Ian Casselberry
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NFL Week 17 Saturday: Rams outlast Cardinals, Bengals defeat Broncos to contend for AFC's final playoff spot, Chargers clinch playoffs with win over Patriots
Playoff spots were on the line in three Week 17 Saturday matchups around the NFL
The Los Angeles Chargers clinched a playoff spot on Saturday with a dominant 40-7 win over the New England Patriots in a rainy Foxboro. Six of the seven AFC playoff spots are now secure with the final place in the postseason up for grabs.
The Denver Broncos had an opportunity to clinch that final spot, but lost 30–24 to the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime. Cincinnati has won four consecutive games and is thus still alive for that last playoff bid in the AFC at 8–8. Joe Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards and took the league lead in touchdown passes with his two scoring throws. Denver drops to 9–7 and has lost two in a row.
In the NFC, the Rams could clinch the NFC West after defeating the Arizona Cardinals, 13–9, thanks to winning a strength-of-victory tie-breaker over Seattle. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention last week with a loss to the Panthers. The Rams are closing well, having won their last five games, but they've averaged 14.6 points in wins over the 49ers, Jets and Cardinals over the past three weeks.
Week 17 NFL Saturday schedule
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FINAL: Rams 13, Cardinals 9
Cardinals (7–9)
Total offense: 396 yards
Kyler Murray: 33/48, 321 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT/ 4 rushes, 32 yards
Michael Carter: 13 carries, 70 yards
Trey McBride: 12 catches, 123 yards, 1 TD
Marvin Harrison Jr.: 6 catches, 96 yardsRams (10–6)
Total offense: 257 yards
Matthew Stafford: 17/32, 139 yards
Kyren Williams: 13 rushes, 56 yards, 1 TD
Puka Nacua: 10 catches, 129 yardsWith the win, the Rams hold onto the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff standings. They also win a tiebreaker over the Seahawks.
- Ian Casselberry
Kyler Murray intercepted in the end zone
Arizona gets to the Rams' 11-yard line on a seven-yard catch from Trey McBride and two rushes for eight yards by Michael Carter.
But on 1st-and-goal from the 5, Kyler Murray's pass to McBride is deflected and intercepted by Ahkello Witherspoon in the end zone with 42 seconds remaining.
Deflected and PICKED in the end zone. What a grab by Witherspoon!
📺: #AZvsLAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/DCKepFjgoT— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
The play was reviewed to see if Witherspoon caught the ball, but the call on the field was upheld. L.A. takes over at the 1-yard line because officials ruled that the ball hit the pylon.
- Ian Casselberry
Blocked extra point a factor for Arizona
A 17-yard pass to Trey McBride and 13-yard run from Michael Carter moves the Cardinals to the Rams' 33-yard line.
But that blocked extra point on Arizona's lone touchdown now becomes a factor. The Cardinals have to score a TD, rather than kick a game-tying field goal.
- Ian Casselberry
Rams go 3-and-out
The Cardinals' fourth-down decision and subsequent interception don't look so bad after the defense holds and forces the Rams to punt.
L.A. ran one minute off the clock, but have to give the ball back to Arizona with 2:01 remaining in the game. After a 47-yard punt by Ethan Evans, the Cardinals have the ball at their 36-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Kyler Murray intercepted on 4th down
Arizona advanced to the Rams' 40 on a 19-yard reception by Zay Jones. Yet Kyler Murray was sacked by Kobie Turner for a seven-yard loss, pushing the Cardinals back to the Rams' 47.
On 3rd-and-17, Michael Wilson rushed for seven yards. With 3:10 remaining, the Cardinals decide to go for it on 4th-and-10. But a deep pass by Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr. is intercepted by Kamren Kinchens and returned to the 11-yard line.
Kam Kinchens picks off Murray on the deep ball!
📺: #AZvsLAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/9oe3WUpvn1— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
Effectively, Murray's interception was a punt making up for the decision to go for it on fourth down. But time is a factor with 3:02 remaining in the game.
- Ian Casselberry
Field goal: Rams 13, Cardinals 9
Two Matthew Stafford incompletions sandwiched a one-yard Kyren Williams run, and the Rams can't get into the end zone.
Joshua Karty kicks a 25-yard field goal to give L.A. a 13–9 lead.
- Ian Casselberry
Puka Nacua with a 21-yard catch and run
Puka Nacua catches a short pass and turns it into a 21-yard gain, moving the Rams to 1st-and-goal at the 8-yard line.
