Week 12 of the NFL season delivered a series of heart-stopping finishes, headlined by dramatic overtime victories for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions that kept their playoff ambitions burning brightly.
Thrilling Overtime Finishes
In a nail-biting contest, the Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) mounted a spectacular comeback to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 in overtime. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was in sublime form, throwing for a season-high 352 yards. The game was ultimately decided by the boot of Harrison Butker, whose fifth field goal of the day—a 27-yard kick—sealed the win with just under two minutes left in the extra period.
Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions (7-4) produced their own moment of magic to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time in over three years. Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs exploded for a 69-yard touchdown on the very first snap of overtime, securing a 34-27 win over the New York Giants. Gibbs finished with a phenomenal 264 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, a career-best performance.
Playoff Pictures Take Shape
Elsewhere, the league's top teams continued to solidify their standings. The New England Patriots (10-2) extended their impressive winning streak to nine games, confirming their place as the AFC's number one seeds with a 26-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Equally hot are the Chicago Bears (8-3), who won for the eighth time in nine outings by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-28.
The Seattle Seahawks (8-3) also bolstered their playoff credentials, holding onto the first NFC wildcard spot with a 30-24 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Baltimore Ravens continued their remarkable mid-season turnaround, claiming a fifth straight victory to improve to 6-5 after a shaky start.
Notable Performances and Shifts
The weekend was not without its disappointments. The New York Jets (2-9) suffered another defeat, while the Minnesota Vikings (4-7) saw their struggles continue in a 23-6 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The Cincinnati Bengals (8-3) have now lost eight of their last nine games since quarterback Joe Burrow's injury, though his return is anticipated on Thanksgiving.
These results have created significant shifts in the playoff landscape, setting the stage for a compelling final stretch of the regular season.
