NFL Week 15 Takeaways: Updated Playoff Standings, Biggest Storylines for Every Team
In Sunday's Week 15 games, NFL teams with playoff hopes attached to a thin thread fell into the pit of despair.
While teams joined the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots as clubs that have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, other squads officially clinched postseason berths.
As for divisions with much to be decided in the final three weeks of the regular season, one squad that's in position to host a playoff game has a quarterback who went No. 1 overall years ago but may have finally hit his stride after short stays with previous teams.
Also, the Kansas City Chiefs may have an answer for their offensive woes as they tune up for a potential postseason run.
Bleacher Report analysts Moe Moton and Brent Sobleski will dig into the biggest takeaways with a look at what these outcomes mean for each team.
AFC Playoff Picture
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Current AFC Playoff Standings
1. Baltimore Ravens (11-3)*
2. Miami Dolphins (10-4)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6)
5. Cleveland Browns (9-5)
6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
7. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)
In the Hunt
8. Houston Texans (8-6)
9. Buffalo Bills (8-6)
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
11. Denver Broncos (7-7)
Eliminated: New England Patriots (3-11), New York Jets (5-9), Tennessee Titans (5-9)
Week 16 Matchups That Could Have Biggest Impact on Standings:
· Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers
· Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins
· Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans
· Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Best Potential First-Round Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs
NFC Playoff Picture
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Current NFC Playoff Standings
1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (10-3)
3. Detroit Lions (10-4)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
6. Minnesota Vikings (7-7)
7. Los Angeles Rams (7-7)
In the Hunt
8. New Orleans Saints (7-7)
9. Seattle Seahawks (6-7)
10. Atlanta Falcons (6-8)
Eliminated: Carolina Panthers (2-12), Arizona Cardinals (3-12), Washington Commanders (4-10)
Week 16 Matchups That Could Have Biggest Impact on Standings:
· New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams
· Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
· Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers
Best Potential First-Round Matchup: Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots
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Chiefs' Short Passing Game May Be Key to Filling Offensive Dry Spells
The Kansas City Chiefs went into Week 15 with the 11th-ranked scoring offense, but they averaged just 19 points over their previous six outings.
The Chiefs must figure out how to spark their offense as they jockey for playoff seeding in the final weeks of the regular season.
In a 27-17 victory over the New England Patriots, Kansas City used creativity and the short passing game to rack up its highest point total since Week 12.
Running back Jerick McKinnon threw a four-yard pass to rookie wideout Rashee Rice for a touchdown, and he caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes, who also connected with running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the end zone on a six-yard play.
Without an established go-to wideout, the Chiefs may have to resort to unconventional ways to spruce up their offense. While it's difficult to sustain that creativity and get optimal results, perhaps McKinnon and Edwards-Helaire maintain big roles in the aerial attack even when lead running back Isiah Pacheco returns from a shoulder injury.
Bailey Zappe May Have Suitors in the Offseason
For most of the first half, Bailey Zappe looked more composed in the pocket than Patrick Mahomes, and he threw with great ball placement, paper-cutting the Chiefs defense with short-to-intermediate darts.
In the second half, Zappe threw an ill-advised pass into heavy coverage, which resulted in an interception, but he went 23-of-31 passing for 180 yards, a touchdown and an interception, finishing with an 85.4 passer rating.
Of course, Zappe wants that intercepted pass back, but he's helped New England compete in its past two games.
Last week, the Patriots upset the Steelers 21-18 in Pittsburgh. On Sunday, they gave the Chiefs an early scare before Kansas City scored 20 unanswered points between the second and third quarters.
Zappe isn't going to get calls to start next season, but he's a capable, and, perhaps, a quality backup who can earn the trust of a coaching staff if the Patriots reconstruct their quarterback room in 2024.
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Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns
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TE David Njoku Becomes Elite Threat in Cleveland Browns Offense
The Cleveland Browns have endured injury after injury after injury this season. Even so, they continue to find ways to win, including Sunday's 20-17 victory over the Chicago Bears.
During a campaign in which the entire team could have packed it in after seeing Nick Chubb, Deshaun Watson, Jedrick Wills Jr., Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones and more end up on injured reserve, it hasn't. Instead, certain individuals continue to make plays.
The Joe Flacco honeymoon period nearly ended against the Bears after the longtime veteran threw three interceptions. The former Super Bowl winner didn't cave, though. He simply goes back to his play-makers, starting with tight end David Njoku.
Njoku led the Browns Sunday with 14 targets and 10 catches. He finished with 104 receiving yards. Over the past two contests, the 2017 first-round pick has amassed 195 yards and three touchdown grabs.
