NFL Week 16 playoff picture: Bears deliver gut punch to Packers, Eagles repeat as NFC East champs The penultimate week of the 2022 NFL regular season was chock-full of high-stakes, playoff-shaping matchups, with several key divisions and postseason berths hanging in the balance. While some teams solidified their position in the race for the playoffs, others suffered devastating blows to their hopes, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the regular season. One of the marquee matchups of the week came in the NFC North, where the Chicago Bears traveled to Lambeau Field to take on their long-time rivals, the Green Bay Packers. Both teams were fighting for their playoff lives, with the Packers needing a win to keep their slim postseason hopes alive. However, it was the Bears who delivered the gut punch, pulling off a stunning 28-19 victory over their division foes. The win was a massive setback for the Packers, who now find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the NFC playoff picture. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense struggled to find their rhythm, as the Bears' defense repeatedly disrupted their drives and forced two crucial turnovers. The loss drops the Packers to 6-9 on the season, making their path to the playoffs increasingly difficult with just one game remaining. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears' victory was a much-needed shot in the arm for a team that has endured a challenging campaign. Rookie quarterback Justin Fields continued his impressive late-season surge, throwing for 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while also adding 71 yards on the ground. The Bears' win not only dealt a blow to the Packers' playoff aspirations, but it also kept their own slim postseason hopes alive, albeit with a long-shot scenario remaining. Elsewhere in the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles solidified their position atop the NFC East with a 40-34 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The win marked the second time this season that the Eagles have defeated their division rivals, clinching the NFC East title and a playoff berth for the second consecutive year. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was the star of the show, accounting for four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and leading an Eagles offense that racked up over 500 yards of total offense. The Cowboys, who entered the game with a chance to take control of the division, now find themselves in a precarious position. At 10-5, they remain in the hunt for a wild card spot, but the loss to the Eagles has put their division title aspirations in jeopardy. Quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense put up a valiant effort, but they ultimately couldn't overcome the Eagles' explosive attack. In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills solidified their position atop the conference with a dominant 32-29 win over the Miami Dolphins. The victory, coupled with the Kansas City Chiefs' loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, puts the Bills in the driver's seat for the AFC's top seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. Quarterback Josh Allen continued his MVP-caliber season, throwing for 304 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding 77 yards on the ground. The Dolphins' loss was a significant blow to their playoff hopes, as they now find themselves on the outside looking in with just one game remaining. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins offense put up a valiant effort, but they couldn't overcome the Bills' stifling defense and the game-breaking plays of Allen. In the AFC West, the Los Angeles Chargers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 20-3 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The win, coupled with the Dolphins' loss, puts the Chargers in a much stronger position to secure a wild card berth. Quarterback Justin Herbert continued to shine, throwing for 235 yards and a touchdown, while the Chargers' defense stifled the Colts' offense throughout the game. The loss was a devastating blow for the Colts, who were once viewed as a potential playoff team but now find themselves on the outside looking in with just one game remaining. Quarterback Matt Ryan and the Colts' offense struggled mightily, mustering just three points on the day, and the team's playoff hopes now hang by a thread. As the NFL regular season enters its final week, the playoff picture is starting to come into focus, with several teams jockeying for position and others fighting to keep their postseason aspirations alive. The Bears' victory over the Packers, the Eagles' division-clinching win, and the Bills' continued dominance in the AFC have all set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the 2022 campaign. Fans of the NFL can look forward to an intense final week of the regular season, with several high-stakes matchups and playoff spots still up for grabs.