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.
Heading into Week 15, there are eight teams with three 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 2-11 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.
"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. Now, Dallas aims to bounce back against the Minnesota Vikings at home in yet another primetime game.
Here is more on whether the Cowboys can make the 2025-26 postseason heading into Week 15.
As we approach Week 15, the Cowboys remain two games behind the Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC East title, with a tie on Dallas' record.
After falling to the Lions, another team on the NFC bubble, winning the NFC East is probably Dallas's best way to secure a playoff spot. However, the Wild Card is still an option for the Cowboys to sneak in, but they'd likely have to win out and get some help.
Dallas (No. 10), after losing to another wild-card contender in Detroit, is now the third team on the bubble, trailing the Lions (No. 8) and the Carolina Panthers (No. 9).
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 East standings
Team
Record
Philadelphia Eagles
8-5
Dallas Cowboys
6-6-1
Washington Commanders
3-10
New York Giants
2-11
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' three-game losing streak combined with the Cowboys' three-straight wins, Dallas still has a chance at the NFC East title. It helped that they beat the Eagles in Week 13, splitting the season series and improving their division record to 3-1.
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?
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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.
Jeremiyah Love has put together two similar monster years as Notre Dame's top running back. His 2025 campaign earned him a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
After amassing 2,497 rushing yards and scoring 35 touchdowns the past two seasons, averaging 6.9 yards per carry, Love has emerged as the clear best running back prospect for the 2026 NFL draft.
Here's breaking down Love's talented skill set and how high he can go as a first-round pick when he's selected on April 23:
Love (6-0, 214) is a well-built power back who also has great explosiveness to reel off long runs. His experience and consistency should make the St. Louis native have a smooth transition to the NFL
Strengths
Love is a complete back. He's got the power to run well through initial tackles and get tough chunks between the tackles. He's also got the breakaway speed to bounce any run to the outside or open field and go the distance with any touch. He is smart and reads his blocks well, showing exceptional balance, vision and patience. Although he wasn't used a lot as a receiver, he has the good hands to be a difference-maker in the passing game, extending from his rushing assets.
Weaknesses
Love might need to get a little stronger to hold up as the same type of power back in the NFL. Like most rookies coming into the NFL, pass blocking will become a greater emphasis to ensure he can stay on the field for three downs.
Alvin Kamara is nearing the end at 31. The Saints have a lot of needs as a rebuilding team, but if they don't go defense or offensive line, Love would be a strong pick for offensive-minded Kellen Moore, who produced a career year out of Saquon Barkley in the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning run last season. Love's home-run attributes would add a needed fresh legs element.
Washington Commanders
Between Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler getting hurt and the team mashing up a committee of Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols, the Commanders need to clean up their backfield and give Jayden Daniels a worthy, healthy young running mate. Adding Love would be much like the Lamar Jackson-Derrick Henry older duo that smashed for the nearby Ravens in 2024.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals saw James Conner break down from his volume and backup Trey Benson also couldn't stay healthy, leaving an ineffective mixed fill-in bag of Bam Knight, Emari Demercado and Michael Carter. Conner will turn 31 in May and has plenty of wear. Love would be the ideal replacement to help whoever's the QB.
The Jets may be trending toward moving on from Breece Hall, a pending free agent. Or they could try to keep Hall and draft someone for a dangerous 1-2 punch in the running game, given Aaron Glenn and Tanner Engstrand saw first-hand the major effect of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs to revive the Lions' offense. Either way, bringing some Love to New York would be an option, given the Jets have two first-rounders.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have seen Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason toggle between injury issues and getting a more reliable running game would be huge to take pressure off J.J. McCarthy or whoever their starting QB will be. Love can also provide an extra explosive element for Kevin O'Connell to better open up the passing game.
The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 15 in a familiar yet uneasy position. They sit atop the AFC North while still inspiring debate about just how dangerous they truly are. This season has been defined by inconsistency, physical football, and late-game resilience. Pittsburgh has once again found ways to win close games and control its destiny. As the playoff race tightens across the AFC, advanced models paint a nuanced picture. They respect the Steelers’ position in the standings while questioning the sustainability of their success. With division control on the line and little margin for error, the Steelers’ playoff picture is both promising and precarious.
Steelers’ 2025 season so far
Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
The Steelers are having an up-and-down 2025 NFL season. However, they currently find themselves in first place in the AFC North with a 7–6 record as Week 15 approaches. A crucial 27–22 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 allowed Pittsburgh to leapfrog its rivals despite being outgained on the ground. That underscored the Steelers’ knack for situational football. Sure, some analytical models such as DAVE rate them closer to league average at 1.5%. However, the win-loss record tells a more optimistic story. Most projections from ESPN and The Athletic give the Steelers a 67–76% chance of making the playoffs. That often slots them as the AFC’s fourth seed and division champions, making the final stretch of the season critical.
Here we will look at and discuss the Pittsburgh Steelers playoff picture, including their updated DVOA and The Athletic, ESPN model odds before Week 15.
FTN Fantasy DVOA and odds
According to FTN Fantasy’s DVOA and DAVE models, the Steelers are in solid shape to reach the postseason. They carry a 75.7% chance to make the playoffs entering Week 15. That number reflects Pittsburgh’s advantageous position atop the division and a favorable remaining path relative to other AFC bubble teams.
However, the underlying efficiency metrics tell a more cautious story. Pittsburgh’s 1.5% DAVE rating places them second in the AFC North behind Baltimore from an analytical standpoint. That suggests their performance has been closer to average than dominant. FTN’s models imply that while the Steelers have earned their record, their margin for error is slimmer than that of more analytically robust contenders. That makes continued wins essential to validate their standing.
ESPN playoff odds
ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) offers a similarly optimistic but measured outlook. The model gives Pittsburgh a 67% chance to make the playoffs and an equally strong 67% chance of winning the AFC North. That alignment underscores how tightly the division race is tied to each remaining result.
Yes, the Steelers’ odds of securing a first-round bye remain below 1%. That said, ESPN still assigns them a 5% chance of reaching Super Bowl LX. That figure reflects belief in Pittsburgh’s defensive identity, coaching continuity, and experience in playoff-style games. If the Steelers can lock up the division, ESPN’s models suggest they could become a difficult out. That’s even without elite efficiency metrics.
Steelers playoff odds via The Athletic
The Athletic’s playoff simulator provides the most granular projection. They forecast the Steelers to finish the regular season at 9–8 and claim the AFC’s fourth seed as division winners. The model assigns Pittsburgh a 70% chance to make the playoffs and an identical 70% chance to win the AFC North. These reinforce the idea that the division remains firmly within reach.
As with other models, the probability of a Wild Card bye is negligible at under 1%. Also, The Athletic pegs the Steelers’ Super Bowl LX odds at 2%. That projection reflects the reality of a difficult postseason road. On the flip side, it also acknowledges that Pittsburgh’s physical style and divisional familiarity could create matchup problems once January arrives.
What it all means for Pittsburgh
The Steelers’ playoff picture is defined by control without comfort. Sure, they sit atop the AFC North standings. However, advanced metrics continue to question the sustainability of their success. That places added pressure on every remaining game. Pittsburgh has thrived on situational excellenc. They have won close contests, capitalized on turnovers, and executed in late-game moments. Those margins, though, are notoriously thin. The analytics don’t dismiss the Steelers. They challenge them. To maintain their position, Pittsburgh must continue to win the kinds of gritty, physical games that define their identity. There is little statistical cushion if results begin to slip.
The Steelers’ playoff outlook before Week 15 is cautiously optimistic. It is shaped by results rather than dominance. They control the division, carry favorable postseason odds, and have repeatedly shown the ability to rise in high-leverage moments. Still, the numbers make one thing clear: there is almost no margin for error. For Pittsburgh, December football isn’t about aesthetics or convincing models. It’s about survival, discipline, and validating a season built on resilience. If the Steelers keep winning, the projections will follow. If they don’t, the margin disappears just as quickly as it appeared.
It has been a disappointing year for the Minnesota Vikings. On the heels of a 13-4 season, expectations were high that this team could continue to project that way, even with a new quarterback under center.
However, growing pains and a litany of injuries have derailed this season, as the Vikings currently sit at 5-8. Last week, the team picked up a massive victory, defeating the Washington Commanders 31-0. J.J. McCarthy had his best game of the season, throwing for three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Can the Minnesota Vikings use last Sunday’s game as momentum to put together a winning streak? Their remaining games are at Dallas, at the Giants, hosting Detroit, and hosting Green Bay. The next two are more than winnable. The Dallas defense, while playing better lately, is still a weaker unit. For the Giants, their offense is lacking firepower due to injuries.
If McCarthy can continue his level of play by limiting turnovers and sustaining drives, these are winnable. This would make a three-game winning streak, and the game that carries the most concern is Detroit, which might also be fighting for a playoff spot. Win there, and you have Green Bay left, who will likely be sitting all their starters by this point. A home game with the season on the line against backups is a great place to be.
Can the Minnesota Vikings sneak into the playoffs? The odds are slim. They likely have to win out plus get additional help. Dallas is no cake walk, but a win there sparks life into a hopeless season. This is the kind of team you can’t let get hot. If you do, they might snag that last playoff spot.
Another week means another installment of our favorite series on Bucs Wire: NFC South Mock Drafts
Of course, Mock Draft Monday will still focus on the team itself, but what will the other teams in the division need come next April? We look at that and do full seven-round mock drafts for every team in the NFC South, not just the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. By doing that, it accomplishes two things: the first is that fans get to know what the team needs, the second is that they get to know more names in college football.
With that in mind, let's jump into the picks as we go through the uber-talented NFC South.
The Arizona Cardinals' next game is on Sunday on the road against the Houston Texans. The Cardinals are 3-10, have lost five straight and 10 of their last 11. The Texans have the league's No. 1 defense and have won their last five games.
(1:00) What the Texans have done on offense and defense so far this season
(15:41) Keys and important matchups for Cardinals vs. Texans
(33:25) Picks, predictions and our favorite prop bets.
Enjoy the show!
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In the 2025 season, the NFL has been full of surprises. Perennial powerhouse teams like the Chiefs and Ravens look set to miss the playoffs, while teams like the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots look ready to clinch their division.
One of the most fun surprises this season has been the Chicago Bears, but we shouldn't be surprised.
They went out and made a no-brainer hire in Ben Johnson, crafted one of the best offensive line units in the league, and surrounded second-year QB Caleb Williams with more weapons in the draft.
Dennis Allen was another fantastic hire at DC this summer, and the Bears' defense has been one of the best units in football when it comes to taking the ball away. One of the reasons for this has been the play of CB Nahshon Wright.
Wright is a free agent this upcoming season, and today, he let the world know how he feels about it.
Nahshon Wright makes his thoughts on the Chicago Bears clear
This season, Nahshon Wright has been a major component of the Chicago defense leading the NFL in takeaways. Injuries to both Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon gave Wright the chance to see the field, and his play kept him there.
Nahshon Wright not only has been great when targeted with 10 passes defended (20th in NFL), but he's also punished opposing QBs for testing him by coming away with five INTs this season (2nd in NFL).
When he was asked about his impending free agency coming up this summer, Nahshon Wright said, "I would like to be here...they believed in me."
The Bears, I'm sure, would like to bring him back as well if his play continues like this into next season. He's done just about everything he could to prove his case to bring him back, and he's got four more games and a playoff run to add to it.
The Cleveland Browns, sitting with just three wins on the season, have their book half-turned to the 2026 NFL Draft and the high draft asset they are bound to have.
The page is only half-turned because with a team full of contributing rookies, there is still much to evaluate and play for over the last month of the season. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders currently headlines that charge after winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Week for his performance last week. However, linebacker Carson Schwesinger is the favorite to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, defensive tackle Mason Graham keeps getting better every week, running back Quinshon Judkins looks like a bell cow, and tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is on pace for 800 receiving yards as a rookie.
The Browns will want another strong draft class just like this as they look to pick up the pieces from the failed Deshaun Watson experience. That means they need high draft picks. And with a second first round pick this year from the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Browns are getting no help from the New York Jets to help that selection also be a high one.
The Cincinnati Bengals made a roster move that could have some pretty interesting implications on Al Golden's defense on Sunday when they play the Baltimore Ravens.
Heyward originally went to injured reserve in late October due to a fibula injury. The team designated him to return last Wednesday before officially activating him for Week 15.
And Heyward’s arrival might just mean some changes for the Bengals defense.
Said defense, after all, went all-in on a youth movement this past offseason when veteran Germaine Pratt got let go. Golden then benched Logan Wilson, who wound up traded to the Dallas Cowboys.
That, in favor of letting rookies Demetrius Knight and Barret Carter run things for defense. It has turned into a disaster: Carter is the 88th-ranked linebacker in the NFL at PFF out of 88. Knight is 87th.
At this point, Golden might need to see what Heyward can do with an uptick in snaps. The 2023 undrafted free agent is a staple of special teams and has flashed during the preseason.
Given the developmental time invested in Carter and Knight already, there’s no reason to think either player’s job is safe over the course of next offseason. Right now, there’s nothing to say that Golden (or head coach Zac Taylor) even return next year.
Meaning, don’t be surprised if Heyward gets some serious run against the Ravens.
The Denver Broncos (11-2) and Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) are set to square off at Empower Field on Sunday in one of the marquee matchups of Week 15. This game could be a sneaky Super Bowl preview.
Both teams are playing quality football at the moment. The Broncos have won 10 games in a row and are 6-0 at home this season, but the Packers are the favorite, according to the oddsmakers.
It should be a terrific game between two teams with big aspirations. The Broncos lead the all-time series 8-7-1. The Packers have beaten the Broncos just once in nine tries in Denver. That one win came all the way back in October 2007 in a game that went into overtime.
"Jordan Love is on a heater with big passing efforts against the Lions and Bears. Denver's defense on the road presents a bigger challenge but support from the running game and the diversity of weapons can help him put up winning production. Bo Nix will face a tough defense led by Micah Parsons on the other side, something he won't overcome as well."
"Can the Packers prove it on the road? Green Bay is 1-7 S/U all-time at Denver – the lone victory in a Brett Favre-overtime special in 2007 Green Bay won 19-13 in overtime. We expect a similar defense-first environment here. Is this a Super Bowl preview? Both teams' pass rush will make plays, but the Broncos will protect their 6-0 S/U record at home."
"This is the game of the week, featuring two teams that are currently the second seed in their respective conferences right now. Both have outstanding defenses, but the Green Bay passing game is better. I think that will be the difference. Jordan Love will win it with his arm."
"The Packers have won four straight. The Broncos have won 10 in a row. Denver is 6-0 at home. It will be 6-1 after this game. Jordan Love and Green Bay will march into Mile High and beat the Broncos."
When the Cincinnati Bengals play the Baltimore Ravens for the second time this season on Sunday, it could be one of the coldest games in franchise history.
Depending on where one looks, the forecast for Sunday is anywhere from 13 to 10 degrees.
The Bengals-Ravens forecast sitting at 10 degrees would be the coldest game in Baltimore Ravens history.
For the Bengals? It would be one of the coldest ever. Never say never, but it’s not going to come close to the No. 1 spot: The almost-unbelievable minus-9 degrees of the 1981 AFC Championship Game. The Freezer Bowl, of course.
Still, it’s going to be rough at Paycor Stadium, where various sources have the forecast at a wind chill of minus-4.
The Bengals historically fare pretty well in freezing weather. Fans going to see the 4-9 Bengals attempt to keep very slim playoff hopes alive, though, are to be commended for their efforts.
Forecast for kickoff for Sunday's Ravens-Bengals in Cincinnati is 10 degrees (a wind chill of minus-4).
This would be the coldest game in Ravens history.
The 2012 playoff game in Denver was 13 degrees (2 wind chill) and 2022 home game vs. Atlanta was 17 degrees (2 wind chill).
Bitter cold for several NFL week 15 games. Here's the Euro model wind chill forecast for kickoff at 1PM EST Sunday:
Ravens in Cincinnati: -11° Browns in Chicago: -15° Chargers in K.C.: 11° Bills in Foxboro: 19° Commanders in E. Rutherford: 17° Raiders in Philly: 12° pic.twitter.com/Rtr0JB4RhV
Lucky for the Bengals, they’ve quietly enjoyed a complete offensive line turnaround, so they’ll likely be able to run the ball well with Chase Brown on a day that passing chances down the field might be limited.
But this is Joe Burrow, of course. Short-yardage stuff to Ja’Marr Chase, who is basically a running back playing wide receiver, has a tendency to break for big gains, no matter how much the former LSU star is absolutely not a fan of the cold weather.
The Lions ruled out safety Kerby Joseph for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.
That decision became likely after Joseph missed practice Thursday and then head coach Dan Campbell reported Joseph suffered a setback during his recovery on his knee injury. Joseph is a candidate for injured reserve, which would put him out for the rest of regular season.
Technically, the Lions have two players listed as out for Sunday. The other player is safety Brian Branch. That’s because the Lions have yet to officially place Branch on injured reserve, a move that likely will come Saturday.
Offensive lineman Kayode Awosika (foot), offensive tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder/rest), safety Thomas Harper (concussion), offensive guard Christian Mahogany (fibula), wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle), running back Sione Vaki (thumb) and tight end Shane Zylstra (knee) are all listed as questionable.
Decker had the “rest” added to his report, perhaps to help explain the extra days off of practice this week. Decker ended up being listed as a non-participant all week. He should be good to go for Sunday.
Harper also has a chance to play Sunday. Campbell said he feels good about Harper playing against the Rams. Harper left last Thursday’s game against the Cowboys with a concussion. Harper was limited in practice all week.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have the inside track to the AFC North title this year, but the team may be without its top defensive player moving forward, as the superstar has been ruled out for the team's Week 15 game against the Dolphins.
Pittsburgh announced that T.J. Watt was hospitalized on Thursday, forcing him to miss practice ahead of the team’s game this week against the Miami Dolphins. Watt has played in every game this season, and his absence would be a major blow to the Steelers’ defense.
Watt had surgery to stabilize and repair a partially collapsed lung, according to his brother, J.J. Watt, which occurred following a "dry needling treatment session" at the team facility.
It’s still early in Watt’s medical evaluation, but the injury was serious enough that he had to leave the facility entirely to receive treatment at a hospital. Here’s the latest on Watt.
Watt was hospitalized due to a "partially collapsed lung," according to his brother, J.J. The Steelers star was set to be released from the hospital on Friday. According to J.J, T.J. Watt lung issue came after a "dry needling treatment session" at the Steelers facility.
On Thursday, the Steelers initially announced that Watt was evaluated at a hospital overnight after experiencing lung discomfort in Pittsburgh the day before. As a result, he had not practiced and was been ruled out Monday's game against Miami.
ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported that Watt's lung injury occurred during treatment at the Steelers facility on Wednesday.
Watt was in the hospital to receive treatment for his lung discomfort. The injury occurred during "dry needling" treatment at the team facility on Wednesday, according to his brother, and he has been ruled out for Pittsburgh's Week 15 game.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told the media that Watt was hospitalized over night from Wednesday to Thursday. Since Pittsburgh wasn't practicing on Wednesday with an extra day to prepare for their Monday game, the Steelers didn't announce the injury until Thursday.
On Friday, J.J. Watt announced that T.J. suffered a collapsed lung during treatment earlier in the week, and he had successful surgery to stabilize the issue. Watt will be released from the hospital before the end of the day, but his status moving forward remains TBD.
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.
According to Cleveland Clinic, dry needling is "a technique that acupuncturists, physical therapists and other trained healthcare providers use to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement issues."
The treatment involves thin, sharp needles being put through skin to treat underlying myofascial trigger points, with the goal of decreasing tightness, increasing blood flow and reducing pain. Stimulating the trigger point with a needle can help "draw normal blood supply back to flush out the area and release tension."
Nothing is injected into the body during the process, which is why it's called "dry needling."
According to J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt's partially collapsed lung happened after a dry needling treatment session at the Steelers' facility.
Is T.J. Watt playing this week?
NFL.com Ian Rapoport has reported that Watt was officially ruled out of Monday's game. How much time the Steelers star will miss beyond Week 15 remains unclear.
T.J. Watt turned 31 in October, but he has been fairly durable throughout his career. He has played at least 15 games in every season except one prior to this year and has not missed a game since tearing a pectoral muscle in 2022.
The Los Angeles Rams held one final practice on Friday before they host the Detroit Lions this weekend in a game that will have major playoff implications for both teams. The Rams’ injury report was much shorter than the Lions’, but one key player is listed as questionable for Los Angeles.
Davante Adams was only limited on Friday and is officially questionable to play. Sean McVay said that Adams is expected to play, however, and he would be “very surprised” if the star receiver doesn’t suit up.
The Lions will be without Kerby Joseph, who suffered a setback with his knee injury. He's a candidate to be placed on injured reserve, along with Brian Branch, who tore his Achilles last week and is out for the year.
Starting left tackle Taylor Decker is questionable with a shoulder injury, as is wideout and return specialist Kalif Raymond (ankle). In total, the Lions have ruled out two players and listed seven as questionable.
Rams vs. Lions injury report
Kickoff on Sunday is at 4:25 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium.
Patrick Mahomes was listed on all of the Kansas City Chiefs' injury reports this week.
Will Mahomes be able to take the field for the Chiefs' Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers?
Here's the latest update on Mahomes' status:
Patrick Mahomes injury update
Mahomes has been dealing with a knee injury, but it didn't affect his ability to participate in workouts this week. He was a full participant in all of Kansas City's practice sessions and was not given an official game status designation on Friday.
How long will Patrick Mahomes be out?
Mahomes won't need to miss any time due to his knee injury. He is expected to play against the Chargers on Sunday.
If Mahomes needs to miss time this season, veteran backup Gardner Minshew will take the reins under center to lead Kansas City's offense under head coach Andy Reid's direction.
