Pittsburgh would be wise not to underestimate a Miami Dolphins team coming off five wins in their past six matchups, but there’s still plenty to be optimistic about ahead of Monday Night Football if you’re a Steelers fan.
From weather impact to an advantage in the turnover battle, here are three reasons to be optimistic as the Steelers take on the Dolphins in Week 15.
Dolphins' struggles in cold weather
The Dolphins haven't performed well in cold weather under HC Mike McDaniel, carrying an awful 0–7 record in sub-40-degree temperatures. With kickoff at 8:15 p.m. EST estimated to be around 17 degrees in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have a clear weather advantage on Monday night.
Miami's inconsistent passing game
While Pittsburgh's 2025 offense hasn't exactly set the league on fire, the Dolphins' passing offense has been a train wreck this season — which has been especially the case over the past three weeks, averaging an abysmal 131.7 yards through the air per game.
Pittsburgh's turnover margin advantage
The biggest strength of the Steelers this season has been preventing turnovers on offense and taking the ball away on defense — but the same can't be said for Miami. Through 13 games, the Steelers are tied for the fourth-best turnover differential at +9, while Miami falls toward the middle of the pack with a disappointing –1. If Pittsburgh can force Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa to make a lot of mistakes, while also emphasizing offensive ball security of their own, the Steelers should walk out of Week 15 with their eighth win of the season.
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This was Trevor Lawrence at his finest, a franchise quarterback making plays with his arm and his legs.
Not even longtime teammate Travis Etienne could recall Lawrence playing at such a high level — in college or the pros.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Trev like this, and we won a national championship together,” said Etienne, who played alongside Lawrence at Clemson. “He’s on fire. You’ve seen it. ... The growth that I’ve seen from him is just unbelievable.”
Lawrence accounted for six touchdowns, including a career-high five passing, and the Jacksonville Jaguars overwhelmed the New York Jets from start to finish in a 48-20 drubbing Sunday that extended their winning streak to five.
Lawrence completed 20 of 32 passes for 330 yards and didn’t have a turnover for the third consecutive game. His passer rating of 136.7 was the best of his five-year NFL career.
“Definitely this is as confident as I’ve felt,” Lawrence said. “Just the feeling in our locker room and our team and our offense, it’s been fun. We’ve got to continue to build on that and not get complacent.
“There’s still a lot more ahead for us.”
Lawrence also ran for 51 yards and a score, a 15-yard scramble in the first quarter that helped set the tone. Lawrence rolled left, juked Will McDonald in the backfield and then scampered down the sideline.
Jacksonville (10-4) scored touchdowns on its first three possessions for the first time since 1998 and topped 40 points through three quarters for the first time since 2005. It was a drama-free day for the home team, which reached double-digit victories for just the second time in the last 18 seasons.
The Jets (3-11) allowed their most points since a 54-13 loss to New England in 2021 and prompted questions about coach Aaron Glenn taking over the defensive play calling from coordinator Steve Wilks.
“I brought Steve Wilks in for a reason, and I want him to run his system,” Glenn said. “We have three games left, three games left for our guys to go out there and play. Right now, It’s not about the X’s and O’s. Across the board, it’s about the character of the men on this team. And that’s what I’m evaluating.”
The Jaguars scored on the game’s opening possession, and then the Jets lost 6 yards on a fourth-and-1 play that gave Jacksonville a short field. So the Jets trailed 14-0 before picking up a first down.
It was the worst possible scenario for Brady Cook, who the team said was the first undrafted rookie quarterback to start for the Jets since Bill Demory in 1973. Cook managed a souvenir, but not much else in the loss.
He connected with Adonai Mitchell for a 9-yard TD pass in the first quarter. Mitchell retrieved the ball and gave it to Cook on the sideline. It was one of the few highlights for the Jets.
“We felt ready to win this game,” Cook said. “We all did. I did. Obviously, it’s disappointing.”
Cook completed 22 of 33 passes for 176 yards, with three interceptions. Breece Hall found little room against the NFL’s top rushing defense, finishing with 23 yards on 12 carries.
Mitchell finished with seven receptions for 69 yards.
Etienne was on the receiving end of three of Lawrence’s TD passes. His last came went 45 yards on a screen pass and ended with him performing a flip into the end zone.
“My hands have always been good,” Etienne said. “I feel like I’ve just been working in the shadows, catching balls and doing it in practice over and over again.”
Former Jaguars player ejected
Jets defensive lineman Khalen Saunders was ejected for making contact with an official during an extra point. Saunders, who spent the first two months of the season with Jacksonville before getting released in mid-November, got into a verbal exchange with several Jaguars offensive linemen and then started shoving everyone around him, including an official.
Key injuries
Jets: S Tony Adams (groin), S Isaiah Oliver (knee) and DL Eric Watts (concussion) were ruled out.
Jaguars: RB Bhayshul Tuten (finger) and DE Danny Striggow (ankle) left the game. Striggow was ruled out. ... Lawrence injured his right index finger in the first half and got it examined and taped on the sideline. Clearly, it wasn’t an issue.
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When the Miami Dolphins began the season 2-7, no one expected to be talking about their playoff chances in December. However, head coach Mike McDaniel has rallied his team in recent weeks, and a conversation that once seemed unlikely has begun.
After the Dolphins fired general manager Chris Grier, many believed McDaniel’s job was next. To many people’s surprise, Miami chose to stick with its coach for the remainder of the season.
Now, heading into Week 15, the Dolphins have won four consecutive games, including an unlikely victory over the Buffalo Bills. Tua Tagovailoa has continued to struggle, and that hasn’t changed despite Miami’s recent success. However, receiver Jaylen Waddle and running back De’Von Achane have been playing some of the best football of their careers.
Though the future remains unclear for several players and coaches due to the disastrous start, the Dolphins are not eliminated from postseason contention. In Week 15, they’ll head to Pittsburgh for a matchup on Monday Night Football.
Here’s more on the Dolphins’ 2025-26 postseason chances heading into Week 15.
As it stands heading into Monday Night Football, Miami is on the bubble with the No. 11 seed in the AFC. This is mainly because the Dolphins started the season by losing seven games and winning only two.
Even after their remarkable turnaround, in which Miami won four straight, Next Gen Stats gives them less than a 1 percent chance of making the playoffs.
Not only do the Dolphins need to essentially win out, but they also need help from around the league. When you're fighting for a playoff spot, it's always better to control your own destiny.
Here is how the AFC playoff picture looks heading into Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
The Dolphins have little to no chance of winning the AFC East against New England and Buffalo. Their best shot at the postseason is catching the Houston Texans, who are two games ahead of Miami.
There's no other way to say it: the Dolphins face a tough road to finish this season. It is required of them to win out if they want a chance at the playoffs, and if they do with these opponents, they certainly deserve it.
Don't let the Cincinnati Bengals' record fool you; they recently got quarterback Joe Burrow back and have looked much improved. Anytime you have to face the duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, your secondary is in for a long game.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled immensely down the stretch, but they are anything but a pushover game. Then, to end this campaign, the Dolphins will travel to Gillette Stadium to face the 11-2 New England Patriots.
The Chargers defeated the Chiefs on Sunday afternoon, knocking Kansas City out of playoff contention. So, how much did it increase their chances of making the playoffs?
Here's a look at how Los Angeles' win over Kansas City impacts its playoff chances.
Chargers playoff odds
Sitting at 10-4 going after the win, the Chargers have a 95% chance of making the postseason, according to The Athletic's Playoff Simulator. They entered Week 15 with a 78% chance.
Chargers remaining schedule
The Chargers will face the NFL's 6th-hardest schedule the remainder of the season, per Tankathon. They have two matchups remaining against teams with winning records (Broncos and Texans), as well as the Cowboys.
Below is a look at Los Angeles' remaining opponents:
One week they're living large having just overtaken the Chicago Bears for first in the NFC North and climbing the playoff ladder. The next, they come crashing down with a stinging loss on many levels, falling to the Denver Broncos, while losing their spot in the division and falling to the seventh and final spot in the NFC playoff picture.
That's life in the crowded NFC when one loss can change your position very quickly.
The Packers and Bears meet again and first place in the NFC North will again be at stake. A win will get them closer to punching their ticket to the playoffs.
Here's the latest on the Packers' playoff odds, NFC North standings, playoff picture and remaining schedule:
Packers next game
Packers-Bears Round 2 is up next.
For the second time in three weeks, the Packers (9-4-1) and Bears (10-4) will play with first place in the division on the line.
The Packers beat the Bears, 28-21, on Sunday, Dec. 7, in a thriller at Lambeau Field. Now, Green Bay heads to Chicago in the rematch. A win for the Packers would not only put them atop the NFC North but also back in the No. 2 seed in the playoff picture.
While their long-term prospects took a major hit with the latest round of injuries, the Packers are still in good shape to make the playoffs even after the loss to the Broncos.
According to the New York Times' playoff simulator, the Packers have a 92% chance of making the playoffs following the games on Sunday.
If the Packers beat the Bears next week, their playoff odds will be greater than 99%. A loss drops their odds to 85% and fans will likely begin getting a little more nervous.
Entering the game against the Broncos, there was a chance for the Packers to be the No. 1 seed after Week 15 if they won and the Los Angeles Rams lost. Well, both of those outcomes didn't happen so earning that top spot looks to be gone. They have less than a 1% chance to get the No. 1 seed, which comes with a first-round bye.
The Rams' win over the Detroit Lions did put greater separation between the Packers and their NFC North rival who continues to be shockingly on the outside of the playoff picture. The Lions (8-6) are two games back of the Packers in the loss column and one in the win column with three games to play. Two more wins for the Packers guarantees Green Bay with a better record than Detroit no matter how the Lions finish. Green Bay beat the Lions twice this season.
The Lions' chances to make the playoffs is just 27% after Week 15.
NFC playoff picture
Here are the standings after Sunday's games. The Los Angeles Rams remained the No. 1 seed by winning a shootout over the Detroit Lions, while the Bears switched spots with the Packers after their win over the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay's loss later in the day.
In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6), Carolina Panthers (7-7), Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings (6-8), Atlanta Falcons (5-9), New Orleans Saints (4-10), Washington Commanders (4-10), Arizona Cardinals (3-11), New York Giants (2-12)
NFC North standings
The Packers' loss dropped them from first to second in the division standings, while the Bears moved back to the top. The division lead will be back on the line when the two teams square off on Saturday for the second time in three weeks.
Chicago Bears: 10-4, defeated the Cleveland Browns, 31-3
Green Bay Packers: 9-4-1, lost to the Denver Broncos, 34-26
Detroit Lions: 8-6, lost to the Los Angeles Rams, 41-34
Minnesota Vikings: 6-8, defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 34-26
Packers remaining schedule
The Packers have just three games left on their schedule. Their next two games will be played on Saturday night.
Here's the Packers' remaining schedule:
Week 16: at Chicago Bears, 7:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20
Week 17: vs. Baltimore Ravens, 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27
One week they're living large having just overtaken the Chicago Bears for first in the NFC North, riding a four-game winning streak and climbing the playoff ladder. The next, they come crashing down with a stinging loss on many levels, falling to the Denver Broncos, while losing their spot in the division and falling to the seventh and final spot in the NFC playoff picture.
That's life in the crowded NFC when one loss can change your position very quickly.
The Packers and Bears meet again and first place in the NFC North will again be at stake. A win will get them closer to punching their ticket to the playoffs.
Here's the latest on the Packers' playoff odds, NFC North standings, playoff picture and remaining schedule:
Packers next game
Packers-Bears Round 2 is up next.
For the second time in three weeks, the Packers (9-4-1) and Bears (10-4) will play with first place in the division on the line.
While their long-term prospects took a major hit with the latest round of injuries, the Packers are still in good shape to make the playoffs even after the loss.
According to the New York Times' playoff simulator, the Packers have a 92% chance of making the playoffs following the games on Sunday.
If the Packers beat the Bears next week, their playoff odds will be greater than 99%. A loss drops their odds to 85% and fans will likely begin getting a little more nervous.
Entering the game against the Broncos, there was a chance for the Packers to be the No. 1 seed after Week 15 if they won and the Los Angeles Rams lost. Well, both of those outcomes didn't happen so earning that top spot looks to be gone. They have less than a 1% chance to get the No. 1 seed, which comes with a first-round bye.
The Rams' win over the Detroit Lions did put greater separation between the Packers and their NFC North rival. The Lions (8-6) are two games back of the Packers in the loss column with three games to play. Two more wins for the Packers guarantees the Packers with a better record than Detroit. Green Bay beat the Lions twice this season.
The Lions' chances to make the playoffs is just 27% after Week 15.
NFC playoff picture
Here are the standings after Sunday's games. The Los Angeles Rams remained the No. 1 seed by winning a shootout over the Detroit Lions, while the Bears switched spots with the Packers after their win over the Cleveland Browns and Green Bay's loss later in the day.
In the hunt: Detroit Lions (8-6), Carolina Panthers (7-7), Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
Eliminated: Minnesota Vikings (6-8), Atlanta Falcons (5-9), New Orleans Saints (4-10), Washington Commanders (4-10), Arizona Cardinals (3-11), New York Giants (2-12)
NFC North standings
The Packers' loss dropped them from first to second in the division standings, while the Bears moved back to the top. The division lead will be back on the line when the two teams square off on Saturday for the second time in three weeks.
Chicago Bears: 10-4, defeated the Cleveland Browns, 31-3
Green Bay Packers: 9-4-1, lost to the Denver Broncos, 34-26
Detroit Lions: 8-6, lost to the Los Angeles Rams, 41-34
Minnesota Vikings: 6-8, defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 34-26
Packers remaining schedule
The Packers have just three games left on their schedule. Their next two games will be played on Saturday night.
The Minnesota Vikings may be eliminated from playoff contention, but you could not tell by the way this team played tonight. The Vikings went into Dallas and defeated the Cowboys 34-26. The offense looks like it is finally finding some semblance of cohesion, but it still has those growing pains. However, those pains are tolerable as this team has dropped 30+ points in back-to-back games.
With the game officially wrapped up, let's take a look at the winners and losers from today's performance.
Winner: J.J. McCarthy
Nine is heating up. J.J. McCarthy has put together two nice outings and looks to be figuring some things out. In this one, he went 15/24 for 250 yards and a 2/1 TD/INT ratio. The decision-making has improved dramatically since coming back from his concussion, and when the tempo and accuracy start coming together, McCarthy just might figure things out.
Loser: Vikings Run Defense
The Minnesota Vikings came into tonight's game ranked 22nd in the NFL in rushing yards per game. In the first half, the Vikings allowed just 44 yards. However, in the second half, the floodgates opened, as this team finished with 138 rush yards. Javonte Williams ran for 91 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. There are certainly some things to clean up, and the rush defense needs to be a priority to sharpen up.
Winner: Jalen Nailor
Jalen Nailor had his first career two-touchdown game, as he finished with just three receptions for 47 yards, but those two touchdowns were huge for this offense. Nailor appears to have the trust of McCarthy in the redzone, which, with the struggling connection with Justin Jefferson, McCarthy needs to have someone outside he can depend on. Speaking of which...
Neutral: Justin Jefferson
Yes, we have a neutral selection, but it needs to be talked about. The statistical performance was not good, as Justin Jefferson finished with just two receptions again for 22 yards. However, it is the eight targets that almost makes him a winner in my eyes. Jefferson had a touchdown early called back by a penalty, and another in the second half that went through his hands. The connection has struggled, yes, but this should be viewed as a positive stepping stone as we head toward the end of the season.
Loser: The Vikings' Playoff Hopes
As we discussed at the top, the Minnesota Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention before the team took the field, as the franchise needed the Cleveland Browns to beat the Chicago Bears. It was a rough start to the year, and it is tough to find positives in this season now that it is basically over. But these last two games should instill some optimism about this franchise and whether they can keep this going.
Sanders is going through the rookie campaign of his NFL career, taking over the starting job in Week 12. He has had ups and downs as the Bears gave him a difficult day, throwing three picks throughout the contest.
One of them featured Jeudy as the receiver made a crucial mistake that resulted in the interception taking place. Sanders reflected on that error after the game, per reporter Ashly Holder. He came to his teammate’s defense, understanding that the receiver is already being critical of himself on that play and doesn’t see the need to add onto it.
“It is what it is. I’m not one to kick someone while they’re down. He understands it was a big play, and I’m sure he’s hard on himself. So there’s no need for me to be extra and do that,” Sanders said.
#Browns QB Shedeur Sanders on the pass to Jerry Jeudy that was intercepted:
“It is what it is. I’m not one to kick someone while they’re down. He understands it was a big play, and I’m sure he’s hard on himself. So there’s no need for me to be extra and do that.” pic.twitter.com/EsezFx4Mxx
Shedeur Sanders and Jerry Jeudy will look forward to better days as a tandem while the Browns evaluate what went wrong in the loss to the Bears.
Chicago jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Cleveland finally got on the board with a field goal in the third goal, but Sanders’ interceptions prevented the Browns from sparking a potential rally.
Sanders will have some self-reflecting to do following his struggles against the Bears. He completed 18 passes out of 35 attempts for 177 yards and three interceptions while rushing two times for 24 yards.
The run game failed to have an impact as Quinshon Judkins had 12 carries for 21 yards. Isaiah Bond had connections with Sanders on deep passes, catching two of them for 89 yards. Harold Fannin Jr. led the way with seven receptions for 48 yards, while Jeudy caught two passes for 22 yards.
Cleveland fell to a 3-11 record on the season, being at the bottom of the AFC North Division standings. They are behind the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. In terms of the AFC standings, they sit at 14th place. They are above the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans while trailing the New York Jets and Bengals.
The Browns will look to bounce back in their next matchup, being at home. They host the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 21 at 1 p.m. ET.
J.J. McCarthy has been a lightning rod this season, with the second-year quarterback adjusting to the NFL on the fly.
While the Minnesota Vikings have taken a step back this year, a big reason why is because of poor quarterback play. However, since McCarthy returned from his most recent injury, the young quarterback has looked more comfortable on the field.
That continued on Sunday night, with the Vikings defeating the Dallas Cowboys to produce a second-straight victory. With just a few games left in the season, McCarthy's progress will go a long way to determining how the Vikings approach the offseason.
Here's a look at how McCarthy performed on Sunday night.
McCarthy had one of the better games of his career on Sunday night, scoring three times and leading the Vikings to a win. It's a second-straight positive performance for McCarthy and also results in the first winning streak of the young quarterback's career.
McCarthy's night started on a sour note, as he threw an interception on his first pass of the game. However, he was able to bounce back and make some nice plays against Dallas.
In the first quarter, McCarthy scored his first touchdown of the game, a pass to Jalen Nailor while moving to his left to tie the game at seven.
McCarthy's second score came while the quarterback used his legs, as the Vikings called a naked bootleg on the goal line. It allowed the quarterback to easily strut and griddy into the end zone.
McCarthy's biggest highlight of the night might not have resulted in a score, with the Vikings quarterback completing a pass to Jordan Addison deep down the field.
Parsons went down with the non-contact injury as he was approaching Broncos quarterback Bo Nix on a first down play with the Packers nursing a 23-21 lead.
Trainers immediately tended to him and Parsons could be heard saying "I'm out."
Parsons was acquired by the Packers in a monumental trade before the start of the season and the multi-time All-Pro lived up to the hype and then some.
Now, the Packers defense will have to somehow manage without him.
Christian Watson
Before Parsons, it was Christian Watson, the Packers' most explosive player on offense, who left the game in the third quarter with an injury.
Watson has established himself as the Packers' No. 1 offensive threat since returning in late October from his own torn ACL that he suffered in the 2024 regular season finale.
But that momentum could be halted.
Watson exited with a chest injury when he came crashing to the field as he tried to make a catch on a deep ball that was intercepted by Patrick Surtain.
He went to the hospital but has been released and is flying home with the team.
#Packers WR Christian Watson, who was taken to the hospital after suffering a chest injury against the #Broncos, is flying home with the team.
Zach Tom departed Sunday's game in the first half with a right knee injury.
He was confident it wasn't anything long term. But it's a blow for a line that is already missing veteran Pro Bowl center Elgton Jenkins with a season-ending broken ankle.
Tom had signed a massive contract extension this summer.
Better news for the #Packers: RT Zach Tom said there didn’t appear to be any structural damage in his injured right knee. S Evan Williams said he’d have tests on his knee. He said it didn’t feel as badly as when he missed four games in college.
The Packers' second-year safety also departed the game in the second half with a knee injury.
The injury doesn't appear to be long term.
But with the Packers set to face Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and the Baltimore Ravens Lamar Jackson in the next two weeks being down any one is going to hurt.
He has been on the active roster since tight end Tucker Kraft was lost with a torn ACL in early November.
Whyle, a third-year player, had spent the first part of the season on the practice squad.
Jayden Reed
The Packers' third-year receiver might not show up on the injury report but it's worth mentioning that he was slow to get up on the team's final drive.
He departed with 56 seconds remaining as the Packers trailed 34-26. It wasn't clear what was ailing him - it appeared to be a lower body injury - but he didn't finish the game.
Reed had just returned last week after missing three months of the season with a broken collarbone and foot injury.
The Cowboys had almost zero margin for error going into their Week 15 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
However, the Cowboys couldn't get the job done and lost, 34-26, which now drops their playoff chances even more.
Here's how the 6-7-1 Cowboys can still make the playoffs.
Can Cowboys still make the playoffs?
Yes, the Cowboys can still make the playoffs, but the wild-card is no longer an option for Dallas, even if they win the rest of their games.
Instead, the Cowboys can only make the playoffs by winning the division, and even that path is extremely bleak.
It's very simple: Dallas must win its last three games and the Eagles have to lose their last three for the Cowboys to win the division.
Any Eagles win or Cowboys loss seals the deal in the NFC East.
The Eagles play the eliminated Washington Commanders in Week 16, and will do so on Saturday, so the Cowboys might be knocked out of the division race before taking the field on Sunday.
When the Cowboys do take the field on Sunday, they'll be squaring off against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Dallas Cowboys had a shot. It was a long shot, but it was a shot. With four games remaining in their season, the path to make the playoffs was murky, but obvious. The team had to win their final four games, running the table to move from 6-6-1 to 10-6-1, then get help from any one of several teams. Their Week 15 game was one of three remaining contests against teams under .500, and it was at home.
Yet despite the opportunity ahead of them, the Cowboys offense allowed the Minnesota Vikings defense to dictate to them, and the Dallas defense made yet another subpar quarterback have his best game of the season. Second-year QB JJ McCarthy had his best performance as a pro, and Brian Flores turned Brian Schottenheimer's offense timid, as the Vikings won, 34-26.
Dallas had received a little help earlier on Sunday, with the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers all falling, but it makes little difference now. The Cowboys have been eliminated from the wild-card pursuit, and they would have to win their remaining three contests while the Philadelphia Eagles lose their remaining three contests.
The Cowboys allowed an opponent to score 30 points for the seventh time in 2025, tied for most in the NFL. The game started out well, with the defense intercepting McCarthy on his first pass of the game, as Donovan Wilson deflected a pass into the air with Quinnen Williams corralling it.
Dallas capitalized, using a fake field goal to extend the drive before Javonte Williams punched it in. But from that point, the Cowboys' defense didn't have any answers for the beleaguered young QB, who completed several deep balls despite not being on the same page with All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys seemed to move the ball at will, but had no solutions for third downs (2 of 12) or once they got into scoring range. Questionable playcalls were everywhere, and matters were made worse as kicker Brandon Aubrey missed two field goals.
Back under .500, the Cowboys can be eliminated before they next take the field, with the Eagles playing on Saturday against Washington. Dallas will host the 10-4 Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
The Green Bay Packers were in control early in the second half against the Denver Broncos, eventually possessing the ball up nine points in the third quarter, but a costly turnover and an avalanche of injuries turned the game on its head, and Matt LaFleur's team gave up 20 points in the second half and lost 34-26 at Empower Field at Mile High.
Here's the good, the bad and the ugly coming out of the Packers' loss in Week 15:
The Good
The first 32 minutes: Jordan Love completed 18 of his first 22 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown, and the Packers took a nine-point lead when Josh Jacobs burst off the left side of a duo run and scored from 40 yards out to open the second half. Green Bay scored on five straight possessions to start the contest. Up 23-14, Jeff Hafley's defense immediately forced a three-and-out, giving the Packers the football up two scores in the second half. There was an opportunity for the Packers to score for a sixth straight time and put their foot on the Broncos' throat, but pro football is a 60-minute game. Winning the first 32 minutes means nothing without the finish. And for a multitude of reasons, the Packers did not finish in Denver.
Edgerrin Cooper stops: He delayed the inevitable, but Cooper just wouldn't die, breaking up a pass on fourth down and making a tackle for loss on fourth down in the fourth quarter. He could have been one of the heroes had the Packers offense been able to accomplish anything on a pair of possessions late.
The Bad
Back-to-back turnover on downs: Even after losing Christian Watson and Micah Parsons to injuries and allowing the Broncos to go on a 20-3 run in the second half, the Packers had a pair of chances to tie the game down eight points in the fourth quarter. The two drives actually netted -4 yards and the Packers never threatened a game-tying score. While the Packers got into Denver territory on the first possession, Jordan Love took a sack on both second down and fourth down. Given one final chance, Love threw four straight incompletions, including an incompletion under pressure that had no chance on 4th-and-15.
Pass defense: Bo Nix came into the game ranked below average in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating, but he shredded the Packers pass defense, completing 23 passes for 302 yards and four scores. Nix's 134.7 passer rating was a season high. The Packers didn't have a sack and dropped several potential interception chances.
The Ugly
Four-series stretch in the third quarter: The Packers took a 23-14 lead on Josh Jacobs' 40-yard touchdown run with 13:59 left in the third quarter. It was a dominant first 31 minutes for the Packers, but everything unraveled in four short series. After a three-and-out, Jordan Love threw an interception to Patrick Surtain II going deep to Christian Watson, who suffered a chest injury on the play. The Broncos then quickly turned the takeaway into a touchdown. After the Packers punted, Micah Parsons suffered a noncontact knee injury chasing Bo Nix outside the pocket, and the Broncos scored the go-ahead touchdown two plays later. Denver didn't trail again. And Watson and Parsons might not play again this season, potentially ruining a promising Packers season.
SEATTLE — From the way Shane Steichen and Philip Rivers are talking, it does not sound like there is much question about who the starting quarterback will be when the Colts take the field on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” against the 49ers.
Rivers was clearly limited in Sunday’s 18-16 loss to the Seahawks, completing 18 of 27 passes for just 120 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
But the Colts liked the way he managed the game, avoided turnovers and gave Indianapolis a chance to win at the end, although the kickoff unit and the defense weren’t able to hold the lead.
“Very encouraged,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said. “There's no question about it. For him to go out there and do what he did after five years off, to have a chance to win it and get a game-winning field goal, close to it, obviously, with 40 seconds left, in a hostile environment, against a tough defense just shows his commitment to coming back.”
Indianapolis decided to roll the dice on a 44-year-old Rivers instead of sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard for several reasons.
Rivers’ experience, knowledge of the offense, ability to get the Colts into the right plays and encyclopedic knowledge of what defenses are trying to do gave him the edge over Leonard’s age and athleticism.
Leonard completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards, no touchdowns and an interception in relief of Daniel Jones last week in Jacksonville, but Leonard is dealing with a reported PCL sprain in his right knee, although he was able to practice in full all week long.
The Colts wanted to see if Rivers could handle the rigors of an NFL game.
From what they saw on Sunday, it looks like the 44-year-old can handle it, even being hit after five years away from the NFL.
“I never minded that part of it,” Rivers said. “My wife always tells me I'm crazy because there's been times in the last three or four years I said I wish I could just throw one and get hit hard. She says, that's not normal. … The one where the ball was snapped didn't feel great, but the other ones kind of got me going in the game.”
Rivers acknowledged that the offense wasn’t very explosive on Sunday.
But he also talked like a quarterback who expects to start next week.
“It's going to continue to get better,” Rivers said. “This is obviously the first one, we're talking about three days of practice.”
Rivers wasn’t entirely happy with his performance.
Or the offense’s. Indianapolis scored 13 points in the first half, but the Colts were held scoreless in the second half until Blake Grupe’s go-ahead field goal with 47 seconds left, giving Indianapolis a one-point lead that Seattle erased in 25 seconds.
“I'm speaking offensively,” Rivers said. “If I can stay healthy — like, I feel good — it's gonna get better as we go, but the catch in that is we gotta win. Doesn't really matter if it's getting better as we go, we gotta win, or it's going to be over in three weeks. That's the catch.”
Rivers was already talking like a quarterback thinking about ways the offense can be better.
The 44-year-old came back to the Colts in a Hail Mary attempt to get Indianapolis into the playoffs. He wants to see it through.
“Certainly going to quickly turn my attention to the 49ers,” Rivers said. “I know they have a Monday night game (at Lucas Oil Stadium). I never got to experience that, either, in that COVID year. And we're going to scratch and fight and claw. I do know that. Not because I'm here. But I do know that any team I've ever been a part of, not because of me, but I've been a part of, will fight like crazy until they tell us the season is over. So you can guarantee that for the next three weeks.”
In dramatic fashion, the New Orleans Saints secured their second straight divisional win, edging the Carolina Panthers 20-17 to complete a season sweep. Now 4-10 on the year, New Orleans oddly finds itself 3-2 within the NFC South – effectively throwing a wrench into the plans of the teams jockeying for position at the top of the division.
How did they do it? By leaning on a young quarterback who continues to deliver when it matters most, paired with a defense that has fully embraced a bend-but-don’t-break identity — and broken through at the most critical moments.
A lot went right once again for the Saints, but let’s break down this Week 15 statement win by answering four key questions:
What went right?
What went wrong?
What’s the bottom line?
What comes next?
What went right?
Simply put: a lot. The Saints showed resilience, composure, and timely execution en route to their second straight divisional victory – one that continues to complicate things for their rivals. At the center of it all was rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, who once again proved capable of rising to the moment. After a relatively slow start — aside from an impressive 17-play, 95-yard touchdown drive — Shough took control in the second half. He completed 15 of 19 passes (excluding a late-game spike) and led the Saints on four consecutive scoring drives, three of which ended in points.
What stood out most was his command in long down-and-distance situations. Shough converted seven throws on downs of 10+ yards, nearly adding an eighth on a 17-yard completion to DeVaughn Vele on second-and-18 that left the Saints just a yard short. A quick glance at the third-down numbers tells part of the story as well, with New Orleans converting six of 11 attempts.
It’s clear that Shough has injected confidence into this offense in moments that felt tight earlier in the season. It wasn’t perfect — nor does it need to be — but with Shough under center, the Saints are winning games, and he’s beginning to look more and more like a legitimate part of the franchise’s future. The defense also deserves significant praise. While far from dominant from start to finish, they came up with their biggest plays when it mattered most. Early in the fourth quarter, trailing by seven with Carolina driving, the Saints defense delivered a massive fourth-and-one stop, preventing the Panthers from extending their lead to double digits.
Two drives later, after forcing a three-and-out, defensive end Chase Young made perhaps the play of the game – sacking Bryce Young on first-and-10 after Carolina had just converted a critical third-and-long with under two minutes remaining. The sack swung momentum, forced a punt, and set the stage for the Saints’ game-winning drive. And finally, credit where it’s due – Charlie Smyth delivered. After connecting on a 42-yard field goal earlier, the rookie kicker calmly drilled a 47-yard game-winner with two seconds remaining, the first walk-off kick of his young career. Moments like that can define confidence for a young specialist.The vibes were as high as they’ve been in New Orleans all season.
What went wrong?
Despite the strong finish, the Saints once again struggled out of the gate offensively. Two early drives – a 3-play, 4-yard and 6-play, 17-yard drive drained early momentum from a crowd eager for a fast start. While the offense responded in the second half, slow starts like this can be costly against more complete opponents.
The defense faced similar issues early. Carolina scored on three of its first four possessions, consistently moving the ball on the ground and extending drives on third down. Credit the unit for tightening up after halftime, but the early lapses mirrored what we saw against Miami a few weeks ago – the difference this time was finishing the job.Faster starts on both sides of the ball would allow this team to build separation rather than fighting until the final whistle.
What’s the bottom line?
The Saints have officially made things interesting. With a rookie quarterback leading the way, New Orleans has rattled off back-to-back wins after once being projected to pick inside the top 3-5 of next year’s draft – with major questions still looming at quarterback. That narrative is starting to shift. If this upward trend continues, the Saints may pivot from searching for a quarterback to aggressively building around one. How they close out the final three games will go a long way in shaping the organization’s offseason approach.
What comes next?
Next Sunday, the Saints return home to host the New York Jets – a matchup with real implications for draft positioning at the top of the board. That said, based on recent play, this is another winnable game for New Orleans and an opportunity to secure a third straight victory.
Finishing the season strong may be the most important objective for this team moving forward. With a young quarterback instilling confidence across the roster, momentum matters — not just for the locker room, but for the veterans already in place and the free agents the organization will evaluate come March.
The Green Bay Packers gave up a 23-14 lead in the second half, lost several key players to injury and limped to the finish line of a 34-26 defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Matt LaFleur's team had its four-game win streak snapped and is now 9-4-1, but the injuries to Micah Parsons and Christian Watson are the big story coming out of this defeat.
Here's what went right, what went wrong and what it means for the Packers moving forward:
What went right
-- Jordan Love was red hot in the first half, completing 17 of 21 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown as the Packers scored on their first four possessions.
-- Josh Jacobs played through a right knee injury and produced 92 total yards and two big scores.
-- Credit Edgerrin Cooper. There was no quit in him. He broke up a fourth down pass and had a tackle for loss on fourth down late in the fourth quarter, keeping the Packers alive. He finished with eight tackles, two for a loss and a pass breakup.
-- The Packers run defense limited the Broncos to 2.9 yards per carry and didn't give up a run over eight yards.
-- First-round pick Matthew Golden drew a pass interference penalty on a scoring drive, had a 27-yard catch, an 18-yard catch and an 11-yard catch converting a third down.
What went wrong
-- Pretty much everything after Jordan Love threw a deep ball to Christian Watson with 12:46 left in the third quarter.
-- The offensive line struggled post-Zach Tom. The passing game flat-lined post-Christian Watson. The defense couldn't rush Bo Nix post-Micah Parsons.
-- The Packers defense gave up 23 completions, 304 passing yards and four touchdowns to Bo Nix, who wasn't sacked, didn't have a turnover and finished with a passer rating of 134.7. The secondary got burnt time and time again in big spots. The pass rush produced only three quarterback hits.
-- The Broncos went 4-for-4 scoring touchdowns in the red zone. The Packers were 1-for-4 and settled for three field goals under 40 yards.
-- Courtland Sutton tortured Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine to the tune of seven catches, 113 yards and one touchdown. The cornerbacks weren't good enough on Sunday.
-- Love turned the ball over twice. On the first, he aggressively attacked downfield in a one-on-one opportunity with Christian Watson. On the second, he threw slightly behind Dontayvion Wicks. Both times, Love gave his receiver a chance to make a play. Neither was a perfect throw, and the Broncos made him pay. Denver scored seven points off two takeaways, Green Bay got only three points off one.
-- The Packers were penalized 10 times for 72 yards. Many were completely avoidable infractions. Rasheed Walker was flagged four times.
-- Given two opportunities with the ball down eight points in the fourth quarter, the Packers turned the ball over on downs on back-to-back possessions. Jordan Love took a sack on fourth down ending the first, and his pressured attempt on 4th-and-15 wasn't close to end the game.
-- Xavier McKinney had three passes defensed, but he had two failed opportunities to make a game-changing interception right before Micah Parsons' noncontact injury.
What it means
It isn't hyperbole to say this defeat -- and everything that factored into it -- is season-altering for the Packers. Not only is Matt LaFleur's team now 9-4-1 and in second place in the NFC North, but losing Christian Watson and Micah Parsons to injuries significantly lowers the Packers' championship potential entering the final three games. In fact, if both are done for the season, the championship potential for Green Bay might be zero. Watson had supercharged the passing game. Parsons was the most important player on the team not named Jordan Love. They are indispensable players. The Packers might only need one more win to get into the postseason, but winning the division just got a lot more challenging, and it's extremely difficult to envision the Packers going on the road and winning three straight games without Watson and Parsons. It sure feels like an ascending team that was becoming title worthy just had the rug pulled out from under it in the most devastating way.
What's next
Somehow, the Packers must shake off this loss, recover from a physical, injury-filled afternoon in the altitude in Denver, put together a game plan without several important pieces available and go into Chicago and beat the Bears -- who won on Sunday -- at Soldier Field on Saturday night. If the Packers want to win the NFC North and host a playoff game in January, winning next Saturday is a must. Big stakes involved in the rematch.
Winning cures everything -- that's a common line you'll hear in football circles, and it's often true. Whether it's personnel disagreements, contract squabbles, or just the ugliness that comes with losing, correcting the course and getting back in the win column seems to bring everyone onto the same page.
And that's where the New Orleans Saints have put themselves. The Saints have beaten two NFC South rivals in back-to-back weeks, putting them at 4-10 on the season. And that's moved them from what would have been a top-three pick in the 2026 NFL draft to fifth, and now seventh, after Week 15's action. New Orleans owns a strength of schedule tiebreaker over the two other 4-10 teams, the Washington Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals.
How many more wins can the Saints get this season? Each of their final three opponents are also picking in the top 10, with the Titans and Jets each having a shot at the first overall pick. Tyler Shough playing well and making clutch throws in big moments -- plus an overachieving defense -- has made a big difference, and we can't rule out the possibility they could win out. That would mean ending the year at 7-10. Their floor is probably around the 15th overall pick. This is seen as a top-heavy draft class so if you don't have a top-four pick you're probably looking at many of the same prospects at No. 7 as at No. 15.
And continuing to build momentum is more important than picking as early as possible in a draft like that. Gaining confidence that Shough is the guy to build around while developing a winning culture is critical. Let's see if they can keep it up down the stretch.
As expected, this AFC West battle between rivals was physical, as it featured two teams fighting for playoff positioning. The tensions boiled over in the second half, as one play led to a fight and an ejection in a three-point game.
A loss for the Chiefs would essentially end their dreams of making the playoffs, while a loss for the Chargers would make it tough for them to win the division. Therefore, it's no surprise that the game got chippy as time wound down.
Here's why a fourth-quarter hit led to a fight in Kansas City.
Early in the fourth quarter, , with Los Angeles up three but Kansas City driving, the Chiefs and Chargers got into a scuffle after Tony Jefferson laid a big hit on Tyquan Thornton. The Chiefs wide receiver went to haul in a pass, but Jefferson then hit Thornton in the head, resulting in a penalty.
Thornton was slow to get up, and his Chiefs teammates went after Jefferson for a perceived illegal hit. That led to a fight between the two sides.
things have gotten heated between Chiefs & Chargers after a big hit on Tyquan Thornton pic.twitter.com/OAJ8rNfAOL
While Thornton was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power, the referees ultimately ejected Jefferson from the game for an illegal hit to the head.
After the game, Jefferson apologized to Thornton and the rest of the Chiefs for the hit, saying he is "classier than that."
"I was caught up in the moment, I'm classier than that."
Thornton was hit in the head by Jefferson in the second half, and he was extremely slow to get up. While the Chiefs and Chargers fought a bit over the hit, Kansas City medical staff evaluated Thornton on the field.
Fortunately, Thornton was able to get up and walk off the field himself, but he immediately entered concussion protocol.
During the first half of the Week 15 game between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones was spotted using a walkie talkie from the owner's box.
After seeing that, many were wondering what Jones was doing with the walkie talkie, with some even thinking there might be a nefarious reason behind it.
However, that is not the case, as one Cowboys beat writer pointed out.
Why Cowboys' Stephen Jones was using walkie talkie
According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Jones uses the walkie talkie to get injury updates from the sideline.
"To clarify: The walkie talkie is for injury updates from the sideline," Machota wrote.
So, there you have it. Jones is just trying to stay on top of the team's injuries, of which the Cowboys had a few in the first half.
Running back Javonte Williams suffered a shoulder injury and was questionable to return, and offensive lineman Tyler Smith is dealing with an eye injury.
Both players managed to return to the game, though.
The Dallas Cowboys have an injury concern with running back Javonte Williams in the first half of the Week 15 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Williams suffered an apparent arm injury on the Cowboys' first drive of the game. He did finish the drive with a touchdown run but did not return to the field for Dallas' second drive.
Follow our tracker below for the latest updates on Williams' status for the rest of the game against the Vikings.
Javonte Williams injury update
UPDATE: Williams has returned to the game.
UPDATE:ESPN's Todd Archer notes that Williams is still on the sideline but does not have his helmet on, so it looks like he isn't getting back into the game for now.
"Javonte Williams is on the sidelines but doesn't have his helmet. He was examined again by medical staff. He's flexing his left arm/shoulder," Archer wrote.
Williams remains questionable to return, per the team.
When the 2025 NFL schedule dropped, it looked like one of the biggest games of the year, certainly for fans inside Broncos Country.
That was the game pegged for December 25, a Christmas night battle at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs. At the time, Broncos fans were still seething over the Broncos' loss to the Chiefs at Arrowhead last year in which a freak blocked field goal broke their hearts.
Fans sought revenge and felt that this year's team would be able to get it. Christmas night would be the perfect time, on national television, to defeat the Chiefs on the road and the Broncos officially announce themselves as a serious Super Bowl contender. But none of that seems necessary now.
The Broncos are 12-2, in first place in the AFC, and a serious contender already. They have beaten the Chiefs once already this season and now, seemingly, everyone else is going to beat the Chiefs, who were shockingly eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday.
That takes a lot of the excitement out of that game, but so does the devastating news that the Chiefs received on Sunday that Patrick Mahomes, who was injured in the final seconds of their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, tore his ACL. He obviously won't be on the field when the Broncos face the Chiefs and will be out for the foreseeable future.
Instead, Gardner Minshew will take the reins as the team's starting quarterback. The Broncos can't overlook Minshew as he has been one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league, but there is no doubt that this game has lost almost all of its luster at this point.
If you were worried about how you might balance your Christmas night while also catching the action in the Broncos game, you might be able to relax a little bit and just have the game on in the background.
EAST RUTHERFORD - In a post-game moment of honesty and humility, Jaxson Dart admitted that he's still searching for ways to cope with all this losing.
The New York Giants have done far more losing than Dart ever anticipated when he took over as their quarterback, especially after upsetting the Los Angeles Chargers and the Philadelphia Eagles in his two of his first three starts.
