- - NFL Week 16 scores, news, live updates: Quinshon Judkins suffers broken leg; Steelers fight to maintain AFC North lead vs. Lions

Yahoo Sports Staff December 22, 2025 at 5:15 AM

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Week 16 in the NFL features a loaded afternoon slate with 11 games. Featured in the late window, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Detroit Lions in a game with playoff implications for both teams.

The Steelers (8-6) and Lions (8-6) are in tight division races in their respective conferences. Pittsburgh has a slim one-game lead in the AFC North over Baltimore, while Detroit is currently behind Chicago and Green Bay in the NFC North. They’ll be without star edge rusher T.J. Watt, missing his second straight game with a lung injury.

The Lions are in third place in the division and eighth place in the NFC. They need to win and get help in either playoff scenario. For the Steelers, their best path is handling business and winning the division because if not, it’ll be tough for them to get that final wild-card spot.

Week 16 schedule, how to watch

All times listed are ET*

Falcons vs. Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. on FoxJaguars vs. Broncos, 4:05 p.m. on FoxSteelers vs. Lions, 4:25 p.m. on CBSRaiders vs. Texans, 4:25 p.m. on CBS

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more from Week 16's early and afternoon Sunday game slates:

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Mon, December 22, 2025 at 4:45 AM GMT+9Kate MagdziukFull list of Week 16 inactives for the afternoon games

With less than 90 minutes remaining until the first games in the afternoon slate kick off, inactives are starting to roll in.

Here’s a full look at the Week 16 inactives for the afternoon games, to be as teams around the league make their announcements:

Falcons vs. Cardinals

Falcons inactives: CB Mike Hughes, RB Nathan Carter, ILB JD Bertrand, OL Michael Jerrell, WR Casey Washington, DL Elijah Garcia, WR Malik HeathCardinals inactives: CB Max Melton, CB Elijah Jones, CB Darren Hall, S Jalen Thompson, OL Evan Brown, OL Paris Johnson Jr.

Jaguars vs. Broncos

Jaguars inactives: RB Bhayshul Tuten, OL Chuma Edoga, TE Hunter Log, DL Danny Striggow, DT Maason SmithBroncos inactives: QB Sam Ehlinger, RB Cody Schrader, CB Reese Taylor, LB Justin Strnad, OT Geron Christian, DL Jordan Jackson, DE Sai’Vion Jones

Steelers vs. Lions

Steelers inactives: WR Roman Wilson, QB Will Howard (Emergency 3rd QB), RB Kalen Johnson, CB James Pierre, LB Nick Herbig, OG Isaac Seumalo, LB T.J. WattLions inactives: OL Kayode Awosika, OL Trystan Colon, OL Graham Glasgow, DL Tyler Lacy, WR Dominic Lovett, S Jalen Mills, DL Mekhi Wingo

Raiders vs. Texans

Raiders inactives: RB Zamir White, QB Aidan O’Connell (Emergency 3rd QB), CB Darnay Holmes, TE Ian Thomas, DT Brodric MartinTexans inactives: LB Azeez Al-Shaair, WR Braxton Berrios, QB Graham Mertz, RB Woody Marks, CB Ameer Speed, DE Solomon Byrd, OT Jarrett Kingston

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 6:15 AM GMT+9Kate MagdziukChiefs fall to Titans in first game without Patrick Mahomes

The Tennessee Titans walked away with their third win of the season Sunday, improving to 3-12 with a 26-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16.

It was the Chiefs’ first game without Patrick Mahomes after he tore his ACL last week, ending his season as KC’s playoff hopes came to an end with a Week 15 loss. The absence of Mahomes was a big enough challenge, but things only got worse after Gardner Minshew was ruled out with a knee injury suffered on the opening drive, feared to have also suffered a torn ACL.

Minshew was replaced was replaced by third-stringer Chris Oladonkun, who went 11-of-16 passing for 111 passing yards, 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions with an 88.3 NFL passer rating.

On the other side of the ball, rookie quarterback Cam Ward had one of his better games of the season, going 21-of-28 passing for 228 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, marking his third consecutive game with multiple passing touchdowns. Running back Tony Pollard also had a strong day on offense with his third straight game of 100-plus rushing yards.