Offensive consistency hasn't been the Kansas City Chiefs' strong suit this season, and after a brutal loss at the hands of the Houston Texans in Week 14, the team is still searching for answers in the passing game.
Star wide receiver Rashee Rice has struggled to find his stride since rejoining the Chiefs in Week 7. While he tallied four receptions for 34 yards in Kansas City's losing effort against the Texans, the former SMU Mustang hasn't been immune to criticism.
During a press conference on Friday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid fielded a question about Rice's recent performance and defended his veteran pass-catcher ahead of Kansas City's Week 15 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers:
"He’s (Rashee Rice) a tough dude," Reid told reporters. "A young guy with a lot on his plate and he’s powering through it to the best of his ability right now, and that’s how he’s going about his business. He comes to work and works. And it’s unfortunate that he’s had a couple of these drops. It’s not for a lack of effort or focus that way, but to say he doesn’t have a lot of things going, he has a lot of things going."
Stay tuned to see if Rice will be able to help the Chiefs get back to .500 with a win over the Chargers on Sunday.
Broncos coach Sean Payton has built quite a culture and coaching staff in Denver over the last three years.
Payton has helped the Broncos return to their old winning ways, and players are bought in. A perfect example is third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger turning down a spot on the Indianapolis Colts' 53-man roster to instead remain on Denver's practice squad.
"Listen, we spent time with him and we're glad he's here," Payton said after Friday's practice when asked about Ehlinger's decision. "We're glad he's staying. We think a lot of him -- a lot. He's been a real good surprise for all of us, especially offensively when we see and watch him. He made that decision and that's a big deal."
Payton said it was a credit to the team, the quarterback room and QBs coach Davis Webb that Ehlinger does not want to leave, even for a promotion elsewhere.
This marks the second time this year that Ehlinger has turned down a 53-man roster spot elsewhere to remain on Denver's practice squad. He has opted to continue serving as QB3 behind Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham.
The Bengals (4-9) are looking for their second win over Baltimore (6-7) in a span of three weeks when they host the Ravens at Paycor Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Cincinnati is coming off a 39-34 loss at Buffalo in Week 14, a game in which the Bills stormed back and scored 21 points in the fourth quarter. John Harbaugh's team is seeking its fourth consecutive road victory, as Baltimore sits one game behind 7-6 Pittsburgh, which defeated the Ravens, 27-22, in Week 14.
The Ravens will play three of their final four regular-season games on the road: at Cincinnati, vs. New England, at Green Bay, and at Pittsburgh.
With kickoff fast approaching, we're looking at an updated playoff picture and the Ravens Week 15 rooting guide.
AFC Playoff picture
Ravens Week 15 rooting guide
Chargers 9-4 @ Chiefs 6-7
The Chargers are the No. 5 seed because Denver leads the AFC West. A Chargers victory would all but eliminate Kansas City, vanquishing Andy Reid from the playoffs and bringing fresh blood. An AFC North title, coupled with the Chargers continuing to win, would set up another Harbaugh Bowl, this time in the Wild Card round.
Root for Los Angeles
Buffalo 9-4 @ New England 11-2
Baltimore suffered a season-opening loss to the Bills and will face the Patriots before matchups with Green Bay and Pittsburgh. Even if New England lost five straight, they'd still have a better overall record than Baltimore.
Root for the Patriots
New York 3-10 @ Jacksonville 9-4
The Jaguars are 9-4, third in the AFC, first in the AFC South, and have three more wins than Baltimore. The Jets will be without quarterbacks Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields.
Root for the Jets
Arizona 3-10 @ Houston 8-5
The Texans are surging with a Super Bowl-caliber defense and the No. 2 team in the AFC South behind Jacksonville and just ahead of Indianapolis. If Baltimore, as a potential division winner, has to face an AFC South team, Houston is the squad to avoid.
Denver is the top seed in the AFC and holds a five-game lead over Baltimore with five to play. Green Bay is second in the NFC and awaits Baltimore in Week 17.
Root for Green Bay
Colts 8-5 @ Seahawks 10-3
The Colts are currently on the outside looking in, and teams five through nine collapsing could provide an outside shot for Baltimore to earn a wild-card spot.
With four weeks remaining in the regular season, the Los Angeles Rams have a light grip on the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Only the top spot in the conference earns a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, so it gives that team a huge advantage.
The Rams must maintain their position atop the NFC for the next month, beginning with a game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. And while fans might have one eye on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16, this matchup with Detroit has pretty significant playoff implications for Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, they stand to lose more with a loss than they stand to gain with a win. Here’s a look at how Sunday’s game will impact the Rams’ chances of earning the No. 1 seed, according to The Athletic's playoff simulator.
As you can see, a win by the Rams doesn't swing their first-round bye odds nearly as much as a loss will. That is, unless the Seahawks somehow lose to the Colts this weekend, which would boost the Rams' odds to 67%.
Even a Rams loss and Seahawks win won't end Los Angeles' chances to secure the No. 1 seed. That scenario would put the Seahawks one game ahead of the Rams, but Los Angeles can take back the lead by beating Seattle in Week 16, sweeping the Seahawks and taking the all-important tiebreaker. After that, the Rams would just need to win out.
The other team the Rams need to look out for is the Packers, who are facing the Broncos this week. If the Rams lose and they win, Green Bay will leapfrog the Rams and have a good chance to earn the No. 1 seed. The Packers would be 10-3-1 and the Rams would be 10-4, meaning no matter what Los Angeles does down the stretch, it wouldn't be able to catch Green Bay if the Packers win out.
Worst-case scenario? The Rams lose and both the Packers and Seahawks win. Best-case? Rams win and both the Packers and Seahawks lose, boosting Los Angeles' odds to 74%.
The New Orleans Saints will be without veteran running back Alvin Kamara again this Sunday. Head coach Kellen Moore ruled out both Kamara (knee/ankle) and backup right tackle Asim Richards (ankle) after practice on Friday, with neither player having been able to participate during the week.
Look for the Saints to continue platooning at running back while Kamara is on the mend, though rookie draft pick Devin Neal figures to take the lion's share of touches out of the backfield, even if he was limited at practice this week with an abdomen injury. In the two games the Saints have been without Kamara we've seen Neal take 100 combined snaps while backups Evan Hull (20 reps) and Audric Estime (10) occasionally spelled him.
As for the right tackle spot? Taliese Fuaga has been banged up this year, most recently with his own ankle injury, but he was able to ramp up at practice this week and is set to return on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. He's easily the best option the Saints have on that side of the line and, if healthy, he'll be a big upgrade. One other injury to note for the Saints this week is safety Justin Reid, who missed last week's game with a knee injury, and is officially questionable for Sunday.
Expect some potential shakeups on the Tennessee Titans offensive line for the team's Week 15 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Titans interim coach Mike McCoy didn't rule any linemen out for the Titans (2-11) game against the 49ers (9-4) at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 14 (3:25 p.m. CT, FOX), but listed three starters as questionable: center Lloyd Cushenberry, guard Kevin Zeitler and tackle Dan Moore Jr.
This comes after a stretch of two weeks where the Titans played without Cushenberry III, who was replaced by Corey Levin.
Zeitler missed the Titans' practices on Dec. 11 and 12, and was listed on the injury report with a groin injury. Cushenberry and Moore both sustained injuries back on Nov. 30 against Jacksonville, though Moore was able to play through his in Week 14.
With Blake Hance, Zeitler's backup early in the year, on injured reserve, the options for how the Titans will handle Zeitler's absence depend on Cushenberry's and Levin's statuses. Cushenberry practiced all week, but the offense moved well with Levin at center in Week 14 against Cleveland, putting together a season-high rushing total.
Levin could bump out to guard if Cushenberry plays center, but if Cushenberry isn't ready or the Titans prefer to stick with Levin, the other options would include rookies Jackson Slater and Drew Moss.
"I think it's been good, I'm just working my way back in," Cushenberry said of his week of preparation. "I'm pushing my way through some discomfort still, but I'll be good to go."
Cushenberry spoke positively about how the Titans ran the ball in his absence, the dedication to keep pounding the run and of Levin's performance broadly. Speaking about his own struggles in his two seasons with the Titans, Cushenberry said he's not really sure how to sum up why he's been inconsistent. He said he feels he's working hard enough, but he just hasn't been good enough. That said, Cushenberry believes "the tide is going to turn" soon.
Slater, the Titans' fifth-round pick in 2025, has only played on special teams thus far. Moss, an undrafted rookie who spent time with San Francisco before arriving in Nashville, has also yet to play an offensive snap.
Talking about Slater's progress as a rookie out of an FCS school, McCoy referenced the value of Slater having to line up every day in practice against All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Slater told The Tennessean he sees the value in those reps, as well as the reps he's taken when Zeitler misses practice for his weekly veteran rest days.
"Initially, it felt like I kind of made a mountain out of a molehill a little bit where it was like 'There's all this stuff going on and I don't really understand it and we didn't run all this stuff,'" Slater said. "OTAs and maybe early on in training camp it was a little rough. But once you kind of get into a groove and you start to understand concepts and understand techniques and how you're supposed to play, I think it's come along really well."
The 49ers' defensive front hasn't lived up to its usually-harrowing reputation in 2025. San Francisco ranks last in the NFL in total sacks, pressure rate and sack rate, and ranks bottom six in the league in both quarterback hits and tackles for loss.
Titans injury report vs 49ers
Ruled OUT: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Ruled QUESTIONABLE: LT Dan Moore Jr., RG Kevin Zeitler, OC Lloyd Cushenberry III, DT C.J. Ravenell, ILB James Williams Sr.
Expect some potential shakeups on the Tennessee Titans offensive line for the team's Week 15 game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Titans interim coach Mike McCoy didn't rule any linemen out for the Titans (2-11) game against the 49ers (9-4) at Levi's Stadium on Dec. 14 (3:25 p.m. CT, FOX), but listed three starters as questionable: center Lloyd Cushenberry, guard Kevin Zeitler and tackle Dan Moore Jr.
This comes after a stretch of two weeks where the Titans played without Cushenberry III, who was replaced by Corey Levin.
Zeitler missed the Titans' practices on Dec. 11 and 12, and was listed on the injury report with a groin injury. Cushenberry and Moore both sustained injuries back on Nov. 30 against Jacksonville, though Moore was able to play through his in Week 14.
With Blake Hance, Zeitler's backup early in the year, on injured reserve, the options for how the Titans will handle Zeitler's absence depend on Cushenberry's and Levin's statuses. Cushenberry practiced all week, but the offense moved well with Levin at center in Week 14 against Cleveland, putting together a season-high rushing total.
Levin could bump out to guard if Cushenberry plays center, but if Cushenberry isn't ready or the Titans prefer to stick with Levin, the other options would include rookies Jackson Slater and Drew Moss.
"I think it's been good, I'm just working my way back in," Cushenberry said of his week of preparation. "I'm pushing my way through some discomfort still, but I'll be good to go."
Cushenberry spoke positively about how the Titans ran the ball in his absence, the dedication to keep pounding the run and of Levin's performance broadly. Speaking about his own struggles in his two seasons with the Titans, Cushenberry said he's not really sure how to sum up why he's been inconsistent. He said he feels he's working hard enough, but he just hasn't been good enough. That said, Cushenberry believes "the tide is going to turn" soon.
Slater, the Titans' fifth-round pick in 2025, has only played on special teams thus far. Moss, an undrafted rookie who spent time with San Francisco before arriving in Nashville, has also yet to play an offensive snap.
Talking about Slater's progress as a rookie out of an FCS school, McCoy referenced the value of Slater having to line up every day in practice against All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Slater told The Tennessean he sees the value in those reps, as well as the reps he's taken when Zeitler misses practice for his weekly veteran rest days.
"Initially, it felt like I kind of made a mountain out of a molehill a little bit where it was like 'There's all this stuff going on and I don't really understand it and we didn't run all this stuff,'" Slater said. "OTAs and maybe early on in training camp it was a little rough. But once you kind of get into a groove and you start to understand concepts and understand techniques and how you're supposed to play, I think it's come along really well."
The 49ers' defensive front hasn't lived up to its usually-harrowing reputation in 2025. San Francisco ranks last in the NFL in total sacks, pressure rate and sack rate, and ranks bottom six in the league in both quarterback hits and tackles for loss.
Titans injury report vs 49ers
Ruled OUT: CB Jalyn Armour-Davis
Ruled QUESTIONABLE: LT Dan Moore Jr., RG Kevin Zeitler, OC Lloyd Cushenberry III, DT C.J. Ravenell, ILB James Williams Sr.
New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel officially ruled out running back Terrell Jennings and deemed linebacker Robert Spillane as questionable to play in Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.
Jennings has been sidelined with a concussion, while Spillane is battling a foot injury.
The Patriots are elevating veteran running back D'Ernest Johnson from the practice squad to serve as the No. 3 option behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. Losing Spillane would be an even greater blow to the defense, given how important he's been in the middle of the unit. He currently leads the team with 97 total tackles on the season.
But it wasn't all bad news for the Patriots.
They will get starting left guard Jared Wilson and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga back in the lineup. Both will be huge additions to the trenches in the biggest game of the season. Edge rusher Harold Landry III also seems good to go after being limited on Wednesday and missing Thursday's practice with a knee injury.
Mike Vrabel arrives, has a lighthearted back and forth with @kguregian, and relays that RB Terrell Jennings (concussion) is out for Sunday’s game and LB Robert Spillane (foot) is questionable,
A win on Sunday would guarantee the Patriots the AFC East divisional title, but they'll have to sweep quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills to make that accomplishment a reality.
The Cincinnati Bengals won’t have two big names for the Week 15 encounter with the Baltimore Ravens.
As the Bengals scratch and claw to keep very slim hopes alive in the rematch with the Ravens, the team won’t have star wideout Tee Higgins or first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart.
Higgins re-entered concussion protocol early this week and was limited in practice. It’s the second time he’s been in concussion protocol over the last month or so, making it pretty unlikely he was ever going to get cleared for Sunday.
The Bengals could use the help there, as Trey Hendrickson just went to injured reserve and will miss the remainder of the season after surgery to correct his issue.
Stewart’s chance to change the narrative around his rookie season will need to wait. In the interim, the Bengals will lean on Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy to serve as the main pressure-creators against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens over the weekend.
No one loves EA's Madden NFL game more than we do. The following statements are not a knock on the simulation. It's more of a cautionary tale to some Philadelphia Eagles fans who play it. Being great at Madden doesn't mean you'd be a successful head coach.
Stop laughing. This is serious. You wouldn't believe it until you talk to a few gamers and E-athletes. This is a state of mind that exists in more people than you'd expect.
Here's where we all can agree. There will always be armchair coaches and Monday morning quarterbacks. That's just how it goes, but there's so much more to coaching than knowing when to hit the 'circle button' and 'hit stick.'
You have to be great at managing people and egos like Nick Sirianni. You have to understand the X's and O's like Vic Fangio, but let's give ourselves credit. Some of us have spent enough time around the game to make informed theories and suggestions (even though the Eagles coaching staff has yet to call us for any of our opinions).
There's a growing demand that the Eagles line up in shotgun less frequently.
We've all been warned about the dangers of social media. There are trolls and the people who threaten us anonymously, but platforms have also helped us keep tabs on family or reconnect with them.
Then, there are a few handles who keep us entertained and on our toes. Everyone once in a while, we see a nugget, and following the Eagles' loss vs. the Los Angeles Chargers, some of us came across one.
Now, the first thought after reading that is probably pretty consistent for all of us. Some of this probably has a lot to do with a 52-yard breakaway run by Saquon Barkley, but there are bigger points to be made here.
Many have clamored for more variety in the Eagles' offensive attack and for Jalen Hurts to be under center more often. That, however, begs a question. Is that something that Jalen Hurts feels comfortable doing?
One of the continuing subplots about Hurts during this losing streak is that he seems less interested in doing things he once excelled at. He doesn't want to scramble as often or call as many designed running plays.
After seeing him miss time because of injury on occasion, we can understand his concern. His Week 16 concussion last season may also play into the thought process.
There is, however, an old football theory, though we forget where it originates. Those who play the game and are fearful of injury are probably going to be injured. It isn't an exact science, but many can verify that the statement is sometimes accurate based on personal experience.
This is a small sample size. It would be interesting to see more calculations, but we all know how social media can influence the general public.
Those who already wanted to see less of the shotgun formations are going to amplify those statements after this one. Sometimes, all that is needed for a buzz is to find others who agree with us.
The Thursday Night Football odds for Week 16 feature a battle for the top spot in the NFC West as the Los Angeles Rams visit the Seattle Seahawks.
The look-ahead NFL odds for this game have the Seahawks at -1.5, but follow along for the latest TNF odds and TNF player props, plus the remaining TNF schedule for 2025.
Thursday games present a tight turnaround for the teams involved. Look back at the teams’ recent schedule challenges and see if this short week compounds a busy calendar — especially for the road team. Practice and prep time are at a premium during these short weeks... and they will lose a day to travel.
2
Injuries loom large
Thursday games also leave less time for teams to heal up. Injured players don’t have the same window for recovery and are often ruled out early. Even players nursing bumps and bruises, or playing through pain, can feel the squeeze of the short week, so read up on who’s hurting — but not listed on the injury report.
3
Coaching matters
Coaching can give a big edge on the short week. Give the benefit of the doubt to veteran coaches and experienced staff, who are known for their game prep and have navigated the challenges of TNF before.
4
Baby, it (gets) cold outside
Thursday night games can also be an advantage for cold weather teams come December and January. Temperatures plummet when the sun goes down and places like Green Bay, Chicago, and Buffalo turn into frozen wastelands. While the sub-zero temps impact both sides, visitors from warmer cities or indoor stadiums may struggle to adapt when the mercury drops.
5
Home-field frenzy
Home-field advantage can get a bit of a boost on Thursday nights. The home crowd has been tailgating all day, rather than partying for 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.
Schemes change. So do the guys who lead the NFL's 32 teams from the sideline, unless you live in Pittsburgh or Baltimore, of course. The Philadelphia Eagles have also shuffled their deck relatively often as of late.
After allowing Andy Reid the reins for 14 seasons (1999-2012), Jeffrey Lurie moved on. 'Big Red' was replaced by Chip Kelly (2013-2015), who eventually passed the torch to Pat Shurmur (an interim bridge who coached one game). That led to the hiring of Doug Pederson and Nick Sirianni.
Still, even though a change is constant, some things remain steady and expected. The NFL has always been a copycat league, and struggling teams typically poach talent, executives, and coaches from winning organizations.
Nick Sirianni has a coaching tree now! Have you noticed? Jonathan Gannon, Shane Steichen, and Kellen Moore all lead their own organizations. Sports Illustrated offered its take on top NFL head coach candidates for 2026, and Kevin Patullo made this list. Yes, Philly's Kevin Patullo. There's no need to restart your tablets. You've read that correctly.
Connor Orr believes the rival New York Giants are a possible landing spot. You don't say! But how realistic a possibility is this?
Might the Giants give the Eagles a taste of their own medicine?
A common theme in Nick Sirianni's coaching tenure has been Philadelphia's willingness to raid the Giants' cupboard. James Bradberry became an All-Pro. The Eagles have added Azeez Ojulari and Adoree' Jackson this season.
They reacquired Patrick Johnson from New York, and who can forget about the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Saquon Barkley? How likely is it that the G-Men give the Eagles a taste of their own medicine?
We've seen former Eagles join the Giants coaching staff before. Chad Hall is the assistant quarterbacks coach here. He's a former Eagles practice squad wide receiver. Mike Groh is New York's wide receivers coach.
Groh previously held the same title in Philadelphia (2017) before being promoted to offensive coordinator (2018-2019). Then, there's Mike Kafka, New York's interim head coach. He was a quarterback drafted by the Eagles in 2010.
So, let's make long stories shorter. Yes, it's possible that the Giants would hire Kevin Patullo. Heck, anything is possible, but here's a question that we need to ask. Why would they?
Though there are many moving parts, it's Coach Patullo's side of the ball that's failing for the Eagles in 2025. That makes one wonder why anyone would have him atop any list they have of potential hires.
Then again, Birds fans never understood why teams fawned over Jonathan Gannon. He landed a gig, but his Arizona Cardinals are 15-32 in his three seasons with the team. That being said, maybe bringing Gannon up here is a bad example.
The Cincinnati Bengals are facing elimination in Week 15, as a loss or a Pittsburgh Steelers win would officially end any playoff hopes for the Bengals this season.
But, there's more than just playoff concern for the Bengals. Tee Higgins, who missed Week 13 with a concussion, once again entered the NFL's concussion protocol.
Unfortunately for Higgins, Zac Taylor, according to Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer, revealed that the superstar wide receiver is out for Week 15 due to his concussion.
Bengals to be without Tee Higgins in pivotal Week 15 Ravens matchup
Conway reported on Friday that, "Tee Higgins won't play this weekend vs. the Ravens, Zac Taylor said."
Higgins, who has 46 receptions for 667 yards and nine touchdowns this season, will miss the Bengals' Week 15 game against the Ravens.
Joe Burrow will have to rely upon Ja'Marr Chase, Andrei Iosivas, Mitchell Tinsley, and Charlie Jones as his main receivers. Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant should also help from the tight end spot, as could Chase Brown and Samaje Perine at running back.
But, missing one of the better receivers in the NFL for a pivotal do-or-die Week 15 matchup is a brutal look for the Bengals.
While they could still earn a playoff spot, their odds are slim, and Higgins' absence will only make matters worse for the Bengals in Week 15.
This is Higgins' second missed game due to a concussion, and is something to monitor for the rest of the season, especially if they are eliminated in Week 15.