Then, on the road in Denver the week after that, Dart refused to accept what has been this franchise's unfortunate reality for much of the past decade-plus. And when he scored on a gutsy touchdown run for a two-point lead with 33 seconds left, the rookie from Ole Miss never gave a thought to the idea that somehow, the Giants would find a way to give the game away.
Of course, they did - and Dart's Giants have not won since, testing his patience and his confidence with each of the eight consecutive defeats, the Broncos' collapse included. The latest: Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Washington Commanders after which Dart was asked how he avoids getting as discouraged as others may expect him to be.
"I think I'm still learning that," said Dart, who completed 20-of-36 passes for 242 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 63 yards. "I haven't gone this long without a win in my career. You definitely try to obviously learn from the things that you didn't play well enough from. I'm trying to just live week to week and trying to get a little bit of motivation, be a little bit of a spark, just trying to communicate as positively as I can. These hurt, so you've got to try to take it for what it is and try to rally the troops to get better for the next week."
Make no mistake: regardless of what happens with the Giants down the stretch of this lost season, with the firing of head coach Brian Daboll well in the rear view now, with defensive coordinator Shane Bowen fired two games ago and this team still struggling the last two weeks to find a way to change the narrative, the presence of Dart must be an organizational priority.
That comes with preserving and protecting Dart from losing the swagger and aura that preceded his ascension to the position he is in now as the franchise's quarterback of the present and future.
Because after this one, Dart seemed at a loss for how this keeps happening to a team he believes has far more potential than its 2-12 record shows.
"I think that our losses have been pretty simple for the most part: just us not being a team that finishes consistently in the fourth quarter. I think that that's just the reason," Dart said. "That's what we have to fix. I think that when you watch back the tape, you understand why we're not winning games."
Certainly did not take a rocket scientist to figure out why against the Commanders.
The horrendous coverage on Washington rookie Jaylin Lane's 64-yard punt return for a touchdown in the waning moments of the first half. Two critical drops by veteran captain Darius Slayton, one that would have gone for a first down and one that could have been a touchdown.
A foolish personal foul on center John Michael Schmitz that preceded Slayton's second drop, with Schmitz for excessive yapping with Commanders players instead of going back to the huddle on a third-quarter drive on which the Giants were building momentum.
Two missed field goals by Younghoe Koo, but neither had much of a chance as both were from beyond 50 yards and going against the wind. Still, they represented two additional empty possessions. There was also a 51-yard pass play from Marcus Mariota to Terry McLaurin, who spun safety Dane Belton around in coverage before breaking a tackle attempt by cornerback Paulson Adebo on his way to the end zone.
Perhaps the most frustrating development in the game was the officials' seemingly overbearing treatment of Dart himself. The Giants had a first-and-goal from the 1 when Dart tried to get back to the line of scrimmage when a first-down pop pass into the end zone was covered. The officiating crew took Dart off the field even though he did not appear to take a big hit relative to perception, sending him to the sideline and the medical tent for a concussion evaluation.
Any rhythm the Giants had been building was lost when Jameis Winston was forced into the game ice cold from the bench. Dart was cleared soon after, but he missed two plays, only to return and fire incomplete to Wan'Dale Robinson.
Because of the narrative that has been perpetuated by discourse surrounding Dart and the need for him to protect himself on the field, there is reason to question whether that has unfairly created this dilemma in which he is being forced to walk upon a fine line that does not apply to most players.
"I'm not really sure what the reason was I had to come out of the game," Dart said. "It was just a really – it was weird. I don't understand it. ... But I was definitely surprised, just didn't feel like it was that big of a hit at all. Obviously, just the situation that we were in too, first-and-goal on the two, that's a big thing that happens in the game. So, I was definitely surprised."
Dart promises that he is still confident in the Giants' future, even after another uninspiring performance in a half-empty MetLife Stadium. Admittedly, the present is starting to wear on the QB who continues to be adamant in embracing the role of leading a floundering franchise out of the oft-embarrassing malaise that has become its brand, overshadowing the dulled shine of the four Vince Lombardi trophies that sit on display in the lobby of the Giants' training facility.
"It’s little plays that you have to make, and the other team is making, and we're not," Dart said. "And we’re not making enough of those."
For the Giants, that adds up to an eight-game losing streak.
It's something that has become all too familiar for this team.
With three games left, hope is doubtful to return until next season.
And as much as Jaxson Dart continues to fight the apathy that has gotten the best of so many around here, the reality isn't what he expects it to be.
That's more painful than anything he has experienced previously, which is why Dart is motivated and desperate to change that before it's too late.
The Giants' young QB deserves better, and that's the bottom line.
The NFC South is officially the weirdest division in football. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night to fall to second place in the division standings, but it didn't last long. The New Orleans Saints scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to upset the division-leading Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon.
And just like that, the Buccaneers are back on top of the NFC South at 7-7 with three weeks left in the season. The Panthers will host the Bucs in Week 16 with a chance to retake the division lead. The two NFC South rivals will then face off once more in Week 18.
As for the Falcons, they were already out of the division race with a 5-9 record. The same goes for the Saints, who still sit in fourth place at 4-10. Atlanta and New Orleans will face off in the final week of the 2025 NFL season. Check out the updated NFC South standings entering Week 16 below.
NFC South standings entering Week 16
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
Carolina Panthers (7-7)
Atlanta Falcons (5-9)
New Orleans Saints (4-10)
The Falcons will face off against the Arizona Cardinals on the road in Week 16. Sunday's game starts at 4:05 p.m. ET. Atlanta will look to get wide receiver Drake London back after missing the last four games.
The clock has all but run out on the 2025 Dallas Cowboys season.
What was billed as a pivotal, prime-time opportunity to revive their flagging season and gain ground in the NFC East instead spiraled into a catastrophic collapse, 34-26 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. This painful loss, their second consecutive in prime time, drops the Cowboys' record to a dreadful 6-7-1 and leaves their already slim Wild Card hopes almost dead.
The game was a perfect encapsulation of Dallas’s inconsistent season. Their high-powered offense struggled repeatedly to punch the ball into the endzone, relying primarily on kicker Brandon Aubrey for their second-half points as Dallas failed to find the end zone in the final two frames. Though quarterback Dak Prescott threw for nearly 300 yards, he was unable to engineer the crucial late-game touchdown drives needed to overcome the scrappy Vikings defense, which kept the pressure on in critical situations. Compounding the offensive struggles, the defense surrendered over 30 points for the second straight loss, solidifying the unit's disappointing identity this year.
The Vikings’ offense, led by rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, had one of its best outings of the season, with the quarterback logging three touchdowns for the second straight game. McCarthy, who had previously shown struggles with consistency and turnovers, played one of his cleanest games, accounting for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) after throwing an interception on his first pass attempt. The Cowboys’ defense failed to generate enough pressure or force the critical turnovers they desperately needed after a first-drive interception offered a momentary jolt of hope.
Combined with the Week 15 action, this loss is arguably the most damaging of the season. The NFC East lead widened after the Philadelphia Eagles advanced to 9-5. With the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers all winning and moving further ahead in the Wild Card race, the Cowboys are now buried deep in the NFC standings. Their path to the playoffs has become a nearly impossible mathematical equation.
For the entire Dallas organization, the focus shifts from postseason dreams to the immense pressure that will now linger over the final three weeks and a pivotal, looming offseason. To even maintain a faint prayer of reaching January football, the Cowboys must now win out and hope for a complete, unprecedented collapse from multiple teams ahead of them, including the Super Bowl champion Eagles.
The Sporting News followed all the action as Dallas' postseason hopes continued to crumble. Check out all the action below.
Cowboys vs. Vikings live updates, highlights from 'Sunday Night Football'
Final: Vikings 34, Cowboys 26
11:28 p.m.: Minnesota has the onside recovery, and this game is over,
J.J. McCarthy kneels and the Minnesota Vikings have delivered maybe the final blow to the Dallas Cowboys' postseason hopes.
Minnesota has its second straight win, advancing to 6-8, while Dallas has its second straight loss. The Cowboys drop to 6-7-1, and with other NFC contenders victories, see their playoff aspirations take a major hit.
Vikings 34, Cowboys 26
11:26 p.m.: Lamb is over 100 yards after hauling in his sixth reception of the game. It's the second game in the row Lamb has over 100 yards.
Now, Aubrey hits his fourth field goal of the night (out of six tries), and it's a one-score game again.
But, Dallas needs an onside kick recovery, a score, and a two-point conversion with 19 seconds remaining.
Do you believe in miracles?
11:24 p.m.: The Cowboys are across midfield twice, with Prescott finding Jonathan Mingo over the middle of the field and Dallas is inside the Minnesota 40.
Vikings 34, Cowboys 23
11:21 p.m. FIELD GOAL: With 1:13 remaining, Reichard comes on for a field goal that will make it a two-score game.
The kicker is ice cold, drilling a 53-yard field goal to extend the Vikings lead to 11. He does the Carmelo Anthony celebration as he basically ices the game for the Vikings.
11:15 p.m.: Jones has another huge run, going for 16 yards down to the Dallas 30.
The Vikings have a first down in a day where the Dallas defense has struggled mightily.
11:11 p.m.: Facing a 3rd & 7 inside their own territory, the Vikings fall just short of the line.
McCarthy hits Hockenson, but his lunge is stopped by DeMarvion Overshown.
Though, on their own 48, the Vikings go for it. Jones takes a carry up the middle, and while it's short, it gets the first down. The Vikings have a first down with just over three minutes remaining.
11:04 p.m.: After a penalty drew them back, Dallas is once again across midfield. But, on 3rd & 7, Prescott's pass to Luepke comes up incomplete.
Dallas has to go for it on 4th & 7, and while Prescott connects with Luepke this time, it's a foot short of the line to gain.
Minnesota takes over on downs, up eight. With 5:20 remaining, a lengthy drive can put the game out of reach.
11:00 p.m.: With under seven minutes remaining, Dallas is across midfield after an eight-yard Flournoy reception.
10:58 p.m.: On the first play of the drive, Prescott finds Pickens on the right side. It goes for 17 yards and a first down.
The next play, Williams rumbles forward for 15 yards to the Dallas 42.
10:57 p.m.: It looked like Turpin had a huge return, but it's brought back by a holding penalty on C.J. Goodwin.
Instead of starting past the 50, Dallas will instead start on its own 10.
Vikings 31, Cowboys 23
10:54 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: Nailor has his second touchdown of the game and Minnesota extends the lead.
On 1st & goal, McCarthy throws a bullet to Nailor, who was on an out-route, and he walks into the end zone. It's Naylor's second two-touchdown game of the season.
He lobs one to Hockenson, and the Vikings now have a 1st & goal.
10:51 p.m.: The Vikings have a first down after a McCarthy scramble. He goes for eight yards to the Dallas 40.
The next play, he finds Josh Oliver on a boot leg and it goes for major yardage. The 22-yard reception has the Vikings right outside the 20.
10:48 p.m.: Dallas is inside the 40 after a seven-yard Pickens reception. But, Prescott goes down on 3rd & 4.
It's still Aubrey range, but he misses his second field goal of the game and the Vikings still lead, 24-23.
End of the third quarter: Vikings 24, Cowboys 23
10:42 p.m.: Williams is back with two big carries. He takes it 10 yards on the first play of the Dallas drive, then nine plays on the ensuing carry, as the Cowboys are already across midfield.
Vikings 24, Cowboys 23
10:38 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: The Vikings have taken the lead.
An eight-play, 73-yard drive ends in a C.J. Ham touchdown on his first carry of the season.
This one goes for 23 yards and Minnesota is inside the 15.
10:32 p.m.: Minnesota is across midfield, with McCarthy connecting with Hockenson in the seam for 29 yards and a first down.
Cowboys 23, Vikings 17
10:27 p.m. FIELD GOAL: Dallas kicks a field goal to take a six-point lead.
The Cowboys stalled out after the first down, and instead of making it a two score game it remains at one.
Aubrey hits his third field goal in a row, and McCarthy and Minnesota will get it back with a chance to take the lead.
10:24 p.m.: The Cowboys have a new set of downs right outside of the 20, and Javonte Williams has re-entered the game.
10:20 p.m.: Dallas has another big play courtesy of Lamb.
The superstar gets another target from Prescott and he goes for 30 yards.
A few plays later, a Turpin nine-yard reception has Dallas inside the 30.
10:17 p.m.: McCarthy tries hitting Naylor on 3rd & 9 but it comes up incomplete.
Minnesota has to punt on its first drive of the half.
Dallas has the ball back, up three.
10:16 p.m.: Starting across the 40, McCarthy hands it to Jones and it's immediately stuffed by the Cowboys.
Cowboys 20, Vikings 17
10:11 p.m. FIELD GOAL: On 3rd & 8 inside the red zone, Prescott finds Turpin for a small gain, but it's not even close to a first down.
Aubrey comes on to hit his second field goal of the game, this one from 26 yards, and Dallas has the lead back.
10:09 p.m.: Dallas has a big play, with Prescott tossing the ball to Luke Schoonmaker, who takes it 29 yards down to the Minnesota 11.
10:07 p.m.: The second half is underway in Dallas, with Prescott and the Cowboys having possession first.
Halftime: Vikings 17, Cowboys 17
9:53 p.m.: At halftime, it's a tie game in Dallas.
Two touchdowns and two field goals per side have the Vikings and Cowboys in a 17-17 deadlock.
Dallas, who desperately needs a win, will get the ball first to start the second half.
Vikings 17, Cowboys 17
9:51 p.m. FIELD GOAL: Prescott throws it over Lamb's head on third down, giving Aubrey time to kick a field goal.
This time, the kicker drills a 37-yarder and the game is tied.
9:48 p.m.: Luepke is having a big game in Williams' abscence. Here, he takes in a pass from Prescott for 11 yards.
The next play, Pickens gets his first reception of the game for 10 yards, and the Cowboys are right outside the red zone.
9:45 p.m.: Dallas has a new set of downs across midfield. Luepke takes a carry five yards to the Minnesota 46.
9:43 p.m.: The Cowboys will start the drive at the 40 after the kickoff goes out of bounds.
Prescott and co. have 1:48 to work with.
A note: George Pickens still has zero receptions. Let's see if Dallas can get him involved.
Vikings 17, Cowboys 14
9:40 p.m. FIELD GOAL: The Vikings are unable to find the end zone, with McCarthy's pass to Hockenson coming up incomplete.
Will Reichard comes on to hit a 29-yard field goal attempt, the first field goal of the game.
The Vikings take the lead for the first time tonight.
9:36 p.m.: At the two-minute warning, Minnesota is threatening to take the lead.
Coming out of the break the Vikings will have a 2nd & 10 at the 11.
9:32 p.m.: On 2nd & 5, McCarthy throws a bullet to Justin Jefferson for his first reception of the game. It goes for 12 yards down to the Dallas 21.
9:30 p.m.: The Vikings are across midfield after Jones takes a 13-yard carry to the Dallas 38.
The next play, McCarthy hits Jones again, this time for five yards.
9:26 p.m.: Prescott gets crushed on 3rd & 5, going in between two Vikings defenders who stuff the Cowboys star. It was Jonathan Greenard who got to him first.
Aubrey comes on to attempt a 51-yard field goal, and it's a rare miss. This one is his third of the season.
The Vikings have the ball back with the game tied.
9:22 p.m.: On 3rd & 10, Prescott finds Jake Fergusson for his first reception of the game, but it's short of the line to gain.
The Cowboys go for it on 4th & 3 at the 50 and come up huge, with Prescott hitting Lamb over the middle of the field. It's the second 15+ yard reception for Lamb, this one going for 17 yards.
9:20 p.m.: KaVontae Turpin takes the kickoff across the 40, and Dallas will start at the 43.
Vikings 14, Cowboys 14
9:15 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: McCarthy scrambled seven yards but got tackled right before the goal-line. It sets up a 4th & goal, and McCarthy pulls a naked bootleg and griddys it into the end zone.
It's the second-year quarterback's second touchdown of the night and it's 14-14.
9:12 p.m.: The Vikings get into the end zone on a Justin Jefferson touchdown, but an illegal formation penalty takes the score off the board.
Minnesota is now on the Dallas 8.
9:10 p.m.: On 3rd & 8, McCarthy unleashes a bomb to Jordan Addison, and the receiver reels it in inside the 10. While he does not score, this one goes for 58 yards down to the Dallas 4.
The teams have now exchanged touchdowns, and Dallas leads 14-7.
End of the first quarter: Vikings 7, Cowboys 7
8:59 p.m.: On the final play of the quarter, Malik Davis takes a carry up the middle for five yards down to the Minnesota 2.
To start the second, Dallas will have a 1st & goal.
8:57 p.m.: The Cowboys open up the drive with two big plays.
First, Prescott hits Ryan Flournoy for 19 yards, and then it's CeeDee Lamb over the middle of the field for an even bigger completion.
This one goes for 30 yards and just like that, Dallas is down to the Minnesota 24.
Vikings 7, Cowboys 7
8:51 p.m. TOUCHDOWN: It only took two plays for the Vikings to get on the board.
Right after the Jones play, McCarthy hits Jalen Nailor, who makes an acrobatic catch in the end zone. The receiver was banged up after the play, but got up and walked off in his own power.
JJ McCarthy delivers a TD strike rolling to his left!
Dallas capitalizes off the McCarthy turnover and strikes first blood. It's 7-0.
8:31 p.m.: Now on the six-yard line after a Ryan Flournoy reception got Dallas into the red zone, Prescott scrambles up the middle on a 3rd & 2. He was just short, setting up a 4th & 1.
The Cowboys go for it, and Javonte Williams takes a carry up the middle for a first down.
8:27 p.m.: The Cowboys go three-and-out on their first drive, and Aubrey's field goal is a fake, and completed.
Brian Schottenheimer pulls one out of a hat to extend the drive.
8:25 p.m.: McCarthy throws an interception on his first pass attempt of the game.
He tries targeting Justin Jefferson on a curl, but it is deflected by Donovan Wilson at the line of scrimmage and it falls into the arms of Quinnen Williams.
The trade deadline acquisition from the New York Jets has the first turnover of the game.
8:24 p.m.: Aaron Jones Sr. starts off the game with a six-yard carry. The back had 76 yards rushing last week against the Commanders.
8:22 p.m.: Brandon Aubrey has kicked off and we are underway in Dallas.
First-year starter J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings offense have the ball first at the 30-yard line.
8:12 p.m.: With the game moments away, here's what's at stake-tonight.
With a win, the Cowboys would advance to 7-6-1 and keep pace in the NFC wild card race. With a loss, they will be almost eliminated from the postseason.
Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs earlier today, but has a key opportunity to play spoiler.
8:00 p.m.: Kickoff is quickly approaching, with the Cowboys needing to win to stay in the NFC playoff picture.
After a 14-win season in 2024, Minnesota has dealt with a quarterback carousel after losing Sam Darnold in free agency; McCarthy struggled to execute on his return, and now the Vikings are officially out of the playoffs in 2025.
6:03 p.m.: The Vikings are on-site, looking for their second straight victory.
"Sunday Night Football" airs nationally on NBC. Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Chris Collinsworth (color commentator) will be on the call, with Melissa Stark on the sidelines.
Peacock is the premium streaming option for the contest, carrying the national broadcast.
The Carolina Panthers did not carry themselves like a team that was two consecutive wins away from a division title on Sunday.
For the second time this season, the Panthers fell to the last-place New Orleans Saints. This time, they ate a heartbreaking 20-17 loss down in the bayou—one headlined by a myriad of flags.
Thanks to their less-than-sharp play, Carolina was penalized 11 times for a total of 103 yards.
Head coach Dave Canales started out his post-game press conference by acknowledging the sloppy showing.
"We talk about our play style, talk about play smart and finish. That did not show up today," Canales stated. "And that's something we certainly have to talk about."
Carolina's most damaging flag of all came with 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter, when safety Lathan Ransom dove at Saints quarterback Tyler Shough at the end of a slide. The folly gifted New Orleans another 15 yards and set up the go-ahead 47-yard field goal from kicker Charlie Smyth.
A victory would have given the Panthers a one-game lead in the NFC South heading into their Week 16 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A win in that showdown, had Carolina taken care of business in New Orleans, would've clinched the franchise their first division crown since 2015.
Canales was later asked about the effects of spoiling such a golden opportunity.
"Yeah, there's two things goin' on," he replied. "There's a lot of guys who are really disappointed because of the missed opportunity that we had. At the same time, there's a lot of great leaders in that locker room that understand we got a lot of football in front of us.
"We have to make sure that we move on quickly. We look at the film, make sure we tidy up the things that we need to and get ready for the next game."
That next game is slated for 1:00 p.m. ET next Sunday, and will be the biggest game the Panthers have hosted in quite some time.
Philip Rivers, father of 10 and grandfather of one, returned to the NFL after a five-year break to start at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts, the team for which he played for last in 2020.
But with Daniel Jones (torn Achilles) out for the season, Anthony Richardson (eye) still shelved and Riley Leonard (knee) banged up, Rivers was pressed back into duty to help his old friend Shane Steichen.
Although Steichen's team lost as big underdogs in Seattle, 18-16 to fall further out of the AFC wild-card race at 8-6, Rivers did better than expected in a pinch. Here's a break down of his debut after five years away.
Rivers did the best he could on a short week, getting used to the speed of the NFL game after his layoff. The Colts' defense and a run-heavy attack gave him a chance to win the game in the end until he threw an interception.
Rivers ran the Shane Steichen offense he knew well from several years together on the Chargers. He spread the ball around well and leaned a lot on running back Jonathan Taylor (25) carries to faciliate his short-to-intermediate passing game. All things considered, coming back and facing a tough Seahawks' defense in an even duel with Sam Darnold was a testament to the mental and physical toughness that was Rivers' Hall of Fame-caliber trademark.
It's not surprising that Rivers offered nothing in the way of mobility with an older body and plenty of wear and tear. He got the ball out quickly to avoid pressure but that made him settle for check downs and be dink-and-dunk dependent. The Colts lost any ability to stretch the field, either outside or down the middle.
Rivers did give them a better chance to win than anybody else they could have gotten to replace Jones and fill in for Riley Leonard. He just didn't have the juice to maximize the playmaking potential without Taylor dominating on the ground.
Week 15 is the start of the fantasy football playoffs in many leagues, and for others, the last week of the regular season and trying to get into the playoff field at all.
Lawrence wouldn't have been started everywhere, but anyone pressed into using him will be celebrating him greatly all week long.
The Detroit Lions' playoff aspirations suffered a major, perhaps fatal, blow in Week 15 in a 41-34 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams.
Though the Lions secured a crucial Week 14 win over the Cowboys, that brief resurgence was brutally countered by a 41-34 road loss to Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams. The offense was able to perform against one of the league's best in the Rams, but in the end Lions great Matthew Stafford was too much.
The high-scoring defeat, which dropped the Lions to an 8-6 record, severely impacted their playoff standing. Not only did they fail to beat a direct NFC rival, but other Wild Card contenders — including the Seattle Seahawks (11-3), Chicago Bears (10-4), and San Francisco 49ers (10-4) — all posted key victories in Week 15. This perfect storm of losses and wins for their competitors has left the Lions squarely on the outside looking in, with their playoff probability plummeting and the pressure mounting to win their final three games to avoid extending their postseason drought.
Here's where Detroit lies in the playoff picture after the loss.
After the loss and coupled with the pivotal victories by the Seahawks, Bears, and 49ers, the Lions' probability has plummeted.
The Lions' chances of making the 2025-26 playoffs are now estimated to be around 35% to 40%.
Regarding the Wild Card, the Lions remain the top team in the bubble Week 15. Detroit holds the No. 8 spot in the NFC, but after wins from the Bears, 49ers and Seahawks, the deficit has become larger.
Here is how the NFC playoff picture looks after a wild Week 15 Sunday. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
After the loss to the Rams combined with the Chicago Bears' win against the Cleveland Browns, the Lions sit two games out of the NFC North.
Detroit's best chance at making the postseason is through the Wild Card.
Lions remaining schedule
The Lions' last three games are definitely challenging, each being crucial for Detroit's postseason chances.
They'll face the Pittsburgh Steelers before heading on the road for two NFC North battles, with a road trip to face former coordinator Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears in Week 18 being the biggest.
As mentioned, the Lions need to win out to boost their chances of making the Wild Card, or at least finish strong. There is a small chance they could win the NFC North, but it's unlikely.
In the midst of a resurgent season for Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams has already drawn a parallel between himself and Golden State Warriors basketball legend Stephen Curry. He previously compared his game-winning touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals back in early November to a classic Curry dagger 3-pointer from way downtown. While Williams is very far away from having the same reputation or accomplishments as Curry, you could at least see this specific comparison on this singular play basis.
After the Bears blew out the Cleveland Browns 31-3 on Sunday, Williams inadvertently made another connection between himself and Curry, albeit an indirect one that is much more #online-coded for people used to sports memes from social media than anything else. Also, I'm not entirely sure its wording was inadvertent.
When asked about his success carving up the Browns' defense with play-action, Williams said, "he was told" he couldn't do that kind of thing and succeed at the NFL level. That wording is curious, to say the least:
"Yea...I was told I couldn't get under center or turn my back to the defense"
For those of you who (thankfully) don't spend that much time on social media, Williams' wording here sure sounds like a famous sports X/Twitter post that notes how there are always people making up strawman arguments by making a point no one else was making. It uses Curry's prolific, all-time 3-point shooting as an example, noting that a person with this mindset would say Curry's critics were calling him out for being a poor shooter, even though no one who was serious has ever said such a thing.
It's been a good template for similar sorts of arguments and rhetoric in the sports sphere over the years:
there’s always someone on twitter arguing with no one. saying stuff like “but I was told steph curry wasn’t a good shooter”
All of this to say, the Bears have been running an under-center offense all season. Williams has been terrific in play action ... all season. Anyone paying attention who is still criticizing Williams notes his occasionally poor accuracy or the Bears' still-developing dropback game, not how he can't play from under center or utilize play action well. That's the Bears' bread and butter under Ben Johnson!
Nonetheless, I appreciate Williams going at his critics and showing some spiciness. That he did it while using the wording of an all-time sports social media post just makes it even funnier. I find it awfully convenient that his wording is reminiscent of a legend he's already compared himself to. That can't be an accident.
The Tennessee Titans had no answer for the San Francisco offense in their Week 15, 37-24, loss to the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Tennessee (2-12) did look good in spurts, but the young offense couldn’t keep up with the 49ers' dynamic attack. Cam Ward started strong, looked good, and Tony Pollard continued to produce, but it was not enough to lead the Titans to a victory.
Unfortunately, the Titans lost three safeties early in the contest, and Purdy exploited the lack of depth with a barrage of explosive plays, which put the Titans down and allowed the 49ers' defense to pin their ears back and attack the Titans’ offense and harass Ward throughout the second half of the contest.
Here’s how fans reacted to the loss on social media.
If this meh version of the Titans offense was the version we got all year - all else equal, the #titans would be the middle of the pack-ish team we all expected this year.
Don’t let anyone tell you Cam isn’t good or going to be a good QB. He needs to work on plenty but the talent is there. Titans needs to lose out and land the #1 pick. They’ll get a haul and build around him. https://t.co/Cm7agJdXIk
#Titans fall 37-24 to #49ers, dropping to 2-12 on the season. TN returns home next week to face #Chiefs team that's out of the playoff chase and won't have Mahomes (ACL).
The mechanism of the injury, early reports following Sunday's loss in Denver and comments from coach Matt LaFleur all paint the same picture on the knee injury suffered by defensive end Micah Parsons.
Parsons went down with a non-contact knee injury while chasing Bo Nix outside the pocket in the third quarter on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the initial belief from the Packers' side is that Parsons tore his ACL, a season-ending injury.
"It doesn't look good, I'll leave it at that," LaFleur said post-game.
Testing will be done in Green Bay on Monday to confirm the diagnosis.
Parsons' left knee buckled while on the chase, and he appeared to be in significant pain after going to the ground. He eventually hobbled back to the locker room.
LaFleur called the day a "double whammy" because of the defeat to the Broncos and the loss of several key players, including Parsons.
"You don't wish that on anybody. It's obviously tough," LaFleur said. "We all know what kind of player he is and the impact he's had on our football team. To lose someone like that, it's tough. But no one is going to feel sorry for us. We need to find a way. Guys have to rally around each other."
Parsons, who was acquired via trade with the Dallas Cowboys in September, had 12.5 sacks during the Packers' first 13 games. He was on an All-Pro pace entering Sunday.
With a recovery timetable of at least nine months ahead, the start of the 2026 season will almost certainly be impacted for Parsons.
The Packers also lost Christian Watson (chest), Zach Tom (knee) and Evan Williams (knee) to injuries on Sunday in Denver.
The Tennessee Titans (2-12) got off to a decent offensive start, but never strung together enough defensive stops against the San Francisco 49ers (10-4). Unfortunately, the Titans whiffed their way to a 37-24 loss.
The Titans' defense opened things up by allowing a 49ers touchdown drive on the first defensive drive. The Titans marched down the field on their second offensive drive, but only came away with three points after a 63-yard drive. That would be the closest the deficit would get after the scoring started. The Titans' defense looked befuddled, failing to contain Jauan Jennings, Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey for the most part. The deficit would eventually escalate to 31-10. However, there were rare moments when the defense made plays, especially in the fourth quarter. The defense opened up that quarter with a strip sack fumble by your Titans' Wire Week 15 Player of the Game, Jeffery Simmons.
His performance didn't turn around this team on Sunday, but he put in a valiant effort. Not only did he produce on defense, but he also produced on offense with a receiving touchdown immediately following his strip sack fumble. Outside of the bizarre special teams penalty, he showed how to be a consummate pro on this failing football team yet again. He put together an outstanding performance with seven tackles (four solo), two tackles for a loss, one sack, one quarterback hit, one forced fumble, and his second career receiving touchdown! This was, without a doubt, one of the strongest Player of the Game performances of the season.
On the season, Simmons has 55 tackles, 32 solo tackles, nine sacks, and one receiving touchdown.
Goff played like a quarterback who was still out for revenge against his former team. Almost five years after the Rams gave up on him and shipped him to Detroit, Goff came back to the Los Angeles area and barbequed their defense in the first half Sunday while passing for 221 yards and three touchdowns.
Among his highlights was a brilliant 52-yard throw to Amon-Ra St. Brown, when he evaded multiple rushers and delivered the ball to the receiver just after he entered a vacant zone. Not long thereafter, Goff torched the Rams again, when he connected with Jameson Williams on a deep post in the end zone. The 31-yard scoring strike in the final minute of the second quarter widened the Lions’ lead to 10 points.
Although Goff wasn't able to sustain that level of brilliant play in the second half, he gave Detroit a fighting chance. By the end of the game, he cobbled together a terrific stat line: 25 completions on 41 attempts, 338 passing yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers.
WRs Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams
During a three-week span that elapsed between mid-November and early December, the Lions placed their top two tight ends, Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, on injured reserve. The loss of LaPorta was particularly significant because he was the team’s second-most productive receiver at the time he was shelved. With LaPorta sidelined indefinitely, St. Brown and Williams assumed a bigger burden as the complexion of the offense changed. On Sunday, they helped Goff power the passing game.
St. Brown had 13 receptions for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Williams added seven catches, 135 receiving yards and another score. Both repeatedly came through in clutch situations, hauling in completions that prolonged drives. Williams’ 25-yard catch on third down late in the first quarter extended a possession that would result in a field goal. St. Brown’s 14-yard grab on fourth-and-1 at the Lions’ 29-yard line allowed Detroit to continue a quick march to the end zone at the end of the half. Together, they accounted for 88% of the team's receiving yards.
Since the Lions rewarded Hutchinson with a gargantuan contract extension in late October, he hasn’t made many impact plays. But on Sunday, he helped swing the momentum in the Lions' favor on the Rams’ sixth offensive snap, when he swiped a pass from Matthew Stafford and returned the ball 58 yards inside the Rams’ red zone. The interception, Hutchinson’s first since October 2023, not only extinguished L.A.’s promising opening drive but it also set up the Lions’ first touchdown. One play after Hutchinson picked off Stafford, Goff hit St. Brown in the end zone to put the Lions up, 7-0.
AIDAN HUTCHINSON NEARLY TOOK IT BACK FOR A PICK-SIX
Although the Lions’ defense earned few wins over the remainder of the game, Hutchinson remained productive. He finished with four pressures, three quarterback hits and a sack.
Lions vs Rams losers
CB D.J. Reed
Reed was the Lions’ most expensive free-agent acquisition this past offseason and was brought in to replace Carlton Davis III, who signed with New England following his lone season in Detroit. In the first month of the 2025 season, an argument could be made Reed had been the team’s best defensive back. But then he pulled a hamstring in a Week 4 victory over Cleveland and missed six games. Since he returned to action Nov. 23 against the New York Giants, he has struggled to hold up in coverage.
In the Lions' win over the Cowboys in Week 14, Reed surrendered nine receptions for 130 yards before a late-game interception provided him measure of redemption. On Sunday, he was repeatedly burned by Puka Nacua. Nacua beat him on an early fourth-down completion and then scorched him again on a 36-yard out-and-up pass down the sideline in the second quarter. Not long thereafter, Reed was flagged for defensive pass interference near the goal line, which negated a 10-yard holding penalty on the Rams. With their top three safeties out of action, the Lions needed to get more out of Reed. But he wasn’t just good enough.
Lions' running game
Since coach Dan Campbell arrived in 2021, he has wanted the Lions to impose their will by controlling the line of scrimmage with a powerful running game. They often did last year. In 17 of 18 games, they topped 100 rushing yards. But they have now failed to cross that threshold five times this year. The Lions gained only 70 yards on 20 carries Sunday, as the Rams repeatedly clogged the running lanes for both Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Gibbs, who has emerged as one of the most dynamic skill players in the NFL, could never gain traction. Neither could Montgomery, who had little room to maneuver. Blame the offensive line, who couldn’t create much push.
The San Francisco 49ers hosted the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Levi's Stadium for an interconference battle in Week 15, and Kyle Shanahan's team went on to earn a 37-24 victory.
Throughout the game, the 49ers had a few players deal with injuries, including wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who suffered an ankle and knee injury on Sunday.
After the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided a small update on Pearsall's injuries.
"We'll know more for sure tomorrow," Shanahan said. "He hurt the ankle on the first play and returned and played with that the whole game. And then the knee thing, I think, was just him most likely irritating his PCL from the past. Those linger, so I'd expect him to be alright, but he was battling through a lot today."
Pearsall had five receptions for 20 yards in the last three weeks since returning from his injury. On Sunday, he caught six passes for 96 yards. The 49ers will need him to play to that level going forward if they want to make a run in the postseason.
Shanahan also mentioned defensive lineman Jordan Elliott, who was injured in the locker room pre-game, cornerback Chase Lucas and left guard Spencer Burford as other players who were injured in Week 15.
Shanahan said that Burford's ankle was bad early, and he's hoping that the fact that he returned to the game means it's not a high-ankle sprain.
The Cowboys entered Week 15 in second place in the NFC East and in the No. 10 spot in the wild-card standings going into Sunday.
According to the New York Times Playoff Simulator, the Cowboys had an 11% chance to make the postseason going into Sunday and a 9% chance to make the playoffs.
Let's see where things stand after Dallas' loss to the Vikings on Sunday night.
NFC East standings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
2. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
3. Washington Commanders (4-10)
4. New York Giants (2-12)
UPDATE: With the Cowboys' loss to the Vikings and the Eagles' win over the Raiders, the Eagles' magic number is down to one. That means an Eagles win or Cowboys loss next week clinches the division for Philadelphia.
So, that also means the Cowboys must run the table and need the Eagles to lose the rest of their games for Dallas to win the division. The Eagles play on Saturday, so the Cowboys could be eliminated before they play in Week 16.
END OF UPDATE
It's a two-team race between the Cowboys and Eagles with four games left to play entering Week 15, as both the Giants and Commanders have been eliminated.
If the Eagles win on Sunday, their magic number would be down to two. If the Cowboys lose, also, that magic number drops to one, which would mean that Philadelphia can clinch the division next week with a win or a Cowboys loss.
If the Cowboys win and the Eagles lose in Week 15, Dallas will be in position to take over first place in the NFC East next week with the same results in Week 16.
The Cowboys host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night, while the Eagles draw a very favorable matchup against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders at home.
NFC wild card standings
Seed
Team
Record
5
Seattle Seahawks
11-3
6
San Francisco 49ers
10-4
7
Green Bay Packers
9-4-1
8
Detroit Lions
8-6
9
Carolina Panthers
7-7
10
Dallas Cowboys
6-7-1
UPDATE: The Cowboys can no longer grab a wild-card spot with their loss to the Vikings on Sunday night, so this path is dead.
It's NFC East or bust for the Cowboys going into Week 16.
END OF UPDATE
The Cowboys' path to the playoffs is much tougher through the wild card.
The Cowboys enter this week sitting in the No. 10 spot and the highest they can move up is to No. 9, but will need a win to do so.
Long story short: the Cowboys have to win out and will need multiple losses from the teams in front of them just to have a chance to secure a wild-card spot.
The Los Angeles Rams saw wide receiver Davante Adams exit the Week 15 game against the Detroit Lions early due to an injury.
Adams suffered what was diagnosed as a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter and he did not return to the game. The injury was to the same hamstring that had Adams on the injury report and questionable before Sunday's game.
After the game, Rams head coach Sean McVay revealed that Adams is optimistic about his chances of playing in Week 16.
However, McVay also added that he has a hard time believing Adams will be able to play on what is a short week with the Rams playing on Thursday night.
"It didn't look good," McVay said.
"(Davante) was optimistic. He knows his body really well. ... We'll see what that means. I can't imagine that's good for Thursday," McVay added.
It's not hard to say why McVay is pessimistic. Not only do the Rams have a short week, but Adams re-aggravated an existing injury.
It goes without saying that the Rams desperately need Adams to play next week, as Los Angeles draws a huge matchup against a Seattle Seahawks team that sports an elite defense.
Adding to that, the winner of that contest between Los Angeles and Seattle will take over first place in the NFC West going into Week 17, as the Rams and Seahawks are both 11-3 but the Rams currently hold the head-to-head tie-breaker.
A win for the Rams would clinch the head-to-head tie-breaker, which is the first one when determining a division winner between teams with the same record.
We'll get our next update on Adams on Monday, when the Rams release their first injury report of the week.
Davante Adams left Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter after suffering a hamstring injury. It happened on a deep shot where Adams came up limping before going down to the ground in pain.
Adams had been dealing with a hamstring injury for the last two weeks, managing it in practice by getting several days off. He aggravated it in Sunday’s game, Sean McVay said, and could miss some time.
After the game, McVay told reporters that it “didn’t look good” and that although he won’t rule Adams out for Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks, it seems unlikely he’ll be ready to play.
He said it’s the same hamstring Adams has been managing. After speaking to Adams, McVay said the receiver is optimistic but “I can’t imagine that’s good for Thursday,” the coach added.
The Rams visit the Seahawks on Thursday night in a game that could determine the NFC West winner, so it's as big a matchup as Los Angeles will have all season. If Adams is unable to play, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield and Tutu Atwell would be asked to step up.
The Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl chances took a massive hit in Week 15, and not because of the result of their matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Star defender Micah Parsons, who was acquired by the Packers before the 2025 season and has remained one of the most impactful pass rushers in the NFL, left the game with an apparent non-contact knee injury.
Parsons' official diagnosis hasn't yet been confirmed, but based on the "initial belief," per ESPN's Adam Schefter, it appears to be a long-term setback for the Packers star.
The "initial belief" is that Parsons tore his ACL against the Broncos, according to Adam Schefter. Still, that will have to be officially diagnosed after further testing, but the early signs are not positive for the star defender.
The initial belief is that Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL today, as @ProFootballTalk reported. There will be further testing to see if that is the case. pic.twitter.com/YmLUtdFaV7
With Green Bay still in playoff contention, it appears that the team will have to fill a massive defensive void left by Parsons' injury. For now, the expectation is that Parsons won't be on the field again in 2025.
Torn ACL recovery timeline
If the MRI officially concludes that Parsons tore his ACL, as is the reported initial belief, then he will be out for the rest of the season and also in danger of missing the start of the 2026 season, given the timing of the injury. A torn ACL typically requires a recovery time of 9-12 months, depending on the severity.
Another NFL star was diagnosed with a torn ACL in Week 15 as well, as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down for the long-term.
The Green Bay Packers lost Zach Tom, Christian Watson, Micah Parsons and Evan Williams to injuries, gave up a 23-14 lead in the second half and lost 34-26 to the Denver Broncos during a devastating day at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday.
Up nine points in the third quarter, the Packers looked on their way to an important win over an AFC contender. But just about everything unraveled from there, and the Packers are now in a precarious spot with three games to go.
Here is an instant analysis of the Packers' season-altering loss in Denver:
Final score: Broncos 34, Packers 26
It was over when...
Jordan Love threw incomplete on 4th-and-15 with just under a minute to go. The Packers turned the ball over on downs on back-to-back possessions to end the contest.
Game balls
RB Josh Jacobs: The veteran running back fought through a knee injury and scored a pair of touchdowns, one on an impressive catch on third down and another from 40 yards out to open the second half. Jacobs finished with 92 total yards.
LB Edgerrin Cooper: He kept the Packers alive late with a pass breakup and a tackle for loss on fourth down, creating turnover on downs.
K Brandon McManus: The former Bronco made all four field goals in his return to Denver.
Key stat
The Packers allowed Bo Nix to complete 23 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns. His passer rating was 134.7. With or without Micah Parsons, the Packers defense found precious few answers in the passing game.
Deciding factor
The Packers were 1-for-4 scoring touchdowns in the red zone. The Broncos went 4-for-4. Settling for field goals (in large part due to penalties in the red zone) and not getting stops inside the 20-yard line eventually sunk the Packers.
Jordan Love watch
Love was terrific in the first half, completing 17 passes for 215 yards. It all unraveled in the second half after he threw an interception to Patrick Surtain II on a play where Christian Watson was injured. Love threw a pair of interceptions and failed to convert on two fourth down opportunities late in the game with the Packers down eight points. His passer rating was around 120.0 at the half. It finished at 68.8.
Play of the game
The Packers were rolling to start the second half after Josh Jacobs ripped off a 40-yard touchdown run to put Green Bay up 23-14. It all went downhill from there.