21-yard pick up by Puka!
📺: @nflnetwork | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/k5gStGsLvc— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 29, 2024
- Ian Casselberry
Matthew Stafford interception negated by penalty
Matthew Stafford appeared to throw an interception on a deep pass to Cooper Kupp, who was double-covered. Jalen Thompson came down with the ball for Arizona.
However, the Cardinals' Roy Lopez was called offsides, negating the turnover. It's 1st-and-15 for the Rams at midfield.
- Ian Casselberry
Field goal: Rams 10, Cardinals 9
On 2nd-and-14 at the Rams' 20, Kyler Murray hits Greg Dortch for a 10-yard gain. But on 3rd-and-4, Murray throws incomplete and Arizona opts for a field goal.
Chad Ryland's 28-yard kick is good, cutting L.A.'s lead to one point.
- Ian Casselberry
Third quarter: Rams 10, Cardinals 6
Michael Wilson is called for offensive pass interference on 1st-and-10 at the Rams' 16-yard line. That threatens to stall what's been an excellent drive for the Cardinals.
It's 1st-and-20 from the 26 for Arizona as the third quarter ends.
- Ian Casselberry
Marvin Harrison Jr. with a 23-yard catch
Marvin Harrison Jr. gets another big reception on this drive, making a 23-yard catch and run on 2nd-and-19 from the Arizona 37-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Cardinals on the move again
Arizona is moving the ball again, beginning with a a 13-yard catch by Trey McBride. That's followed by a 21-yard reception near the right sideline by Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Ian Casselberry
3-and-out for the Rams
The Rams can't answer Arizona's touchdown drive, going 3-and-out on their first possession of the second half.
A holding penalty on Joe Noteboom on 2nd-and-2 stalled the L.A. drive. Matthew Stafford passed to Puka Nacua for nine yards and Tyler Higbee for two, but the Rams couldn't get a first down and had to punt.
The Cardinals take over at their 10-yard line after a 51-yard kick by Ethan Evans.
- Ian Casselberry
TOUCHDOWN: Rams 10, Cardinals 6
On 3rd-and-goal from the 2, Kyler Murray misses Trey McBride in the end zone. But the Rams' Michael Hoecht is called for defensive holding.
Two plays later, Murray connects with McBride for a one-yard touchdown.
On his 98th catch of the year, Trey McBride gets his first TD!
📺: #AZvsLAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/vaEpSTZawt— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
However, Chad Ryland's extra-point kick is blocked so the Cardinals only get six points.
- Ian Casselberry
Arizona driving toward a score
Arizona drives into the red zone on a seven-yard catch by Trey McBride, six-yard run by Michael Carter and a nine-yard pass to Michael Wilson.
Then Kyler Murray rips off a 12-yard run to give the Cardinals a 1st-and-goal at the 7-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Cardinals begin 2nd half on offense
Cardinals begin the second half on offense and start their drive off promisingly with an eight-yard rush by Michael Carter, 14-yard pass to Trey McBride and a 5-yard grab from Carter.
- Ian Casselberry
Halftime: Rams 10, Cardinals 0
Cardinals
Total offense: 140 yards
Kyler Murray: 13/19, 124 yards/ 3 rushes, 20 yards
Michael Carter: 3 rushes, 23 yards
Trey McBride: 3 catches, 46 yards
Marvin Harrison Jr.: 2 catches, 38 yardsRams
Total offense: 167 yards
Matthew Stafford: 8/20, 123 yards
Kyren Williams: 8 rushes, 35 yards, 1 TD
Puka Nacua: 6 catches, 88 yards - Ian Casselberry
Field goal: Rams 10, Cardinals 0
Matthew Stafford hits Puka Nacua for one more seven-yard gain. But he throws incompletions on the next two plays and the Rams have to settle for a field goal with 35 seconds left in the first half.
Joshua Karty nails a 53-yard kick to give L.A. a 10–0 lead with 27 seconds before halftime.
- Ian Casselberry
Stafford and Nacua moving the ball
Matthew Stafford has connected on two consecutive passes to Puka Nacua for a combined 35 yards. That moves the Rams to the Arizona 42-yard line with 48 seconds remaining in the first half.