While the Bengals might not shut him down, it's at least a consideration with how banged up Higgins has been this season. For his long-term health, it might be better for him to sit out the rest of the year instead of risking further injury in meaningless games.
The Bengals will be without Higgins for the second time in the last three weeks, both times for a concussion. It's a tough injury for Higgins, and is cause for long-term concern for the rest of the 2025 season.
At 3-10 heading into Week 15, the Arizona Cardinals are staring down the barrel of a fourth straight losing season. It will also be their ninth playoff-less year in the last decade.
Then they have the whole Kyler Murray saga to worry about. Not to mention the fact that head coach Jonathan Gannon’s head might be on the chopping block.
In short, there’s not a lot of positives right now in the desert.
Even their prized 2024 first-round pick, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., can’t catch a break as a heel injury is going to cost him a second straight game in Week 15. Gannon confirmed on December 12 that the wideout will be out for the team’s upcoming road matchup with the Houston Texans, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
But there is a silver lining here. An injury to one young, underperforming wideout means a big opportunity for another young, overperforming wideout: Michael Wilson.
Michael Wilson has been the best WR in the NFL over the last month
As a 2023 third-round pick, Michael Wilson doesn’t have the same pedigree as a No. 4 overall selection with a Hall of Fame father like Marvin Harrison Jr. But Wilson has arguably outplayed his more famous counterpart this season.
It’s when Harrison has missed time this season that Wilson has really shone. In his first two seasons, Wilson had around 550 yards and under 50 receptions. He seemed headed for another year like that before Harrison’s bout with appendicitis set the stage for Wilson to break out.
In Week 11 without MHJ, Wilson had 15 receptions for 185 yards on 18 targets. The next week, with Harrison still battling his appendix, Wilson had 10 receptions for 118 yards on 15 targets. Harrison returned in Week 13, and Wilson had 36 yards on three catches.
But when his WR buddy sat out again in Week 14 (this time with the heel that he’s still dealing with) Wilson went nuclear again, nabbing 11 balls for 142 yards and a pair of TDs on 16 targets.
All in, Wilson has put up 39 catches for 481 yards on 56 targets over the last month. All of those represent NFL highs during that time.
And if Harrison misses any more time, we could be looking at a possible Pro Bowl season for Wilson, who already has career highs of 61 receptions and 712 yards with four games to go.
Not to mention Wilson’s explosions are coming at the perfect time for fantasy football managers. Even against the top-ranked Houston Texans defense, Michael Wilson is all set for another 15+ target, 10+ reception, 100+ yard game in Week 15—the first week of the fantasy football playoffs.
Godspeed to all Michael Wilson managers. Good luck to those with Marvin Harrison Jr. stock.
The Carolina Panthers will be able to field as much firepower as they can here in Week 15.
Friday's injury report, like Thursday's, yielded a perfect attendance record ahead of the upcoming matchup against the New Orleans Saints. All five players who have been included in the listing were full participants at practice this afternoon and enter the weekend without injury designations.
Among those named is cornerback Jaycee Horn, who missed the team's Week 13 win over the Los Angeles Rams due to a concussion. Horn, currently leading vote-getter amongst all cornerbacks for the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, has recorded a career-high five interceptions through 12 contests.
Starting center Cade Mays is also expected to return after being sidelined two weeks ago with an ankle injury. Austin Corbett, who started in place of Mays against the Rams, is likely to start at right guard in New Orleans.
Here's the full injury report from Friday:
ILB Claudin Cherelus (Concussion) | Wednesday: Limited | Thursday: Full | Friday: Full | Game status: -
CB Jaycee Horn (Concussion) | Wednesday: Limited | Thursday: Full | Friday: Full | Game status: -
C Cade Mays (Ankle) | Wednesday: Full | Thursday: Full | Friday: Full | Game status: -
S Lathan Ransom (Thumb) | Wednesday: Full | Thursday: Full | Friday: Full | Game status: -
ILB Christian Rozeboom (Hip/hamstring) | Wednesday: Full | Thursday: Full | Friday: Full | Game status: -
The Ravens (6-7) and Bengals (4-9) are set for a critical Week 15 matchup, and Cincinnati will be without one of its best pass catchers. Tee Higgins, 26, was placed back into concussion protocol after hitting his head on the turf late in the Bengals' loss to the Bills. It's the second time in a month, with the wide receiver returned from a concussion he sustained in Week 12 against the New England Patriots.
Higgins practiced on Wednesday and Thursday, but was absent on Friday, which could be residual effects from hitting his head on Sunday. He's now been ruled out.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (concussion) will not play this week, per coach Zac Taylor.
DE Shemar Stewart is doubtful for Sunday's game to come off IR.
The 2025 season marks the third time since realignment in 2002, also in 2014 and 2021, that no playoff berths have been clinched entering Week 15.
Seven of the eight divisions have a team in first place or tied for first that did not win its division last season: AFC East (New England), AFC North (Pittsburgh), AFC South (Jacksonville), AFC West (Denver), NFC North (Green Bay), NFC South (Carolina), and NFC West (Seattle).
Five teams – Chicago, Jacksonville, New England, San Francisco, and Seattle – are in playoff position after missing the postseason last year. Since 1990 – a streak of 35 consecutive seasons (1990-2024) – at least four teams every season have qualified for the playoffs after failing to make the postseason the year before.
AFC East: The New England Patriots (11-2) lead the AFC East after finishing last in their division in 2024. In 19 of the past 22 seasons (2003-24), at least one team finished in first place in its division the season after finishing in last or tied for last place. The Patriots are set to host the Buffalo Bills (9-4) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS) and, with a win, can clinch their first division title since 2019.
AFC North: The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) lead the division after defeating the Baltimore Ravens (6-7), 27-22, in Week 14. Over the final four weeks of the season, the Steelers look to record their 22nd consecutive season with a .500-or-better record and surpass the Dallas Cowboys (21 consecutive seasons from 1965-85) for the longest such streak in NFL history.
AFC South: The Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) have won four consecutive games to take over first place in the AFC South, leading the Houston Texans (8-5) and Indianapolis Colts (8-5). The Jaguars, along with the Patriots, are in playoff position after selecting in the top five in the 2025 NFL Draft. In six consecutive seasons (2019-24) and in 21 of the past 23 seasons (2002-24), a team that chose in the top five of the NFL Draft has qualified for the postseason.
AFC West: The Denver Broncos (11-2) lead the AFC West and have won 10 consecutive games within a single season for the fourth time in franchise history (13 consecutive games in 1998, 11 in 2012, and 10 in 1984). With a win in Week 15, Denver can win 12 games in a season for the first time since 2015 and clinch a playoff berth for the second consecutive season.
NFC East: Since 2005, there has been a new NFC East division champion in each of the past 20 seasons (2005-24). The Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) currently lead the Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) for first place in the division and can become the first team to repeat as NFC East champions since they won four consecutive division titles from 2001-04.
NFC North: The Green Bay Packers (9-3-1) lead the Chicago Bears (9-4) and Detroit Lions (8-5) in the NFC North entering Week 15. The Packers defeated the Bears, 28-21, at home in Week 14 and are set to meet in Chicago in Week 16. Green Bay is 4-0 against the NFC North this season, one of three teams (the Los Angeles Chargers and New England) with a perfect record against its own division.
NFC South: The Carolina Panthers (7-6) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) had entered the final month of the season tied atop the NFC South until the Buccaneers dropped a game to the Atlanta Falcons last night. They have won four consecutive division titles since 2021, while the Panthers are seeking their first NFC South title since 2015 and first playoff berth since 2017.
NFC West: The Los Angeles Rams (10-3), Seattle Seahawks (10-3), and San Francisco 49ers (9-4) each enter Week 15 in a playoff spot. Two matchups between the three teams remain this season: the Rams visit the Seahawks in Week 16, and Seattle visits San Francisco in Week 18.
ESPN analyst Ryan Clark is not known for having the best takes and he showed yet another example of that on Friday morning when talking about quarterback Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts.
The move was shocking to say the least because Rivers is 44 years old and hasn't played a snap in the NFL since 2020. That said, the move is understandable.
After all, the Colts are still in contention for a playoff spot despite their recent slide and they were faced with trying to accomplish getting to the postseason with either rookie Riley Leonard or veteran Brett Rypien as their starter.
Long story short: the Colts have nothing to lose by bringing Rivers in to see if he can be better than those two.
However, Clark doesn't see it that way.
Instead, he thinks the Colts are "incompetent" for bringing Rivers out of retirement after such a long time away from the game. He also called Indy "irresponsible."
"I believe this is incompetent. And I also believe it is irresponsible," he said on First Take on Friday (H/T Awful Announcing). "This is not Michael Jordan coming back to play basketball after three years off for the Washington Wizards."
"This is a man in Phillip Rivers who was always a stationary target taking five years off to coach high school football and then coming back to play against the Seattle Seahawks, who would get after your keester if you were freaking Michael Vick," Clark concluded.
Say what you want about all the time Rivers has been retired and his age, but there is reason to believe he'll still be better than a rookie and a journeyman who has never shown even one iota of starting-caliber talent in the NFL.
He certainly wouldn't be the first 40-plus-year-old quarterback to have success.
So, the move does make sense and is hardly a sign of incompetence on the Colts' part. In fact, we applaud Indy for taking the bold step to try and save its season instead of simply settling on two guys who give the team no shot.
When it comes to the "irresponsible" part, it's not like the Colts are forcing Rivers to come back. Clearly he wants to and feels he's capable of being a plus for Indianapolis or else he wouldn't do it.
If Rivers isn't worried about what could happen to him, nobody should be, either.
Yes, he will walk into a brutally tough matchup against an elite Seattle Seahawks defense if he plays in Week 15, but he is far more equipped to handle that road matchup than a rookie is.
Just a silly take from Clark, but that's something we've come to expect from him over the years.
After this, the Lions still play the Steelers, Vikings and Bears. The Week 18 clash with Chicago could have massive implications if things break a certain way between now and then.
First, Detroit has to find a way to beat Stafford.
The game is out west, so Goff will be back in California where he played his college ball and began his NFL career. If he can be comfortable and get the football to his playmakers, the Lions will have a great chance.
There might not be a hotter team in the NFL over the last four or so weeks than the Miami Dolphins. Rattling off four straight wins and five wins in their last six games, the Dolphins are 6-7 and have kept their playoff hopes alive.
But, how alive are those odds really? The Dolphins are still a few games back of a playoff spot and will not only need to win out but also get some help to sneak in.
NFL insider Ari Bhanpuri revealed the Dolphins' playoff odds entering Week 15 before their pivotal Monday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Their odds aren't great, but as Jim Carrey said in Dumb and Dumber, "so you're telling me there's a chance."
Dolphins' playoff odds entering Week 15 vs. Steelers revealed
Bhanpuri lists the Dolphins' playoff odds as less than one percent. A loss would keep their odds below one percent, but even if they win over the Steelers on Monday Night, their odds would only just barely surpass one percent.
"You know you've dug yourself a hole when you've won five of six, including four in a row, and you still can't get over the 1 percent hump." Bhanpuri writes.
Miami is one of the hottest teams in the NFL right now, and their four-game winning streak, which has featured blowouts against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, is a huge reason why they're even alive in the playoff race.
The Dolphins lost six of their first seven games, which included key losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers, two teams that would have the tie-breaker for a Wild Card spot.
While they are still alive, the Dolphins' playoff odds won't change a whole lot this week based on the result of their game. It's a step in the right direction, but they would still have a lot of work to do.
"Even a Miami win this weekend at Pittsburgh, which would draw both teams even at 7-7 in the standings," Bahnpuri writes, "would deal significantly more damage to the Steelers' playoff probability (from 67% to 56%) than it would boost the Dolphins' odds (.048% to 1.48%)."
All of those are winnable matchups, including the Patriots matchup in New England to finish the season. They might have clinched their playoff seeding by that point, and could rest some starters, paving the way for the Dolphins to secure an easier win.
Amid the Dolphins' four-game winning streak, which might've saved McDaniel his job for 2026, Miami has stayed alive in the playoff hunt. A lot needs to go their way, but as things currently stand, they're still alive despite their playoff odds hovering around 1 percent.
Rookie safety Nick Emmanwori is playing at an incredibly high level right now. The former South Carolina standout, who is entering the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation, is coming off a career-best showing versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14. Emmanwori registered an interception, a sack, another tackle for loss, and six total tackles while also blocking a field goal.
Devon Witherspoon, CB
Mike Macdonald recently called Devon Witherspoon a force multiplier on defense. It's an accurate depiction of Witherspoon's greatness. The do-it-all cornerback will draw some difficult assignments versus the Colts' stellar supporting cast, but if anyone is up to the challenge, it's him.
The Washington Commanders (3-10) head to the New Jersey Meadowlands this Sunday afternoon to face their long-time rivals, the New York Giants (2-11).
This chapter of the rivalry finds both teams in dire condition as the Commanders have lost eight straight and nine of their last 10 games. The Giants are on a seven-game skid and have dropped eight of their last nine.
The matchup features two defenses that have collapsed this season. The Giants are 31st in total defense this year, allowing 385.8 yards per game. Washington is right there with them, allowing 382.5 yards per, 30th overall.
Knowing that, there's a lot ot pick from in this pile fantasy-wise. Here are some start-sit suggestions.
Sit: Both defenses
The Giants are allowing an average of 27.2 points per game. The Commanders are one point worse per game. Neither team can make a stop when needed. The over (46.5) is a good play here, but the weather could tamp things down. Below-freezing conditions and winds of around 15 MPH are expected. New Jersey in December, go figure.
Weather, however, is no longer a serious deterrent to scoring points in NFL games. Teams will attempt to open things up regardless, and since these two are playing out the string, there's no reason to hold anything back.
Start: Giants QB Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart wants to get back into the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation, and he's facing a defense this week that can help him do that. The Commanders allowed J.J. McCarthy to complete nearly 70 percent of his passes gave up three touchdowns against them last week. Dart, who will also make plays with his legs, should rack up some serious numbers in this game.
Start: Giants TE Theo Johnson
Theo Johnson is dealing with a toe issue this week, so watch his status. If he's cleared for duty, he must be considered. Johnson has been targeted eight times in each of the last two games that Dart has started. The rapport between the two has been growing. If the winds keep the passes short, Johnson could see even more targets. Washington has allowed the fifth-most FPS to tight ends this season.
Perhaps the Las Vegas Raiders defense is seeing the Philadelphia Eagles at the right time. The Eagles offense struggled mightily in Week 14. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw four interceptions in a lackluster 22-19 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Raiders defense will have watched the tape on Sunday's Week 15 opponent.
We've identified three potential X-factors for the Raiders defense against the Eagles offense in Week 15.
Devin White, LB
Veteran linebacker Devin White registered a season-high 19 tackles versus the Broncos last week. It's a revenge game opportunity for the former LSU standout, as the Eagles signed him in 2024, but quickly released him after believing he had nothing left in the tank. White will be anxious to continue proving the Eagles wrong, and he'll have to play an aggressive downhill game versus Hurts and Saquon Barkley.
Eric Stokes, CB
The Eagles' passing game has been out of sorts throughout 2025. The Hurts-to-AJ Brown connection hasn't been particularly effective. Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes will draw the Brown assignment. Stokes has arguably been the Raiders' best player this campaign.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones spoke with reporters on Thursday during his press conference, stressing the importance of finishing tackles in this Sunday's matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers and his All-Pro performances over the last few weeks.
"I don't think it was more so flipping the switch, it's just being able to watch film over the bye week, correct some errors, probably footwork and hand placement for me," said Jones, "I watched that, corrected it, and just continue throughout the rest of the season."
During the Chiefs' Week 14 loss to the Houston Texans, Jones was dominant defensively, securing a sack and applying relentless pressure on C.J. Stroud, especially in the second half. He shared the importance of finishing tackles in Sunday's rematch with the Chargers.
"I think finishing is always huge. "You always want to finish them, but just finish efficiently, especially with a guy like him (Chargers QB Justin Herbert) who can hurt us inside or outside the pocket," said Jones. "We will watch film." We have a couple more days to prepare, and we are going to make sure we come out with something to affect the quarterback."
Jones made an error on Justin Herbert's Week 1 game-sealing slide to run out the clock, but took full accountability for the mistake. The opening game in Brazil was an early indication of the type of season the Chiefs have endured in 2025.
On the defensive side, the Colts are battling various injuries. We've identified three potential X-factors for the Seahawks on offense who are capable of taking advantage.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
The Colts will be without both starting cornerbacks versus the Seahawks. Charvarius Ward is on IR and Sauce Gardner is week-to-week with an injury. Jaxon Smith-Njigba should take full advantage. The Colts are totally unequipped to deal with Smith-Njigba.
Zach Charbonnet, RB
Zach Charbonnet led the Seahawks in rushing versus the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14. The former UCLA standout rushed for 46 yards. Charbonnet averaged a season-high 6.6 yards per carry and has scored a team-high eight touchdowns this year.
Jalen Sundell, C
All indications are that Jalen Sundell will return to the Seahawks' lineup at center. He'll reclaim his starting gig, relegating Olu Oluwatimi to the bench. Sundell will receive a welcome-back opportunity versus a stout, tough Colts defensive line.
We've identified three potential X-factors who could swing momentum in the Raiders' favor versus the Eagles in Week 15.
Kenny Pickett, QB
The overwhelming expectation is that backup Kenny Pickett will start at quarterback. Geno Smith left last Sunday's loss with a shoulder injury. Pickett performed admirably in relief, completing 8-of-11 passing attempts for 97 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. He may be a better fit at quarterback for the Raiders moving forward given Smith's struggles this year.
Jack Bech, WR
Rookie wide receiver Jack Bech led the Raiders both in receptions (6) and receiving yards (50) last week. All six of Bech's catches occurred in the fourth quarter, including a 17-yard grab on a critical 4th-and-2. The 58th selection in the 2025 NFL draft will attempt to build on that momentum.
Caleb Rogers, RG
Rookie offensive guard Caleb Rogers finally made his complete every-down debut in Week 14. Rogers was excellent, allowing zero pressures in pass protection. The challenge versus the Eagles' defensive line will be a difficult one for the former Texas Tech standout.
During a nightmarish Monday Night Football meltdown against the New England Patriots in Week 13, the New York Giants' special teams unit unraveled spectacularly, turning an early 3-0 deficit into a 33-15 rout.
The nadir came on a 47-yard field goal attempt when kicker Younghoe Koo's foot slammed into the frozen turf at Gillette Stadium, sending the unit scattering unexpectedly. Holder Jamie Gillan attempted to turn nothing into something, only to get "sacked" for a 13-yard loss.
The viral blunder drew savage online mockery, with fans dubbing it a "Charlie Brown moment." That came after a coverage bust allowed a 94-yard punt return touchdown, adding insult to a cascade of errors.
Thursday's revelation that Gillan tweaked his left knee on that chaotic scramble poured salt in the wound, sidelining the "Scottish Hammer" at practice and prompting the signing of veteran Cameron Johnston to the practice squad as insurance.
Yet, amid the wreckage, special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial sees silver linings.
"Yeah, very uncharacteristic of our group," he told reporters. "We have been playing good special teams throughout the majority of the year. Last game, credit to New England and (Patriots coordinator) Jeremy Springer. He did a good job coaching up his guys. They did a good job executing. We certainly didn't live up to our standard, and we could argue on every unit. That's where we’ve got to be better, I’ve got to be better, the players got to be better. We're all in this together.
"When we came back and watched the tape, we all owned it. That's the beauty about having a group that's had success throughout the season is when they see the instances on tape that aren't necessarily a reflection of what they've done throughout the entirety of the season, they're like, well, that's not our standard, and everybody's owning that. We certainly are going to use that game to fuel us and just get back to what has made us great, and that's the fundamentals, that's the attitude, the effort, the enthusiasm."
With Gillan "doing everything in his power to play" despite the inflammation, the Giants eye a cathartic rebound against the Washington Commanders' stout unit.
After a refocusing bye, Ghobrial's crew is primed to transform embarrassment into elixir.
"After the bye week, I think our guys have responded, and we're excited for the opportunity," he said.
In the NFL's unforgiving December chill -- three of four games forecast to be rough weather -- redemption demands precision. The Giants are banking on coach and player ownership to reignite their spark.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson apologized early Dec. 12 for an insensitive remark.
Following the Falcons' 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Robinson was being interviewed during the Amazon Prime Video postgame show, where he let loose an insensitive and outdated name of a game he used to play when he was younger.
"Smear the queer, that's what we do," Robinson said. "Smear the queer."
Analyst and former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick jumped in immediately with a semi-correction of Robinson, dubbing the game "kill the carrier," the more common name of the backyard game.
Robinson posted an apology on X in the hours after the game.
Hey everyone I want to apologize for the insensitive comment I made in the broadcast, it was a football game we used to play as a kid but that’s not an excuse. I recognize the mistake and make sure to do better in the future. It was not reflective of my beliefs and I am so sorry…
"Hey everyone I want to apologize for the insensitive comment I made in the broadcast, it was a football game we used to play as a kid but that’s not an excuse. I recognize the mistake and make sure to do better in the future. It was not reflective of my beliefs and I am so sorry to those I offended seriously!," he posted.
The Falcons running back finished the game with 19 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown to pair with eight catches for 82 yards.
The Falcons climbed to 5-9 on the season, while Tampa Bay fell to 7-7, ceding the NFC South division lead to the Carolina Panthers.
What is 'kill the carrier?'
"Kill the carrier" is a schoolyard game played where one person holds a ball – typically a football – while the others attempt to tackle, strip or otherwise remove it from the carrier. It's played without teams, with an every-man-for-himself focus.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy spoke with reporters on Thursday during his press conference, breaking down the offense's progress with four games remaining in the regular season.
