Week 16 NFL Scores: AFC, NFC Playoff Bracket Picture, Standings and Results

With the playoff race down to the wire, Week 16 in the NFL brought high-stakes match-ups for the teams still in the hunt for a coveted postseason spot.

Divisions were at stake and the playoff livelihoods of some of the league's best and brightest were on the line as pressure (and freezing temps in some scenarios) bore down on them.

Who emerged victoriously, what did it mean for their playoff positioning, and what were some top stories from Sunday's games?

Find out with this recap.

Week 16 Scores

Jason Mowry/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 22: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs def. Houston Texans (27-19, Saturday)

Baltimore Ravens def. Pittsburgh Steelers (34-17, Saturday)

Atlanta Falcons def. New York Giants (34-7)

Detroit Lions def. Chicago Bears (34-17)

Indianapolis Colts def. Tennessee Titans (38-30)

Cincinnati Bengals def. Cleveland Browns (24-6)

Los Angeles Rams def. New York Jets (19-9)

Washington Commanders def. Philadelphia Eagles (36-33)

Carolina Panthers def. Arizona Cardinals (36-30, OT)

Minnesota Vikings def. Seattle Seahawks (27-24)

Las Vegas Raiders def. Jacksonville Jaguars (19-14)

Miami Dolphins def. San Francisco 49ers (29-17)

Buffalo Bills def. New England Patriots (24-21)

Dallas Cowboys def. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (26-24)

NFC Playoff Picture

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 22: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions runs onto the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 22, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The current NFC playoff picture is as follows:

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Division Leaders

1. x-Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North)

2. x-Philadelphia Eagles (12-3, NFC East)

3. Los Angeles Rams (9-6, NFC West)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7, NFC South)

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Wildcard

5. x-Minnesota Vikings (13-2)

6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)

7. Washington Commanders (10-5)

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On the Bubble

8. Seattle Seahawks (8-7)

9. Atlanta Falcons (8-7)

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Eliminated

10. Arizona Cardinals (7-8)

11. Dallas Cowboys (7-8)

12. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

13. New Orleans (5-9)

14. Chicago Bears (4-11)

15. Carolina Panthers (4-11)

16. New York Giants (2-13)

AFC Playoff Picture

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 21: Hollywood Brown #5 of the Kansas City Chiefs takes the field before kickoff against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The current AFC playoff picture is as follows:

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Division Leaders

1. xz-Kansas City Chiefs (14-1, AFC West)

2. xz-Buffalo Bills (12-3, AFC East)

3. x-Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5, AFC North)

4. xz-Houston Texans (9-6, AFC South)

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Wildcard

5. x-Baltimore Ravens (10-5)

6. Los Angeles Chargers (9-6)

7. Denver Broncos (9-6)

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On the Bubble

8. Indianapolis Colts (7-8)

9. Miami Dolphins (7-8)

10. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)

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Eliminated

11. New York Jets (4-11)

12. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12)

13. New England Patriots (3-12)

14. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

15. Tennessee Titans (3-12)

16. Las Vegas Raiders (3-12)

Rams Continue Push for NFC West Title

Luke Hales/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 22: Quincy Williams #56 of the New York Jets tackles Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter tackles at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Rams conceded 321 yards of offense, including 246 through the air, but held the New York Jets to just nine points to leave MetLife Stadium with a key victory.

The Rams maintained the lead in the NFC West with a win that saw the defense come up big at a key moment when Kamren Curl strip-sacked quarterback Aaron Rodgers and rookie Jared Verse recovered. Moments later, Matthew Stafford found tight end Tyler Higbee for an 11-yard touchdown.

The Rams got to Rodgers once but pressured him throughout the game, beating him up and making their presence felt. In the second half, Los Angeles did not yield a single point, stopping the Jets on fourth down twice, forcing a fumble, and watching kicker Anders Carlson miss a field goal.

It was a key victory for the Rams, their third in a row, in an ugly game that could help decide the division.

Arizona, behind them by a game entering the week, lost in overtime to Carolina and saw their playoff hopes dashed as they were eliminated from contention. The Seattle Seahawks, the team's closest competition to the divisional title, lost an unenviable match-up against the 12-win Minnesota Vikings.

The Rams will have to get more out of their offense, which was inconsistent and anything but good Sunday, but the defense bending and not breaking, and providing the key turnover that ultimately decided the game, has done plenty to keep the team alive.

How they perform against the Cardinals and Seahawks in the final two games of the season will decide whether Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay, and the rest of the Rams squad have a chance at chasing the Lombardi Trophy.

They need one win, and a Seattle loss, to secure their place in the postseason.