The playoff field is starting to take shape as Week 14 of the NFL season winds down.
The Philadelphia Eagles officially earned a postseason spot on Sunday afternoon after their win against the Carolina Panthers. That made them the second NFC team to make it in, along with the Detroit Lions. The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs — who won their ninth consecutive division title on Sunday night with a bank-in kick — have earned spots in the AFC already.
Several teams were eliminated on Sunday, too, including the New York Jets. They’ve not been to the playoffs now since 2010, which is the longest active drought in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL and MLB.
The Cowboys and Bengals, both of whom could use a win if they’re going to salvage their seasons, will officially wrap up Week 14 on Monday night.
Saints’ Derek Carr leaves early with hand injury
Derek Carr’s season may be over.
The Saints quarterback left their win over the New York Giants early on Sunday after he landed directly on his left wrist and arm. Carr was scrambling for a first down when he hurdled over three other players, and he remained down on the field clearly in a lot of pain before he walked off.
Carr didn’t return, and the Saints fear he fractured his hand. It’s unclear how long he’ll be sidelined, or if he will be able to make a return to the field later this season.
While the Saints have won three of their last four games, they sit at just 5-8 on the season. Without Carr down the stretch, securing a playoff berth will likely be incredibly difficult.
Aidan O’Connell diagnosed with bone bruise
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee after leaving Sunday’s 28-13 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a cart with an air cast on his left leg after being injured on a late hit that surprisingly didn’t draw a flag.
Initial fears were that O’Connell may have suffered a season-ending injury. But he hopes to play in Week 15’s Monday night matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
O’Connell was shoved in the back late by Bucs defensive end Calijah Kancey while scrambling. Kancey hit O’Connell two steps after O’Connell got rid of the ball, but he somehow didn’t draw a penalty.
Gene Steratore says Calijah Kancey should have been flagged for an obvious roughing the passer penalty. Tough look for the Bucs.
Aiden O’Connell was carted off after this hit. Desmond Ridder is in at QB. pic.twitter.com/NUtndxHFrS
— The Pewter Plank (@ThePewterPlank) December 8, 2024
Desmond Ridder came in to replace O’Connell.
The injury is just the latest for the Raiders at quarterback this season. On the bright side, though, they are currently on track to earn the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft next spring. That has to count for something.
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49ers unsure about Guerendo
49ers running back Isaac Guerendo sustained a foot sprain in Sunday’s win over the Bears, and his status is now up in the air for Thursday night’s matchup with the Rams. With both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason on IR, it could get tough for the 49ers.
“We’ll evaluate him over the next few days and see if he’s got a shot,” Kyle Shanahan said.
For more on Isaac Guerendo’s injury, click here.
Aidan O’Connell diagnosed with bone bruise in left knee
Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell has a bone bruise in his left knee, tests revealed. That’s not as serious an issue as Las Vegas feared, and O’Donnell hopes to play in Week 15’s Monday night matchup versus the Falcons.
Tests on QB Aidan O’Connell’s knee today revealed a bone bruise and he would like to try to play Monday night vs. the Falcons, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 9, 2024
O’Connell was originally carted off the field with his left leg in an air cast in Week 14’s game against the Buccaneers. The QB was shoved to the turf by Calijah Kancey while scrambling and throwing. Initial concerns were that O’Connell may have suffered a season-ending injury.
In six games (four starts) this season, O’Connell has thrown for 899 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions, completing 63% of his passes.
Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks tears ACL again
Three games into his comeback from a torn ACL, Carolina Panthers rookie running back suffered the injury once again.
Brooks tore the ACL in his right knee during Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He will miss the rest of the season.
The 21-year-old Brooks, the Panthers’ second-round pick in 2024, first tore his ACL in college with Texas on Nov. 11, 2023. He did not make his NFL debut until over a year later on Nov. 23, 2024
He played in three games this season, picking up 22 rushing yards on nine carries.
Steelers WR George Pickens diagnosed with grade 2 hamstring strain
Pickens was a surprise late scratch before Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns with a hamstring injury.
According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, the third-year wideout is dealing with a grade 2 hamstring strain. His status for the Steelers’ Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles is unknown.
Pickens has 850 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season
The Steelers are in first place in the AFC North with a 10-3 record, two games ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, who they will meet in Week 16.
Josh Allen made fantasy, NFL history in Bills’ loss to Chiefs
Josh Allen did just about everything possible to lift the Buffalo Bills to a win on Sunday afternoon.
While it wasn’t enough to lead them past the Los Angeles Rams, Allen set multiple NFL records in the process.
Allen accounted for six total touchdowns in the Bills’ wild 44-42 loss to the Rams at SoFi Stadium. He threw three touchdown passes in the loss and ran in three touchdowns himself. He’s now the first player in NFL history to rack up three passing and three rushing touchdowns in a single game.
Allen also finished the day with a ridiculous 51.88 fantasy football points. That’s an all-time record for a quarterback in a single game in Yahoo Fantasy history.
Read the full story here.