"It's stating the obvious, not what we've wanted the last couple of weeks. I think you get into these moments, and you go back to the middle of the season (when) we were hitting on all cylinders, guys felt really good but for whatever reason the last couple of weeks there's been the same thing that's been going on." said Nagy, "Whether it's the execution, the play call, it's everybody all together. I think that's where, when you come into this, we've got to make sure that – these moments aren't easy, it's something where when you go through these times, it talks about adversity reveals character, and I think that's very important to understand as we go through this."
After scoring on two of the first three possessions in the second half of the Week 14 loss to the Houston Texans, Kansas City's offense didn't pick up a first down during the next four drives. Each possession ended with a turnover, two interceptions, and two failed fourth-down attempts in those four drives.
"It can show where people are, and how you are going to battle through this? Are you going to start with yourself? And we do that. In the end, we have to win the game. In the end, we have to play better on offense. In the end, we have to coach better," said Nagy, "So, all of us know that, and we understand that. We also have a guaranteed four more games, and I think the mindset for us is as we came into this thing at the beginning of the week, let's look back at what we didn't do well and let's make sure that we understand we all have a job to start with ourselves (and) get better with that. Then you got to do it. We've been saying it, but it hasn't been getting done."
According to Next Gen Stats, the Chiefs' five drops were Kansas City's most in a game started by Patrick Mahomes since Week 11 of the 2023 season.
"The leaders that we have in the room (and) the players that we have, we believe in all of them, and it's our job against another really good – for us offensively a great defense," said Nagy, "It's a big challenge, but it's time to do it. These guys care; you saw that after the game. These guys – it has nothing to do with the lack of effort; it has nothing to do with not caring. These guys want it. This is new territory for us, so it's how we handle this new territory."
The Chiefs will need strong performances from their core players if they want to have any hope of winning on Sunday and extending their slim postseason hopes for another week.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix could make NFL history over the next four weeks.
Following the team's win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14, Nix tied Dan Marino with the fifth-most wins (21) through a quarterback's first two seasons in the NFL. If the Broncos beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Nix would tie Andrew Luck, Dak Prescott and Ben Roethlisberger for the second-most wins (22).
The all-time record is held by Russell Wilson, who won 24 games through his first two seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Denver would need to win out for Nix to break that record.
Nix completed 31 passes in Week 14, setting a new career high while becoming the first Broncos QB to hit that total since Teddy Bridgewater in 2020. The QB connected with 11 different players for the third time in his career.
Nix also became just the third player all-time to record a completion percentage of 80.0% or higher (minimum 25 completions) through his first two seasons, joining Jayden Daniels and Tua Tagovailoa. Nix already ranks 10th on Denver’s all-time passing list with 6,729 yards. He also ranks in the top ten for the most offensive touchdowns (57) and passing touchdowns (48) in franchise history.
Regardless of whether or not he breaks Wilson's wins record, Nix has had a historic start to his career, and his Broncos are in contention to secure the AFC's No. 1 seed this season.
The Cincinnati Bengals have dominated headlines recently, but due to the wrong reasons. After blowing a 10-point half time lead on the road against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, things took a turn for the worst.
Star quarterback Joe Burrow opened up on his feelings through what has been another difficult season. Although Burrow has impressed when on the field, Burrow dealt with a severe turf toe injury that required surgery and caused him to miss nine weeks of action. When he returned, Cincinnati was a long shot to make the playoffs.
Burrow recently spoke on having fun while playing football, something that he seems to be far from. His good friend and long-time teammate Ja'Marr Chase was shocked to hear Burrow's admissions, so much so that he thought they were fake.
As a result of this recent chatter, Burrow's name has been swirling around trade talks. That said, it isn't a possible Joe Burrow trade that the Bengals should be worried about. It's Joe Burrow's NFL future entirely.
Burrow's recent press conference drew similarities to Andrew Luck's closing press conference, where he retired from football before the age of 30.
Before this recent press conference from Burrow, there was no indication that he's recently been unhappy with Cincinnati. The Bengals have reached a Super Bowl during his tenure and the front office locked up his favorite weapons (Chase and Tee Higgins) long-term, something Burrow advocated for. Furthermore, even though Burrow expressed a desire to win, he can't blame Cincinnati for falling out of contention while he missed over two months due to rehab.
It's important to remember, Burrow has been through a lot as a Cincinnati Bengal. In addition to this season, Burrow had a lingering calf injury for much of 2024, his home was burglarized and he also tore his ACL as a rookie in 2020.
Perhaps the toil of a long, gruesome season filled with injury had taken its toll, especially after a tough loss that all but sealed Cincinnati's playoff fate.
Either way, with Burrow under contract until 2029, expect him to stay with the Bengals unless he decides to retire early.
The superstar Cincinnati Bengals quarterback has fought through adversity this year after suffering a Turf Toe injury that kept him out of action for a majority of the season. He had to watch from the sidelines as different quarterbacks tried to keep his team above water for him to return, only for the team’s woeful defense to be the ultimate reason why they sit 4-9 and have no chance of making the postseason.
On his birthday this past week, Burrow sat solemn and dejected as the local media asked him questions and tried to pick his brain. The generally cool, charismatic, and confident quarterback was nothing like himself. Instead of a grin, he wore a blank face and eyes that looked as if he was in another world entirely, going through the motions of his obligations as the team’s quarterback.
When asked how he is dealing with everything, Burrow said he needs to find the “fun” in playing the game again, or what is the point of suiting up every week?
His answer sent shockwaves through NFL circles across the country, as fans and teams began speculating about what Burrow could mean as he enters an offseason with another year wasted without returning to the Super Bowl.
Could it be an early retirement, ala Andrew Luck with the Indianapolis Colts?
Or could one of the biggest stars in the sport be looking for a way out of a franchise that has failed to build any sort of proper defense on the side of the ball Burrow can’t control?
After making it to the Super Bowl four years ago and losing in the final minutes to the Los Angeles Rams, Burrow has been on a mission to get back to the top. If the Bengals can’t promise him that they can have a defense decent enough for him to even make it to the postseason again, could he demand a trade?
If he does, look for those very same Rams, the Arizona Cardinals, and Las Vegas Raiders all to be top suitors for Burrow, who would command one of the biggest king’s ransoms in sports history if put on the trade block this offseason.
Looking to keep pace in the AFC playoff race, the Jacksonville Jaguars are at home once again in Week 15, this time taking on the New York Jets.
So, who do the NFL experts have winning this matchup?
With a record of 9-4, the Jaguars have a one-game lead in the division over the Houston Texans and the Indianapolis Colts. They also hold the three seed in the AFC playoff picture.
As a collective unit, the Jaguars are playing their best football right now, which is in part why ESPN's Ben Solak believes that Jacksonville can make a "deep playoff run."
To see how the Jaguars and Jets stack up against one another and where those advantages may lie, you can find that here.
NFL.com
Everyone is picking the Jaguars to win and to do so by multiple scores. Here is why Gennaro Filice likes the Jaguars in this game:
"Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) both missed Wednesday's practice with injuries, leaving Brady Cook to take first-team reps," Filice wrote. "The undrafted rookie made his NFL debut in extended relief of Taylor last Sunday, and it didn't go well."
ESPN
Another clean sweep. All eight of ESPN's expert predictors are picking the Jaguars.
CBS Sports
Pete Prisco likes the Jaguars to win by a score of 31-13.
"The Jaguars are riding high as they took over first place last week after beating the Colts, while the Jets are a mess," Prisco wrote. "They have injury issues at quarterback, but does it matter who plays? The Jaguars offense has really come on and I think that continues here. Jaguars big as Trevor Lawrence plays well again."
Pro Football Talk
Mike Florio is picking the Jaguars to win 24-13, and Chris Simms is picking Jacksonville to win 31-17.
FOXBOROUGH — When Josh McDaniels was named offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots ahead of the 2025 season, everyone was excited to see how the Super Bowl champion would help Drake Maye continued to develop.
And it's safe to say that he has exceeded expectations, with Maye now being considered as a frontrunner in the MVP race in only his second season.
The two speak very highly of one another, with Maye detailing how it's been to work with McDaniels.
“It’s been awesome,” Maye told reporters on Wednesday. “He coaches at a really high level. He understands the game at a really high level. His offense helps the quarterback, and helps me do my job. I try to do my best to keep first downs and scoring drives going so I can help him do his job, but he understands the game. He understands defenses, what they try to do.
“He understands what we have on offense and our players, our personnel, and he uses us to our best ability. It’s been awesome this year, and I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me. We’ve still got a long way to go, but he’s a joy to be around every day.”
So with that, McDaniels was asked about Drake's comment that he can't thank the offensive coordinator enough the following day.
“Well, that’s kind of him,” McDaniels replied. “Obviously, it’s been incredible for me, personally. Coaching is all about the players and trying to teach and watching them grow and have success. And I think that our greatest joy as coaches comes from when we see the players do something well and get rewarded for it. So, that’s across the board.”
But what makes it so easy for McDaniels is that type of person Maye is.
“To top it all off, he’s a better person than he is a player,” McDaniels said. “That’s hard to be at that age, in terms of the things he’s already accomplished. It’s a lot to be thankful for, and I’m certainly enjoying every opportunity I have to work with him.”
Just days after signing with the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad, and after not playing in the NFL for nearly five years, could Phillip Rivers get the start on Sunday in Seattle?
That seems to be the feeling as this week has unfolded.
Two days in now, and my time in the building this week has left me only MORE convinced Philip Rivers is this week's starting quarterback.
It isn't difficult to tell who a team is prepping to start. That player is Rivers. Period. https://t.co/Q38bfZjZ11
On Wednesday, head coach Shane Steichen left the door open for Rivers to start this week, mentioning that he could start regardless of Riley Leonard's availability as he works through a knee injury.
For what it's worth, Leonard has been a full participant in both practices so far this week.
Steichen also added that the team will evaluate Rivers throughout the week and make the decision from there.
Helping Rivers hit the ground running will be his familiarity with Steichen's offense. With the two having worked together for several seasons with the Chargers, there is quite a bit of familiarity.
But knowing the playbook and being able to execute it on the field after being away for so long are two different things. This is, in part, why some NFL executives are skeptical about this signing by the Colts.
Awaiting the Colts' offense this week is a Seattle defensive front that ranks third in quarterback pressure rate and is fourth in sacks.
The two toughest games of these four matchups would be facing off against the Lions on the road in Week 16 and hosting the Ravens at home in Week 18, potentially with the AFC North title at stake.
Luckily for Pittsburgh, the Ravens’ remaining strength of schedule is tied for the fifth-most difficult (.606), as Baltimore will take on the 4-9 Cincinnati Bengals, the 11-2 New England Patriots, the 9-3-1 Green Bay Packers, and the 7-6 Steelers in their final four games.
“We’re still talking about it? All right, go ahead,” Goff said Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Lions' facility in Allen Park.
Five years after he was traded from the Los Angeles Rams to the Detroit Lions in a blockbuster deal that reshaped both teams, and as he gets ready to face the franchise that drafted him − and then gave up on him − for the fourth time, Goff insists there is no special sentiment about playing his old team.
“Not so much anymore, no,” Goff said. “And really, I mean we played them in the playoff game [that] was such a big deal and then the next year we played them again and I felt like even less. So now it’s even further removed and, yeah, they’re a really good team and we’ll have our hands full.”
Along with Goff, who made the Pro Bowl two of the past three seasons and finished fifth in MVP voting last year, the Lions acquired a third-round pick in 2021 and first-rounders the next two years from the Rams. They used the third-rounder on since-departed safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, used one of the first-round picks as part of the compensation to move up and draft Jameson Williams, and moved down with the other in a deal that netted Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta.
Asked if the deal was a win-win for both teams, Lions coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday, “Look, I know we’re excited, and I’m sure they’re excited.
“I know on our end we’re fortunate to have the guy we have and to get all that we were able to get. We got [Penei] Sewell, we got Saint [Amon-Ra St. Brown], we got a lot of good players, and we’ve got Goff. So, I know it feels like a win for us and I’m sure they do, too.”
The No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft, Goff led the Rams to a 13-3 record and Super Bowl appearance in his second full season as starter in 2018, then quickly fell out of favor with Rams coach Sean McVay.
The Rams failed to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl, losing 13-3 to the New England Patriots, and missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record the following year. When they suffered an early playoff loss the next year, McVay couldn’t hide his disdain for Goff and dealt his quarterback to the Lions two weeks later.
In Detroit, Goff has reshaped his career, bouncing back from some early struggles – the Lions started 0-10-1 in 2021 and 1-6 in 2022 – to lead the Lions to their most successful three-year stretch of the Super Bowl era. He took the Lions to the NFC championship game in the 2023 season, and won a franchise-record 15 games last year while playing for a fanbase that chants his name and a coach whose belief in him has infused him with confidence.
“It feels like a long time ago,” Goff said of the trade. “And I think we kind of talked about it earlier in the year of how it’s kind of my career now I’ve spent more time here, so yeah, it certainly feels like a long time ago.”
Goff played five seasons with the Rams and is in his fifth with the Lions. In Detroit, he has more games played (78 to 69), passing yards (20,221 to 18,171), completions (1,800 to 1,536), touchdowns (141 to 107) and most importantly wins.
The Lions are 47-30-1 with Goff as their quarterback. Goff went 42-27 as the Rams starter.
And Goff said the only rivalry now is one between the Lions and Rams on the field. The Rams (10-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win Sunday, while the Lions (8-5) need a victory to enhance their chances of a third straight playoff appearance.
“I think we’re both really good teams,” Goff said. “I got so much respect for those guys over there and how well they’re playing, how well they’re coached. Certainly, the film I’m watching of their defense is really impressive and coach [Chris] Shula’s doing a great job [as defensive coordinator], and then obviously we know what they’re doing on offense, scoring all the points, Matthew’s playing really well and the whole thing. So yeah, we’ve got our hands full and got to find a way to win.”
“We’re still talking about it? All right, go ahead,” Goff said Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Lions' facility in Allen Park.
Five years after he was traded from the Los Angeles Rams to the Detroit Lions in a blockbuster deal that reshaped both teams, and as he gets ready to face the franchise that drafted him − and then gave up on him − for the fourth time, Goff insists there is no special sentiment about playing his old team.
“Not so much anymore, no,” Goff said. “And really, I mean we played them in the playoff game [that] was such a big deal and then the next year we played them again and I felt like even less. So now it’s even further removed and, yeah, they’re a really good team and we’ll have our hands full.”
Along with Goff, who made the Pro Bowl two of the past three seasons and finished fifth in MVP voting last year, the Lions acquired a third-round pick in 2021 and first-rounders the next two years from the Rams. They used the third-rounder on since-departed safety Ifeatu Melifonwu, used one of the first-round picks as part of the compensation to move up and draft Jameson Williams, and moved down with the other in a deal that netted Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta.
Asked if the deal was a win-win for both teams, Lions coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday, “Look, I know we’re excited, and I’m sure they’re excited.
“I know on our end we’re fortunate to have the guy we have and to get all that we were able to get. We got [Penei] Sewell, we got Saint [Amon-Ra St. Brown], we got a lot of good players, and we’ve got Goff. So, I know it feels like a win for us and I’m sure they do, too.”
The No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft, Goff led the Rams to a 13-3 record and Super Bowl appearance in his second full season as starter in 2018, then quickly fell out of favor with Rams coach Sean McVay.
The Rams failed to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl, losing 13-3 to the New England Patriots, and missed the playoffs with a 9-7 record the following year. When they suffered an early playoff loss the next year, McVay couldn’t hide his disdain for Goff and dealt his quarterback to the Lions two weeks later.
In Detroit, Goff has reshaped his career, bouncing back from some early struggles – the Lions started 0-10-1 in 2021 and 1-6 in 2022 – to lead the Lions to their most successful three-year stretch of the Super Bowl era. He took the Lions to the NFC championship game in the 2023 season, and won a franchise-record 15 games last year while playing for a fanbase that chants his name and a coach whose belief in him has infused him with confidence.
“It feels like a long time ago,” Goff said of the trade. “And I think we kind of talked about it earlier in the year of how it’s kind of my career now I’ve spent more time here, so yeah, it certainly feels like a long time ago.”
Goff played five seasons with the Rams and is in his fifth with the Lions. In Detroit, he has more games played (78 to 69), passing yards (20,221 to 18,171), completions (1,800 to 1,536), touchdowns (141 to 107) and most importantly wins.
The Lions are 47-30-1 with Goff as their quarterback. Goff went 42-27 as the Rams starter.
And Goff said the only rivalry now is one between the Lions and Rams on the field. The Rams (10-3) can clinch a playoff spot with a win Sunday, while the Lions (8-5) need a victory to enhance their chances of a third straight playoff appearance.
“I think we’re both really good teams,” Goff said. “I got so much respect for those guys over there and how well they’re playing, how well they’re coached. Certainly, the film I’m watching of their defense is really impressive and coach [Chris] Shula’s doing a great job [as defensive coordinator], and then obviously we know what they’re doing on offense, scoring all the points, Matthew’s playing really well and the whole thing. So yeah, we’ve got our hands full and got to find a way to win.”
When it rains, it pours, as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury woes continue ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football.
On a day filled with concern for star edge rusher T.J. Watt, whose Week 15 status is uncertain after being hospitalized with a lung ailment, Steelers standout cornerback James Pierre missed practice with a calf injury — leaving many to speculate on his condition ahead of Monday’s contest.
Signing with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Pierre spent three seasons with the Black and Gold before signing with the Washington Commanders in March 2024. He would be released in August as a part of final roster cuts and return to Pittsburgh via the practice squad in September.
Pierre would finally earn a starting cornerback role late in the 2025 season, where his stellar play alongside CB Joey Porter Jr. has begun to turn the ship around for Pittsburgh defensively.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including Pittsburgh's Week 15 matchup against the Miami Dolphins on MNF, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
The Atlanta Falcons overcame insurmountable odds to upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. Down by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the Falcons led a ferocious comeback to set up Zane Gonzalez's game-winning field goal as time expired.
Even after missing back-to-back two-point conversions, Atlanta's defense came up with a clutch stop late and the offense did the rest. Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts looked like vintage Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Bijan Robinson racked up 175 total yards.
Rookie James Pearce Jr. continued his sack streak and the Falcons finally got a few lucky breaks down the stretch. Here are five takeaways from Atlanta's Week 15 road win over Tampa Bay.
Kyle Pitts has best game of NFL career
Kyle Pitts has taken a ton of flack from this fans over the years despite the team changing quarterbacks pretty much every season that he's been in Atlanta. In Week 15, the fifth-year tight end pulled in 11 catches for 166 receiving yards and a career-high three touchdowns. The Falcons would've had no chance without Pitts, who's been on a tear with Drake London sidelined. Over the last three weeks, Pitts has recorded 24 catches for 338 receiving yards and three touchdowns. For the season, he has 73 catches for 797 yards and four touchdowns.
Cousins shreds Bucs for 373 yards, 3 TDs
After Baker Mayfield and Kirk Cousins put on a show in their last meeting, many wondered if there would be an encore. Cousins obviously got the memo and shredded the Bucs defense for 373 passing yards, three touchdowns and a passer rating of 117.0. The veteran QB had yet to really look like his former self prior to Week 15, but his performance on Thursday was the best that has played since before his arm injury in 2024.
"Kirk was absolutely phenomenal," head coach Raheem Morris said after the game. "He put the ball in the right spots, gave people opportunities, made some plays when he had to make plays."
James Pearce Jr. - Sacks machine
Pearce has recorded a sack in six consecutive games. The first-round pick out of Tennessee added two more to his total on Thursday night and now leads all rookies with eight sacks this season. That trade isn't looking too bad anymore, especially when you factor in the Rams' third-round pick that Atlanta used to acquire safety Xavier Watts. Jalon Walker also recorded a half sack in yet another strong showing from Atlanta's rookie class, but Pearce deserves his flowers.
Falcons flagged for team-record 19 penalties
The Falcons broke a team record with 19 total penalties for a total of 125 yards on Thursday night. This is obviously a bad look, and had the team lost, it would surely have been the story of the game. As much as these flags hurt, the team also got a huge break when the Buccaneers committed a fourth-down penalty that allowed Atlanta to score its first touchdown of the game. Comparatively, Tampa Bay was called for just four penalties on the night.
Bijan bounces back from critical mistake
Bijan Robinson caught a short pass but fumbled the ball on the Falcons' own 25-yard line late in the third quarter. The Bucs were already up 20-14 but Atlanta had a chance to take the lead before this crucial fumble. Robinson made up for his blunder by rushing for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The star running back finished with 175 total yards. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. Robinson now has 1,858 all-purpose yards this season.
Defense held Bucs in check, Dee Alford with clutch INT
The Buccaneers didn't do a ton of damage in the first half. And even though the Falcons gave up some huge plays to Baker Mayfield and company in the second half, they also got some clutch stops when they needed them. Down by eight points in the fourth quarter. Dee Alford picked off Mayfield and set up a Falcons touchdown. Then, down by two points in the final two minutes, the defense shut down Tampa Bay and forced a punt. It was another great day by one of the NFL's most underrated defenses.
What's next for the Falcons?
The Falcons have a nice long week before they return against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. The Cardinals have struggled this season but have been competitive with backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett for the most part. Atlanta will face Arizona on the road next Sunday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
They're in control of the AFC South, with a one-game lead over the Houston Texans.
Unlike last week, the weather is forecast to be perfect for a December day on the First Coast.
And there are only two more regular-season games left. After this week, the Jaguars are on the road to Denver and Indianapolis before closing the season against Tennessee on Jan. 4.
The Jaguars haven't gotten off to a 10-4 start since 2017, when they went to the AFC Championship game.
It's also the Jaguars' "Inspire Change" game with activities and salutes to community initiatives and people who are trying to make a difference.
