Quarterback Highlights
Brock Purdy continues to shine for the San Francisco 49ers, becoming just the sixth player since the NFL merger to post back-to-back games with 5 or more total touchdowns (passing and rushing). He joins an elite group that includes Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson, Ben Roethlisberger, and Daunte Culpepper. The high-scoring effort came during a rare game that was tied at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 points—only the second time in NFL history that sequence has occurred in a game.
Tyler Shough’s impressive rookie campaign continues in New Orleans. He becomes the first rookie quarterback since C.J. Stroud in 2023 to throw for 300+ yards in back-to-back games. Additionally, he’s the first Saints quarterback to win four consecutive starts since Drew Brees in 2020.
In Buffalo, Josh Allen remains winless against one opponent: the Philadelphia Eagles. Following the Bills’ most recent loss, Philadelphia maintains its unique distinction as the only team Allen has never defeated.
Playoff Picture & Division Races
The New England Patriots have officially clinched the AFC East title following the Buffalo Bills’ latest defeat. This marks a return to division dominance for New England, capitalizing on a tight race that extended deep into December.
In the AFC North, a showdown is set for Week 18 between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The matchup in Pittsburgh will determine the division champion. Baltimore will aim to secure the crown on the road, while Pittsburgh hopes to use home-field advantage to punch their playoff ticket.
Over in the NFC South, the Carolina Panthers will travel to Tampa Bay in Week 18, with the division title on the line. Despite an up-and-down season for both teams, the winner of this contest will host a Wild Card playoff game.
The NFC West remains in play for the top seed. The San Francisco 49ers will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 in a matchup that will decide the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The stakes are significant: the winner claims home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, while the loser drops to the No. 5 seed and hits the road in the first round to face the NFC South champion.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams have been eliminated from NFC West contention heading into the final week despite a late-season push.
Defensive Struggles
The New York Jets are closing in on an unprecedented NFL record for defensive futility. With just one week remaining in the regular season, they have yet to register a single interception in 2025. Opposing quarterbacks have thrown 32 touchdowns and zero interceptions against the Jets defense. Historically, no team has ever finished a season without at least one pick.
Elsewhere, Myles Garrett’s chase for the single-season sack record appears to be affecting opposing game plans. According to analysts, both Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers were overly focused on Garrett’s presence, which may have ultimately cost them in matchups against the Browns, highlighting the disruptive impact of elite edge pressure.
Player Updates
Veteran quarterback Philip Rivers may have played his final NFL game. After returning for a brief stint in 2025, Rivers said, “If it’s the last one, it’s the last one,” reflecting on what he called a “bonus” stretch of games that occurred after he previously thought his career had ended in 2021. The 44-year-old quarterback was brought back as emergency support and expressed gratitude for the unexpected opportunity.
Off-Field News
New details have emerged surrounding last season’s incident involving DK Metcalf and a Detroit Lions fan. Reporting from Jay Glazer confirms that security communications between the Seahawks and Lions corroborated Metcalf’s request to have a fan removed for making derogatory comments. Witnesses near the incident supported Metcalf’s account, noting the fan’s behavior was out of line. While incidents involving players and fans are always scrutinized, the report adds context to Metcalf’s actions and response.