SEATTLE -- The Seattle Seahawks' hopes of making the playoffs were dealt at least one significant blow Sunday night with their loss to the Green Bay Packers -- and maybe another depending on the severity of Geno Smith's knee injury.

The veteran quarterback went down midway through the third quarter and did not return after taking a low hit from linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Smith's knee appears to be intact structurally, but his status for next Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings is up in the air.

"I'll tell you this, this guy is probably the toughest player I've ever been around," Macdonald said after the Seahawks' 30-13 defeat. "It was severe enough for him not to come back in the game. We'll do all the tests tomorrow and kind of figure it out as we go. But right now, structurally it looks like it's OK, but we've got to get it imaged and all that stuff."

As Smith was throwing an incomplete pass on first down, a diving Cooper hit the back of Smith's right leg, causing his knee to hyperflex as his cleat got stuck in the turf. Smith was visibly angered after the hit, which did not draw a penalty. He began to limp off the field before stopping to lay on his back in obvious pain. He was examined in the medical tent, then he limped into the tunnel.

Cooper said he thought the hit was "100 percent" clean.

"He just said I was diving at his ankles, but I was just trying to go get him down," Cooper said. "That was it, simple as that."

Smith jogged back onto the sideline in the fourth quarter with a heavy limp and at one point appeared ready to return to the game, putting his helmet on while standing near the edge of the sideline.

"He wanted to and then he was about to go back," Macdonald said. "... And then he just couldn't go."

Sam Howell struggled badly in relief of Smith, completing only 5 of 14 attempts for 24 yards and an interception. He was sacked four times and pressured on 53% of his dropbacks.

"It wasn't good enough to win," Macdonald said of Howell's performance in his first extended action of the season. "I know he's disappointed. It just didn't feel like we were getting the ball out on time and then it wasn't complemented with our pass protection. I know we gave up a bunch of sacks, and they did a good job, too. They covered the routes and rushed the passer, and it was a complementary game on their end on defense."

Howell, acquired in an offseason trade with the Washington Commanders after starting 17 games last season, had played only one snap in 2024 before Sunday night. He finished a field goal drive after taking over for Smith, which trimmed Green Bay's lead to 20-6, and he led another touchdown drive to help Seattle pull within 10 points in the fourth quarter. But Nowell's other five drives ended with four punts and an interception to Cooper before Seattle conceded defeat and ran out the clock in the closing seconds.

"I think at the end of the day, I've got to be better," Howell said. "My job is to be ready to go in there and play well and help this team win and I didn't do that today. So I've just got to be better, watch the film, learn from it."

The Seahawks also lost center Olu Oluwatimi in the first half to what Macdonald described as a knee and quad injury. He said he wasn't sure of the severity other than it being enough to keep Oluwatimi from returning. Seattle allowed seven sacks and 12 QB hits in all, one week after allowing zero sacks and only two QB hits in a win over the Arizona Cardinals.

For his part, Howell said he had to get rid of the ball faster.

"At the end of the day, sacks are a quarterback stat," he said. "Got to hit the check-downs a little faster and just get the ball out of my hand before they get to me."

Before Smith went down, he completed 15 of 19 attempts for 149 yards and an interception, his 13th of the season. Smith was picked in the end zone while throwing off his back foot under heavy pressure on third down, with Seattle already in short field goal range.

According to ESPN Research, it was Smith's fourth red zone interception this season (most in the NFL) and fourth interception on a throw into the end zone (tied for most in the NFL).

"I haven't talked to him about the play, but again, our whole team didn't play good enough to win," Macdonald said. "I'm a part of that, Geno's a part of that, and we've got to learn from it and keep moving forward.",

The Seahawks (8-6) had won four straight games heading into Sunday night, vaulting them to first place in the NFC West. But their loss to Green Bay and the Rams' win Thursday night moves those teams into a tie atop the division, with Los Angeles owning a head-to-head victory. L.A. and Seattle play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, in Week 18.

The Seahawks' loss also dropped them out of the current playoff picture, with the Commanders a game ahead for the third and final wild-card spot. Washington also has two more conference wins in the event of a tiebreaker.

According to ESPN Analytics, the Seahawks' chances of making the playoffs were set to drop to 45% with a loss Sunday night, which did not take into account Smith's injury and the possibility that Howell might now have to take over.

"That's why we have Sam, to come in and help us win games if he needs to," Macdonald said. "Yeah, it's a tough situation. He hasn't played yet this year. We've got faith in Sam. Guy's a great player. If he gets another opportunity, he'll do a great job."

ESPN's Rob Demovsky contributed to this report.

The Los Angeles Rams kicked off Week 15 of the NFL season with a Thursday night win over the San Francisco 49ers.

On Sunday, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had an impressive five-touchdown performance, and wide receiver Davante Adams had his best game yet for the New York Jets, grabbing nine receptions for 198 yards. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was removed in the fourth quarter of the victory against the Cleveland Browns with an ankle injury.

Later, the Buffalo Bills handed the Detroit Lions their second loss of the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew out the Los Angeles Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles won the "Pennsylvania State Championship."

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let's get to it.

Jump to:
LAR-SF | DAL-CAR | BAL-NYG
KC-CLE | NYJ-JAX | CIN-TEN
WSH-NO | MIA-HOU | NE-ARI
PIT-PHI | TB-LAC | IND-DEN
BUF-DET | GB-SEA

Green Bay 30, Seattle 13

Packers

Can the Packers run the table? After winning in Seattle, the Packers have one road game remaining -- at Minnesota in Week 17. The Vikings already won at Lambeau Field in Week 4, and as of Sunday night, they had a two-game lead on the Packers in the loss column. The other two games are against the Saints (5-9) and Bears (4-9). If Green Bay wins out, it will carry a four-game winning streak into the playoffs.

Describe the game in two words: Fast start. As much as the offense struggled in the second half, it's a good thing the Packers started fast. Thanks largely to Josh Jacobs, they scored touchdowns on their first two possessions on the way to a 14-0 lead. The Packers ran 18 plays on those two drives combined, and Jacobs got the ball on 11 of them -- including nine times in the 10-play opening drive.

