Detroit Lions defeat Los Angeles Rams to win 1st playoff in 32 years while Green Bay Packers dominate Dallas Cowboys to advance in NFL playoffs

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs the ball during the Lions’ 24-23 victory over the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, January 14. It was the Lions’ first playoff win since 1991.

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander celebrates making an interception during the first quarter of the Packers’ game against the Dallas Cowboys on January 14 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won 48-32, becoming the first No. 7 seed to win an NFL playoff game.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott takes a moment during the national anthem before the game on January 14.

The helmet of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes breaks while being hit by Miami Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott during the Chiefs’ 26-7 victory over the Dolphins on Saturday, January 13, in Kansas City, Missouri. The temperature at kickoff was -4 degrees Fahrenheit with a wind chill of -20 degrees, making it the fourth coldest game in National Football League history, according to the Peacock broadcast.

Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris celebrates after scoring a touchdown off an interception January 13 in Houston. The Texans beat the Cleveland Browns 45-14.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Trent Sherfield celebrate after a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, January 7. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 21-14 to win the AFC East title and clinch a home playoff game next week. The Dolphins — in first place for much of the season — had to settle for a wild-card spot.

New York Jets long snapper Thomas Hennessy shovels snow along the sideline during a game at New England on January 7. The Jets won 17-3, but both teams finished the season well out of the playoff picture.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline as they take on the New York Jets on January 7. Belichick confirmed on January 11 that he is leaving the New England Patriots after 24 seasons, during which the franchise won six Super Bowl titles.

San Francisco 49ers safety Tayler Hawkins celebrates with teammates after an interception on January 7. The 49ers went on to lose 21-20 to the Los Angeles Rams, but they already had the No. 1 seed locked up in the NFC. The Rams were already set as a wild-card team.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks eyes Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes during the Cowboys’ 38-10 victory on January 7. With the win, the Cowboys clinched the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs can’t quite pull in the catch while being defended by Chicago Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on January 7. The Packers won 17-9 to clinch a playoff spot.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mitchell Wilcox meets with fans after the Bengals’ 31-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns on January 7. Cincinnati finished the season out of the playoffs. Cleveland had already secured a wild-card spot.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris runs the ball during the Steelers’ 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, January 6. The Ravens rested many of their starters, including quarterback Lamar Jackson, as they had already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Steelers made the playoffs as a wild-card team.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner makes a one-handed touchdown catch in front of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow on Sunday, December 31. The Cardinals beat the Eagles 35-31.

Cleveland Browns safety Juan Thornhill celebrates after beating the New York Jets on Thursday, December 28. The Browns defeated the Jets 37-20, securing a spot in the playoffs. It will be the Browns’ first postseason appearance since 2020, and third since 1999.

New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, right, and teammates react to their 33-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, December 25.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes recovers his fumble as he is hit during the Chiefs’ disappointing 20-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on December 25. The loss ensured the Chiefs cannot earn the No.1 seed in the AFC and postponed the sealing of their eighth consecutive AFC West title, as they fell to 9-6.

Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu celebrates after he intercepted a pass during the Lions’ 30-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, December 24. The Lions secured their fist division title since 1993 with the win.

New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams grabs the jersey of Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel on December 24. The Jets beat the Commanders 30-28.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens points to a Cincinnati Bengals defender as he runs by during the Steelers’ 34-11 win against the Bengals on Saturday, December 23.

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs the ball during a the team’s 30-0 win against the New York Jets on December 17.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb sacks New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson on December 17.

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito walks off the field after losing 24-6 to the New Orleans Saints on December 17.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta dives into the end zone for a touchdown on Saturday, December 16. The Lions beat the Denver Broncos 42-17.

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley walks off of the field after losing 63-21 to the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, December 14. Staley and general manager Tom Telesco were fired the next day. The game was a franchise record for points scored by the Raiders, and a franchise worst for points allowed by the Chargers, per NFL.com.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches a pass during a Monday Night Football game against Miami on December 11. The Titans trailed 27-13 with 3:08 left in the fourth quarter, but they scored two touchdowns late to win 28-27 in regulation.

D.J. Moore of the Chicago Bears celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the Bears’ 28-13 upset win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, November 10.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to pass in the fourth quarter of a narrow 20-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills on December 10.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on December 10. The Falcons lost 29-25 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace escapes multiple attempted tackles during a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown in overtime against the Los Angeles Rams on December 10. Wallace’s touchdown earned the Ravens a 37-31 victory.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence reacts after suffering an injury during the Jaguars’ 34-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, December 4.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy looks to pass during the 49ers’ 42-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, December 3.

New York Jets quarterback Tim Boyle prepares to snap the ball during the Jets’ 13-8 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on December 3.

