Week 15 served up a wide array of games – seven teams failed to score more than 10 points including the previously highest-scoring offense of the Cowboys. The Raiders went from being shut out to scoring 63 points on the Broncos. The Jets look officially absent until next year and the Texans were missing most of their offense – at least the good parts – and yet beat the Titans in their stadium. We had two over time games.
Oh yes, and the Panthers won. They didn’t actually score a touchdown, but they beat the Falcons.
Minnesota 24, Cincinnati 27 OT Saturday
The early game on Saturday saw the Vikings take a 17-3 lead in the third quarter in a game that seemed already over. But the Bengals reeled off three fourth-quarter touchdowns to just one for the Vikings and they tied the game 24-24 with 39 seconds left. The Bengals won the coin toss for overtime but three-and-out. The Vikings reached the CIN 42-yard before failing to gain a yard on third and fourth downs. The Bengals reached the MIN 13 when Tyler Boyd caught a 44-yard pass. They kicked the winning 29-yard field goal from the MIN 11-yard line on third down.
Nick Mullens passed for 303 yards and two scores with two interceptions. Jordan Addison (6-111, 2 TD), Justin Jefferson (7-84), and T.J. Hockenson (6-63) were the top receivers. Ty Chandler replaced the inactive Alexander Mattison and rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown, plus caught three passes for 25 yards. The Vikings fall to 7-7.
Jake Browning started slowly but ended with 324 yards and two scores to Tee Higgins (4-61, 2 TD) while Ja’Marr Chase (4-64) and Tyler Boyd (2-53) also helped. Chase left the game with a shoulder injury. Joe Mixon ran for 47 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries while Chase Brown ran for 23 yards on seven rushes and gained 28 yards on three receptions. The Bengals rise to 8-6.
Pittsburgh 13, Indianapolis 30 Saturday
The Steelers jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the second quarter but then went into hiding and never scored again. The Colts were effective passing but relied mostly on the run in the second half to control the game.
Mitchell Trubisky passed for 169 yards and a score with two interceptions. Diontae Johnson (4-62, TD) and George Pickens (3-47) led the receivers while Najee Harris (12-33) and Jaylen Warren (10-40) never had the volume to do much since they abandoned the run later in the game. Warren added 28 yards on five catches but Harris never had a target. The Steelers tumble to 7-7.
Greg Minshew threw for 215 yards and three touchdowns with Michael Pittman (4-78) and David Montgomery (2-48, TD) led the receivers. No one else gained more than 21 yards while Mo Alie-Cox (2-21, TD) and Zach Moss (3-20, TD) caught the other scores. Moss left the game with an arm injury and Trey Sermon (17-88) and Tyler Goodson (11-69) finished out the game just trying to kill the clock and gashing the Steelers defense. The Colts are 8-6.
Denver 17, Detroit 42 Saturday
Yet another major beatdown when one team just didn’t really show up. The Lions led 21-0 before the Broncos even got on the scoreboard in the third quarter. The two teams started trading scores but the Lions were already too far ahead for the Broncos to have a chance.
Russell Wilson threw for 223 yards and a touchdown but only Jerry Jeudy (3-74) and Courtland Sutton (5-71) were able to gain more than 24 yards. Javonte Williams (12-27) couldn’t get on track while Samaje Perine (6-37) was marginally more effective later in the game. The Broncos drop to 7-7.
Jared Goff blew up for 278 yards and five touchdowns as a treat for the hometown fans. Amon-Ra St. Brown (7-112, TD) and Sam LaPorta (5-56, 3 TD) both turned in monster performances. David Montgomery (17-85) led the backfield but Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 100 yards on 11 rushes, plus gained two catches for eight yards and two touchdowns. The Lions rise to 10-4.
Atlanta 7, Carolina 9
Plenty of teams were flat this week with minimal scoring. This was a matchup where neither team could generate much offense. There was bad weather with sold rain, but these offenses haven’t exactly been prolific this year. The Panthers lost the lead at half time but kicked two more field goals to win the game, the 23-yarder coming as time expired.