Right tackle Zach Tom, receiver Christian Watson, defensive end Micah Parsons and safety Evan Williams all left with injuries. Linebacker Quay Walker and receiver Jayden Reed also appeared to get banged up in the second half.
What's next
The Packers go to Chicago for a huge NFC North battle in six days. Can Matt LaFleur's team get off the mat, lick their wounds and beat the Bears on the road next week?
The Denver Broncos clinched a spot in the NFL playoffs with a 34-26 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon. Here's a sampling of how Twitter/X reacted to the game.
Bo Nix was brilliant, with 4 TDs to 4 different receivers. He was never sacked. The D bent but seldom broke, forcing GB to settle for 4 FGs. DEN clinches its playoff spot & stands alone as the NFL’s best team with a league-leading 12-2 record.
Justin Jefferson's problems really aren't his own.
They're the issues that second-year QB J.J. McCarthy is having. He's been one of the least accurate quarterbacks in the NFL.
Jefferson battled injuries earlier in the season, but those aren't known to be a problem now.
The Vikings' offense has struggled as a whole. And if McCarthy isn't confident in himself to target Jefferson in double coverage, that doesn't help, either.
Jefferson has been due to get it going for a while.
Maybe Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys will be when that happens. But also, maybe not. McCarthy isn't helping his superstar wide receiver.
The Eagles are 9-5, losers and back into the winners' circle after a 31-0 shutout win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday afternoon. Philadelphia still has two NFC East contests remaining, but a Dallas loss to Minnesota would all but wrap up back-to-back division titles.
Still, as a divisional matchup with Washington looms, Philadelphia is still comfortably entrenched as the No. 3 seed. It could be locked into that spot depending on what happens with the Packers over the next three weeks.
With preparation for the Commanders set to begin, we look at the updated NFC standings after the Eagles' win, the Rams' win, and the Packers' loss.
NFC Playoff Picture entering Week 15
1 Rams 11-3: 1st in NFC West -- Clinched playoff berth
If the season ended today, the Bears and Packers, who are already scheduled to meet in Week 16, would meet in the Wild Card round. Philadelphia would host the surging 49ers, while the Buccaneers would host the Seahawks.
It's been quite the day for the Chicago Bears, who got a blowout win over the Cleveland Browns and now find themselves back in first place in the NFC North.
With the Bears' dominant 31-3 win over the Browns and the Green Bay Packers falling to the Denver Broncos, 34-26, Chicago is back in first place in the NFC North with a 10-4 record. Green Bay's loss drops them to 9-4-1 and second place. Meanwhile, the Detroit Lions suffered a 41-34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams to fall to 8-6 as their playoff chances took a massive hit.
Now, for the second time in three weeks, the Bears and Packers will square off for first place in the NFC North as the two historic franchises battle in prime-time on Saturday. Green Bay won the first meeting back in Week 14, as Chicago fell just short of a last-minute comeback.
But the hope is Ben Johnson will have his team ready to flip the script this time at Soldier Field. Heading into the final three weeks of the regular season, the Bears have some difficult matches against the Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Lions.
What 14 teams are positioned to make the NFL playoffs in the 2025 regular season, from the eight division winners to six total wild cards? What would the seeding look like in the race for Super Bowl 60?
Here are the answers in Sporting News' latest look at how the postseason field is coming together in both conferences going into the Sunday night and Monday night games of Week 15:
The Broncos lead the Patriots for No. 1 by a full game and conference-record tiebreaker (7-2 vs. 6-3) after winning a tough interconference game over the Packers at home on Sunday. They also still lead the division by two games over the Chargers, whom they play again at home in Week 18.
2. New England Patriots 11-3 (first place, AFC East)
The Patriots, in addition to falling behind the Broncos, failed to clinch the division title by losing at home to Buffalo. Their division lead is now down to one game and the division record tiebreaker (3-1 vs. 3-2) over the Bills.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars 10-4 (first place, AFC South)
The Jaguars beat the Jets to remain a full game ahead of the second-place Texans, who also won in Week 15. The Texans for now hold the division record tiebreaker (4-1 vs. 3-1) should that come into play later.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-6 (first place, AFC North)
The Steelers are up a half-game and head-to-head tiebreaker on the Ravens after beating that team in Week 14. They will try to keep pace with the Ravens, who beat the eliminated Bengals, by beating the Dolphins on Monday night.
5. Los Angeles Chargers 10-4 (second place, AFC West)
The Chargers stayed ahead of the Bills with their road win over the Chiefs as they still hold the conference-record tiebreaker for the top wild card (8-2 vs. 7-3).
6. Buffalo Bills 10-4 (second place, AFC East)
The Bills are down a game and a tiebreaker to the Patriots with only three games left to play. They won to keep pace with the winning Chargers and Texans.
7. Houston Texans 9-5 (second place, AFC South)
The Texans have rallied from 0-3 to go 8-2 since and stay a game behind the Jaguars in the division race. They are ahead of the third-place Colts for this third wild-card spot by a half-game.
The Colts are the team to watch in the wild-card race but it will be tough minus Daniel Jones after losing to the Seahawks. The Ravens will somehow need to pass the Steelers with the division being the only playoff path. The Dolphins would be eliminated if they lose to the Steelers on Monday night.
Who's out?
13. Kansas City Chiefs (6-8) 14. Cincinnati Bengals (4-10) 15. New York Jets (3-11) 14. Cleveland Browns (3-11) 15. Tennessee Titans (2-11) 16. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
All six of these teams have been eliminated, with the Chiefs and Bengals being the last members to join the club in Week 15.
The Rams, after beating the Lions, lead the NFC North-leading Bears by a full game for this top spot that comes with home-field advantage and a first-round bye. They still lead the division by a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Seahawks and a full game over the 49ers, who both also won in the late window on Sunday.
2. Chicago Bears 10-4 (first place, NFC North)
The Bears had a great Week 15 after beating the Browns at home as both the now second-place Packers and third-place Lions lost late to give them the edge in the division again. The Bears lead by the Packers by a half-game and the Lions by two games with three left to play.
3. Philadelphia Eagles 9-5 (first place, NFC East)
The Eagles lead the division by 2.5 games over the Cowboys after beating the Raiders at home to end a three-game losing streak on Sunday. They are two games back of the No. 1. They have the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Rams but they lose the head-to-head tiebreaker to the Bears.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-7 (first place, NFC South)
The Buccaneers lost to the Falcons to drop to .500 on Thursday night and into second place, only to see the Panthers lose to the Saints to also drop to .500 on Sunday. The Bucs again lead the Panthers by the common-games tiebreaker ahead of the teams playing for the first time in Week 16.
5. Seattle Seahawks 11-3 (second place, NFC West)
The Seahawks kept pace with the Rams by edging the Colts in Week 15. They remain a full game ahead of the third-place 49ers, who beat the Titans.
6. San Francisco 49ers 10-4 (third place, NFC West)
The 49ers beat the Titans on Sunday to keep pace with the Rams and Seahawks, hoping they can still make up ground and take the division by Week 18.
2. Green Bay Packers 9-4-1 (second place, NFC North)
The Packers' loss to the Broncos dropped them out of the division lead and all the way down to the last wild-card spot. They still lead the Lions by 1.5 games plus the head-to-head tiebreaker from the season sweep.
The Lions' playoff chances took a huge hit with the loss to the Rams. The Panthers' only real path is through the division title over the Buccaneers. The Cowboys are on the brink of elimination.
Who's left?
11. Minnesota Vikings 6-8 12. Atlanta Falcons 5-9 13. New Orleans Saints 4-10 14. Washington Commanders 4-10 15. Arizona Cardinals 3-11 16. New York Giants 2-12
All these teams were eliminated from playoff contention before the end of Week 15.
Ouch. The New Orleans Saints' depth chart at running back took another hit during Sunday's game with the Carolina Panthers -- rookie draft pick Devin Neal immediately left the game after scoring a touchdown run in the second quarter.
The ailment has been ruled a hamstring injury and he's now questionable to return. This is particularly unfortunate for the Saints, who also recently lost star running back Alvin Kamara due to a (knee/ankle) injury that has lasted some three games so far. To make matters worse, Neal was downgraded in the third quarter.
This keeps the Saints thin in an area of offense that has already taken a blow and could be a difference-maker in the outcome of games because of how important Kamara is. And with this, the team is quite literally left with just Evan Hull and Audric Estime.
It will be interesting to see how things shake out with these two as the Saints continue to battle the injury bug in a lost season./
The Washington Commanders tried to give it away. In Sunday's 29-21 win over the New York Giants, the Commanders, up 29-14, saw quarterback Marcus Mariota fumble around midfield. The Giants took advantage, scoring several plays later to make it a one-score game.
Washington still controlled the game. However, running back Jeremy McNichols fumbled and recovered close to midfield. The Giants would get one more shot to shock the Commanders and send the game to overtime, something no one wanted. Fortunately, New York quarterback Jaxson Dart's final two throws fell incomplete, allowing Washington to kneel and come away with the win.
Commanders players were happy. The coaches were relieved, too. The fans? Not so much. At this time of the year, for fans, it's always about draft positioning.
The win moved Washington to 4-10 on the season. It was the Commanders' first win since an impressive 27-10 victory over the Chargers on October 5.
How did Washington fans and media react to the win? Some were shocked, and assumed, somehow, the Commanders would give it away. Let's see some of the best reactions.
And that should do it, barring another fumble of course.
I am & always will be a Washington fan. I want what's best for my team. This was a fumble-filled & penalty-filled win at a bad Giants team. Does nothing to make us feel appreciably better about this season. And harms the quest for top-five pick. These last three games are huge.
Commanders win a football game for the first time in nearly 2 months and sweep the New York Football Giants in the 2025 season. Take the positives in a bad year. #RaiseHailpic.twitter.com/VGVr2oFLgw
A throw by Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love early in the third quarter of Week 15 didn't just end with an interception – it also included an injury to a key Packers player.
Wide receiver Christian Watson remained down on the field after Denver Broncos cornerback – and reigning Defensive Player of the Year – Patrick Surtain II came away with an interception. Watson clutched at his left shoulder after the play was over and needed to be attended to by Green Bay team trainers while on the turf.
Within moments, the Broncos scored a touchdown off of the interception, and the Packers declared Watson questionable to return with a chest injury.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson was injured while attempting to catch a deep ball from Jordan Love during the third quarter of Sunday's showdown with the Denver Broncos. The pass was intercepted, and Watson landed hard on his left shoulder.
Watson was evaluated on the field for a few minutes and then evaluated again on the sideline before exiting the field for the locker room.
The Packers say Watson is questionable to return with a chest injury.
Watson caught three passes for 29 yards before the injury. He came into Sunday with five touchdown catches in his last four games, including a pair of scores during the Packers' win over the Chicago Bears last week at Lambeau Field.
Watson was playing in his eighth game since returning from an ACL injury suffered in January. He had 25 catches for 452 yards and five scores entering Sunday.
FOXBOROUGH — For the majority of the first half, the New England Patriots were able to completely stop Josh Allen. However, one thing Mike Vrabel made clear earlier in the week is that as long as No. 17 is still in the game, the Buffalo Bills can never be counted off.
He wasn't kidding.
Allen finished the game going 19-of-28 for 193 passing yards, along with 22 carries for 107 rushing yards. And it was his precision and poise that allowed Buffalo to mount an impressive comeback, ultimately defeating the Patriots in a game with the AFC East title on the line.
After the game, New England star cornerback Christian Gonzalez had high praise for the Bills quarterback, specifically when asked about what makes him so hard to defend.
"I mean, that is what he does. That is his superpower, that is who Josh Allen is," Gonzalez said. "We talked about it all week. It is just props to them. He went out and came out in the second half and did what he does. We will learn from it. It hurts, obviously, everybody knows this hurts, but we will learn from it. Get in here tomorrow, learn from it, and be ready to move on to Baltimore next week.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel had a similar answer when asked about what he's seen on film from Allen in terms of his ability to alter a game.
"Same thing everybody else sees," Vrabel explained. "He’s 6’5″, 250 pounds, runs fast, hard to tackle, hard to get down on the ground. He has an accurate, strong arm. I’m giving you a dissertation on a league MVP. Just watch all the games and know that it’s the same as it was last week. Had a guy free. Weren’t able to make the play. Last week’s team had a guy free, we weren’t able to make a play. That’s why they drafted him and pay him $60 million. I don’t know what to tell you. Just exactly what we knew what it was going to be, that we were going to need to get a stop or be able to tackle and if we pressured and we came free — so hopefully we get another opportunity to do that."
Christian Watson has suffered an injury during the third quarter of the Green Bay Packers' game against the Denver Broncos while he was diving for a deep ball.
The ball was intercepted by Broncos' All-Pro Patrick Surtain as both players went to the ground.
The Packers' wide receiver was tended to be several members of the Packers' medical team with a chest injury. He went to the locker room.
Watson missed the first six games of the season as he recovered from a torn ACL he suffered in the finale game of the 2024 season on Jan. 5, 2025.
The fourth-year receiver, who has battled many injuries in his career, has been playing some of the best football of his career as the team's No. 1 option.
He had five touchdown receptions in the last four games heading into the contest at Denver.
Christian Watson injury update
Watson is getting X-rays in the locker room for the chest injury, CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson reported.
The Buffalo Bills, midway through their battle with the New England Patriots, were down 21-0, and it looked like Drake Maye and Co. were on their way to a curb-stomping division win.
But the Bills didn't go quietly, and slowly made a comeback, with the offense scoring a touchdown just before halftime to make it a 21-7 deficit.
However, after the main break, the tables turned.
Buffalo scored touchdowns on four straight possessions, while the Patriots stuttered, and Josh Allen led a comeback for the ages, which resulted in a 35-31 win that denied New England the division for at least another week.
But what was the catalyst for such an incredible second-half turnaround?
“We stayed the course,” Allen said. “Stayed together, didn't ride the highs, didn't ride the lows. Just told ourselves at halftime, we really felt like we were hurting ourselves in the first half. Going out there and just trying to execute each and every given play.”
Just one game behind the Patriots now, the Bills are still going to need some help and will have to win out and hope New England stumbles in the final three games to have a shot at the AFC East.
But there is now no margin for error for New England, who face a Baltimore Ravens team that just pitched a 24-0 shutout against the Cincinnati Bengals on the road.
So, things are getting tight for the AFC East, and with the Bills now very much in the conversation, we will see how the Patriots handle this new level of pressure in the following weeks.
The bullies of the AFC East aren't going down without a fight.
How different can a team look after six weeks? Just ask the Houston Texans.
C.J. Stroud threw three touchdowns, including a dagger in the fourth quarter to Nico Collins as the Texans secured their sixth straight win in a 40-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at NRG Stadium.
The Texans, who now are a win away from tying their previous two season total, could clinch a playoff berth before Christmas with a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders next week.
Houston had the offense in rhythm early with a 57-yard touchdown strike to Collins on the second play of the game. The Pro Bowler took the short throw, juked past two defenders and ran untouched into the end zone for the score in just 49 seconds, the fastest scoring drive of the season for the offense.
Collins, who finished with 86 yards on three catches, joined Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins as the only receivers in franchise history to finish with over 1,000 receiving yards in three straight seasons. Dalton Schultz also caught a touchdown and finished with eight catches for 76 yards.
Arizona's offense was bottled up for most of the afternoon behind an underwhelming performance from Jacoby Brissett, though Trey McBride proved to be a problem for the defense. The Pro Bowl tight end finished with 12 catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Michael Wilson notched an 11-yard score with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but trailing by 19, Arizona needed to go for two. It failed, leading to another scoring drive for Houston, this time resulting in a touchdown pass to Collins.
Second-year defensive back Kamari Lassiter notched his fourth interception on a Brissett's pass in the end zone to begin the third quarter. Houston would capitalize and score on the ensuing drive.
Ka'imi Fairbairn made four of his five field goals, including a 55-yard kick with about nine minutes left in the second. The only kick he missed was blocked at the line of scrimmage before halftime.
While the run game still needs work, Houston found life with Nick Chubb sidelined. Woody Marks scored a 6-yard touchdown to make it 17-0 in the first quarter before leaving in the second quarter with an ankle injury. After Marks left, Jawhar Jordan, a practice squad player, totaled 15 carries for 101 yards in his NFL debut, including a 55-yard run to set up Schultz's touchdown.
The Texans are set to return next Sunday to NRG Stadium for a date with the Raiders at 3:25 p.m.
The Green Bay Packers have an injury concern with wide receiver Christian Watson in the second half of the Week 15 game against the Denver Broncos.
Watson suffered his injury in the third quarter while trying to make a catch on a deep ball. It looked as though Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain landed on Watson's shoulder.
Follow our tracker below for the latest updates on Watson's status for the rest of the game against the Broncos.
Christian Watson injury update
UPDATE: Watson is listed with a chest injury officially and is questionable to return, the team announced.
UPDATE: Watson is now heading to the locker room, which is a bad sign for his chances of returning. Still no update from the team.
UPDATE: Watson left the field under his own power but is not going into the medical tent apparently, which is a good sign.
Watson stayed down on the field after the play and was clutching his shoulder while in obvious pain. He is now being tended to by the medical staff.
We'll update this page once more information is known.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and his team were eliminated from the postseason for a third consecutive season in embarrassing fashion on Dec. 14 at Paycor Stadium.
The Bengals’ 24-0 loss to Baltimore Ravens put the Bengals in a place no one saw coming following 2021-22 seasons. Cincinnati was once viewed as a perennial AFC contender with Burrow at the helm.
Three seasons have passed since the Bengals’ AFC championship appearance, and each one has left Burrow sitting at home when the postseason begins. This week, Cincinnati’s star quarterback dominated the NFL news cycle in a way that left fans and media questioning if Burrow wants out of Cincinnati.
Burrow addressed his comments about finding joy in playing football from his Dec. 10 press conference following the Week 14 loss to the Ravens. When asked if he’s happy playing football in Cincinnati, Burrow took time to clear the air.
“My (Wednesday) comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati,” Burrow said. “My comments had everything to do with me and my mindset, and football.”
The Bengals didn’t score a point on offense against the Ravens. It was an uncharacteristically bad performance by Burrow, and he took full responsibility.
He completed 25 of 39 pass attempts for 225 yards and threw two interceptions, including a pick-six for a second consecutive week.
“I think this is one of the worst games I’ve played,” Burrow said. “I’m honest with myself and my play. I hold myself to a high standard and today didn’t come close.”
Cincinnati’s current record compared to the expectations set for the Bengals ahead of the year begs the question of whether changes will be made internally. Typically, in the NFL, three years of missing the playoffs results in some sort of organizational change.
Burrow is standing by his head coach Zac Taylor and the Bengals’ front office. He was asked directly if he still has confidence in the people in charge of putting together the roster in Cincinnati.
“A lot of confidence,” he said. “Because I know how hard people work at it, and we have the right people. It starts with players playing better, and today it was me.”
Burrow admitted the Bengals “haven’t been a good football team” this year. Cincinnati has the worst defense in the NFL in three major metrics: Points allowed per game (31.2), yards allowed (403.8) and rush defense (157.9).
The Bengals knew they needed to fix their defense following an abysmal season on that side of the ball in 2023. Firing former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was the step the organization believed would fix all of their issues.
And what the Bengals – and the rest of the NFL – found out this year is that Cincinnati’s defensive issues go beyond coaching. The lack of talent and development on the defensive side of the ball is the culprit of the Bengals’ issues.
Cincinnati has drafted 17 defensive players since 2022. Only a handful of those players have panned out. And when the Bengals paid wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Burrow what they did, the organization was going to have to build its defense through the draft.
Free agency should be used to complement what the team builds through the draft. The best teams in the NFL draft consistently well and use free agency to fill holes needed.
Look no further than the Denver Broncos (11-2), Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) and Los Angeles Rams (10-3) as teams that have built defenses through the draft.
The Bengals have become an organization centered around their offense. With Burrow, Higgins and Chase on the roster, the Bengals believe they can win against any team.
And what they’ve now proved two years in a row is that strategy is flawed. Cincinnati needs to build a better team around those three players to at least give them a chance to reach their full potential.
“It’s frustrating,” Taylor said. “This is a team I thought was a talented team that was going to have a chance to do big things this year.”
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson has not had a chance to celebrate since going viral on Black Friday, when he took his shirt off following the win over the Philadelphia Eagles. But that all changed on Sunday.
After a disappointing loss to the Green Bay Packers last week, the Bears responded in a big way by blowing out the Cleveland Browns, 31-3, on Sunday with a complete showing from both the offense and defense. The frigid temperatures more than likely forced Johnson to keep his shirt on in the locker room, but after the win, he delivered a very passionate "Good, Better, Best" post-game victory speech at Soldier Field.
Take a look inside the Bears locker room as Johnson once again delivered the viral post-game victory speech following their Week 15 win:
Johnson handed out two game balls, one to veteran linebacker D'Marco Jackson, who has stepped up in the absence of Tremaine Edmunds, totaling seven tackles, one sack, and an interception. The other game ball went to veteran wide receiver DJ Moore. Picking up his second game of the season where he had two touchdowns, Moore finished the game with four receptions for 69 yards and those two scores.
The reoccurring theme in the locker room was that the team was very thrilled with the victory over the Browns, but there is still a bad taste in their mouth following the loss to the Packers last week. The Bears got the win they had to have in Week 15. But now all the focus shifts to their bitter arch rival in Week 16, a prime-time game that will take place on Saturday night.
Down and out in a huge 21-0 manner early in the game, the Bills (10-4) completely turned it around to win 35-31 against the Patriots (11-3) on the road at Gillette Stadium.
After everything essentially went wrong, it all went right in the second half for Buffalo.
Miss the action? Want to check it out again?
Full highlights from the Bills' win over the Patriots can be found below:
The Cincinnati Bengals have been going through it the last two weeks. After a tough Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Bengals also dropped a 24-0 blowout to the division rival Baltimore Ravens.
That loss officially eliminated the Bengals from the playoffs, and things are in dire straits for the organization. Joe Burrow, in the week leading up to this loss, made some concerning comments about his future.
While nothing came of it, his struggles in Week 15 were of notice to Ja'Marr Chase. After the game, as Mike Petraglia of CLNSCincy.com shared, Chase acknowledged that he might need to support Burrow after another tough week.
Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase acknowledges Joe Burrow's struggling mental state
"If I'm being honest, I've never been in a situation with him where I've had to uplift him," Chase said of Burrow, "but going forward, I might need to because he does it for me. You never know what he might be going through. I might need to start doing that."
“If I’m being honest, I’ve never been in a situation with him where I’ve had to uplift him, but going forward I might need to because he does it for me. You never know what he might be going through. I might need to start doing that.” Ja’Marr Chase on Joe Burrow pic.twitter.com/RDwsnlx28m
This comment from Chase is both a good and a bad sign. It's a positive one that Chase is willing to be there for his franchise quarterback and help him in any way he needs.
But the fact that Burrow might need such help is a bad sign. Things were concerning before this game, and now, after being eliminated from the playoffs, there are some major long-term concerns with this team.
While Burrow has emphasized his willingness to play football, and in Cincinnati, his comments, and now these comments from Chase, point to some internal struggles for Burrow.
It's too soon to be worried about Burrow's status going forward, but it cannot be ignored that Chase is stepping forward publicly to come to Burrow's aid if needed.
This 24-0 loss was a brutal way for the Bengals' playoff hopes to come to an end. Burrow played poorly and only added to the negative feelings that he's feeling.
Something needs to change for the Bengals, and at least for now, Ja'Marr Chase is stepping up to aid his quarterback amid some concerning internal struggles.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in freefall, losing five of their last six games, and the latest, to the Atlanta Falcons, saw Todd Bowles' team up 28-14 in the fourth quarter.
A game-winning field goal was a dagger to the hearts of Tampa Bay fans and players as the franchise now has to pick itself up for a monster Week 16 clash against the Carolina Panthers on the road.
Given the two losses the Buccaneers are coming off of, the team's ability to keep pushing forward when things feel bleak is tough.
But for Bowles, the biggest challenge his team faces ahead of Week 16 is dealing with the mental approach.
“I don't think it's a big hurdle physically, it's a bigger hurdle mentally because of the two losses we just got over, two in one week really that sort of to speak," Bowles said. "So, we got to regroup, we got to come back Monday, and we just got to take it one day at a time, one play at a time."
This week will be huge for the franchise, and without being too heavy-handed, the Buccaneers, if they win, will have a great chance to win the division.
But lose, and it will be incredibly tough and would need to win out to ensure a fifth-straight NFC South title.
For Bowles, the key to getting a win in Week 16 is focusing on one thing.
"We got to come back with the attitude and just try to do the little things right," Bowles added. "We just want to work on the little things. If we can do those, we feel like we give ourselves a chance to win. We just got to go from practice to the game."
After starting the year 5-1, the Buccaneers have won just once since Week 8, and now that good start has been erased.
Still controlling their playoff destiny, the Buccaneers know how important Week 16 is, and getting the little details right could be what hands Tampa Bay the ascendancy in the division race.
The triumphant return of Joe Burrow was supposed to be the spark that ignited a late-season playoff surge for the Cincinnati Bengals. Instead, after a devastating 24-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, those postseason dreams have officially crashed.
The brief flicker of hope following their shocking Thanksgiving upset of the Ravens quickly faded into darkness, replaced by a heartbreaking sequence: a 39-34 loss to the Bills, culminating in Sunday’s embarrassing blanking.
With this latest defeat, the Bengals are not only eliminated from contention but have now missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season, transforming their anticipated resurgence into a spectacular disappointment. Burrow had an extremely honest assessment of his performance as the Bengals offense was held scoreless.
This is what Burrow had to say after the Ravens put the nail in the coffin in another disappointing season for the Bengals.
Following the disheartening 24-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens that officially eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention, quarterback Joe Burrow was critical of himself, while also addressing concerns raised by his cryptic comments earlier in the week.
Burrow shouldered the entirety of the blame for the team's offensive struggles and defeat. Burrow called it one of the worst games of his career, saying "There’s no team in the NFL that would have won today if I was the quarterback.”
This was the quarterback's worst game of the season and the first in 2025 where Burrow did not throw a touchdown. Though the Bengals controlled the time of possession, it was 3-for-15 on third down and turned over the football twice.
Burrow clarified the comments he made earlier in the week about needing to "have fun" and questioning his future, ensuring reporters they were not a shot at the organization.
"My comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati," Burrow said. "My comments had everything to do with me and my mindset and football."
Burrow's long-time teammate, Ja'Marr Chase, commented on Burrow after the loss as well.
Joe Burrow said that his comments about happiness this week had nothing to do with Cincinnati.
Ja'Marr Chase said that he might need to start uplifting Burrow because: "you never know what he might be going through."#Bengals@WCPOpic.twitter.com/ewh1PkTbVc
The Chicago Bears blew out the Cleveland Browns, 31-3, Sunday at Soldier Field. It was a chilly affair, making it one of the more difficult games of the season right off the bat.
Early in the game, special teams were on top of their game. Devin Duvernay returned the opening kickoff to midfield, and the punt unit pinned the Browns offense on the one-yard line after the Bears couldn’t score on their opening possession.
After making a defensive stop when Cleveland was pinned in, Chicago took a 7-0 lead. Running back D’Andre Swift scored his sixth touchdown of the season, and Cairo Santos hit the extra point. From there, the Bears were off and running.
Eventually, they took a 14-0 lead, and only climbed up from there. The final score of 31-3 tells the story perfectly of how much the Bears dominated the football game.
Chicago is now 10-4 in head coach Ben Johnson's first year. A double-digit win season was not a lock for the Bears coming into 2025, especially after starting the year 0-2. Everyone from the coaching staff to the executives to the players should be proud of the year that they are putting together.
Quarterback Caleb Williams completed 17-of-28 passes for 242 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. It wasn't a perfect outing for him out in the cold, but he made some big-time throws when he needed to. Williams and the offense accounted for four touchdowns, so it was more than good enough.
In the run game, Swift carried the load with 18 carries for 98 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, and two touchdowns. Kyle Monangai, who has had a great rookie year, carried it for 33 yards on 11 carries. It is hard to say which of these guys is going to be the biggest difference maker from week to week, but one of them always seems to step up.
The Bears defense was the biggest difference in this game. They allowed just three points to the Browns, which was even more lackluster than they are used to. They forced rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to throw three interceptions, adding to their league lead in takeaways (30).
Chicago isn't going to play the Browns defense, or one like it every week, or even again this season. But they got back to some of the habits that have made them successful so far this season.
The Bears' 10th win should get Ben Johnson into "Coach of the Year" conversations, if he isn't already. The fact that this team is pushing for the top spot in the NFC North is far from where they were last year at this time (in the middle of a 10-game losing streak). As mentioned before, everyone deserves credit, but Johnson's impact as a first-year head coach is monumental.
Now, as a 10-win team, the Bears made their case for being a playoff team even clearer. They have some tough matchups coming up in the final three games, starting with the Green Bay Packers next week.
The New York Giants came into their Week 15 match against the Washington Commanders riding a seven-game losing streak. The Commanders entered the game with a long losing streak of their own -- eight straight and nine of their last 10.
Someone was going to get off the schneid this week.
The Giants did not get off to a strong start in this game, so there was no lead to blow. In fact, they never led at any point. It was just another disappointing Sunday in a long string of disappointing Sundays for Giant fans.
Here's a breakdown of the studs, duds, and in-betweens from the Giants' 29-21 Week 15 loss to the Commanders.
Stud: RB Tyrone Tracy, Jr.
Tracy had 97 yards from scrimmage (70 rushing, 27 receiving) and had two touchdowns -- one rushing, one receiving. It was a solid showing for the second-year player, who was hoping to build on his productive rookie season, but a shoulder injury and the arrival of Cam Skattebo put. acrimp in those plans. With three games to go, he has a chance to finish strong.
Dud: Special Teams
The unit has taken some hits all year with injuries, but they've failed to fill the holes with capable players. In this game, they were playing without punter/holder Jamie Gillan and all of their top returners. Two missed field goals by Younghoe Koo and a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown by Jaylin Lane exemplified the team's lack of understanding of the importance of special teams. There's no sense in firing anyone now, but it doesn't look as if they will be retaining much of this coaching staff.
Stud: Safety Dane Belton
Belton continues to make plays. He had eight total stops (four solo) with a sack and two forced fumbles in this game, but did allow Terry McLaurin to slip past him and Paulson Adebo for a long touchdown.
Dud: WR Darius Slayton
For those who thought Slayton's bout with the dropsies was behind him, think again. The Giants inked Slayton to a three-year, $36 million deal this past offseason and need him to produce in big spots. The seven-year veteran had two key drops, one in the end zone, that cost the Giants dearly.
Stud: QB Jaxson Dart
Dart doesn't have his game quite honed yet; he did misfire a few times in spots where the Giants could have used some magic. All in all, not a bad statistical day (20 for 36 passing, 224 yards and two touchdowns, plus 53 yards rushing on nine attempts), but he did have a scare late in the game when he took a shot to the head and had to be evaluated in the blue medical tent.
Stud: LB Abdul Carter
Carter is starting to flash now that all of his off-field issues appear to be behind him. Seven total stops, a sack, three tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. That line is more like the one the Giants hoped they were getting when they drafted Carter third overall this past April.
The New York Giants, coming off their bye week, sought to end a seven-game losing streak against the Washington Commanders on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
New York endured a difficult first half, trailing 22-7 at halftime.
The Commanders maintained control throughout much of the contest until late in the fourth quarter, when a pair of Washington fumbles allowed the Giants to mount a late rally. Ultimately, the comeback fell short, as New York suffered another one-possession defeat.
Rookie Abdul Carter delivered his strongest professional performance to date, recording seven total tackles -- including three for loss -- and recovering a fumble.
The Giants' struggles were compounded by special teams errors, including a punt returned for a touchdown and two missed field goals.
The Giants' loss dropped them to 2-12 on the year and extended their losing streak to eight straight games. Here's how X reacted:
The Giants lost.
That’s great.
Losing the next 3 & securing the number 1 overall pick.
Rough deal on the Holland contract by Joe Schoen Hasn't made a splash play all year. Has given up more key plays than he's made Schoen used car salesman added him bc he was "hanging around" free agency. Schoen has obliterated the safety spot from an assets used standpoint.
That felt very much like a game between teams that had combined to lose 15 straight entering today. Commanders snap their streak, Giants have now lost eight straight. They're 2-12 for the second straight season.
Abdul Carter has had the best game of his rookie year. All over this field making plays. For a guy who was under tremendous criticism, I love everything about the way he has responded to it all. #NYGIANTS#GIANTS#ABDULCARTER#NFL
The Jacksonville Jaguars took down the New York Jets in dominant fashion to earn their 10th win of the season, 48-20.
It was one of those afternoons where the Jaguars set the tone early and never let it slip, rolling past the Jets behind a performance that showcased a relentless, high-scoring offense.
Three players stood above the rest for their impact on a decisive win, earning this week’s game balls: Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr., and Jakobi Meyers.
Trevor Lawrence
Lawrence's performance against the Jets looked like something out of a video game.
He completed 20 of 32 passing attempts for 330 passing yards and threw five touchdowns, while being the Jaguars' leading rusher with 51 yards and a score on five carries.
Despite the quality of the Jaguars' defensive opponent, Lawrence not only looked comfortable on the field but also confident. His decision-making was quick, and when he got into trouble, he trusted his instincts.
He avoided a would-be 20-yard sack by being patient enough to wait for Parker Washington to get open down the field before tossing a 33-yard pass to escape trouble.
This guy Trevor Lawrence is pretty good at football.
It is only right to award Etienne the second game ball after his massive performance, helping Lawrence lead Jacksonville's offense.
Etienne Jr. only caught three passes, but was responsible for three of Lawrence's five passing touchdowns. He racked up 73 receiving yards, including a 45-yard touchdown grab to extend Jacksonville's lead to 28.
He scored the final two touchdowns of the game and was the Jaguars' leading receiver, averaging 24.3 yards per catch. He also racked up 32 yards on 12 carries on the ground and was Jacksonville's second leading rusher.
Jakobi Meyers
Meyers finished with five receptions for 71 yards on seven targets, and continued to fit right into the Jaguars' passing offense.
Love this concept. Jakobi Meyers using the stack to blind the CB and get open. pic.twitter.com/oPj07fah4Y
The former Las Vegas Raider, who was acquired by Jacksonville in early November, has scored all three of his touchdowns with the Jaguars. He had scored in each of his last three outings and played arguably his best game of the season against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13. He caught all six of his targets for 90 receiving yards.
Meyers entered Week 15 with 55 receptions, 636 receiving yards, and three scores, and is quickly trending to be one of the top targets not only on Lawrence’s offense, but in the league.
No lead is ever safe when Josh Allen is the other quarterback on the field. The New England Patriots found that out the hard way by blowing a 21-point lead and falling in defeat for the first time since September on Sunday.
Their 10-game win streak was snapped, and suddenly, the AFC East division is back up for grabs after the Patriots' 35-31 loss to the Bills in Foxborough.
Granted, there will be talk of the Buffalo-leaning officiating, but it's hard to point fingers at the men and women in the pinstripes when the Patriots had every opportunity to win the game.
The offense started off playing with its head on fire. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye had two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. But there's no question that he ended up playing his worst game of the season. It was the first time he had been held to less than 200 yards passing all year, going 14-of-23 passing for 155 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
Meanwhile, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson looked like a football cheat code in a game where he racked up 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
And it still wasn't enough.
The Bills got their run game going with running back James Cook and Allen, and it opened up their entire offense to exploit a Patriots defense that simply looked outmatched down the stretch. At one point in the second half, the Bills put together five consecutive touchdown drives. It was a complete defensive meltdown for New England when it mattered most.
Allen finished the game going 19-of-28 passing for 193 yards and three touchdowns. It wasn't a monstrous stat sheet performance, but it was enough to knock off the Patriots on the road in a successful revenge game. Along with the horrendous run defense, special teams also had a rough night for the Patriots with penalties and too many blown tackles.
Bills returner Ray Davis feasted with a 41.0 return average on four returns in the game.
The Patriots still own the lead in the AFC East, but they'll have another tough game on their schedule with a Sunday Night Football showdown on the road against the Baltimore Ravens next week. Things could get tricky if they lose, and the Bills continue to roll down the stretch.
With the AFC East division title on the line, the New England Patriots had the rival Buffalo Bills on the ropes. At least, they should have after going up 21-0 in the middle of the second quarter. In most similar circumstances, this would've been a surefire win for the Patriots and MVP candidate quarterback Drake Maye.
But most of those situations don't involve a Terminator robot playing quarterback, a.k.a. Josh Allen, who is only down and out when the clock reads all zeroes.
Slowly but surely, Allen engineered an unbelievable comeback on the road. And after falling behind by three touchdowns, the Bills scored a touchdown on five straight possessions all the way through the end of the game (aside from a late punt in the closing moments) to steal a massive win over the young Patriots.
In his postgame press conference, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was practically at a loss for words about what had just transpired. In the end, he simply gave credit to a generational quarterback for, you know, being a generational quarterback.
Mike Vrabel on Josh Allen: “That’s why they pay him $60 million. I don’t know what to tell you.”
Sometimes, there's nothing you can really do to slow a motivated great player. You tip your cap and move on.
Could the Patriots' defense have played better? Could Maye have done more to close out the Bills and bleed the clock? Probably! But Josh Allen clearly wasn't losing Sunday. And it's better to admit it wasn't your day rather than dwell on a series of successive sequences that weren't necessarily in your control.
If there's any consolation for the Patriots, they still control their own destiny for the AFC East title, which would be their first in over half a decade. Vrabel knows that, too. That's likely why he didn't go on some enraged tirade. He has to keep his resurgent team focused on the big picture. That's the sign of a good coach.
The Chicago Bears bounced back in a big way on Sunday, bringing it to the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field with a 31-3 win, in frigid temperatures.
Despite losing wide receiver Rome Odunze in pre-game warmups, the Bears got two-touchdown performances from both running back D’Andre Swift, as well as veteran wide receiver DJ Moore. Chicago’s defense totaled three interceptions and six sacks off of rookie Shedeur Sanders, converting 17 points off the forced turnovers.
With the win, the Bears doubled their win total from last season and is 10-4 on the year, setting up a big matchup against the Green Bay Packers next Saturday. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while Chicago also put together 142 rushing yards, with Swift leading the way with 98 yards on the ground.
#Bears did what they should do to bad teams. They blew out the Browns, 31-3. That's their 10th win. The turnaround continues. Last three playoff-caliber opponents will determine postseason fate.
With three games left in the season, the Bears have secured their first double-digit-win season since 2018. Impressive debut from head coach Ben Johnson.
10-4 Bears. That was a game where you expected to win and dominate, and they did. Biggest 3 games for the Bears since 2018 start now. Let’s make the playoffs pic.twitter.com/KzvGEOjHN5
The Miami Dolphins need to see at least two of five AFC contenders fall apart down the stretch if they hope to reach the playoffs. But after four of those teams won in the 1 p.m. ET slate, the Dolphins' path to the postseason is closing quick.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Chargers all earned their 10th win and the Houston Texans improved to 9-5. Even if the Dolphins manage to win out, they can only get to 10-7 and would lose tiebreakers with Jacksonville and LA.
That means the Dolphins will officially be eliminated from the playoffs if they lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.
Miami's narrow path to the postseason now looks like this:
Dolphins playoff scenario
Dolphins win out (at Steelers, vs. Bengals, vs. Buccaneers, at Patriots)
The Kansas City Chiefs were defeated by the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 15 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
The game's final score was 16-13 in Los Angeles' favor.
Patrick Mahomes completed 16 of his 28 pass attempts for 189 yards and was intercepted once. He failed to throw a touchdown pass and was injured late in the fourth quarter. The exact nature of Mahomes' injury is unknown at the time of this article's publication.
Veteran backup Gardner Minshew relieved Mahomes on Kansas City's last drive and completed three of his five pass attempts for 22 yards. He was intercepted on the game's penultimate play.
Veteran running back Isiah Pacheco was Kansas City's leading rusher with 21 yards on 11 attempts. Star tight end Travis Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving with seven catches for 70 yards.
Star pass-rusher Chris Jones did not appear on Kansas City's stat sheet. Instead, the Chiefs' defense was led by rookie lineman Ashton Gillotte and veteran linebacker Drue Tranquill, who registered an interception and 14 combined tackles, respectively.
With this loss and a combination of other results from the NFL's Week 15 schedule, Kansas City has been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Chiefs will look ahead to a road matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.
With Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. being ruled out with a groin injury prior to kickoff, rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a shot to get more carries and took full advantage of the opportunity. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound back recorded 96 rushing yards and a 16-yard rushing touchdown on 18 carries, averaging over five yards a carry, helping the Commanders capture a 29-21 divisional victory against the New York Giants.
Bill Croskey-Merritt sprints in from 16 yards out!
Entering Week 15, Croskey-Merritt tallied 125 carries for 550 yards and four touchdowns. However, he hasn't scored since the Commanders' 27-10 Week 5 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, which is coincidentally the last time Washington won a game. In fact, Croskey-Merritt has only scored in games the Commanders have won. Washington has lost every game he hasn't scored a rushing touchdown. He tallied 10 carries for 82 yards and a score in the Commanders' 21-6 Week 1 victory over the New York Giants, eight carries for 26 yards and a score in Washington’s 41-24 Week 3 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders, and 14 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns against the Chargers.Croskey-Merritt’s performance earned him the Commanders’ Week 15 Player of the Game
The AFC North has been recognized as one of the most competitive divisions over the past few seasons, and though the records are not near the top, the divisional race in the final stretch will still make for one of the best stories.
Both the Ravens and Bengals got off to horrid starts, dealing with a plethora of injuries including the star quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. Though, Baltimore is still very much alive after the 24-0 victory; the Bengals season is almost definitely another disappointment.
Then there’s the division leader, the Steelers, who aren’t bad but certainly aren’t good. Forty-two-year-old Aaron Rodgers will lead them into a "Monday Night Football" game against the Miami Dolphins. Despite the Steelers’ defense — usually a strength — looking putrid, they remain atop the AFC North after beating the Ravens in Week 14.
With Baltimore's win, here's how the AFC North stacks up.
Baltimore's statement win over Cincinnati did everything but give Pittsburgh a cushion in the AFC North. Even if Pittsburgh runs the table and wins its next three games, everything will still ride on its Week 18 game against the Ravens. This is only the case if Baltimore also wins out.