Most surprising performance: CB Carrington Valentine did not have an interception in his first 28 NFL games before Sunday. He nearly made it 29 when he dropped a potential pick on a second-and-goal play in the second quarter. But he made up for it quickly. On the very next play, Valentine picked off Geno Smith in the end zone. Valentine was in the lineup in place of the injured Jaire Alexander (knee). -- Rob Demovsky

Next game: vs. Saints (Monday, Dec. 23, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Seahawks

Are the Seahawks a playoff team even with a healthy Geno Smith? Their playoff hopes suffered a significant blow with the loss, which dropped them into a tie for first place in the NFC West with the Rams. The Rams have a head-to-head win over Seattle and the easier remaining schedule. A wild-card berth would be no bargain as Washington -- currently sitting in the third and final spot -- is a game ahead and has two more conference wins for tiebreaking purposes. But getting into the playoffs would be an even taller order if Smith's right knee injury forces Sam Howell into extended action. Smith went down in the third quarter and didn't return, and Howell struggled.

Most surprising performance: It wasn't a total shock that the Seahawks' offensive line struggled, allowing seven sacks and 12 QB hits. That unit is still overmatched talentwise and lost starting center Olu Oluwatimi to a knee injury in the first half. But it was also coming off its best performance of the season (zero sacks, two hits) and was facing a Packers defense that ranks near the bottom of the NFL in pressure rate and pass rush win rate.

What we learned about the QB today: Smith hasn't kicked his bad habit of forcing throws in the red zone. He has been very good when he takes care of the ball, which he did the previous two games but not against Green Bay before his injury. The interception he threw off his back foot under heavy pressure marked his fourth pick in the red zone this season (most in the NFL) and fourth on a throw into the end zone (tied for most in the NFL). Smith (15-of-19, 149 yards, no TDs) now has 13 interceptions this season compared with 14 touchdown passes. -- Brady Henderson

Next game: vs. Vikings (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET)

Buffalo 48, Detroit 42

Bills

Can the Bills keep winning these track meets? In short, yes. There is no denying that their defense is a concern, allowing 35-plus points and 450-plus yards in consecutive games. The unit is dealing with injuries, including three starting defensive backs missing the game. The offense is setting records left and right. Quarterback Josh Allen extended his own record with a sixth career game of multiple passing touchdowns and multiple rushing touchdowns. The Bills are doing it even without key players being heavily involved as receiver Amari Cooper had zero targets Sunday. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady is rolling with Allen, and that will keep the Bills in any game.

Most surprising performance: The run defense. The Bills came in allowing 4.7 yards per rush (26th). Against the Lions, that number was 3.2. Detroit abandoned the rush early to catch up to Buffalo through the air. Limiting the Lions to 48 yards on the ground is a positive after allowing 120-plus in four of their past five games.

Eye-popping stat: The win marked the Bills' eighth straight game with 30-plus points, which ties the longest such streak in a single season in NFL history (also done by the 2000 Rams, 2007 Patriots, 2010 Patriots and 2013 Broncos). The game also marked a season high in yards (559). -- Alaina Getzenberg

Next game: vs. Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Lions

Is the loss to the Bills reason to be concerned going forward? Yes -- and no. With this potentially serving as a Super Bowl preview, many of Detroit's holes were certainly exposed by Buffalo in allowing 48 points at home. No team has ever allowed 45 points or more in a home game and gone on to win the Super Bowl, per ESPN Research. But the Lions had won 11 straight games entering this matchup, so they shouldn't enter panic mode. And you can't ignore the fact that Detroit's defense continued to take some more big hits with defensive tackle Alim McNeill (knee), cornerback Khalil Dorsey (ankle) and cornerback Carlton Davis III (jaw) all being ruled out versus the Bills.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Defending quarterback Josh Allen. In the opening quarter, he made a statement with two rushing touchdowns, handing Detroit its biggest first-quarter deficit (14 points) all season. He continued to pick the Lions apart with his legs and through the air. Buffalo scored a touchdown on its first three drives, taking command early and never looking back.

Most surprising performance: Offensive tackle Dan Skipper. The Lions big man displayed his receiving skills by catching a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff with 3:01 remaining in the second quarter. Skipper became the third offensive lineman in franchise history to score a receiving touchdown, joining Taylor Decker and Scott Conover. -- Eric Woodyard

Next game: at Bears (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Denver 31, Indianapolis 13

Broncos

How close are the Broncos to being a playoff team? It will not be framed and hung in the Louvre, but the Broncos defeated a Colts team chasing them for a wild-card spot while the Chargers and Dolphins lost in other games. The super-tight affair turned into a lopsided win after the Broncos scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns. They can thank Marvin Mims Jr. for a 60-yard punt return and linebacker Nik Bonitto, who scored his second TD of the season a little more than a minute later. Now, the Broncos are in the No. 6 position in the AFC.

Biggest hole in the game plan: On a day when winds gusted between 20 and 30 mph, the Broncos chose to air the ball out. Their running backs had eight carries for 15 yards in the first half and had 10 carries combined midway through the third quarter. The Broncos got an all-important win, but they haven't established a consistent run-pass balance.

What we learned about the QB today: Bo Nix has shown remarkable maturity throughout the season, but he is making the typical rookie mistake of messing up early. That happened again Sunday, as he threw an interception in the first quarter and two more in the second half. He ended up with three touchdown passes in a 20-for-33, 130-yard performance. -- Jeff Legwold

Next game: at Chargers (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Colts

How much damage did the Colts do to their playoff hopes? The Colts were playing their biggest game of the season and had the luxury of playing the team with whom they are competing with for the final AFC playoff spot. Their remaining slate pits them against favorable opponents -- the Titans, Giants and Jaguars. But they now are two games behind the Chargers for the No. 7 playoff spot even after the Chargers' loss Sunday and cannot catch the Texans in the AFC South. The Colts also no longer have the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Broncos.