Head coach/offensive play-caller Kevin Stefanski has incorporated Njoku into the offensive more over the second half of the season because of how he can create after the catch. Also, the tight end has quickly earned Flacco's trust.
Granted, Njoku still has an occasional mental lapse, which results in a drop or two. However, he's almost always the individual that has been the primary target when a critical play is needed.
While the Browns trailed 7-0 in the first half, Flacco rolled to his right in the red zone with no one breaking open. Still, the 38-year-old veteran threw a pass high to Njoku in the back of the end zone. The tight end answered the call by going up and over safety Jaquan Brisker for the score.
During Cleveland's game-winning drive, the Browns faced a 3rd-and-15 situation in their own end. Flacco faced pressure and waited just long enough for Njoku to break open behind the defense for a 34-yard gain.
As good a wide receiver as Amari Cooper is, Njoku is the primary receiving threat in Cleveland's offense. The tight end has always been packed with potential. He's now playing like one of the very best at his position.
Montez Sweat is Everything the Chicago Bears Wanted and More
It seemed excessive when the Bears traded a second-round draft pick to the Washington Commanders to acquire Montez Sweat and then quickly signing the defensive end to a four-year, $98 million contract extension.
Those moves weren't excessive at all.
Chicago may have wasted a 10-point lead and three interceptions, including a pick-six by linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, but one thing became clear throughout Sunday's contest: Sweat was the best player on the same field that included Myles Garrett.
The Browns have dealt with significant injuries along their offensive line. With left guard Joel Bitonio leaving the contest after a back injury, Cleveland played most the contest with four backup offensive linemen. Sweat capitalized with 2.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and three quarterback hits.
Flacco struggled throughout the contest because of a muddy pocket and the pressure he endured. For the most part, the Bears defense did its job.
Sweat has tallied six sacks over the past four games. It's clear he's the franchise piece the Bears coveted. Despite Sunday's outcome, the Bears now have an identity, with Sweat leading the way.
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
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Bryce Young May Still Have a Bright Future
Typically, when the No. 1 overall pick has a rough rookie year, critics prematurely label him a bust.
Let's be honest about Bryce Young's situation with the Carolina Panthers, though. He had a turbulent first year and lost his head coach (Frank Reich) as well as his quarterback coach (Josh McCown) on a poorly constructed team without a true go-to wide receiver.
On Sunday, Carolina beat Atlanta 9-7. Though Young didn't throw or run for a touchdown in the game, you can still see his potential to become a high-end starter.
At times, Young rolled out of the pocket to extend plays and threw pinpoint passes to his mediocre pass-catching group. He went 18-of-24 passing for 167 yards, finishing with a 93.6 passer rating against the Falcons' ninth-ranked pass defense.
Don't sell your stock in Young yet. With that said, the Panthers need to help him with a good hire for the head coach position and a strong free-agent and draft class.
Desmond Ridder Won't Be a Week 1 Starter in 2024
Usually, NFL teams lose games for multiple reasons, though at times one player can ultimately cost the club a game because of critical mistakes.
In Atlanta's loss to Carolina, running Bijan Robinson fumbled deep on the Falcons' side of the field, which allowed the Panthers to start the ensuing drive in field-goal range, but Desmond Ridder had another bone-headed red-zone interception midway through the fourth quarter.
At this point, Ridder has a track record of ill-timed turnovers, especially in the red zone.
As a third-round pick from the 2022 draft, Ridder may not get a shot to lead an offense in the NFL unless he fills in for an injured starter.
We have enough of a sample size (17 games) to see Ridder's biggest flaw, and it's one that costs teams games, which is what we saw happen to the Falcons on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers
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Baker Mayfield May Have Reached a Turning Point in His Career
Over the past two weeks, Baker Mayfield has thrown for six touchdowns without an interception, and he's helped lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to three consecutive victories as they hold on to the top spot in the NFC South.
In Weeks 13 and 14, Mayfield only completed 48.3 percent of his passes, which raises concerns about his efficiency, but he looked sharp against the Green Bay Packers' eighth-ranked pass defense in a 34-20 win on Sunday.
Mayfield completed 22 out of 28 pass attempts for a season-high 381 yards and four touchdowns. He recorded a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
Yes, David Moore and Rachaad White deserve some credit for Mayfield's passing production because they extended plays for touchdowns, but the Buccaneers' signal-caller looks like he's figured out how to optimize his playmakers in Dave Canales' offense.
If we're going to see this version of Mayfield going forward, Tampa Bay will win its third consecutive NFC South title.