If the Ravens were to win out and beat Pittsburgh in Week 18, they would hold the tiebreaker in the common opponents record. There is a better-than-not chance that this Week 18 game will determine the AFC North.
After another disappointing loss, Joe Burrow and co. were officially eliminated from AFC North and postseason contention. Though the Bengals missed Burrow for the majority of the season, it was not quarterback play that set Cincinnati back; Joe Flacco played exceptional at times, but once again it was the Bengals' plague of having one of the league's worst defenses to accompany a high-flying offense.
As for the Cleveland Browns, who were dominated 31-3 in Chicago against the Bears, the main priority is finding a signal-caller, whether Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel or someone else.
Steelers remaining schedule
Here are the remaining games for Pittsburgh:
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
Dec. 21
at Lions
4:25 p.m.
Dec. 28
at Browns
1 p.m.
TBD
vs. Ravens
TBD
Despite the Steelers' lead in the AFC after the recent victory over the Ravens, they're not safe at the top. Even if Pittsburgh wins out, the Ravens will have a chance in Week 18 to steal the lead. Pittsburgh hosts the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Week 15.
Ravens remaining schedule
Here are the remaining games for Baltimore:
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
Dec. 21
at Patriots
8;20 p.m.
Dec. 28
at Packers
8:00 p.m.
TBD
at Steelers
TBD
The Ravens don't have to win out to capture the AFC North; instead, they have to win as many games as Pittsburgh does before their Week 18 divisional clash. Next up is a tough road matchup against the Patriots, who lost for the first time since Week 3 today against the Bills.
The New York Giants entered their Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders hoping to end a seven-game losing streak following their bye week. However, a sloppy first half proved too costly to overcome, as New York fell 29-21, dropping to 2-12 on the season and extending the losing streak to eight consecutive games.
Despite the defeat, second-year running back Tyrone Tracy stood out as the Giants Wire Player of the Game, although rookie edge rusher Abdul Carter made a push for the honor.
Tracy accounted for the Giants’ first two touchdowns with a pair of standout plays. He delivered an impressive run on third-and-10 from the 12-yard line in the first half and later caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Jaxson Dart on the team’s opening drive of the second half.
The second score highlighted Tracy’s receiving ability, a skill he developed while playing that role in college.
Tracy finished the game with 70 rushing yards and one touchdown on 15 carries, along with 27 receiving yards and one touchdown on three receptions.
In a season that has seen somewhat underwhelming production from Tracy -- particularly after rookie Cam Skattebo was lost for the year -- his performance provided a meaningful contribution to the offense.
Not only were the Chiefs eliminated from playoff contention, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered what appeared to be a significant knee injury in the fourth quarter, forcing his early exit from the game.
After the game was over, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed that Mahomes is dealing with a knee injury but did not reveal the severity.
Mahomes is set for an MRI either Sunday night or Monday.
"Andy Reid says Patrick Mahomes hurt his left knee. MRI tonight or tomorrow," The Athletic's Jesse Newell reported.
The San Francisco 49ers hoped that wide receiver Ricky Pearsall would step up as the team's top receiver in 2025 with Brandon Aiyuk recovering from an ACL injury.
Unfortunately, this season has been plagued by injuries for Pearsall, and that trend continued early in San Francisco's Week 15 battle with the Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium on Sunday.
On the 49ers' first offensive play of the day, Brock Purdy hit Pearsall for an 8-yard gain. Titans safety Kevin Winston Jr. rolled up on Pearsall while taking the receiver down to the ground.
Pearsall got up slowly and jogged to the sideline before entering the blue medical tent.
San Francisco will rely on Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson and Skyy Moore for the remainder of the game if Pearsall can't go.
Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers play host to the red-hot Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.
Rodgers is coming off one of his best games of the season in a huge divisional win and now must stay strong to keep a lead in the AFC North.
Here are my top NFL picks for our Dolphins vs Steelers predictions, with a spotlight on Aaron Rodgers odds, on Monday, December 15.
Aaron Rodgers prop pick
Aaron Rodgers best bet: Over 20.5 completions (-125 at bet365)
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers had a bit of an up-and-down season, but he is coming off one of his best performances when he went 23/34 for 284 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Rodgers hasn't been airing it out, as he has thrown downfield (10+ air yards) on a league-low 22.7% of his attempts this season. However, he has completed 31 of 45 pass attempts against Cover 2 schemes for 406 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.
The Miami Dolphins have played Cover 2 on 26.5% of dropbacks, the highest rate in the NFL, allowing a 54.2% dropback success rate in such coverage (third-highest).
The Dolphins have blitzed on 34.8% of dropbacks, which is the third-highest rate in the league, but have generated pressure on only 37.8% of those. Rodgers has been pressured on a league-low 26.1% of his blitzed dropbacks.
The combination of Rodgers having time to throw with his ability to pick apart Cover 2 defenses makes this a great bet to rack up the completions. Rodgers has hit this number in six of his 11 games he started and finished.
To go with our best bet, I am going to take the Steelers to win, as they have won 22 straight home games on Monday Night Football, and Mike Tomlin has never lost in that situation.
Finally, Adam Thielen had only one reception for four yards last week, while playing 48% of the snaps.
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Nothing has gone right for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025. As they were facing playoff elimination in Week 15, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes was tackled awkwardly and stayed down late in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Mahomes was running and was tackled from behind. When he was contacted, his left leg got stuck in the turf and his knee bent awkwardly. The star quarterback instantly grabbed for his knee.
Here are the latest injury updates on Mahomes in Week 15.
Mahomes did not return to the game. Gardner Minshew took over and threw an interception that lost the Chiefs the game. Kansas City has been eliminated from playoff contention, so the starting quarterback could end up sitting the remainder of the season regardless of the severity of his injury.
Mahomes was helped to the locker room by trainers after the game with a towel over his head.
Patrick Mahomes was helped to the locker room after leaving the field.
Mahomes was injured during the Chiefs' final drive of their Week 15 loss to the Chargers. He was tackled from behind, and his left leg appeared to get stuck in the field, and it bent awkwardly. When the quarterback went to the ground, he immediately started grabbing at his left knee.
Mahomes was tended to on the field by trainers, but eventually he walked off under his own power.
No, not yet. His official diagnosis on the injury hasn't come in.
The Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention. This factor could be a reason to shut down Mahomes down the stretch of the regular season regardless of his injury severity.
ACL recovery time in NFL
The expectation given how the injury looked and the fact that Mahomes grabbed at his knee is that he did something to his ACL. This has not yet been confirmed.
If it is confirmed that he tore his ACL, Mahomes would be done for the remainder of the 2025 season. He would be looking at a recovery timeline between nine and 12 months, putting the start of his 2026 season into question.
During pregame, Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw got into a dust-up with Packers players near midfield. The inside linebacker was later joined by outside linebacker Nik Bonitto before quarterback Bo Nix pulled him back. Denver cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian also got in on the action.
Here's some video from The Athletic's James Palmer:
Greenlaw was still fired up about 30 minutes later during pregame introductions:
Beware Dre Greenlaw in this one. Just came out in pregame introductions smacking his own helmet and barking in the general direction of the Packers' sideline after dust-up pregame.
Denver and Green Bay also had a few scuffles when the Broncos hosted the Packers for a joint training camp practice two years ago. Greenlaw wasn't even on Denver's squad in 2024, but it appears that he's instigating things at Empower Field at Mile High today.
UPDATE: CBS Sports showed footage that appeared to show Alex Singleton did the first push:
The Broncos and Packers are both in contention for the No. 1 playoff seeds in their respective conferences, so today's game has big implications for both sides.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive back DJ Turner was injured during the third quarter of the team's NFL Week 15 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium.
Turner made an acrobatic interception just before halftime against the Steelers, catching the attention of Thursday Night Football analyst Kirk Herbstreit.
"I think DJ Turner right now is playing as well as any corner in the NFL," Herbstreit said during the broadcast.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive back DJ Turner was injured during the third quarter of the team's NFL Week 15 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium.
Turner made an acrobatic interception just before halftime against the Steelers, catching the attention of Thursday Night Football analyst Kirk Herbstreit.
"I think DJ Turner right now is playing as well as any corner in the NFL," Herbstreit said during the broadcast.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Andre Baccellia was stretchered off the field after suffering a neck injury in his team's Week 15 game against the Houston Texans.
Baccellia's injury occurred after he returned a kickoff late in the first half. It wasn't immediately clear how the XX-year-old receiver was injured, as the Texans swarmed him as he tried to get the ball to the 30-yard line.
Baccellia remained down after the hit, however, and Cardinals medical staff tended to him on the field. They examined him, removed the facemask from his helmet and was eventually stretchered off the field after being loaded onto a backboard.
The crowd on hand at NRG Stadium – home of the Texans – cheered on Baccellia as he left the field. He gave a thumbs up to the crowd as he exited, according to multiple reporters who were at Sunday's game.
The Dallas Cowboys are still alive in the NFC playoff race, but they don't have much margin for error. Dallas basically has to win out and hope for some help in order to sneak into the postseason picture. They also have to be healthy, though, which unfortunately isn't always a guarantee in a game as dangerous as pro football.
The status of Cowboys starting tight end Jake Ferguson is a perfect example. Ferguson is currently nursing a calf injury and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday night's home matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Dallas. However, Ferguson's designation seems to be more cautionary by the team's training staff than anything else, as he is expected to play as normal.
That's great news for the Cowboys, to say the least:
#Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson (calf) and DE Jadeveon Clowney (hamstring) are both listed as questionable and both expected to play on Sunday vs. the #Vikings, source said.
Ferguson has been a key cog for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott this season. Here's hoping he looks healthy and plays well for Dallas on Sunday night.
The sky is falling in Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers come off yet another loss, this one in even worse fashion than the week prior, when they lost to the New Orleans Saints. The loss on Thursday to the Atlanta Falcons has their playoff chances at just over 50% which means they need to win out to give themselves the best chance at winning the NFC South. Thankfully for them, two of their final three games will be against the Carolina Panthers, who now lead them by half a game heading into Sunday's slate of games.
Despite the remaining optimism, this team has limped through the season, both literally and figuratively, after a 5-1 start. Because of that, it seems increasingly likely that Todd Bowles will not be back, so we wanted to explore some options on both sides of the ball with one college coach in the mix as well.
This team remains steadfast and capable of winning a Super Bowl. The team is also at a crossroads, so this hire is going to be critical of whether this Super Bowl window they are in remains open or closes. Here are our choices for who should be the next head coach of the Bucs.
Previous Coaching Experience: Been with the Rams in various roles since 2017, Quality Control Assistant for the Chargers from 2015-2016
The Bucs have a defensive-minded coach in Todd Bowles, but his approach has either become dated or teams no longer fear it. If you watch the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, you see a team capable of winning the Super Bowl and keeping the Bucs to just seven points when they play. Chris Shula has shown he can get the most out of his defense, while also taking castoffs and putting them in roles to succeed. A prime example of that is former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes, who has played like a top talent after being benched in Washington. Pair that with his ability to create pressure, and this team would be given the breath of fresh air that they need.
Previous Coaching Experience: Vikings offensive coordinator in 2021 and Saints offensive coordinator in 2024
Klint Kubiak has taken the magic that Kevin O'Connell and the Minnesota Vikings bestowed upon Sam Darnold in 2024 and expanded upon it in 2025. The Seahawks offense, led by Darnold under center and Kubiak calling plays, is averaging 29.8 points per game and 362.2 yards of offense. Seeing him be able to work with Baker Mayfield, as well as the rest of the skill players, could be a recipe for success. For rookie Emeka Egbuka, he has seemingly hit a wall this season, whereas Jaxson Smith-Njigba has become the leading receiver in the NFL. Those same results could be captured in Tampa Bay with their roster, so if they go offense for head coach, this could be the hire.
Mike McCarthy, former Packers and Cowboys Head Coach
Previous Coaching Experience: Head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 2020-2024, Head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 2006-2018, and NFL offensive coordinator from 2000-2005 (Saints and 49ers)
This may seem like a less-than-ideal hire, but McCarthy has proven to be a winner over the course of his career. On top of it all, McCarthy can command an offense and get the most out of his quarterbacks. For a team that has Baker Mayfield heading into a contract year in 2026, seeing what they have in him with a healthy roster next season is pivotal. He should also be able to build out a good staff to help the young players on defense maximize their potential as well, so while it won't be an exciting hire, it could be a smart one.
Kelvin Sheppard, Defensive Coordinator for the Detroit Lions
Previous Coaching Experience: Been with the Detroit Lions in various roles since 2021, played in the NFL for eight years before entering coaching
During his playing days, Kelvin Sheppard was a hard-hitting and rangy linebacker for several teams. He is currently coaching for one of the teams he played for, and the job he has done for them is worthy of being considered for a head coaching job. He would be a former coach in the locker room who can bring higher energy, and also understand and relate to more of the players than most candidates. It may not be the greatest selling point, but Sheppard could be a really fun under-the-radar hire.
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame Head Coach
Previous Coaching Experience: College Defensive Coordinator from 2017 to 2021 (Cincinnati and Notre Dame)
This is a name that will be thrown out for a lot of jobs, but the Bucs ownership has shown they are willing to take chances on college coaches in the past. Both John McKay and Greg Schiano were hired from the college ranks, with one working out and the other not so much. In the case of Freeman, he has shown he is a players' coach through and through, while also bringing a high energy that this team could use as their leader. It isn't likely to happen, but personally, he would be my second choice among those listed here for the job.
After two weeks on the road, the New Orleans Saints return home to take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 15. This is an NFC South rematch from Week 10, when the Saints won in Carolina by a 17-7 score. The Saints enter this one with a 3-10 record, but fresh off a road upset of the division leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That win pushed the Panthers into first place, as they come off their bye with a 7-6 mark.
Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough notched his first career win in that Panthers game. He did it by throwing for 282 yards, a franchise single-game rookie record. New Orleans also dominated Carolina's offense, holding the Panthers to only 175 total yards and forcing 2 turnovers. As these teams take the field for their rematch, here are the New Orleans players who most stand in the way of Carolina taking control of the NFC South.
Devin Neal
Neal, a rookie sixth round choice, gets his third straight start in place of the injured Alvin Kamara. In their first matchup, Kamara picked up 83 of the Saints 122 rushing yards. Providing balance for Shough is a major key for offensive success, but that load now falls to Neal with Kamara on the sidelines.
New Orleans rushed for 139 yards against Tampa Bay. It was their second highest ground output of the season. Neal picked up 70 of those yards on the ground. He did so despite poor blocking from his offensive line, bullying his way through first contact with impressive power and effort. This kind of production will be needed against a Panthers defense that ranks 17th against the run for New Orleans to sustain balance. The Saints had a season-best 388 total yards in their first meeting against Carolina. Shough and the running game will both be crucial to duplicate that success.
Juwan Johnson
Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele both need to have good days against the Carolina secondary. In their first meeting, Olave had a season-high 104 receiving yards on 5 catches against Panthers coverage. Vele is finally starting to become a part of the Saints attack, catching 14 passes for 170 yards in the last three games. They'll both need to provide consistent targets for Shough against Carolina corners Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson. However, the Saints might create even more damage from their matchup advantage at tight end.
Juwan Johnson has 58 receptions for 614 yards on 80 targets for the Saints this season. Opposing tight ends have had their way with the Panthers all season, with six tight ends gaining at least 58 receiving yards against them. Topping that list is Johnson, who caught 4 balls for a season-best 92 yards in the first meeting against Carolina.
Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley
New Orleans has quietly put together a strong cornerback unit. McKinstry leads the Saints with 3 interceptions and 10 passes broken up in his second season. Rookie Riley has an interception and 6 pass breakups. Each player gives up around 61% completion percentage when targeted, but the majority of their completions have been on highly contested throws. Factor in the playmaking skills of Alontae Taylor and this defense has a formidable coverage trio.
The Saints held Carolina quarterback Bryce Young to only 124 passing yards in their first meeting. Panthers wideouts Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker combined to catch 7 of their 12 targets in that game, managing just 81 yards, with no other wide receiver catching a pass. McMillan, a highly-touted rookie, is the Panthers leading receiver with 57 receptions and 826 yards with 6 scores. If McKinstry and Riley can take McMillan out of the game and prevent Xavier Legette or Coker from making an impact, a limited Panthers passing game stalls to a stop. This is the most underrated matchup of today's game.
Chase Young and Cameron Jordan
Under pressure, Bryce Young is one of the worst quarterbacks in the league. Young has thrown for over 300 yards twice this season, but failed to pass for even 200 yards in 10 of 11 other outings. Even when not sacked, Young loses accuracy and gets a good amount of balls batted down under pressure. Jordan had the Saints one sack of Young in their first meeting this year, while Young led all players with 4 pressures.
Even while getting a big assist from Carl Granderson against the Buccaneers, Young and Jordan bring the team's primary pressure off the edge. Jordan leads the Saints with 6.5 sacks and 9 tackles for loss along with 12 pressures on the year. Young has arguably been the team's defensive MVP and has 5 sacks to go along with a team-high 20 pressures. Additionally, Young and Jordan must win their battles on the edge to contain outside runs by Rico Dowdle. If they can accomplish that, the Saints can pinch defenders inside to shut down interior runs by the Panthers.
Of course, all eyes will be on Phillip Rivers, who will be starting at quarterback for the Colts in this game. Two NFL coaches -- one offensive and defensive -- recently highlighted how they would game plan for Rivers.
To see how these two teams compare and who may have the advantage in certain areas, you can find that here.
Lastly, here is who the experts are predicting to win this game.
The Cleveland Browns trail the Chicago Bears at the time of writing by the score of 14-0. The Browns' offense has struggled to get anything going, as has their quarterback, Shedeur Sanders.
The rookie out of Colorado is just 4-of-10 for 54 yards at halftime, but there may be a specific reason as to why he and the offense couldn't get anything going in the first two quarters of play. Per Allison Williams on the broadcast, the Browns had to remove Sanders' play-calling wristband and make changes to it, and it sounds as if he wore the incorrect wristband.
"This is a new one," X account Roberto Shenanigans says. "Allison Willliams reports that the Browns removed Shedeur's play-calling wristband after the 1st quarter and they made changes to it. It sounds like Shedeur was wearing the wrong wristband? Never have I ever seen this happen."
If Sanders was wearing the wrong wristband, that would explain why the Browns had just one first down in the first half and totaled just 57 yards to the Bears' 250.
The Bears and Caleb Williams have looked terrific against a Browns defense that has struggled over the last two weeks, as the USC product has thrown for 190 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
Today, the Chicago Bears took on the Cleveland Browns on a frozen tundra of a field. The temperature dipped to 8°, and with wind chill, it felt like -6°. As Ben Johnson said, “It’s Bear weather."
Oftentimes in weather like this, it’s hardest on the QB. Tough to grip the ball and tough to get the same zip on your passes. In the first half of the game against Cleveland, Caleb yet again proved why he’s the man in Chicago.
Williams was dissecting the Browns' secondary like a surgeon. He spread the wealth between rookies Luther Burden III and Coleston Loveland while also throwing a TD to the veteran in the WR room, DJ Moore.
Over the course of Caleb picking the Browns apart, he made some NFL history in the process.
Caleb Williams’ efficiency sets an NFL record
One knock on Caleb Williams through his young career is that his completion percentage and accuracy could undoubtedly be improved to this point. While his completion percentage and accuracy aren’t totally connected, it is something to monitor.
With this record, though, Williams is proving that it is always better to throw the ball away than to toss it into tight coverage and throw interceptions.
Caleb Williams’ TD to DJ Moore in the first half was his 1,000th career attempt. Through 1,000 passing attempts, Williams has only thrown 12 interceptions, which is the fewest thrown through 1,000 attempts in NFL history.
The FOX broadcast just noted that Caleb Williams has just 12 interceptions in his first 1,000 career passing attempts, which is the fewest in NFL history. #Bearspic.twitter.com/IVWMrXjRZX
His ability to take care of the ball is a match made in heaven with Ben Johnson’s ultra-efficient offense, and if he keeps this up, he is set to make this team a problem for the next however many 1,000 passing attempts to come.
The Washington Commanders (3-10) are still hunting for their first victory since Week 5, and are looking to do so against their divisional rival, the New York Giants (2-11).
The Commanders hold a 22-7 lead at the half, thanks to a rushing touchdown from Jacory Croskey-Merritt, a 63-yard punt return from Jaylin Lane, and a trifecta of field goals from Jake Moody. The two teams have a combined record of 5-21, and one of Washington's wins came against New York in Week 1, a 21-6 victory. The Commanders have dropped eight straight games, and the Giants have lost seven. Both teams are eliminated from playoff contention.Quarterback Jayden Daniels is sidelined again after re-aggravating his left elbow injury in the Commanders' 31-0 shutout loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15. Marcus Mariota is starting at quarterback in his place. Mariota and Daniels have now started the same number of games in 2025 (seven each).Mariota has completed five of 11 attempts for 80 yards. Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has been ruled out with a groin injury, and Jeremy McNichols got the start at running back in his place. Here are three quick takeaways from the first half:
Jacory Croskey-Merritt is leading Washington’s ground game
With Rodriguez Jr. ruled out prior to kickoff, McNichols and Croskey-Merritt’s production was set to increase. However, while McNichols was awarded the start against the Giants, Croskey-Merritt has gotten a majority of the carries and is playing his best game since Washington’s Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears. Croskey-Merritt has recorded 60 rushing yards on eight carries, scored Washington’s first touchdown of the day, and is averaging 7.5 yards per carry. He broke away for a 16-yard scamper – the longest of the day – up the middle for his fifth touchdown of the season.
Bill Croskey-Merritt sprints in from 16 yards out!
McNichols has recorded 15 yards on eight carries, averaging just 1.9 yards per carry. However, he has hauled in a 16-yard reception, while Croskey-Merritt has yet to catch a pass.
Mariota is getting the entire receiving corps involved
In just the second game since Week 2, wide receivers Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown, and Deebo Samuel are all on the field at the same time. McLaurin was sidelined with a quad injury sustained against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3 and reaggravated it against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6. He is playing in his third game back from injury and has recorded a catch for three yards. Brown was placed on IR after suffering a groin injury against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. He missed 10 consecutive games before returning against the Vikings last week. He is the Commanders’ leading receiver at the half, recording a catch for 28 yards; however, he is questionable to return with a back injury. Samuel has been the healthiest of the trio, despite missing Washington’s Week 6 contest against Dallas with a heel injury. He has caught a pass for 14 yards and has the third most receiving yards at the half. The three have combined for three of the Commanders' five receptions and 45 of the team's 80 receiving yards. Tight end John Bates caught a 19-yard pass, and McNichols notched a 16-yarder.
Defense is helping to hold Washington’s lead
After giving up 31 unanswered points to the Vikings last week, Washington’s defensive unit has tightened up and allowed just seven points in the first half. After Younghoe Koo missed a 52-yard field goal on the Giants' opening drive, the Commanders' defense forced back-to-back drives resulting in punts, allowing just 29 yards on seven plays. While New York put together a 10-play, 65-yard touchdown drive with just over 3:30 remaining in the half, Washington’s defense has otherwise kept New York out of the red zone.
After the Giants' touchdown possession, Washington once again forced a three-and-out, forcing the Giants to punt to Jaylin Lane, who returned it 63 yards to the house to give Washington a 19-7 lead.
Following Lane's punt return, the Commanders' defense took just four plays to give the ball back to their offense. Dart threw an interception to Mike Sainristil, who returned it 55 yards to the Giants' 24-yard line.
Quan Martin and Frankie Luvu have each recorded a team-high three tackles, while Preston Smith and Jacob Martin have both deflected a pass from Jaxson Dart. Luvu and Smith have laid two combined quarterback hits on Dart, and Von Miller recorded an eight-yard sack right before the half.
Miller passed Jared Allen for 12th place on the all-time NFL sack list (136.5). The list was established in 1982.
Despite giving up 31 points to the Vikings a week ago, Washington was still able to sack J.J. McCarthy four times for a loss of 12 yards.
The Chicago Bears went into halftime up 14-0 against the Cleveland Browns, but may be without their starting quarterback the rest of the way.
Caleb Williams was injured on the final play of the first half and limped his way to the locker room. The Bears went for a pass followed by a series of laterals to try and make something happen before the end of the half.
During the play, Williams took a shot from a defender and landed awkwardly. He was favoring his ankle or foot while exiting the field.
Here are the latest injury updates for Williams in Week 15 against the Browns.
Williams was injured on the final play ahead of halftime. When the camera cut back to him after the play, he was favoring what appeared to be his left foot and ankle.
Caleb Williams limped off the field after the Bears' last drive ⬇️
It looked like Williams was hit a little late and fell to the ground awkwardly. There is hope that it was just a tough hit in cold weather and that he will be back for the second half, but that remains to be seen.
The Chicago Bears won't have the services of wide receiver Rome Odunze in Week 15 after all.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Odunze, who was initially questionable to play due to a foot injury and was ruled active for Week 15, is now not going to play after aggravating his foot injury in pre-game warm-ups.
"Bears WR Rome Odunze, who is officially active, is being ruled out after aggravating his foot injury. Bad news right before kickoff," Rapoport said.
Odunze sat out las week's game due to injury, also.
This is a tough blow for a Bears offense that needs all hands on deck as it looks to make its way into the playoffs.
Chicago had a tough matchup already against a tough Browns defense, but that matchup just became tougher without Caleb Williams' No. 1 target.
The Bears will now need more out of DJ Moore, Luther Burden and Olamide Zaccheaus.
The Seattle Seahawks are taking on the Indianapolis Colts for the first time since the 2021 season. Overall, these teams have only met 13 total times previously, with the Colts holding a narrow 7-6 edge over the Hawks. Seattle will have to contend with perhaps the most bizarre quarterback situation of all time, as the 44-year-old Philip Rivers has returned from retirement this week after nearly five full years away from the sport.
Indianapolis is not a team the Seahawks play often, obviously, and the Rivers situation brings an entirely new dynamic to this matchup. We spoke with our friend Paul Bretl of Colts Wire to get a better idea of what the Seahawks are going to be facing. Our questions and Bretl's answers are below.
No. 1 - What can Philip Rivers bring to this Colts team?
That's the million-dollar question right now. I think what the Colts are banking on is some stability. Rivers is very familiar with the Colts' offense from his time working with Shane Steichen when the two were with the Chargers. That experience should help him hit the ground running in that regard and allow him to hopefully manage the game better than Riley Leonard or Brett Rypien would.
No. 2 - The Colts upset the Seahawks if...
The Colts have to win the turnover battle, and I think they have to do so by two-plus takeaways. Turnovers will limit Seattle's possessions and take points off the board. They'll also give the Colts' own offense more scoring opportunities and perhaps some better field position. I'll also add that a big day for Jonathan Taylor is likely required as well.
No. 3 - Who is a Colt the 12th Man should be aware of?
I'm sure many are familiar with Colts' first-round pick, tight end Tyler Warren, but he's really a crucial part of making this offense go. He's been one of the more productive receiving tight ends in football this season, but along with that, he's very versatile and a capable blocker. That do-it-all skill set opens up the playbook for Steichen and can create opportunities for others.
No. 4 - What individual Seahawk, or Seahawks position group, do you fear the most?
The pass rush. The Colts will be starting rookie Jalen Travis at right tackle with veteran Braden Smith on injured reserve, and it remains to be seen how Rivers is going to handle a stout pass rush after all that time off.
No. 5 - Who wins and why?
I'm picking the Seahawks. Four-plus years away from football for Rivers is a long time, and I think the Seattle defense will give him and the Colts' offense fits.
Until that point, Rome Odunze was set to suit up for the Chicago Bears on Sunday in Week 15 against the Cleveland Browns. It's a huge week. The Bears want to win, and Odunze's fantasy football managers are counting on him.
And then at the last minute, everything changed.
Odunze isn't playing after all.
Why isn't Rome Odunze playing today?
Rome Odunze entered the weekend questionable, and he re-aggravated his injury pregame.
He had been announced as active at 11:30 a.m. ET. By 12:55 p.m. ET, he was ruled out.
"Bears WR Rome Odunze, who was officially active, now has been ruled out after aggravating his foot injury," ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote on X.
The news came so late. Anyone planning to start Odunze in fantasy probably ended up stuck with him in their lineup.
The Bears didn't really do anything wrong here. Odunze was healthy enough to give it a go, and then his health got worse in the hour leading up to kickoff.
It's just incredibly unfortunate timing.
The Bears can likely win without Odunze. DJ Moore and Luther Burden are talented wideouts.
But fantasy teams with Odunze may end their season on Sunday because of this turn of events.
The Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans battle on Sunday in Week 15. The Cardinals have lost five straight games, while the Texans have won five in a row.
What happened in the game?
Below are in-game live updates
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
The San Francisco 49ers made a late addition to their injury report this week with running back Christian McCaffrey.
McCaffrey was re-added to the injury report on Saturday due to a back issue. The star running back was initially on the injury report to begin the week, but with an illness.
Despite his questionable tag, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that McCaffrey is expected to play.
"Despite being added to the injury report today as questionable due to a back injury, 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is expected to be “good to go” Sunday vs. the Titans, per source," Schefter wrote.
While there is now a concern about McCaffrey possibly getting a limited workload due to his injury that occurred late in the week, FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports McCaffrey is expected to be a "full go" for Week 15.
If New England beats Buffalo, the Patriots will be champions of the division, and the Bills will only be able to chase a wild card spot.
Even a New England loss still leaves them a game up and in control of their own destiny.
There are also a few unlikely tie clinching scenarios in play on Sunday, but the odds of those happening are next to nothing.
New England is certainly favored to get this done, even without a win on Sunday. But a win this week would create quite the celebrations for the Patriots.
The Bengals responded as follows, when reached for comment by PFT: "Seat aisles were prioritized and are in good shape. Seats are easily wiped off and ushers are equipped to help there."
"We'll see what the NFL has to say about the failure of the Bengals to fully comply with the snow-removal rules," PFT's Mike Florio wrote.
Florio also included the following about the NFL's playing field specifications: "Each home club is responsible for having a snow removal plan in place and ensuring that its stadium has adequate snow removal equipment available. Snow and ice must be removed from the stadium before all games. This applies to the playing field, sidelines, seating bowl, aisles, pedestrian ramps, walkways, parking lots, etc. This also applies to the sidelines; snow may not be pushed into piles and remain against stadium walls so that it interferes with standard game or sideline operations."
J.J. McCarthy has had an up-and-down first full season of NFL action.
At some points, he's flashed the kind of first-round talent the Minnesota Vikings are hopeful to see consistently from their potential franchise quarterback. But at others, he's either been off the field due to injury, or struggling to manage the Vikings' offense.
McCarthy, however, recently shared that he has a kind of alter ego he created for himself on game days: "Nine." The quarterback said he loves "feeding" that game day version of himself — but he's also gotten some fan criticism for his alter ego during to his struggles in 2025.
Here's what to know about J.J. McCarthy's "Nine" nickname.
J.J. McCarthy's nickname is "Nine," although it was a self-created name, not given to him originally by fans.
In November, he shared that he views himself as having an alter ego during his football games — and that he had a name for it.
"I call him Nine," McCarthy said. "Nine comes out and I gotta understand, like, OK, he can't be at his peak performance throughout three-and-a-half hours. So how do I find little ways on the sideline, get back to my breath, get back to my visualization, that can kind of maintain that intense, competitive stamina throughout the whole game? It's just the pure will, determination to get the job done."
#Vikings QB JJ McCarthy says he flips a switch on game day, and calls it “nine.”
“Nine comes out and I gotta understand he can’t be at his peak performance throughout three and a half hours. So, how do I find little ways on the sideline to get back to my breath, get back to my… pic.twitter.com/uOmcgUm8hn
McCarthy's "Nine" nickname, rather obviously, refers to the No. 9 he wears for the Vikings and he wore at Michigan, where he won a national championship.
According to McCarthy, he first came up with the "Nine" alter ego in the year he was away from the gridiron recently, as the quarterback sat out his entire 2024 rookie season due to injury. McCarthy, however, said he loves "feeding that wolf" of his game day persona.
"To be honest with you, it really kind of started to show up this year. It came about last year during IR, just never had a full season where you want to be out there so frickin' bad, but you can't," McCarthy said, per CBS. "It was this built-up anger that was kind of ready to just explode, and I chose to harness it instead of letting it go into a self-destructive kind of way.
And it's unique and I love feeding that wolf, because my entire life, at Michigan, it was the smiley face on my hand and smile and you have fun, you're going to play better and all that, which is true, but I also think there's a lot of power that comes from that built-up anger that you can transmute into your performance."
Mostly, McCarthy is referring to the intensity he likes to bring on game day.
"It's a gradual comedown," McCarthy said, per CBS. "My fiancee, she definitely doesn't like when Nine comes home. She does a great job keeping me levelheaded and understanding there's the football player and then there's the fiance, father part of me that I obviously gotta make priority 1a, 1b in both areas."
Later on, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was speaking about his quarterback, and some interpreted his comments as a subtle dig toward McCarthy's "Nine" alter ego, with the coach communicating that he'd rather McCarthy be himself at all times.
“You better have confidence, and you better have a comfort in who you are to be in certain roles. I think being the starting quarterback of an NFL team is one of those things," O’Connell said, per Vikings Territory. "All I’ve asked J.J. to do is just be authentically himself.
“I think at times, guys try to — and maybe it is the moment, and if it’s authentic in the moment, fire away, have at it — but we don’t need to exhaust any energy. Our jobs are hard enough already. Trying to be somebody else, or trying to play to some sort of persona, whatever it may be, let’s just go back to work, man. Let’s just go back to work and try to get better every single day.”
Because McCarthy has struggled at various points in 2025, fans haven't been very receptive to his self-described nickname. In fact, it's become a bit of a meme surrounding the Vikings quarterback, especially when he doesn't perform well.
When he reached nine interceptions on the season, plenty of social media posts poking fun at his alter ego went around.
THE WORST QUARTERBACK IN THE #NFL:#VIKINGS QJJ MCCARTHY HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY BAD SINCE REVEALING HE HAS AN ALTER-EGO NAMED: “NINE.”
• 48 of 93 • 51.6 completion percentage • 485 yards • 161 passing yards per game • Two touchdowns • Six interceptions • Zero wins • 0-3 pic.twitter.com/6ugLQWEozR
J.J. McCarthy's self-created "Nine" nickname refers to the number he wears, No. 9. He said the "Nine" alter ego originated from his time away from football due to injury, discovering a new intensity for game days and passion he taps into when on the field.
As the quarterback describes it, he taps into his "Nine" alter ego when he's trying to be his best competitive self on NFL game days.
For the first time since Week 9, the Green Bay Packers entered a week sitting atop the NFC North. They had been battling with the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions, but a Week 14 win over the Bears propelled the Packers to the top of the standings with just four weeks to go in the regular season.
The Packers have a tough test in Week 15 as they take on the Denver Broncos, who come in with not only the best record in the AFC, but the best record in the NFL. It is a non-conference matchup, but a loss would count all the same for Green Bay's overall record.
The Packers enter Week 15 as the No. 2 seed in the NFC's playoff picture. Thanks to a Week 4 tie with the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay sits a half-game up on Chicago. If the Packers were to lose in Week 15, but the Bears beat the visiting Cleveland Browns, the top of the division would flip once again. The good news for Green Bay is that if it wins in Week 15, it will still be in first place in the division heading into Week 16.
Here is more on the Packers' playoff chances in Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season.
The good news for the Packers is that they are currently the No. 2 seed in the NFC; the bad news is that with four weeks to go (including Week 15), they have far from clinched a playoff spot.
If Green Bay wins over Denver in Week 15, it will remain atop the NFC North and will be at worst still the No. 2 seed. If the Los Angeles Rams lose to the Lions, the Seattle Seahawks lose to the Indianapolis Colts, and the Packers win over the Broncos, Green Bay would move into first place in the NFC standings. This would be huge because the No. 1 seed gets the first-round bye, and the Packers would then control their own playoff destiny down the stretch of the season.
If the Packers lose against the Broncos, they are at the mercy of other results around the league. Green Bay would drop into second place in the NFC North if Chicago were to beat Cleveland. A loss with a Bears win would drop the Packers from the No. 2 seed to either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed, depending on whether the San Francisco 49ers beat or lose to the Tennessee Titans in the afternoon slate. A Packers and Bears loss would keep Green Bay as the No. 2 seed in the NFC heading into Week 16.
It's jammed at the top of the NFC North, with the Packers, Bears and Lions all within a game of each other.
Rank
Team
Record
1
Packers
9-3-1
2
Bears
9-4
3
Lions
8-5
4
Vikings
5-8
Packers remaining schedule
Green Bay is likely focusing on its next trio of games. Week 15 against Denver is a huge game, and it only gets bigger in Week 16 as Green Bay takes on Chicago. A win in the divisional rematch would give the Packers a huge edge with the head-to-head tiebreaker if it comes down to it.
The Packers then have to take on Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17, which will be no easy task. That game will be played at Lambeau Field, and the weather could certainly be a factor. The hope for Green Bay is that it has its playoff spot locked in by Week 18 and that the Packers can rest some players for a road game against the already eliminated Minnesota Vikings.
The New York Jets find themselves in quite the tricky QB situation on Sunday.
They've been forced to start Brady Cook at quarterback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. It's good news for the Jags, who need to keep winning for their playoff chances. For the Jets, it's their third starting QB of the season, after Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor.
Cook is an undrafted free agent out of Mizzou who struggled in relief a week ago.
But he's out there in Week 15, trying to prove he belongs in the NFL.
The Jets will have Adrian Martinez as the backup for Cook.
It's not an ideal situation as far as winning football games is concerned. It might work out just fine for trying to secure a really good draft pick, though.
Not every breakout season announces itself with headlines and highlight reels. For the Houston Texans, Tommy Togiai’s emergence has come in the form of consistency, physicality, and trust earned in the trenches.
Once a rotational interior lineman, Togiai has become a reliable presence along Houston’s defensive front this season. His ability to hold the point of attack, disrupt running lanes, and collapse the pocket has played a meaningful role in the Texans’ defensive surge.
“He’s playing with confidence,” head coach DeMeco Ryans said. “You see the physicality and the effort every snap. Tommy’s doing the dirty work, and that’s winning football.”
Togiai’s impact often goes beyond the stat sheet. His interior pressure has helped free edge rushers and stabilize a run defense that has grown increasingly difficult to attack.
From the front office perspective, the leap hasn’t come as a surprise.
“Tommy has always had the traits,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “Strength, toughness, leverage. What you’re seeing now is a player who understands his role and takes advantage of his opportunities.”
With his snap count rising and his responsibilities expanding, Togiai has earned the coaching staff’s trust in key moments — a telling sign of his growth.
“When the inside is strong, the outside benefits,” Ryans said. “Tommy understands that.”
As the Texans continue to build a defense defined by effort and connection, Togiai’s breakout stands as a reminder that some of the most important progress happens quietly — one snap at a time.
Injuries continue to hit the Pittsburgh Steelers hard, specifically along the offensive line, where one key starter has been ruled out for the Week 15 Monday night clash with the Miami Dolphins.
On Saturday’s injury report, offensive tackle Andrus Peat (concussion) was ruled out for the Week 15 action after failing to clear protocol.
Signing with Pittsburgh on a one-year deal in August, Peat provided solid depth at both tackle and guard, which proved valuable when starting offensive tackle Broderick Jones was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a neck injury.
In Peat’s absence, fourth-string offensive tackle Dylan Cook will likely see the first start of his career under the bright lights on Monday Night Football against the Dolphins.
When the Chicago Bears host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon, it will be considered the coldest game of the regular season.
So far, this Chicago winter has been particularly rough, which has involved both snow and cold temperatures. While snow is not as likely this weekend, the temperatures could be on the extreme end at Soldier Field, forcing teams to adjust to the conditions.
As two of the premier midwest teams in the NFL, both the Bears and the Browns have had their fair share of cold-weather games, so each side should be prepared for the contest. Still, no matter how much the teams prepare for the conditions, players will still have to find a way to get comfortable during the game.
Here's the latest on the weather in Chicago this weekend.
11:02 a.m. -- Kickoff is about two hours away. Currently, according to AccuWeather, it is 7 degrees at Soldier Field with a RealFeel of -6. Kickoff at 1 p.m. ET is projected to be mostly sunny and 10 degrees, with a RealFeel of 0 and 10 mph winds.
According to The Weather Channel, the forecast for Sunday call for freezing temperatures, which includes the strong possibility that it reaches single-digits. However, it is unlikely that there is precipitation during the game, which means snow shouldn't be much of a factor.
Therefore, teams will have to focus mainly on dealing with the frigid temperatures instead of also navigating snow or sleet of any kind.
There are only four weeks left in the regular season, and as each week passes, the 2026 NFL draft order becomes clearer and clearer. We are used to seeing a competition for the top three picks at this time of year, but this season it feels like there are way more teams that have a chance at the No. 1 spot.
After Week 15, there are eight teams with six wins or fewer. While no NFL team will ever say they are playing for draft-pick positioning, we have seen in recent years that a late-season win can drop a team from the No. 1 overall pick and the most control in the draft to the No. 4 pick.
Even with teams only having four games left, the draft picture can change drastically depending on how the games go and how the tiebreakers shape out. For now, the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans all sit at 2-12 and are sitting with the top choices for next year's draft.
So, what does the 2026 NFL draft order look like heading into Sunday of Week 15? The Sporting News has the details.
Even in an odd year for quarterbacks, with many of the projected top prospects struggling, a handful of potential first-round picks still remain. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza has played himself into the No. 1 pick conversation, fueled by his Heisman-winning season. Alabama's Ty Simpson and Oregon's Dante Moore are also in the mix near the top of the first round.
Defenders are also rising up the board. Miami EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. and Ohio State LB Arvell Reese each have cases to be the top overall players in the draft, while Reese's teammate Caleb Downs has long been projected as a likely top-10 pick.
While 2026 may not feature a true blue-chip wide receiver prospect, Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson remains a highly-rated player despite battling nagging injuries in 2025. He is still projected to be the first wide receiver drafted come April.
The Chicago Bears (9-4) being one of the best teams in the NFL is debatable. However, at 9-4, being one of the most successful through this point is not debatable. They have beaten all of the bad teams that they've played, but they also have some really nice wins over good teams as well. That includes the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in their house.
This week, the Bears take on the Cleveland Browns (3-10) in a game that will have tremendous implications. Chicago is having a good year, but nothing is set in stone for them as they attempt to make the playoffs. Cleveland, although 3-10, can't be taken lightly. They have a borderline elite defense, they play hard, and they are in every game. Their offense keeps them from winning more right now, but you never know what Shedeur Sanders will do for them as he gets more time under center.