Here’s what fans need to know:
Tickets and parking
Fans should have their tickets and parking passes (if they are in a stadium lot) on their phone and ready to scan.
The Jaguars are encouraging fans to arrive early, a combination of the potential for the largest home crown of the season and construction on the Stadium of the Future, which affects access roads and stadium parking.
Navigating EverBank Stadium
Fans in general admission seating should access the main concourse for full 360-degree circulation around the stadium as the plaza level is no longer continuous from gate to gate. Some gate entries have been adjusted, so ticket holders should take the recommended gate entry on their mobile ticket to access the most direct route to a seat location.
Fans should exit the gate closest to their transportation. The Gallagher East and West Club gates can be accessed only by ticket holders with Club seats this season.
Mobility assistance will be offered to those who request it near each stadium entry gate. Signage and Guest Services will be available to guide ticket holders.
The GEICO Game Day Shuttle Program will be operating around the stadium to pick up fans in Lot S, X, Z, and Metropolitan Park. The service runs three hours prior to kickoff and one hour after the end of each game.
Fans can stay up to date on the Stadium of the Future by visiting jaguars.com/stadiumofthefuture.
Fan Entertainment Zone
Located on the southwest plaza level adjacent to Daily's Place, the Fan Entertainment Zone (FEZ), in partnership with Wolfson’s Children’s, has more than 20 activations to explore.
Due to Stadium of the Future construction and limited plaza access, fans can experience the activities by entering the stadium only through Gates 1, 4 and 7 or via the main concourse level to the escalators near the Bud Light Zone to the plaza level beginning three hours prior to each home game.
Uniform combination
The Jaguars will wear teal jerseys and teal pants.
Jaguars fans can get free posters
The first 300 fans at the Duuuval Designs Space in the Fan Entertainment Center can get free limited-edition game day posters from Florida artists.
This week’s poster comes from St. Augustine-based artist Nikki Rakov. The artwork displays a jaguar in downtown Jacksonville protecting EverBank Stadium from an enemy jet. The poster’s acrylic and watercolor finish frame the vibrant landscape of the Jacksonville Riverfront.
First 'Duuuval!'
The first 'Duuuval!' will be by Jacksonville native Paris Richardson. As Miss Florida 2025, Richardson has used her voice to advocate for health equity. As the founder of C.R.O.W.N. of Health, she works to empower communities through education, outreach and wellness.
Inspire Change Changemaker Award
In honor of the NFL Inspire Change initiative, the Jaguars will recognize Jacksonville’s Inspire Change Changemaker Award recipient, Ronnie King in the game’s first quarter.
The award recognizes an individual in each NFL team market making a difference in their community with social justice work.
As the founder of the My Village Project, King established the world's largest community knowledge repository, empowering students and nonprofit leaders by integrating local insights with state-of-the-art technology. Through initiatives like "Coding in Color," King has successfully trained over 500 students for careers in AI, app development, and video game design, all while forging essential connections with grassroots nonprofit networks.
Artists to be honored
Prior to the game, the Jaguars will recognize artists from Jacksonville Arts and Music School in the South End Zone. These artists designed the game balls delivered to the 2025 Community Champions this season. The school, affectionately known as JAMS, is a Creative Youth Development program with a mission to empower local creative leaders.
Flag champions recognized
Team members of “Stellar,” the champions of the Jacksonville Jaguars Corporate Flag Football Tournament, will be recognized. The tournament, in its second season, is hosted at the indoor Flex Field and brings together Jacksonville-area companies for a day of co-ed competition.
Naturalization Oath administered
For the past eight seasons, the Jaguars’ Inspire Change game has featured a Naturalization Oath of Allegiance Ceremony administered by U.S. District Court Judge Marcia Morales Howard.
This year’s ceremony will welcome 96 applicants for citizenship from 39 countries, ranging from Albania to Vietnam. Included in this group are seven families taking the Oath of Allegiance together and one individual who was inspired by the ceremony while working last year’s Inspire Change game.
The Jaguars were the first NFL team to host this ceremony in game. A naturalized citizen himself, Jaguars owner Shad Khan will greet the new Americans on the field following their oath, along with football and front office leadership.
Community champion of the game
During the third quarter of the game Andrea Reyes will be recognized as Community Champion of the Game. Born in Bogota, Colombia, Reyes co-founded the Northeast Florida Immigrant Resource Alliance (NEFIRA), a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of immigrants in Northeast Florida.
Game day Patriotism
The National Anthem will be performed by Jarred Billups, a contestant from Season 24 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Billups is an active performer and music educator from Fayette, Ala.
Kai Hout, a student from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, will interpret the Anthem for the hearing impaired.
The Colors will be presented by members of the Beaufort High School Air Force JROTC.
The American Flag will be held by Jacksonville leaders, organizations and nonprofit volunteers who embody the NFL’s Inspire Change mission.
The flyover will be conducted by the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 62 (VR-62). Nicknamed the “Nomads,” the squadron is one of five U.S. Navy Reserve Squadrons operating the Lockheed C-130T Hercules cargo aircraft.
Retired Navy Captain and Executive Director of USO Florida, Aaron Bowman will be honored as the Veteran of the Game. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Bowman served 28 years and was the CO of Naval Station Mayport from 2007-2010. He piloted multiple attack fighters and served as an instructor.
Lt. JG Maria Lynch will be honored as the Bell Ringer. He began her naval career at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, where she has worked as a Postpartum and Labor and Delivery nurse for more than two years. She has provided critical medical care to over 1,200 Marine Corps OCS candidates.
Jaguars fan reminders
Clear bag policy: The NFL’s clear bag policy is in effect at EverBank Stadium. Fans can bring only one clear bag no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” or a non-clear bag no larger than 4.5” x 6.5.” Non-clear belt bags and fanny packs are prohibited.
Mobile ticketing and parking: Fans should have their mobile tickets and parking downloaded and ready to scan before arriving at parking lots and stadium entry gates. To access, download the Official Jaguars Mobile App.
Umbrellas prohibited: Umbrellas are prohibited inside the stadium.
Cashless transactions: Cash is not accepted anywhere in the stadium. In addition to traditional scan and chip options, all fixed points of sale will offer tap or scan payment options including Apple, Google and Samsung Pay.
Rideshare pick-up: Guests utilizing rideshare for transportation following the game should arrange a meeting location on the west side of the stadium on Beaver Street, near Lot Z.
Guests are encouraged to exit on the west side of the stadium for the most direct route to meet rideshare drivers.
No drones allowed: Drones are not permitted to fly anywhere over EverBank Stadium or any of its adjacent parking lots.
Jaguars-Jets game day timeline
9 a.m.: All EverBank Stadium parking lots open; game day ticket office open (North End Zone between Gates 2 and 3); Miller Electric Center team store open.
10 a.m.: Gates 1, 4 and 7 open; Fan Entertainment Zone and Cool Zone open (South End Zone near Gate 4).
11 a.m.: All stadium gates and areas open.
12:46 p.m.: First "Duuuval!"
12:49 p.m.: Roar of the Jaguars, D-Line performance.
12:53 p.m.: Jaguars team introductions.
12:58 p.m.: National Anthem, followed by VR-62 Fighter flyover.
Who will it be? Justin Fields? Tyrod Taylor? Brady Cook?
Regardless of who starts at quarterback for the New York Jets at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Dec. 14, it looks like a favorable matchup for the home team.
Fields missed last week's game with a knee injury, and he hasn't been good this season anyhow.
Taylor is a career backup who suffered a groin injury early in the Jets' loss to the Dolphins last week.
And Cook is an undrafted rookie who wasn't ready for NFL action, and it showed in his performance.
Fields and Taylor will be assessed prior to Sunday's game because the Jets would prefer not start their unfinished rookie project.
When you pair all that up against a Jaguars defense that is among the best in the league, this game should be easy for Jacksonville, right?
One would hope so, but the Jaguars have struggled this season at times against backups in situations that should have been easy.
Do any of our experts think the Jets have a shot? Or will this be a clean sweep of picks in favor of the Jags? Let's find out.
DEMETRIUS HARVEY
Jaguars beat writer
Jaguars 31, Jets 13
This is the type of game you could sleepwalk into, but the Jaguars haven't shown they're wont to do that this year. It ought to be an easy one with the caveat that no game in the NFL is actually "easy."
Season: 10-3 (Won last week)
MIKE DiROCCO
ESPN
Jaguars 24, Jets 13
A couple early scores should allow the Jaguars to get a lead and then turn to Travis Etienne Jr., Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen to control the rest of the game against the Jets, who have given up 406 yards rushing in their last two games.
Season: 7-6 (Won last week)
RYAN O'HALLORAN
Times-Union Sports columnist
Jaguars 31, Jets 13
Pro Football Reference’s game-by-game database for takeaways dates back to 1940. The New York Jets’ two takeaways entering their Dec. 14 game against the Jaguars ranks last. Last. No team has been worse creating takeaways this late in a season in 85 years. The next-closest is San Francisco (five) in 2018.
The Jets also have no interceptions, also the worst during that span. That 2018 49ers team is next with two interceptions.
It really is simple for the Jaguars as a double-digit favorite for the first time since December 2007: If they don’t turn it over, they will win and win handily.
The only concerning part for Jaguars coach Liam Coen should be the Jets are due for an interception.
“They’ve definitely had their hands on (the football),” Coen said. “You can definitely see their ability to attack the football when it’s in the air. Just haven’t gotten one yet.”
To Coen’s point, the NFL has credited the Jets with 58 defensed passes. They have to catch one eventually.
The Jaguars run it 40 times against the league’s 30th-ranked run defense and play turnover-free to stay in the AFC South lead and clinch their first 10-win season since 2017.
Season: 9-4 (Won last week)
GARRY SMITS
Times-Union Sports reporter
Jaguars 26, Jets 10
I sort of see this as another version of the Titans game. The Jaguars might not dominate but neither will the issue be in doubt. After the overtime victory over Arizona and the routs of Tennessee and Indianapolis, there could easily be a tendency to let the mind drift to a week later in the Rocky Mountains for a showdown with the Broncos, but Liam Coen has a knack for forcing the team's attention back to the issue at hand. I think this is a TCB kind of game. Not flashy but not a problem.
Season: 7-6 (Lost last week)
JUSTON LEWIS
Times-Union Sports reporter
Jaguars 27, Jets 13
If this game was in three years it might play out differently. Ya know, after the Jets draft eight combined times in the first two rounds over the next two years. But it's not. Jaguars should roll.
Season: 7-6 (Won last week)
CLAYTON FREEMAN
Times-Union Sports reporter
Jaguars 26, Jets 17
The Jags have an uncomfortable habit of leaving things too close for comfort against thoroughly beatable teams (see Arizona and Las Vegas). But the J-E-T-S are B-A-D. Jacksonville should — emphasis on should — roll through this one.
Season: 7-6 (Won last week)
TIM WALTERS
Times-Union Sports Editor
Jaguars 27, Jets 6
I wonder if Aaron Glenn is having second thoughts about taking the Jets job? I feel bad for him. It's hard for me to see a scenario where the Jets win this game. The Jaguars are good at stopping the run and they've been a menace to opposing quarterbacks, especially over the past four games. The Jets may stick around early, but the Jaguars should have no problem in putting this game away by early in the second half.
Veteran running back D’Andre Swift wasn’t supposed to be the answer. Entering the 2025 season, the Chicago Bears were surrounded by questions about their backfield, their identity, and whether a disappointing 2024 campaign from Swift signaled a long-term problem. Four months later, the veteran has become one of the league’s most productive backs and a headline example of how Ben Johnson reshaped Chicago’s offense.
Swift officially earned national recognition this week after landing at No. 14 on NFL.com analyst and former Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew’s latest Top-15 ranking. It’s a dramatic rise for a player who didn’t crack Jones-Drew’s October list. His new spot places him surprisingly just ahead of Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro and Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley.
Jones-Drew praised Swift’s evolution, writing: “The Bears have gone from zero to hero in one season, thanks to Ben Johnson and his willingness to pound the rock to control the clock. Swift is on pace to earn his second 1,000-yard rushing campaign; he's also having his most efficient season since 2022, when he was last with Johnson in Detroit. The veteran back has had to share the load with rookie Kyle Monangia, but I like what I'm seeing from this physical duo.”
That efficiency is undeniable. Through 12 games, Swift has 173 carries for 837 yards, five touchdowns, and a strong 4.8 yards per carry. His per-carry output is a full yard higher than his Chicago debut in 2024, and his receiving role remains a valuable complement with 26 catches for 256 yards and another score.
Swift’s rise mirrors Chicago’s transformation. Johnson’s offense now mimics many of the core principles that helped Detroit thrive during the head coach’s tenure there. The Bears lead the NFL in rush attempts per game (31.2) and sit second in rushing yards (152.6) while ranking sixth in yards per carry (4.9). The advanced numbers underscore how dominant the unit has been: Chicago ranks third in EPA per rush (0.07) and first in rushing success rate at 48.8 percent.
The emergence of seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai has strengthened the foundation. After erupting for 176 yards on 6.8 yards per carry in Week 9 while Swift was out, the Rutgers product forced his way into a meaningful rotational role. He enters Week 15 with 648 rushing yards, five touchdowns, and the same 4.8 yards per carry as Swift, rare cohesion for a backfield that wasn’t expected to be this productive.
But make no mistake: Swift is the tone-setter. His burst, patience, and ability to finish runs have made him the engine behind Chicago’s rise from a bottom-tier offense to a top-eight scoring unit averaging 25.7 points per game.
As the Bears prepare for their Week 15 matchup with the Cleveland Browns, Swift isn’t just having a bounce-back year. He has become the stabilizing force Chicago hoped for and the national respect suggests the league is finally noticing.
Amazon Prime Video analysts Richard Sherman, Andrew Whitworth, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tony Gonzalez assessed Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's remarks that he made on his 29th birthday, during "TNF Nightcap" after the Atlanta Falcons' win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"Curious," Sherman said. "Very, very curious. And if I'm Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay/Kevin O'Connell, I'm trying to figure out and talk to my GM and see: What exactly do we have to offer the Cincinnati Bengals? Can we offer them the whole team and a dream? Because that's what it's gonna take to pry him out of Cincinnati, if they're even gonna allow that. He's obviously not having fun there."
"He has two of the best receivers in the National Football League in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins," Sherman continued. "They have an offensive system that works. They score a lot of points. But when you're not having fun, you're getting beat up every year. You want to go somewhere where you feel supported, you feel seen. You feel like you can enjoy playing the game. And I know a few places with great weather that would love to have him."
"I think my first reaction is a guy who's been through a lot," Whitworth said. "I can remember when … I faced an injury or had to do rehab and think maybe, maybe not I'm getting back on the field this season or my future in the league. You question a lot of those things, and it does. It puts a lot of mental strain on you. Not just the physical part. But just the emotions, the highs and the lows, of feeling like a superhero one second and feeling like it all may be over for nothing the next."
"And you think of what he's been through there in Cincinnati," Whitworth continued. "Joe is a complex individual. I think that's what we all know about him. He's a great dude. He's a close friend. He's somebody that honestly the game of football is really important to him, but he also loves life. He loves to travel. He loves to go and explore."
"So, I think to me, it's like him contemplating, 'Am I having fun doing this?'" Whitworth added. "Making sure it's important to me. What are those things that are going to set me up to enjoy this game and get the most out of it? So I think he's contemplating a lot of different things. Not just where he's playing. But also, like, making sure I'm enjoying every moment and never taking any of it for granted. And if there's something else I'd rather be doing, let me explore that too."
"I'm gonna chalk it up as he's just down in the dumps," Gonzalez said. "They caught him on a bad day. … He's in the swamps of sadness. They're losing. This is not fun. This is what you go through. I have been exactly where he's at. Where you're saying to yourself, 'I've accomplished most everything I can as a player individually. But now, I want to win Super Bowls. I want to play in the postseason. I want to get back to where I was before.'"
"And it's just not happening right now," Gonzalez added. "He's frustrated, feeling down. I would chalk that up. I bet by next week or after a win, he'll be right back to being Joe Burrow and being the leader of that team. And I don't think he's going anywhere. That's a lot of wishful thinking."
"Think about the season and think about toe injury and the surgery," Fitzpatrick said. "I mean in that Buffalo game, it sure looked like he was having fun for the first part of that. And obviously the two interceptions … aren't really his fault that happen at the end of the game. But I do think this is a little prisoner of the moment."
"But when do we see Joe Burrow smile and have fun?" Fitzpatrick continued. "He has a different way of showing it, I think. … He's a guy that's an absolute machine as a quarterback. We love watching him play, Joe. So we hope you play. We hope you're happy. But we hope you play for as long as you can because he is a fun guy to watch. And the NFL is better with Joe Burrow in it."
The Houston Texans had their second day of practice Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals and released their second injury report of the week.
The Texans had eight players upgraded from Wednesday, including three that moved from not practicing to full.
The full details from Thursday's inrury report are below. Starters are noted with an asterisk.
Texans injury report: Did not participate
RB Nick Chubb (ribs)
*LG Tytus Howard (not injury related/personal)
*CB Kamari Lassiter (foot)
Howard was an addition to the report Thursday. Lassiter, a second-round pick in 2024, missed some practice time last week, but played in the win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Defensive coordinator Matt Burke said, “I thought, obviously, working through missing some practice time last week and then showing up on Sunday was awesome. I don't even know how many superlatives I can say about him at this point. He's, I'd argue, the best tackling corner in the league and he's the toughest corner in the league.”
Limited participation
DE Denico Autry (knee)
*RB Woody Marks (knee)
LB E.J. Speed (knee)
Marks was upgraded after not practicing Wednesday.
Full participation
*LB Azeez Al-Shaair (ankle)
*RT Trent Brown (hand)
TE Harrison Bryant (neck/shoulder/practicing while on IR)
LB Jamal Hill (hamstring)
*DT Sheldon Rankins (elbow/shoulder)
WR Justin Watson (calf/practicing while on IR)
Al-Shaair, Brown and Rankins all made the leap from not practicing Wednesday to full participation Thursday. Bryant, Hill and Watson moved from limited to full.
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Fernando Mendoza wasn't expected to be the top quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Following his surprise Heisman Trophy-caliber 2025 season at Indiana, however, now he will be taken high in the first round as the first QB off the board on April 23.
Why has Mendoza shot up draft boards for his play, and what's his pro outlook?
Here's a profile of the Hoosiers passer, including what teams are most likely to draft him:
Mendoza (6-5, 225) has the ideal size as a strong pocket passer. The Cal transfer and Miami high school product was a hit in Curt Cignetti's dynamic offense. He's developed all the physical and mental qualities to be a top-10 pick for a QB-needy team.
Strengths
Mendoza is very accurate with his short-to-intermediate passing. He is a good decision-maker who processes the field well. When he has a clean pocket, he can make all the throws. He also hangs tough in the pocket when facing pressure and is fearless in his execution. Mendoza is an aggressive thrower, but also avoids forcing the ball into coverage. He can zip it to take shots, but also adjust to show touch on passes when needed.
Weaknesses
Mendoza can scramble for yardage when the defense breaks down and his big frame can help him on quarterback sneaks, but he won't add an element of plus athleticism to a team, as he's far less comfortable throwing on the run and won't provide any designed support for the running game. He will need to learn better how to dissect more complex pressure and coverage schemes in the NFL.
With the Giants (Jaxson Dart) and Titans (Cam Ward) taking first-round QBs in 2025, it's pretty clear where Mendoza might be headed. Here are the five teams to watch most to draft him
Las Vegas Raiders
With Chip Kelly gone from the offense, Pete Carroll can look for a new OC with a pocket passer in mind to replace Geno Smith. It doesn't hurt that Mendoza's Big Ten clutch style would get a stamp of approval from part-owner Tom Brady.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns will learn more about Shedeur Sanders for the rest of the 2025 season to see whether the rookie fifth-rounder deserves a more extended look to start in '26. If not, Cleveland would be firm play to try again at franchise QB.
Will the Saints see enough from Tyler Shough to make a call either way on the second-round rookie QB? If they want to go higher into the draft pool for offensive-minded Kellen Moore, Mendoza has the Dak Prescott-like pocket qualities to execute his offense well.
New York Jets
Aaron Glenn and Tanner Engstrand saw the success of pocket-passing winning with Jared Goff (6-4, 217) in Detroit and may want to go that route to try again to strengthen the position for the long haul.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are heading to part ways with Kyler Murray and there might be some offensive coaching changes in store, too. Mendoza, Marvin Harrison Jr., Trey McBride and Michael Wilson would make for a good young passing game foundation.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started the 2025 season with a 6-2 record ahead of their Week 9 bye week. Something changed during their week off.
The Buccaneers have lost five of the six games they have played since the bye week, including a Week 15 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The most recent loss, arguably the biggest so far this season, knocked Tampa Bay out of first place in the NFC South with just four weeks to go.
The Buccaneers now trail the Carolina Panthers by one game. If Carolina wins out or wins three of their last four games, they will win the NFC South and advance past the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay hasn't looked like itself, and while they have had some bad injuries, they got Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan back in Week 15, and it wasn't enough to right the ship. Head coach Todd Bowles talked about the most recent loss and the losing streak in his press conference after the game, and he was uncharacteristically harsh when speaking about his team.
Here is what Bowles said following the loss in Week 15 to the Falcons.
Bowles was asked about the fact that the Buccaneers had a 14-point lead with 10 minutes left in the game and lost. The head coach said, "Didn't execute. Few guys that didn't make some plays, weren't where they're supposed to be. Inexcusable. Can't happen."
Bowles was later asked what his message was going to be to the locker room. His response went viral because it was very uncharacteristic of the head coach, with explicit language. Bowles dropped seven F-bombs in his response.