Desmond Ridder passed for 152 yards and a touchdown with Jonnu Smith (2-61) the top receiver thanks to a 56-yard catch that set up their only touchdown. Kyle Pitts (3-37) and Drake London (2-24) were the only others with more than one catch. Bijan Robinson ran for only 11 yards on seven carries while Tyler Allgeier gained 45 yards on 14 rushes and the lone touchdown was caught by Cordarrelle Patterson who totaled zero yards in the game. The Falcons fall to 6-8.
The Panthers did nothing special, obviously. Bryce Young passed for 167 yards and no scores. Adam Thielen (4-43) and Jonathon Mingo (4-32) were the best receivers. Chuba Hubbard ran for 87 yards on 22 carries and added two catches for 16 yards. The Panthers won with three field goals and good defense in the rain.
Chicago 17, Cleveland 20
The Bears were impressive, leading 17-7 entering the fourth quarter but they never scored again while the Browns kicked a field goal, scored on a 51-yard bomb to Amari Cooper, and then kicked the winning field goal with 32 seconds left to play. It felt like yet another game that the Bears had won, and then just let it get away from them in the fourth quarter.
Justin Fields threw for 166 yards and a score plus two interceptions. DJ Moore (4-52) was the top receiver but Cole Kmet (5-23, TD) caught the lone touchdown. The three-man backfield broke down between Roschon Johnson (5-36), Khalil Herbert (6-8) and D’Onta Foreman (6-(-6)). Johnson gained 22 yards on one run to boost his stats. The Bears’ offense went cold at the worst time and they fall to 5-9.
Joe Flacco started slowly, but ended with 374 yards and two scores, with three interceptions. Amari Cooper (4-109, TD) and David Njoku (10-104, TD) were the main receivers, though Cedric Tillman turned in 52 yards on four catches. Jerome Ford (8-20) and Kareem Hunt (7-8) had no success as runners. The win lifts the Browns to 9-5.
New York Jets 0, Miami 30
The Jets’ tough luck season is ending with a whimper. The Dolphins already led 24-0 at the half and then cruised to a win with two more field goals in the second half.
Tua Tagovailoa passed for 224 yards and a score to Jaylen Waddle (8-142, TD) while no other receivers gained more than 32 yards since Tyreek Hill was inactive – and obviously not needed. Raheem Mostert ran for 42 yards and two scores on 15 rushes while De’Von Achane ended with 32 yards on nine runs but added three receptions for 30 yards. Since the Jets had no offense punch, the outcome was never in doubt. The Dolphins rise to 10-4.
There’s just nothing for the Jets. Zach Wilson completed just four of eleven passes and left with a possible concussion. Garrett Wilson led the team with only three catches for 29 yards. Breece Hall gained 12 yards on six rushes and caught just one pass for six yards. The Jets couldn’t generate anything and ended with just 103 total yards thanks to being sacked six times. The Jets drop to 5-9 and there is no reason to expect Aaron Rodgers to show up now.
Houston 19, Tennessee 16 OT
The Texans had no business winning this road game without their quarterback or two best wide receivers. But the Titans’ offense was anemic and they only led 16-9 in the fourth quarter before the Texans scored the tying touchdown with three minutes left to play. In overtime, The Titans won the toss but only reached their own 38-yard line and punted. The Texans and Titans traded fruitless series and then with under two minutes left, Devin Singletary caught a 41-yard pass, and then he ran for a 34-yard touchdown that was called back on holding. They kicked the winning 54-yard field goal as time expired in overtime.
Case Keenum wasn’t C.J. Stroud, but threw for 229 yards and one score with just one interception. Noah Brown (8-82, TD) led the receivers while Dalton Schultz (4-58) and Devin Singletary (4-49) pitched in. Singletary ran for 121 yards on 26 carries while Dameon Pierce only carried once for three yards. The Texans defense answered the call on Sunday and keeps the Texans playoff hopes alive. The Texans are lifted to 8-6.
Will Levis passed for 199 yards and an interception. Treylon Burks (3-62) and Chris Moore (3-39) led the receivers while DeAndre Hopkins was held to only two catches for 21 yards on a team-high nine targets. Derrick Henry was held to only nine yards on 16 runs while Levis ran in the only rushing touchdown. The Titans’ offense was far more sluggish than expected and couldn’t hold off a visiting Texans team missing all of their best players. The Titans fall to 5-9.