If the Bears are going to be ready, they need everybody to contribute. These five players must stand out in a big way if they are going to win:
Caleb Williams
This is a must-win game for Chicago, and Caleb Williams must step up. He wasn't very good against the Packers in the first half, but he turned it on in the second half. Green Bay forced Williams to throw more by stacking the box, which may have shown the league how to beat the Bears. Seeing how Williams responds to that level of adversity is making him a must-watch player on Chicago more than usual. If he comes in, establishes the running game, and makes his throws at a higher clip, the Bears will have a great chance to win.
Ozzy Trapillo
Ozzy Trapillo is going to have Myles Garrett lining up opposite him in this one. Garrett, who's three sacks shy of the NFL single-season sack record, is one of the best players in the NFL at his position, which makes Trapillo's job that much more important. Having a great left tackle is a must in the NFL, but a player like Garrett magnifies that need. Trapillo may split the reps with Theo Benedet, who will have eyes on him as well due to the matchup. If the Bears somehow see these guys play well, Caleb Williams will be kept much cleaner, which will make winning the game easier.
Joe Thuney
Joe Thuney, a solid veteran left guard, is also going to be there to help whoever is in at left tackle handle Myles Garrett. Thuney, who has been to multiple Pro Bowls and Super Bowls, knows what it takes to be impactful against the best. Double-teaming Garrett and taking on other work on that side of the offensive line is going to be expected of him, and the tools are there for him to do his job well.
Montez Sweat
There are a lot of missing players on the offensive line of the Browns. This is Montez Sweat's (and the rest of the defensive line) chance to be an impactful player. The Bears offense is going to have no walk in the park, taking on Myles Garrett and company. Due to this, their defense is going to need to be on top of its game. A couple of sacks and lots of pressure on Shedeur Sanders would go a long way. Sweat has mostly been a disappointment since the Bears made the big trade to get him. However, a big play here and there to end the season will soften the blow of his production lacking.
Jaylon Johnson
Jaylon Johnson, since coming back from injury, has not made the impact that is expected of him when he's fully healthy. Johnson gets somewhat of a pass because he is working his way back to productivity, but this is his chance to finally have a huge impact. Shedeur Sanders can't get comfortable throwing the football. Whether the pass rush finally shows up or not, the defensive backs have the assignment of making throwing the ball difficult for Sanders. This defense as a whole leads the NFL in takeaways, and Johnson would love to become the next impactor in this regard. When healthy, Johnson is one of the best defensive backs in the NFL. He can shut down half a field, use his hands to make plays, and intimidate quarterbacks into mistakes with his ability to create turnovers and defend. Keep an eye on him in this one against the Browns, as his impact could be felt in a big way. If Johnson shuts down half the field, allowing others to make plays on defense, he is doing his job very well.
This week, the Pittsburgh Steelers have the opportunity to sit back, watch the rest of the NFL Week 15 slate play out before they square off with the Miami Dolphins. Right now, the Steelers are on top in the AFC North, and frankly, their best shot to even make the playoffs is to win the division and not try to sneak in as a wild-card team. With that being said, here are the three games the Steelers should watch this Sunday.
This is the game of the day for the Steelers. After Pittsburgh beat Baltimore last week, they took a full game lead over the Ravens in the division. If the Bengals can pull off the home upset it would extend the Steelers lead and give them a little cushion going forward.
The Texans currently hold the No. 7 seed in the AFC and the final spot in the playoffs. At 8-5, they are the one team who could drop off if they struggle and a loss at home against the Cardinals would be a great start for the Steelers if they have to try and get in as a wild card.
The Colts season is in jeopardy after a rash of injuries at quarterback. This week, they are trotting out 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who hasn't played football since 2020. This bodes well for the Seahawks and, in turn, the Steelers, who need to see some of these bubble teams drop some games to give the Steelers more opportunities.
The Cleveland Browns, now officially eliminated from playoff contention at 3-10, will go on the road this weekend to take on one of the most surprising teams of the 2025 NFL season.
The Chicago Bears have surged into the NFC playoff picture under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Just a year after going 5-12, the Bears sit at 9-4 heading into Week 15 and are holding on to the seventh seed in the NFC playoffs at the moment. With a win over Cleveland and a little help from Denver in their matchup against Green Bay, the Bears could take back first-place in the NFC North as soon as Sunday evening.
Sunday's matchup with the Bears is the first of three consecutive games against current playoff teams for the Browns, which means it's the first of three consecutive opportunities for the Browns to play spoiler in the race for the postseason. Here are five key matchups the Browns will need to win if they're going to do so.
Shedeur Sanders vs. Dennis Allen's defense
Sanders comes into Week 15 on the heels of the best game of his (very) young NFL career. The rookie fifth-round pick racked up 393 total yards and four touchdowns and helped rally the team for an attempted fourth-quarter comeback against the Titans that fell just shy in the final moments. Despite the Bears' impressive season, their defense has struggled mightily at times -- giving Sanders another opportunity to build his case to lead the Browns' offense beyond the final few games of this season.
Chicago's defense is healthier than it has been at times this season, but the Bears will still be without standout nickel defender Kyler Gordon on Sunday. On the season, the Bears' defense is allowing 357.3 total yards per game to opposing offenses -- the sixth-worst mark in the NFL.
Teven Jenkins vs. Gervon Dexter/Grady Jarrett
Wyatt Teller has already been ruled out of Sunday's game, meaning Jenkins is in line to make his second consecutive start for the Browns at right guard. With questions looming about the state of Cleveland's offensive line after this season ends, Jenkins has an opportunity to make a strong impression heading into the final stretch of the year.
Chicago's interior duo hasn't been phenomenal, but Dexter is having a nice season for a second-year pro. Per Pro Football Focus, he's recorded 28 quarterback pressures to go along with five sacks this season, and has had three games where he pressured the opposing quarterback four or more times. Jarrett isn't what he was at his peak, but he's still flashed a disruptive ability this season, recording four pressures and a quarterback hit in Chicago's Week 11 win over Minnesota.
Browns run defense vs. Bears run game
The Bears' aerial attack has been inconsistent this year, but Chicago's new coaching staff has transformed the ground game into a dominant threat. Through 13 games, the Bears have rushed for just shy of 2,000 yards -- 152.6 per game -- which puts them second in the NFL, just behind the Bills. Lead running back D'Andre Swift is on pace for a career-high in rushing yards, and needs just three more first downs to set his career high in that mark. Rookie seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai is putting together an impressive debut campaign as well, rushing for 648 yards so far this season.
The Browns' run defense has been stellar overall this season, but the unit is coming off its worst performance of the season -- the Titans rushed for a season-high 184 yards last week -- and is extremely banged up. Maliek Collins is out for the season, Adin Huntington has been ruled out of Sunday's game, and rookie first-round pick Mason Graham is questionable, having only logged one limited practice heading into Sunday's game.
Myles Garrett vs. Theo Benedet
Garrett is still chasing history, and he'll need to bring down the quarterback who has been the league's most elusive passer so far this season. After taking a near-historic 68 sacks as a rookie, Caleb Williams has been sacked just 20 times this season, which is tied for 21st-most among all NFL QBs.
If Garrett wants to bring Williams down and make him uncomfortable, he'll first need to win his matchups against the Bears' starting left tackle. Per PFF, Benedet has allowed just two sacks this season, and has allowed 22 total pressures in seven starts.
Browns return coverage vs. Bears return game
This is the first time all season that special teams have been included in the weekly list of matchups, but the Browns' special teams unit has clearly affected games to the point that it's worth mentioning as a factor. Last month, the Browns had a game in which they allowed two special teams return touchdowns (in a seven-point loss!), and last week's loss to the Titans featured a 41-yard return on the opening kickoff, a muffed punt, and a blocked kick that helped Tennessee build a 14-point fourth-quarter lead.
It's not hard to build a case that the Browns would have a much better record right now had they gotten better play out of their special teams unit. If they're going to pull off an upset in Chicago on Sunday, they can't allow Devin Duvernay -- who has a career-high 847 kickoff return yards this season -- to break one off.
The Miami Dolphins looked pretty much out of it a few weeks ago.
But the streaking 'Phins are back in the NFL playoff picture now, and they'll have a huge game on Monday Night Football in Week 15 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Monday night game means that the Dolphins get to spend all of Sunday sitting around and watching the rest of the action, hoping for things to break their way.
They can't catch up in the AFC East, where either the Patriots or the Bills will win the division title. So it's all about the wild card.
The odd toss-up game is Chargers-Chiefs, where L.A. is 9-4 and the Chiefs are 6-7. Conceptually, the Chargers could still finish below the Dolphins in the standings, but that's highly unlikely. It's probably better for the Chargers to push the Chiefs out of the way.
If Miami can get to 7-7 (which would also be the Steelers record if Miami beats Pittsburgh), there's real hope to be found.
Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season kicked off on Thursday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost at home to the Atlanta Falcons in a matchup of division rivals and throwback uniforms. From there, we have inched towards the day we find ourselves on: the Sunday of Week 15.
Before the action-packed Sunday kicks off, we have a viewing guide to help you navigate your local listings. It can be challenging to know which games will be available where you live, so the folks at 506 Sports have done the work for you, and we wanted to share.
The Arizona Cardinals take on the Houston Texans in Week 15. It is a lopsided matchup. The Texans have won five games in a row as they have the AFC South division lead in sight. They have the league's top defense in points allowed, yards allowed and first downs allowed. They have two great pass rushers.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, are down four starting offensive linemen, have no run game and no Marvin Harrison Jr. The offense has only scored 17 points in each of the last three games. They have lost five games in a row and are 1-7 since Jacoby Brissett is the starting quarterback.
The Cardinals are 10-point underdogs on the road. NFL experts are unanimous in their picks.
NFL expert picks: No one believes in the Cardinals
The NFL's preview video for the Cardinals-Texans game has 10 NFL Network analysts making predictions for this game. Here are the picks. Notice they all pick the Texans to win.
While all pick the Texans to win, no one picks them to cover the 10-point spread. Three predict a push.
On the surface, this game looks hopeless. We will see what happens. They kick off at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season kicked off on Thursday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost at home to the Atlanta Falcons in a matchup of division rivals and throwback uniforms. From there, we have inched towards the day we find ourselves on: the Sunday of Week 15.
Before the action-packed Sunday kicks off, we have a viewing guide to help you navigate your local listings. It can be challenging to know which games will be available where you live, so the folks at 506 Sports have done the work for you, and we wanted to share.
The Dallas Cowboys could desperately need elite George Pickens on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Will they get him? Will they see him on the field at all?
Something was seriously off with Pickens the last time the Cowboys took the field. Many observers pointed to a slew of body language indicators and questions arose about just how locked in he was during the game. With the national spotlight on Dallas after three wins in a row, and the primetime kickoff, the game against the Detroit Lions had a lot of eyes on it. So when fellow top wideout CeeDee Lamb left the game shortly after halftime with a concussion, many expected Pickens to pick up the slack, like he did early in the year when Lamb was out.
Only he didn't. There were routes where balls were catchable and he didn't give much effort, and something seemed completely off as he turned in his worst receiving yardage total since Week 1 and overall worst catch percentage outing. One under-discussed angle was whether or not Pickens was dealing with injuries, and he was indeed on the Week 14 injury report heading into that game.
What are Pickens' injuries?
Pickens had been dealing with not one, but two issues. He emerged from the victory over the Eagles listed with both knee and calf injuries, and carried those issues with him out of the win over Kansas City as well.
Pickens was listed as Limited for Monday of last week's contest. However, Pickens was able to be return to full participant status on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The star receiver didn't receive a game designation, however there's still a possibiity that things just weren't fully right for him. Whatever the reason, the Cowboys can't have another outing like that from Pickens, or they could lose to the Minnesota Vikings on SNF.
Fortunately, Pickens was not listed at all this week on the injury report. If anything was lingering, he should be fully clear of it now 10 days after the team last set foot on the field.
George Pickens' 2025 stats
Pickens has 78 receptions for 1,179 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He's been targeted 114 times and worked for 90.7 yards per game.
The Chicago Bears are hoping to get wide receiver Rome Odunze back for the Week 15 contest against the Cleveland Browns.
Odunze didn't play last week because of a foot issue. He was once again on the injury report this week and turned in three limited practices before drawing the questionable tag.
Ahead of another crucial game in Week 15 on Sunday, here's what we know about the second-year wideouts chances of suiting up against the Browns.
Is Rome Odunze playing today?
UPDATE: According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Odunze will not play after all after he aggravated his foot in pre-game warm-ups.
"Bears WR Rome Odunze, who is officially active, is being ruled out after aggravating his foot injury. Bad news right before kickoff," Rapoport said.
"The Bears are optimistic that WR Rome Odunze (foot) plays on Sunday, source says. He's listed as questionable and missed last week," Rapoport reported.
We'll get final confirmation on Odunze's status an hour and a half before the 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, but for now it looks like he'll go.
Rome Odunze start or sit advice
Odunze has done very little in the last three games he has played in, tallying seven catches for 82 yards and no touchdowns. He ranked as WR75 overall in that span.
Making matters worse, Odunze faces a Browns team giving up the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season.
There just isn't enough meat on the bone here to trust Odunze in lineups for the first week of the fantasy football playoffs.
The Sunday Night Football odds in Week 15 are a step down from Week 14, with the Dallas Cowboys hosting the lowly Minnesota Vikings in a battle between teams multiple games out of a playoff spot.
The Cowboys are currently 5.5-point favorites after opening at -6 in the NFL odds. Follow along for the latest SNF odds, Sunday Night Football props, and the full SNF schedule for the 2025-26 season.
Considered the marquee matchup on Sunday, being the only true standalone game, sometimes the bright lines can be overwhelming for young players an coaches. Give the benefit of the doubt to veteran coaches and staff/players with experience, who are grounded in their game prep and are less likely to get caught up in the hoopla on Sunday night.
2
Home-field frenzy
Any NFL Sunday leads to raucous home crowds, but home-field advantage gets an extra boost for the prime-time affair. The home crowd has been tailgating all day, rather than the usual (a.k.a. shorter) partying that comes with a 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. ET kickoff. That ravenous crowd is then released into the stadium, giving the home hospitality a little extra bite.
3
The temperature drops quick
Sunday night games can also be an advantage for cold-weather teams once the calendar hits December and January. Temperatures dip when the sun goes down and places like Green Bay and Buffalo can turn into frozen wastelands. And yes, the chilly temps impact both sides, but visitors from warmer cities or indoor stadiums may struggle to adapt when the mercury drops.
The Eagles are 8-5 and the top team in the NFC, and are set to get their most important asset back in the lineup. Lane Johnson suffered an ankle injury early in the second quarter of Philadelphia's game against Detroit at Lincoln Financial Field.
Johnson was initially diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury, and the thought was that the Eagles' star right tackle could miss 4-6 weeks. Johnson will miss Sunday's game vs. Las Vegas, but looks on track to practice this week and face Washington in Week 16.
Today is Lane Johnson’s fourth game missed due to his foot injury, so a potential return next week for the #Eagles’ All-Pro is right on the expected timeframe. https://t.co/Y02TZPuDng
We are entering the final month of the regular season, and the Colts are on the outside looking in at the current AFC playoff picture, so a little help along the way wouldn't hurt.
Star linebacker Nick Bolton was included in the Kansas City Chiefs' final injury reports for Week 15.
Will Bolton be able to take the field to face the Los Angeles Chargers this afternoon?
Here's the latest update on Bolton's status:
Nick Bolton injury update
Bolton was dealing with an illness earlier this week and needed to miss Kansas City's practice session on Thursday. However, he was a full participant in the Chiefs' workouts on Wednesday and Friday.
How long will Nick Bolton be out?
Bolton was not given an official game status designation for Week 15 and is expected to suit up for Kansas City this afternoon. He should not need to miss any time due to his illness.
Chiefs LB depth chart
If Bolton is forced to the sideline in today's contest, the Chiefs will expect linebackers Drue Tranquill, Jack Cochrane, and Jeffrey Bassa to fill his place in Steve Spagnuolo's defense.
The final weeks in the NFL are coming in the 2025 season. And although the current NFL playoff picture is very much muddled, there are actual postseason spots up for grabs in Week 15.
Three teams this week have a chance to get into the playoffs if everything goes their way, with two in the AFC and one in the NFC, which shows you how tight everything is right now.
So it’s time once again for that always fun and sometimes complicated breakdown of what needs to happen for certain teams heading into this week. Let’s break it all down by team and scenario:
AFC playoff scenarios
The New England Patriots can clinch the AFC East if:
Kennedy, 29, has been with the Lions since 2019, mostly in a practice squad role.
He joined the Free Press for this week's Five Questions.
Some questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Dan Campbell gave you a game ball for your performance last week. How meaningful was that given the path your career has taken?
Yeah, it was great. I feel like I've gotten a lot of attention the last couple weeks and it's been - I mean, it's a good thing because you're playing well, but you also just kind of want to move on to the next game.
You prefer to keep flying under the radar?
No, you want to be making plays and you want to be helping the team out. And I understand what that comes with, but at the same time, just, I guess having the long weekend, too, just a lot of that kind of gets extended.
How special is it to you, not just the game ball but to make the impact you've made?
I think people on the outside are making it more than what it is, in my opinion, but I understand how it’s – I guess I haven't had a ton of success in my career, which I know, but I think it's just another example of just hard work paying off and just staying ready.
What do you want to take from your journey? You've played seven years in the NFL. Not many people make it that long.
Just stay ready. In my case, I was always just trying to stay employed. I'd much rather be here at any capacity than be back home wishing I was here. I try not to look at it too negatively and just staying ready.
You played pro lacrosse before coming to the NFL. What did you learn from that experience that translated to here?
That was different because if we had a game Saturday night, you'd show up like Friday night, practice, you’d sleep at the hotel, wake up, shoot around, play the game, and then go home. So it was like pickup almost. It was like pickup hoops, but lacrosse. It obviously doesn't compare to the amount of time and effort and resources that you put into something like this. It was fine, and it was fun for a summer while I was in college to make some money and you’re working, you're making money doing something that you enjoy and you get to compete. But in terms of it comparing to what this is, it's like night and day.
If you could pick a third sport to play professionally now or in a future life, what would it be?
Now, I wish my golf game was at that point, which it's not. But growing up I played baseball, basketball. I was all right, but obviously not nearly as good as the other two sports. But if I could pick, yeah, golf. It’d be fun to be that good at golf.
What do you shoot?
Usually by like the middle or end of the summer, like high 80s, on easy courses, honestly. It's more enjoyable for me if the ball’s in play and I'm not shooting around 100. Back home where they had the Ryder Cup, Bethpage, not the Black but the other courses, some of those are fairly easy and open and kind of short, so I like playing those. It's fairly cheap, so that's fun. Some of the tougher courses, it's not that fun for me. Especially when it gets narrow and long.
Christmas is coming up. What's the silliest thing you bought or had your parents buy for you as a kid?
I don't know the silliest thing. We would always get scratch-offs in our stockings growing up. Me and my four siblings, so it was fun to compete. Not that you had any control over it, but to see who would win the most money. I can't think of anything too (crazy) that I’ve bought. There's definitely a ton, but off the top of my head, I don't know.
What's the most you ever won in a scratch-off?
Not much, but it was like a few-year stretch when I was young where I would win the most, which was nice. But I feel like the last few years, whether it's birthday or something else, like, haven't had a ton of success with scratch-offs.
What's your favorite Christmas gift you’ve ever given someone?
I'm not sure. Probably my fiancé, something that I've gotten her, honestly. It was after Christmas, but I got us like a Le Creuset Dutch oven, so we enjoy using that and all the meals that come with that. I've gotten her clothes or sneakers, stuff like that which is all good, but I guess the meals that we've been able to make in that, that's like not just a gift but it adds meals together.
Do you cook?
Yeah, I do most of the cooking during the offseason when I’m home.
What's your go-to meal? What's your specialty?
I love cooking breakfast. Breakfast is usually the easiest for me to cook. Whether it's just a scrambled egg with veggies, some type of protein, stuff like that. Or basically you make that and then just throw it into a burrito. I love breakfast burritos. And then I made chili a few times last year. That came out pretty good. I like to grill, cause that's pretty easy. It's not as tedious. But I think inside meal, like in the Dutch oven, was probably the chili.
You played so many sports. As a kid, what was the first jersey you had? Any sport, any athlete.
I don't know first one. I know I got a LaDainian Tomlinson powder blue. Maybe like, early middle school or something like that. And that was cool, cause that was like the nicest jersey I thought, growing up and he was one of my favorite players. So I don't know the first one, but that was that was a favorite.
Were you a running back, back then?
Well, I mean, we ran in like wishbone, so we probably threw the ball once or twice a game, maybe. So, yeah, I played running back and linebacker, corner/safety, whatever.
Brad Holmes asks this in the draft process so I'll ask you: What’s your why? Why do you keep doing this?
I just genuinely enjoy it, honestly. Like, the mental aspect, the competitive nature of it. As you get older, too, the, can you keep on doing it? As somebody who's proven you can do it, you're good enough to stick around, like how long can you do it now? So it just, I mean, every day in here is a challenge. You've got so many great athletes and stuff. So yeah, I just get a lot of enjoyment out of it. And then everything that comes with the whole cat-and-mouse game, offense vs. defense, all the special teams plays. Just so much that goes into it. Yeah, it's a lot of fun in both from a mental aspect of like game plan and also a competitive, physical aspect.
Has this experience been more rewarding than you ever could have imagined?
Yeah, I mean, I don't know what I'm going to do when I'm done, but I've been lucky enough to not have to face that yet. So I'm just trying to keep playing as long as I can, honestly, cause, like I said, I enjoy it a lot.
The New England Patriots will try to claim the AFC East throne in Sunday's Week 15 showdown with the Buffalo Bills.
This will be the much-anticipated rematch from the first meeting between the two teams back in Week 5, when the Patriots stunned the Bills in a 23-20 upset win on the road. Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye outdueled Bills MVP quarterback Josh Allen and picked up the team's biggest win so far this season.
And now the Bills are looking for revenge.
They could certainly get it if they beat the Patriots at Gillette Stadium and put an end to their 10-game winning streak. The Bills are coming off a 39-34 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, while the Patriots are fresh off a bye week. They handed the New York Giants a 33-15 loss when they were last in action in Week 13.
Stay tuned to this page on Patriots Wire for score updates and highlights from the game.
Game score
Patriots 0, Bills 0
What TV channel is Patriots vs. Bills football on today?
TV channel: CBS | WBZ-TV Channel 4
Streaming: NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube and YouTube TV | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)
The Patriots and Bills play Sunday in Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season. It's expected that Patriots rookie left guard Jared Wilson will return as a starter. However, running back Terrell Jennings has been ruled out (concussion) for the game, and linebacker Robert Spillane is questionable with a foot injury.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, ESPN+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Patriots vs. Bills football start time
Date: Sunday, Dec. 14
Time: 1 p.m. ET
The Patriots and Bills are slated to play on Sunday, December 14 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Foxborough will serve as the backdrop for the Week 15 game at Gillette Stadium.
For the Bengals, a path to the postseason exists because that AFC North is so miserable this year. It’s tiny, yet there: Joe Burrow’s team needs to win out and get some help.
But a loss to the Ravens would put an end to things.
Two weeks ago now, Burrow stormed back earlier than expected from injury on Thanksgiving and delivered that memorable win over the Ravens in Baltimore. In the 32-14 beatdown, the defense appeared to have new life while he threw for two scores.
But last week again Buffalo on the road, the Bengals blew a healthy lead courtesy of a pair of critical Burrow interceptions.
It was a good illustration of how razor thin the margin of error for the Bengals is once again. The team just couldn’t cobble together wins without Burrow this year and now he needs to play perfect ball again for them to have even the slightest of chances.
Whether the Bengals can actually complete the season sweep of the Ravens is a tough call. Baltimore has lost two in a row, sure, but they were both AFC North bouts. Prior to that, they’d won five in a row after a bye week.
Lamar Jackson has accounted for 2,060 passing yards and 16 touchdowns against five interceptions over 10 games. Derrick Henry is up over 1,000 yards again on a 4.6 per-carry average with 10 scores.
Jackson, though, has battled injuries over the last few weeks and routinely doesn’t get a full week of practice now. That could be an x-factor in the freezing temperatures.
This one might come down to game script. If the Bengals can run the ball well and somebody like Ja’Marr Chase can make a big play early, it lessens the chances Henry can start pounding the ball in a negative wind chill and take over the game.
Just two games ago, it felt unlikely that the Bengals could win without Trey Hendrickson and Tee Higgins. They did anyway. Now they have to do it again. Let’s say the Burrow return boost propelled the team last time. This time? The threat of outright elimination.
The Los Angeles Rams enter Week 15 sporting one of the NFL's best records, 10-3. Despite this, they are well on their way toward landing a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The reason for this? The Atlanta Falcons traded their first-round pick for the upcoming draft as part of a 2025 NFL Draft trade. The Falcons moved back into the end of the first round to land edge rusher James Pearce Jr. while the Rams were content to move down and accrue some extra draft capital.
The move appears ready to pay off in spades for the Rams, as they will be poised to add a blue-chip player to an already championship-worthy roster during the 2026 NFL offseason.
Just how good will the Rams' pick be? The Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on "Thursday Night Football," which will make the pick more likely to stay at the latter end of the back 10 or just outside of it.
There are eight teams with three wins or fewer entering Sunday. Each could be in contention for the number one pick: the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns all enter Week 15 in possession of a top-five pick, but will they be able to say the same after the week is over?
Here's what to know about the 2026 NFL Draft order as the 2025 season enters the home stretch.
2026 NFL Draft order
Here's a look at the updated first-round order as Week 15 results come in, according to Tankathon, which calculates strength of schedule differently from the NFL:
New York Giants: 2-11 record; .532 strength of schedule
But the Sunday matchup could have major fantasy football implications for players like Jaxson Dart, Devin Singletary, Marcus Mariota and Chris Rodriguez Jr.
So the weather forecast matters to those fantasy teams, even if the real teams are just trying to evaluate the rest of the way.
The field should be mostly clear by kickoff, but there's a chance some flurries start in the latter stages of the game.
All told, the play on the field shouldn't be impacted too much, but it's worth monitoring as kickoff approaches just in case the weather takes a turn for the worse.
The AFC East title can be decided this week as the New England Patriots (11-2) host the Buffalo Bills (9-4) in the season's most critical divisional matchup. With the Patriots holding a two-game lead, a win this weekend would officially secure the division crown for New England and extend their winning streak to 11 games. For the Bills, a loss would effectively relegate them to a Wild Card spot, making this game an absolute must-win scenario to keep their division title aspirations alive.
The contest is an instant classic in the making, pitting the established greatness of Bills quarterback Josh Allen against the rising star power of the Patriots' sophomore signal-caller, Drake Maye. Allen, the reigning MVP, is known for his explosive playmaking and late-game heroics, while Maye, one of the 2025 MVP frontrunners, has fueled the Patriots' resurgence.
For New England, this game is a chance to prove their status as a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They have enjoyed a remarkable season, but a second win over the five-time AFC East champions Bills would fully legitimize their dominance. Clinching the division with a victory over their biggest rival would be the exclamation point on a stellar year, shifting the goalposts from simply making the playoffs to challenging for the AFC's No. 1 seed.
The Bills lost the first game to the Patriots in Buffalo, 23-20, and a loss here would leave them three games back with only three weeks to play, effectively ending their hopes of catching New England. The Bills need Josh Allen to deliver an MVP-caliber performance to not only shrink the divisional gap but also to protect their favorable Wild Card positioning in the crowded AFC playoff picture.
Here's how to listen to one of the biggest matchups of the season.
Bills vs. Patriots radio station
National radio channels: SiriusXM channel 232 (home), 385 (away)
Bills radio channels: WGR 550
Patriots radio channel:98.5 The Sports Hub
The highly-anticipated matchup can be listened to on SiriusXM. Both teams have a broadcast to go along with the national channel (88), with the Bills on 385 and Patriots on 232.
Locally, fans in the Buffalo area can tune into WGR 550, which carries Bills games throughout Western New York. In Boston, fans can listen on the Patriots Radio Network (98.5 The Sports Hub), the flagship station for all games; those in the New England area looking for the exact channel for their area can find it here.
If you are a new subscriber to SiriusXM, you can get your first month for free. Listen to every NFL game live, plus other sports like college football, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and more. Stay updated with all the news and analysis from SiriusXM NFL Radio and other sport-specific channels.
Bills vs. Patriots start time
Date: Sunday, Dec. 14
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
The Bills and Patriots will kick off at 1:00 p.m. on Dec. 14, one of eight games in Sunday's early window. The game will be broadcast on CBS.
Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and J.J. Watt (color commentator) will be on the call, with Evan Washburn on the sidelines.
The Eagles are trying to get back on the winning track and move closer to locking up the NFC East on Sunday, while the Raiders are just playing out the string after what has been yet another lost season.
But the Eagles and Raiders won't just be battling each other, as the weather is going to make an impact.
Here's what we know about the forecast ahead of kickoff between Philadelphia and Las Vegas, and what impact it'll have on your fantasy football playoff matchup.
Eagles vs. Raiders weather forecast
According to AccuWeather.com, three to six inches of snow is expected to fall by 10 a.m. ET, but no snow is expected after that, so the field should be clear or relatively clear, which is good news.
Conditions will be frigid, though, as it will feel like single digits during the game, with the official temperatures hitting between 25 to 27 degrees during the contest.
The bigger concern right now is the wind, which could see gusts of up to 30 miles per hour throughout the game.
Fantasy football impact
Fantasy-relevant players potentially negatively impacted: QB Jalen Hurts, WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, TEs Brock Bowers and Dallas Goedert, K Jake Elliott and Daniel Carlson.
If there's snow on the ground during the game, the ball is going to be harder to grip, which makes throwing, catching and carrying the football more difficult. Also, unsure footing could lead to botched field goals and extra points.
With the wind, passing the ball will be impacted, as will kicking. Both teams might opt to avoid longer field goals as a result, and even shorter field goals could be a challenge, also.
If the wind proves to be a major issue, both teams could lean on their rushing attacks more, which would be good news for the running backs.
Star wide receiver Rashee Rice was listed on all of the Kansas City Chiefs' injury reports this week ahead of the team's Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Will Rice's injury affect his ability to play against the Chargers this afternoon?
Here's the latest on Rice's status:
Rashee Rice status update
Rice is said to be dealing with a hamstring injury, but it didn't affect his ability to be a full participant in all of Kansas City's practice sessions in Week 15.
How long will Rashee Rice be out?
The Chiefs didn't give Rice an official game status designation on Friday, so fans shouldn't expect him to miss any time due to his hamstring injury.
Chiefs WR depth chart
If Rice needs to exit the field this afternoon, Patrick Mahomes will give more targets to veteran wideouts Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, and JuJu Smith-Schuster.
When Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters traded for left tackle Laremy Tunsil last offseason, it made waves across the NFL. Top left tackles are rarely traded, especially when they're in the prime of their career. What was wrong with Tunsil? Why did the Houston Texans trade him with two affordable years remaining on his contract?
While we may never know the exact reason, it's pretty clear Houston didn't want to pay Tunsil again. He'd already signed two contract extensions since the Texans acquired him in 2019 and would turn 31 just before the 2025 season began.
While the trade was costly from Washington's perspective, Tunsil has been as advertised and more. Not only does he remain an elite pass protector, but Tunsil's run blocking has also impressed the Commanders.
"To me, more than anything this season is just how he can move bodies in the run game," offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said last week. "I knew he was a dominant pass protector, but the run game of stuff has been phenomenal."
Tunsil has also been a great teammate, serving as a mentor for rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Coaches and teammates have noticed the work Tunsil has put in with Conerly.
"He's going to get a lot of money," Kingsbury said.
Uh oh, the pressure is on you, Adam Peters.
As for Tunsil, he knows how this works. He operates as his own agent. Of course, he expects to be paid.
"Whatever happens, happens,” Tunsil told Tashan Reed of The Washington Post recently. "Of course, I want to be paid. Of course, I want to stay with this organization.......When we get to the offseason, we can handle it."
Make no mistake, Washington didn't trade multiple draft picks to Houston for Tunsil not to extend him. He's been phenomenal, and the Commanders have the cash and cap room. They also have a young quarterback to protect in Jayden Daniels. While Daniels has been in and out of the lineup this season with injuries, don't blame Tunsil. A primary reason Peters traded for Tunsil was Daniels.
The 2025 season didn't go as planned for the Commanders. Almost everything has gone wrong except the acquisitions of Tunsil and Conerly. Washington's offensive line looks to be a building block moving forward. That's why the Commanders must extend Tunsil — and they will.
Another 2025 NFL Sunday is here, this time in Week 15, with a full slate of games to watch and enjoy. That's right, it's time for some football!
And if you're here, you may be wondering who is calling the game you're watching. Fear not! We have answers.
Below is the list of all the Sunday games and their announcing teams in order of play-by-play announcers, analysts and reporters. We won't list the Monday games, because we know who usually does Monday Night Football for ESPN.
So, here it is: All the announcers for this Sunday! (All times listed are Eastern.)
When it comes to the 2026 NFL draft, all bets are off for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are set to have three or four significant needs that could take up their first-round pick. It will all depend on where the Steelers end up picking and which top prospects declare.
In a new three-round mock draft from Pro Football Network, the draft takes an interesting approach to the Steelers draft, and while it starts off strong, it takes some strange turns in the third round. Let's break down the picks.
First round - WR Makai Lemon - USC
Second round - QB Jayden Maiava - USC
This is a great start and a smart choice by the Steelers. Landing Lemon and Maiava in the first two rounds not only gives the Steelers one of the best pass catchers in the draft but also lands them a high-ceiling quarterback prospect who threw Lemon all those passes. Excellent start, filling two huge needs.
Third round - CB Daylen Everett - Georgia
Third round - WR Omar Cooper Jr. - Indiana
Third round - CB Malik Muhammad - Texas
This is where things go a little off the rails. We don't dislike any of the prospects selected but taking a second wide receiver and two cornerbacks doesn't feel like something the Steelers front office does and it doesn't hit the mark for some other top needs. Everett is an exceptional prospect and a great fit so we leave him at that first pick of the round but switch things up with the other two.
Instead of Cooper, I'd go with Cincinnati's Dontay Corleone to line up with Keanu Benton on on the inside of the defensive line or Florida State defensive tackle Darnell Jackson Jr. to be a potential replacement for Cameron Heyward down the road. Instead of Muhammad, we would have gone with Duke guard Brian Parker II to provide depth and develop into a starter.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was a staple of the injury report all week before his team takes on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15.
Higgins re-entered concussion protocol to start the week, but practiced on a limited basis in batches, giving a little hope that he would be able to go against the Ravens.
The Bengals declared Higgins as out on the final injury report.
Higgins self-reported concussion symptoms and entered protocol after the loss to the Bills last week. He left the game against the Bills multiple times for concussion checks.
Higgins missed Week 13 while in concussion protocol.
Impossible to say, given the fickle nature of concussions. The fact this is Higgins’ second trip to concussion protocol over just a handful of weeks is really concerning, at least from an outsider’s perspective. That made it pretty surprising that he was practicing even limited this week already.
Bengals WR depth chart
Ja’Marr Chase
Tee Higgins
Andre Iosvias
Charlie Jones
Mitchell Tinsley
No more Jermaine Burton in Cincinnati (or anywhere), so the Bengals have just five players on the 53. Jordan Moore, Xavier Johnson and Kendric Pryor are on the practice squad and available. But Iosivas and Tinsley are the most likely to get major reps with Higgins out.
The Chicago Bears faithful have to be pleased with first-year head coach Ben Johnson and the product they’ve seen on the field. After starting 0-2, Chicago found its groove offensively.
The run game has been highly reliable with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai, who have combined for 1,485 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
As for the passing attack, Caleb Williams is averaging 223.7 passing yards per game, but the receiving corps has been spiraling. After a dynamic start to the season from second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze, his production fell off a cliff before he sustained a stress fracture in his foot. From the jump, DJ Moore and Johnson got off to a weird start, and Moore has caught just 39 passes since the beginning of the season.
One bright spot on the offensive side of the ball has been rookie tight end Colston Loveland. The young TE from Michigan has started to come into his own since the Bears’ Week 5 bye.
With how close the NFC is, Chicago needs to bounce back from a tough loss in Green Bay. The Bears get a more-than-favorable matchup as they host the Cleveland Browns in Week 15.
Here’s more on whether the Bears can make the 2025-26 postseason heading into Week 15.
As we approach Week 15, the Bears hold the No. 7 seed, the last spot in the NFC Wild Card.
Chicago was the No. 1 seed heading into their Week 14 showdown with the Green Bay Packers. However, after losing that game at Lambeau Field, the Bears dropped six spots. This shows how closely contested the NFC conference has been this season.
Chicago is given a 65% chance by Next Gen Stats to make the postseason. The Bears fanbase is anything but comfortable, as the Detroit Lions are just one back and hold the tiebreaker from Week 2.
Here is how the NFC playoff picture looks heading into Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
Rank
Team
Record
1
Los Angeles Rams
10-3
2
Green Bay Packers
9-3-1
3
Philadelphia Eagles
8-5
4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7-6
5
Seattle Seahawks
10-3
6
San Francisco 49ers
9-4
7
Chicago Bears
9-4
8
Detroit Lions
8-5
9
Carolina Panthers
7-6
10
Dallas Cowboys
6-6-1
11
Minnesota Vikings
5-8
12
Atlanta Falcons
4-9
13
Arizona Cardinals
3-10
14
New Orleans Saints
3-10
15
Washington Commanders
3-10
16
New York Giants
2-11
NFC North standings
Team
Record
Green Bay Packers
9-3-1
Chicago Bears
9-4
Detroit Lions
8-5
Minnesota Vikings
5-8
Chicago has more than one way to the postseason. Obviously, winning the NFC North would secure their playoff spot. However, with their 9-4 record, they also have a strong chance at earning a Wild Card seed.
Chicago ends their season with three quality opponents, two of which are crucial in-division games.
To begin, the Bears will host the Green Bay Packers, who recently took them down in Week 14. There is a good chance this game could decide the NFC North.
Sandwiched in between these divisional foes is a trip to California to face the San Francisco 49ers. Then the Bears will end their season with another shot at Ben Johnson's revenge against the Detroit Lions.
The playoffs don't officially start until January 10, but every game from here on out for the Ravens will have postseason implications as they try to chase down the Steelers in the AFC North. Baltimore travels to Cincinnati to battle the embattled Bengals (4-9) at Paycor Stadium (1 p.m. kickoff). This AFC North clash will be cold, and it'll feature two teams that remain in playoff contention, with Baltimore sitting one game behind 7-6 Pittsburgh, who defeated the Ravens, 27-22, last Sunday. Cincinnati is coming off a 39-34 loss at Buffalo.
The postseason script is real, with the Ravens set to play three of their final four regular-season games on the road: at Cincinnati, vs. New England, at Green Bay, and at Pittsburgh.
Tee Higgins is out
In fairness, Higgins missed the first matchup, but Zach Orr has to have a scheme set up to limit Ja'Marr Chase, who has dominated the Ravens.
Joe Burrow isn't having fun
“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing this,” Burrow said. “I have been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for? That is the mindset I am trying to bring to the table.” Those were Burrow's words following a recent practice. No, he's not retiring or requesting a trade, but Sunday offers another opportunity for Baltimore to make Burrow feel even worse.
Ravens control their own destiny
The Ravens face the Bengals, Patriots, Packers, and Steelers down the stretch. They likely need to win out, definitely need to defeat the Steelers, and can not afford a loss to Cincinnati.
The Buffalo Bills, while not meeting expectations this season, sit at 9-4. When you have a quarterback of the caliber of Josh Allen, you're expected to win every game.
This season, there have been two perplexing losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins. However, the other two defeats came against the New England Patriots, who are currently leading the AFC East, and the Houston Texans, who have arguably the best defense in football.
The one constant for the Bills is Allen. Regardless of weapons, defenses, or special teams, Allen is a superstar. He's won an MVP award and made it to the AFC Championship game but has not captured the illustrious Lombardi Trophy.
With Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and, most importantly, Patrick Mahomes potentially all missing the playoffs, "Bills Mafia" has a great shot at seeing their beloved organization win its first Super Bowl.
Buffalo will face a considerable challenge in Week 15: the Patriots in Foxborough. The atmosphere will undoubtedly feel like a playoff game and carry significant implications.
Here is more on the Bills' chance to make the 2025 postseason heading into Week 15.
As it stands, heading into their clash with New England, the Bills hold the No. 6 seed in the AFC Conference.
They are just one game ahead of the Indianapolis Colts, who are on the bubble. The Colts just lost Daniel Jones to a season-ending injury. Therefore, even without an AFC East title, the Bills will most likely be in the Wild Card.
As we head into Week 15, Next Gen Stats gives the Buffalo Bills a 96% of making the postseason.
Here is how the AFC playoff picture looks heading into Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
Being two games behind the Patriots, a win this week at Gillette Stadium would put significant pressure on New England. The Bills have a chance to make the playoffs not just as a Wild Card team, but as AFC East Champions.
Bill's remaining schedule
Looking at their remaining opponents, there are genuinely only two games the Bills could lose. Not that every NFL team isn’t capable of winning any given Sunday, but it’s go time for Buffalo.
The Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will provide two challenging matchups. However, the Bills have looked like an exponentially better team than the Eagles of late.
The Cleveland Browns can slow down games with their defense and make things tough, but Buffalo should win that game. Depending on where the Bills stand in Week 18, we might see some starters sit against the New York Jets.
IndyStar is expanding #AskJoel off X at halftime to the Indianapolis Colts' entire game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday here at IndyStar.com.
The Colts (8-5) are coming off a devastating loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars that including a season-ending injury to quarterback Daniel Jones. Are you ready for 44-year-old grandpa Philip Rivers, who has been retired for 5 years, to start and face one of the NFL's best defenses? We'll find out if that's what's happening starting at 4:25 p.m.
#AskJoel his thoughts on Philip Rivers and the Colts fast dwindling playoff hopes. Start asking IndyStar Colts Insider Joel A. Erickson your questions now and he will answer them during the game and provide expert commentary right here:
IndyStar is expanding #AskJoel off X at halftime to the Indianapolis Colts' entire game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday here at IndyStar.com.