- Ian Casselberry
Rams get ball back with 1:41 left in 1st half
After two incompletions by Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have to punt and the Rams have a chance to add to their lead with 1:41 remaining in the first half. They'll start from their 23-yard line
- Ian Casselberry
2-minute warning
The Cardinals are at midfield at the two-minute warning after a 15-yard reception by Elijah Higgins and four-yard rush by Michael Carter.
- Ian Casselberry
TOUCHDOWN: Rams 7, Cardinals 0
The Rams break up the scoreless tie on a one-yard touchdown run by Kyren Williams on 3rd-and-goal.
Kyren Williams converts at the goal line!
📺: #AZvsLAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/GpTWHCboKP— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
That finished off a nine-play, 50-yard drive for the Rams.
- Ian Casselberry
Matthew Stafford runs for 12 yards
Of the two quarterbacks in this game, Kyler Murray would be expected to run for a 12-yard gain.
Matthew Stafford showed otherwise.
Look at Matthew Stafford go.
📺: #AZvsLAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/UQ7fSSs3iH— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
The Rams have a 1st-and-goal at the Arizona 4-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Stafford to Kupp for 29 yards
Matthew Stafford found Cooper Kupp for a 29-yard gain on 1st-and-10 from the L.A. 40.
29 yards to Cooper Kupp was by far the longest downfield pass of the night so far.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) December 29, 2024
Following two incompletions, Stafford then connected with Puka Nacua for 15 yards.
- Ian Casselberry
Cardinals punt after Kyler Murray sacked
Kyler Murray hit a five-yard pass after the ineligible man downfield penalty put Arizona at 2nd-and-15. Murray was then sacked by Byron Young on third down for a six-yard loss.
Young gets sack, but Verse foced QB up but it was Fiske pushing on RG who stepped on QB's foot
Kobie draws double team
group effort
Dime defense is money pic.twitter.com/Jb4Ron643y— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) December 29, 2024
Michael Palardy punts 39 yards for the Cardinals and the Rams take over at their 40-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Trey McBride 34-yard catch wiped out by penalty
Kyler Murray danced in the pocket to buy himself more time to throw against the Rams' pass rush and it paid off with a 34-yard pass to Trey McBride.
UNFORTUNATELY, the play was wiped out by an ineligible man downfield penalty on Isaiah Adams.
- Ian Casselberry
4 possessions, 4 punts for the Rams
The Rams go 3-and-out after a false start penalty on Hunter Long put them in a 1st-and-15 hole.
Matthew Stafford did connect with Puka Nacua for a 15-yard gain on 3rd-and-16, but the Rams had to punt from their 24-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Cardinals stopped on 4th down
Following a four-yard pass to Greg Dortch on 3rd-and-5 to the Rams' 14-yard line, the Cardinals decide to go for it on fourth down.
However, James Conner is stopped for no gain and L.A. takes over.
- Ian Casselberry
First quarter: Cardinals 0, Rams 0
The Cardinals end the first quarter with a 34-yard pass from Kyler Murray to Trey McBride, followed by a seven-yard rush by Michael Carter.
Arizona and L.A. are tied 0–0.
- Ian Casselberry
Sean McVay politely drops a challenge flag
New challenge flag technique just dropped
📺: #AZvsLAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/yJrBKYLeuY— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
- Ian Casselberry
Kyler Murray stumbles into sack
A sack by Braden Fiske and 17-yard loss from Kyler Murray trying in vain to make a play effectively ended the Cardinals drive.
GOT 'EM.
📺: @nflnetwork | #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/bTgxXGeBpH— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 29, 2024
On 4th-and-30, Michael Palardy punts 47 yards and the Rams will take over at their 33-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Murray and MHJ making it work
There's been some talk this week about Marvin Harrison Jr. having a disappointing rookie season and his need to still form a connection with Kyler Murray.
But Harrison looked great on this 24-yard snag along the left sideline.
This back shoulder grab from MHJ 🔥
📺: #AZvsLAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2QtKNxtKER— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
- Ian Casselberry
Rams punt again
Two possessions, two punts for the Rams thus far.
L.A. did get a first down on its second drive, but Matthew Stafford then threw three consecutive incompletions.
An Ethan Evans 57-yard punt pushes the Cardinals back to their 5-yard line.
- Jack Baer
The Cardinals punt and it'll be Rams ball at their own 28.
- Jack Baer
Check that, the play cannot be challenged, so the Cardinals keep the ball and get a first down on 3rd-and-3.
- Jack Baer
We've got a (very gentle) Rams challenge after an apparent Cardinals fumble, which would put L.A. in the red zone.