Describe the game in two words: Missed opportunities. The Colts had multiple chances to take control while Denver was struggling with turnovers. But their best opportunity was blown when running back Jonathan Taylor let go of the ball before he crossed the goal line on a 41-yard run early in the third quarter. The Broncos scored the final 24 points of the game after that mistake.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Coach Shane Steichen's bad double-pass playcall. The Colts, trailing 17-13 with 12:29 left and in Denver territory, dialed up a cutesy trick play that backfired. Quarterback Anthony Richardson threw a backward pass to wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who attempted to throw another lateral back to the quarterback. Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto stepped in front of Richardson to snatch the ball before running 50 yards for a touchdown. -- Stephen Holder

Next game: vs. Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Tampa Bay 40, L.A. Chargers 17

Buccaneers

Should we consider the Bucs as a legitimate NFC contenders? Yes. You can put this one up there with those early-season upsets over the Lions and Eagles -- the NFC's top two seeds. The Bucs scored 27 unanswered points against the Chargers, and their 40 points were the most allowed by the Chargers' top-ranked defense all season. This marks four straight victories, and none of their future opponents have a winning record. But turnovers continue to be an issue, with seven over the past three games.

Eye-popping stat: Wide receiver Mike Evans recorded his 23rd career game with multiple receiving touchdowns (two), the fifth most by a player with a single team in NFL history. He's behind only Hall of Fame company in Cris Carter (25), Don Hutson (28), Marvin Harrison (29) and Jerry Rice (49).

Most surprising performance: Without their top three safeties in All-Pro Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee), Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) and Mike Edwards (hamstring strain), the Bucs' defense orchestrated a second-half shutout. Cornerback Jamel Dean, who recorded an interception, had a particularly strong day, surrendering just two catches on six targets. Lavonte David recorded 1.5 sacks, as did Logan Hall. -- Jenna Laine

Next game: at Cowboys (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Chargers

Should the Chargers be concerned about their defense? Sunday was by far the worst game of the season for this defense and coordinator Jesse Minter. Quarterback Baker Mayfield (288 passing yards, four touchdowns), wide receiver Mike Evans (nine catches, 159 yards, two touchdowns) and running back Bucky Irving (15 attempts, 117 yards) got whatever they wanted on the NFL's best scoring defense. Forty points is the most the Chargers have allowed since Week 15 of last season. It was a shockingly bad performance for this defense that other teams could capitalize on down the stretch by mimicking the Bucs' game plan.

Most surprising performance: Quarterback Justin Herbert. It was an uncharacteristically poor game from Herbert, who came into Sunday nursing a left ankle sprain. He held the football too long in some cases, which resulted in sacks and missed open receivers. His interception in the third quarter snapped his streak of 357 straight pass attempts without a pick, the fifth-longest streak in NFL history.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Finding ways to sustain a second-half offense. The Chargers were shut out in the second half for the third time this season, tied for the most in the NFL. They must adjust the patterns in their second-half playcalling to help them down the stretch, especially if they want to avoid an early exit in the playoffs. -- Kris Rhim

Next game: vs. Broncos (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Philadelphia 27, Pittsburgh 13

Eagles

Was this performance enough to put the drama to bed? Yep, that should do the trick. The consternation coming out of the locker room last week was originally about a slumping passing game, but Jalen Hurts (25-of-32 for 290 yards) returned to attack mode after several weeks of leaning conservative. A.J. Brown had more receiving yards in the first quarter (48) than he had all of last week against the Panthers (43). Most importantly, the Eagles picked up their 10th consecutive win -- a new franchise record -- and remain in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the NFC as the Lions lost to the Bills on Sunday.

Most surprising performance: Running back Kenneth Gainwell. Saquon Barkley saw limited action in the first half after a brief trip to the medical tent. Gainwell was sprinkled in more than normal in relief of the MVP candidate and ran for a 14-yard gain on third-and-9 late in the third quarter. That set up a Hurts touchdown, which gave the Eagles a two-score lead.

Eye-popping stat: Hurts went 12-of-13 in the first half, which was good for a 92% completion percentage. That is his highest in any half in his career. It was just the kind of tension-relieving start the Eagles needed against their in-state rival. -- Tim McManus

Next game: at Commanders (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Steelers

Can the Steelers bounce back after a deflating loss? Despite losing in Philadelphia, the Steelers clinched a playoff berth thanks to losses by the Colts and Dolphins. But their momentum going into games against the Ravens and Chiefs halted Sunday. After two weeks of complementary football, neither the offense nor defense had any answers. To add insult to injury, T.J. Watt, who had two sacks and a forced fumble, exited early because of an apparent left lower leg injury. With their postseason passport stamped, the Steelers are playing for seeding and to right the ship before the playoffs so they can avoid another first-round exit. The next two games will go a long way to dictating both.

What we learned about the QB today: Russell Wilson -- and the offense -- needs wide receiver George Pickens. After scoring 27 points in their first game without Pickens, the Steelers' offense scored just 13 points, managed 163 yards and lost the time of possession by nearly 20 minutes. The 163 yards is their fewest in a game since Week 2 of 2010, per ESPN Research.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Pass defense. The Steelers said all week they weren't worried the Eagles would shift their offensive strategy to a more pass-heavy system. But Philly came out throwing, including on three of its first four plays, and Pittsburgh didn't have a solution to covering DeVonta Smith or A.J. Brown. The receivers combined for 19 catches, 219 yards and two touchdowns. -- Brooke Pryor

Next game: at Ravens (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET)

Arizona 30, New England 17

Cardinals

Can the Cardinals win out? On paper, it looks like the Cardinals' biggest obstacle to finishing the season undefeated will be the Rams, who are on a hot streak. Arizona showed Sunday that it can still put up points after dropping 30 on the Patriots. If the Cardinals play like that against the Panthers next week, they should win. But a victory in Week 17 against Los Angeles will depend on which Cardinals team shows up. The season finale against the 6-8 49ers should be another win as long as Arizona is productive on offense and dominant on defense.

Most surprising performance: Welcome to the offense, Greg Dortch. The wide receiver had his best game of the season, turning three receptions into a season-high 60 yards. The highlight of Dortch's game was a 39-yard catch-and-run that showcased his speed and maneuverability against the poor Patriots defense.

Early prediction for next week: The Cardinals started going to rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. early and often Sunday, which will continue next week in Carolina. He had two catches for 32 yards, though he missed two touchdown catches in the end zone. They'll continue to feed him in the first half of another must-win game. -- Josh Weinfuss

Next game: at Panthers (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Patriots

Will the 3-11 Patriots win another game? Highly unlikely. The Patriots entered Week 15 with the second-toughest remaining schedule in the NFL, according to ESPN Research, and they now visit the Bills before home games against the Chargers and Buffalo. Per ESPN Research, the Patriots have a 16.8% chance to win at Buffalo, a 32.2% chance against the Chargers and then a 21% chance in the finale. Visiting the Cardinals was the Patriots' best chance, and they were coming off their bye, but it was an uninspiring performance -- especially on defense.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Short-yardage running. The Patriots were stopped on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 from the Cardinals' 4-yard line in the third quarter, which was critical because a score would have sliced the lead to 16-10. A good running football team can gain yardage even when the opposition knows what's coming, but the Patriots' blocking couldn't do anything for Antonio Gibson and Rhamondre Stevenson on those two key plays.