On defense, Jeffery Simmons continues to shine for Tennessee, following up last week’s touchdown reception (surprise!) with two tackles for a loss — one for a safety — and two passes defensed.

Mon, December 22, 2025 at 6:11 AM GMT+9Tarohn FinleyBills 2nd half defense end Browns comeback hopes

The Buffalo Bills held off the Cleveland Browns for a 23–20 win, sealing the game with a strong defensive effort in the second half. The Bills are now 11-4 and the Browns are 3-12.

Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders finished with 137 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while being sacked three times. Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau had 2.5 sacks.

On the defensive side, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett remains one full sack away from breaking T.J. Watt’s single-season record.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen also struggled, completing 9 of 17 passes for 107 yards. The Bills’ offense stalled after halftime, managing only a field goal in the second half. Running back James Cook led the ground attack with 112 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, though most of his production came in the first half.

The game was also marked by several injuries. Browns running back Quinshon Judkins was carted off the field with a lower leg injury, while both Allen and Sanders left briefly but were able to return.

The Bills’ next game is against the Philadelphia Eagles, while the Browns will take on the Steelers.

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:55 AM GMT+9Yahoo Sports StaffBengals dominate Dolphins 45-21, Joe Burrow has a day

Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:55 AM GMT+9Criss ParteeChiefs down to third QB after Gardner Minshew believed to have suffered ACL injury

Kansas City Chiefs QB Gardner Minshew is likely to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee against the Titans today, reportedly. He will undergo an MRI to confirm.

The Chiefs have lost Patrick Mahomes and now Gardner Minshew in back-to-back weeks, potentially both to ACL tears. Quarterback Chris Oladokun came in to finish the game for the Chiefs.

Chiefs QB Gardner Minshew likely suffered a torn ACL in his left knee against the Titans today, sources tell Chiefs Digest. He will undergo an MRI to confirm.Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew suffering torn left ACLs in back-to-back games is crazy bad luck.

— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) December 21, 2025

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:50 AM GMT+9Kate MagdziukPanthers take a 3-point lead with under 3 minutes to go

Buccaneers-Panthers is a close one as both teams seek a win to improve their odds of winning the NFC South. The Bucs will need another game-winning drive from Baker Mayfield, it appears, as the Panthers took a three-point lead with just under three minutes to go thanks to a 48-yard field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald.

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:49 AM GMT+9Criss ParteeChargers force Cowboys fumble

If the previous Omarion Hampton touchdown didn’t ice this game, this defensive play to force and recover a Cowboys fumble surely did. Chargers lead 34-17 late in the fourth quarter.

dj knocks it out and tuli jumps on it‼️📺 | @nflonfox pic.twitter.com/tHVNEuNHh7

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 21, 2025

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:47 AM GMT+9Kate MagdziukTitans keep the scoring rolling

Tony Pollard had Jeffery Simmons lead blocking for a TD KCvsTEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/SBZM3Ybmw7

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:46 AM GMT+9Tarohn FinleyBills can't put game away after dropped TD

The Cleveland Browns take over after the Bills dropped a touchdown on fourth down.

Bills can't convert on 4th down and the Browns take over!BUFvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/ndmOvounkq

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:46 AM GMT+9Criss ParteeChargers RB Omarion Hampton puts Cowboys on ice with TD

The Chargers may have put this game on ice with Omarion Hampton’s 5-yard touchdown run. LA leads Dallas 34-17 with just over four minutes left in the game.

omarion comin' thru📺 | @nflonfox pic.twitter.com/9xCJHfyDRl

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 21, 2025

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:43 AM GMT+9Criss ParteeChargers CB Benjamin St. Juste left field with a shoulder injury (questionable)

LA Chargers cornerback Benjamin St. Juste left the game in a lot of pain and is questionable to return with a shoulder injury.

injury update: benjamin st. juste (shoulder) is questionable to return

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) December 21, 2025

CB Benjamin St Juste walking off the field in a lot of pain. Chargers already without CB Donte Jackson

— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) December 21, 2025

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:38 AM GMT+9Tarohn FinleyBills struggling in 2nd half

The Buffalo Bills have managed just three points since the start of the second half.

