There are just three weeks of action left in the regular NFL season, and while the perennially in contention Chiefs have been knocked out already, another contender suffered a major blow to its defence.
Here are the five quick hits from the week 15 action.
1. Mahomes tears his ACL as Kansas City's season ends
Patrick Mahomes tore the ACL in his left knee while trying to keep the Kansas City Chiefs's post-season hopes alive in the waning seconds of a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and the team said the star quarterback was considering surgical options.
It's the most significant injury of a superlative nine-year career for Mahomes, a two-time MVP who has led the Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles and reached the AFC championship game in each of his seven previous seasons as Kansas City's starter.
This year, the Chiefs won't even make the playoffs, and Mahomes won't be back on the field until sometime in 2026.
The Chiefs had just crossed midfield with less than two minutes to go when Mahomes scrambled toward the Kansas City sideline, then tried to get rid of the ball. He was spun to the ground upon release by Chargers defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand, and he immediately grabbed at his left knee while trainers converged on him.
Mahomes was eventually helped to the blue injury tent on the sideline, but he only stayed there for a few moments. He soon emerged with staff members on either side of him, limping toward the locker room with a white towel draped over his head.
"He will get an MRI tomorrow or this evening," coach Andy Reid said.
"Whenever we can."
2. Packers star Parsons hurts his knee as Green Bay suffers costly loss
Green Bay Packers pass rushing star Micah Parsons was helped off the field after injuring his left knee on a non-contact play late in the third quarter against Denver.
He was later ruled out of the game.
Parsons blew past right tackle Mike McGlinchey and was chasing after Broncos quarterback Bo Nix when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground. He clutched his knee as trainers and teammates came over to check on him.
It was the second significant injury for the Packers, who lost receiver Christian Watson to a chest injury.
Parsons was having a big game. He forced an early fumble and was credited with a pass break-up.
Without their star defender, the Packers went down 34-26 in a loss that could have major playoff ramifications.
3. Old man Rivers throws a touchdown as students watch on
Much was made of the return of 44-year-old father of 10 and grandfather of one Philip Rivers to the NFL this week, and the old man almost pulled off a miracle for the Colts.
Rivers, who came out of retirement and signed to the Colts last week after a string of injuries to the team's quarterbacks, threw a touchdown as Indianapolis lost 18-16 to the Seahawks thanks to a last minute record-breaking field goal by Jason Myers.
Rivers only threw for 120 yards and did toss an interception in a moment of desperation late in the game, but he showed enough that he should be able to keep the starting position until his injured teammates return.
The former Chargers legend now coaches at a high school, with vision showing his students getting up and about after their coach threw the TD against one of the best defences in the league.
4. Trump's coin toss goes viral during Army-Navy game
Still on American Football but away from the NFL, US President Donald Trump went viral with a bizarre attempt at a coin toss before a Navy and Army game.
The 79-year-old was handed the coin to decide which team would receive the ball, and then proceeded to loft the coin into the air, rather than the more — traditional — flick of the coin.
"President Trump's coin toss will go down in the history books," Barstool Sports wrote on X, with the video seen more than 4 million times.
Navy went on to beat Army 17-16 in a tight clash.
5. Commanders end their losing streak, hand one to the Giants
Marcus Mariota emerged from the Washington Commanders's first victory celebration since October 5 with a sense of relief.
Beating the New York Giants 29-21 ended their season-derailing skid at eight games.
"There's nothing like a winning locker room," Mariota said.
"It's hard to go two months without winning a football game."
Now their opponent is stuck with that feeling. The Giants (2-12), who lost their eighth in a row, have not won since October 9.
The only NFL game this week with no playoff implications had a far bigger bearing on draft positioning.
The Giants in defeat moved a step closer to the top pick, a last-place finish in the NFC East and potentially front-office changes, with a coaching search already coming.
ABC/AP
