The Detroit Lions have their sights firmly set on the play-offs in the NFL thanks to another touchdown from Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions won 33:28 at the New Orleans Saints and are clearly on course after their ninth win in their twelfth game. The last time Detroit qualified for the postseason was in the 2016/17 season.

The Lions led 21:0 after an outstanding first quarter, when St. Brown scored Detroit’s third touchdown with less than seven minutes to play. Things got tight again at the end, but coach Dan Campbell’s team managed to hold on for the win.

For former champions the New England Patriots and their long-time successful coach Bill Belichick, on the other hand, things are looking increasingly bleak. In their 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Patriots failed to score a point for the second time this season. Belichick’s plan to replace the hapless quarterback Mac Jones with Bailey Zappe had no effect. Even the replacement was unable to prevent the fifth consecutive defeat and the tenth of the season.

Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs conceded their fourth defeat of the season in a 19-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The crowd at Lambeau Field was full of celebrities: pop icon and fan Taylor Swift cheered on the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, while gymnastics queen Simone Biles rooted for her husband and Packers safety Jonathan Owens.

Meanwhile, runners-up Philadelphia Eagles suffered a bitter 19:42 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes, receiver Deebo Samuel completed three. It was only the second defeat of the season for the Eagles.