What we learned about the QB today: Drake Maye became just the second quarterback in the NFL to go 10-for-10 or better in a first half this season; the Lions' Jared Goff has done it three times. But Maye did so on mostly short passes; his 3-yard shovel pass to DeMario Douglas was the most dazzling. Maye was a silver lining on a frustrating day. -- Mike Reiss

Next game: at Bills (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Houston 20, Miami 12

Texans

Can the Texans fix their inconsistent run game as they push toward the playoffs? The rushing attack has been boom or bust for the Texans since Week 9. Running back Joe Mixon either finishes with over 100 rushing yards (twice) or finishes under 50 yards (three times). Sunday was a bust, as he finished with 23 yards. They can clinch a playoff spot if the Colts lose, though they'll need consistency from Mixon to make a run in the postseason. They'll need the offensive line to pave better running lanes for Mixon to reach his full potential.

Most surprising performance: When rookie safety Calen Bullock was targeted, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a passer rating of 19. The number was affected by Bullock's interception at the end of the first half, which stopped the Dolphins' drive at Houston's 39-yard-line.

Describe the game in two words: Forcing turnovers. That is what propelled the Texans to the win, and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.'s second interception was the final dagger. The offense had a season-low 190 yards, and most of Houston's points came off turnovers. Without those takeaways, the Texans might have lost. -- DJ Bien-Aime

Next game: at Chiefs (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET)

Dolphins

How does this result impact Miami's playoff chances? It certainly doesn't help. At best, the Dolphins can finish with a 9-8 record, and they still need to clear both the Broncos and Colts. Independent of any other result, their playoff chances fell to 4% with Sunday's loss to Houston, per ESPN Analytics. And while they're not mathematically eliminated, they would be with another loss next week to the 49ers.

Describe the game in two words: No separation. The Texans' defense blitzed on just 20% of Miami's pass plays, relying on the secondary to remain sticky in coverage. As a result, both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle -- who left the game with a knee injury -- averaged less than 2.0 yards of separation per route run. Tagovailoa threw multiple interceptions for the first time since Week 2.

Eye-popping stat: The Dolphins generated negative-48 rushing yards over expectation against Houston, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Their poor run game has been a massive surprise. De'Von Achane averaged just 3.4 yards per carry. Miami hasn't eclipsed 100 rushing yards since Week 9, and its 52 rushing yards Sunday pushed that drought to six games. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Next game: vs. 49ers (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Washington 20, New Orleans 19

Commanders

Why was this such a sloppy performance from Washington? It doesn't help that Washington lost center Tyler Biadasz (illness) before the game and tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) in the first half. But the Commanders have been committing too many penalties of late -- they had nine Sunday and have had 28 in the last three games combined. Those penalties extended drives for New Orleans and nullified one big gain by Washington. The Commanders hold the seventh and final playoff spot but they can't afford to play this way and expect to clinch. The game should not have come down to a final drive.

What we learned about the QB today: Jayden Daniels showed all that he could do, completing 25-of-31 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns; he extending one score by 8.04 seconds. He also ran 11 times for 66 yards. However, he was sacked a season-high seven times, sometimes because he held the ball long or ran into trouble. Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin had multiple chances for long touchdown passes but couldn't connect.

Describe the game in two words: As expected. New Orleans was missing most of its key offensive starters, including quarterback Derek Carr and its top two receivers. The Commanders won not because they played great, but because they played well enough when it mattered and held the ball for more than 40 minutes. -- John Keim

Next game: vs. Eagles (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Saints

Do the Saints stick with Spencer Rattler at quarterback moving forward? The Saints didn't take long to switch from Jake Haener to Rattler after Haener struggled to lead the offense in the first half Sunday. Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi said Haener and Rattler were in a competition to see who would start in place of injured starter David Carr, but Rattler clearly outplayed Haener in the second half against Washington. The Saints will likely stick with the hot hand while Carr is out.

Early prediction for next week: The offense will sputter again. The unit struggled badly at home without Carr, and while the offense showed more life after switching to Rattler, a night game at Green Bay with running back Alvin Kamara potentially dealing with a groin injury could be their biggest challenge of the year.

What we learned about the QB today: The Saints struggled to move the ball at all with Haener, but they looked like a different team once Rattler came in. Rattler gave the Saints a chance to win, leading three scoring drives, including a touchdown with no time remaining. The Saints didn't get the two-point conversion but Rattler showed his potential. -- Katherine Terrell

Next game: at Packers (Monday, Dec. 23, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Cincinnati 37, Tennessee 27

Bengals

Is Joe Burrow playing himself into the MVP race? It's hard to argue against that. Burrow had another big performance and threw his 36th touchdown pass of the season, which broke his own franchise record with three games still remaining. Entering this week, Burrow was second in the league with a 74.1 QBR. He also led the NFL in passing yards (3,706) and passing touchdowns (33). Despite a few turnovers, his playmaking was on full display.

Early prediction for next week: Expect to see the youth movement continue at defensive end. Sam Hubbard, who had already seen a reduction in snaps coming into Sunday, was ruled out with a right knee injury. No matter the severity of Hubbard's injury, it makes sense for the Bengals to continue to evaluate the young edge rushers on the roster (Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, Cedric Johnson).

Eye-popping stat: Burrow had 9.01 seconds to throw his 6-yard touchdown pass to Chase Brown in the first quarter. Burrow bought that time by evading two defenders before he located Brown in the end zone. According to ESPN Research, it was the longest time to throw on a touchdown this season that wasn't on the final play of regulation. -- Ben Baby

Next game: vs. Browns (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Titans

Who should start at QB for the rest of the season? Titans coach Brian Callahan has a lot to think about after starter Will Levis was intercepted three times, including one that was returned 40 yards for a touchdown. It was Levis' sixth pick-six this season, the most by a quarterback all year. He showed subtle improvement over the past three weeks but regressed severely. With three games left, it wouldn't be surprising for Callahan to go with veteran backup Mason Rudolph the rest of the way. The future of the position might be addressed with a high draft pick.

