The Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints continued their dominant seasons on Sunday by clinching their spots in the postseason, but it wasn't nearly as easy as it has been all season long. First, the Chiefs forced overtime late, and topped the Baltimore Ravens in overtime, 27-24. Harrison Butker had the game-winning 36-yard field goal, giving the Chiefs their 11th win and a playoff spot. They do hold a 1.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Chargers for first place in the AFC West, and they were hosting the Cincinnati Bengals later Sunday.
Butker had a chance to win the game in regulation after Justin Houston stripped Lamar Jackson of the ball on a sack, but he missed a 43-yard field goal as time expired. That took place after Patrick Mahomes found Damien Williams for the game-tying touchdown late, completing the rally from an 11-point halftime deficit. The Chiefs totaled 441 yards, 120 more than the Ravens, but the Ravens tight defense kept them out of the end zone for most of the first half. Jackson nearly improved to 4-0 as the Ravens quarterback, but instead, the Chiefs moved to 6-0 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jackson did find John Brown and and Maxx Williams for touchdowns, while running for 71 yards on 13 carries in the loss. The Ravens fall to 7-6 on the season, as their focus is now on the AFC Wild Card race. Mahomes threw for 377 yards and two touchdowns, and his favorite target was once again Tyreek Hill, who had nine catches for 139 yards. The loss for Baltimore was their first in four trips at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs can now focus on the top spot in the AFC and the AFC West lead, as they will battle the Chargers on Thursday Night Football.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints also needed a comeback to clinch, but they did just that to not only clinch a playoff spot, but also the NFC South Division. They used a 17-point fourth quarter to top the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road, 28-14. Drew Brees had the official go-ahead one-yard touchdown run, as he overcame a quiet first half to throw for 201 yards and a touchdown pass to Zach Line in the third quarter. Mark Ingram also found the end zone in the fourth, while Will Lutz added to the lead with a 36-yard field goal with 1:12 to play.
The win for the Saints not only avenges a Thursday Night Football loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week, but also a season-opening loss to the Buccaneers on their home field. Since then, Tampa Bay has struggled, and now sits a 5-8, hurting their playoff hopes. They jumped out to a 14-3 lead by halftime and Jameis Winston's two touchdown passes, both of which found Cameron Brate in the end zone. After that, the Buccaneers' offense was held to 81 yards in the second half, suffering their third loss at Raymond James Stadium this year.
The Saints finally got their offense going in the fourth after the Cowboys were able to hold them to just 176 yards in a 13-10 loss that snapped their 10-game winning streak. Michael Thomas was once again Brees' top target, catching 11 passes for 98 yards on the day. They improved to 6-1 away from home, but are still battling for the top seed in the NFC. The Los Angeles Rams currently hold that, but have a tough task on the road against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.
Butker had a chance to win the game in regulation after Justin Houston stripped Lamar Jackson of the ball on a sack, but he missed a 43-yard field goal as time expired. That took place after Patrick Mahomes found Damien Williams for the game-tying touchdown late, completing the rally from an 11-point halftime deficit. The Chiefs totaled 441 yards, 120 more than the Ravens, but the Ravens tight defense kept them out of the end zone for most of the first half. Jackson nearly improved to 4-0 as the Ravens quarterback, but instead, the Chiefs moved to 6-0 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Jackson did find John Brown and and Maxx Williams for touchdowns, while running for 71 yards on 13 carries in the loss. The Ravens fall to 7-6 on the season, as their focus is now on the AFC Wild Card race. Mahomes threw for 377 yards and two touchdowns, and his favorite target was once again Tyreek Hill, who had nine catches for 139 yards. The loss for Baltimore was their first in four trips at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs can now focus on the top spot in the AFC and the AFC West lead, as they will battle the Chargers on Thursday Night Football.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints also needed a comeback to clinch, but they did just that to not only clinch a playoff spot, but also the NFC South Division. They used a 17-point fourth quarter to top the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road, 28-14. Drew Brees had the official go-ahead one-yard touchdown run, as he overcame a quiet first half to throw for 201 yards and a touchdown pass to Zach Line in the third quarter. Mark Ingram also found the end zone in the fourth, while Will Lutz added to the lead with a 36-yard field goal with 1:12 to play.
The win for the Saints not only avenges a Thursday Night Football loss to the Dallas Cowboys last week, but also a season-opening loss to the Buccaneers on their home field. Since then, Tampa Bay has struggled, and now sits a 5-8, hurting their playoff hopes. They jumped out to a 14-3 lead by halftime and Jameis Winston's two touchdown passes, both of which found Cameron Brate in the end zone. After that, the Buccaneers' offense was held to 81 yards in the second half, suffering their third loss at Raymond James Stadium this year.
The Saints finally got their offense going in the fourth after the Cowboys were able to hold them to just 176 yards in a 13-10 loss that snapped their 10-game winning streak. Michael Thomas was once again Brees' top target, catching 11 passes for 98 yards on the day. They improved to 6-1 away from home, but are still battling for the top seed in the NFC. The Los Angeles Rams currently hold that, but have a tough task on the road against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.