The Colts (8-5) are coming off a devastating loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars that including a season-ending injury to quarterback Daniel Jones. Are you ready for 44-year-old grandpa Philip Rivers, who has been retired for 5 years, to start and face one of the NFL's best defenses? We'll find out if that's what's happening starting at 4:25 p.m.
#AskJoel his thoughts on Philip Rivers and the Colts fast dwindling playoff hopes. Start asking IndyStar Colts Insider Joel A. Erickson your questions now and he will answer them during the game and provide expert commentary right here:
It's not a stretch to say the Detroit Lions built much of their offense around one trade.
In arguably the biggest transaction in franchise history, the Lionstraded franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford on Jan. 30, 2021, in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, first-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023 and a third-round pick in 2021.
It seemed to be a straightforward swap at the time, with two franchise quarterbacks switching teams and the Lions getting critical draft capital in return. But the Lions used the extra picks to make more big deals, turning the original blockbuster trade into a franchise-altering one.
Let's take a look at what the Lions ultimately received in exchange for Stafford.
QB Jared Goff
The biggest chip for the Lions in the trade was Goff – a player the Rams were eager to get rid of.
The four-time Pro Bowler has since played his best football in Detroit, throwing for at least 29 touchdowns passes in each of his last three seasons (and on his way to hitting that marks in 2025) and finishing fifth in the NFL MVP vote in 2024.
Melifonwu was taken with the 2021 third-round pick the Lions got from Los Angeles, selected No. 101 overall out of Syracuse. Melifonwu started 11 games combined in his first three seasons with Detroit from 2021-23, posting his best season in 2023 with two interceptions, three sacks, eight passes defended and 33 tackles.
The Lions used the 2022 first-round pick from the Super Bowl champion Rams, No. 32 overall, to package in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. They moved up 20 spots and selected Williams at No. 12 overall.
Williams has delivered on his promise over his past two years in Detroit after injuries and suspensions cut his first two seasons short. Williams put up a 1,001-yard season with 58 catches and seven touchdowns in 2024, and is on his way to break the 1,000-yard mark once again in 2025.
As part of the trade with the Vikings, the Lions also landed Minnesota's second-round pick in the 2022 draft, No. 46 overall, which the Lions used to select Paschal.
Paschal gradually became a fixture on the defensive line, starting four games in each of his first two seasons (2022 and 2023) and 10 in 2024. Paschal has not appeared for the Lions in 2025, however, after a back injury suffered in the spring has kept him on the sidelines.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
With the Rams going 5-12 in 2022 and handing over the No. 6 overall pick, general manager Brad Holmes maneuvered around the draft board once again. He sent that pick and a third-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for picks 12, 34 and 168.
The Cardinals took offensive tackle Paris Johnson at No. 6, while the Lions used the No. 12 pick on Gibbs, a selection many experts questioned at the time. That skepticism has mostly worn off this year.
Gibbs has been one of the best player in the NFL in his third season, currently second among all running backs in total touchdowns (16) while averaging 134.7 total yards per game. He has set records all throughout his young career, and enters Week 15 against the Rams tied with franchise legend Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns in NFL history before turning age 24.
TE Sam LaPorta
Not finished by a long shot, the Lions selected LaPorta with the 34th overall pick out of Iowa in the 2023 draft, a pick they got from the deal with Arizona.
LaPorta immediately set the NFL record for most receptions by a rookie tight end in a season (89), caught 10 touchdowns. and was named to the Pro Bowl. He has been out since mid-November after undergoing surgery on his back after an injury in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
DT Brodric Martin
The last player the Lions selected using capital involved from the Stafford trade was Martin, picked 96th overall out of Western Kentucky in the 2023 draft.
Martin struggled getting on the field in his first two seasons with Detroit, making only one start and five appearances from 2023-24. The Lions waived Martin before the 2025 regular season began after an ineffective preseason, and after a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, he currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It's not a stretch to say the Detroit Lions built much of their offense around one trade.
In arguably the biggest transaction in franchise history, the Lionstraded franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford on Jan. 30, 2021, in exchange for quarterback Jared Goff, first-round draft picks in 2022 and 2023 and a third-round pick in 2021.
It seemed to be a straightforward swap at the time, with two franchise quarterbacks switching teams and the Lions getting critical draft capital in return. But the Lions used the extra picks to make more big deals, turning the original blockbuster trade into a franchise-altering one.
Let's take a look at what the Lions ultimately received in exchange for Stafford.
QB Jared Goff
The biggest chip for the Lions in the trade was Goff – a player the Rams were eager to get rid of.
The four-time Pro Bowler has since played his best football in Detroit, throwing for at least 29 touchdowns passes in each of his last three seasons (and on his way to hitting that marks in 2025) and finishing fifth in the NFL MVP vote in 2024.
Melifonwu was taken with the 2021 third-round pick the Lions got from Los Angeles, selected No. 101 overall out of Syracuse. Melifonwu started 11 games combined in his first three seasons with Detroit from 2021-23, posting his best season in 2023 with two interceptions, three sacks, eight passes defended and 33 tackles.
The Lions used the 2022 first-round pick from the Super Bowl champion Rams, No. 32 overall, to package in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. They moved up 20 spots and selected Williams at No. 12 overall.
Williams has delivered on his promise over his past two years in Detroit after injuries and suspensions cut his first two seasons short. Williams put up a 1,001-yard season with 58 catches and seven touchdowns in 2024, and is on his way to break the 1,000-yard mark once again in 2025.
As part of the trade with the Vikings, the Lions also landed Minnesota's second-round pick in the 2022 draft, No. 46 overall, which the Lions used to select Paschal.
Paschal gradually became a fixture on the defensive line, starting four games in each of his first two seasons (2022 and 2023) and 10 in 2024. Paschal has not appeared for the Lions in 2025, however, after a back injury suffered in the spring has kept him on the sidelines.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
With the Rams going 5-12 in 2022 and handing over the No. 6 overall pick, general manager Brad Holmes maneuvered around the draft board once again. He sent that pick and a third-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for picks 12, 34 and 168.
The Cardinals took offensive tackle Paris Johnson at No. 6, while the Lions used the No. 12 pick on Gibbs, a selection many experts questioned at the time. That skepticism has mostly worn off this year.
Gibbs has been one of the best player in the NFL in his third season, currently second among all running backs in total touchdowns (16) while averaging 134.7 total yards per game. He has set records all throughout his young career, and enters Week 15 against the Rams tied with franchise legend Barry Sanders for the most touchdowns in NFL history before turning age 24.
TE Sam LaPorta
Not finished by a long shot, the Lions selected LaPorta with the 34th overall pick out of Iowa in the 2023 draft, a pick they got from the deal with Arizona.
LaPorta immediately set the NFL record for most receptions by a rookie tight end in a season (89), caught 10 touchdowns. and was named to the Pro Bowl. He has been out since mid-November after undergoing surgery on his back after an injury in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
DT Brodric Martin
The last player the Lions selected using capital involved from the Stafford trade was Martin, picked 96th overall out of Western Kentucky in the 2023 draft.
Martin struggled getting on the field in his first two seasons with Detroit, making only one start and five appearances from 2023-24. The Lions waived Martin before the 2025 regular season began after an ineffective preseason, and after a stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, he currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“So look, Sam did have a procedure and he's going to be out for a while,” Campbell said during his press conference in Allen Park. “A while. I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season, at some point. I think that's very, very slim.”
“So look, Sam did have a procedure and he's going to be out for a while,” Campbell said during his press conference in Allen Park. “A while. I think we would be fortunate to have a chance to get him back for the rest of the season, at some point. I think that's very, very slim.”
Earlier this season, the New York Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll after no progress or improvement had been made since his first season. He did take the team to the playoffs once, but failed to make it past the divisional round.
The Giants are gearing up to play the Washington Commanders this week, and the organization is also considering who they want to interview for the vacant head coaching position. Names like interim head coach Mike Kafka, Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator Joe Brady, and former Giants' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo have all been speculated about.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic now reports the Giants have compiled a list of early candidates, and among them is Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
The New York Giants have a list of candidates for their head-coaching vacancy. I’m told the names on it include Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak … and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman.
I also expect Freeman to garner interest from other NFL organizations. The 39-year-old has spent the past four years leading Notre Dame, taking the Irish to the national championship game last season. Last December, he agreed to a lucrative contract extension through 2030. And though he has never coached in the NFL, his leadership, people skills and ability to thrive in one of the most high-profile jobs in the country are what’s drawing the interest of general managers and owners.
Jeff Hafley, Lou Anarumo, Kliff Kingsbury, and Klint Kubiak are all well-known names in the NFL. They all have solid histories in their roles and are looking to make the jump to (or back to) head coach. Any of them could be a fit, should they choose to interview with the Giants.
Marcus Freeman, though, is definitely garnering interest from the NFL after how he's led his Notre Dame team since being hired in 2021. They made it to the National Championship in 2024, but were snubbed from the playoffs in 2025 (which many disagree with). He has handled everything thrown at him with poise and grace, but the NFL is a different beast than college.
Freeman knows this, as he had a brief professional career before being diagnosed with a heart condition that forced him to retire without seeing the field. However, his knowledge of the game and his ability to get players to buy in is something the Giants desperately need. He has not said he has intentions of leaving Notre Dame, but that doesn't mean teams won't be reaching out.
The New England Patriots will host the Buffalo Bills for an AFC East divisional clash on Sunday.
In one of the biggest games of the season, the Patriots will be looking to clinch the AFC East, while the Bills hope to play the role of spoiler and retake the division.
This will either be a revenge game or a changing of the guard. Second-year quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots upset Josh Allen and the Bills at Orchard Park in Week 5. This will be an opportunity for the Bills to return the favor and stay in the hunt for the AFC East throne.
The Patriots will be coming off a bye week, which means they should be well-rested for this game. In their last outing, they dominated at home in a 33-15 win over the New York Giants. Meanwhile, the Bills handled their business in an offensive shootout with the Cincinnati Bengals. Allen was the biggest difference in the end to help the Bills come away with a 39-34 victory.
The story of the first game was the Patriots' ability to shut down Buffalo's run game. However, the Patriots have been among the worst teams in the league against the run over the last three games. They have allowed an average of 123.7 rushing yards over that time span.
On the other side of the ball, the Patriots won't have left tackle Will Campbell for this matchup, but they will get their starting left guard, Jared Wilson back. They will also get defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga back on the field. So they could be more formidable in the trenches.
But containing Allen will be key. Can the defense play disciplined enough to force mistakes and shut down easy scrambling lanes for the mobile quarterback?
Here are the final predictions from the Patriots Wire staff:
Kansas City Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub spoke with reporters before practice recently, announcing the return of injured returner Nikko Remigio after last week’s absence and the team’s performance without him.
“The kick returns were good. The punt return, we had a lot of chances – our defense played great. They made them (Texans) punt eight times in that game. (Texans P) Tommy (Townsend) had a good game too himself, hung the ball pretty well, but there were a couple of times there where we might have been able to get something.” said Toub, “We had a punt returner (Xavier Worthy) in there that (was his) first time in an NFL game and he got us through the game with the fair catches. Probably would need more work to get more confidence to be able to time it up and see that the coverage was good (and) blocking was good, so he could get it fielded, but Nikko’s (Remigio) coming back. Nikko is going to go right back in there again.”
Remigio missed the Week 14 game after suffering a concussion in practice last Friday. Worthy had one recorded punt return for six yards, while Tyquan Thornton and Brashard Smith split four kick return opportunities, averaging 27 and 25, respectively.
Many in the NFL community are surprised by the Kansas City Chiefs' recent struggles. The partnership between Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid has been nearly unbeatable since it began.
The reality of the NFL is that if you're not continuously improving, you're falling behind. We’re so accustomed to dynasties that the Chiefs' dominance may now seem fleeting. We used to believe Mahomes could always somehow secure an unexpected victory.
In Week 14 against the Houston Texans, there were multiple chances for a signature Mahomes comeback. However, each opportunity was missed, and the Texans ultimately won 20-10. The Chiefs now stand at 6-7 and remain on the outside of the AFC playoff picture.
Kansas City will look to get back in the win column in Week 15, when it hosts the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers beat the Chiefs in Week 1 in Brazil.
Here’s more on the Chiefs' chances to make the 2025 postseason heading into Week 15.
Heading into Week 15, the Chiefs are sitting on the bubble with possession of the No. 10 seed.
Next Gen Stats gives Kansas City an 11% chance to make the postseason, but they'd need plenty of things to go right. This is the first time in the Mahomes era where the Chiefs do not control their own destiny.
There are too many variables to account for, but the one thing the Chiefs faithful need to focus on is winning out.
Here is how the AFC playoff picture looks heading into Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
If the Chiefs reach the 2025 postseason, they will do so as a wild-card team, not as AFC West champions. Their Week 14 loss, combined with the Denver Broncos' win, has made it mathematically impossible for Kansas City to clinch the division this season. Currently, the Chiefs have an 11% chance of making the playoffs.
Chiefs remaining schedule
The Chiefs' remaining opponents include two games where they'll be firm favorites and a challenge against a divisional foe.
The Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders are two winnable games for the Chiefs. However, the Denver Broncos have posed a threat to the entire league with that elite defense. There's no doubt that Kansas City will need some of that Mahomes magic we've witnessed over the years.
If Kansas City can win all remaining games, they still have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. There is no room for error now. One loss would deal a devastating blow to the Chiefs' postseason hopes.
Here is a look at Kansas City's remaining schedule.
As the Cleveland Browns endure another last-place season, EDGE Myles Garrett is on the verge of history.
Garrett is on pace to break the NFL single-season sack record, currently held by Michael Strahan and later tied by T.J. Watt. When Strahan set the record with the New York Giants in 2001, it was monumental, breaking a mark that had stood for nearly two decades.
Strahan’s record-setting season 24 years ago and Garrett’s current campaign share several similarities, starting with the comparable stages of their careers. Here’s how the two seasons stack up.
Garrett is producing perhaps the best pass-rush season of all time, as he has totaled 20 sacks in just 13 games so far this season. Through 14 weeks of the 2025 NFL season, Garrett leads the league in both sacks and tackles-for-loss, as he is likely on the way to another Defensive Player of the Year award.
How many sacks does Myles Garrett need to pass Michael Strahan?
Entering Week 15, Myles Garrett needs to record just 3.0 sacks over the next four games to pass Strahan's record, which the Browns EDGE rusher should be able to accomplish. Garrett is averaging over a sack per game this year, and he just needs to record a sack in three of the team's final four games to hold the record.
Michael Strahan set the single-season sacks record in 2001, when he recorded 22.5 sacks during the 16-game season. At the time, Strahan passed the record of 22 set by former New York Jets pass rusher Mark Gastineau in 1984 during his final game of the season.
Since then, Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt tied Strahan's record in 2021, when he produced 22.5 sacks in 15 games, but no player has hit the 23-sack mark.
Unsurprisingly, Garrett and Strahan have produced similar stats in their record-seeking seasons, as both of their career-years occurred during their age-30 seasons. However, while Strahan produced more tackles overall, Garrett already passed Strahan's number for tackles-for-loss during the season.
Many questioned the direction the Seattle Seahawks took entering this season. They lost quarterback Geno Smith and receiver DK Metcalf, and they signed Sam Darnold to a large contract after just one successful season in Minnesota.
Evidently, second-year head coach Mike Macdonald had a vision. Fast forward to December, and the Seahawks are 10-3, not only fighting for a playoff spot but also for the NFC West title.
The offense is clicking, led by receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is on pace for a historic season, and Seattle boasts a top-three defensive unit in the NFL.
In Week 15, the Seahawks will look to defeat the Indianapolis Colts, who could potentially start 44-year-old Philip Rivers. Seattle needs to keep winning to stay close behind the Rams in the NFC West.
Here’s a closer look at the Seahawks’ 2025-26 postseason chances heading into Week 15.
Due to their success this season, the Seahawks have positioned themselves nicely to make the playoffs.
Heading into Week 15, Next Gen Stats gives Seattle a 98% chance of making the playoffs, which is the highest percentage of any Wild Card team in the NFL. A win over Indianapolis would boost their odds to 99%; even if they lose, their chances stay high at 93%.
Whether the Seahawks will make the playoffs or not is the question that needs answering. It's whether Seattle will win the NFC West and secure the bye over the Los Angeles Rams.
Here is how the NFC playoff picture looks ahead of Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
Despite their impressive efforts, Seattle is not only not leading the NFC West, but they haven't even pulled ahead of third place. This isn't something to criticize the Seahawks for, as the NFC West is the only division in the NFL with three teams currently in the postseason.
The Seahawks have anything but a favorable finish to the season. All three of their remaining opponents are currently in a playoff spot.
Seattle is more than capable of winning out, but it will certainly not be a simple task.
Weeks 16 and 18 could hold profound implications for who will be crowned the NFC West champions. The game in Charlotte might be considered a "trap game" depending on what's on the line for that Week 18 matchup.
The excitement revolves around the quarterbacks of both teams. Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff will always be connected through the trade that exchanged them between organizations.
The Rams have won a Super Bowl with Stafford and are potentially set to compete for another. While Goff and the Lions have come close, they are still pursuing that championship.
This is the fourth time these two have met since that noteworthy trade. While the Rams are sitting comfortably in the playoffs, the Lions are in desperate need of a win as they are on the bubble.
With that, here's everything you need to know about how to watch the Rams vs. Lions Sunday afternoon clash, including TV and streaming options.
What channel is Rams vs. Lions on today?
TV channel (local): KTTV (Los Angeles), WJBK (Detroit)
You can listen to Rams vs. Lions live on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channels 225 (Rams broadcast) and 381 (Lions broadcast).
New subscribers get their first month of SiriusXM for free. Listen to every NFL game live, plus college football, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and more. Stay updated with all the news and analysis from SiriusXM NFL Radio and other sport-specific channels.
Rams schedule 2025
Here is a look at Los Angeles' remaining schedule for the 2025 regular season.
Week
Date
Opponent
Kickoff time (ET)
16
Thu., Dec. 18
at Seahawks
8:15 p.m.
17
Mon., Dec. 29
at Falcons
8:15 p.m.
18
TBD
vs. Cardinals
TBD
Lions schedule 2025
Here is a look at Detroit's remaining schedule for the 2025 regular season.
The NFL saw only a few seasons of the New England Patriots as bottom-feeders, and now they’re back atop the AFC.
There’s no other way to put it: Mike Vrabel was the perfect hire for an organization lacking energy and identity. Immediately, there was not just a shift in the locker room, but a shift in expectations as well.
Vrabel set a standard, which is a key reason his team is where it is. Another factor is second-year quarterback Drake Maye, playing at a true MVP level. The young player from North Carolina has started to emerge as a top-end NFL quarterback.
The fans in Foxborough need to mourn the ghost of Tom Brady no more, but unlike those days, the Buffalo Bills are a daunting foe.
Josh Allen and his team will storm into Gillette Stadium with the goal of reclaiming their dominance in the AFC East. These teams met in Week 5 in Buffalo, where the Patriots emerged victorious.
Here’s more on the Patriots’ 2025-26 postseason chances as they head into their AFC matchup with the Buffalo Bills.
As we enter Week 15, New England has its grasp on the No. 2 seed in the AFC. This is not just because of their dominant 11-2 record, but also because they're leading the AFC East division.
Heading into their duel, the Patriots hold a two-game lead over the Bills. If New England wins and sweeps Buffalo, they would definitely crown themselves AFC East Champions.
As it stands, Next Gen Stats gives the Patriots an above-99 % chance of making the playoffs.
Here is how the AFC playoff picture looks heading into Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
The Patriots are undoubtedly going to be a playoff team; it's uncertain how they'll do it. As of now, they would make the postseason because of their lead in the AFC East. However, even if Buffalo were to overtake them, New England would still be a top Wild Card team.
Patriots remaining schedule
Once the Patriots get through Buffalo in Week 15, they will be the heavy favorite in two of the three remaining. Regardless of how poorly the Baltimore Ravens have played, Lamar Jackson poses a threat to anyone.
Then New England closes their season with games against the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, both of which they should win comfortably.
Here is a look at New England's remaining schedule.
This week, the Indianapolis Colts broke the NFL news world by not only signing 44-year-old grandfather Philip Rivers, but also by announcing that they’re starting him against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday.
This shocking move has stirred up funny conversations around the league from teams and retired players alike as to who else they’d like to see unretire and come back to play for their former teams.
One name among the bunch that chimed in on the conversation this week was ex-Bears QB Jay Cutler. In an interview with ESPN 1000’s Waddle and Silvy show, Cutler shared his thoughts on both unretiring and head coach Ben Johnson.
Jay Cutler ready to suit up, and Ben Johnson might be the reason
Jay Cutler is Chicago’s all-time leading passer, setting franchise records in yards (23,443), completions (2,020), and TDs (154). Despite his talent and fearlessness on the field, the teams and coaching staff around him were never up to the task.
When he made an appearance on an ESPN radio show, he had the chance to share his thoughts on the current Bears team and current head coach Ben Johnson.
He mentioned how, while he was in Miami, Johnson was on the coaching staff but still a really young guy. Even then, though, he knew that Johnson was one of those ‘guys’.
He also mentioned that “If the Bears know what’s good for them, just stay out of his way.” Cutler called him one of the better young offensive minds in the game, who knows how to communicate with QBs, and compared him to a Kyle Shanahan.
After gushing over the young first-year head coach, Cutler was asked about a hypothetical comeback.
He answered without hesitation. When asked if Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent were to go down, if he would be ready to answer the call, he said, “I’d show up with bells on."
Worst-case scenario, if the worst does happen and Chicago’s QB room is decimated, it’s nice to know the greatest gunslinger in franchise history would be ready to answer the call for Ben Johnson and the city.
The Seattle Seahawks will play host to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. This matchup looked like it would be a clash between the best from the AFC and NFC, but there was a dramatic shift in the outlook for this game in Week 14.
Colts starting quarterback Daniel Jones looked like the favorite to win the league's Comeback Player of the Year with how well he had played for Indianapolis. Unfortunately, Jones, who had been dealing with a fracture in his left leg, tore his right Achilles tendon and is done for the season.
Adding to the injury report, backup quarterback Riley Leonard also started the week on the injury report, leaving a huge question mark under center.
Seattle has won three games in a row. Over the last two weeks, the Seahawks outscored their opponents 63-9 in a dominant stretch. Eyes will be on wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who continues to chase the all-time single-season receiving record.
Here is more on how to watch the Seahawks take on the Colts in Week 15.
NFL fans can watch the Seahawks take on the Colts on CBS.
CBS will utilize a three-man booth for this game. Andrew Catalon will handle the play-by-play duties, while Charles Davis and Jason McCourty will handle color commentary. AJ Ross will provide sideline updates.
Those who have decided to cut the cord can stream the game on Paramount+ and Fubo. The latter has CBS in its channel lineup and is currently offering a free trial.
Paramount
Seahawks vs. Colts start time
Date: Sunday, December 14
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
The Seahawks and the Colts will kickoff at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 14.
The game will be played at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
Seahawks vs. Colts radio coverage
Radio station: Sirius XM channels 229 (Seahawks), 384 (Colts)
You can listen to Seahawks vs. Colts live on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channels 229 (Seahawks broadcast) and 384 (Colts broadcast).
New subscribers get their first month of SiriusXM for free. Listen to every NFL game live, plus college football, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and more. Stay updated with all the news and analysis from SiriusXM NFL Radio and other sport-specific channels.
Seahawks remaining schedule
Here is a look at Seattle's remaining regular-season schedule
Date
Game
Time (ET)
Thu., Dec. 16
vs. Rams (TNF)
8:15 p.m.
TBD
at Panthers
TBD
TBD
at 49ers
TBD
Colts remaining schedule
Here is a look at Indianapolis' remaining regular-season schedule.
Both teams have championship aspirations that rest on their defensive units. The Packers acquired star Micah Parsons in a trade with the Cowboys that shook the NFL. In contrast, the Broncos rely on their stud corner, Patrick Surtain II, and their elite secondary.
Neither team has a bad offense, but both the Packers and Broncos offensive units have had some rough performances. It does not help that both are missing key offensive contributions in tight end Tucker Kraft (GB) and running back J.K. Dobbins (DEN).
Which defense will stand strong? Or more importantly, which offense will succeed most against tough opposing defenses?
How can fans access all the action between the Broncos and Packers on Sunday? Here's what you need to know.
Fans can listen to Broncos vs. Packers live on SiriusXM through channel 225(Broncos broadcast) and 380 (Packers broadcast).
New subscribers get their first month of SiriusXM for free. Listen to every NFL game live, plus college football, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and more. Stay updated with all the news and analysis from SiriusXM NFL Radio and other sport-specific channels.
The AFC East has not seen much variety in division winners. Since 2009, every division champion has been either the Buffalo Bills or the New England Patriots. This year, that trend will hold up, but it’s still up for grabs between the two organizations.
Both teams are led by elite quarterback play. For Buffalo, it’s Josh Allen, who has been haunting NFL defenses since he settled in as a superstar. The Patriots found new life in their young, second-year quarterback out of North Carolina. Drake Maye has had a spectacular sophomore season worthy of MVP discussions.
These two will battle it out at Gillette Stadium in Week 15. Not only will this game have a playoff atmosphere, but it carries massive playoff and divisional implications.
Here’s a look at the updated AFC East standings ahead of the Bills marching into Foxborough to face the Patriots.
As it stands heading into Week 15, the Patriots have a two-game lead over the Bills for the AFC East. However, Buffalo still has a chance to reclaim their throne for a potential sixth straight division title.
The Bills need to beat New England on Sunday to have any hope of overtaking the Patriots. If they lose, they'd fall three games behind New England with only three games left to play. The issue is that the Patriots would have swept them, thereby holding the tiebreaker.
If the Patriots win, they will secure their first AFC East title since 2019. So that you know, Tom Brady was the quarterback the last time this happened.
However, if the Bills were able to defeat the Patriots in Week 15, the AFC East would still be on the table for Buffalo. While they would still need the Patriots to lose another game, it would be mathematically possible.
If the Patriots get by the Bills in Week 15, they'd clinch the AFC East. However, even if New England falls to Buffalo, their remaining schedule is more than favorable. Regardless of whether they lose, the Patriots have positioned themselves for a great shot at the division title.
Bills remaining schedule
Here are the remaining games for Buffalo:
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
Dec. 21
at Browns
1 p.m.
Dec. 28
vs. Eagles
4:25 p.m.
TBD
vs. Jets
TBD
The first step is defeating the Patriots in Week 15. If that is accomplished, the Bills have a solid chance to win their remaining three games. The toughest team on the schedule is the Philadelphia Eagles, who have looked disastrous. Even with a win over New England, the Bills still won't control their own destiny.
After the Los Angeles Rams went all in on the 2021 Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford, many thought their future was set. However, four seasons later, the Rams sit atop the NFC.
Stafford has played the quarterback position better than anyone else in the NFL for most of the season. It certainly helps to have a young star in Puka Nacua and a future Hall of Famer in Davante Adams.
The offense is not the only factor behind this success, as the Rams’ defense has been elite this season. Los Angeles boasts one of the deepest linebacker cores in the NFL, featuring Nate Landman, Byron Young, Omar Speights, and Jared Verse.
With their explosive offense and suffocating defense, it’s no surprise the Rams are a true Super Bowl contender entering the postseason.
In Week 15, the Rams host their former quarterback, Jared Goff, and his Detroit Lions. The Lions are a desperate team fighting for their playoff lives, so the Rams are in for a battle.
Here’s a closer look at the Rams’ 2025-26 postseason chances heading into Week 15.
Due to their dominance this season, the Rams are sitting comfortably at the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Heading into Week 15, Next Gen Stats gives Los Angeles a 97% chance of making the playoffs. A win over Detroit would boost their odds to over 99%; even if they lose to the Lions, their chances remain high at 92%.
The playoffs are seemingly not a question for the Rams, but where they'll seed is still up in the air.
Here is how the NFC playoff picture looks ahead of Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
Despite their brilliant season, the Rams have not pulled away from their other NFC West opponents. This is nothing the Rams can control, as the NFC West is the only division in the NFL with three teams currently in the postseason.
While the chances the Rams make the playoffs are high, they are certainly not guaranteed an NFC West title without a strong finish to the season.
Rams remaining schedule
The Rams have a relatively easy stretch to the end of the season once they get past Week 16.
In Week 16, they'll travel to Seattle to take on their divisional foe. The Seahawks have the same record as them entering Week 15. There is a strong chance this game could decide the NFC West.
Then, Los Angeles will travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons, before hosting the Arizona Cardinals at home. The Rams should be heavy favorites in both of these matchups.
Here is a look at Los Angeles' remaining schedule.
The San Francisco 49ers have put together a 9-4 record (and currently hold the sixth seed in the playoffs) through the first 14 weeks of the 2025 season despite having several key players miss significant time due to injuries.
Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Ben Bartch and first-round pick Mykel Williams have all suffered season-ending injuries, while Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall all missed long stretches. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 7 last year, hasn't played at all.
Again, despite all of this, the 49ers are 9-4 and are just one game out of the top spot in the NFC West with four games to go.
On Friday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if the 2025 team is the group that he's been the most proud of, and he quickly shot that down.
“No," Shanahan said with a laugh. "I mean, I’m proud of a lot of seasons. I was really proud of us having the second pick in the Draft in ’18, being a 4-12 team, starting 8-0, being the one seed and getting really close to winning a Super Bowl in ’19. I was really proud in ‘21, I think I might be wrong, where we had to win like five out of the last six games to get the seventh seed and get us all the way to the NFC Championship with a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. I was proud of that. I was proud of our ‘23 team of getting down to our third-string quarterback and win seven in a row to get the two seed and to go to Philly and have a chance to go to the Super Bowl. I was really proud of our ‘23 team going to the Super Bowl. I’m really proud of this team this year.”
San Francisco has had some great years under Shanahan, and while this team may not reach the heights or peaks that others have, the players and coaches certainly deserve respect for whatever they're able to accomplish.
Recently, the Eagles have looked beatable for the first time in almost two seasons. The offensive line play for Philadelphia has been poor, to say the least. As a result, the run game and Saquon Barkley, to be specific, have not been as effective.
The Raiders have been a disaster. However, there are still some bright spots on this roster. Brock Bowers has finally started to look like himself after recovering from his injury, but more importantly, after the firing of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
After surpassing 100 rushing yards in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, rookie running back Ashton Jeanty has not exceeded 75 rushing yards in any other game. However, the Eagles have sometimes struggled to stop the run, which could give Jeanty an opportunity.
With that, here's everything you need to know about how to watch the Eagles vs. Raiders Sunday afternoon clash, including TV and streaming options.
What channel is Eagles vs. Raiders on today?
TV channel (local): WTXF (Philadelphia), KVVU (Las Vegas)
You can listen to Eagles vs. Raiders live on SiriusXM. Coverage will be available on channels 231 (Eagles broadcast) and 387(Raiders broadcast).
New subscribers get their first month of SiriusXM for free. Listen to every NFL game live, plus college football, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and more. Stay updated with all the news and analysis from SiriusXM NFL Radio and other sport-specific channels.
Eagles schedule 2025
Here's a look at Philadelphia's upcoming schedule.
The Dallas Cowboys are always in the public eye, but following the Micah Parsons trade, they faced intense scrutiny.
The Cowboys boast one of the most dynamic and potent offenses in the NFL. With the offseason signing of George Pickens, Dak Prescott has been performing at an MVP level.
However, their defense was significantly the worst in the league, undermining the offense's success. This led Jerry Jones to make several key trades to bolster that side of the team. Since trading for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the Jets and linebacker Logan Wilson from the Bengals, the defense has noticeably improved.
After winning three straight games, the Cowboys lost in Week 14 to the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football. Dallas followed that up with a loss on Sunday night to the Minnesota Vikings, making the chances of making the playoffs even tougher.
Here is more on whether the Cowboys can make the 2025-26 postseason heading into Week 15.
Through Week 15, the Cowboys are now 2.5 games behind the Philadelphia Eagles.
After falling to the Lions in Week 14, another team on the NFC bubble, winning the NFC East is probably Dallas's best way to secure a playoff spot.
Dallas (No. 10) is the third team on the wild-card bubble, trailing the Lions (No. 8) and the Carolina Panthers (No. 9). Here is how the NFC playoff picture looks after Week 15. The first four seeds are the division leaders.
Rank
Team
Record
1
Los Angeles Rams
11-3
2
Chicago Bears
10-4
3
Philadelphia Eagles
9-5
4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7-7
5
Seattle Seahawks
11-3
6
San Francisco 49ers
10-4
7
Green Bay Packers
9-4-1
8
Detroit Lions
8-6
9
Carolina Panthers
7-7
10
Dallas Cowboys
6-7-1
11
Minnesota Vikings
6-8
12
Atlanta Falcons
5-9
13
New Orleans Saints
4-10
14
Washington Commanders
4-10
15
Arizona Cardinals
3-11
16
New York Giants
2-12
NFC East standings
Team
Record
Philadelphia Eagles
9-5
Dallas Cowboys
6-7-1
Washington Commanders
4-10
New York Giants
2-12
Initially, it appeared that Dallas's only chance of making the playoffs was to secure a wild-card spot. However, the Philadelphia Eagles have left the door open for the Cowboys.
With the Eagles recent' three-game losing streak combined with the Cowboys' three-straight wins, Dallas still has a chance at the NFC East title. But on Sunday, the Eagles won and the Cowboys lost, putting Dallas in a real bind moving forward.
Dallas needs to win out and the Eagles to lose out in order to win the division.
The Cowboys' last three games are not only winnable but also favorable for Dallas. They will face just one playoff team, the Los Angeles Chargers, and that game is at home.
Then the Cowboys' other two opponents have a combined total of five wins. They'll finish the season with two divisional games against the New York Giants and Washington Commanders.
The Buffalo Bills hold their offensive line in high regard as the team has invested in the group tasked with protecting quarterback Josh Allen over the years.
Anchored by two strong tackles in Spencer Brown and Dion Dawkins, it's hard to compare O-lines across the NFL. There are no hard stats for that such as catches or yards.
While the New York Jets are clearly a team in rebuilding, their offensive line is a place on the roster that gives optimism.
Anchored by two young tackles with loads of potential in Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu, many in New York feel good about the position group. However, there are no hard stats like catches or yards to compare offensive linemen across the NFL.
The Arizona Cardinals will be on te road on Sunday taking on the Houston Texans. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium. The Cardinals are not expected to win. They are 9.5-point underdogs.
The Texans have won five straight games and have the league's top defense, allowing the fewest yards, fewest first downs and fewest points. It doesn't bend. It doesn't break.
To preview this game on the podcast, Texans Wire managing editor Cole Thompson joined me for a new episode this week. In this show we preview the game and make predictions.
Thompson discusses the following with me:
(1:00) The play of the Texans' defense this season, the offense and quarterback C.J. Stroud
(16:17) What he is watching in terms of keys and matchups in the Cardinals-Texans game
(30:05) Picks and predictions for the game
Enjoy the show!
Enjoy the show with the embedded player above or by subscribing to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss a show. Make sure as well to give it a five-star rating!
Welcome to the Week 15 edition of fantasy football starts and sits from The Sporting News.
"The Decider" is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:
There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they're active. Those are the "regular starts."
For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are "stronger starts," while the recommended sits are "weaker starts."
We're also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.
Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of daily fantasy sports games on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Keep scrolling for how to put the best fantasy football lineups on "the field" for your critical Week 15 game with tips on starts and sits this week.
8. Jaxson Dart, Giants (vs. WAS): He's back from a bye to pick apart a defense that couldn't contain J.J. McCarthy on the road last week.
9. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at CIN): There were some needed positive flashes against the Steelers to the point you can trust him more in the Bengals rematch.
10. Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. TEN): The Titans just helped Shedeur Sanders go off on the road, so yes.
11. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. NYJ): He's putting it all together with the right weapons in Liam Coen's offense.
12. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. ATL): This screams get-well game at home against the reeling Falcons D.
13. Sam Darnold, Seahawks (vs. IND): The Colts are giving to tight ends and wide receivers downfield so go for it.
14. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (vs. MIA): He can pick apart another iffy D with plenty more of his wide receivers and backs.
DFS QB Week 15 pick
Jaxson Dart, Giants (vs. WAS, $5,600 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel): For some reason, Dart is well undervalued despite his rookie compiling so far when healthy, so jump on it.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker Week 15 QB plays
15. Justin Herbert, Chargers (at KC): You can't go here with the line crumbling in front of him and the team more dependent on the run.
16. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LAC): This can't feel good when thinking about his Week 14 vs. Houston and that of Hurts vs. this team.
17. Jordan Love, Packers (at DEN): He goes back down to earth with only a modest at best game on the road.
18. Bo Nix, Broncos (vs. GB): This is a Mile High battle of two tough defenses.
19. Caleb Williams, Bears (vs. CLE): He can win with the running game and defense this week and might need to do so.
20. CJ Stroud, Texans (vs. ARI): It's tempting, but the high volume can't be expected for him.
21. Shedeur Sanders, Browns (at CHI): Love carved up the Bears and Sanders revved up, but that was at home vs. the Titans' D.
25. Woody Marks, Texans (vs. ARI): He should be busy running well with a positive game script at home.
26. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (vs. IND): He's the only one of the Seattle backs to even play as a FLEX because of burst and TD potential.
27. Tony Pollard, Titans (at SF): He did plenty last week to think he's worth a streaming play against the 49ers.
28. Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (vs. MIA): He once again be FLEXed in a great matchup alongside Warren.
29. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs (vs. LAC): It's not pretty but he gets it done most of the time with help from scoring.
30. Devin Singletary, Giants (vs. WAS): He should get the key touches in the running game in the second half.
DFS RB Week 15 Picks
Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (vs. NYJ, $6,500 on DraftKings, $7,500 on FanDuel): Etienne should crush another matchup as Jacksonville is heavy favorites to play with a big lead.
Rico Dowdle, Panthers (vs. NO) $6,600 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel): Dowdle comes off a bye ready for key volume against the Saints, who just wilted against Irving.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker RB Week 15 plays
31. David Montgomery, Lions (at LAR): He is TD-dependent and the Rams don't give up much at all on the ground.
32. Chris Rodriguez Jr. Commanders (at NYG): He looks playable on paper but this game could get out of hand, too.
33. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (vs. IND): He's just getting enough work in key areas to play with confidence.
34. Kimani Vidal, Chargers (at KC): Hampton is bound to take out a bigger chunk of touches in this tough spot.
35. Jordan Mason, Vikings (at DAL): The split stinks and the Cowboys can contain the run well now when it's not Gibbs.
36. Kyle Monangai, Bears (vs. CLE): You can't expect two productive Bears backs against the Browns defense, even at home.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must-start Week 15 WRs
Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. DET)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. IND)
Davante Adams, Rams (vs. DET)
Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. BAL)
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at LAR)
Nico Collins, Texans (vs. ARI)
A.J. Brown, Eagles (at LV)
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (if he plays, vs. MIN)
Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. BAL) Higgins has been ruled out for Week 15.
Jameson Williams, Lions (at LAR)
George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. MIN)
Rashee Rice, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at PIT)
Chris Olave, Saints (at CAR)
DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. MIA)
Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at NYG)
Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (vs. NO)
Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at KC)
Stefon Diggs, Patriots (vs. BUF)
Courtland Sutton, Broncos (avs. GB)
DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. LV)
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at SEA)
Deebo Samuel, Commanders (at NYG)
Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars (vs. NYJ)
Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (vs. NYJ)
Strong WR Week 15 starts
26. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at DAL): Here's hoping the matchup is so awesome enough that he can somehow produce passable WR numbers with the other JJ.
27. Darnell Mooney, Falcons (at TB): He's feeling it a bit with Cousins and should score on TNF.
28. Darius Slayton and 29. Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants (vs. WAS): These dudes both can make some plays for Dart as the Commanders are giving up plenty downfield.
29. Jauan Jennings, 49ers (vs. TEN): He's the wideout most to trust for Purdy when not throwing to McCaffrey or George Kittle.
30. Jayden Higgins, Texans (vs. ARI): He should be active again as a solid No. 2.
31. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. ATL): He needs to pick up more slack and the Falcons can give it up to wideouts.
32. Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, Packers (at DEN): Be careful with Love, but it's fair to deploy his two best versatile weapons as WR3s.
DFS WR Week 15 picks
A.J. Brown (vs. LV, $6,200 on DraftKings, $8,200 on FanDuel): There's no reason to think his heater stops vs. the Raiders' secondary.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at NYG, $5,400 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel): He actually felt it with Marcus Mariota in Week 13 and should rip his favorite opponent downfield.
Nico Collins, Texans (vs. ARI, $6,700 on DraftKings, $8,300 on FanDuel): He's the sneaky pay-up player who should have a huge receiving game at home.
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker Week 15 WR plays
33. Rome Odunze, Bears (if he returns, vs. CLE): This is a catch-all for him, D.J. Moore and Luther Burden III — you can't trust any Bears wideout at the moment.
34. Alec Pierce, Colts (at SEA): Not without Daniel Jones, you don't.
35. Zay Flowers, Ravens (at CIN): Oh what not fun it is to play him every week.
7. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. ARI): The Cardinals are still giving to the position and struggled with the Rams' committee.
8. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (at CHI): He's kind of their top wide receiver, too, with his size and downfield speed and the Bears have issues with that type of target.
9. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LAC): He was terrible against the Texans but here's hoping his history vs. the Chargers help him come through.
10. Isaiah Likely, Ravens (at CIN): The matchup is superior and he crushed it the first time, getting the due key playing time over Mark Andrews.
11. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (vs. NYJ): He's involved with the wide receiver injuries and with Lawrence hot and Strange fully healthy.
12. Theo Johnson, Giants (vs. WAS): The Commanders couldn't stop either Viking last week and Johnson should score for Dart.
13. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at DAL): He should stay involved as a key target for J.J. McCarthy against weak overall coverage.
DFS TE Week 15 pick
George Kittle, 49ers (vs. TEN, $5,400 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel): Here's going back for a titanic performance for a field-stretching tight end for Kittle coming off a bye,
Fantasy Football Week 15 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker TE Week 15 starts
14. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at TB): Pitts had a big game against the Seahawks, which says don't play him here given his inconsistency.
15. Colston Loveland, Bears (vs. CLE): It's getting tough to trust any target in this spread-out passing game with more running now.