San Francisco 45, Arizona 29
The Cardinals drew to within 14-13 in the second quarter but the 49ers exerted their dominance in the second half and won the game far easier than the score may suggest since two of the Cardinals’ touchdowns came in the fourth quarter after they trailed by 19 points. The 49ers never rested any players, but they could have.
Brock Purdy passed for 242 yards and four touchdowns. He got blasted on one play and stayed out to be checked but returned to the game. Christian McCaffrey owned this game, rushing for 115 yards and a score on 18 carries and was also the leading receiver with five catches for 72 yards and two more touchdowns. George Kittle (2-54) and Deebo Samuel (4-48, 2 TD) were the best receivers while Brandon Aiyuk (3-37) was the only unproductive offensive player. The win lifts the 49ers to 11-3.
Kyler Murray threw for 211 yards and one score with two interceptions. He also rushed for 49 yards on six carries. Trey McBride (10-102) is winding down an outstanding rookie season, while fellow tight end Elijah Higgins (4-44, TD) was the only other receiver with more than 26 yards. James Conner (14-86, TD) was more successful than expected and added three catches for three yards. The offense looked more productive than it should have but the 49ers win was never in question. The Cards fall to 3-11.
Washington 20, Los Angeles Rams 28
As with anyone playing the Commanders, massive fantasy points are expected and were delivered. The Rams were in control of this game throughout, leading 20-0 in the third quarter and 28-7 with only seven minutes left to play. The Commanders scored twice while the Rams were packing up their equipment boxes.
Sam Howell was ineffective and was benched in the fourth quarter so Jacoby Brissett could throw those two scores that ended the game. The duo combined for 226 yards and three scores. Terry McLaurin (6-141, TD), Curtis Samuel (5-41, 2 TD) and Antonio Gibson (5-20) accounted for all but three completions. Brian Robinson was inactive, so Chris Rodriguez (10-35) was the primary rusher. It was an interesting move to bench Howell who has played well. The Commanders drop to 4-10.
The Rams barely broke a sweat against the Commanders. Matt Stafford threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns between Cooper Kupp (8-111, TD) and Demarcus Robinson (2-44, TD). Puka Nacua settled for five catches for 50 yards. The biggest star was Kyren Williams (27-152, TD) who gashed the Commanders at will and added five receptions for three yards. The win lifts the Rams to 7-7 and keeps them in playoff contention.
Dallas 10, Buffalo 31
The Cowboys should be fine as long as they never have to play a game away from home. That seems to be a problem, at least against upper-tier teams. The Cowboys were never really in this beatdown. They were losing 31-3 until the final three minutes until the Bills allowed a “whatever” touchdown. This game made the Bills look like they had suddenly resolved all problems while the Cowboys seemed to inherit them. The Bills needed this worse than the Cowboys and they played that way.
Dak Prescott threw for only 134 yards and one interception. CeeDee Lamb (7-53) and Jason Ferguson (6-44) were the only receivers with more than ten yards but Lamb also ran in a three-yard score. Tony Pollard (11-52) might have been more productive but the Cowboys fell behind so quickly and badly that they couldn’t afford to run the ball. The loss drops the Cowboys to 10-4 and no longer in the lead for the NFC East.
Josh Allen did not win this game. For once, he did not take the team on his back. He only threw for 94 yards and a touchdown. He just handed the ball off to James Cook 25 times for 179 yards and a touchdown, plus two catches for 42 yards and a second score. The Cowboys had no chance of stopping Cook and even gave up 54 yards on nine carries to Ty Johnson when Cook was tired, which was rare. Latavius Murray scored the first touchdown before they realized it was an automatic score when they gave it to Cook. The win lifts the Bills to 8-6.
Baltimore 23, Jacksonville 7
The Ravens always led and the lone touchdown by the Jaguars was in the third quarter to draw the game to 10-7 but the Ravens scored a touchdown and two field goals in the fourth quarter. The Jags missed both field goal attempts, so kicker Brandon McManus might want top check caller ID before answering his phone.
