Dallas Cowboys 34, Washington Commanders 26 – Grade: A-

The Cowboys delivered a jaw-dropping performance against the Commanders. When starting quarterback Dak Prescott was sidelined, backup Cooper Rush stepped in and threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, with stellar support from players like Rico Dowdle and CeeDee Lamb. The true highlight came from special teams, where KaVontae Turpin stunned fans with a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown and Juanyeh Thomas added another off an onside kick. Despite letting the Commanders rack up 223 yards in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys showcased the potential to play spoiler in the playoffs. On the other hand, the Commanders faltered disastrously with missed field goals, including a game-tying opportunity from Ka'imi Fairbairn.

Minnesota Vikings 30, Chicago Bears 27 (OT) – Grade: B

This matchup was a seesaw battle led by Vikings' receiver Jordan Addison, who snatched eight passes for 182 yards. The game climaxed in overtime with the Vikings pulling through, thanks largely to Sam Darnold's impressive play and a solid performance from the defense. The Bears showed promise with Caleb Williams at quarterback, throwing for 340 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but their defensive shortcomings cost them dearly.

Detroit Lions 24, Indianapolis Colts 6 – Grade: A

The Lions asserted their dominance defensively, restricting the Colts to just six points—one of the fewest the Lions have allowed this season. Jared Goff effectively managed the offense, connecting with multiple targets. Jahmyr Gibbs was a standout, securing 90 rushing yards and two touchdowns, showing the versatility of this Lions team as they continue to roll past opponents and eye a playoff spot.

Miami Dolphins 34, New England Patriots 15 – Grade: D

In stark contrast to previous weeks, the Patriots' offense took a nosedive, struggling to adapt to the Dolphins' rapid gameplay. Tua Tagovailoa threw for an impressive four touchdowns while leading a fierce Dolphins offensive attack. Miami's defense also wreaked havoc, registering multiple sacks and pressuring Patriots QB Drake Maye throughout the game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30, New York Giants 7 – Grade: A+

The Buccaneers crushed the Giants, with Bucky Irving leading the charge with 151 total yards. The dominating front line sacked Giants QB Tommy DeVito three times, showcasing Tampa's defensive prowess. The Giants’ complete collapse on both sides of the ball prompted questions about their coaching future and quarterback situation.

Kansas City Chiefs 30, Carolina Panthers 27 – Grade: C

The Chiefs managed to secure a win despite appearing lackluster for stretches of the game. Patrick Mahomes delivered a game-saving performance with 269 passing yards and three touchdowns. However, the Panthers, led by Bryce Young, showed resilience, coming back from a 27-16 deficit before ultimately falling short.

Tennessee Titans 32, Houston Texans 27 – Grade: B+

The Titans displayed an all-around performance behind Tony Pollard’s impressive rushing effort. Will Levis endured pressure but executed critical passes that led to touchdowns. Conversely, the Texans' offense struggled with C.J. Stroud's inconsistent play and missed chances, culminating in a disappointing result.

Denver Broncos 29, Las Vegas Raiders 19 – Grade: A

The Broncos maintained a winning formula with a balanced offense and a formidable defense, sacking the Raiders five times. Bo Nix stood out with 273 passing yards and two touchdowns, continuing to position himself as a Rookie of the Year candidate, while the Raiders struggled to find offensive rhythm, reflecting ongoing challenges at quarterback.

Green Bay Packers 38, San Francisco 49ers 10 – Grade: F

The 49ers faced a stark reality without Brock Purdy, struggling to find footing with Brandon Allen as quarterback. With their dynamic offense neutralized, they suffered a crushing defeat to the Packers, who executed flawlessly in the red zone. The implications of this loss raise questions about the 49ers' playoff viability.

Philadelphia Eagles 37, Los Angeles Rams 20 – Grade: A+

Saquon Barkley took center stage, churning out 255 rushing yards—one of the highest single-game totals in NFL history. The Eagles revealed a well-rounded team capable of grinding out tough wins, while the Rams floundered against relentless pressure from the Eagles' pass rush.

Cleveland Browns 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 19 (Thursday) – Grade: C

In a tightly contested AFC North matchup, the Browns capitalized on key moments despite their poor season record. Led by Myles Garrett's fierce defense, quarterback Jameis Winston made clutch plays in crucial moments, keeping alive the possibility of a spoiler role as they head into the last stretch of the season.

Conclusion

As we head into the final weeks, teams are jockeying for playoff positions, and the stakes have never been higher. Stay tuned for a thrilling finish to the NFL season!