NFL Week 16 Winners and Losers: Bengals keep pace, Eagles lose late. Originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Week 16 intensifies the season-ending NFL drama.

The Detroit Lions set another franchise record after a key division win, while the Washington Commanders made a late defeat of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Some of the results led to teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys learning of their playoff exit before kickoff.

Let’s take a look at the winners and losers from Sunday’s promotion:

WINNER: Michael Penix Jr. gets his first win

One start, one win. After the Atlanta Falcons benched Kirk Cousins, rookie No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr. gave the NFC South squad a crucial home win against the struggling New York Giants.

Penix Jr. wasn’t fantastic, completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards, no touchdowns and one pick (which went to Kyle Pitts). But he got help from Bijan Robinson, who ran for 94 yards on 22 carries and scored two touchdowns in the 34-7 loss. Atlanta will continue to compete against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the division title.

LOSER: The Eagles can’t hold on

The Eagles led 21-7 but were dealing with a concussion injury to Jalen Hurts that kept him out. Kenny Pickett entered the game under center and Philadelphia maintained its lead until the fourth quarter when Jayden Daniels and Co. finally broke through.

Washington scored 22 points in the fourth and won in the final seconds when Daniels threw a touchdown pass for a 36-33 victory. It was Daniels’ fifth pass hit of the game.

It ended Philadelphia’s 10-game winning streak and cut the score to 12-3, while Washington moved to 10-5. The NFC East is still in play for at least another week.

WINNER: Lions set another franchise record

Despite increasing injury fears, the Lions continued to win. They defeated the Chicago Bears 34-17 on the road, ultimately securing a 13-win season with two more games to play. Jahmyr Gibbs managed 109 yards on 23 carries and a score, while Jared Goff shone with 336 passing yards, three touchdowns and no picks on 23 of 32 completions.

Caleb Williams had a solid individual performance, throwing for 334 yards, two touchdowns and no picks on 26 of 40 completions, but D’Andre Swift didn’t help at all in the backfield with just 20 rushing yards on nine carries. Chicago fell to 4-11 as the losing spiral continued.

LOSER: The Cardinals are eliminated

Arizona entered Sunday’s game at 7-7 with the NFC West title still in play, although its chances weren’t as good as the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. But the Cardinals, as Kyler Murray alluded, couldn’t withstand the cold and lost 36-30 in overtime to the Carolina Panthers.

The loss mathematically eliminated Arizona from playoff contention since Washington also won. Murray threw for 204 yards, a touchdown and a pick on 20 of 32 completions, while James Conner, despite an injury, rushed for 117 yards on 15 carries and a score. Murray also rushed for a touchdown.

Bryce Young wasn’t perfect, but he gained more confidence with a three-touchdown performance, throwing for 158 yards, two touchdowns and no picks on 17 of 26 completions while rushing for 68 yards on five attempts and a score. Chuba Hubbard was influential on the ground, rushing 25 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Carolina improved to 4-11.

WINNER: Rams move closer to division title

Like last season, the Rams regained their form later in the year. But this time around, thanks to the 49ers’ numerous injuries and poor form, they have put themselves in position to win the NFC West.

Los Angeles’ 19-9 win at the New York Jets made it their fourth win in a row, now it’s 9-6 and the Seahawks are hoping to keep up. Matthew Stafford was poor, completing just 14 of 19 passes for 110 yards, a touchdown and a pick, while Kyren Williams racked up 122 yards on 23 carries and a score.

The Jets weren’t much better, as their scoring showed. Aaron Rodgers completed 28 of 42 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown but couldn’t sustain enough positive drives. New York is also now 4-11.

LOSER: The Titans’ comeback fails

With Will Levis on the bench, Mason Rudolph started for Tennessee and rushed for 252 yards, two touchdowns and three picks in a 38-30 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis ran away with it until the Titans applied pressure with 15 points in the fourth quarter.

But Jonathan Taylor’s incredible individual performance ensured the gap was too great to overcome. While Anthony Richardson completed just 7 of 11 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown and one pick, Taylor managed 218 ground yards on 29 carries for three touchdowns.

The Titans fell to 3-12, but the Colts remained alive in the AFC wild-card race at 7-8.

WINNER: The Bengals increase the pressure

After the Denver Broncos’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, Cincinnati had a clearer path to sneak into the Wild Card. It started with a home win against the weak Cleveland Browns, 24-6.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson filled in at QB but lacked inspiration, throwing for 152 yards and two picks, while Jerome Ford had 92 yards and a score on 11 attempts. But Joe Burrow led his team with a solid three-touchdown performance on 23 of 30 completions for 252 yards. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas, their top three wideouts, all scored.

In Week 17, the 7-8 Bengals can increase the pressure on the 9-6 Broncos when they host Denver in the middle of the AFC Wild Card race.

This story will be updated as more games are completed.