Biggest hole in the game plan: The Titans couldn't close the deal on Burrow, who helped the Bengals convert 10 of 13 third-down opportunities. Both of Burrow's third-down touchdown passes came under pressure, as the Titans failed to get to him each time.

Eye-popping stat: This was the first game with at least 10 combined turnovers and 20 combined accepted penalties since the Bears and Vikings in Week 13 of 2006 (10 turnovers, 21 combined accepted penalties). It was sloppy for both teams, though the Bengals came out on top because of their advantage at quarterback. -- Turron Davenport

Next game: at Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

N.Y. Jets 32, Jacksonville 25

Jets

What took so long for Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to return to old times? Rodgers and Adams were electric, conjuring up memories of their glory days in Green Bay. After getting shut out in the first half, Adams finished with nine catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard score. Rodgers passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns as the Jets finally pulled out a game in the fourth quarter. This is what the Jets had in mind when they traded for Adams in October. Unfortunately, it took too long because the season was toast weeks ago.

What we learned about the QB today: Rodgers still has wheels. The 41-year-old rushed for a team-high 45 yards, which is the most by a quarterback in his 40s since Doug Flutie (2003). Rodgers wasn't moving too well early in the season due to knee, hamstring and ankle injuries, but he has been healthy for the past three games -- and it shows. The downside: You never want your aging quarterback to lead the team in rushing.

Describe the game in two words: Damn lucky. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was guilty of awful clock management late in the game, scoring too early and giving the Jaguars a chance to tie the game. Cornerback Sauce Gardner bailed out Ulbrich with a game-clinching interception, which was his first in 37 games. -- Rich Cimini

Next game: vs. Rams (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Jaguars

Should the secondary be the Jaguars' No. 1 priority in the offseason? Even if there is a new staff -- coach Doug Pederson's job security remains uncertain -- the back end of the defense has to be at the top of the list. This is the second time the Jaguars blew a fourth-quarter lead by allowing deep quick passes. This time it was a 71-yard touchdown from Rodgers to Adams and another long catch by Adams to set up the Jets' winning touchdown. Jaguars safety Andre Cisco is unlikely to be back and safety Antonio Johnson has struggled. They need another cornerback to complement Tyson Campbell, too.

What we learned about the QB today: Mac Jones is more comfortable. In his fourth start, the Jaguars put up 25 points -- which is more than they put up in Jones' first three starts combined (23). He did make two mistakes -- interceptions on deep balls, including one with 37 seconds left -- but his improved comfort helped the Jaguars' offense surpass 400 yards for the second time this season.

Most surprising performance: The Jaguars' run game. It had been stagnant since they returned from London in mid-October, averaging 69.3 yards per game over the past six games. But the Jaguars put up 136 against the Jets. Running back Travis Etienne Jr., who had four carries last week, finished with 65 yards (his most since Week 3). -- Mike DiRocco

Next game: at Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Kansas City 21, Cleveland 7

Chiefs

Can the Chiefs count on their defense again? The Chiefs did a nice job taking advantage of Jameis Winston and the Browns by forcing five defensive turnovers (with another turnover on special teams). But it's premature to claim their defense is back to last year's level, considering the quality of the opposition. Bigger challenges await the next couple of weeks in the Texans and Steelers and with questions around Patrick Mahomes' ankle. He left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury and was visibly limping off the field after the game.

Describe the game in two words: Strong rush. The Chiefs had one of their better games in getting after the opposing quarterback. They had five sacks of Winston, but that didn't tell the whole story. They were consistent with pressure on the Browns quarterback even when they weren't blitzing. This was reason for encouragement since this pass rush is among the least productive in the league.

Most surprising performance: Harrison Butker had made all 72 of his career field goal attempts of less than 30 yards until he missed a 29-yard try late in the first half. The miss didn't matter in the long haul, but it was a notable blemish in the kicker's return to the lineup from left knee surgery. -- Adam Teicher

Next game: vs. Texans (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET)

Browns

Will the Browns make a quarterback change? Jameis Winston breathed life into Cleveland's offense at times, but he was benched in the fourth quarter amid his fourth multi-interception game in seven starts. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is unproven, though Cleveland doesn't have much to lose in evaluating the 2023 fifth-round pick. The team is already eliminated from playoff contention.

Most surprising performance: Running back Jerome Ford recorded 104 scrimmage yards, including a 62-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. It marked Ford's first 100-yard game this season and his first since Week 7 of the 2023 season.

Eye-popping stat: The Browns' defense pressured quarterback Patrick Mahomes 21 times before he left late in the fourth quarter because of an ankle injury. It was tied for the most pressures Mahomes has faced in a game this season. -- Daniel Oyefusi

Next game: at Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Baltimore 35, N.Y. Giants 14

Ravens

What did the Ravens prove against the struggling Giants? The Ravens insisted they wouldn't overlook the last-place Giants, and they backed that up by not playing down to an opponent like earlier this season. After surprising losses to the Raiders and Browns, the Ravens dominated New York. Quarterback Lamar Jackson tied a career high with five touchdown passes, and the defense tied a season low in yards allowed (236). Now Baltimore has to prove it can beat Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Ravens have lost eight of their past nine games to their biggest rival. The Steelers can clinch the AFC North title with a win.

What we learned about the QB today: Don't count out Jackson from repeating as MVP. Over the past three weeks, Jackson has gone from the betting favorite to win MVP to third behind the Bills' Josh Allen and the Eagles' Saquon Barkley. But Jackson put together a spectacular performance, with more touchdown passes (five) than incompletions (four). It was his sixth career game with five touchdown passes, which is tied for fourth-most in NFL history.

Most surprising performance: Wide receiver Rashod Bateman. The 2021 first-round pick continued his breakout season with the first multiple touchdown game of his four-year career, catching touchdown passes of 49 and 20 yards. Bateman now has six touchdown catches in 14 games after totaling four in his first three seasons (34 games). -- Jamison Hensley

Next game: vs. Steelers (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET)

Giants

What does this loss mean for the Giants? They have now lost nine straight games and are on the verge of becoming the first team ever to go 0-9 at home after being dominated by the Ravens. They'll be underdogs in the final three weeks at Atlanta, versus Indianapolis and at Philadelphia. Twelve straight losses to end the season is not out of the question. This latest defeat does keep the Giants in pole position for the No. 1 pick. They came into Sunday with a 41% chance at the top pick. It jumped to 48% with the loss.