"It's inexcusable. You've gotta f---ing care enough, where the sh-- hurts. You've gotta f----ing care enough, where the sh-- hurts. It's gotta f---ing mean something to you. it's more than a job, your f---ing livelihood, how well do you know your job, how well can you do your job. We can't sugarcoat that sh--. It's inexf---ingexcusable. There's no f---ing answer for it. No excuse for it. That's what you tell them in the locker room. Look in the f---ing mirror."
Bowles was asked about the return of Mike Evans and he said, "He played winning football. He cares. He's one of the guys that cares. He gave his heart, he gave his all, need more guys like that." This prompted the reporter to ask if any of the players don't care. Bowles responded, "They all care. It's just a matter of execution. There's nobody out there trying to mess it up. At some point, you gotta get it right."
Bowles was asked what he could say to the coaches to help get the players ready for these kinds of situations. He said, "We're ready in the situations, we gotta execute. Coaches and players are all in it together; when the coaches are bad, the players are bad and vice versa. We gotta execute better...nobody is pointing fingers, but at the same time we gotta hold each other accountable and we have to be better than that."
After Wednesday’s limited practice, Horn took a major step forward in Thursday’s practice. Head coach Dave Canales stated earlier in the week that the 26-year-old is on track to return Sunday. However, he must still receive clearance from an independent neurologist before rejoining the starting lineup.
The Panthers’ latest injury report was as clean as it could get. All 53 players on the active roster were on the field Thursday, and all five players listed, including Horn, inside linebacker Claudin Cherelus (concussion), center Cade Mays (ankle), linebacker Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring), and safety Lathan Ransom (thumb), were full participants.
Horn’s return couldn’t come at a better time for the 7–6 Panthers, who are tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the top of the NFC South as the playoff push heats up. Carolina returns from its bye week after a dramatic 31–28 win over the Los Angeles Rams, a game in which the defense forced three turnovers, including a pick-six and a game-sealing fumble. Horn did not play in that matchup but has been one of the team’s most impactful defenders throughout the season.
In 12 games, Horn has produced five interceptions, the second-most in the NFC, and six pass breakups with 15 tackles. His performance has made him the leading Pro Bowl vote-getter among cornerbacks, positioning him for his second straight Pro Bowl appearance.
The fifth-year defensive back has also earned strong recognition from across the league. Before Carolina’s Week 12 matchup, San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey praised Horn’s ability, a sentiment reinforced when Horn recorded two first-half interceptions in that game before exiting with a concussion. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, now in his third season with the Panthers, has also acknowledged Horn’s continued development after injuries limited him to 29 missed games over his first three years.
Carolina now focuses on a decisive rematch with 3–10 New Orleans, who handed them a 17–7 loss in Week 10. Horn’s return could be just what the Panthers need as they chase their first division title since 2015.
The Tennessee Titans returned to the practice field Thursday afternoon to tighten things up before traveling west to Santa Clara to face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15 action.
The Titans welcomed back most players who sat out Wednesday’s practice, with only linebacker James Williams Sr. remaining on the sidelines due to an illness. Kevin Zeitler, Dan Moore Jr., Jalyn Armour-Davis, Lloyd Cushenberry, and C.J. Ravenell all practiced in a limited capacity. This was a downgrade for Moore, who practiced fully on Wednesday despite his neck injury, making this something to monitor as we head into the weekend.
All other members of the 53-man roster practiced fully, and there was no update on wide receiver Xavier Restrepo.
Here is the Titans' full injury report for Week 15.
The Atlanta Falcons' fifth-year tight end had the kind of game on "Thursday Night Football" that his team hoped would be a lot more common when it made him the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Pitts set new career-high numbers in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns against the Buccaneers and accomplished something no tight end has since 1996.
According to NFL senior researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno, Pitts is the first tight end to have 150-plus yards and 3-plus touchdowns in a game since Shannon Sharpe did it in Week 6 of that 1996 season.
The Falcons' tight end finished with 13 more yards on two fewer catches than Sharpe did in his big game 29 years ago.
In the absence of Drake London, who missed his fourth straight game with a PCL sprain, Pitts stepped up in a massive way. Here's a closer look at his numbers during his career night against the Bucs in Week 15:
When Kyle Pitts was coming out of college, he was thought of as a generational tight end product. His versatility, speed and physicality combined to make him an intriguing prospect.
He has had a rollercoaster career, never fully living up to the high expectations analysts and fans had for him, but there are times when he has shown flashes of the form he showed at Florida that inspired those expectations.
His performance in Week 15's "Thursday Night Football" game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was one of those flashes. Atlanta went into the half up 14-13, and both touchdowns were by Pitts. The Falcons were down two scores in the second half, and Cousins continually found Pitts to extend drives and score again.
Here is how Pitts dominated in Week 15 against the Buccaneers.
Pitts had one touchdown in the 13 games he had played before the Week 15 matchup against the Buccaneers. The tight end also hadn't had more than 100 yards in a game since his fifth career game in 2021.
Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins hit Pitts on a slant, and the tight end turned it upfield and hurdled into the end zone for his first touchdown since Week 4.
Pitts had a historic game against the Buccaneers. He becomes the eight tight end in history with at least 150 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the same game.
Along with being the only tight end in the NFL with 150+ receiving yards and multiple touchdowns in a game this season, Kyle Pitts is only the 8th tight end ALL-TIME to record 3+ receiving TDs and 150+ receiving yards in a game.#ProBowlVotepic.twitter.com/Hj8C430Ent
Pitts was drafted with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. It remains the highest a tight end has ever been drafted.
He was initially signed to a four-year, $32,910,495 deal. Atlanta chose to exercise the fifth-year option on his contract, which he is playing under for the 2025 season. Pitts will be a free agent after the 2025 season, barring an extension with the Falcons.
Falcons schedule
Here is a look at Atlanta's remaining games for the 2025 regular season.
With just four weeks left in the 2025 regular season, teams have limited chances to make a playoff push and the NFC South division looks like it will come down to the wire.
The Buccaneers opened Week 15 against the Falcons on "Thursday Night Football," with the Panthers taking on the Saints on Sunday.
Tampa Bay was down a point at halftime and got up two touchdowns in the second half. But Atlanta battled back and used a walk-off field goal to flip the NFC South heading into the weekend.
Here is more on how the Buccaneers' loss against the Falcons for Week 15's "Thursday Night Football" game impacts the NFC South divisional race.
The loss to the Falcons hurt the Buccaneers. At least for the time being, Tampa Bay doesn't control its own destiny to get to the playoffs. This could change if the Panthers lose to the Saints on Sunday, but for now, Carolina sits atop the NFC South.
Panthers remaining schedule
Week
Opponent
15
at Saints
16
vs. Buccaneers
17
vs. Seahawks
18
at Buccaneers
Carolina still has a Week 15 game against New Orleans to deal with. The Panthers can't afford to look past the Saints, as they lost their first matchup against the team in Week 10.
Carolina has one of the toughest end-of-season schedules in the NFL, while the Buccaneers aren't one of the league's top teams, they still sit atop the division, and if the Panthers have any hope of going to the playoffs, they have to win at least one of the games against Tampa Bay down the stretch.
Buccaneers remaining schedule
Week
Opponent
16
at Panthers
17
at Dolphins
18
vs. Panthers
With the Week 15 game against Atlanta behind them, the Buccaneers only have three games left. To make the playoffs, Tampa Bay must win more games than Carolina down the stretch.
The Buccaneers currently don't control their own destiny. Tampa Bay will be rooting for New Orleans on Sunday, and will turn its attention to taking on Carolina in Week 16, in the first of two hugely important matchups between the two teams still to be played this season.
The Falcons are eliminated from the postseason. Atlanta is playing for pride and draft positioning at this point. The Falcons have a Week 16 matchup against the eliminated Cardinals, but then have back-to-back important games to end the season.
Los Angeles will be traveling across the country for a trap game in Atlanta. The Rams are sitting in a playoff position and likely can't afford a loss in that matchup.
While the Week 18 matchup against the Saints won't matter for this season, it could end up having big draft order implications. The Falcons don't own their 2026 first-round pick, so the Rams will be keeping an eye on that to see if the pick stays in the top ten.
Saints remaining schedule
Week
Opponent
15
vs. Panthers
16
vs. Jets
17
at Titans
18
at Falcons
New Orleans is eliminated from playoff contention and ends their season taking on three teams also not in playoff contention. The Saints will be playing solely for pride and draft order standing the rest of the way. The game against the Titans will be an important one because both teams are currently projected to be in the top five of the draft order come April.
New Orleans does have the chance to throw a wrench into Carolina's playoff hopes. A win over the Panthers would give them an uphill battle to make the playoffs.
The Carolina Panthers are getting closer to their first division title in nearly a decade.
Thanks in part to an old friend in kicker Zane Gonzalez, the Atlanta Falcons walked off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers en route to a 29-28 upset on Thursday night. Tampa Bay's loss, their fourth in the last five games, moved them to 7-7 and half a game behind the new NFC South-leading 7-6 Panthers.
Now, according to The Athletic's NFL Playoff Simulator, Carolina has a 47-percent chance to make the playoffs.
Tonight's result has also given the Panthers an opportunity to clinch the NFC South crown by the end of Week 16. If they can win their next two games—against the New Orleans Saints this weekend and the Bucs on Dec. 21—then the division, for the first time since their magical 2015 campaign, is theirs.
The Los Angeles Rams have a vested interest in seeing the Atlanta Falcons lose over the final stretch of the regular season.
That's because the Rams own the Falcons' 2026 first-round pick, which stands to be at least fairly high with Atlanta in the midst of a terrible season.
Los Angeles acquired the pick during the 2025 NFL draft, when the Falcons wanted to trade up for edge rusher James Pearce.
Unfortunately for the Rams, Atlanta's victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night moves Los Angeles back one spot.
Here's the updated draft order after the Falcons' victory over Tampa Bay, according to Tankathon:
The pick drops one spot, but the Rams will improve one place in the draft order if the Bengals win on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens because Cincinnati has the higher strength of schedule.
Los Angeles' pick can't fall any lower than No. 10, though, so that's the good news.
Lest we forget, the Rams also have their own first-round pick in 2026, so they'll have two in the opening round, which is just absurd for a team that looks like a Super Bowl contender this season.
The Rams went from "F them picks" to being flush with them.
One concern that has blossomed during the San Francisco 49ers' three-game win streak is the alarming lack of production from their 2024 first-round pick, wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.
Pearsall sustained a knee injury in Week 4 and didn't return until the 49ers visited the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11. In that game Pearsall caught just one pass for zero yards. In three games since his return he has just five catches for 20 yards on nine targets. In his first four games of the year he had 20 catches for 327 yards on 29 targets while looking like the team's No. 1 option in the passing game.
His lack of productivity since his return has been head-scratching, but offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak on Thursday in a press conference insisted there isn't an underlying issue. Instead, he pointed to specific examples of missed opportunities in each game.
“It's circumstantial," Kubiak said. "I think every game's different. I think you go back, the Arizona game, I think was his first game back and we targeted him a lot and there was coverages that dictated where the ball went. I think Carolina, we did target him a handful of times and [QB] Brock [Purdy] missed a few throws on a couple and we got into a situation where we were trying to run the ball in the fourth quarter. Then the Cleveland game, there weren't many ops and he did take advantage of some of his ops in that game where he beat man-coverage a few times and he made some big plays. So it's situational.
"Ricky's not doing a thing wrong. He's practicing his butt off, he's competing, he looks good. And that's football sometimes. That's the life of a receiver. Sometimes the ball comes your way, sometimes it doesn't. And just keep your head down, keep playing and good things tend to happen. So that's the plan.”
The 49ers are on the precipice of the postseason and if they're going to be dangerous in the playoffs it's going to require them getting more from their top wide receiver than they've gotten the last three weeks.
The Minnesota Vikings are coming off their biggest win of the season, which followed the team's biggest loss. The team is very much on rocky ground despite the big win in Week 14, but a win over a surging Dallas Cowboys team would go a long way to boost enthusiasm.
The Thursday practice report for the Vikings has painted a bright picture for a team that has a loaded injury report in front of them to sort through.
The injuries have piled up, as we said, but some players are making progress in their return, or have returned altogether. Here is how the injuries and practice status shook down in the report the team released on Thursday:
That last Cousins game was a 34-28 overtime win by the Vikings, although in that one, they blew a lead rather than coming back like the Falcons did on Thursday night in a 29-28 win over the Buccaneers.
The Vikings went to overtime on that 2021 occasion, with a 27-yard pass from Cousins to K.J. Osborn walking it off.
Sam Darnold was the opposing QB that day.
Amazingly, there's one more notable crossover: The Panthers kicker in that last Cousins game was Zane Gonzalez. On Thursday night, Gonzalez kicked the winning field goal for Cousins' Falcons at the buzzer from 43 yards out.
But then the Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins staged an incredible rally to beat the Bucs on Thursday Night Football in Week 15. It changes everything in the NFC South standings for both the Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers.
Just a handful of days after a bad loss to the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay did it again.
The Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers entered the night tied atop the NFC South at 7-6. The wild card spots won't be coming out of this division, so it's division title or bust.
The Bucs play in Charlotte in Week 16, then it's back in Tampa Bay in Week 18.
In between, the Buccaneers play the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 on the road, while the Panthers host the Seattle Seahawks that week.
Those two showdowns will have a great chance of deciding things. Right now, everything remains in play, but the Panthers have a leg up after a shocking loss on Thursday night.
Thursday's injury report for the Jacksonville Jaguars included several positive updates.
Andrew Wingard and Walker Little, both of whom missed last week's game, have cleared concussion protocol, according to the team.
Both players were also full participants on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday.
Along with Wingard and Little being updated to full participants, so was quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who appeared on the injury report this week with an ankle injury.
Defensive lineman BJ Green (knee) was upgraded to a full participant as well.
For the second consecutive day, Parker Washington (hip), Quintin Morris (ankle), and Ezra Cleveland (shoulder) were limited.
Washington did not play this past Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.
Listed, but as full participants for the second day were Arik Armstead (hand), Travon Walker (knee), and Jarrian Jones (neck). All three players played in last week's game.
The NFL Draft is the second most anticipated event on the calendar for fans of any team. While not everyone gets to go to a Super Bowl, they do get to make some picks in the league's annual selection meeting. Despite the success the event has, they do enjoy it being in primetime, and with it running a bit long in the first round every year, the league made some changes.
ESPN's Adam Schefter shared that the NFL was going to be cutting down on the time that teams have to pick in round one from 10 minutes to eight. The two minutes may not seem like much, but it will make teams work quicker on any trade backs, perhaps leading to more movement pre-draft versus during it. The move was made after Commissioner Roger Goodell hinted at it on The Pat McAfee Show last year.
No other rounds are having their times changed or altered at this time.
Two-minute warning: The NFL notified teams today that it will shorten the time between picks in the first round of the draft from 10 to 8 minutes starting with the 2026 draft in Pittsburgh.
This will shorten the length of the first round, which had been finishing around 11:45p… pic.twitter.com/yMsym354PY
This is also the first adjustment to the time of picks since 2008, when they cut it by 5 minutes. The first round of the 2007 NFL Draft took a whopping six hours and eight minutes to complete, so picks went from being timed for 15 minutes to 10.
The NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh in 2026.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has taken the game over in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pitts capped off a long drive by hauling in a Kirk Cousins touchdown pass to tie the game at seven, then added another score later in the second quarter to give the Falcons a 14-10 lead.
Cousins connected with Pitts on a shallow drag route and allowed his big tight end to walk into the end zone untouched to get the Falcons on the board. His second touchdown hit Pitts down the right sideline.
Pitts now has six catches for 110 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That's a season-high for Pitts in receiving yards, and we're only at two quarters into the game.
The Bucs have since tacked on a field goal, but the Falcons still hold a 14-13 lead at halftime. Watch both of Pitts' touchdown receptions below, as shared by the team's social media account.
Are you a Kyle Pitts owner in fantasy football? Get in here!
For those fantasy football owners who put their faith in Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts for the first week of the playoffs, you're being rewarded.
Pitts is going absolutely nuts in the first half of the Week 15 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with the veteran tight end reeling in six catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
For full points-per-reception leagues, Pitts has posted a whopping 28 points, and maybe more if your league gives bonuses for 100-yard games.
Making Pitts' performance even more impressive is the fact that he had just one touchdown the entire season going into Thursday night, and he had not posted a 100-yard game at all this season.
If you're thinking it has been a long time since the former No. 4 overall pick has had a 100-yard showing, you'd be right. You'd have to go all the way back to the Week 16 game of Pitts' rookie campaign when he posted 102 yards.
For those of you going up against Pitts, we feel bad for you, but you should've been a believer and you wouldn't have been in this position.
Now, we'll have to see if Pitts can stay hot in the second half.
Far too often we see players have a huge start to games like Pitts is enjoying, only to disappoint the rest of the game.
Even if he does follow that same path, we couldn't have asked for any more than what Pitts has already provided on Thursday night.
With the Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) taking on AFC West division rival Kansas City (6-7) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in what could be an elimination game for the Chiefs on Dec. 14, the Bolts have unveiled their Thursday injury report ahead of the crucial matchup.
As Los Angeles defeated the Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) in overtime by a score of 22-19 on Dec. 9, the Chargers have one less day to prepare for Sunday's clash. While there is still one day of practice remaining, the Bolts have quite a few notable names listed.
Chargers Injury Report
Per the Dec. 11 injury report, the Chargers have nine players listed.
For those who have improved their status since the listing on Dec. 10, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen and outside linebacker Khalil Mack returned to full practice on Thursday after not participating on Wednesday. Those two were given a rest on Wednesday, indicating their statuses are not considered injury-related.
Tight end Will Dissly (Shoulder) also returned to full participation 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 on Wednesday and Thursday. 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.
The remainder of the report contains the four other Bolts players: wide receiver Derius Davis (Ankle), linebacker Troy Dye (Hip), defensive back Elijah Molden (Hamstring), and guard/tackle Trey Pipkins (Ankle), all of whom have held "Did Not Participate" tags for the past two days.
The Charger-Chiefs game on Sunday will air on CBS, with kickoff scheduled for 10 a.m. PT.
With the Los Angeles Chargers (9-4) taking on AFC West division rival Kansas City (6-7) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in what could be an elimination game for the Chiefs on Dec. 14, the Bolts have unveiled their Thursday injury report ahead of the crucial matchup.
As Los Angeles defeated the Philadelphia Eagles (8-5) in overtime by a score of 22-19 on Dec. 9, the Chargers have one less day to prepare for Sunday's clash. While there is still one day of practice remaining, the Bolts have quite a few notable names listed.
Chargers Injury Report
Per the Dec. 11 injury report, the Chargers have nine players listed.
For those who have improved their status since the listing on Dec. 10, veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen and outside linebacker Khalil Mack returned to full practice on Thursday after not participating on Wednesday. Those two were given a rest on Wednesday, indicating their statuses are not considered injury-related.
Tight end Will Dissly (Shoulder) also returned to full participation 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 on Wednesday and Thursday. 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.
The remainder of the report contains the four other Bolts players: wide receiver Derius Davis (Ankle), linebacker Troy Dye (Hip), defensive back Elijah Molden (Hamstring), and guard/tackle Trey Pipkins (Ankle), all of whom have held "Did Not Participate" tags for the past two days.
The Charger-Chiefs game on Sunday will air on CBS, with kickoff scheduled for 10 a.m. PT.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans had a scary fall in the first half of the Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons and it led to some injury concerns for him.
Evans, who is in his first game back from a broken collarbone, took a hard fall while trying to make a catch in the second quarter. Evans' hard fall is exactly the last thing you'd want to see from a guy who just got back from the veteran's injury.
After the play, Evans was clearly shaken up a bit, which led to an injury scare. Here's what we know about Evans' status.
Is Mike Evans injured?
While Evans looked to be shaken up from that fall, it appears he's OK, as he hasn't gone into the medical tent and isn't getting checked out by trainers.
The Minnesota Vikings continue to have a unique situation at the quarterback position in 2025. While J.J. McCarthy is coming off his best game of the season, he is still very much on unstable ground as the season progresses. Because of that, some folks are wondering whether the team might make a move this offseason to bring in some competition.
ESPN's Dan Graziano points out that it may make sense for former Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones to come back. The veteran tore his Achilles this past weekend and is now slated to miss a good portion of next season. Despite that, Graziano points out that it makes sense for a possible reunion.
He explained, "Another is that it would make sense for him (Daniel Jones) to go back to Minnesota, where he finished last season as Sam Darnold's backup, and rehab there with a staff that knows him and wanted to retain him but couldn't guarantee him the starting job this past offseason. Either way, the idea of a lucrative, long-term contract extension in Indianapolis (or somewhere else) probably slides to the back burner in light of Jones' most recent season-ending injury."
McCarthy would go into 2026 as the leader in the clubhouse, but having Jones for the second half isn't the worst idea in terms of insurance. The team needs a veteran backup, and the market isn't great right now because so many are signing two-year deals.
It is that or draft a rookie, but this team has a young arm in Max Brosmer, and they saw how that experience went.
While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were dealing with injuries at the wide receiver spot earlier in the season, rookie Emeka Egbuka stepped up big time.
However, Egbuka's production has declined significantly over the past four games and things don't figure to get any better now that Tampa Bay is fully healthy at the wide receiver position.
So, it comes as no surprise that Egbuka is off to slow start in the Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Here's more details behind his lackluster start.
Is Emeka Egbuka playing tonight?
Yes, Egbuka is active and healthy, and he was targeted on the opening series but just couldn't connect with quarterback Baker Mayfield.
As we said before, targets will be tougher to come by the rest of this season now that Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan and Chris Godwin are all healthy.
