Football is a game of inches, but on Sunday, December 29, 2024, it was more like a game of miles. Massive shifts. Playoff lives ending. New contenders born.
If you were watching the NFL Dec 29 2024 slate, you saw the league's hierarchy basically flip on its head in a single afternoon. It was Week 17, that weird, high-stakes bridge between the regular season and the "real" season. People expected drama, but I don't think anyone saw a 41-7 blowout in one of the most storied rivalries in sports coming.
The Eagles' Statement and the 2,000-Yard Milestone
The biggest story of the day happened at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles didn't just beat the Dallas Cowboys; they dismantled them. 41-7. It was ugly for Dallas fans.
Honestly, the most impressive part wasn't even the score. It was Saquon Barkley. On this specific day, Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season. Think about that for a second. In an era where everyone wants to throw the ball 50 times a game, Saquon carried the rock 31 times for 167 yards against a division rival to hit that magic number.
The Eagles moved to 13-3 and locked up the NFC East. But it wasn't all sunshine. Jalen Hurts was out with a concussion, leaving Kenny Pickett to steer the ship. Pickett was fine—143 yards and two touchdowns—but he took a nasty hit to the ribs and had to leave late. That left Tanner McKee to come in and throw his first career touchdown to A.J. Brown.
Eagles fans are probably still talking about C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s 70-yard pick-six that opened the floodgates. It set a tone that the Cowboys never recovered from.
Drama in the NFC North: Vikings Hold Off Green Bay
While Philly was celebrating, Minneapolis was a nervous wreck. The Minnesota Vikings hosted the Green Bay Packers in what felt like a playoff game.
Sam Darnold. Who would’ve thought? He threw three touchdowns and completed a massive third-down pass to Cam Akers late in the fourth to ice it. The Vikings won 27-25.
This win was huge because it set up a "winner-take-all" game against the Lions for the NFC North title the following week. The Vikings are now 9-1 in one-score games this season. That’s either incredible coaching or they have the best luck in the history of the sport. Probably a bit of both.
The Playoff Picture Clears Up (Sort Of)
The Washington Commanders pulled off the most dramatic finish of the day. They were down against the Atlanta Falcons, but Jayden Daniels did what Jayden Daniels does. He engineered a 15-play drive that took eight minutes off the clock, eventually finding Zach Ertz for a score.
The game went to overtime.
Washington won 30-24. That victory didn't just help the Commanders; it actually vaulted both Washington and the Los Angeles Rams into the postseason. It was a massive relief for Dan Quinn, especially beating his former team to punch that ticket.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Clinched NFC East, No. 2 seed locked.
- Washington Commanders: Clinched playoff berth.
- Los Angeles Rams: Clinched playoff berth.
- Buffalo Bills: Locked up the AFC No. 2 seed with a win over the Jets.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kept NFC South hopes alive by destroying Carolina 48-14.
Buffalo and the AFC Power Move
In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. It wasn't particularly close. 40-14. Josh Allen threw three touchdowns, and the defense made Rodgers' life miserable, sacking him four times.
The Bills officially locked in the No. 2 seed. This is huge because it means if they keep winning, they won't have to leave Orchard Park until a potential AFC Championship game against the Chiefs.
Speaking of the Jets, it was a rough day for the veteran. Tyrod Taylor eventually replaced Rodgers. When your backup is finishing the game in Week 17 while the season is on the line, things haven't gone to plan.
📖 Related: NFL Playoff Games: What Most People Get Wrong About the Road to Super Bowl LX
The "Ugly" Wins That Mattered
Not every game on the NFL Dec 29 2024 schedule was a masterpiece. The Miami Dolphins beat the Browns 20-3 without Tua Tagovailoa. Snoop Huntley ran for a 13-yard score, and that was basically all they needed because Cleveland’s offense was non-existent.
Then you have the Giants upsetting the Colts 45-33. Malik Nabers is a superstar. He had two touchdowns, including a 59-yarder that made the Colts' secondary look like they were running in sand. Ihmir Smith-Marsette also chipped in a 100-yard kickoff return. It was a chaotic game that effectively killed the Colts' easy path to the playoffs.
Actionable Insights for the Postseason
If you’re looking at how these results affect your strategy for the coming weeks, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the Injuries: The Eagles are 13-3 but might be starting a playoff run with a backup or a hobbled Jalen Hurts.
- The "One-Score" Regression: The Vikings are living on the edge. History says teams that win this many close games eventually see the ball bounce the other way. Be careful betting on them to blow anyone out.
- Home Field Advantage: Buffalo and Philadelphia securing home games is massive. The weather in Orchard Park in January is a different animal.
- The Bengals' Path: Cincinnati needs a lot of help. They have to beat Pittsburgh, and they need the Dolphins and Broncos to lose. It’s a long shot, but Joe Burrow is playing at an MVP level right now.
The NFL Dec 29 2024 slate reminded us why we watch. It's the sheer unpredictability of it. One minute you're watching a rookie kicker miss a chip shot, and the next you're watching Saquon Barkley etch his name into the record books.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the Eagles and Vikings this week. Their seeding is set, but their health is the only thing that matters now.