Football scores today: Chargers dominate Cowboys 34-17, Bills survive Browns thriller 23-20 in NFL Week 16

Football scores today delivered dramatic playoff implications across the NFL Week 16 slate on December 21, 2025. The Los Angeles Chargers dominated the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 while the Buffalo Bills held off the Cleveland Browns 23-20 in tight contests that reshaped the postseason picture.

Chargers Dominate Cowboys in Weekend Blowout

The Los Angeles Chargers showcased their offensive firepower with a commanding 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Justin Herbert orchestrated the dominant performance despite playing through his heavily protected left hand injury.

Herbert led the Chargers to touchdowns on three consecutive first-half drives. He connected with Quentin Johnston on a 23-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 25-yard score to Ladd McConkey. Herbert also punched in a 1-yard rushing touchdown before halftime, which gave Los Angeles complete control of the game.

The Cowboys were unable to establish any offensive consistency after Dak Prescott’s two early touchdown passes. Prescott threw a 5-yard TD to Ryan Flournoy and connected with George Pickens on a 38-yard score, but the offense stalled in the second half as the Chargers defense tightened their grip.

Herbert’s Return Powers Chargers Playoff Push

In his third full game back from a broken left hand, Herbert delivered his most impressive performance yet. He completed 23 of 29 passes for 300 yards—a season best—while maintaining an exceptional 79% completion rate. The Chargers accumulated 452 total yards of offense, another season high.

Quentin Johnston, who played college football at TCU just miles from AT&T Stadium, contributed four receptions for 104 yards. The deep talent display showed why Los Angeles has positioned itself for a serious playoff run.

The Chargers’ performance was particularly impressive considering their struggles early in Herbert’s recovery period. They punted just once in the first two drives before establishing complete offensive dominance.

Bill’s Edge Browns as AFC Wild Card Race Tightens

Team	Record	Week 16 Result
Buffalo Bills	11-4	Defeated Browns 23-20
Los Angeles Chargers	11-4	Defeated Cowboys 34-17
Cleveland Browns	3-12	Lost to Bills 20-23
Dallas Cowboys	6-8-1	Lost to Chargers 17-34

The Buffalo Bills secured a critical 23-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 16 action. Josh Allen completed 12 of 19 passes and managed the game effectively as Buffalo grinded out the defensive struggle. The Bills improved to 11-4 and maintained their position in the playoff race.

The Browns fought hard but couldn’t overcome Allen’s late-game composure. Shedeur Sanders, piloting the Cleveland offense, finished with 137 passing yards and two interceptions while the Browns’ defense was ranked first against the pass entering the day.

Playoff Implications After Week 16 Action

Both the Chargers and Bills improved to 11-4 records, putting themselves in prime position for postseason berths. The Chargers are now on the cusp of clinching with favorable circumstances involving the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.

The Cowboys were officially eliminated from playoff contention before kickoff when Philadelphia clinched the NFC East on Saturday. Dallas has now lost three consecutive games and falls to their third losing season in four years.

The Bills control their own destiny with their victory. They boast a better than 99% chance of making the playoffs according to playoff probability models. The Chargers’ path to postseason inclusion improved to around 98% after the dominant performance.

What Do Sunday’s Results Mean for the Final Week 17 Matchups?

With Kansas City Chiefs struggling and Denver Broncos leading the AFC West, the battle for wild card positioning intensifies. The Chargers’ 11-4 record gives them a legitimate shot at catching the division leaders.

The Bills’ schedule remains manageable as they approach their final game. Their strong defense, ranked among the league’s best, combined with Allen’s leadership could deliver playoff momentum heading into January.

The Cowboys and Browns both face their final challenges knowing their postseason hopes are extinct. Dallas heads to Washington on Thursday night while Cleveland continues to struggle at 3-12, one of the worst records in football.