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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.

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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 yards

    Rams (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 yards

    With the win, the Rams hold onto the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff standings. They also win a tiebreaker over the Seahawks.

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    However, Chad Ryland's extra-point kick is blocked so the Cardinals only get six points.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 yards

    Rams

    Total offense: 167 yards
    Matthew Stafford: 8/20, 123 yards
    Kyren Williams: 8 rushes, 35 yards, 1 TD
    Puka Nacua: 6 catches, 88 yards

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

    That finished off a nine-play, 50-yard drive for the Rams.

  • 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.

    The Rams have a 1st-and-goal at the Arizona 4-yard line.

  • 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.

    Following two incompletions, Stafford then connected with Puka Nacua for 15 yards.

  • 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.

    Michael Palardy punts 39 yards for the Cardinals and the Rams take over at their 40-yard line.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Sean McVay politely drops a challenge flag

  • 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.

    On 4th-and-30, Michael Palardy punts 47 yards and the Rams will take over at their 33-yard line.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Cardinals punt and it'll be Rams ball at their own 28.

  • Check that, the play cannot be challenged, so the Cardinals keep the ball and get a first down on 3rd-and-3.

  • We've got a (very gentle) Rams challenge after an apparent Cardinals fumble, which would put L.A. in the red zone.

  • We're underway at Cardinals-Rams, with Los Angeles' first drive stalling out after reaching Arizona territory.

  • 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 TD

    Bengals

    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

  • 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, 30–24, and are still alive for the AFC's final playoff spot at 8.

  • 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.

    On review, the play is ruled a catch.

  • 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.

  • 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.

    Denver takes over at its 23 with another opportunity to win the game in overtime.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Bengals win coin toss to start OT

    Cincinnati won the coin toss to begin overtime and will get the ball on offense.

  • 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.

  • 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?

  • Marvin Mims' catch ruled a TD

    Broncos and Bengals are tied 24–24 with eight seconds remaining.

    Denver went 70 yards in seven plays covering 1:21 for the tying score.