16. Darren Waller, Dolphins (at PIT): He was forgotten in the offense in a good matchup so not here, either.
17. Juwan Johnson, Saints (at CAR): He did well the first time but can't go there again.
18. Evan Engram, Broncos (vs. GB) : The Packers have gotten better vs. the tight end of late.
19. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at LV): The Raiders actually do defend this position well.
20. Mark Andrews, Ravens (at CIN): This is a likely bad play because of Likey's reemergence for another smash spot.
Fantasy Football Week 15: Defense/special teams best starts
Houston Texans (vs. ARI)
Seattle Seahawks (vs. IND)
Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NYJ)
Philadelphia Eagles (vs. LV)
Dallas Cowboys (vs. MIN)
Chicago Bears (vs. CLE)
San Francisco 49ers (vs. TEN)
Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. MIA)
Carolina Panthers (vs. NO)
Kansas City Chiefs (vs. LAC)
Los Angeles Chargers (at KC)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. ATL)
New York Giants (vs. WAS)
Baltimore Ravens (at CIN)
DFS Week 15 D/ST pick
Carolina Panthers (vs. NO, $3,100 on DraftKings, $3,600 on FanDuel): The Panthers are coming off a bye and should be strong defensively to support their offense and they tend to play better at home. Tyler Shough can't have two good road games in a row, can he?
🎙️LISTEN: Get more of Vinnie Iyer's weekly fantasy football analysis five days a week by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
When reflecting on this year's NFL season, it has been full of surprises, arguably making it one of the most unpredictable in recent memory.
From the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens being 6-7 and on the verge of missing the playoffs to teams making shocking runs at the top of their respective conferences, fans have not known what to expect every week.
Another pleasant surprise has come in the NFC South, as the Panthers currently sit on top of the division and are in the driver's seat to clinch the division thanks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Thursday night loss to the Atlanta Falcons and with three of their last four games, including two of them against the Buccaneers, the team they are jostling with for control this season.
With the Bucs dealing with numerous injuries throughout the season and the Panthers posting significant wins, it is increasingly likely that they will secure the division.
The Panthers, at 7-6, are ironically the team with the best record in one-score games, at 6-1. Two of those wins came against two of the best teams in the NFC: the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams. They also hold a slim three-point victory over the Dallas Cowboys, who have been trying to make a late playoff push.
Coming into the season, the Panthers had some uncertainty at quarterback after benching Bryce Young late last year for underperformance, but with big-time performances against the Atlanta Falcons and the Rams last week, Young has shown flashes of being a franchise quarterback.
If the Panthers can clinch the NFC South, it will be the first time the franchise has won the division since the 2015 season, when they were led by MVP Cam Newton and appeared in Super Bowl 50, before ultimately losing to Peyton Manning's Denver Broncos.
Week 14's 40-33 loss in Detroit will end up costing several Cowboys players more than just a chance to improve their playoff chances. Three Cowboys have been fined by the NFL for illegal actions taken during the game.
For the second week in a row, the opening kickoff brought a fine for one Cowboys special-teamer. Fullback Hunter Luepke will be docked $8,537 for unnecessary roughness after leading with his helmet as he brought down Lions return man Jacob Saylors. The hit was not noticed by officials and did not draw a penalty flag in the moment.
Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens received his sixth fine of the season for grabbing the facemask of cornerback Rock Ya-Sin while running a route late in the second quarter. The 15-yard penalty wiped out a first-down catch by Pickens and will now cost the wideout a hefty $11,593.
The fine caps off what was a very rough night for Pickens, who was also flagged for setting an illegal pick and fumbled inside the 10-yard-line while catching just five of nine targets and catching a fair bit of flak afterward for his perceived lack of effort.
Additionally in the game, defensive end James Houston was nabbed for a hit to quarterback Jared Goff. Replays showed that Houston did indeed contact Goff's facemask as he delivered a fourth-quarter pass.
We were in trouble when they just let Branch launch into Dak’s head with no penalty. Refs was on that bs. Then they call this on James Houston. @dak@NFLpic.twitter.com/78nJwuqcmU
This one was particularly costly, as it moved Detroit from their own 45 to the Dallas 13 after the penalty yardage was tacked on to the completed throw. The Lions scored a touchdown just a few snaps later and increased their three-point lead to 10. The high QB hit will also personally cost Houston $5,722.
Those fines bring the Cowboys players' collective total in 2025 to $259,933. Pickens alone accounts for over $90,000 of that figure.
Detroit linebacker Alex Anzalone was also fined $17,968 for unnecessary roughness after he was spotted striking Tyler Booker in the aftermath of Jake Ferguson's second-quarter fumble. His cheap shot to Booker's back went unnoticed by officials in real time.
The Dallas Cowboys have issues on the defensive side of the ball. Whether one thinks it's coaching or talent, or a combination of both, it's clear that the coming offseason means they will have to focus on that side of the line of scrimmage. If the club does what they usually do in free agency and stays relatively within their own confines, then the 2026 NFL draft will be the primary mechanism for them to add talent.
With two first-round picks, the club has a chance to double-dip on defense. In their latest three-round mock, Pro Football Network did just that, and then some. Not only did they give Dallas two defenders, they gave the Cowboys two players from the same school. The Cowboys selected safety Caleb Downs with their own selection, and then turned around and grabbed LB Sonny Styles with the pick they got from the Green Bay Packers.
15) Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Defensively, the Cowboys can go many ways in the 2026 draft, almost to the point of being best player available, and in this case, that would be Ohio State's Swiss Army Knife safety, Caleb Downs.
Downs is well worth going in the top ten of his class. Still, because the safety position is such an intriguing spot to rank in the NFL Draft, he fell to No. 15. His IQ, athleticism, and coverage skills are off the charts, to be frank, if he were eligible last season, I would have drafted him in the first round then as well.
28) Dallas Cowboys (via GB): Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
As it currently stands, the Dallas Cowboys hold pick No. 28 via the Green Bay Packers stemming from the mid-season Micah Parsons trade. This will allow Dallas to secure another key defensive player for their squad and tap into the Ohio State program for a second time.
Sonny Styles has been the unsung hero on a Buckeye defense that features two of the class's top talents. In 86 tackle attempts this season, Style's has yet to miss one and has proven to be a versatile piece on this Ohio State defense.
The Cowboys' current safety play has been a huge issue for them. Donovan Wilson is set to be a free agent, and fellow starter Malik Hooker is entering the final season of his three-year deal. There stands a chance that both are with another team next season, shining the light on the importance of finding help in the offseason.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys have thrown Band-aids at the linebacker spot. They spent couch-cushion money on Jack Sanborn in free agency, traded a Day 3 pick for Kenneth Murray in the offseason, then did the same for Logan Wilson at the trade deadline. None of it has helped as DeMarvion Overshown is the only sure talent the team has at the position.
Adding Downs and Styles could easily shore up the middle of the back seven, to follow along with their trade acquisitions of Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark at defensive tackle.
Linebacker and safety aren't exactly seen as wise investments for the first round, though, based on the overall value of the positions shown in contract averages. The prevailing thought is a team is better off getting wholesale prices on premiere-paid positions rather than ones that can be bought "more cheaply" in free agency.
Philip Rivers' return to the Indianapolis Colts stunned the NFL, leaving some wondering whether his body will be able to hold up at 44 years old and five years after retirement.
Before Monday's report that the Colts were considering a reunion with Rivers, who spent one season in Indianapolis before announcing his retirement, the next phase of the quarterback's NFL life appeared to be the Hall of Fame. Rivers is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026, which will be announced in February.
A return to the field is set to impact Rivers' Hall of Fame eligibility, however, shaking up the timeline for the former Chargers star.
Here's a look at how Rivers' unretirement affects his Hall of Fame eligibility.
When is Philip Rivers eligible for the Hall of Fame?
Before Rivers was signed to the Colts' active roster, he remained eligible for the Hall of Fame for the class of 2026, which will be revealed in February. But once he was elevated to the active roster in Week 15 of the 2025 season, however, Rivers' eligibility reset, meaning he will now have to wait another five years to return to the ballot.
Rivers, who was tabbed as the Colts' immediate Week 15 starter upon signing with the team, will now be on the ballot in 2030 for the class of 2031, which would be revealed in February of 2031.
If Rivers had participated in practice and suddenly decided a return wasn't the right decision and never jumped from the practice squad to the active roster, his Hall of Fame eligibility would have remained exactly as it is, keeping him in the mix to be elected in the coming months.
That did not happen, however. He was officially elevated by Indianapolis, resetting his Hall of Fame clock for another five years as he makes a near-unprecedented return to the field.
In regards to Philip Rivers Pro Football Hall of Fame eligibility, according to The Hall: If he is signed to the active roster, his HOF eligibility clock resets. That's a 5-year wait. If he is only signed the practice squad, it does not. Rivers is one of 26 semifinalists for the…
Rivers is not yet a Hall of Famer but has been a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026. This was Rivers' first year of eligibility, as players must be out of the NFL for at least five years to be considered. However, with his decision to unretire, his candidacy is set to wait a few more years again.
Whether Rivers will be a Hall of Famer is an interesting debate. There was likely no path to election in 2026, as Drew Brees is assured of a spot and Larry Fitzgerald is expected to be another first-timer who gains entry to Canton. There are no rules preventing voters from electing two quarterbacks or three first-timers in the same class, but history shows it doesn't happen very often.
With Rivers' clock now reset, he could be up for election next to another Hall of Fame lock in 2031 because Aaron Rodgers has said this could be his final season. If Rodgers does walk away after 2025 with Rivers' clock reset, the two would be on track to join the Hall of Fame ballot in late 2030 for the class of 2031.
For Rivers, the counting stats are Hall of Fame-worthy, as he ranks sixth all-time in touchdown passes and seventh in passing yards, but he and the Chargers never won or even competed for championships the way Tom Brady's New England Patriots, Ben Roethlisberger's Pittsburgh Steelers or Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts did.
Here's a look at Rivers and the 26 total semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026:
QB Drew Brees (first year)
QB Eli Manning
QB Philip Rivers (first year)
RB Frank Gore (first year)
RB Fred Taylor
WR Larry Fitzgerald (first year)
WR Torry Holt
WR Steve Smith
WR Hines Ward
WR Reggie Wayne
TE Jason Witten (first year)
OL Willie Anderson
OL Lomas Brown
OL Jahri Evans
OL Richmond Webb
OL Steve Wisniewski
OL Marshal Yanda
DL Robert Mathis
DL Vince Wilfork
DL Kevin Williams
LB Luke Kuechly
LB Terrell Suggs
S Rodney Harrison
S Earl Thomas
S Darren Woodson
K Adam Vinatieri
Brees and Rivers are joined by a returning Eli Manning in the quarterback room, while Frank Gore, Larry Fitzgerald and Jason Witten round out the class of first-year semifinalists.
Since the shocking retirement of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck before the 2019 season, it's been a revolving door at the most important position for the Indianapolis Colts — a revolving door that has spun completely off its hinges.
The franchise, which once boasted nearly two decades of stability with Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and Luck, has since cycled through an astonishing eleven different starting quarterbacks in just six seasons, including veteran stopgaps like Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan. In 2025, the Colys appeared to finally find their answer in veteran Daniel Jones, who was in the midst of a remarkable MVP-caliber run that had led the team to an AFC contender status. However, Jones' season, and potentially his future in Indianapolis, just came to a brutal halt with a torn Achilles tendon.
Next up for the Colts is Philip Rivers. With Jones out and Richardson unavailable, the Colts worked out the 44-year-old, retired Philip Rivers in a desperate Hail Mary attempt to salvage their season. This current predicament — going from a legitimate Super Bowl contender led by a rejuvenated quarterback to begging a three-year retiree to suit up — perfectly encapsulates the cursed, unstable reality of life after Andrew Luck, and the most recent injury ensures the chaos will continue.
Here's the Colts' quarterback timeline since Luck's franchise-altering retirement.
Brissett was set to be the Colts' backup quarterback heading into the 2019 season, but was propelled into the starting position after Luck's retirement. This was announced two weeks before the regular season started; general manager Chris Ballard shortly confirmed that Brissett would be the team's full-time starter, and he was extended before the season started.
He finished the season with 2,942 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, and six interceptions to go along with 228 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in 15 starts.
Hoyer appeared in four games, making one start for the team. He had 372 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.
2020
Philip Rivers (16 starts)
Rivers joined the Colts for the 2020 season on a one-year, $25 million contract, demoting Brissett to the backup position. The veteran quarterback, who had played his entire career with the Chargers franchise, reunited with Colts head coach Frank Reich and offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, both of whom he had worked with in San Diego.
Rivers played all 16 regular-season games, demonstrating his trademark durability and leading the Colts to a strong 11-5 record and their first playoff berth since 2018. He finished the season with productive numbers, compiling 4,169 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and a solid 68.0% completion rate with 11 interceptions, providing the stable, high-volume passing attack the team was seeking.
The Colts secured a Wild Card spot, but Rivers' final NFL game was a hard-fought 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round, where the veteran threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Rivers announced his retirement shortly after the season.
After Rivers retired, the Colts once again had a gaping hole at quarterback. They opted to solve it with the Wentz reclamation project.
Indianapolis traded a 2021 third-round pick and a conditional 2022 second-round pick (which became a first-rounder) to the Philadelphia Eagles for Wentz in February 2021, reuniting him with Reich, his former offensive coordinator. The hope was that Reich could restore the former MVP candidate to his 2017 form. Wentz started all 17 games of the 2021 season, posting solid counting statistics: 3,563 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and a career-low 7 interceptions, leading the team to a 9-8 record. The season was highlighted by the emergence of Jonathan Taylor, who led the league in rushing.
However, the Wentz era ultimately ended in dramatic failure after just one season. Despite controlling their destiny for a playoff spot with two games remaining, the Colts lost to the Las Vegas Raiders and, in an infamous Week 18 collapse, fell to the previously one-win Jacksonville Jaguars 26-11. Frustrated with the disappointing end and a feeling that Wentz was not the long-term answer, the Colts traded him to the Washington Commanders in March 2022.
2022
Matt Ryan (12 starts)
Sam Ehlinger (3 starts)
Nick Foles (2 starts)
With Wentz gone, the Colts made another bold veteran swing, trading a 2022 third-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for former MVP Matt Ryan. Ryan, who was 37 at the time, was expected to provide the consistent, mistake-averse passing the team lacked, but his single season in Indianapolis was instead characterized by historic levels of instability and poor performance.
Ryan's 2022 campaign quickly became a disaster, culminating in him being benched twice during the season. Over his 12 starts, Ryan threw for 3,057 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, finishing with a career-low passer rating of 83.9. More troubling than the statistics was the alarming number of turnovers (including a league-leading 13 interceptions). He was 4-7-1 as a starter.
The tumultuous 2022 season for the Colts became so volatile that both Ryan and the entire coaching staff were replaced by the end of the year, forcing the team to cycle through two other quarterbacks: homegrown product Sam Ehlinger and former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles. Ehlinger, a 2021 sixth-round pick, was given three starts mid-season, largely to appease General Manager Chris Ballard's desire to see the young QB's potential. In those appearances, Ehlinger completed 63.4% of his passes for 573 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, managing a 76.1 passer rating.
However, after the firing of coach Frank Reich, interim coach Jeff Saturday returned to Ryan, only to bench him again late in the year for the experienced Foles. Foles' brief tenure was a disaster, resulting in two blowout losses and a historically low 34.3 passer rating while throwing zero touchdowns against four interceptions in his two starts, perfectly illustrating the depth of the quarterback crisis that season.
2023
Anthony Richardson (4 starts)
Gardner Minshew (13 starts)
The Colts began the 2023 season with their promising rookie quarterback Richardson, who was selected with the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Though it started out well, with Richardson showcasing his dynamic rushing ability and incredible arm strength by scoring seven total touchdowns (four rushing, three passing) in his first four games, the injury curse that plagued the franchise quickly struck again.
Richardson’s rookie season was violently derailed by two separate injuries in his limited action, culminating in a season-ending shoulder surgery in Week 5. The promising glimpse of the future — highlighted by his 5.4 yards per carry and a 59.5% completion rate — was suddenly cut short, leaving the team with yet another mid-season scramble at the position.
In his place, Minshew started the rest of the season for Indianapolis. He put up decent stats, with a completion percentage over 62%, 3,305 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Colts were able to make it to the final week of the season, with a win-and-in game against the Houston Texans. But, Houston got the win in Indianapolis and claimed the final playoff spot.
The 2024 season was defined by the Colts' commitment to developing Richardson while simultaneously being forced to rely on a proven veteran due to his physical fragility. Richardson opened the year as the starter, and while he displayed tantalizing flashes of his dual-threat potential, his season was marred by a series of physical issues, including an oblique injury that cost him time early and inconsistent play that led to a mid-season benching after a loss to the Texans in Week 8.
In his 11 starts, Richardson threw for 1,814 yards with an unacceptably low 47.7% completion rate, logging 8 touchdowns against 12 interceptions, alongside 499 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. The team went 6-5 with him at the helm, but the constant turnovers and inability to stay on the field raised serious questions about his durability and readiness.
Richardson's brief exile from the starting role saw the Colts turn to veteran Joe Flacco, who had been signed to provide experienced backup insurance. Flacco initially provided a spark, but his time as the primary starter was inconsistent, highlighted by a dominant performance against the Jaguars followed by several poor outings. In his 6 starts, Flacco passed for 1,761 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, operating with a much higher 65.3% completion rate than Richardson. However, the Colts struggled to win consistently with the 39-year-old, going 3-5 in his games.
Despite the veteran's stability, coach Shane Steichen eventually reinstated Richardson for the stretch run, only for the young quarterback to suffer a back injury, forcing him to miss the final two games of the season and highlighting the unending cycle of quarterback chaos that has plagued the franchise.
The 2025 season has to be the most devastating for the Colts since Luck's retirement, and it's not particularly close.
This season, the Colts finally broke the cycle, with Daniel Jones — who signed with the Colts in the 2025 offseason — transforming his career to deliver MVP-caliber play. Jones, signed to a one-year deal, had the team sitting at a phenomenal 8-2 record and contending for the AFC's top seed, putting up career-best numbers with a 68.0% completion rate and a 100.2 passer rating. This success not only validated the roster built by Chris Ballard but also provided the stability necessary for a deep playoff run; Indianapolis even made a home-run swing at the trade deadline, trading two first-round picks to the New York Jets for two-time All-Pro Sauce Gardner.
However, the dream evaporated in Week 14 when Jones, already playing through a fractured fibula in his left leg, went down with a season-ending torn Achilles in his right leg, an injury that doesn't just end the 2025 campaign but plunges the entire organization into long-term quarterback uncertainty, as Jones faces a grueling rehabilitation ahead of free agency. For the Colts, it is a backbreaking blow not only this season, but for years to come.
Daniel Jones posted on IG thanking everyone for the support following his season-ending surgery for a torn Achilles. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b16HrTORsq
With Jones out for the rest of the season and the quarterback room thin, with only rookie Riley Leonard healthy at the moment, the Colts lured Rivers out of retirement and signed the 44-year-old to the practice squad. He was immediately picked to start in Week 15 against the Seahawks, just days after being signed.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that McCaffrey is "expected to be good to go" for the contest despite being added to the injury report.
The Titans (2-11) visit the 49ers (9-4) at Levi's Stadium (3:25 p.m. CT, FOX). McCaffrey is the engine the 49ers' offense is based around, as he's not only the NFL's third-leading rusher by attempts, but he's also the league's fifth-leading receiver by catches.
He's touched the football 322 times in 13 games, which works out to three more touches per game than any other player. Only Atlanta's Bijan Robinson and Indianapolis' Jonathan Taylor have gained more yards from scrimmage this season than McCaffrey.
Injuries have plagued McCaffrey throughout his career; he's only played one full season without missing a game since 2020. If McCaffrey is unable to go against the Titans, his likeliest replacement would be Brian Robinson Jr., who ran for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Titans in 2024 while playing for Washington.
The Lions activated tight end Shane Zylstra off IR to take Branch's place as part of a slew of roster moves Saturday.
Zylstra, who hasn't played since injuring his knee in Week 2, adds depth at tight end, where the Lions had just one player on their 53-man roster – Anthony Firkser.
Starting tight end Sam LaPorta is out for the season after back surgery, and backup Brock Wright is on IR with a trachea injury that likely will keep him out until the playoffs.
Along with Zylstra, the Lions elevated tight end Giovanni Ricci and safety Erick Hallett from the practice squad to the active/inactive list.
In addition, the Lions announced that offensive lineman Christian Mahogany was not activated from injured reserve and he was ruled out for Sunday vs. the Rams. Safety Thomas Harper was also downgraded to out with a concussion.
Lions announce roster moves:
Placed S Brian Branch on Reserve/Injured.
Activated TE Shane Zylstra from Reserve/Injured.
Elevated TE Giovanni Ricci and S Erick Hallett from the Practice Squad to the Active/Inactive list. pic.twitter.com/E7bwearLwg
The Lions activated tight end Shane Zylstra off IR to take Branch's place as part of a slew of roster moves Saturday.
Zylstra, who hasn't played since injuring his knee in Week 2, adds depth at tight end, where the Lions had just one player on their 53-man roster – Anthony Firkser.
Starting tight end Sam LaPorta is out for the season after back surgery, and backup Brock Wright is on IR with a trachea injury that likely will keep him out until the playoffs.
Along with Zylstra, the Lions elevated tight end Giovanni Ricci and safety Erick Hallett from the practice squad to the active/inactive list.
In addition, the Lions announced that offensive lineman Christian Mahogany was not activated from injured reserve and he was ruled out for Sunday vs. the Rams. Safety Thomas Harper was also downgraded to out with a concussion.
Lions announce roster moves:
Placed S Brian Branch on Reserve/Injured.
Activated TE Shane Zylstra from Reserve/Injured.
Elevated TE Giovanni Ricci and S Erick Hallett from the Practice Squad to the Active/Inactive list. pic.twitter.com/E7bwearLwg
Upon hearing that San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had been added to the injury report on Saturday, fantasy football managers with stock in the superstar rusher went into panic mode.
That's an understandable response, especially in the first week of the fantasy football playoffs. After all, McCaffrey is one of the best players at his position in fantasy.
Despite being added to the injury report with a back issue on Saturday, Schefter reports that McCaffrey is expected to be "good to go" for Sunday.
"Despite being added to the injury report today as questionable due to a back injury, 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey is expected to be “good to go” Sunday vs. the Titans," Schefter reported.
We can all breathe now.
While that's certainly great to hear, don't you dare let your guard down.
It still makes sense to add Brian Robinson Jr., who would take the reins of the backfield in the event that McCaffrey doesn't play.
Serving as more motivation to do that is the fact that the 49ers play in the late window on Sunday, so if McCaffrey does get ruled out and you don't have Robinson, you'll have less options to replace McCaffrey.
Another suggestion is to place McCaffrey in your flex spot if you currently have a running back there. That opens up the opportunity to replace him with a wide receiver if need be.
One thing we remain concerned about now with McCaffrey if he does play is he might have a limited workload.
With the real playoffs approaching, and with a layup matchup against the Titans, the Niners might want to take it easy after his new injury and could opt to give Robinson more work.
To be clear, nobody is reporting that, we're just considering all possibilities here.
Regardless, you cannot sit McCaffrey this week, so you just have to roll with him no matter what is said about his workload before the game.
Against all odds, Philip Rivers is returning to the NFL.
The 44-year-old quarterback, retired since the end of the 2020 season, agreed to a deal with the Indianapolis Colts after working out for the team on Monday night, providing an experienced but experimental potential replacement for an injured Daniel Jones.
Rivers spent his first 16 seasons with the Chargers, first in San Diego and later in Los Angeles, before joining the Colts for one final season in 2020. While plenty has changed in Indianapolis since Rivers' final game, he now has a chance to rewrite his ending — and he's set to earn a Week 15 start immediately.
Here's what you need to know about the Colts' decision to pursue and sign Rivers.
Everyone agreed the Colts needed a quarterback with Jones out for the season, Anthony Richardson out indefinitely and Riley Leonard now dealing with an injury of his own. Just about no one saw the decision to bring Rivers out of retirement coming.
The connection is obvious: Colts head coach Shane Steichen was on the Chargers' staff for Rivers' final six seasons with the organization, serving as quarterbacks coach for four of them and taking over as interim offensive coordinator in 2019. That means Rivers has familiarity with the kind of offense Steichen is running, although Steichen will have to account for Rivers' complete lack of mobility compared to Jones and Richardson.
Rivers also knows the organization well after spending a season with the Colts in 2020. GM Chris Ballard still leads the front office, while the Irsay family remains in charge of the franchise after the death of owner Jim Irsay.
The Colts "believe Rivers' familiarity could give them a realistic chance to stay competitive," ESPN reports. Rivers will officially be starting in Week 15 against the Seahawks, immediately thrust into a QB1 role.
Signing a quarterback who hasn't played in five years may be characterized as a desperate move, but the Colts have no choice but to be a desperate franchise with three quarterbacks injured and their playoff hopes in severe trouble.
Rivers last played in the NFL with the Colts in 2020, leading Indianapolis to the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the AFC. He announced his retirement on Jan. 20, 2021.
How old is Philip Rivers?
Rivers turned 44 on Monday, making him the oldest active NFL player by nearly a full two years over Aaron Rodgers.
With Richardson out indefinitely as he recovers from an orbital bone fracture, Riley Leonard stepped after Jones went down with an Achilles tear against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Leonard, however, is dealing with a sprained ligament in his knee and has been in danger of missing Sunday's game against Seattle — which set the table for Rivers to become the starter, at least for now.
Once Leonard is healthy again, the Colts could go back to a more mobile, young option in the Notre Dame alum, rather than let Rivers stay in as QB1. That decision may come down to how Rivers looks in Week 15.
Rivers initially joined the practice squad, but was elevated to the active roster for Week 15. Rypien, who has made only four NFL starts with four touchdowns to nine interceptions, is the only other current option for Indianapolis.
Rivers will start in Week 15, but it will likely be a week-by-week situation from there, depending on how the veteran looks, the health of Leonard and a potential return from Anthony Richardson this season.
Rivers spent the majority of his career with the Chargers, getting sent to San Diego in the draft night Eli Manning swap with the Giants in 2004 and taking over for Drew Brees in 2006. While he never reached a Super Bowl, Rivers was an eight-time Pro-Bowler with the Chargers and went 123-101 as a starter.
The Chargers and Rivers decided to amicably part ways after the 2019 season, which worked out for both sides. L.A. drafted its quarterback of the future in Justin Herbert, and Rivers reached the playoffs with an 11-5 season in Indianapolis, allowing him to ride off into the sunset on a high note
Until now, that is. Rivers will give it one more shot five years after playing what he thought was his final game, earning the chance to try to navigate through a difficult schedule and take the Colts to the playoffs a second time.
The Eagles announced on Saturday that they have elevated safety Andre Sam from the practice squad for their Sunday matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. This marks the third time this season that the Eagles have elevated Sam, which means they will need to add him to the active roster if they want him to play again in 2025.
Sam, a rookie free agent signed by the Eagles out of LSU in 2024, spent his first season on the team's practice squad. Sam made his NFL debut during the Week 14 victory over the Panthers. Before that, Sam was elevated for the previous two games against the Bears and the Chargers, where he played exclusively on special teams for 19 snaps.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the team is hopeful they can get Gordon back for the postseason if Chicago makes it that far. The Bears also elevated running back Brittain Brown and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin from the practice squad ahead of their game against the Cleveland Browns.
The #Bears are placing CB Kyler Gordon (groin) on Injured Reserve, knocking him out four games with the hopes he returns for the playoffs, sources say.
The second IR stint for Gordon. Chicago signed CJ Gardner-Johnson to fill the void and he’s been a revelation in the slot. pic.twitter.com/XN9QDGNHmD
Hopes were high for Gordon coming into this season. The talented nickel cornerback signed a three-year extension worth more than $31 million in the spring, and the new coaching staff expressed excitement with having him on the roster. Unfortunately, Gordon suffered a lower body injury during training camp and hasn't been the same since. Gordon has dealt with hamstring, calf, and groin injuries that have kept him out of all but three games this year. He finishes the season with seven tackles, one for loss, and a fumble recovery.
With Gordon sidelined, the Bears will rely on veteran Chauncey Gardner-Johnson the rest of the way at the nickel corner spot. Gardner-Johnson signed with the Bears back in October and has played a crucial role in solidifying the back end of the defense and helping the Bears reach a 9-4 record heading into Week 15.
The playoffs are within reach for the Bears, and they will have to get there without Gordon's help. We'll see if the fourth-year cornerback can make one last comeback in January.
With the Chargers' (9-4) clash with AFC West division rival Chiefs (6-7) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium looming, both teams have released their Friday injury reports and projected game statuses ahead of the crucial matchup.
Chargers Injury Report
Per the Dec. 12 injury report, the Chargers have ten players listed.
Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen and outside linebacker Khalil Mack were listed as full participants for the second consecutive day after not participating on Wednesday due to both earning a "rest" day. Tight end Will Dissly (Shoulder) also was a full participant for a second straight day after being held out of Wednesday's practice, but his status is indeed due to a potential ailment.
Quarterback Justin Herbert (Left Hand) and wide receiver Ladd McConckey (Foot) both held a "limited practice" designation for the third day in a row. For Herbert, the "limited practice" is likely out of precaution with his surgically repaired finger, and he is still expected to start against the Chiefs.
As for the Bolts' game status designation on the report, linebacker Troy Dye (Hip) and wide receiver Quentin Johnson (Groin) were listed as "limited" on Friday and subsequently are considered "questionable" for Sunday's game. Dye did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, while Johnson's status is the only addition to the injury report for Friday.
After three days of non-participation, defensive back Elijah Molden (Hamstring) and guard/tackle Trey Pipkins (Ankle) are considered "doubtful," while Derius Davis (Ankle) is listed as "out".
Chiefs Injury Report
As for Kansas City, the Chiefs have listed wide receiver Hollywood Brown (Not Injury-Related; Personal), guard Trey Smith (Ankle), Tackle Wanya Morris (Triceps/Knee), and offensive lineman Jawaan Taylor (Knee) have been ruled out.
Cornerback Trent McDuffie (Knee) is considered "questionable" following a "full participant" designation on Friday after two straight "limited" practices.
Trent McDuffie is questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Hollywood Brown, Trey Smith, Wanya Morris, and Jawaan Taylor have been ruled out.
As the Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) prepare for their crucial Week 15 matchup against their AFC West division rival Kansas City Chiefs (6-7) from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh delivered a brief reaction when questioned during his Friday media appearance about former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore's firing and arrest.
“I’m still processing that,” Harbaugh said. “Still processing that like a lot of people, I’m sure."
Jim Harbaugh on Sherrone Moore:
“I’m still processing that. … Still processing like a lot of people, I’m sure.” pic.twitter.com/15mrCEO46p
Harbaugh coached the Wolverines to an 86-25 overall record in nine seasons in Ann Arbor, Mich., including an undefeated 2023 National Championship-winning campaign. Harbaugh also starred at quarterback for Michigan under College Football Hall of Fame head coach Bo Schembechler from 1982-86, during which he collected numerous honors, including third place in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1986.
As reported by the Detroit Free Press, along with numerous other local, regional, and national news outlets, the University of Michigan fired Moore “for cause” on Wednesday afternoon following credible evidence being presented to the university and its Board of Regents that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
Moore had spent eight seasons at Michigan, including six years on Harbaugh's staff in various assistant coaching/coordinator roles. Following Harbaugh's acceptance of the Chargers' head coaching job, Moore was hired a few weeks later after earning the recommendation from Harbaugh to be the next Wolverines' head coach.
While this certainly has no impact on the Chargers' ability to claim victory over the Chiefs on Sunday, it is notable to hear Harbaugh's reaction to the fast-moving, chaotic events in Ann Arbor on Thursday.
As the Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) prepare for their crucial Week 15 matchup against their AFC West division rival Kansas City Chiefs (6-7) from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 14, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh delivered a brief reaction when questioned during his Friday media appearance about former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore's firing and arrest.
“I’m still processing that,” Harbaugh said. “Still processing that like a lot of people, I’m sure."
Jim Harbaugh on Sherrone Moore:
“I’m still processing that. … Still processing like a lot of people, I’m sure.” pic.twitter.com/15mrCEO46p
Harbaugh coached the Wolverines to an 86-25 overall record in nine seasons in Ann Arbor, Mich., including an undefeated 2023 National Championship-winning campaign. Harbaugh also starred at quarterback for Michigan under College Football Hall of Fame head coach Bo Schembechler from 1982-86, during which he collected numerous honors, including third place in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1986.
As reported by the Detroit Free Press, along with numerous other local, regional, and national news outlets, the University of Michigan fired Moore “for cause” on Wednesday afternoon following credible evidence being presented to the university and its Board of Regents that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
Moore had spent eight seasons at Michigan, including six years on Harbaugh's staff in various assistant coaching/coordinator roles. Following Harbaugh's acceptance of the Chargers' head coaching job, Moore was hired a few weeks later after earning the recommendation from Harbaugh to be the next Wolverines' head coach.
While this certainly has no impact on the Chargers' ability to claim victory over the Chiefs on Sunday, it is notable to hear Harbaugh's reaction to the fast-moving, chaotic events in Ann Arbor on Thursday.
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns, which will be anything but a cake walk despite Cleveland's 3-10 record. And that has everything to do with one player: Star pass rusher Myles Garrett, who's on the cusp of NFL history.
Garrett has been one of the league's top edge rushers since being drafted first overall by the Browns in 2017, where he's totaled at least 10 sacks in eight of nine seasons in the NFL. This year, Garrett has a league-best 20 sacks through 13 games, and he's just three shy of eclipsing Michael Strahan's single-season sack record (22.5).
Quarterback Caleb Williams has developed a reputation as Houdini in the pocket, as he's been able to evade defenders, including most recently Micah Parsons, who was held without a sack last week. But Garrett is a whole other monster, and Williams is determined not to let Garrett set the single-season sack record against him.
“I’m going to try and make sure that he doesn't get the sack record on us and on me," Williams said. "But, I think those games have prepared the offensive line, us as a game plan, and going against those type of players where they're just the S-tier players where you just have to make sure every single snap, every single play, everything is not allowing them to wreck the game. That's something that he can do. That's something that he's done throughout his whole career. And so, we're excited for the challenge."
It won't be an easy task, especially with rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo expected to line up against Garrett most of the time. While head coach Ben Johnson has a plan for how to address Garrett, Williams understands just how easily he can wreck a game.
“He has, as the kids say, a deep bag of tricks," Williams said. "Whether it's his euro step, his speed, his off the ball, they'll put him at the linebacker area and let him just kind of do his thing. So, he has a deep bag of tricks and it's going to be a good challenge for us as an offense, us as an offensive line. Running backs, everybody accounts for him, and everybody else in that field. He has a deep bag of tricks and when somebody is well polished as he is throughout the NFL, and throughout his years in NFL, that's what makes him Myles Garrett.”
The Green Bay Packers added running back Emanuel Wilson to the injury report with an illness and elevated running back Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad to the gameday roster on Saturday. Strong is now available to coach Matt LaFleur for Sunday's showdown with the Denver Broncos.
Wilson is listed as questionable to play. So is starting running back Josh Jacobs, who only practiced once this week because of recurring swelling and stiffness in his injured knee. The only healthy running back on the 53-man roster for the Packers is Chris Brooks, making Strong a necessary elevation for Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
Wilson, if available, would be looking at an increased role at running back and a potential start in place of Jacobs. But with his status now in question, the Packers may need to scramble at the position before facing the NFL's No. 1 ranked defense against the run.
Brooks is a capable blocker and receiver who has played in all 13 games for the Packers this season. Strong, a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has played in 46 career games. His 125 career touches have gained 692 yards, and he's also returned 24 career kickoffs.
The Packers previously elevated Strong in Week 7 and Week 12 (when Jacobs was out). He was not active for either game. Strong is now out of elevations from the practice squad.
Head coach Mike Macdonald shouted out the Seattle Seahawks grounds crew on Friday for keeping the fields usable during the most extreme period of rain the city has seen this year.
Brady Henderson shared the comments on X at 2:30 p.m. PST on Friday.
Macdonald gave a shoutout to the Seahawks' grounds crew for keeping the fields at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center usable this week despite all the rain the area has gotten. The team practiced outside the last two days in anticipation of more wet weather Sunday at Lumen Field.
The team has been practicing outside this week in preparation for what looks to be a rainy Sunday game. The forecast shows only a 10% chance of precipitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. when Lumen Field’s gates open through the afternoon and evening, but there will likely be some water on the field and rain from the morning throughout the game. With low-50s temperatures and cloudy projected skies, any level of wetness will be amplified.
Even more pertinent, though, is the projected winds. During warmups, the winds look to be around 11 miles per hour, and during the game, they should be at 7 mph. Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is known for prioritizing accuracy over power and his range could be limited or extended based on wind, but his accuracy could be tampered with as well.
More importantly, our hearts go out to all those affected by the flooding that’s plaguing Washington state right now. Record-setting downpours have forced several areas into emergency evacuations and flood watch warnings. While some of them began to recede on Friday, Gov. Bob Ferguson said the situation is “not just a one- or two-day crisis” and that the water levels would “remain high for an extended period of time”. President Donald Trump has signed the state’s request for an emergency declaration as communities around western and central Washington fight for safety and for their homes.
We at Seahawks Wire aim to help you look forward to Sunday’s game, but our hearts are with the communities of Sumas, Nooksack, Deming, Burlington, Everson, Mount Vernon, and every other community affected by the floods this week. We dedicate our writing to you and hope that no matter how the Seahawks play, they can bring you a tiny bit of joy in these dire circumstances. You help us unite behind our Seahawks week-in, week-out, so we hope to offer what little we can to unite behind you. We’ll be rooting for your communities on defense against these floods and on offense in bouncing back from them like 12s rooting for the Seahawks on gameday.
Philip Rivers' return from retirement to play QB for the Indianapolis Colts is inviting all sorts of questions.
And many people are remembering Tom Brady.
That's because Rivers, at 44, is the oldest player active in the NFL right now, a couple years older than Aaron Rodgers.
Brady, of course, felt like he played longer than just about anyone (although not as long as George Blanda did back in the day).
So fans are trying to remember just how long Brady hung on.
What age did Tom Brady retire?
Tom Brady retired when he was 45 years old.
That was the 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And unlike every other season of his career, Brady had a losing record (8-9).
That was Brady's 23rd and final campaign in the NFL. It was his third with the Bucs after 20 with the Patriots.
Brady, of course, didn't do what Rivers is doing. The G.O.A.T. remained a starting quarterback all the way through the end.
That's in contrast to Rivers, who before Sunday's expected start won't have played in a game in the NFL since Jan. 9, 2021.
Rivers also was very good in his career, but not quite at Brady's level. So it's anyone's guess how Rivers might play after this long layoff and at this age.
DENVER − With Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson battling an illness, tailback Pierre Strong Jr. was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster for game day ahead of the Dec. 14 matchup at the Denver Broncos.
Wilson was added to the injury report as questionable Dec. 13 because of his illness. The Packers already listed Josh Jacobs as questionable with a knee injury that kept him out of practice until Friday this week.
It’s the third time Strong has been elevated on game day, using his maximum allotment for a season. His last came Nov. 23 against the Minnesota Vikings when Jacobs was inactive because of a knee injury. He also was elevated when the Packers traveled to the Arizona Cardinals in October.
Atwell has officially been added to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions, making him eligible to play his first game since Week 7 in London. This season, Atwell has four catches for 164 yards and one touchdown, which was an 88-yarder against the Colts.
In addition to activating Atwell, the Rams also promoted safety Tanner Ingle from the practice squad. That could be a precautionary measure after the team added safety Jaylen McCollough to the injury report on Saturday due to an illness.
McCollough is now questionable to play against the Lions, which could give Ingle a chance to contribute as the Rams’ third safety behind Kamren Kinchens and Kamren Curl. In all likelihood, though, Ingle will only play special teams.
Kickoff between the Rams and Lions on Sunday is at 4:25 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium.
Jonathan Jones says that Indianapolis will "surely want Jones back," but the two sides agreeing to contract terms is going to be the challenge, given Jones' Achilles injury.
One option that the Colts have is using the franchise tag, but that comes with what could be a $40 million price tag for the 2026 season.
"That's a big number for a player coming off a serious injury," Jonathan Jones wrote, "and there's no way to anticipate whether Indianapolis would issue the tag now when their doctors would need to fully evaluate Jones months after surgery."
Jonathan Jones adds that if the Colts don't franchise tag Daniel Jones, he could end up hitting free agency. At which point, the best situation for Daniel Jones could present itself elsewhere.
Multiple sources have told Jonathan Jones that the Minnesota Vikings could be a "potential landing spot."
"Unless the Colts are willing to issue the franchise tag, I don't see it as a slam dunk that Jones is back with Indy next year," Jonathan Jones wrote.
Jennings has been in concussion protocol from a head injury he suffered in the Patriots' Week 13 win over the New York Giants. By going on injured reserve, he will officially have to miss the next four games of the season. He would then have an opportunity to return just in time for the playoffs.
Jennings has contributed sparingly this season with Antonio Gibson out with a torn ACL and Rhamondre Stevenson banged up at one point. He has 23 carries for 73 yards and one touchdown, along with one catch for nine yards.
The Patriots elevated veteran backup D'Ernest Johnson from the practice squad to serve as the No. 3 running back option behind Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. Johnson will have an opportunity to play the rest of the way with Jennings sidelined for four games.
It's home sweet home for the Chicago Bears, who return to Soldier Field after a two-game road trip to take on the lowly Cleveland Browns. The Bears (9-4) had their five-game winning streak snapped last weekend at the hands of the Green Bay Packers, losing 28-21, and are looking to rebound against Cleveland as they look to maintain a favorable position in the playoff race.
On the other side of things, the Browns (3-10) are limping towards the end of the season. The team is battered and bruised as they work through numerous injuries on both sides of the ball and are coming off a baffling 31-29 loss to the Tennessee Titans last weekend.
By all accounts, this game is a get-right opportunity for the Bears, and it will take place in extremely cold conditions. The game-time temperature is expected to be in the single digits, which will have effects on both teams. And with the numerous injuries the Browns are working through, this game could get messy. Here are our bold predictions for Sunday's AFC-NFC tilt:
1. DJ Moore catches a touchdown
DJ Moore's stock is at a season low coming off last week's game against the Packers. Statistically speaking, it was Moore's worst professional game, as he caught just one pass for negative yardage, something he had never done before at the NFL level. His usage was a topic of conversation for Bears fans and was brought up to coaches as well. Many are left wondering where he fits in head coach Ben Johnson's offense, but this is a perfect bounce-back opportunity.
