2015 NFL Week 16 Recap

Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus (8) unsuccessfully attempts a game-winning field goal as punter Britton Colquitt (4) holds during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Bengals 17
Broncos 20 (OT) It looked like Cincinnati was going to get their first win in Denver since 1975 … but a McManus mulligan clinched the Broncos’ 5th straight playoff berth and franchise-record 4th straight 11-win season. Seriously … that McManus shank was so bad even Happy Gilmore would’ve laughed at it. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Steelers 17
Ravens 20
Baltimore’s lost season has a silver lining: they got their first sweep of Pittsburgh since 2011 and changed the Steelers’ playoff hopes from nearly inevitable to essentially improbable.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27:  Eric Decker #87 of the New York Jets celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots in overtime of their game at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  The Jets defeated the Patriots with a score of 26 to 20 in overtime.  (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
Patriots 20
Jets 26 (OT)
Todd Bowles was right: the Jets have grown since the first matchup with the Pats. They’re just a win away from getting in the playoffs and did some quality trolling of their rival before and after the game. Of course, Bill Belichick’s Freaky Friday-type mind swap with Marty Mornhinweg didn’t hurt either. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 27:  Quarterback Brandon Weeden #5 of the Houston Texans drops back to throw a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Texans 34
Titans 6
Laugh at the Houston QB situation all you want … but all three of their QBs from 2014 won Sunday starts (Ryan Fitzpatrick, Case Keenum, and Ryan Mallett) and did the unthinkable by winning a game with Brandon Weeden (his first victory as a starter since 2012 — or 1,113 days if you’d like to mark it on your calendar). No, you’re right. It’s still pretty funny. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 27:  Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins makes a one handed catch during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sun Life Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Colts 18
Dolphins 13
At 23, Jarvis Landry is the youngest Dolphins player with 1,000 receiving yards in a season since Mark Clayton in 1984. And he can make sick catches like his boy Odell. The next coach to take his talents to South Beach will have some quality talent to work with. How bad is it for Indy this year? Their QB situation is so dire, they may actually have to take their punter up on his seemingly-asinine offer. Not a good look for an offense that’s gone 49 straight games without a 100-yard rusher. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 27: Gary Barnidge #82 of the Cleveland Browns is tackled by Ron Parker #38 of the Kansas City Chiefs  at Arrowhead Stadium during the fourth quarter of the game on December 27, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
Browns 13
Chiefs 17
With Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes on life support, Kansas City now holds the title of “The Team in the AFC Bracket Nobody Wants to Face.” Their franchise-record 9th straight win matches the league’s longest active streak and they’re the first team in 15 years to win four in a row without a 200-yard passer, 100-yard rusher, or 100-yard receiver. The Chiefs defense is legit. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 27: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches a fourth quarter touchdown while playing ht eSan Francisco 49ers at Ford Field on December 27, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
49ers 17
Lions 32
Calvin Johnson has notched his 7th straight 1,000 yard season and scored 5 TDs in his last 5 games. If Megatron does leave Motown in the offseason, he’s going to make his new team very happy. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
XXX during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Orchard Park, New York.
Cowboys 6
Bills 16
Rex Ryan routinely says crazy stuff. Nothing is crazier than saying Kellen Moore is good. Mike Gillislee, however, is proving to be good spark plug for the Buffalo offense: he’s averaging over 10 yards per carry, scored in three straight games, and has a 50+ yard run in each of the last two weeks. The Bills need to get this dude the ball more often. (Getty Images/Tom Szczerbowski)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 27: Mitch Unrein #98 of the Chicago Bears makes a tackle for a loss against Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. The Bears defeated the Buccaneers 26-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Bears 26
Bucs 21
Remember when Tampa was talking about getting Doug Martin the rushing title? They did it wrong. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 27:  Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints is pursued by Chris Smith #98 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 27, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Jaguars 27
Saints 38
Drew Brees completed 25 of 36 passes for 412 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions … on one foot. If he played this way all season, I’d feel better about Sean Payton’s vision. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 27:  Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the St. Louis Rams rushes against free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 27, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 23-17. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Rams 23
Seahawks 17