Packers Defense May Doom Their Playoff Hopes
Even though the Packers didn't have wide receiver Christian Watson or running back AJ Dillon on the field, Jordan Love played well enough with a young group to keep the ball moving downfield.
Love threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns, logging a 111.5 passer rating. He leaned on a trio of rookies in Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed and Tucker Kraft in a solid outing.
Unfortunately for Green Bay, its defense didn't pull its weight, allowing Tampa Bay's 20th-ranked passing attack to score four touchdowns, courtesy of Mayfield.
Without any key stops, the Packers didn't have a shot to keep pace with the Buccaneers down the stretch.
If defensive coordinator Joe Barry doesn't get his unit to play up to its full potential, the Packers could waste more of Love's best passing performances in a push for a playoff spot.
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
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Injury-Riddled Dolphins Can Prove They're Not Playoff Pretenders in Next Three Weeks
The Miami Dolphins shellacked the New York Jets 30-0 on Sunday without wideout Tyreek Hill (ankle), guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) and center Connor Williams, who's on injured reserve with a torn ACL. Safeties Jevon Holland (knee) and DeShon Elliott (concussion) and cornerback Xavien Howard (hip) also missed the game.
On Sunday, the Dolphins had an on-brand performance with a dominant showing against a sub-.500 team, but they'll face tougher competition in the final three weeks of the regular season with the Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills left on their slate.
Though Miami may get some of its key starters back in the short term, Williams isn't going to return this season, and Hunt has sat out consecutive outings. Hill may not be 100 percent by next week.
With only one win against a team that currently has a record of .500 or better (the Denver Broncos), we're going to find out if the Dolphins finish this campaign as legitimate playoff contenders while they try to work around injuries.
Aaron Rodgers Isn't Going to Return for the 2023 Season
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, quarterback Aaron Rodgers might get medical clearance to play in the upcoming week.
With that said, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added that the Jets have until Wednesday to activate Rodgers from injured reserve, and the team's outing against the Dolphins would impact his decision.
Rodgers should think twice about a comeback to a 5-9 squad that isn't in playoff contention. On top of that, at 40 years old, he's recovering from a torn Achilles and would play behind a shaky offensive line.
Rather than risk another injury, Rodgers has to consider the big picture and think about 2024 and beyond. He has little to gain in a return to a losing non-playoff season in New York.
Based on Rapoport's report about Rodgers' weighing Sunday's game into his decision, don't expect him back for the 2023 term.
New York Giants at New Orleans Saints
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Jimmy Graham May Be the Best Cure for Derek Carr's Red-Zone Woes
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has struggled in the red zone throughout his pro career, but the club has scored nine touchdowns in its past 10 trips inside its opponents' 20-yard line.
Tight end Jimmy Graham has hauled in a touchdown pass in each of the Saints' past three games, all within six yards of the goal line.
At 37 years old, having sat out the entire 2022 campaign, Graham can still make an impact in the most crucial area of the field, which bodes well for Carr.
Assuming Carr continues to find Graham in closed quarters to seal drives, New Orleans could increase its offensive efficiency while in the hunt for an NFC South title.
Giants Can Forget About a Miracle Playoff Run
In their previous three contests, the New York Giants looked similar to the team that exceeded expectations to earn a playoff berth in 2022.
Between Weeks 11 and 14, the Giants featured quarterback Tommy DeVito's dual-threat skill set as a complement to an opportunistic defense to grind out victories. Like Daniel Jones last year, he made plays with his legs to pick up first downs and his arm with accurate throws while the defense limited the opponent's scoring opportunities and forced turnovers.
On Sunday, DeVito's head hit the ground, and he went into concussion protocol; Tyrod Taylor replaced him. Meanwhile, Big Blue's defense didn't force a turnover and allowed the Saints to convert on six of their 12 third-down scenarios.
For a few weeks, we saw something brewing in East Rutherford, New Jersey, but the defense didn't show up in New Orleans, and DeVito took seven sacks behind one of the league's worst offensive lines.
The Saints essentially shut the backdoor to the Giants' postseason hopes.
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
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Houston Texans' Case Keenum Accomplishes Primary Goal as Backup QB
The Houston Texans escaped Nashville with a 19-16 overtime victory over the Tennessee Titans. In doing so, the Texans improved to 8-6 and find themselves in a dead heat with the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts for the last two Wildcard playoff spots.
What makes the latest effort from Demeco Ryans' squad so impressive is C.J. Stroud didn't play Sunday since he's still in the NFL's concussion protocol.
Houston turned to veteran Case Keenum, who accomplished his primary job: He kept his team afloat when the franchise quarterback wasn't available.