Roger McCreary of the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts running back Trey Sermon attempt to catch the ball on December 3. The Colts beat the Titans 31-28 in overtime.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk a catches touchdown pass in the end zone on December 3.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton celebrates after catching a 45-yard touchdown pass on December 3. The Broncos lost to the Houston Texans 22-17.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks catches a pass for a first down as Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams defends during the Cowboys’ 41-35 Thursday Night Football win on November 30.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates after scoring the game winning touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in overtime on Sunday, November 26. The Eagles won 37-34.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the Bengals’ 16-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 26.

Desmond Ridder of the Atlanta Falcons hands the ball off to Tyler Allgeier during the Falcons’ 24-15 victory over the New Orleans Saints on November 26.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus catches a touchdown pass over Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde on November 26.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott eats a turkey leg after the Cowboys’ 45-10 Thanksgiving Day victory over the Washington Commanders on November 23.

Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers makes a catch for a touchdown during a game against the Detroit Lions on November 23. The Packers beat the Lions 29-22.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling drops a pass late in the fourth quarter during the Chiefs’ Monday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 20. The Eagles beat the Chiefs 21-17 in the Super Bowl rematch.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford on Sunday, November 19. The Seahawks beat the Rams 17-16.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow holds his wrist after a throw during the Bengals’ 34-20 Thursday Night Football loss to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16. He tore a ligament in his right wrist.

Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon celebrates with teammates after intercepting the ball during the Colts’ 10-6 victory over the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday, November 12.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed stiff arms Joey Porter Jr. of the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 12. The Steelers beat the Packers 23-19.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs recovers a fumble on November 12. The Buccaneers beat the Tennessee Titans 20-6.

New England Patriots wide receiver Demario Douglas evades Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II on November 12.

Noah Sewell, right, and Jaquan Brisker of the Chicago Bears celebrate during the Bears’ 16-13 Thursday Night Football win over the Carolina Panthers on November 9.

Kansas City Chiefs players warm up prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday, November 5. The Chiefs beat the Dolphins 21-14.

Minnesota Vikings backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs reaches for the pylon during the Vikings’ 31-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on November 5. Dobbs, who was acquired by the Vikings in a trade last week, threw for 158 yards with two touchdowns in the air and one on the ground.

C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans drops back to pass during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 5. Stroud threw for 470 yards in the Texans’ narrow 39-37 victory.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones grimaces after being sacked during the Giants’ 30-6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on November 5.

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet catches a touchdown pass while defended by Tyrann Mathieu of the New Orleans Saints on November 5. The Saints beat the Bears 24-17.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren evades Tre Avery of the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, November 2. The Steelers beat the Titans 20-16.

Detroit Lions fans cheer on a third down play during the Lions’ 26-14 Monday Night Football victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on October 30.

Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian celebrates a second quarter interception in Denver on Sunday, October 29. The Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 24-9.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis throws a pass during the Titans’ 28-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on October 29. Levis threw four touchdowns during the game, his NFL debut.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown makes a one-handed catch to score a touchdown against Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste on October 29. The Eagles beat the Commanders 38-31.

Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss reaches for a one-yard touchdown run during the Colts’ 38-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints on October 29.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes walks off the field after the Chiefs’ loss to the Denver Broncos on October 29. Mahomes, who was set to make history with a win, threw two interceptions and no touchdowns.

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Irv Smith Jr. runs past San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga on October 29. The Bengals beat the 49ers 31-17.

Dalton Kincaid of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Bills’ 24-18 Thursday Night Football victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 26.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, embraces Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott after the Patriots beat the Bills 29-25 on Sunday, October 22. It was Belichick’s 300th regular-season victory.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams drops a pass in the end zone on October 22. The Raiders lost 30-12 to the Chicago Bears.

Atlanta Falcons placekicker Younghoe Koo celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning field goal on the final play of the Falcons’ 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 22.

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams evades Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage, bottom, on October 22. The Broncos beat the Packers 19-17.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor runs the ball during the Colts’ 39-38 loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 22.

Teammates run to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling as he celebrates his touchdown during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on October 22. The Chiefs won 31-17.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy scrambles away from Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah during the second half of the 49ers’ 19-17 loss on Sunday, October 15.

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert jumps over Carolina Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson on October 15. Mostert had two touchdowns during the Dolphins’ 42-21 victory.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields warms up wearing a #51 patch honoring the late Dick Butkus before the Bears’ game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field in Chicago on October 15. Butkus, a hard-hitting Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker who played nine seasons for the Bears, died October 5.

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom celebrates his interception during the Rams’ 26-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on October 15.

Quincy Williams of the New York Jets tackles Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith on October 15. The Eagles are 5-1 for the season after their 20-14 loss to the Jets.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes calls a play during the Chiefs’ 19-8 Thursday Night Football win over the Denver Broncos on October 12.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed sits on the sideline as Las Vegas Raiders’ Robert Spillane is congratulated after his interception on Monday, October 9. The Raiders beat the Packers 17-13.