The Browns will be without cornerback Denzel Ward, and their secondary as a whole is suspect. And while Odunze is likely going to make his return, we'll see how much quarterback Caleb Williams relies on him in the passing game. In fact, it would be a surprise to see the Bears push the ball downfield much at all given the extreme cold that is coming to Soldier Field. And with the Browns' excellent pass rush, Williams will want to get the ball out early. Moore will see more looks on short patterns and will find a way into the end zone thanks to his catch-and-run abilities.
2. Bears rush for 200 yards
The days of "Bear Weather" gracing the lakefront for a Bears game are going to be numbered soon enough if and when the new stadium gets constructed in the suburbs. But this weekend is one of those games, and that means a steady dose of ground-and-pound football should be on Johnson's menu. Especially considering the Browns lost their best run defender and just allowed 184 rushing yards to the Titans.
The Bears have a formula that works with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. The two-headed monster continues to punish defenses with long drives that usually result in touchdowns. The Bears already have three games this year with over 200 rushing yards. This will be No. 4 as Chicago dominates the time of possession.
3. Myles Garrett doesn't get a sack
When the Bears are on offense, all eyes will be on the Browns' defense. Specifically defensive end Myles Garrett, who is having a historic season. Garrett is abusing offensive lines this season, totaling 31 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. He's within striking distance of breaking the single-season tackle for loss record (39) set by JJ Watt and the single-season sack record (22.5) set by Michael Strahan and TJ Watt.
While it may seem impossible to stop Garrett this year, it has been done, and the Bears have done a fine job of neutralizing star pass rushers. They didn't allow Micah Parsons to get a sack last week and did enough to keep players like Maxx Crosby and Brian Burns away from the quarterback. Only TJ Watt was a premier edge rusher to get home in recent weeks. With all of the focus surrounding Garrett, the Bears will have a plan in place to stop him, whether that's extra help for left tackle Ozzy Trapilo, moving the pocket to the opposite side, or quick passing options. Garrett will make an impact, but he won't leave Soldier Field with a sack.
4. The Bears sack Shedeur Sanders 5+ times
The Browns are a mess up front. Their entire starting offensive line is dealing with injuries that have knocked out four out of five starters, and the fifth, Joel Bitonio, is a game-time decision. We have seen how patchwork offensive lines have performed for the Bears in previous years, and with a rookie quarterback under center, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will be licking his chops.
While Sanders has performed relatively well in his three starts, he's privy to holding onto the ball too long. This is an opportunity for Allen to send extra pressure while also relying on his back seven to create coverage sacks. Sanders will struggle to operate in the pocket, and the Bears will find a way to take him down at least five times.
5. Bears get a defensive touchdown
If Sanders and the offense end up having trouble with the Bears' pass rush, he's bound to make mistakes with the football. The Bears have forced a turnover in all but two games this season, the most since 2018. Yet somehow, they have just one defensive score, which took place all the way back in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings when Nahshon Wright took an interception to the house. It feels like a defensive score is coming.
The Bears have prepared for the last two weeks to play in frigid temperatures, while the Browns were seen practicing indoors a few days ago. The hits feel different in cold weather, and mistakes are going to happen on the Browns' side of the ball. Either a Sanders interception or a fumble recovery is going back the other way for a Bears score. It will be the message Chicago wants to send after suffering last week's loss against the Packers.
The San Francisco 49ers are 9-4 after a myriad of brutal injuries plaguing their season. From Fred Warner and Nick Bosa to the extended absences of Ricky Pearsall and Brock Purdy, it's been an impressive performance to get to 9-4.
But one of the biggest storylines from this season has been the status of Brandon Aiyuk. After a season-ending injury in 2024, Aiyuk hasn't returned to the team. Now in Week 15 of the 2025 season, how are those inside the 49ers organization feeling about Aiyuk?
Well, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, after holding out hope that Aiyuk could return at the end of this season, those within the 49ers organization have reportedly given up hope.
49ers org gives up hope on potential Brandon Aiyuk return
"The 49ers have been holding out hope that Aiyuk would show up, ready to practice." Russini writes. "However, their optimism seems to have run out. I expect a resolution sooner rather than later."
Aiyuk already wasn't likely to play for the 49ers beyond the 2025 season, with his 2026 guarantees waived by the 49ers, but he still could've suited up for San Francisco this season.
But, this report from Russini indicates that the 49ers have essentially thrown in the towel on a potential Aiyuk return this season. George Kittle said earlier this week, "At this point, it doesn't seem like he's coming back."
That sentiment is likely true, and with Aiyuk unlikely to return this season, his 49ers career is all but over. The 27-year-old's time in San Francisco is coming to an end.
Over the five seasons he played with the 49ers before his 2024 injury and subsequent absence from the team, Aiyuk recorded 4,305 receiving yards on 294 receptions and 25 touchdowns across 69 games since 2020.
Aiyuk's time in San Francisco is over, and he will now look to join another team this offseason. The Washington Commanders are a likely destination to reunite with Jayden Daniels.
But, regardless of what his future entails, it's not likely to be with the 49ers. They've given up hope on Aiyuk returning to finish the 2025 season, as Aiyuk continues to be absent from the team amid a fallout between the two sides.
Injuries have really started to pile up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The secondary, in particular, has been banged up most of the year which has forced multiple roster changes and shuffling of positions. After the Steelers moved Jalen Ramsey to safety, veteran James Pierre stepped up in his spot and played well enough to allow the team to cut ties with Darius Slay.
This week, the Steelers take on the Miami Dolphins, and they might have to do it without Pierre. Pierre missed Thursday and Friday practices, dealing with a calf injury. On Saturday, Pierre said he doesn't expect to be ready to play by Monday night.
If Pierre cannot go, look for Brandin Echols to fill in for him but we could also see Ramsey back at cornerback and safety Chuck Clark starting alongside Kyle Dugger at safety. Pittsburgh is running out of options and there isn't anyone on the practice squad who has any experience this season.
The Green Bay Packers have a big game coming up in the late afternoon window on Sunday when they take on the Denver Broncos in Week 15.
They've got one major question mark: Is Josh Jacobs playing? His injury status is in question heading into Sunday.
Officially, Jacobs is questionable on the Packers' injury report due to a knee injury.
On Saturday, the Packers sent a signal that they might be at least a little bit concerned. They elevated Pierre Strong Jr., another RB, from the practice squad.
If Jacobs is active, it feels like slight overkill. Strong is a useful special teams player, so maybe that's what the Packers have in mind.
But it would make a lot of sense to elevate Strong if the Packers were uncertain whether Jacobs would be available to play at all.
Also of note, though, was an addition to the injury report: Emmanuel Wilson is now listed with an illness. So this elevation could be connected to either back.
If Jacobs were to sit, Emmanuel Wilson (if healthy) would get the bulk of the RB touches for the Packers.
Behind Wilson they'd have Chris Brooks, and then Strong if they needed the former Browns RB to play a role.
The Packers would of course prefer Jacobs to be out there and do his thing, but they also can't risk his chances of contributing the rest of the season if they aren't totally sure about his injury status.
Inactives won't come out until about 2:55 p.m. ET (1:55 p.m. CT) on Sunday, so until then, it won't be confirmed what's happening with Jacobs. But this move isn't a great sign.
The Browns made an interesting roster move on Saturday, signing former Ravens seventh-round pick (No. 243) Garrett Dellinger to the active roster. Dellinger was the third offensive lineman drafted this year by the Ravens, the most offensive linemen drafted by Baltimore since 2018.
Back in August, Dellinger was among six players who were signed to the Browns' practice squad before the regular season began. Dellinger was a late roster cut and chose the opportunity in Cleveland over Baltimore.
Dellinger was a Ravens 7th round pick. The Ravens wanted to keep him on their practice squad but he chose the opportunity in CLE.
Probably, Bitonio is a go and Dellinger is an emergency guy at guard and center. https://t.co/x2sBzYWtWy
Dellinger entered the NFL as an experienced offensive guard with 30 career starts (including 24 at left guard). During his time at LSU, Dellinger was flagged just twice for penalties in 1,937 snaps. Despite playing just 268 pass-blocking snaps due to injury, he surrendered only three total pressures and did not allow a sack.
The Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen have been a polarizing topic at times this season due to the QB and team's performances in their four losses.
But that hasn't stopped analysts, commentators, and fans from picking them as Super Bowl contenders in their predictions.
And you can count WWE superstar and NFL fan Seth "Freakin" Rollins among them.
Rollins appeared as a guest on Good Morning Football and pointed to reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen as the reason, saying, "He is going to take this team to the promised land."
"They haven't been the most efficient version of the Buffalo Bills, but Josh Allen is still Josh Allen, reigning MVP, best player in the league, bar none. And yes, maybe this season isn't the most exciting statistically, but he's still completing 70% of his passes, still has over 3,000 yards, still throwing for a lot of touchdowns, making plays with his feet when it matters," Rollins remarked.
"And when crunch time comes, when it's time, when they get to the playoffs, which looks like Buffalo's going to move their way in there, barring anything crazy, when crunch time comes, I want the ball in my best player's hands, the best player in the league."
Jets Wire has identified three potential X-factors for the Jets on defense versus the Jaguars offense in Week 15.
Isaiah Oliver, CB
Isaiah Oliver has become an every-down starter for the Jets at cornerback following injuries (Jarvis Brownlee) and trades (Sauce Gardner). He played a season-high 64 snaps versus the Dolphins last weekend. The Jaguars have a slew of productive pass catchers, so Oliver will be called into action.
Jowon Briggs, DT
Making Trevor Lawrence uncomfortable in the pocket is key to achieving success on Sunday. Jets defensive tackle Jowon Briggs has been the most underrated member of the defensive line this season. Briggs will attempt to collapse Lawrence's pocket, possibly baiting the turnover-prone QB into a mistake.
Jamien Sherwood, LB
Linebacker Jamien Sherwood had a team-high 11 tackles last weekend. The Jaguars love running the football between the tackles with Travis Etienne Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten. Sherwood will be tasked with playing an aggressive downhill brand of ball.
Week 15 marks an NFC South rematch when the New Orleans Saints host the Carolina Panthers. The Saints are 3-10 after their road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday. That victory moved the Panthers into a first place spot in the division, as Carolina comes off their bye with a 7-6 mark. Back in Week 10, the Saints handily beat the Panthers by a 17-7 score in Carolina.
Winning in Carolina was the first career victory for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. The Saints still don't have a productive offense by the numbers, ranking just 26th in total yardage and 30th in points scored. However, they've shown signs of progress under Shough in his five starts, particularly with their passing attack. The Saints take on a Panthers defense that ranks 18th in yards allowed. Carolina is around the middle of the pack in most defensive categories, but today's analysis focuses on how they match up against Shough and the pass.
Panthers Pass Defense
212.4 yards per game (18th)
65.2% completion percentage
16 touchdowns (7th)
12 interceptions (7th)
18 sacks
42 QB hits
Carolina has allowed only four opposing quarterbacks to throw for at least 250 yards and no 300-yard games. One of those outings was accomplished by Tyler Shough, who set a Saints rookie passing record with 282 yards against Carolina in Week 10. The Panthers have allowed five 100-yard receivers and nine more players to gain at least 60 receiving yards against them. Top cornerback Jaycee Horn leads that secondary with his 5 interceptions and 44% completion percentage against his coverage.
Horn is the best cover man in what's otherwise been an erratic secondary. Mike Jackson has a team-high 13 passes broken up and 3 interceptions, returning those for 102 total yards and a touchdown. No defensive back other than Jackson and Horn (6) has more than 3 passes broken up. Travis Moehrig and Nick Scott are physical and active at safety, but haven't been strong in coverage. Chau Smith-Wade at nickelback and Lathan Ransom at safety have been promising but each vulnerable to lapses.
Carolina has also been below par in coverage from their linebackers. Christian Rozeboom has solid instincts in zone duties but doesn't match up well athletically in man coverage. Trevin Wallace is almost the opposite - good enough athleticism to stay with backs, tight ends, and even wideouts but must improve instincts in zones.
The Panthers have the pieces on paper for a decent pass rush, but the numbers have not supported that lineup. Derrick Brown is the most disruptive of the group and actually is second on the team with 7 passes broken up by tips. Brown also leads the team in sacks, but has just 4 takedowns, 9 QB hits, and 11 pressures. A'Shawn Robinson is a physical specimen at nose tackle, but doesn't always play up to those abilities with 2.5 sacks and 6 QB hits. Tershawn Wharton has developed into an underrated contributor on the defensive line, but this entire front should produce better than their numbers.
Rookie second round choice Nic Scourton is forming into a solid pass rusher on the edge. Scourton has 3 sacks but 7 QB hits and 11 pressures. Fellow rookie Princely Umanmielen, a third round pick, has also flashed explosiveness at the position. He's shown far more upside than veteran D.J. Wonnum, who has provided next to no pass rush production.
Saints Pass Offense
199.4 yards per game (21st)
66.1% completion percentage
13 touchdowns (30th)
11 interceptions (22nd)
35 sacks
In the five games since Tyler Shough took over as starter, the Saints passing production has improved to close to 217 yards per outing. Shough has looked like the rookie you'd expect at times but has also displayed the poise, accuracy, and other tools of a quality starter. He's coming off his lowest passing yardage since getting the job against Tampa Bay. In the win, he still completed several critical third down throws and also made big plays with his legs.
Shough would benefit from better protection from his offensive line. Getting right tackle Taliese Fuaga back against the Panthers will help. Fuaga and rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks form a strong edge duo, capable of one-on-one responsibilities against most pass rushers. The guard combination of Dillon Radunz and the human turnstile Cesar Ruiz has been awful. Luke Fortner has been adequate at center, but isn't good enough to make up for the massive shortcomings on either side of him.
Protection issues have forced the Saints to leave a tight end like Foster Moreau or rookie running back Devin Neal in for extra protection. Neal has been strong in blitz pickup, but is also a solid check-down option. He isn't nearly the receiver that Alvin Kamara is out of the backfield. With Kamara (knee) again sidelined, Neal and Moreau are the best check-down options available to Shough unless Taysom Hill is actually used by Kellen Moore as a receiving option.
Wideout Chris Olave is well on his way to his third 1,000-yard season in four years. Olave has 76 receptions for 811 yards and 5 touchdowns on 120 targets. No other wideout on the roster is even close to those numbers, but Olave has left a lot of plays on the field. Devaughn Vele has emerged as a trusted option for Shough. Underused early in the year, Vele has 20 receptions for 224 yards, with 14 of them and 170 yards coming in the last three weeks. Mason Tipton has provided a spark as a kickoff returner and has elusiveness after the catch as a receiver, but hasn't added much in that capacity.
Like Olave, tight end Juwan Johnson has left too many plays on the field and has disappeared for crucial stretches. Also like Olave, he provides a matchup problem for defenses and is a key member of the attack. Johnson has 58 catches on 80 targets for 614 yards. In their victory in Carolina, Shough set a Saints rookie passing record with 282 passing yards. Olave (104) and Johnson (92) both had a season-high in yardage during the win.
Johnson is one of six tight ends to have at least 58 receiving yards against Carolina, so expect him to be a big part of the game plan. If Horn is locked up on Olave, then Vele may emerge as a key go-to target. This is the first start Shough is making against a repeat opponent. How the Panthers and the rookie adjust in the rematch should be a major determining factor in who emerges as the victor.
Thrash became expendable in part because the Browns have begun to rely on undrafted rookie Gage Larvadain in certain situations. Cleveland also acquired Malachi Corley midway through the season, and he has taken occasional WR snaps, as well.
The Browns' top-three WRs are Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and Isaiah Bond.
Cleveland won't be going to the playoffs this season, but they'll keep moving the roster around in the closing weeks to see what talent they can identify for the future.
The Arizona Cardinals will face the Houston Texans on Sunday. The game kicks off from NRG Stadium in Houston at 1 p.m. ET. The game airs on FOX and will be called by Chris Myers and Mark Schlereth.
It is one of four games that will air on Fox in the early time slot.
It is not a nationally televised game, so it will only air in certain areas of the country.
Where will it air?
Cardinals at Texans Week 15 TV coverage
506 Sports released their TV coverage maps for Week 15. The Cardinals-Texans game can be seen in the areas in the below graphic that are yellow.
That covers almost all of Arizona, plus a small area of California to the west of Yuma. It also covers most of Texas (excluding the areas in and around Dallas and El Paso), some of New Mexico and a small area of Louisiana and Arkansas.
It is likely going to be an ugly game where the Cardinals are beaten handily. They have many players out with injuries, and the Texans have the best defense in the NFL. It's probably good not much of the country will see the game.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
The Steelers have Aaron Rodgers under center for the rest of this season, but there's a chance he won't be back next season, as he could retire.
Even if Rodgers comes back for a second season in Pittsburgh, the Steelers could still opt to draft a quarterback given the fact that Rodgers is 42 years old.
In Las Vegas, the Geno Smith experiment has gone horribly. He will likely be back in 2026, but the Raiders would be wise to add a young signal-caller to give some hope for the future.
Unfortunately for both teams, one of the more intriguing prospects at the position, South Carolina signal-caller LaNorris Sellers, is not expected to declare for the 2026 NFL draft, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
"South Carolina star quarterback LaNorris Sellers is nearing a deal to return to the school for his redshirt junior year in 2026. He’s indicated to the staff he’ll be returning," Thamel said. "The sides are the expected to finalize a deal soon."
Not exactly a surprise, as Sellers could use more time in college to fine tune his game before entering the NFL.
Sellers has every tool necessary to be a successful NFL quarterback with his elite arm talent and athleticism. Now, he just needs to be more consistent and fix some of his issues, like accuracy and ball placement, for example.
If he can accomplish that, Sellers will improve his stock and could be the top quarterback prospect in 2027.
The Chicago Bears (9-4) will battle the Cleveland Browns (3-10) on Sunday, where Chicago is looking to get back in the win column ahead of a crucial divisional rematch in Week 16.
The Bears are coming off a close 28-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers, which marked their first defeat in the last six games. Chicago got off to a rough start in the first half, trailing 14-3, before mounting an impressive second-half comeback. Quarterback Caleb Williams led three consecutive scoring drives, including the game-tying touchdown in the final minutes. After the defense allowed a Packers touchdown, Williams appeared poised for another comeback drive. Unfortunately, it ended in an interception in the end zone.
The Bears are 7.5-point home favorites against the Browns, according to BetMGM. But what do the experts think? Here's a look:
Watt's older brother, retired NFL superstar J.J., provided an update on X about T.J.'s condition.
"Recovery timeline is still TBD, but all went well and he is being released from the hospital today," J.J. wrote Dec. 12. "He and his family are very appreciative of everyone’s kind words and well wishes."
Yesterday TJ had successful surgery to stabilize and repair a partially collapsed lung suffered Wednesday after a dry needling treatment session at the facility.
Recovery timeline is still TBD, but all went well and he is being released from the hospital today.
Dry needling refers to a form of physical therapy with large needles designed to stimulate blood flow around muscular and soft tissue injures. Former Packers employee and NFL commentator Andrew Brandt said it's common for players to receive treatment at their own facilities.
"For insertion around chest, there is some risk of pneumothorax that needs to be fully explained before treatment," Brandt wrote.
For insertion around chest, there is some risk of pneumothorax that needs to be fully explained before treatment. Not clear w/Steelers whether done by a trainer/employee or an outside contractor. Potential team and practitioner liability would be different, depending on which.
T.J., who was not on the injury report prior to the development, won't play Dec. 15 on Monday Night Football when the Steelers face the Dolphins and presumably will be lost for multiple weeks. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network posted Dec. 12 that Watt was expected to play again this season.
ESPN reported that the NFL Players Association had been in touch with Watt over the incident. "Our main immediate priority is supporting T.J.'s health and full recovery," the NFLPA said in a statement.
Watt, 31, who has been named a Pro Bowler each of the past seven years and received top-five standing in the defensive player of the year voting in five of those years, may not have the numbers that match his recent production but remains a difference maker. In 13 games this season, he has seven sacks, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, seven passes defended and an interception, with 10 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hits.
Watt played football at Pewaukee High School and became an All-American linebacker at the University of Wisconsin. He momentarily became the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history with a three-year, $123 million contract extension before the year.
The Chicago Bears were without Rome Odunze in Week 14, and while DJ Moore and Luther Burden stepped up in his absence, getting Odunze back will be huge.
Chicago plays the Cleveland Browns in Week 15, and while the Bears should be able to win without Odunze, having the 9th overall pick from a year ago back would be a huge boost for the offense against a stout defense.
According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Bears' number one wide receiver got an optimistic injury update for this Week 15 matchup. While nothing is confirmed, Odunze is on track to play in Week 15.
Bears optimistic on Rome Odunze amid foot injury
"The Bears are optimistic about wide receiver Rome Odunze (questionable, foot) playing Sunday vs. Cleveland, per sources," Fowler reports.
There's still one day until the Bears' wide receiver has to be officially declared active or not, but as things currently stand, Odunze looks to be on track to play.
If he can suit up for Week 15, then Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson will have the full cast of supporting characters at their disposal in the Browns matchup.
Odunze, Burden, and Moore would all be good to go, while Cole Kmet and Coleston Loveland would both be ready. Kyle Monangai and D'Andre Swift are also healthy, giving the Bears a fully healthy cast of weapons in Week 15.
While the Browns' matchup should be a win for the Bears, Odunze being back in the lineup should help the offense function at peak efficiency.
So far this season, Odunze has 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns. The 23-year-old wide receiver is coming into his own in his second season in the NFL.
He last played against the Philadelphia Eagles on Black Friday, where he caught two of his six targets for just eight yards. If Fowler's report comes true, then Odunze will look to bounce back from his lackluster performance a few weeks ago.
Five Indianapolis Colts assistant coaches under Shane Steichen could be in store for some promotions in the not-so-distant future.
Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated put together his list of the top 43 head coaching candidates to know for the 2026 offseason. He also listed a number of future coordinators to keep our eyes on.
In terms of head coaching candidates, Colts' defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter made Orr's list.
In Anarumo's first season as the Colts' defensive play caller, this unit ranks 13th in points per game allowed, while navigating injuries.
Indianapolis is also third in yards per rush and 16th in yards per pass surrendered. The Colts are also near the top of the NFL in interceptions.
He has a strong track record with the Bengals as well.
Anarumo runs a malleable and quick-to-adjust defensive scheme that adapts to what each opponent is doing and what his players do best. In part, that's how he earned the nickname the "Mad Scientist" during his time in Cincinnati.
"The Bengals’ defense fell apart despite making some upgrades," wrote Orr, "while Anarumo’s Colts are a top-10 unit in EPA per play."
Cooter has previous experience as an offensive coordinator, but with Steichen calling plays, perhaps the next step in his progression as a coach is stepping into a play-calling offensive coordinator role.
But with that said, Cooter obviously plays a key role in the day-to-day prep on the offensive side of the ball and building out the game plans that are then executed on Sundays.
The Colts' offense currently ranks fifth in points per game, is fourth in yards per rush, and sixth in yards per pass attempt.
Orr mentions that in joining the Colts, Cooter's focus has been on "improving run and pass game marriage."
Among the Colts' assistants who made Orr's list as potential future coordinators are tight ends coach Tom Manning, quarterbacks coach Cam Turner, and offensive pass game coordinator Alex Tanney.
The Washington Commanders and New York Giants face off at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, this Sunday in their second of two meetings this season.
Neither the Giants nor the Commanders is having a good season. The Giants have a whole two wins, and the Commanders have three. Both teams have suffered a multitude of injuries, and the Giants even fired their head coach. It's been rough to watch either of these teams this year, but this game will be different from their first meeting in Week 1.
Not only are the rosters different because of injuries, but the Giants have switched to Jaxson Dart at quarterback, and the Commanders will see Marcus Mariota under center instead of Jayden Daniels. That's not the only difference, but the change in quarterbacks has a huge impact on the rest of the team, which in turn affects each player's fantasy value.
Given that fantasy football playoffs start this week, the impact a quarterback has on his teammates is incredibly important.
There are several interesting matchups in this game, so let's take a look at players you should start and sit in your fantasy football league.
Start: RB Chris Rodriguez
The Giants have been terrible at stopping the run this season, allowing the 2nd-most fantasy points to running backs in the league. Rodriguez has been the Commanders' most reliable running back over the last several weeks, averaging 5.2 yards per carry in the shutout loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Giants have allowed 17 rushing touchdowns this season and an average of 154.2 rushing yards per game. Rodriguez could have a huge game.
Sit: Both defenses
Let's face it, both of these defenses aren't worth carrying on your fantasy roster, let alone starting this week. They are both shaky, they're facing a division rival, and this is likely to be an offensive game. Don't start either defense this week; they'll both be shredded in fantasy.
Start: TE Theo Johnson
The Commanders give up the 2nd-most fantasy points to tight ends in the league, and Johnson has emerged as one of Jaxson Dart's most reliable targets. He averages nearly 11 yards per reception and has found the end zone five times this season. He's likely to feast on Sunday against a Commanders' team that allows over 250 passing yards per game.
Sit: RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt
With Rodriguez emerging as the Commanders' top running back, Jacory Croskey-Merritt doesn't have much fantasy value anymore. Washington is still using a committee of running backs, but Chris Rodriguez is getting the bulk of the carries. Croskey-Merritt could have more fantasy value next season as he develops, but he should remain on your bench this week.
Sleeper: WR Terry McLaurin
When Terry McLaurin returned from injury, it was with vengeance. In his first game back, he recorded seven catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Last week, he had just three receptions for 41 yards, but losing Jayden Daniels in the middle of the game definitely affected that. This week, Mariota will be back under center, and McLaurin could feast against a Giants' secondary that ranks 29th in the league against wide receivers.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Bryan Cook spoke with reporters on Friday during his press conference, praising the growth of teammate Jaden Hicks’ development in the secondary this season.
“I think maturity. We’re applying pressure to him (Jaden Hicks) a little bit more. We launched the game, we launched the ball towards the defensive aspect too and to just me more mature and fall into the brotherhood. A lot of guys come from different places and different walks of life. As a rookie, you’re just trying to figure everything out. I feel like now, he’s embodied into what we have built here from our rookie year.”
Hicks has stepped up admirably into an impactful role this season with the offseason departure of veteran Justin Reid. The secondary has grown and made significant progress when healthy, but fans and the coaching staff notice any missteps.
“That’s the kind of thing we try to keep doing. Comradery – especially as a defensive back. It’s definitely big, and because when balls are flying, a lot goes on the defensive side as far as making sure everybody has the right checks and the right position,” said Cook, “But for him, I’m proud of him (and) happy he’s moving forward. He’s had some struggles but at the end of the day I feel like they’re a learning path for him and just seeing how he’s handled it, it gives me a lot of happiness for him.”
Hicks has had an up-and-down year, which could make his role in offseason discussions a topic of debate. The remainder of the year could determine the immediate future for the secondary.
Ahead of the Denver Broncos' game against the Green Bay Packers this weekend, we asked Zach Kruse of Packers Wire five questions about Green Bay's squad and their matchup in Denver. View our questions and Zach's answers below.
1) Quarterback Jordan Love has had a very good year. What has been some keys to his success this season?
He's been healthy, first and foremost. While he had his left thumb banged up during the preseason, and his left shoulder more recently, his legs are healthy after a 2024 season in which he played through a knee and groin injury for nearly the entire year. In 2025, Love has been accurate, deadly from clean pockets and against the blitz and really efficient down to down, game to game. There have been some tough moments in the passing game, namely in Cleveland early in the year and in the immediate aftermath of losing Tucker Kraft, but Love has been on fire over the last month. He's playing really good football ahead of a tough matchup in Denver on Sunday.
2) The Packers' trade of Micah Parsons before the season was stunning to the NFL world. How has he made a difference in the Packers' scheme this year?
More than anything, the arrival of Parsons has changed how teams are scheming against the Packers. Most teams are leaning on a heavy dose of the run game and quick passing game to negate Parsons' incredibly consistent ability to disrupt passing plays. And when teams do pass, they are often committing two or three blockers to Parsons. In true dropback situations where he's been one-on-one against a blocker, Parsons' win rate is very high. The Packers have moved Parsons around, both on left and right edges but also inside, where he's been given chances to stand up and pick his spots over the center and guards.
3) If you could pick one Christmas gift from the Packers' season this year, what would it be?
I'd unwrap a red-hot finish for Jordan Love to end the regular season and into the postseason. The Packers defense with Micah Parsons is Super Bowl caliber. So if Love is playing at an elite level, like he has over the last month or so, the Packers will be as tough to beat as any team in the playoff field come January and February. As Broncos fans know, a great quarterback and a dominant defense playing well at the end of the year gives you a chance to unwrap the ultimate gift -- a Lombardi Trophy.
4) What is the biggest weakness of this Packers' team?
I wouldn't say there is a glaringly obvious "fatal flaw" of this team. But the Packers are not a team without real concerns entering this final stretch. The loss of Tucker Kraft robbed the offense of its "easy" button and forced fairly substantial schematic changes. The loss of Devonte Wyatt took away the Packers' best interior defender and pass-rusher, and it's fair to wonder if the defense will be able to hold up well enough against the run in the postseason. And the offensive line, while appearing to improve every single week, is still inconsistent, and they need to pass a fairly massive test on Sunday in Denver.
5) Final score prediction, and why?
The Packers win by creating explosive plays on offense and disrupting the quarterback on defense. The Broncos present a serious test for Matt LaFleur's team on both fronts, given the talent on Denver's defensive front and in the secondary, and the quality of the Broncos offensive line from left to right. Can the Packers string together enough long drives and convert in the red zone to win on the road, where the Broncos are 6-0? I'm not so sure. I could certainly envision the Packers winning a defensive battle, especially if Jordan Love takes care of the football, and I'm expecting this one to be low scoring and close late. But the guess here is the Broncos defensive front wins one or two important matchups in big spots and the close-game champion Broncos escape with another one-score win. Broncos 20, Packers 17.
New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones has one goal for his team as the Patriots return from the bye week to face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The Patriots have been playing at a high level throughout the entire season. However, they have allowed 75 first-quarter points this year. One of the more recent examples came against the New York Jets back in Week 11 when they allowed 14 unanswered points in the first quarter.
Granted, they were able to settle down on defense and roll to a 27-14 victory. But the Patriots can't afford to make the same mistakes against the Josh Allen-led Bills. The unit has played better in recent weeks, and Jones is hopeful that the effort continues the rest of the way.
"Always start fast. That's the main thing," Jones told media members. "Take advantage of opportunities. Especially on defense. We need to turn the ball over. And then give the ball back to 10. He's been doing really well."
The Patriots can clinch the AFC East division with a win over the Bills on Sunday.
They found a way to upset the Bills on the road earlier in the season, and they'll once again be underdogs at home in the rematch. Starting off fast and putting pressure on the Bills early could mean the difference between winning and losing.
"Coen and company find themselves in the driver’s seat in the division and in line to end the organization’s playoff drought," wrote Jones.
After winning just four games a season ago, Coen has the Jaguars at 9-4 as they enter Week 15. Jacksonville is the leader in the AFC South and is the three seed in the AFC playoff picture.
This collective Jaguars team is playing its best football at the moment.
The Offense ranks ninth in points per game and has been surging since the bye week, totaling 30-plus points in three games, while scoring at least 25 points in all six games.
The defense has been stingy as well, with the front getting after the quarterback with more consistency as of late. Jacksonville has also forced numerous turnovers in recent games.
However, perhaps what stands out the most about this Coen-led Jaguars team is their resiliency.
After blowing a 19-point fourth-quarter lead to Houston, the Jaguars were 5-4, and it felt like a fork in the road moment for this team. But since then, Jacksonville has won four games in a row, which tells us a lot about the makeup of this team.
I don't know how much that specific moment would factor into any Coach of the Year voting, but the Jaguars' response under Coen was extremely impressive.
Along with Coen, Mike Vrabel, Kyle Shanahan, Ben Johnson, Mike Macdonald, Sean Payton, and Sean McVay were the other candidates mentioned.
Jones believes that the award will go to either Vrabel or Shanahan.
This will be the second meeting of the season between the Giants and Commanders. Their first matchup was Week 1, when the Commanders soundly won, 21-6. But this Washington team isn't the same team the Giants faced in Week 1, nor are the Giants the same team either. Both teams have a ton of injuries to impactful players, and both teams have struggled to be relevant in 2025.
If the Commanders win on Sunday, they'll have swept the Giants for the second consecutive season, something they haven't done since the 1980s. The Giants absolutely do not want that, and even though they are favored by a few points, they'll have to play a clean game to avoid the sweep.
That said, let's take a look at six keys to a Giants' victory in Week 15.
Stop the run
The Commanders have the fourth-ranked rushing attack using their committee of running backs, and the Giants are second-to-last in run defense. Chris Rodriguez has carried most of the load, even though rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt has more rushing yards this season. Rodriguez has been relied upon the most in recent weeks, but the Giants can't just focus on him. Croskey-Merritt is a definite threat when he's on the field, and Jeremy McNichols has the potential to break off a big run, too.
The Giants can't allow their run defense to ruin the game this week; they have to find a way to stop the run.
Special teams efficiency
The Giants' special teams unit has been a point of contention this season, and in Week 13, it showcased just how bad it's gotten. Jamie Gillan was injured on a botched field goal attempt, and the unit surrendered a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown. Younghoe Koo has struggled at times in place of Graham Gano, and the Giants' kicker woes have been a problem for years.
The Giants cannot afford to let rookie Jaylin Lane or veteran Deebo Samuel (if he plays) break off a big return on Sunday. Special teams must be efficient in every way to keep this game within reach.
Play with pride
The Giants may not have a postseason run in their future this year. This season was an ugly one in a decade's worth of ugly seasons, but they have to dig deep and play with emotion. They're at home, in front of their home fans, something they'll only do two more times after this week. Show the fans that the effort is still there, the desire to win is still there, and the passion for the game is still there. Fans may be frustrated and disgruntled at how their team has played for so many years, but if they see the team putting forth maximum effort, it will go a long way toward their belief that the Giants can get to the other side of all this ugliness.
Limit self-inflicted wounds
Is this thing on repeat? Broken record aside, penalties and missed tackles, and drops have affected this team all season. They are their own worst enemy. So much so that the Giants have beaten themselves more than any team has beaten them in 2025. Against a division opponent that knows this team very well, the Giants cannot afford all of these self-inflicted wounds. They have to limit pre-snap penalties, missed tackles, and drops. If they don't, the game will get out of hand, and quickly.
Exploit Washington's secondary
The Commanders have the 27th-ranked pass defense in the NFL. Their overall defense is weak in general, but their secondary has been riddled with injuries. Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos are both on injured reserve (IR), and veteran Jonathan Jones is questionable with a rib injury. So, even if Jones does play, he won't be at full capacity.
The Giants need to let Jaxson Dart rip it against this undermanned unit. That said, Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, Theo Johnson, and the rest of the receiving corps MUST catch the ball. It is imperative that drops are minimal on Sunday.
Finish. The. Game.
For the love of all things, can we please play four quarters? As Tom Coughlin would say, "Finish. Finish. Finish." A football game is made up of four 15-minute quarters. Four. Not three. Not two. Four. Let's make sure the Giants don't disappear at the end of the game, this week, mkay?
The Denver Broncos (11-2) are set to host the Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) in Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Check out NFL.com's preview (and expert game picks) in the video below.
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke with Kansas City Chiefs Executive Vice President and Chief Media & Marketing Officer Lara Krug.
In her interview with Easton Jr., Krug discussed 'Merry Mischief,' an all-new holiday short set to premiere on Christmas Eve, and her thoughts on the team's international marketing reach over the past few years.
"I think we really try to think through what is true for us as the brand and the Chiefs organization, but then how do we get to know our audience and fans better?" said Krug. "So we're very fortunate to get to play amazing games every season. We're very fortunate to be playing on Christmas night again, and I am sure it will be a huge game. We also know that so many of our fans want to interact with us in more ways and more often. I always say, I wish we could stack hundreds of stadiums on top of each other to allow for more fans to come."
The 'Merry Mischief' teaser is now live on the Chiefs' YouTube channel, with the full-length short being released at 8 a.m. CST on Wednesday, December 24th. Both the teaser and the full-length short will also be available on the club's social accounts.
The Chiefs began the season playing in Brazil against the Los Angeles Chargers and have recently played a game in Germany. Each country is garnering attention and increasing its popularity well beyond the United States.
"It has been such an amazing journey to watch our fans continue to grow in countries like Germany, like Brazil, like Spain, the UK, watching fans that maybe went from knowing about American football and maybe knowing a bit about, you know, some of the teams to now", said Krug, "Oftentimes, especially in Europe, staying up till two and three in the morning with the seven hour time change to watch the game, but then also following us on social media and wanting to interact."
From the debut of KC O'Wolf to a Legends Chat with Dustin Colquitt, we had a brilliant time at Chiefs House Dublin 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/zv60UHRuO2
"We're running this campaign globally and all the countries that we have marketing and commercial rights in, and so just watching our team evolve creatively on finding ways to interact with those international fans," said Krug. "Knowing how they became a fan, or how deep their fandom may be, may look different country to country, but there is something pretty inherent in all of it, which is that they want to feel part of Chiefs Kingdom. So it's our job and responsibility on the marketing team to reach fans where they are and hopefully give them an amazing experience with the Chiefs.
For schedules, contest info, and all the details on the 2025 Kingdom Christmas season, visit www.chiefs.com/kingdomchristmas/ and follow @Chiefs on all social platforms.
Panic has begun to set in following the loss of T.J. Watt, who recently underwent surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung following a dry needling mishap, but one insider has provided a silver lining through these troubling times for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After Watt’s surgery, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport provided a much-needed update on the veteran Steeler, including whether or not Watt would return during the 2025 regular season.
"My understanding is [Watt] is expected to play again this season," Rapoport said. "We heard from Mike Tomlin and some other Steelers players who obviously send their best wishes to T.J. Watt. You hope he is back sooner rather than later."
#Steelers star TJ Watt is expected to play again this season following surgery on his partially collapsed lung after a dry needling treatment, sources say.
Sometimes this heals on its own. This didn't, so surgery was necessary. A scary 24 hours. But full recovery expected. pic.twitter.com/QY15gzmJIk
With Watt ruled out in Week 15, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig will be the Steelers’ starting edge rusher tandem and could see more starting opportunities together as the veteran defender recovers from his lung surgery.
The Washington Commanders (3-10) look to snap an eight-game losing streak in Week 15, when they face the New York Giants (2-11) at the Meadowlands. This is a rematch from Week 1, when the Commanders dominated the Giants 21-6. Much has changed for both teams over the past three months.
Injuries have been an issue for both franchises. Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels has been in and out of the lineup with injuries and will miss Sunday's game. Marcus Mariota will start in his place for the seventh time this season. For the first time, the Commanders will see Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. Russell Wilson started for New York in Week 1. Dart has also been in and out of the lineup with injuries, but he's shown that the Giants finally have a young quarterback to build around.
Heading into Week 15, the Giants currently hold the No. 1 overall spot in the 2026 NFL draft order. The Commanders are No. 6. A lot will change if New York wins. The Giants are battling their own misery, having lost seven in a row, but have been much more competitive than Washington.
What's changed since Week 1? To gain more insight into the 2025 New York Giants, we interviewed Giants Wire managing editor Dan Benton. You can find Dan's work here.
It’s been another tough year for the Giants. But the bright spot is Jaxson Dart. Are Giants fans encouraged about the future these days due to Dart’s presence?
Dart has certainly impressed beyond initial expectations. He -- along with rookie running back Cam Skattebo pre-injury -- has generated quite a buzz among Giants fans, but there is a lingering concern over his aggressive style. It's endearing because it represents an old-school style of play, but worry is also attached, given his four concussion evaluations (and one concussion) this season. A player can only take so many big hits, and while it's more sustainable on a younger body, it could be career-shortening on the back end. Still, it's hard not to be excited about the team's future with Dart under center.
What’s up with Abdul Carter?
Abdul Carter came out of Penn State with some character concerns, and those have proven legitimate, albeit somewhat overblown. That's New York media for you. Still, he's dealt with chronic tardiness this season, drawing fines from Brian Daboll before his firing and two benchings under Mike Kafka. By all early accounts, he did quite a bit of self-reflection during the bye week and has returned recommitted, arriving early, staying late, watching more film, etc. Time will tell if Carter stays on that path, but the Giants certainly hope he will. He has a ton of talent -- game-changing talent -- and can be as dominant as he allows himself to be.
Is Mike Kafka a candidate for the head coaching position? Where do you see the Giants going? Do you have a personal favorite pick?
Initially, I would have said Kafka was a legitimate candidate for the head coaching job -- and he will draw an interview -- but I think he's done himself a disservice in recent weeks. Early on, he dealt with a lot of low-hanging fruit (see: firing Shane Bowen) that reflected well, but then came the team's Monday night meltdown against the New England Patriots when his play-calling and clock management were called into question, followed by an extremely bizarre post-game press conference. Meanwhile, some of his changes have led to internal revolt, resulting in the recent firing of Bryan Cox over airplane seating. Ultimately, I don't think he gets the job. However, he may land a head coaching job elsewhere.
What are your impressions of the Giants' defense this season? Brian Burns looks like the clear MVP.
While Brian Burns has transformed into an elite talent, the rest of the defense has maddeningly underperformed. The front seven was supposed to be the strength of this team, but they're dead last in run defense and are near the league lead in missed tackles. A lot of that also falls on the secondary, where safety Tyler Nubin has failed to take that next step, and cornerback Deonte Banks has established himself as a bust. Injuries have certainly played a role in that, but it's hardly an excuse. The general manager has failed to establish depth, and the coaching staff, especially under the now-fired Shane Bowen, misused their personnel. The result on the field mirrors all of the ugly statistical and analytical data.
Prediction and why.
Here we are again... The Giants and Commanders are battling for the top of the draft order. It's like deja vu, isn't it? Who wants to win? Should they both strive to lose? Luckily (perhaps unluckily?) for Washington, they are starting a backup quarterback, which the Giants notoriously struggle against. There's no reason to believe that will change on Sunday, especially against Washington's stout rushing attack and with depleted reserves. Ultimately, the Commanders score the victory and lose in the process, while the Giants are defeated and actually win in the process. The NFL is wild sometimes. Commanders 23, Giants 21.
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