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

ALL SHOOK UP 

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

Perhaps none were more impactful than the Commanders’ (10-5) upset of the Eagles (12-3).

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

For starters, it eliminated the Cowboys (7-8) from playoff contention, ending what has been an epically disappointing season in Dallas.

The Cowboys now have two meaningless games coming up against divisional opponents vying for playoff seeding, which means things could get even uglier as owner Jerry Jones contemplates whether to retain head coach Mike McCarthy.

Washington’s win with a touchdown as time was expiring also made life difficult for the Eagles in the race for the NFC’s top seed, putting Philly a game back from the Lions and Vikings, who are both at 13-2.

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

WHAT IF 

How different would the standings look if the Bengals (7-8) had anything resembling a NFL-calibre defence?

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 be contending for the division and Burrow would be front and centre in the MVP race.

As it is, the Bengals must win out and hope the Broncos (9-6), Colts (7-8) and Dolphins (7-8) stumble in the last two games to have a hope at sneaking into the playoffs as the seventh seed.

Stranger things have happened.

AWARDS WATCH 

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

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

Meanwhile, Washington’s rookie QB, Jayden Daniels, is the prohibitive frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, after passing for 258 yards and five TDs in the aforementioned comeback win over the Eagles.

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

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

And Eagles running back Saquon Barkley looks like a sure thing to win Offensive Player of the Year, after adding another 150 yards and two TDs to his season total this week.

PANIC INDEX 

HIGH: Classic Giants. The team is now in the box seat to get the No.1 overall pick in the next NFL Draft, in what will likely be a year with no obvious slam dunks at QB.

MEDIUM: The Eagles will rue that loss to the Commanders, but the concussion to QB Jalen Hurts could really hurt.

MEDIUM: The Steelers have now lost two straight and failed to score more than 17 points in both games. Cause for concern.

MEDIUM: The Cardinals and 49ers were both eliminated from playoff contention this week and face big offseason questions.