The Eagles (12-2) earned an impressive 27-13 win over the Steelers (10-4) in Week 15, and then they received even better news when the Buffalo Bills defeated the Detroit Lions 48-42 at Ford Field.
The win dropped Detroit to 12-2 on the season, keeping Philadelphia within striking distance of the No. 1 seed. Because Philadelphia’s two losses came to NFC teams, the Eagles would need to win out and have the Lions lose to the Bears, 49ers, or Vikings in their next three games. The Vikings would need to lose to either the Bears, Seahawks, Packers, or Lions down the stretch to earn the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen was 23-34 passing for 362 yards (10.6 avg), two touchdowns, and a 122 passer rating; Allen also had ten strong carries for 69 yards (6.9 avg) and two touchdowns.
Buffalo running back James Cook had 14 carries for 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Bills wide receiver Ty Johnson exploded for five catches for 114 yards.
While the Detroit defense struggled on the day, the Lions offense exploded. Jared Goff, who passed for 494 yards and five touchdowns, went 38-59. Amon-Ra St. Brown exploded with 14 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
Detroit’s dynamic duo at running back, Jahmyr Gibbs, was held to 8 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown, while David Montgomery was held to five carries for four yards.