Lamar Jackson passed for 171 yards and one score, and was the leading rusher with 97 yards on 12 carries. Isaiah Likely (5-70, TD) did a worthy Mark Anderson imitation while no other receivers gained more than 39 yards. Keaton Mitchell ran for 73 yards on nine runs but left with a knee injury that was quickly deemed season-ending. Gus Edwards (16-58, TD) is back to being the default primary back. The Ravens’ defense kept the Jags out of the end zone other than the 65-yard bomb that scored. The Ravens are still the No. 1 seed with a 11-3 record.
Trevor Lawrence threw for 264 yards and one score, and it was the sort of game where all the breaks went against them and they could not quite get on track. Jamal Agnew (2-70) scored the only Jacksonville touchdown on his 65-yard reception. Zay Jones (5-59) left the game clutching his hamstring and Calvin Ridley (5-39) could not get deep. Evan Engram had been a star for the two previous weeks but settled for four catches for 28 yards. Travis Etienne ran for only 31 yards on ten rushes and added four receptions for 28 yards. The loss drops the Jaguars to 8-6
Kansas City 27, New England 17
The Patriots led 10-7 in the second quarter but they gave up 20 straight points to the Chiefs before finally scoring in the fourth quarter to make it look closer than it was. The Chiefs couldn’t run much but Patrick Mahomes got his mojo back for this week at least and there were fewer pictures of Taylor Swift, so progress has been made.
Mahomes passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns between Rashee Rice (9-91, TD) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (4-64, TD) while Travis Kelce was left with five catches for only 28 yards as the receiver the Pats aimed to shut down. Jerick McKinnon (3-19, TD) also caught a pass from Rice. Edwards-Helaire (13-37) had little success running the ball. The Chiefs rise to 9-5.
Bailey Zappe only threw for 180 yards and one score to Hunter Henry (7-66) while DeVante Parker (5-44) and Demario Douglas (3-33) were the other top receivers. Ezekiel Elliott did not repeat his success from Week 14 even though Rhamondre Stevenson was still out. He gained 25 yards on 11 runs and added five receptions for 21 yards. The Pats fall to 3-11.
New York Giants 6, New Orleans 24
No surprises here. The the Giants kicked their second field goal at the end of the first half and trailed 6-7. They never scored again and the Saints marched onto their win with ease despite missing Chris Olave.
Tommy DeVito only passed for 177 yards and no scores but had no turnovers. Darius Slayton (4-63) and Wan’Dale Robinson (4-25) were the top wideouts and Darren Waller was active and ended with four catches for 40 yards. But the Saints defense handled the visiting Giants and limited Saquon Barkley to only 14 yards on nine rushes. He added two catches for 23 yards but the Giants were never in this. They were 2 of 16 on third downs. The Giants fall to 5-9.
Derek Carr exceeded expectations with 218 passing yards and three touchdowns. No receiver ended with more than 44 yards. Juwan Johnson (2-38, TD) and Rashid Shaheed (3-36) were the top receivers. Alvin Kamara ran for 66 yards on 16 carries, and added five receptions for 44 yards. It didn’t take much to win this and Carr still completed 23 of 28 passes by hitting ten receivers. The Saints hit .500 with a 7-7 record.
Game-o-the-week: Tampa Bay 34, Green Bay 20
The two teams were close until the third quarter when the Packers scored a touchdown to trail just 201-7 but then could only manage one more field goal while the Bucs had two more passing scores including a 52-yard touchdown catch by David Moore for the final score.
Right when you need players the most, they go off. Probably on your bench because Baker Mayfield just had a season-best game by a longshot and Chris Godwin was a star.
Mayfield was outstanding, passing for 381 yards and four touchdowns. Chris Goodwin (10-155), David Moore (2-68 TD), Mike Evans (4-57, TD), and Rachaad White (2-50, TD) all scored. White also ran for 89 yards on 21 carries. It was a thoroughly impressive offensive performance on the road and raised the Buccaneers to 7-7.
Jordan Love threw for 284 yards and two scores for Tucker Kraft (4-57, TD) and Jayden Reed (6-52, TD) while Dontayvion Wicks (6-97) led the receivers. Aaron Jones ran for 53 yards on 12 rushes and caught four passes for 16 yards. The breakdown of the Packers’ defense led to the loss and it was more than missing Jaire Alexander. They just had no answer for Baker Mayfield. The Packers fall to 6-8.