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta tries in vain to pull in a pass reception in Detroit on Sunday, October 8. The Lions beat the Carolina Panthers 42-24.

New York Jets running back Breece Hall carries the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos on October 8. The Jets won 31-21.

KaVontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the Cowboys’ 42-10 loss the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on October 8.

Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss runs the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8. The Colts beat the Titans 23-16.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens celebrates after catching a 41-yard touchdown pass during the Steelers’ 17-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens on October 8.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase runs past Arizona Cardinals cornerback Marco Wilson after making a catch during the Bengals’ 34-20 victory over the Cardinals on October 8. Chase scored three touchdowns during the game.

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack celebrates a sack during the Chargers’ 24-17 victory on Sunday, October 1. Mack recorded six sacks, becoming the fifth player in NFL history to do so in a single game.

Jacksonville Jaguars fans wave flags ahead of a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium in London on October 1. It was the first of five international games the NFL has scheduled this season as part of its ever-expanding International Series. The Jaguars won 23-7.

Brian Robinson Jr. of the Washington Commanders makes a pass reception during the second quarter of the Commanders’ 34-31 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on October 1.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin shouts while warming up ahead of the Bills game against the Miami Dolphins on October 1. Hamlin participated in the opening kickoff, his first regular season appearance after surviving a cardiac arrest on the field nearly nine months ago. The Bills beat the Dolphins 48-20.

Cincinnati Bengals’ Evan McPherson kicks a field goal during a game against the Tennesee Titans on October 1. McPherson was Cincinnati’s only player to put points on the board during their 27-3 loss.

Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions celebrates with fans during his team’s 34-20 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Thursday, September 28.

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert celebrates with teammates Braxton Berrios and Christian Wilkins after scoring one of his four touchdowns during the Dolphins’ landslide victory over the Broncos on Sunday, September 24.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during his team’s 37-3 win over the Washington Commanders on September 24.

Grammy Award-winning singer Taylor Swift cheers on the Kansas City Chiefs from the family suite of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on September 24. Swift’s show of support comes after weeks of speculation — by various NFL broadcasters and the vast majority of Swifties — that she and Kelce are dating. Swift had plenty to cheer about as the Chiefs beat the Chicago Bears 41-10.

Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tavius Robinson go after a fumble in the end zone on September 24. The Colts beat the Ravens 22-19.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs fends off New Orleans Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom during the first half at Lambeau Field on September 24. The Packers edged out a 18-17 win.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder is sacked by Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes in the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on September 24. The Falcons lost 20-6.

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell is tackled by New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium on September 24. The 49ers remain undefeated after their 30-12 Thursday Night Football win on September 21.

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb grimaces after suffering a knee injury in a Monday Night Football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 18. He was carted off the field in the second quarter. Before leaving the game, the star running back had 10 carries for 64 yards.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson scores in the first half of a 30-10 win over the New York Jets at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, September 17. It was the Jets’ first game without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who suffered an ankle injury during his debut with the team in Week 1.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson makes a catch over New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock at State Farm Stadium on September 17. The Cardinals narrowly lost 31-28.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray receives a pass on September 17. The Chiefs beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams celebrates after scoring the team’s only touchdown during their 38-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on September 17.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, making his debut with the New York Jets, is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd on Monday, September 11. Rodgers suffered an ankle injury and was carted off the field after the play, which occurred during the team’s first drive in the first quarter. Before being traded in the offseason, Rodgers had spent the first 18 seasons of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey looks for space to run the ball in the second half of a 30-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, September 10.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers pulls in a touchdown past Denver Broncos cornerback Damarri Mathis in the first quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on September 10. The score would be important as the Raiders edged the home side, 17-16.

It was a rough day for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals as they got trounced by the Cleveland Browns 24-3 on September 10. The highest paid quarterback in the league had a tough start to the season, throwing 14-for-31 for 82 yards and being crushed here by Browns safety Grant Delpit.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Deven Thompkins runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of a 20-17 win against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on September 10.

Los Angeles Chargers kicker JK Scott punts the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the second half at SoFi Stadium on September 10. The Chargers would lose 36-34 to the Dolphins.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver/punt returner Zay Flowers catches a deep pass in the first quarter against the Houston Texans on September 10. Baltimore fans had plenty of action to cheer as their team thoroughly handled the Texans 25-9.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy on September 10. It was to be one of the only highlights for the home fans as the Niners won 30-7.

It was a rough start to the year for the Kansas City Chiefs and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes as they were shocked by the Detroit Lions 21-20 in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, September 7. Still, many are predicting the Chiefs will repeat this year.