NFL December 21, 2025

The Emergency Quarterback Chronicles

Washington's season has gone from bad to catastrophic. Jayden Daniels, the Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner who played just seven games, is done for the season after reaggravating his elbow injury. Then Marcus Mariota went down with a quad issue. Now the Commanders are starting 39-year-old Josh Johnson - his first start since 2021 - with Sam Hartman signed as an emergency backup. You can't script this kind of QB chaos.

Both teams are eliminated from playoff contention, which makes this a glorified preseason game with draft positioning on the line. Washington is projected for the #7 overall pick. Jerry Jones says Dallas won't sit starters for better draft position, but does anyone believe the Cowboys are playing at 100% intensity with nothing on the line?

Dallas' Offensive Machine vs. Worst Defense in Football

Here's the thing about the Cowboys: their offense has been elite. Dak Prescott has thrown for 4,175 yards in 15 games - second in the NFL at 278.3 per game. Javonte Williams has rushed for 1,147 yards (6th in the league) with 10 TDs. When Dallas clicks, they can score on anyone. And Washington's defense has been allowing 146+ rushing yards in five of their last six games.

The Cowboys have covered in eight of their last nine games against Washington and hold an 11-3 all-time record against the Commanders with Prescott under center. Washington's turnover margin is a disastrous -12 on the season, including -13 in the last 9 meetings with Dallas. Josh Johnson at 39 years old against a defense that should be able to pin its ears back? That's a recipe for turnovers.

Injury Report Nightmare

Both teams are banged up heading into Christmas. Washington is without Laremy Tunsil (oblique), Daron Payne (back), and Nick Bellore (concussion). Dallas is missing DeMarvion Overshown (concussion) and Tyler Guyton (high ankle sprain), forcing Tyler Smith to move from left guard to left tackle. Quinnen Williams is questionable with a neck injury despite making the Pro Bowl. Neither team is close to full strength.

Detroit's Playoff Life on the Line

This is effectively a playoff game for the Lions. At 8-7, Detroit is on life support - they MUST win this game AND beat Chicago in Week 18, AND the Packers must lose their final two games (Baltimore and Seattle). That's an incredibly narrow path, but it starts here. Lose on Christmas, and the Lions are officially eliminated. No pressure, right?

Minnesota comes in at 7-8 and already eliminated from playoff contention, but they've won three straight including a gritty 16-13 victory over the Giants. The Vikings have been playing loose, and a win here would give them a .500 record heading into the finale. They beat Detroit 27-24 as 9.5-point underdogs back in Week 9, so they know they can take down the Lions.

J.J. McCarthy's Broken Hand Changes Everything

Here's the storyline that could decide this game: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy suffered a hairline fracture in his right (throwing) hand late in the first half against the Giants. He's expected to miss Christmas, meaning Max Brosmer will start. In his only start this season (Week 13 vs Seattle), Brosmer went 19-30 for 126 yards with 4 interceptions. That's not a typo - four picks in one game.

Detroit should be able to take advantage of Brosmer if their defense shows up. But that's been the problem - the Lions have allowed 27+ points in four consecutive games and won just once in regulation over their last six games. They keep needing comebacks and overtime to win. At some point, you have to execute in the first three quarters.

Must-Win Mentality

Jared Goff and the Lions' passing attack will need to be sharp against a Vikings defense that's been solid lately, allowing just 21.3 PPG. Amon-Ra St. Brown is questionable with a knee injury, which would be a massive blow to Detroit's receiving corps. Taylor Decker is also expected out with a shoulder issue. The Lions are somehow 7.5-point underdogs in a game they absolutely have to win. U.S. Bank Stadium will be hostile, and Minnesota has nothing to lose.

The Fall of an Empire

For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Kansas City Chiefs will miss the playoffs. Let that sink in. Since Mahomes took over as starter in 2018, the Chiefs have been the gold standard of the NFL - three Super Bowl titles, four Super Bowl appearances, seven AFC Championship games. Now they're 6-9 and eliminated before Christmas. This is arguably the biggest single-season collapse in modern NFL history.

The culprit? Injuries. Mahomes tore his ACL AND LCL in Week 15 against the Chargers. He had surgery Monday in Dallas and will miss the rest of this season plus a significant chunk of 2026. Then backup Gardner Minshew went down with a knee injury in Week 16 against the Titans. The Chiefs are now starting third-string QB Chris Oladokun. Against the NFL's #1 scoring defense. On Christmas night. This could get ugly.

Denver's Historic Turnaround

The Broncos are 12-3 and control the AFC West. They had an 11-game winning streak snapped in Week 16 by Jacksonville - their longest streak since 2012. Denver's defense has been suffocating all season, allowing the fewest points in the NFL. They're 16-4 over their last 20 regular-season games, the best mark in football. They were the first team to clinch a playoff berth in 2025.

With a win tonight and a Chargers loss to Houston, the Broncos clinch the AFC West title. They're also positioning for the #1 seed, with 48.70% odds heading into this game. This is a team with genuine Super Bowl aspirations facing a shell of their once-dominant divisional rival.

Arrowhead's Funeral

The 13-point spread tells the whole story. This is a home divisional game where the Chiefs are double-digit underdogs. That simply doesn't happen in the Mahomes era. Arrowhead Stadium, once the loudest and most intimidating venue in football, will be somber. The crowd knows what they're watching - the end of an era, at least temporarily. Denver should roll, and this game could be over by halftime. The only question is whether the Broncos cover the massive number.