Describe the game in two words: Completely overmatched. The disparity in talent gave the Giants no chance to win. They had no answer for Jackson or the Ravens' offense. They had no chance to move the ball consistently whether it was Tommy DeVito or Tim Boyle at quarterback. The Giants looked every bit a 2-12 team and tied a franchise record with their ninth straight loss.

What we learned about the QB today: The Giants can't keep anyone healthy after DeVito left late in the first half with a concussion. Ever since benching Daniel Jones, DeVito was injured in each of his two starts. Drew Lock also lasted just two starts after injuring his heel last week. Boyle finished Sunday's game and went 12-of-24 for 123 yards, an interception and the Giants' first passing touchdown in five games. -- Jordan Raanan

Next game: at Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Dallas 30, Carolina 14

Cowboys

Did the Cowboys show some mental toughness? Quick answer: Yes. It might not mean anything at the end of this season and it may cost them draft positioning, but players and coaches want -- and need -- to win games. Coming off their deflating loss to the Bengals on Monday, the Cowboys responded on a short week. With the exception of one play, the defense smothered quarterback Bryce Young. The offense was efficient with another reconfigured offensive line, and quarterback Cooper Rush had the first three-touchdown game of his career. At 6-8, the Cowboys still have a chance to make the playoffs, even if it's faint.

What we learned about the QB today: Rush shouldn't run many zone reads. It led to his fourth lost fumble of the season. But he was able to rebound with an efficient performance, including three touchdown throws under duress -- the most by a Dallas quarterback since Dak Prescott in 2021 (Week 17 vs. Arizona).

Early prediction for next week: Running back Rico Dowdle, who finished with 149 yards on 25 carries, will have his fourth straight 100-yard outing when the Cowboys take on the Buccaneers. It will be tough against a Tampa Bay defense that is allowing 115.2 yards per game on the ground. The last Cowboys running back to have four straight 100-yard rushing games was Ezekiel Elliott (2016). -- Todd Archer

Next game: vs. Buccaneers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Panthers

Will coach Dave Canales turn back to Andy Dalton after Bryce Young's four-turnover game? Canales insists it's a weekly decision on Young, who set a career-high four turnovers (two interceptions, two lost fumbles). He was also sacked six times. Carolina might want to get another look at Dalton, who was the starter before a thumb injury from a car crash. The turnovers could be the excuse needed to see whether the 37-year-old can be the veteran backup or starter entering next season.

Biggest hole in the game plan: Defending wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys had one premier receiver, and Carolina let him run free (116 yards). In the first half, he had eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Much of these splash plays were the result of the Panthers playing zone and not putting top corner Jaycee Horn on Lamb exclusively.

Describe the game in two words: No rush. Dallas had the third-worst run defense (141.9 yards per game) and Carolina's Chuba Hubbard ranked sixth in rushing (1,011 yards) entering the game. Hubbard got 10 carries for 32 yards, which opened up Dallas' pass rush, resulting in Young being sacked four times in the third quarter after having none in the first half. -- David Newton

Next game: vs. Cardinals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

L.A. Rams 12, San Francisco 6

Rams

With three games left, can the Rams make a playoff run? They sure look like a playoff team. ESPN Analytics gives the Rams a 52% chance to make the playoffs and 49% chance to win the division entering the weekend. After the game, coach Sean McVay said it was "really cool" that the Rams have "found a bunch of different ways to be able to win football games." After winning 44-42 in Week 14, the Rams beat San Francisco by just six points. Earlier in the week receiver Puka Nacua said Los Angeles is "playing close to its best football" of the season. That has shown up during the Rams' three-game winning streak, as they've managed to climb back out of a 1-4 hole to sit just a half-game back of first in the NFC West.

Describe the game in two words: Slow start. Against the 49ers, the Rams failed to score in the first quarter for the ninth time this season. According to ESPN Research, that is tied with the Bears for the second-most such starts in the NFL. After the game, quarterback Matthew Stafford said, "Early in the game, I didn't play good enough on third down."

Eye-popping stat: For the first time since McVay was hired in 2017, the Rams failed to get a first down on their first four offensive drives, according to ESPN Research. A week after scoring a season-high 44 points, Los Angeles finished the game with only 14 first downs. -- Sarah Barshop

Next game: at Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

49ers

With their playoff hopes all but dead, where do the 49ers go from here? Last week's win against Chicago offered a slight glimmer of hope for the Niners, but that all went out the window Thursday night. Mathematically, there might still be a way for San Francisco to sneak in, but it's the longest of long shots. With three games left, the 49ers would be well-served to rest star veterans who have been playing through injuries while continuing to assess who needs to stay and who needs to go for them to rebound in 2025.

Describe the game in two words: Punt party. Inclement weather undoubtedly played a part, but the Niners and Rams didn't exactly light up the scoreboard. They combined for seven punts in the first quarter alone (tied for most punts in a quarter this season) and 13 for the game. A game that looked poised to be a shootout after the Rams and Niners combined to score 82 points last week turned into a rock fight with a total of 18 points and no touchdowns.

Most surprising performance: Linebacker De'Vondre Campbell. Maybe this is more of a surprising nonperformance but either way, it was a shock to the Niners when Campbell declined to enter the game in the third quarter after injuries to other linebackers. Campbell walked to the locker room in the fourth quarter, leaving teammates at a loss for why he would go to the trouble of putting on a uniform and taking up a roster spot without playing. -- Nick Wagoner

Next game: at Dolphins (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

SAN FRANCISCO -- This time, Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson made the most out of his trip back to the Bay Area, visiting his old East Bay neighborhood, having dinner at a friend's house and driving by former haunts such as downtown Oakland and Oakland Arena, previously known as Oracle Arena.

"It was very surreal," Thompson said of returning to face his old team, the Golden State Warriors, again. "Because I was 21 years old when I came here and to see The City and The Town is always special. So many good memories."