How good is Todd Gurley? He’s the only Rams rookie not named Eric Dickerson to rush for 1,000 yards and score 10 rushing TDs in a season. Now if St. Louis can find a QB … If you’re a Redskins fan, this game had to get you excited. The Rams’ first win in Seattle since 2004 (also the last time they swept the Seahawks) makes it a real possibility the ‘Skins avoid their postseason nemesis in two weeks (they’d play Minnesota if the season ended today). Fans in Seattle should be left sleepless by the prospect having to win next week in Arizona to avoid a postseason trip to Green Bay or Minnesota. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 27:  Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants takes a dive while Everson Griffen #97 and Tom Johnson #92 of the Minnesota Vikings go for the tackle in the second quarter on December 27, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
Giants 17
Vikings 49
Minnesota really likes Week 16: their 49 points were the most they’ve scored in a game since Week 16 in 1998 (when they hung 50 on the Jaguars). Don’t be surprised if they go into Titletown Sunday and clinch their first division title since 2009. Meanwhile, New York has clearly given up and is in dire need of a younger, fresher voice in the locker room. Now that the Giants’ tendency to go on an improbable Super Bowl run every four years is officially over, it’s time to pull the plug on the Jerry Reese/Tom Coughlin Era. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 26: DeSean Jackson #11 of the Washington Redskins celebrates a 38-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
Redskins 38
Eagles 24
On the day after Christmas, the team that infamously booed Santa Claus was blown out at home to lose their division. Good to see St. Nick holds a grudge that would rival any Philly fan’s. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Charles Woodson #24 of the Oakland Raiders enters the field before the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum on December 24, 2015 in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Chargers 20
Raiders 23 (OT)
While Charles Woodson’s swan song was the top story in Oakland, it wasn’t the only one; Sebastian Janikowski’s 50-yard field goal was his 52nd from 50 yards or longer in his career, an NFL record. Regardless of where they’re playing next year, the Raiders will need some more quality veterans like Woodson and Seabass to keep the youth movement heading in the right direction. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
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Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus (8) unsuccessfully attempts a game-winning field goal as punter Britton Colquitt (4) holds during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27:  Eric Decker #87 of the New York Jets celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots in overtime of their game at MetLife Stadium on December 27, 2015 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  The Jets defeated the Patriots with a score of 26 to 20 in overtime.  (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 27:  Quarterback Brandon Weeden #5 of the Houston Texans drops back to throw a pass against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee.  (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 27:  Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins makes a one handed catch during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sun Life Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Florida.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 27: Gary Barnidge #82 of the Cleveland Browns is tackled by Ron Parker #38 of the Kansas City Chiefs  at Arrowhead Stadium during the fourth quarter of the game on December 27, 2015 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 27: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions catches a fourth quarter touchdown while playing ht eSan Francisco 49ers at Ford Field on December 27, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
XXX during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Orchard Park, New York.
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 27: Mitch Unrein #98 of the Chicago Bears makes a tackle for a loss against Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 27, 2015 in Tampa, Florida. The Bears defeated the Buccaneers 26-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 27:  Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints is pursued by Chris Smith #98 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 27, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 27:  Running back Todd Gurley #30 of the St. Louis Rams rushes against free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 27, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 23-17. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 27:  Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants takes a dive while Everson Griffen #97 and Tom Johnson #92 of the Minnesota Vikings go for the tackle in the second quarter on December 27, 2015 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 26: DeSean Jackson #11 of the Washington Redskins celebrates a 38-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz /Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Charles Woodson #24 of the Oakland Raiders enters the field before the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum on December 24, 2015 in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Rob Woodfork

Rob Woodfork is WTOP's Senior Sports Content Producer, which includes duties as producer and host of the DC Sports Huddle, nightside sports anchor and sports columnist on WTOP.com.

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