Week 15 of the NFL is done, and there is a lot to go over. In the NFC, it has been a complete bloodbath, and there are only three weeks remaining to determine which teams will get in. The NFC has so many good teams that even if a team gets to nine or ten wins, there is no guarantee they will get in. In the AFC, the Broncos and Patriots stood at the top for a while, but now the Broncos stand alone as the best in the league. But now, let’s get into our recap.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs keep playing themselves out of their playoff spot. They have been struggling in recent weeks, and the 29-28 loss on Thursday Night Football to the Falcons only made things worse. Tampa Bay let up 15 unanswered points to the Falcons to end the game. Kyle Pitts had 166 receiving yards, eleven receptions, and three receiving touchdowns for Atlanta. The Falcons move to 5-9, while Tampa drops to 7-7.
Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants
Somebody had to win this game, and it ended up being the Commanders, 29-21. Both teams played a back and forth game of sorts, but the Commanders always had control. Washington becomes 4-10, and the Giants sink even further to 2-12.
Chicago Bears vs. Cleveland Browns
The Bears got back on track with their freezing 31-3 win over the Browns. Chicago got two receiving touchdowns from DJ Moore and two rushing touchdowns from D’Andre Swift. The Bears rise to 10-4 with their first win over Cleveland since 2017, but Cleveland drops to 3-11.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Ravens were completely in control in their 24-0 victory over the Bengals. Baltimore’s defense played extremely well, limiting the Bengals offense to no scores despite a lot of yards. They cashed in on two passing touchdowns from Lamar Jackson. Baltimore keeps itself in the hunt at 7-7, while Cincinnati is now 4-10.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Nobody would have thought the Chiefs would be eliminated from the playoffs, but this year has been a nightmare season for the defending AFC champs. They haven’t been able to win close games all year, and their star QB, Patrick Mahomes, just tore his ACL. The Chargers won this game 16-13, thanks to a strong defensive performance in the second half. Los Angeles improves to 10-4 with its first sweep of KC in twelve years, while Kansas City plummets to 6-8.
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills
The Patriots looked like the dominant team they have been all year through the first half, leading 24-7 at halftime. But the Bills, led by Josh Allen, scored 28 points in the second half and came back to win the game 35-31. New England can still win a competitive AFC East, but it will have to be done against someone else. Buffalo improves its record to 10-4, while the Patriots dip to 11-3.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were in desperate need of a rebound, and they got it in a 31-0 win over the Raiders. Jalen Hurts found himself again with three passing touchdowns, and the Eagles’ defense let up zero points. Las Vegas remains at the bottom of the standings at 2-12, but Philadelphia soars to 9-5. Philly got its first win over the Raiders since 2017; they don’t play each other often.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets
The Jaguars have arguably been the biggest surprise this year, winning their tenth game by a score of 48-20. Trevor Lawrence had five passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown in the Jaguars’ rout over the Jets. This win makes Jacksonville 10-4 and New York 3-11.
Houston Texans vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Texans snag another win, this time against the Cardinals, 40-20. The Texans were a struggling 3-5 team earlier in the year, but they have since won six straight games. CJ Stroud threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns in the win. The Texans jump to 9-5 and the Cardinals drop to 3-11.
Denver Broncos vs. Green Bay Packers
In one of the best games of the week, the Broncos proved just how good they are by taking down the Packers, 34-26. Green Bay had the ball and was in control up 23-14, but then CB Patrick Surtain II intercepted a pass from Jordan Love, and Denver did not squander the opportunity. They outplayed the Packers 20-3 the rest of the way. Bo Nix had 302 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. The Broncos are the best team in the league at 12-2, while the Packers fall to 9-4-1.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Detroit Lions
The Lions were unable to take down the NFC-best Rams and fell 41-34. Los Angeles continues to play dominant football, led by 368 passing yards and two touchdowns from Matthew Stafford. Detroit put up a strong fight, but they were unable to get the job done. The Rams clinch a playoff spot with their win, improving to 11-3, while the Lions drop to 8-6.
New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers really needed this win to lead the NFC South, but instead, they were beaten by the Saints, 20-17. New Orleans scored ten points in the second half to come back from a 17-7 deficit. The Saints improve to 4-10, and Carolina becomes 7-7.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tennessee Titans
The 49ers continue to look like a high-powered offense, this time putting up 37 points in their 37-24 win over the Titans. Brock Purdy threw for 295 yards and three passing touchdowns. San Francisco brings their record to 10-4, while Tennessee is now 2-12. The Niners get their first win over the Titans since 2017.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Seahawks are usually a high-powered offense, but this time, they were powered by six Jason Meyers field goals. Seattle spoiled Philip Rivers’ return to the NFL by taking the Colts down, 18-16. Indianapolis kicked a field goal to take a 16-15 lead with 47 seconds left. The Seahawks then rushed down the field and kicked a field goal before intercepting a pass to win the game. Seattle moves to 11-3, and the Colts fall to 8-6.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Cowboys’ slim playoff hopes relied on a Sunday Night Football win against the struggling Vikings, but instead, Minnesota took care of business, 34-26. QB JJ McCarthy had struggled all year long, but he had a huge game that saw him score three touchdowns. The loss from Dallas makes them 6-7-1 and the Vikings improve to 6-8.
Miami Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ fate is completely in their hands, and they looked strong in their 28-15 win over the Dolphins. Miami was clinging to slim playoff hopes, but those were dashed in Monday Night’s game. Aaron Rodgers led the Pittsburgh offense with two passing touchdowns and 224 passing yards. The Steelers bump their record up to 8-6, and the Dolphins drop to 6-8.
The NFL season only has three weeks left, and some of these races will come down to the wire.
In the AFC, the Patriots and Bills will fight over the AFC East, but both will make the playoffs. The Steelers hold a one-game lead over the Ravens for the AFC North, but either team could secure it. In the AFC West, the Broncos are in control, but the Chargers seem to be in a strong position for a playoff spot. The Jaguars are sure to make the playoffs, but the Texans are only a game behind, and the Colts are a game behind them. That last playoff spot is likely to come from the AFC South.
In the NFC, the Eagles are in control of the NFC East. The NFC North has been very strong this year, and is currently led by the Bears, with the Packers just behind them, followed by the Lions. The Bucs and Panthers will fight over who claims the spot atop the NFC South. All three teams from the NFC West: the Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers seem primed to make the playoffs. That leaves the Lions as the odd team out, and they will need some losses from other teams to find a way in.
Whatever happens in these last three weeks, it will surely be spectacular – just as this entire season has been. Next week, there are plenty of big games to watch.
Rams vs. Seahawks
Packers vs. Bears
Buccaneers vs. Panthers
Jaguars vs. Broncos
Steelers vs. Lions
49ers vs. Colts