A much more settled down Thompson made a difference for the Mavericks in their second meeting this season with Golden State, a 143-133 victory for Dallas. Thompson scored 29 points, knocking down 7-of-11 from deep as part of a 3-point extravaganza that saw the Warriors and Mavericks combine to make 48 3s, the most in a game in NBA history.

"We gave up 46 [points] in the first quarter, and we're playing upstream the rest of the way," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "I'm not sure I've ever seen a box score like this. We go 27-for-54 from 3, 39 assists, 10 turnovers, and it felt like we were never really in the game.

"We cut it to five a couple times, guys kept fighting, but they controlled the entire game on a night where we made 27 3s and didn't turn the ball over. It's a modern NBA, it's a different world, it's a different game. And 10 years ago, you see that kind of offensive stat sheet for the team, I'd say we win that game by 20, maybe 30."

The Warriors had no answer for Luka Doncic, who registered 45 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

And Thompson capitalized when his opportunities came. After drawing a loud applause from the home crowd when the visitors' starting lineup was announced, the shooting guard made 9-of-14 overall and looked more comfortable.

The last time the Mavericks were here, on Nov. 12, Thompson was returning to play his former team for the first time after spending his entire career with the Warriors, who drafted him with the 11th pick in 2011. It was a massive celebration of the sharpshooter who helped Golden State win four NBA championships.

Warriors employees had lined up along the walls of the ramp where the visiting team arrives at Chase Center and saluted Thompson with a tip of a captain's hat, which was distributed to fans that night because of Thompson's love for sailing on his boat. That set the tone for a very emotional night for Thompson, who went 7-of-17 from the field, including six treys, for 22 points in a 120-117 loss to Golden State.

This time, there was a smattering of captain's hats in the stands -- but not throughout the entire building like on Nov. 12.

"Way easier," Thompson said of this second go-round. "Especially not seeing all the captain's hats. I saw a few of those. Much easier. Felt more settled in than the first time I was out here."

Dallas has won 12 of its past 14 games. Meanwhile, the Warriors have slumped after a 12-3 start, dropping eight of their past 10.

Help is on the way for Golden State after it made a trade to acquire point guard Dennis Schroder. The deal became official on Sunday, with Schroder expected to take his physical and practice with the team on Tuesday.

With Thompson gone, the Warriors have been looking for another scorer to go with Stephen Curry.

Thompson is acclimating to his new team and his new life, which means having to guard Curry whenever the two compete against each other. They don't meet again until February for one game in Dallas and another in San Francisco.

"It's different but I am getting more accustomed to it with each time we face each other," Thompson said of guarding Curry. "We guarded each other plenty of times in practices and scrimmages. You always cherish the moments you get to face the best players. It's cool I get to say I guarded Steph like I guarded Kobe [Bryant] and KD [Kevin Durant]. It's another story I get to tell."

Curry, Thompson's longtime "Splash Brother," also hit seven 3-pointers Sunday night, as they became the first pair of players in NBA history to make seven-plus 3s in a game as teammates and seven-plus 3s in a game as opponents.

ESPN Research contributed to this report.

Each year at MLB's winter meetings, the spotlight is on the players, the agents and the general managers. Trade buzz and free agent signings -- we're talking about you, Juan Soto, and all you starting pitchers -- dominate the headlines.

But the event is also an opportunity for the managers of all 30 teams to gather under one roof. Last week, as baseball's skippers descended upon Dallas, we asked a handful of them questions about MLB's rule changes, the playoff format, their most feared opposing hitter and more.

Here is what they had to say.

If it were your call, what would MLB's next major rule change be?

Dave Martinez, Washington Nationals: It definitely won't be the golden [at-]bat. I like where the game is at right now, I really do. First with all the new rule changes, it took a minute, but definitely baseball is heading in the right direction.

Ron Washington, Los Angeles Angels: Give the pitchers all the time they need to make pitches. And I'd also like to get rid of that three-times-throwing-over-to-first-base junk. ... Experienced pitchers can handle [the pitch clock] after they see what's got to be done. But I think it just affects the young pitchers.

Derek Shelton, Pittsburgh Pirates: I think I would go to some sort of challenge -- something that we've talked about with the strike zone, like we've tried in the minor leagues.

A.J. Hinch, Detroit Tigers: I think we've nailed the rules as an industry. ... Naturally, we're going to resist any sort of change or any sort of newness to the history of the game and things like that, but I haven't heard or seen hardly any complaints.

Bruce Bochy, Texas Rangers: Just like us, me as a manager, or players, we're always looking to get better. So you always are looking for ways you can make the game better. Tinkering a little bit is fine, but you have to draw a line somewhere.

How do you feel about MLB's current expanded playoff format after seeing it for multiple seasons?

Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles: I like the multiple games for the wild card. I think that's better. I think the format is an improvement.

Washington: The teams that run away with the division and win their division big time -- we gotta find a way to keep them active. Because if the other playoffs go the distance, they're sitting long. It affected us pretty good [in Atlanta]. This year, I think it affected Cleveland.

Shelton: I like it. I think it provides a lot of excitement. I think anything we can do to have more teams having meaningful games in September is important for the game.

Rocco Baldelli, Minnesota Twins: I think it's working well. I'm in favor of it, and I think it's been good for the game. I think having a somewhat expanded format makes it competitive for basically the vast majority of the league, who are playing meaningful games as the season goes on.

Matt Quatraro, Kansas City Royals: I don't give a lot of thought to the big, grand scheme of how it's laid out. I like to be in it. I've been on the other side of that too when I was with Tampa and we lost the two games in Cleveland in that wild card. It's tough. In baseball, it's win or go home right out of the gate unless you win the division. So that puts a premium on winning the division. I think that's great. But I like the fact that it's expanded.

Terry Francona, Cincinnati Reds: The one thing I wish they were able to change is ... you're seeing too much bullpen games in the playoffs. That's not the way teams are really built. Now, I would like to see after 162 games, I would like to see teams have to use their entire roster. I think you would find the true best teams that way. Not just maybe teams that are top-heavy with a couple of good pitchers and with days off you can throw your bullpen. I mean, I get it. They're competing. I'm not saying they're wrong to do it. Just don't think that's the way our game is built.

Which opposing hitter do you least want to face with the game on the line?