After a strong opening performance from quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook, the offense has slowed. Allen exited early at the end of the first half but was cleared to return for the second.

Allen is 9-of-15 for 107 yards and a touchdown, while Cook has rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

The Bills have the ball at Cleveland’s 30 after the Browns turned it over on downs.

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:37 AM GMT+9Criss ParteeVikings and Giants tied at 13 in the 4th quarter

Minnesota and New York are knotted at 13 with under six minutes remaining in regulation. Max Brosman is in for Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy who left with a hand injury. Brosman is six of eight for 51 yards.

For the Giants, Jaxson Dart is 7 of 11 for 33 yards and an interception. The Giants have posted just 121 yards of total offense through 3.5 quarters.

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:33 AM GMT+9Kate MagdziukBengals send Joe Burrow to the bench with 31-point lead

Joe Flacco is back-o! The Bengals officially sent starter Joe Burrow to the bench as Cincy enjoys a 31-point lead with just under 12 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

Burrow finishes the day 25-of-32 passing for 309 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:33 AM GMT+9Criss ParteeSaints' DT Bryan Bresee questionable to return with knee injury

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is questionable to return to the game due to a knee injury.

Injury Update: Bryan Bresee (Knee) is questionable to return. @Saints

— New Orleans Saints PR (@SaintsPR) December 21, 2025

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:29 AM GMT+9Tarohn FinleyBrowns' Andre Szmyt's 2nd FG cuts Bills lead to 3

The Cleveland Browns drove down the field to kick their second field goal to cut the Buffalo Bills’ lead to three. Szmyt is 2 for 2 on the day.

The Bills lead the Browns 23-20 in the middle of the fourth quarter.

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:28 AM GMT+9Kate Magdziuk*Another* Joe Burrow touchdown

Have a day, Joey B. Burrow threw his fourth touchdown of the day early in the fourth quarter — a 17-yard play to tight end Mike Gesicki. The team has now scored a touchdown on all four of its possessions in the second half.

Burrows fires to Gesicki for his 4th touchdown pass CINvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/CWW2RlTvWo

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

Burrow now has 309 passing yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions with an NFL passer rating of 146.5. With plenty of time remaining in the fourth quarter, he’s the QB3 on the week in Yahoo Fantasy leagues, only behind Matthew Stafford (30.88 points) and Justin Herbert (29.54).

The Bengals lead the Dolphins 45-14.

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:27 AM GMT+9Criss ParteeTyler Shough to Chris Olave for 23-yard TD!

Tyler Shough extends New Orleans’ lead with this 23-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Chris Olave. Shough has 281 yards through the air with plenty of time remaining in the fourth quarter.

Olave in the end zone 😮‍💨📺 CBS pic.twitter.com/g0EqxsEqfo

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 21, 2025

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:24 AM GMT+9Tarohn FinleyBrowns' Myles Garrett credited with 0.5 sack on 1st half play, 1 sack away from record

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was credited with a half-sack, sharing the play with defensive tackle Mason Graham at the end of the first half.

Garrett now has 22 sacks on the season and sits just one full sack shy of breaking T.J. Watt’s single-season record of 22.5, set in 2021.

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:23 AM GMT+9Criss ParteeChargers RB Kimani Vidal questionable to return with neck injury

LA Chargers running back Kimani Vidal has left the game with a neck injury and is questionable to return.

Chargers RB Kimani Vidal is questionable to return today due to a neck injury.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 21, 2025

- Mon, December 22, 2025 at 5:20 AM GMT+9Kate MagdziukOuch — another MIA turnover

The Miami Dolphins have officially had a turnover on each of their four drives to start the second half.

Fumble

Interception

Turnover on downs

Interception

This time, the pick went to Bengals cornerback Jalen Davis for his first career interception. Quinn Ewers has gone 13-of-20 passing for 144 yards and two interceptions.

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Source: “AOL Sports”