Keenum threw for 229 yards, a touchdown and an interception despite being without the Texans' top two wide receivers—Nico Collins and Tank Dell—in the lineup. The 35-year-old signal-caller is experienced, and he understands how to handle a team in Stroud's absence.
"Top to bottom, we're one of the best teams in the NFL," Keenum told CBS Sports' Aditi Kinkhabwala.
Instead of falling behind a game, Keenum helped his team stay in the thick of the things. He did his job perfectly. If Stroud is cleared this week and Houston finds itself in the postseason, they'll have Keenum to thank for the job he did in Week 15.
Tennessee Titans' Season Dramatically Changes Through Final Three Games
With Sunday's loss, the Titans were officially eliminated from the postseason.
"It doesn't change anything," rookie quarterback Will Levis told reporters after the game. "... It's not going to change how we play. We're still going to try and win every game and hopefully play spoiler over these next three weeks."
While Levis' sentiment speaks to his competitiveness, the loss does change a lot.
For example, the final three games aren't necessarily about winning anymore. Instead, the Titans will shift toward a short evaluation period, starting with Levis if he's on the field.
Tennessee might be sold on their rookie gunslinger and decide to sit him after a gnarly leg injury he suffered during overtime. Levis said afterward that he initially thought it was worse than it really was. The Titans face a decision to play Levis next week against the Seattle Seahawks or sit him and not allow a shoddy offensive line to allow any more damage.
Now, it's not about the next game. It's about getting to next year and properly building the team so it can get back to the postseason after two successive losing seasons.
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
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Is San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey Really the NFL's MVP?
Brock Purdy's status as an NFL MVP candidate quickly devolved into a national argument regarding whether he's a system quarterback or not. While those discussions are generally asinine because all good quarterbacks are ultimately judged by how they run their respective systems, the issue is further complicated by the fact that Purdy isn't the primary threat in San Francisco's offense. Running back Christian McCaffrey is.
McCaffrey serves as the engine for Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme.
He entered Sunday's action as the only back with over 1,000 rushing yards. His 115-yard effort in a 45-29 victory pushed him to 1,292 on the year. But what makes McCaffrey so special is how dangerous he is in both offensive phases.
As a receiver, McCaffrey led the 49ers with 72 yards and two scores. On the season, he's now at 1,801 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns with three games left to play.
The running back's latest effort also placed McCaffrey in the history books. According to ESPN Stats & Info, he became the first player in 49ers franchise history to have scored seven total touchdowns against a single opponent, as he did during this year's matchups against the Cardinals.
"If any non-quarterback's going to get a MVP, I don't get how Christian McCaffrey can't," Shanahan told reporters last week. "I mean, he's amazing in what he has done all year."
The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, of course. A non-quarterback hasn't won the MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012. But the best player on the league's best team with elite production deserves the recognition, even if he's not a quarterback.
From this point forward, McCaffrey should be considered the favorite to win the award, while Purdy should be more than content leading the Niners and getting the ball to his best weapon.
Arizona Cardinals Run Game Shines Despite Loss to Rival San Francisco 49ers
As stated throughout the season, the Arizona Cardinals found themselves in an evaluation year under the direction of a new regime. What they show now will help inform next offseason's decisions. So, silver linings can be seen even during a definitive loss.
The 49ers serve as the litmus test for the NFC West. Arizona lost both games against its division rival by a combined score of 80-45.
However, Arizona owned the Niners when running the ball. San Francisco actually led the NFL in run defense going into the contest by allowing just 78.3 yards per game. The Cardinals gashed San Francisco for 234 yards. Jonathan Gannon's squad can build on this type of effort.
Taking quarterback Kyler Murray out of the equation, the trio of James Conner, Emari Demercado and Michael Carter averaged 8.4 yards per carry. The offensive line went to work and the backs took advantage.
Considering that Gannon comes from the Philadelphia Eagles, a strong running game to complement an athletic quarterback is the ideal identity for the Cardinals. This approach should be Arizona's identity under its current regime.
Washington Commanders at Los Angeles Rams
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Surging Los Angeles Rams May Be Second-Scariest NFC Team
A deep postseason run is predicated on multiple factors. A team needs playmakers, good coaching and a little luck on its side to emerge as a legitimate contender. The Los Angeles Rams just may fall into that category after slipping into the seventh seed for the NFL postseason thanks to Sunday's 28-20 victory over the Washington Commanders.
Since the Rams' Week 10 bye, Los Angeles holds a 4-1 record. The team's only loss came in overtime last week against the Baltimore Ravens, which own the AFC's best record. But it all starts with Matthew Stafford. The Rams' veteran quarterback is making the type of throws he couldn't most of last year because of multiple injuries.
