The victories this Sunday by the Carolina Panthers, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16 of the NFL season put them with one foot in the Playoffs, in a key week that began to define the landscape heading towards the postseason.

Chargers crush Cowboys and close in on the top of the AFC West

In Dallas, the Chargers defeated the Cowboys 34-17, a result that keeps them second in the AFC West with an 11-4 record, chasing the leader, the Denver Broncos (12-2), and very close to the postseason.

Justin Herbert shone for the Chargers with 300 yards and two touchdown passes, being a key factor in a resounding road victory.

The Cowboys, 6-8-1, are eliminated; They will mark 30 years without reaching an NFC Championship Game and therefore a Super Bowl, prolonging one of the longest droughts in the NFL.

Panthers dominate the NFC South and control their own destiny

The Panthers prevailed in a thrilling 23-20 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, taking over first place in the NFC South with an eight-seven record, relegating the Bucs to second place with a 7-8 record.

Carolina will finish as the South leader if they win their two remaining games, which would make them one of the surprise teams of the season's end.

Bryce Young led the Panthers to victory with 191 yards and two touchdown passes, confirming his growth at the most important time of the season.

Bills struggle, but practically secure their playoff berth to playoffs

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills struggled to overcome the Cleveland Browns 23-20.

The Bills have an 11-4 record, which practically guarantees them a playoff berth; the Browns, at 3-12, were one of the first teams eliminated from postseason contention.

Buffalo showed character in a close game that could be key to securing home-field advantage in the wild-card round.

Chiefs without Mahomes and out of the postseason

In another game, the Tennessee Titans triumphed 26-9 over a depleted Kansas City Chiefs team that was without Patrick Mahomes, due to a torn ACL; They had Gardner Minshew at the helm, but he left the game with a knee injury and was replaced by Chris Oladokun, the third-string quarterback. This is the first season since 2014 that Kansas City has failed to qualify for the postseason, marking the end of an era of dominance in the AFC. Other results from Week 16 of the NFL: Also on Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals routed the Miami Dolphins 45-21, the New Orleans Saints defeated the New York Jets 29-6, and the Minnesota Vikings beat the New York Giants 16-13. All of these teams are now eliminated from playoff contention. With only two weeks remaining, the NFL playoff race enters its most intense phase, and each result begins to define the fate of the franchises on the road to the Super Bowl.