NFL Week 14: Eagles book playoff spot as Purdy dominates Brady in first start

The Philadelphia Eagles became the first team to book a spot in the play-offs after thrashing divisional rivals the New York Giants on Sunday.

In the NFC East battle, Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders starred as the Eagles dominated early and the Giants struggled from the get-go, ending in a 48-22 rout in New York. Philadelphia move to 12-1, the best record in the NFL, while the Giants lose their third in four to slip to 7-5-1.

Tom Brady‘s homecoming to San Francisco was ruined by 49ers rookie Brock Purdy, as the rookie marked his first career start with a sensational two passing touchdowns and one rushing performance against the Buccaneers.

Purdy, labelled Mr Irrelevant having been chosen last in the 2022 NFL Draft, produced a sensational performance to help the Niners to a sixth straight win, and dump the Bucs down to a losing record at 6-7.

Cowboys avoid scare, Lions on a playoff charge?

The Detroit Lions maintained their impressive offensive form with a 34-23 win over NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings, putting the team within reach of the playoff places.

Rookie Jameson Williams scored a touchdown on debut returning from an ACL injury in college, with Jared Goff adding another three TDs to his name for the season.

For Minnesota, they remain on course for the playoffs with a 10-3 record, but their will be concerns over their defensive vulnerabilities, having gone five consecutive games allowing 400+ yards.

The Dallas Cowboys have joined the Vikings on ten wins, but they were made to work to avoid a huge upset defeat against the Houston Texans.

Dallas, trailing 20-23 going into the final minute, need a late Ezekiel Elliot touchdown to help them comeback to win the game 27-23.

Bills down gutsy Jets, Dolphins slip

The Buffalo Bills remain the top seed in the AFC after the downed a resilient New York Jets, whose quarterback Mike White was twice out of the game with a rib injury.

Buffalo’s defense made some brilliant plays in the 20-12 victory, avenging the Jets’ win at MetLife Stadium earlier in the year.

In the late game, Justin Herbert outshone Tua Tagovailoa in the young-QB battle between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Miami Dolphins, with the former Oregon star throwing for 367 yards and a touchdown.

The Baltimore Ravens continued their push up the AFC rankings despite having to lean of third-string quarterback Anthony Brown in the second half of their clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Backup Tyler Huntley, in for the injured Lamar Jackson, was ruled out with concussion, but the Ravens held on to a 16-14 victory.

Russell Wilson showed brief glimpses of a return to form yet couldn’t save the Denver Broncos from defeat against the AFC #1 seed, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Patrick Mahomes’ side led 27-0 in the second quarter but the former Seahawks QB led a three-score period in the space of just under four minutes to help the Broncos back into the game. Wilson did however leave the game early with a suspected concussion, as Kansas City ran out 34-28 winners.

Elsewhere, Trevor Lawrence once again impressed as the Jacksonville Jaguars downed divisional rivals the Tennessee Titans, while the Cincinnati Bengals moved to 9-4 beating Ohio rivals the Cleveland Browns for a fifth win in a row.

Full results of Sunday 11th December games:

Detroit Lions 34 – 23 Minnesota Vikings

Pittsburgh Steelers 14 – 16 Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals 23 – 10 Cleveland Browns

Buffalo Bills 20 – 12 New York Jets

Dallas Cowboys 27 – 23 Houston Texans

New York Giants 22 – 48 Philadelphia Eagles

Tennessee Titans 22 – 36 Jacksonville Jaguars

Denver Broncos 28 – 34 Kansas City Chiefs

Seattle Seahawks 24 – 30 Carolina Panthers

San Francisco 49ers 35 – 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Los Angeles Chargers 23 – 17 Miami Dolphins