Hopefully Egbuka gets going soon and posts a big night, but we wouldn't bet on it.
After sitting out most of the 2025 NFL season due to injury, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin has come on strong of late.
Over the last two weeks, Godwin has been the Buccaneers' leading receiver, reeling in eight catches for 133 yards.
But just when Godwin started coming on strong, the Bucs got healthy at wide receiver with the returns of Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan in Week 15, so targets will be tougher to come by.
Speaking of the Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Godwin is off to a lackluster start. Here's why.
Is Chris Godwin playing tonight?
Yes, Godwin is active and healthy, he just hasn't been targeted in the passing game yet.
Don't be shocked if Godwin has a quiet game, as the Buccaneers now have all of their wide receivers back from injury, with Evans and McMillan returning to a group that also includes standout rookie Emeka Egbuka.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally welcomed veteran wide receiver Mike Evans back to the lineup for the Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons.
After missing significant time due to a broken collarbone, Evans was finally cleared to play on Wednesday, which marks the first time he's in uniform since Week 7.
However, Evans' return has been uneventful early on in the Thursday night contest against the Atlanta Falcons. Here's why.
Is Mike Evans playing tonight?
Yes, Evans is active and healthy, and he was targeted on the open drive, but he just couldn't reel it in. He also didn't have much of a chance to get going on the opening drive, as the Bucs got two first downs before punting it away.
Production might be tough to come by for Evans on Thursday night for a few reasons. His workload is going to be limited, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, and he's also shaking off some rust.
Evans should get on the stat sheet at some point, but what he ultimately finishes with remains to be seen.
The Arizona Cardinals had their second day of practice Thursday in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans and released their second injury report of the week.
There were several changes in status from Wednesday’s practice, but eight players did not practice for the second straight day. Of that total, four are starters.
Four players were upgraded, including safety Budda Baker, who did not practice Wednesday because of a personal issue and a thumb injury, but practiced in full Thursday. The three others had rest days Wednesday and did not practice, and rested with a limited designation Thursday.
The one downgrade was cornerback Max Melton, who went from limited to not practicing Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Texans' eight players upgraded from Wednesday, including three that moved from not practicing to full.
The full details of Thursday's injury report are below. Starters are noted with an asterisk.
Cardinals Thursday injury report: Did not participate
*LG Evan Brown (not injury related/personal)
*WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel)
*LT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee/out)
CB Max Melton (heel)
DL Bilal Nichols (knee)
S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle)
*S Jalen Thompson (hamstring)
WR Xavier Weaver (hamstring)
Brown, who did not play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams because of a personal issue, missed his second day of practice this week.
Thompson suffered his injury in the game against the Rams.
TE Harrison Bryant (neck/shoulder/practicing while on IR)
LB Jamal Hill (hamstring)
*DT Sheldon Rankins (elbow/shoulder)
WR Justin Watson (calf/practicing while on IR)
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 New England Patriots are well-rested coming off a bye week, but that doesn't mean there aren't still injury concerns for the team ahead of Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.
Running back Terrell Jennings is still out with a concussion, putting his availability for the Week 15 matchup in doubt. Veteran edge rusher Harold Landry III was also missing at Thursday's practice with a knee injury.
Jennings served as the No. 3 running back option behind TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. The team could turn to D'Ernest Johnson or Jashaun Corbin if he's unable to play. Landry potentially being sidelined is a major concern ahead of a matchup against the reigning NFL MVP, Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
He was limited at Wednesday's practice with the knee injury before missing completely on Thursday.
We'll have to see if his situation improves on Friday when the team reveals the official game statuses. Here is the injury report for both teams on Thursday:
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has been the face of the franchise over the last two decades, but he's also been the face of failure in recent years. After the gut-wrenching 27-22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 14, there is little to be cheerful about for Ravens' fans who just watched their rivals steal the AFC North division right from their paws. Still, Harbaugh enters press conferences with a happy-go-lucky smile as if spilled milk will clean itself.
No marvel, Harbaugh hasn't felt any pressure for his passive posturing. Instead, the franchise allows him to prance around the more serious questions by side-stepping into some sidebar patriotism. During a press conference interview this week, reporters asked Harbaugh how he plans on stopping Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, and his response was, "That guy is good, isn't he?" The grins, the giggles, and the lack of grit, mixed with consecutive losses, only fuel the grudge that fans are beginning to hold against Harbaugh and his false heroics.
It seems that Harbaugh is more focused on defending his character rather than acknowledging the reasons for the criticism he faces. While the confidence he displays to the media highlights his intangible leadership skills, it's important to remember that he isn't being asked to lead a pep rally or a bible study. Instead, his role is to guide a talented team to victory. His struggle to achieve this when it matters most cannot be emphasized enough at this point.zed enough at this point.
Harbaugh cannot afford to lose to the Bengals in week 14. Fans have had enough of the empty jargon, and if Sunday's rival game results in a Ravens' loss, that would make three straight losses to AFC North divisional foes.
The Buffalo Bills are no strangers to high-profile games with Josh Allen, and Sunday will be the biggest one of the year.
Rolling into Gillette Stadium, the Bills will be looking to stop the New England Patriots from clinching the division, something they've had control over for the past five years as champs.
But there appears to be a changing of the guard in the division, particularly this season, and with the Bills needing a win to close the gap and hold off the Patriots' celebration for a week or so, this game has plenty riding on it.
For NFL.com's Brooke Cersosimo, in predicting Sunday's game, has gone with the 28-25 win for Buffalo.
"New England's MVP candidate could make a big statement this week," Cersosimo wrote. "I'm not ruling that out. I'm just not ready to hand the division over yet -- even though the Pats could end up winning it eventually -- with Allen and the been-there-done-that Bills coming off a big win and ready to fight for what's been theirs for the last half-decade."
Bills' AFC East dominance on the line vs. Patriots
For the past five years, the Bills have been the bullies of the AFC East, with Allen and Sean McDermott having their way with the division.
But now with Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye, the Patriots have the ammunition to go toe-to-toe with the Bills, and on Sunday, we will get to see if there is truly a shift in the AFC East pecking order.
Granted, winning one division likely won't change the overall perception of the Bills, but it will certainly give the vibe that the AFC East is no longer a one-horse race.
And if the Patriots do win on Sunday and claim the division, the Bills will no longer be the schoolyard bully of the division... they'll have someone capable of standing up to them.
The NFC South is still up for grabs entering the final quarter of the NFL season, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a dogfight.
Combined with Tampa Bay's poor form — losing four out of five games heading into "Thursday Night Football" against the Falcons — and the Carolina Panthers' resurgence, both teams sit at 7-6 heading into Week 15.
With a win on Thursday, the Buccaneers would stay atop the division ahead of two matchups with the Panthers before the regular season's end. The bottom line is that everything is up for grabs in the division.
As for the Falcons, without Michael Penix Jr., Raheem Morris' squad is looking to end the season on a strong note.
Here's where the two teams lie in the division as primetime football approaches.
Heading into Week 15, there is a tie on top of the NFC South between two teams going in different directions since October.
Rank
Team
Record
1
Buccaneers
7-6
2
Panthers
7-6
3
Falcons
4-9
4
Saints
3-10
After starting the season 5-1, Tampa Bay has spiraled, winning only two of its last seven games. The Buccaneers have won the NFC South for four straight seasons, two with Tom Brady at the helm and twice with Baker Mayfield.
Carolina, on the other hand, has won six of nine after starting 1-3 and is coming off a huge win against the Super Bowl contender Los Angeles Rams. The Panthers are looking to snap the second-longest playoff drought in the NFL, only behind the New York Jets.
The Falcons, who enter Thursday night at 4-9, have a one-game lead on New Orleans for the NFC South basement. The teams play again in the season finale.
Whichever team does not win the NFC South faces an uphill battle for a wild card spot. With teams including the Seahawks, 49ers, Bears and Lions ahead, the chances two NFC South teams make the postseason are slim.
The easiest avenue for both the Buccaneers and Panthers heading into the final stretch of the season is by winning the division. The teams play twice, first in Carolina on Dec. 21 followed up on Jan. 4 in Tampa Bay for the season finale.
If the teams split, it comes down to division record, where they are identical (2-1) at the moment. After that, it's record against common opponents.
Atlanta enters this game not eliminated from the playoffs, but Next Gen Stats gives them less than a one percent chance. Still, the Falcons will be ready to spoil Tampa Bay's postseason hopes.
While the Bucs currently hold a playoff spot thanks to their division lead, the NFC South is one of the NFL's worst divisions. On top of that, the Carolina Panthers are closing in on Tampa Bay.
The Bucs will look to cement their playoff position further, while the Falcons will play for pride and bragging rights against a divisional foe.
Here’s everything you need to know about Bucs vs. Falcons on Thursday Night Football, including TV and streaming options.
Fans can listen to Buccaneers vs. Falcons on "Thursday Night Football" live with SiriusXM. For team-specific calls, head to channel 225 (Bucs broadcast) and 226 (Falcons 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.
C.J. Stroud might have caused a stir on social media Sunday night, but Cal McNair had the last laugh.
Following the Houston Texans' big road win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Cal and Hannah McNair waited near the team's visiting tunnel to give congratulatory high-fives to the players coming off the field. Most players greeted the owner and CEO without hesitation.
Stroud, who gave high fives to fans before entering the locker room, did not dap up McNair, thus leading to the internet losing its mind while creating conspiracy theories on what the high-five-less gesture could mean for the future of the Texans' quarterback.
Does Stroud hate the McNairs?
Will the Pro Bowler demand a trade this offseason?
Is the Texans quarterback at war with the man who signed off on him becoming the face of the franchise?
It was probably nothing more than a mistake, but that didn't stop the Texans' social media team from running with content leading into the weekend. On Wednesday, the team posted a hilarious 71-second video poking fun at the situation, with McNair acting as if he had yet to change or lower his hand since the plane ride home.
And McNair bought into the bit. Take a look at the clip below.
If Stroud really denied his boss, expect the two to hug it out first on Sunday when the Texans take on the Arizona Cardinals for a shot at a third consecutive winning season.
Michigan is in chaos after Sherrone Moore’s shocking firing, and now the Wolverines are staring at one of the biggest coaching decisions in program history. The question hanging over Ann Arbor is simple: Will the next leader come from the NFL or the college ranks?
NFL names on the radar:
Joe Brady brings a very different vibe. As the Bills' offensive coordinator, he has become known for elevating quarterbacks and crafting explosive passing games, with his work in Buffalo and that legendary LSU season with Joe Burrow still carrying real weight in coaching circles. An NFL-style Michigan attack with Brady calling plays would be a fascinating reset.
Mike Macdonald, now head coach of the Seahawks after his rapid rise as a defensive architect, would be another home run swing. He already proved at Michigan that he can modernize a defense and connect with players and administrators, and his jump to the NFL only boosted his profile.
John Harbaugh is the dream call, a Super Bowl winning Ravens head coach and brother of Jim, his name will keep popping up as long as the job is open, even if prying him from one of the NFLs model franchises would take a miracle, the family ties and his proven ability to build physical tough programs make the idea impossible for fans to ignore.
Jesse Minter is the most natural NFL name to watch, now running the Chargers defense after helping build a dominant Michigan unit that powered a national title run. His familiarity with Ann Arbor culture and his reputation as a detail-oriented defensive mind would make him an easy sell to players and boosters.
Wild cards and big swings:
Jon Gruden is one of the wild cards, a former Super Bowl champion whose name always floats whenever a massive job opens. His long NFL history and larger-than-life persona would instantly generate headlines, though any serious pursuit would bring intense scrutiny. Then there is the most outlandish but irresistible rumor: Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time and a Michigan legend, fans can easily picture him walking the sideline in maize and blue. Even if there is no real track record of him coaching a team, the mere mention of his name shows how desperate and imaginative the conversation has become.
College coaches still in play:
Even with all the NFL noise, the most frequently mentioned names remain on the college side. Kalen DeBoer at Alabama leads that group as a proven winner and elite offensive mind, with Jeff Brohm at Louisville and Jedd Fisch with the Huskies also viewed as real program builders. Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State, PJ Fleck at Minnesota, any of them would represent a safer, more traditional path than rolling the dice on an NFL splash hire.
Michigan must get this right:
In the wake of Moore’s sudden exit, the entire situation feels surreal, from timing to optics, and the margin for error is gone. Whether Michigan turns to an NFL strategist like Minter, Brady or Macdonald, takes a fantasy shot at a name like John Harbaugh, Gruden or Brady, or settles on a proven college head coach, the next move has to steady recruiting, calm a restless fan base, and protect the standard Jim Harbaugh restored, this hire will define the next decade in Ann Arbor.
The Falcons only won one game in November, which crushed their playoff hopes. To be fair, Atlanta was hit hard by injuries. They not only lost their starting quarterback, Michael Penix, for the season, but also star receiver Drake London has been dealing with a PCL injury.
After a strong MVP-caliber start for Baker Mayfield, he's struggled recently. As a result, the Buccaneers' record has suffered. Fortunately for them, the NFC South is competing for the worst division in the NFL.
Atlanta is not mathematically eliminated. Next Gen Stats gives them less than a one percent chance of making the postseason. While Tampa Bay is in the playoffs because it's leading the division, the Carolina Panthers are hot on their tail.
Here’s everything you need to know about Thursday Night Football in Week 15, including TV and live stream details to watch the game.
Fans can listen to Buccaneers vs. Falcons on "Thursday Night Football" live with SiriusXM. For team-specific calls, head to channel225 (Bucs broadcast) and 226 (Falcons 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 Miami Dolphins are gearing up for Monday night’s showdown in Pittsburgh with a potential major advantage: the possible absence of Steelers star T.J. Watt. Watt, who is currently under evaluation at a local hospital for a lung issue, has an uncertain status for the game. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin emphasized that Watt’s availability is “really up in the air” as testing continues.
For Miami, the news is encouraging. Running back De’Von Achane, who had been dealing with a rib injury, is expected to suit up. Achane avoided a fracture, had positive MRI results, and has been gradually ramping up in practice. With the extra day leading into Monday night, coach Mike McDaniel anticipates Achane will see increasing action, giving the Dolphins a key weapon in the backfield.
Achane’s recent form has been electric. Named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for November 2025, he led the league with 495 rushing yards and 630 scrimmage yards, showcasing explosive playmaking and consistency in a Dolphins offense that has leaned heavily on the run. Miami ranks 8th in the NFL in rushing, and Achane’s presence could exploit a Steelers defense that has struggled against the ground game, surrendering consecutive 200-yard rushing performances and ranking 21st in run defense.
Watt isn’t just a premier pass rusher—he’s also a dominant edge setter and run defender, often forcing offenses away from the perimeter. That makes his potential absence even more significant for Miami, whose bread and butter is perimeter runs. Without Watt controlling the edge, the Dolphins could have a much clearer path to stretch the field and attack the outside, turning their strength into a decisive advantage.
If Watt is sidelined, the Dolphins could dictate the line of scrimmage early. Achane’s explosiveness, combined with Miami’s perimeter running game and strategic commitment to the ground attack, could put Pittsburgh’s defense in a tough spot before adjustments can be made.
As the Dolphins prepare for the trip to Pittsburgh, much of their confidence may hinge on Watt’s availability. With Achane healthy and motivated, Miami has a prime opportunity to exploit a suspect run defense and put themselves in a strong position for a big Monday night win.
Broncos tight end/fullback Nate Adkins (knee) and defensive lineman D.J. Jones (ankle) both practiced again on Thursday, seemingly putting them on track to return in Week 15. Jones sat out last week's game and Adkins missed the team's last five games.
Denver guard Ben Powers (biceps) has also returned to practice, opening his 21-day window to return from injured reserve. Alex Palczewski has filled in well while Powers has been sidelined, but Powers will likely reclaim his starting spot once healthy.
Elsewhere on the injury front, wide receiver Pat Bryant (hamstring) remains sidelined, giving him an uncertain status for Sunday. The Broncos' complete Thursday injury report will be added below when it becomes available later today.
#Broncos rookie WR Pat Bryant (hamstring) didn’t practice again today. Didn’t see him doing rehab work on side field, either. Not a great sign for availability vs. Green Bay.
Here’s recent psquad signee Elijah Moore today. Could be in line for reps Sunday if Bryant doesn’t go. pic.twitter.com/YaNHnbDh8F
Denver will practice again on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses. Sunday's game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV broadcast map). The Packers have a 1-7 record in Denver, but they are considered road favorites going into Week 15.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence startled some on Wednesday when he popped up on the team's practice report with an ankle injury.
On Thursday, the fifth-year QB returned to practice, working in full after working limited through a walkthrough practice the previous day.
Lawrence had not appeared on the team's injury report thus far this season, and the ailment to his ankle was sustained during the game. It is not expected to cause him to miss any time.
The Jaguars also got good news with respect to a couple of their starters who missed last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts. Both safety Andrew Wingard and left tackle Walker Little passed the league's concussion protocol and returned to practice in full this week.
The Jaguars have never been as healthy as they are this week, with no player missing either Wednesday's or Thursday's practice. It marks the first time this year that the Jaguars have had full attendance in practice.
Last week, the only three players to miss the contest due to injuries were Little, Wingard and wide receiver Parker Washington. Washington's status for this week's game remains in question.
Here's the team's latest injury report this week.
Jaguars Thursday Week 15 injury report vs. Jets
Jaguars injury updates as of 12/11/25:
Italics denote a change from the previous day.
DT Arik Armstead (hand) - Full participation
G Ezra Cleveland (shoulder) - Limited participation
DE B.J. Green (knee) - Full participation
QB Trevor Lawrence (ankle) - Full participation
CB Jarrian Jones (neck) - Full participation
T Walker Little (concussion) - Full participation
TE Quintin Morris (ankle) - Limited participation
DE Travon Walker (knee) - Full participation
WR Parker Washington (hip) - Full participation
S Andrew Wingard (concussion) - Full participation
With four games remaining in a tight NFC South race, the tide of the Carolina Panthers' backfield may be turning. So, will we see some different motion coming from the team's ground attack here in Week 15?
Running back Chuba Hubbard chatted with reporters on Thursday, just ahead of this weekend's matchup against the New Orleans Saints. And with the fifth-year rusher looking the best he has all season, he was asked about continuing to share work with teammate Rico Dowdle.
Hubbard, in his early follow-up to a career campaign, appeared a tad slow out of the gate in 2025. Due in part to a lingering calf injury, which sidelined him for two games, he ran for just 217 yards over his first four outings.
His brief absence gave way to the emergence of Dowdle, who took over as the starter beginning in Week 5. In the pair of contests without Hubbard, Dowdle recorded a whopping 473 scrimmage yards—a franchise record for a two-game span.
Unfortunately for Hubbard, the struggles and the strain persisted upon his return—as he averaged 2.6 yards per carry in his first three games back. He'd see his workload gradually decrease in that time and beyond, receiving no more than five attempts from Weeks 9 to 12.
But Hubbard broke through in the team's Week 13 win over the Los Angeles Rams, notching a season-high 83 rushing yards on 17 totes along with two receptions for 41 yards and a score. Dowdle, meanwhile, hit the ground for 58 yards on 18 tries (3.2 yards per carry).
Both Hubbard and Dowdle should get their chances to shine this Sunday, as they're set to face a defense that's allowed the 10th-most rushing yards per game (130.9).
The Dallas Cowboys have provided a massive injury update on wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Lamb entered this week as a major question mark after suffering a concussion in Week 14. However, it appears he's going to play in Week 15.
According to the Cowboys' officially injury report, Lamb was a full participant in practice on Thursday, which puts him on track to suit up.
There's no word that Lamb has officially been cleared from the concussion protocol yet, but a full practice is usually the final step and Lamb has now cleared that.
Lamb was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday, which was the first sign he had a chance to suit up this week. The full practice on Thursday all but confirms Lamb's status for Week 15.
This is a bit surprising, though.
After all, Lamb's concussion looked to be severe when it first occurred. After going into the "fencing response," which is usually a sign the concussion is even worse than normal, Lamb was immediately ruled out.
This is obviously huge news for the Cowboys, who need all hands on deck with their backs against the wall in terms of making the playoffs.
Fantasy football owners who have stock in Lamb will also be thrilled to hear this news, as this is the week most leagues start their playoffs. Conversely, fantasy football owners going against Lamb won't be happy.
Lamb has had a tough season with injuries and drop issues, but he remains one of the best starting options at wide receiver in fantasy football.
The crop of receivers making up the 2026 NFL Draft is strong, setting the stage for a crowded first round.
The class doesn't have a blue-chip prospect like Ja'Marr Chase to truly deserve top-five hype, but the combination of Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, and Makai Lemon has made worthy cases for the top half of Round 1.
They are unlikely to be the lone receivers in the green room. Louisville Cardinals senior Chris Bell, Texas A&M Aggies junior KC Concepcion, and Washington Huskies junior Denzel Boston will all hope to join them.
Bell, though, has hit a bump early in the road to the NFL Draft. He suffered a torn ACL in late November, and after news broke on Wednesday, his stock has been put under the microscope.
What happened to Chris Bell?
According to Adam Schefter and Pete Thamel, Bell tore his ACL on Nov. 22, playing the last game of his season one week ahead of schedule.
"Louisville’s Chris Bell, one of the top receiver prospects in the upcoming NFL draft, suffered a torn ACL in a game at SMU on Nov. 22, per [Pete Thamel] and me," Schefter posted. "In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Field Yates projected Bell as a first-round pick.
"Bell is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound wide receiver who earned All-ACC honors this year. He had 72 receptions for 917 yards prior to the injury. It’s believed to be a clean ACL tear, and Bell is set to have surgery this week with noted surgeon Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas."
Bell's standout trait is his acceleration. It opens the door for him to easily stretch the field and make plays after the catch on manufactured touches. His athleticism headlines his profile, but two productive seasons to round out his Cardinals career give credence to the idea that Bell is more than his physical traits.