"He's just looking like Matthew Stafford," Aaron Donald told reporters. "I think he's playing good football right now, playing confident. He's looking like he's having a lot of fun out there. And it shows. Making some amazing throws, some things that it still shocks me to see. So I'm just glad he's on our side, on our team and obviously I'm comfortable. ... Anytime we got that guy out there, we always got a chance to win."
Stafford is experienced. His natural arm talent is as good as anyone in the league. He's a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. And he has serious threats around him in wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, as well as running back Kyren Williams. As a result, Stafford has a 13-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio during the aforementioned stretch.
The San Francisco 49ers are still the team to beat in the NFC. But the current version of the Rams is as dangerous as anyone else in the conference.
Commanders Bench Sam Howell, Which Should Have Long-Lasting Repercussions
The Commanders named Sam Howell their starting quarterback after only one start during his rookie season and no real competition for the job this offseason.
Howell has posted some big passing numbers. But the biggest concerns are the turnovers and the amount of hits he's taken this season. The second-year signal-caller added to his league-leading 14 interceptions by throwing another against the Rams.
Ultimately, Commanders head coach Ron Rivera chose to bench Howell.
"Just really trying to take care of him a little bit," Rivera said when asked why he made the switch from Howell to Jacoby Brissett.
Comparatively, Brissett threw for 124 yards on two drives, while Howell only had 102 through three-and-a-half quarters of play. The veteran clearly has a better command of the offense and rapport with the receivers.
Rivera stated that Howell remains the starting quarterback. Still, the decision has been made and planted a seed of doubt. The seed will likely grow since there's no reason to fully invest in a former fifth-round draft pick.
A lot of change may be forthcoming for the Commanders, and this could be the starting point of where the franchise shifts directions.
Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills
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James Cook Provides Buffalo Bills With Offensive Focal Point
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen knows he can't continue to play like he has during his previous five seasons. He needs to run less, allow others around him to do more and save himself for when it matters most.
Sunday's 31-10 beatdown of the Dallas Cowboys provided the blueprint for the Bills to not only make the postseason but also operate the offense in the future.
The Bills' run game shredded the Cowboys' lauded defense. James Cook ran the ball 25 times for 179 yards. But the second-year back also did his best impression of Thurman Thomas as a dual-threat out of the backfield. Cook caught two passes for 42 yards and finished with three total touchdowns.
As noted by NFL Next Gen Stats, Cook set career-highs in carries and rushing yardage while finishing 74 rushing yards over expected with a 64 percent success rate.
In total, the Bills' 266 rushing yards became the most in a game during the Sean McDermott era. This performance shows how Buffalo should allow its offensive line to take over, consistently win at the point of attack and let the running backs cook. The physicality can set the tone for the next three weeks and possibly longer, particularly when the weather is bad, as it was Sunday.
"What a game from [Cook]," Allen said during a postgame interview with FOX Sports' Erin Andrews. "What a game from our O-line. What a game from our defense. We were smart with the ball and took care of business at home."
The quarterback added, "[Cook] ran the ball so hard. Our offensive line gave him holes to run through. Our guys on the perimeter blocked their tails off. … When in doubt, give it to our running backs and let's grind out some yards."
Yes, Allen is the franchise. His natural ability is off the charts. The quarterback has been an MVP candidate in recent years. But the more balanced approach makes this 8-6 squad far more effective than it has been, plus taken some of the burden off Allen's broad shoulders.
Zack Martin's Injury Status Is Something to Watch Closely for Dallas Cowboys
When the Cowboys are operating at peak efficiency, their offense line is a massive part of the team's success. Right guard Zack Martin is a major reason why. Unfortunately, the six-time, first-team All-Pro suffered an injury during Sunday's contest and didn't return to the game.
Undrafted rookie T.J. Bass immediately filled the void left by the all-time great.
Martin told reporters that he took a deep hit to his quad muscle and didn't injure his knee. He said, "I'm hoping [to get back] this week, treat it and get it ready to go on Sunday. I feel good about that."
The Cowboys have a huge upcoming Christmas Eve matchup against the Miami Dolphins, where both teams are trying to work their way to the top of the standings. The Dolphins are quite stout along their defensive interior with Christian Wilkins and Zach Sieler.
If Martin is forced to miss a game (or more), defenses will attack the undrafted rookie to collapse the pocket and make life miserable on quarterback Dak Prescott.
Despite Sunday's loss, Dallas is only one game behind the conference-leading San Francisco 49ers. Martin's immediate status will either be a massive benefit or blow depending on how the injury affects the standout blocker.
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