NFL: Detroit Lions beat Denver Broncos to move closer to play-offs

In a first NFL play-off

The Detroit Lions edged closer to a first place since 2016 with a 42-17 win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday

They can secure a post-season spot if the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Seattle Seahawks on Monday.

The victory was a welcome return to form for Goff and the Lions, who had lost two of their past three games.

They move to 10-4 for the season and have a clear lead at the top of the NFC North, while the Broncos fall to 7-7.

Goff, who completed 24 of 34 passes for 278 yards, connected with LaPorta, rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St Brown for touchdowns in the second quarter to put the Lions 21-0 ahead at half-time

Elsewhere, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts both came from behind for wins which boost their play-off hopes.

Evan McPherson kicked a 29-yard field goal in overtime to give the Bengals a 27-24 triumph over the Minnesota Vikings.

Cincinnati’s Jake Browning completed 29 of 42 passes for 324 yards, including two touchdown passes to Tee Higgins, as the Bengals rallied from 17-3 down entering the fourth quarter.

Minnesota’s defence had not allowed a touchdown in more than 166 minutes, the longest span in the NFL this season, until Browning connected with Higgins on a 13-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The result leaves the Bengals, who are now 8-6, sixth in the chase for the seven AFC play-off places while the Vikings (7-7) are ranked sixth in the NFC.

Gardner Minshew threw three touchdown passes to guide the 8-6 Colts to a 30-13 success over the Pittsburgh Steelers and put them in the final AFC play-off spot. The Steelers, on 7-7, drop to 10th in the AFC standings.

About NFL League

The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league and one of the major sports leagues in North America. Here are some key points about the NFL:

1. Formation and Structure:
   • The NFL was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before adopting its current name in 1922.
   • The league is divided into two conferences: the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Each conference is further divided into four divisions.
2. Teams:
   • As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, there were 32 teams in the NFL, with 16 teams in each conference.
   • Each team represents a different city or region, and they compete against each other in a regular-season schedule.
3. Regular Season and Playoffs:
   • The NFL regular season typically consists of 17 games for each team, with each team playing 16 opponents and having one bye week.
   • At the end of the regular season, the top teams from each division, along with a few wild card teams with the best records, advance to the playoffs.
   • The playoffs culminate in the Super Bowl, which is the championship game of the NFL.
4. Super Bowl:
   • The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched sporting events in the United States and attracts a global audience. It is usually held in late January or early February.
   • The winners of the NFC and AFC face off in the Super Bowl to determine the league champion.
5. NFL Draft:
   • The NFL Draft is an annual event where teams select eligible college players to join the league. The draft order is determined by the previous season’s records, with the team with the worst record picking first.
6. Rules and Gameplay:
   • NFL games are played with four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes (overtime is possible if the game is tied at the end of regulation).
   • The primary objective is to score points by advancing the ball into the opponent’s end zone for a touchdown or by kicking the ball through the opponent’s goalposts for a field goal.
7. Popular Players and Personalities:
   • The NFL has been home to numerous legendary players, coaches, and personalities who have left a significant impact on the sport. Some examples include Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Jerry Rice, and coaches like Bill Belichick.
8. International Series:
   • The NFL has made efforts to expand its international presence, hosting games in London and Mexico City as part of the International Series.
9. Media and Broadcasting:
   • NFL games are widely broadcast on television, and the league has agreements with various networks for broadcasting rights. The Super Bowl, in particular, attracts a massive global audience.