Hyde: There's so many. [Shohei] Ohtani, Soto, [Aaron] Judge, [Mookie] Betts, Yordan Alvarez. Wrap them all up. I don't want to face any of them.

Washington: Mookie Betts -- because he bust my ass many times.

Shelton: I would probably still say Soto -- just because of the quality of the at-bat, and you have to throw strikes. He can do damage in a bunch of different places, but he makes you throw the ball over the plate.

Baldelli: This isn't rocket science -- it's Judge. I just would not want to face Judge. He's just that good.

Which pitcher -- not on your squad -- would you most want to hand the ball to with your season on the line?

Hyde: I'll give you a few. [Tarik] Skubal for sure. Can I go with a reliever? [Emmanuel] Clase. And [Zack] Wheeler.

Washington: Max Scherzer. Gritty. Never gives in.

Shelton: Probably Corbin Burnes. Maybe a little biased, just because I've seen him so much in the Central over the last couple years, but just the ability to execute pitches.

Baldelli: It's probably Skubal. I have a really tough time saying anybody but Skubal.

Who -- besides you -- is the best manager in baseball?

Washington: Bruce Bochy -- because he can manage a bullpen. Oh, and Terry Francona. Those two guys can manage a bullpen.

Shelton: With Tito [Francona] back, it's hard not to say Tito, but Kevin Cash.

Baldelli: Because I also know him, played for him, I think Tito's the one that I would have to say -- because of the way that he gets the most out of all of his people. He makes people feel like they can do anything, and then they go out there and they actually do it, over and over again.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour was presented with the state's highest honor by Gov. Roy Cooper after Sunday's 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Brind'Amour received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is given to people who have made significant contributions to the state and their community.

"I went into the locker room after the game and told the players that this guy wouldn't want me to do what I was about to do because this guy is all about his players and all about team," Cooper said.

Cooper was in the Hurricanes' locker room prior to the game to read the starting lineup before returning amid the postgame celebration. The 67-year-old Cooper has long been a supporter of the Hurricanes and frequently attends home games.

"What he has meant to North Carolina is extraordinary, both as a player, as a coach, as a parent, involvement in youth hockey," Cooper said. "When you think about all of the jobs the Carolina Hurricanes have brought to North Carolina and their success. ... This guy has created a culture of winning."

Brind'Amour is in his seventh season as Carolina's coach. He also played for 10 years in Carolina, serving as captain of the franchise's only Stanley Cup championship team in 2006.

"It's not about me," Brind'Amour said. "We've got such a good group. I was a part of a group of great people all along."

Cooper has previously presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to retired Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. Cooper said he'll present the honor to former North Carolina men's basketball coach Roy Williams next week.

Cooper, a Democrat, is finishing his second four-year term as governor. He was prevented from seeking reelection because of term limits.

Cooper had a suggestion for Brind'Amour, saying "Coach, it's time to get that Stanley Cup this time."

Carolina's one Stanley Cup title was won with Peter Laviolette behind the bench.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Club América is the first in Liga MX's short-format era to earn three consecutive titles after a 1-1 draw with Monterrey sealed a 3-2 aggregate win in the two-legged 2024 Apertura final, extending their league-leading tally of championships to 16.

The win marks the third-straight crown for América after winning the 2023 Apertura and the 2024 Clausura.

Heading into Monterrey's Estadio BBVA Bancomer on Sunday with a 2-1 advantage in hand from the first leg, América did well to absorb pressure before their attack took charge. Following an 18th minute goal from captain Henry Martin that was called offside, the visitors broke the early deadlock thanks to a stunning long-range goal from Richard Sanchez in the 24th minute.

In response, Martin Demichelis' Monterrey struggled to create enough danger and get any shot past opposing goalkeeper Luis Malagon.

Despite América gradually dropping its intensity and losing Martin to an injury that forced a 42nd minute substitution, Monterrey headed into the half-time break trailing 1-0 and needing to score at least twice to overcome the 3-1 aggregate scoreline.

With the lead in hand, América coach Andre Jardine focused on a pragmatic and cautious style of play in the second half. Employing a 5-3-2 formation, he was able to get plenty of numbers behind the ball, and Las Aguilas were impressive with their defensive efforts that stifled Demichelis' more attack-minded approach.

Although some tactical alterations from Monterrey provided a late 85th minute goal from substitute Johan Rojas, and a shot that hit the woodwork in the 88th, Los Rayados fell just short and their consolation goal that wasn't enough to equalize the two-legged final against Club America.

By the final whistle -- after six minutes of injury time -- Jardine's side secured the 3-2 aggregate result and Apertura title.

América now have a four-championship cushion over rivals Chivas (12) in the league's all-time table. Jardine, who took over at the club in 2023, has now guided América to three consecutive Liga MX trophies, won the Campeon de Campeones and the Campeones Cup in 2024.

América has won six of its16 league titles since 2013.

Next year, América seeks to maintain its trophy while also taking part in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup and Campeones Cup.

Monterrey, which is 10th in Liga MX's all-time table with five trophies, will also take part in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.

Liga MX president Mikel Arriola said on Sunday that the Leagues Cup will adopt a new format in 2025, eliminating the month-long pause for the competition and opting instead for mid-week matches.

"We just approved the new Leagues Cup format. We're no longer going to hold camps there [in the USA]. We'll play midweek so Mexican teams don't struggle, and Liga MX games will be played on the weekends," said Arriola before the Liga MX final in Monterrey, Mexico.

The 2023 and 2024 editions of Leagues Cup forced Liga MX and MLS to pause regular season action in the summer for one month as teams faced each other. Mexican teams traveled across the United States, with a few enjoying "hub privileges" in certain cities, while MLS teams played at home.

Sources told ESPN that Mexican teams voiced concerns over yet another interruption by the inter-league tournament, actively demanding a change for 2025. Now, the upcoming edition of the competition will see all Liga MX and 18 MLS teams participate in mid-week matches throughout the summer.

Though the MLS participants have yet to be officially announced, certain teams like Inter Miami CF independently confirmed their involvement in the 2025 edition.

MLS leads Liga MX in Leagues Cup champions, after Inter Miami lifted the inaugural trophy in 2023 and the Columbus Crew triumphed against LAFC in 2024.

In addition to the trophy, the final two teams and winner of the third-place match earn prize money as well as places in the next edition of the Concacaf Champions Cup.