Still, Bell is a work-in-progress receiver. Perhaps the combination of size and speed makes his floor a sacrificial X receiver, but there is work to be done as a separator to consistently beat man coverage and emerge as a true three-level threat over the middle of the field.
As for his NFL Draft stock, a torn ACL at the end of a platform year is undoubtedly bad news. It doesn't have to be catastrophic. Teams will go through their medical processes (presumably with more scrutiny), and if everything goes as planned, the biggest consequence could be a slow start to his rookie season.
That changes the math on his surplus value on a four-to-five-year rookie deal, although not all that significantly. If he was penciled into the consensus WR4 spot on boards before the injury, a new red flag might move him into uncertain territory between the fourth and sixth receiver off the board.
Bell shouldn't be locked out of Round 1, especially with recent years providing runs on receivers late on that fateful Thursday evening. The floor of his stock -- barring ugly medical updates -- still seems like the end of Round 2.
For teams hoping to steal a potential first-round talent early on Day 2, Bell's injury could prove consequential. Outside of the opportunity cost of a true pre-draft process, Bell doesn't have to lose all that much from an unfortunate knee injury. It adds uncertainty to his profile, but in terms of a class-changing event, Bell's adversity shouldn't move the needle.
The Chicago Bears are set to take on the Cleveland Browns this week, and with the temperatures set to be less than ideal for comfortable football weather, it'll be very fitting Chicago weather for the game.
Head coach Ben Johnson has been vocal about his displeasure with the passing game, however very happy with the development of quarterback Caleb Williams, but they're going to need to get the offense going no matter the conditions.
The Bears are taking on a Browns defense led by superstar pass rusher Myles Garrett and one of the top defensive rookies in linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Coming off a first half vs. the Packers, where Williams only threw for 32 yards, the Bears will need to find a way to get a healthy and balanced offensive showing against Cleveland.
With that in mind, here are the top offensive keys for the Bears in Week 15:
Start faster
Caleb Williams has said it, Ben Johnson has said it, and no one else needs to say it, the most important thing for the Bears offense is getting off to a better start early in games. Being able to establish their identity, as well as putting themselves in control, Chicago will have to figure out how to not just follow the game script but put themselves in position to control the game from start to finish.
Trick plays at the right time
Ben Johnson was brought in to maximize the abilities of the Bears offense, and he's also known for his unique play-calling and trickery. Earlier this season, it felt as if Johnson called for the trick plays at the appropriate times, but that has been lacking over the last several weeks. There's no reason to try and pull off "gotcha" plays when the team is urgently needing to keep moving the ball and get points on the board. Trick plays are fun, and the Bears have proved to capitalize on them, but they need to do so when the opportunities are right for it.
Commit to the run game
Given the frigid weather conditions that are expected in the game, Chicago has to lean on their running attack with D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. With Myles Garrett on the other side of the trenches, the passing game will face quite the challenge to get going, but the run game could take Garrett's best abilities out of the picture. The slow starts for the passing game and Caleb Williams can be brushed to the side if the Bears can rely on their running back duo to carry the offense. Just as they did in the victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, when one part of the offense wasn't working, Swift and Monangai carried the bulk of the work and made the most out of it.
In a rough season filled with quarterback issues, the New York Jets' QB situation is in a new stage.
This week, Brady Cook may be the starter over Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor.
It's not because the Jets want to start the undrafted rookie Cook in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's because Fields and Taylor are both injured.
Fields hasn't practiced Wednesday or Thursday due to a knee injury.
Taylor has missed the first two practices of the week with a groin problem.
Cook was a solid athlete who moved well at Mizzou, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him run it a little more after a full week of preparation.
The Jaguars will need a win in this game much more than the Jets, with the Jags having moved atop the AFC South with a win last week and trying to maintain that advantage.
For the Jets, it'll be a chance to see if Cook projects as a long-term backup, which wouldn't be a bad outcome for the franchise for an undrafted free agent.
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the return of former Pro Bowl 44-year-old quarterback Phillip Rivers, who inked a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad earlier this week, including several members of the Houston Texans.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the last time he saw Rivers was back in his home state of Alabama, coaching high school football. The former Chargers and Colts gunslinger had been retired and enjoying life away from taking hits on the field.
The next time the two meet, it could be at NRG Stadium with a playoff bid on the line in Week 18.
"I don't think either one of us was expecting that he would be back in the league now. Philip, one thing about him, he's always a true competitor," Ryans said. "He loves competing and you see that from all of his days back with the Chargers and what he was capable of doing. Him having the history with Shane [Steichen], I can see why he got him as an emergency guy."
Everyone's surprised to see Philip Rivers back playing in the NFL, even Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who is three years younger than Rivers. pic.twitter.com/EhESX6Vghv
With Daniel Jones out for the year and Riley Leonard dealing with a lower-body injury, there's a legitimate chance Rivers sees action this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks. Sitting with eight wins, the Colts are currently on the outside looking in on the AFC playoff picture, though a win on Sunday would keep them in the running behind the Texans.
Rivers, who just became a grandfather ahead of his 44th birthday, looks to be the last-second answer in Indianapolis as the AFC South franchise tries to make a run back into the playoffs. Ryans isn't counting out seeing the former Pro Bowler still have something left in the tank despite missing the past five years.
"If [Stieichen] needs him, he can come in and run the offense well and it's what you need from that position, someone you can trust, someone who's smart, capable of getting all the other guys in the right spots and making great decisions with the football," Rivers said. "I feel like that's what Phillip will do.”
The Texans look to secure their third straight winning season under Ryans this Sunday with a win over the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a familiar face to their defense this week after signing veteran edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul to the practice squad.
The Buccaneers signed Pierre-Paul earlier this week. Of course, the 36-year-old was part of the Bucs' Super Bowl LV run and spent four seasons in total with Tampa Bay.
While the Bucs hope Pierre-Paul can add a little juice to their pass-rush, when he'll get that opportunity remains to be seen. After all, he just signed this week and hasn't suited up for a game since 2023.
On Thursday, we got our answer about Pierre-Paul's status for the Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night.
Is Jason Pierre-Paul playing tonight?
No, Pierre-Paul won't play against the Falcons in Week 15, as he was not among the team's practice squad elevations for the contest. Instead, the team is elevating defensive lineman Adam Gotsis and defensive back J.T. Gray.
Not much of a surprise here, as JPP is going to need time to get into football shape after two years away before he's going to be ready play. He also has to learn the defense.
After a multi-year layoff, we wouldn't be surprised if the veteran doesn't play in Week 16, either, but he does have a mini-bye before Week 16, which gives him extra time to get acclimated before the contest against the Carolina Panthers.
What Pierre-Paul has left in the tank remains to be seen, but the last time we saw him playing football, it didn't look like he had much.
Over three games in 2023, JPP didn't tally a single sack. He posted just 5.5 sacks in 26 games over the two seasons before that. His last significant season came in 2020, when JPP had 9.5 sacks.
That said, it doesn't hurt to give Pierre-Paul a look considering he's just a practice squad signing.
This week Kolton Miller returned to practice for the Raiders, thus opening the 21-day window for a potential return. Miller missed two months with a high-ankle sprain and a hairline fracture which had a low end timetable for return of either weeks -- which is right now. The high end timetable is 12 weeks. Which is right when the season ends.
A return to practice doesn't guarantee he will return to the playing field anytime soon. Pete Carroll says Miller is getting close to returning. But seldom do players see game action the same week they return to the practice field off injured reserve. That is unless they were healthy before the designated four-week IR stint was up. And that ship sailed a month ago.
That being said, what is there to gain from a potential return for Miller? And what is the risk? Let's look at both sides of it.
Potential reward of Kolton Miller return
Functionality of the offense
It's been hard to get anything going on offense for the Raiders with their top two linemen out much of the season. Miller being their top lineman and he was lost in week four. Not only does it mean the offensive line struggles to get acclimated to each other, but drives stall, giving the offense few opportunities to get into a rhythm or dig into the playbook.
Time to find out what they have
The most important thing now is getting an idea of what kind of talent this team has on offense. They have four rookies who are either currently starting or have started games this season -- RB Ashton Jeanty, WR's Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton, and G Caleb Rogers. They need snaps. Quality snaps.
Time to throw and room to run has been an issue this season for the Raiders. The former means these rookie receivers can't get through their breaks and the quarterback can't go through his reads. So, even if the receivers do everything right, the ball never comes out. The latter means the defense is always sending the house and drives aren't sustained. Jeanty has shown he can be the back the Raiders drafted him to be so long as he doesn't have multiple defenders hitting behind the line of scrimmage. The problem is, that's been the majority of the time. Leading to a staggering number of run stuffs for the rookie.
Setting an example
Even attempting to return at this point is showing his Raiders teammates and coaches the kind of leader he is. He knows the team is just playing out the string. That all they have left to play for is pride. And the easy thing to do would be to pack it in and set course for the offseason. But he wants to be there with his teammates setting the standard.
Miller got an extension this offseason, keeping pace with the likes of Maxx Crosby and AJ Cole in the race to be the last Oakland Raider. Daniel Carlson is the only other player on the roster who can make that claim, but Carlson didn't receive an extension, which means he could hit free agency this offseason.
Kolton is an original Raider now on his third contract and is set to remain in Silver & Black through 2028. That's potential career-Raider territory. And taking the practice field the moment he is able is honoring the deal Miller signed while showing the next wave how it's done.
Risk of Kolton Miller return
Aggravating injury or additional injury
As I mentioned, this week is the minimum timeline on a return from his injuries. Rushing him back would be a mistake. One that could either aggravate the previous injury or lead to another one. What do I mean by the injury leading to another one? Did anyone see what happened with Daniel Jones this week? You know, the reason the Colts just signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers our of retirement?
Jones tore his right achilles and is done for the year. Some are attributing it to his playing through a broken bone in his left leg. Because it's quite natural that when favoring one leg due to an injury, you over-compensate with the other. Do we really want to risk Miller going out there quickly and risking a similar situation? I mean, at least Jones was doing it because the Colts are making a run at the playoffs. The Raiders were officially eliminated from that a couple weeks ago.
Losing out on top pick in 2026 NFL Draft
The rewards all revolve around the functionality of the Raiders offense. Well, along with that reward also comes risk. What if Miller's return improves the Raiders offense enough for them to start actually winning games? Or even ONE game?
These players want to win. That's their objective every snap of every game. As it should be. But right now the seeming best hope for the future would be for the Raiders to land one of the draft's top quarterbacks. And even one win could kill their chances of getting one.
Currently the Raiders sit at number two in the draft order and control their own destiny for the top pick. That's because the only team ahead of them in the Giants who they face in Week 17. Should the Raiders lose out, they will have the top pick where they would be expected to decide between Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza and Oregon QB Dante Moore.
Should they win even one game, due to their strength of schedule, they could drop as far as the seventh overall pick. In which case they would either have to trade away multiple future first round picks to move up or once again miss out on a QB. For many fans in this otherwise lost season, they're clinging to the hopes of finally landing a franchise QB after years of poor QB play.
At this point in the 2025 NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons are basically playing for pride.
On top of starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. being out for the season after undergoing knee surgery, the Falcons are just 4-9 at the time of this writing. They have lost seven of their last nine games, with no real end in sight to their on-field woes. But divisional games are different. Divisional games are an opportunity to spoil a rival's season and play for pride. That's the exact opportunity the Falcons have ahead of them in Thursday night's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It remains to be seen whether they will be entirely healthy for the game, though. (Outside of Penix, obviously.)
Starting tight end Kyle Pitts is listed as questionable for the game with a knee injury. Not having Pitts available, who has 62 catches for 631 yards this season, in a matchup where receiver Drake London has already been ruled out, would be a huge blow to Atlanta's chances of winning:
The #Falcons ruled out WR Drake London (knee) for TNF vs. the Bucs. It’s his fourth straight game missed despite being labeled “day to day.”
Pitts is the Falcons' second-leading pass-catcher this season. His status for the game may determine whether Atlanta's offense is coherent enough to pull off an upset of the Buccaneers.
Who is Kyle Pitts' backup on the Falcons?
Charlie Woerner is listed as Pitts' backup on the Atlanta depth chart. Woerner is in his sixth NFL season and is a former sixth-round draft pick out of the 2020 NFL Draft.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo doesn’t want to talk about the progress Charvarius Ward was making on the field in his third game back from IR in Jacksonville – and to be sure, there was some – because at the moment, football is far from the most important topic.
Not even a month clear of the non-stop dizziness, the nausea, the inability to get his eyes to focus and the piercing headaches, some level of that debilitating physical trauma has returned. The All-Pro cornerback the Colts locker room affectionately calls Mooney returned to the team facility Sunday hours after the team plane landed in the wake of Indianapolis’ 36-19 loss complaining of concussion symptoms.
Three games back from an experience on IR where he seriously considered retiring, Ward again is back on the sidelines for a minimum of four games – running through the rest of the regular season.
After signing a three-year deal worth as much as $60 million with the Colts this offseason in a move he largely made to distance himself from the trauma he suffered at the tail-end of his three years in San Francisco from the death of his 1-year-old daughter last fall, Ward’s first season as the Colt is in all likelihood over after just seven games on the field.
The question of whether there could be a second seems to be one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“What’s most important and what’s most paramount right now is how he is as a human,” Anarumo said of Ward this week after Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters Monday his starting cornerback was back in concussion protocol. The Colts placed Ward on IR Wednesday. “Forget about the football player part of it. I really just want him to be okay, and that’s what’s most important with dealing with all that right now."
Wade made his return for the Colts’ following game against the Chiefs, but his game, he felt, was still rough around the edges. All that compounded in Week 13 in a game where the Colts’ other All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner went down with a calf injury just two plays into the game, leaving a less-than-100% Ward to shoulder the task of shadowing Texans star receiver Nico Collins, who finished with five catches for 98 yards. Ward gave up six completions on 10 targets for 112 yards when he was the nearest defender in coverage, according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats. In his first four games as a Colt, Ward surrendered just 12 catches on 21 targets for 110 yards.
“I’ve just got to get my mind right and my heart right,” Ward said the Monday after the Texans game with an eye toward the team’s matchup in Jacksonville. “My physical body, the way I perform, I think that will be good. As long as my mind’s cloudy, I don’t really play good all the time. I’m just trying to focus in, lock in, get focused, and I think I’ll start playing better.”
The Colts just hope they get to see what that might look like – but not at the expense of Ward’s life off the field.
“I think it’s always concerning when you have that many concussions. He’s in the protocol, and we’ll work through it with him, and we’ll go from there,” said Steichen, who was then asked whether he’d spoken directly with Ward about his retirement thoughts from the past. “I have not. I’ll talk to him this week.”
The Minnesota Vikings are looking for consistency on offense when they face the Dallas Cowboys this week on Sunday Night Football. They're coming off their most efficient offensive performance of the season, generating 162 rushing yards and 151 passing yards en route to a 31-0 win over the Washington Commanders. For only the second time all season, the Vikings didn't turn the ball over.
Stringing together another strong showing could go a long way in the team's belief in J.J. McCarthy. He's had his moments this season, but hasn't been able to carry success over from one game to the next.
Fortunately for Minnesota, the Cowboys rank 29th in yards allowed per game (378.6). Dallas also ranks second in the league in points (29.7). The only team to allow more points is Cincinnati, on which the Vikings scored 48 points in Week 3.
Here are the keys to the Vikings' offense this week against the Cowboys.
Keys for the Vikings' offense vs the Cowboys in Week 15
Protect the ball
McCarthy did a good job of taking care of the ball against the Commanders. It was the first of his seven starts in which he didn't turn the ball over. Protecting the ball for a second straight week could give the coaching staff more reason to trust him moving forward.
The Cowboys have only forced 10 turnovers (five interceptions, five fumbles) this season, tying for 27th in the NFL. They have failed to take the ball away in their last two games and have forced multiple turnovers only twice this season. Although the Vikings have a league-high 26 turnovers, the expectation should be to hold onto the ball this week.
Stay committed to the run game
Part of the reason for McCarthy's success against the Commanders was that Kevin O'Connell emphasized the run game. Minnesota ran on 55.7% of plays, its highest rate of the season. They averaged +0.30 EPA per run, by far their highest of the season. This not only took the pressure off McCarthy but also helped set the Vikings up in manageable third-down situations, where they converted 6 of 11 conversions.
The Cowboys rank 27th in yards allowed per run (4.7). Their +0.08 EPA per run allowed is the league's second-worst, inviting O'Connell to go against his instincts and stick with the ground game again. It will be up to O'Connell to once again go against his instincts and run the ball.
Get Jefferson involved
Not everyone on the Vikings' offense had a productive day against the Commanders. Justin Jefferson caught only two passes for 11 yards, his seventh straight game going under 100 yards. He only has two touchdown receptions this season, setting up career lows in both categories.
The Cowboys give up the most passing yards per game this season (255.2) and third-most yards per pass attempt (7.0). If ever there was a time for Jefferson to get back on track, it'd be in Dallas, on primetime, against fellow 2020 first-round pick CeeDee Lamb. Jefferson is the fact of the franchise and has been underutilized for too long in this lost season.
It took a while this season for the Minnesota Vikings' defense to start playing to its full potential, but they've been at their best over the past six games. Since Week 9, the Vikings haven't allowed over 321 yards in a game. Unfortunately, Minnesota went 2-4 in those games, only scoring over 20 points twice (winning both times).
They now face a high-flying Dallas Cowboys offense on Sunday night. No one averages more yards per game than the Cowboys (394.9), and they average nearly 26 more passing yards per game than anyone else (249.7). Dallas is built the exact opposite of Minnesota, presenting a unique matchup.
Here are the keys for the Vikings' defense on Sunday night to slow down the Cowboys' offense.
Keys for the Vikings' defense vs the Cowboys' offense in Week 15
Get after Dak Prescott
Not many quarterbacks are playing better than Dak Prescott is this season. He leads the league in completions (334), attempts (484), and passing yards (3,637). Part of the reason for his success is that he hasn't faced a ton of pressure, as he has only faced a 30.9% pressure rate, tied for 24th among qualified quarterbacks.
The Vikings rank second in the league in pressure rate (40.0%). Getting after Prescott and either sacking him or forcing him to get the ball out of his hands will help slow down a potent Dallas passing attack that can beat you deep.
Slow down the running game
If there's been one area where the Vikings have been susceptible this season, it's been against the run. Only three times has Minnesota held opponents to under 100 yards, as they rank 22nd in run defense.
Part of this is that teams commit to a conservative approach against the Vikings. Only two teams have allowed more rushing attempts than Minnesota this season. Dallas is a solid rushing team, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt this season (12th in the NFL), but they rank 23rd in rushing attempts. Minnesota may not need be facing a run-first approach on Sunday, but they can't allow the Cowboys to be two-dimensional.
Force some turnovers
The Vikings are finally forcing turnovers again. Their defense has forced four in the past two weeks, and Minnesota is 4-3 when getting at least one takeaway this season.
Part of this plays into the previous section, as teams play the Vikings' defense extremely conservatively. But if the Cowboys continue their pass-heavy approach, that may not be the case, and they aren't always great at protecting the ball. Dallas has turned the ball over in six straight games and has 18 total turnovers this season, ranking 23rd in the league.
There should be opportunities for the Vikings' defense to take the ball away in this one. Taking advantage could turn the tide of this game.
"In that six-game stretch (Weeks 9-14), the Jaguars' offense is sixth in success rate, fifth in points per drive and 13th in EPA per play," Solak writes.
Jacksonville now ranks ninth in average points per game on the season as well.
However, while this unit is undoubtedly playing it's best football right now, there is one area where Liam Coen believes there is more room for improvement.
As a collective unit, Jacksonville now ranks 20th in yards per carry on the season. Against Indianapolis, Travis Etienne averaged 3.7 yards per rush. In Tennessee the week prior, he averaged 2.3 yards per carry.
The Jaguars' run game isn't struggling by any means. The offensive line and the running backs are still finding ways to churn out chunk gains, while Etienne is nearing a 1,000-yard season.
But to Coen's point, there's room for more.
A strong running game has often been the catalyst behind Jacksonville's offensive success this season. For one, success on the ground keeps the offense in manageable down-and-distance situations and out of predictable passing downs.
But in addition to that, within Coen's scheme, the run game and pass game concepts go hand-in-hand and build off each other. When the run game is flowing, that means more opportunities through the air.
The Jaguars are 9-4 on the season, leading the AFC South by a game, and are the three seed in the conference. As the offense looks to continue ascending into the final month of the season, more consistency in the run game will be a key part of that equation.
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is impressed with the way that New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is playing this season, as the two get set to square off on Sunday.
Maye has been a major reason for the Patriots' turnaround in 2025. The team is currently sitting at 11-2 with an opportunity to clinch the AFC East division and sweep the Bills with a Week 15 victory. Along with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, Maye has been one of the frontrunners of the NFL MVP discussion.
So far this season, he has 3,412 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. Allen, the reigning NFL MVP,has had an opportunity to compete against Maye and watch his rapid development in real time.
“He’s playing like a veteran quarterback, he’s seeing things extremely well, he plays at a great pace, looks like things have slowed down for him," Allen told reporters. "I’m happy for how well he’s playing because he’s a great human being on top of being a football player.”
Josh Allen with some serious Drake Maye praise after practice today.
He joked (kind of) that he hates to see how comfortable he is in the offense and the strides he’s made in year two. pic.twitter.com/QSz5Kt1d0N
It's unique to see such a strong relationship forming between two divisional rival quarterbacks.
Both quarterbacks should be major factors in not only the division, but the entire AFC conference for years to come. Their personal relationship should only fuel the friendly competition between the two for the foreseeable future.
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