Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid took the podium Wednesday — as the Chiefs began their preparation for the AFC championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Reid started his press conference with a couple of injury updates.
“The only person that didn’t practice [Wednesday] was Tyrann [Mathieu],” said the Chiefs head coach. “He’s in the protocol, so, [he’s] doing very well. We’ll just see how he does [Thursday], and there’s a chance if everything works out that he’ll be able to get back.”
Mathieu suffered a concussion just seven plays into the Chiefs’ Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills. He was dearly missed, as the Chiefs allowed 422 net yards against Buffalo, including 329 passing yards. He will need to pass through the league’s concussion protocol to play in the next game.
Cornerback Rashad Fenton and running back Darrel Williams also practiced. Fenton has missed the first two games of the playoffs with a back injury while Williams suffered a toe injury in the Chiefs’ initial playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams put in a limited practice on Friday but ultimately was inactive against the Buffalo Bills.
“Yeah, they did good [Wednesday],” said Reid of Fenton and Williams.
The Chiefs will post their first official injury statuses — full or limited participation — later Wednesday afternoon.
The NFL’s regular season is entering its second-to-last weekend, and the jockeying for playoff position is getting intense.
It all adds up to a post-holiday feast of marquee games for football fans across the country in Week 17.
The early window features a showdown between the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens on FOX. Later, the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys meet up in a potential NFC playoff preview. And in the nightcap, NFC North rivals Green Bay and Minnesota do battle.
Here are the top plays from Sunday’s games.
Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens
Picked for six!
The interception bug has bit Matthew Stafford again. Backed up in their own territory, the Rams gave up a crucial turnover, as Chuck Clark stepped in front of his attempt, and took it back for six.
Fly high
Clark stifled Stafford again in the second quarter, soaring to steal another pass away on a deep shot.
Full speed ahead
It’s been a day of INTs in this one. This time though, the Rams got one of their own, courtesy of Jordan Fuller.
You know who
Stafford got back on the right track to close the second half, and he did so by finding one of his favorite targets.
Ram tough
Sony Michel kept the Rams in it with a fourth-quarter TD.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets
Around the edge!
Welcome to backyard football, starring the New York football Jets. Their star athlete on their first drive: Braxton Berrios.
Old reliable
Brady to Evans. It’s nearly guaranteed to result in success.
Same place, different play
Berrios likes that outside area of the field. He also likes scoring TDs. This wondrous grab marked his second score of the day.
Antonio Brown leaves game
With the Jets in control, frustrations boiled over on the sidelines for Brown, who took off his jersey and left the field.
Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals
The Mahomie
Patrick Mahomes II is everyone’s friend, and he’s a very giving one at that. He gifted Demarcus Robinson with a special TD opportunity in the first quarter for KC.
Look away!
Hey look, another Mahomes no-looker.
The play keyed another Chiefs scoring drive, that was capped by this rocket TD throw to Travis Kelce.
Chase me if you can!
The Bengals have their share of big-play receivers as well. Ja’Marr Chase made a house call to keep his team in contention, speeding 72 yards to pay dirt for Cincy’s first score.
Feast your eyes
This throw from Mahomes was the stuff of pure magic.
It led to this smooth rumble for six from Darrel Williams.
Chasing greatness
Ja’Marr Chase … Have yourself a day.
Philaelphia Eagles at Washington Football Team
Young buck
In a game with little playoff implications, both squads got early contributions from lesser-known competitors. Washington’s Jaret Patterson aided his team’s effort early in the first, scoring his second TD of the season.
Our turn now
The Eagles got the wheels turning in the ground game. On a fourth-down play in the red zone, they opted to try for six, and converted.
Eagles fly
Philadelphia began to assert its authority late in the game.
New York Giants at Chicago Bears
Makin’ waves
The Bears’ defense made an impact early, forcing a strip-sack on the game’s first play, before David Montgomery pounded one in on its second.
Da Bears
Chicago’s defense was the star in the first half. It came away with another stellar takeaway, this time via INT by Tashaun Gipson.
Let’s go for it
Welcome into the field, Bears offense! On a red zone try, Andy Dalton found Darnell Mooney in the back of the end zone to put CHI up 14-0.
Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts
How bad do you want it?
In a game with crucial playoff implications for both teams, the urgency for each was very apparent early on. The Raiders struck first in Indy, courtesy of a Josh Jacobs romp.
Hey JT
It was probably safe to assume that Jonathan Taylor would find the end zone somehow.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots
Feed the hot hand
Damien Harris has scored TDs in bunches for NE in the past few weeks. He found the end zone in the first quarter to give the Pats a 7-0 lead.
It’s me again!
That Harris fellow just has a nose for the end zone.
Mama I made it!
Welcome to the NFL, Kristian Wilkerson. He scored his first career TD on this play-action pass from Mac Jones.
Mr. INT
Leave it to J.C. to notch a tally in the interception column.
Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills
Snowmobile!
Josh Allen’s legs are so deadly. After a Falcons’ safety, he gave the Bills six points of their own with a nifty rushing TD.
Two of ’em!
Allen showed of his footwork again to put Buffalo up 14-2.
Tip drill
Atanta’s defense has likely practiced this once or twice.
Coming back
ATL capitalized on the pick with a TD. Mike Davis was the man who scored to bring ATL with two.
Breaking records!
Kyle Pitts passed the 1,000-yard threshold in the third, becoming just the second rookie TD to amass 1,000 yards in a season.
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans
Keep ’em honest
Tennessee forced the defense one way, and went in an entirely different direction to get on the board first in this one.
Take off!
D’Onta Foreman. He’s gone.
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
Details to come!
Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers 4:05 p.m. ET on CBS
Details to come!
Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
Details to come!
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
Details to come!
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX
Details to come!
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
Details to come!
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