New challenge flag technique just dropped
📺: #AZvsLAR on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/yJrBKYLeuY— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
- Jack Baer
We're underway at Cardinals-Rams, with Los Angeles' first drive stalling out after reaching Arizona territory.
- Ian Casselberry
FINAL: Bengals 30, Broncos 24
Broncos
Total offense: 329 yards
Bo Nix: 24/31, 219 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Jaleel McLaughlin: 10 carries, 69 yards
Marvin Mims, Jr.: 8 catches, 103 yards, 2 TDs
Courtland Sutton: 5 catches, 55 y ards, 1 TDBengals
Total offense: 499 yards
Joe Burrow: 38/48, 409 yards, 2 TDs
Chase Brown: 20 carries, 67 yards
Tee Higgins: 10 catches, 128 yards, 2 TDs
Ja'Marr Chase: 9 catches, 102 yards
Mike Gesicki: 10 catches, 86 yards - Ian Casselberry
TOUCHDOWN: Bengals win, 30-24
After Tee Higgins' 31-yard catch to the 3-yard line is upheld on replay, Joe Burrow goes back to him for a three-yard touchdown pass.
BENGALS WIN. BENGALS STAY ALIVE.#DENvsCIN pic.twitter.com/XQSz8bCnpY
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
Bengals win, 30–24, and are still alive for the AFC's final playoff spot at 8.
- Ian Casselberry
Tee Higgins' 31-yard catch puts Bengals on verge of win
Joe Burrow hits Tee Higgins for a 31-yard throw down the left sideline. Higgins is out at the 3-yard line and the play is reviewed to see if he got both feet in bounds.
JOE'S TAKING THIS INTO HIS OWN HANDS.
📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/3izlmZGlSB— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
On review, the play is ruled a catch.
- Ian Casselberry
Another 3-and-out for Broncos
Denver can't capitalize on the Bengals' missed field goal.
An Audric Estime three-yard run is followed by a pass to Marvin Mims for a one-yard loss. Bo Nix throws incomplete to Adam Trautman on 3rd-and-8 and the Broncos have to put.
Riley Dixon punts 38 yards and the Bengals take over at their 37-yard line with 2:29 remaining in overtime.
- Ian Casselberry
Cade York DOINKS the game-winning FG
Following an eight-yard run by Khalil Herbert and a one-yard loss, the Bengals are in position for a 33-yard field goal to win the game.
HOWEVER, Cade York doinks the kick off the left upright.
BENGALS MISS THE FIELD GOAL IN OT.
📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/drXHTxSv5v— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
Denver takes over at its 23 with another opportunity to win the game in overtime.
- Ian Casselberry
Bengals in field goal range
Joe Burrow hits Tee Higgins on a slant route for a 19-yard gain, moving the Bengals to the Denver 22-yard line with 3:38 remaining in overtime.
- Ian Casselberry
Broncos go 3-and-out
The Bengals will get another chance to win this in overtime. Bo Nix throws incomplete on 3rd-and-6 from the Denver 14-yard line and the Broncos have to punt.
Riley Dixon's 40-yard kick pushes Cincinnati back to its 46-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Burrow sacked again
Joe Burrow is sacked on the second consecutive play with Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers combining on the tackle.
Cincinnati will have to punt with 4th-and-14 at their 43-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Joe Burrow sacked
Zach Allen has his third sack of the game, tackling Joe Burrow for a seven-yard loss on 2nd-and-7 at the 50-yard line.
- Ian Casselberry
Bengals win coin toss to start OT
Cincinnati won the coin toss to begin overtime and will get the ball on offense.
- Ian Casselberry
Both QBs combine for 532 yards passing
Joe Burrow has thrown for 315 yards and two touchdowns on 32-of-41 passing.
Bo Nix has 217 passing yards, completing 22-of-27 passes with three TDs and an interception.
- Ian Casselberry
Broncos and Bengals going to overtime
What a finish with the Bengals and Broncos each scoring touchdowns in the final two minutes. Will the excitement continue in overtime?
- Ian Casselberry
Marvin Mims' catch ruled a TD
Broncos and Bengals are tied 24–24 with eight seconds remaining.
TOUCHDOWN MARVIN MIMS JR. WOW.
📺: #DENvsCIN on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/oC9GXAwXdJ— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
Denver went 70 yards in seven plays covering 1:21 for the tying score.