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NFL Week 16 winners, losers: Jaguars make big statement
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) reacts after a turnover against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

NFL Week 16 winners, losers: Jaguars make big statement; Lions in trouble

By Adam Gretz  |  Last updated Dec 22, 2025 8:24 AM ET

With most of the NFL Week 16 schedule complete, it is time to take a look at some of the biggest winners and losers from Sunday's games. Playoff spots were clinched, and seasons were pushed to the brink of elimination. 

NFL Week 16 winners

Jacksonville Jaguars. Every couple of years, the Jaguars put together an out-of-nowhere, unexpected great season. This is that season. The Jaguars continued that on Sunday with an emphatic — and impressive — 34-20 win on the road against the Denver Broncos. They are now in the playoffs. They are in control of the AFC South. The No. 1 seed is in play. Do not overlook them. 

Bryce Young, quarterback, Carolina Panthers. Just when it looked like the Panthers might have lost their chance in the NFC South, they scored a massive 23-20 win on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to retake the division lead. Young played an efficient game with some highlight reel plays to lead his team to a win. 

Justin Herbert, quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers. When Herbert really starts to cook, there are not many quarterbacks in the NFL who are better than him. On Sunday, he cooked. He completed 23-of-29 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for an additional 42 yards and a touchdown in a 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. 

Mike Tomlin, head coach, Pittsburgh Steelers. With their 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions, the Steelers won their ninth game of the season. That not only keeps them on top of the AFC North, but it also gives Tomlin a 19th consecutive season as the team's head coach without a losing record. In a league that is built around parity, that is an impressive accomplishment.  

Derek Stingley, Jr., cornerback, Houston Texans. The Texans defense is making them a Super Bowl contender. Stingley helped swing Sunday's game with a pick-six that turned out to be the difference in their 23-21 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. 

James Cook, running back, Buffalo Bills. The Bills offense is basically Josh Allen and Cook taking over games. It is not a perfect formula. It is working. Cook was outstanding again on Sunday with 117 yards rushing on 16 carries with two touchdowns in a 23-20 win over the Cleveland Browns. 

NFL Week 16 losers

New York Jets defense. Another week. Another defeat. Another week without an interception by the defense. That is zero interceptions. In 15 games. The most stunning, staggering statistic in the NFL this season. 

Baker Mayfield, quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Around the halfway point of the season, Mayfield looked like a potential MVP candidate. He is not looking that way now. His play has dramatically declined in the second half, and his game-sealing interception on Sunday was a brutal pass.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback situation. With their playoff chances mathematically gone, the Chiefs looked like a team that had zero interest in playing on Sunday. The truly bad part, however, is that another quarterback went down with a significant knee injury. After losing Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL a week ago, Gardner Minshew left Sunday's game with a similar injury. 

Detroit Lions playoff chances. The Lions lost in one of the most stunning ways imaginable, and now they not only need to win both of their remaining games, but they also need the Green Bay Packers to lose two games just to get into the playoffs. They are on the brink right now.

Miami Dolphins. After a late-season winning streak to get themselves back into the playoff race and perhaps secure head coach Mike McDaniel for a return next season, they have been routed in each of the past two weeks. Sunday's 45-21 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals was especially bad for the defense. 

Denver Broncos' home winning streak. The Broncos' loss to the Jaguars on Sunday snapped what had been an 11-game home winning streak. 

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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