QB Report Cards for 2025 NFL Week 14

So much has changed so quickly during the NFL's 2025 campaign.

The Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes and Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson are no longer enough to elevate their respective teams despite a long history of success. Daniel Jones may have a much smaller sample size, but the Indianapolis Colts' season teeters on ruin after their quarterback suffered a season-ending injury.

Conversely, a couple of long-time veterans in Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers still have their squads trending in the right direction.

The NFL may feel like its stuck in the upside-down. It's simply the new reality. As such, Bleacher Report continued to evaluate the quarterback-driven league with how each team is performing at the game's most important position.

Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo

Score: 45-17 loss vs. Los Angeles Rams

Stat Line: 25 of 44 for 271 yards, two touchdowns and an interception

Jacoby Brissett continues to put up numbers, but he's not helping the rudderless Arizona Cardinals.

Brissett may have thrown for 271 or more yards in four straight contests. Even if those figures look good on paper, Arizona's quarterback position isn't solved. Far from it. Brissett is doing these things in spite of the circumstances around him.

Case in point, the Cardinals managed 51 rushing yards against the Rams. Brissett led the way with 22 yards on the ground. The Rams defense also sacked or hit Brissett on 14 different occasions.

At this point, there's really no reason to question whether Arizona would be better off with Kyler Murray in the lineup, even though he's currently on injured reserve. The bigger question is how much changes once this season officially ends. A complete organizational overhaul could be forthcoming, with both of the aforementioned quarterbacks on other teams next season.

Grade: C

Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Score: 37-9 loss vs. Seattle Seahawks

Stat Line: 15 of 30 for 162 yards and two interceptions

What does Kirk Cousins provide to a team is he's not efficiently operating the offensive scheme? Answer: Nothing.

Cousins built a rather successful career based on his ability to execute a system. His previous coaching staffs could rely on the fact that the quarterback would make the right read and place the ball where it was supposed to go based on the play-design. Issues stemmed from an inability to do anything beyond that point. But he proved to be reliable because he executed.

Ever since last season's benching, that version of Cousins no longer exists. The 37-year-old quarterback completed only 50 percent of his passes Sunday against the Seahawks. As it stands, his 60.9 completion percentage would be the lowest of his career in any season where Cousins made six or more appearances.

Atlanta kept last year's mega-free agent signing on the books to provide veteran presence and help in Michael Penix Jr.'s development. Cousins' helpfulness now feels well past its expiration date.

Grade: F

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough

Score: 27-22 loss vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Stat Line: 19 of 35 for 219 yards, a touchdown, an interception; seven carries for 43 yards and a score

Lamar Jackson is a shell of himself on the football field.

The two-time NFL MVP has now gone five straight games without completing at least 60 percent of his passes, which is a career-long stretch. Jackson threw four interceptions over the last four games. He made the unforgivable mistake of being sacked while trailing late in the fourth quarter with no timeouts left instead of throwing the ball away.

"Through the roof," Jackson said when asked about his level of frustration.

The most concerning aspect is how little of a presence Jackson provides as a runner. His explosiveness and creativity appear severely hampered this season. Obviously, the quarterback has dealt with a balky hamstring. The Ravens don't want to run the risk of Jackson getting reinjured, of course. At the same time, the offense is nowhere near as potent when Jackson isn't serving as a dynamic dual threat.

Grade: D

Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Score: 39-34 win vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Stat Line: 22 of 28 for 251 yards and three touchdowns; nine carries for 78 yards and a score

Josh Allen hadn't played to his normal standard during the previous two games. The temperature dropped in Buffalo and snow needed to fall for Allen to heat up again.

Once again, Allen rewrote the record books. He became the first player in NFL history to throw a passing touchdown and run for a score in 50 games. His 40-yard scoring scamper proved to be the turning point in Sunday's game. The Bills trailed by 10 points with less than eight minutes to play. Allen provided the explosive play, and Buffalo was off to the races.

"It comes down to guys executing and making plays," Allen told reporters. "Sometimes, you've got to play bigger for other people."

Said Dion Dawkins, "I knew something crazy was happening, and and 17 is happening before our eyes once again."

Grade: A

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

Score: 28-21 loss vs. Green Bay Packers

Stat Line: 19 of 35 for 186 yards, two touchdowns and an interception

Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears weren't quite ready to prove they were in the alpha in the NFC North.

The Bears were only one play away from being able to tie the contest and head into overtime. Instead, Williams threw an interception from Green Bay's 15-yard line on 4th-and-1 and 27 seconds remaining.

"I tried to give (tight end Cole Kmet) a big-boy ball," Williams told reporters, "try and let him go up for it. Because I ended up seeing (Keisean Nixon) trying to sprint. So I tried to slow (Cole) up and gave him a chance."

The second-year quarterback threw the ball a tick late and across his body, which allowed the Green Bay defender to get back into position and make the play.

"It's a gotta-have-it moment," Williams said. "I just have to give Cole a better shot at it. I think, next time, just extend him a little bit more and kind of lead him.

Grade: C

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Score: 39-34 loss vs. Buffalo Bills

Stat Line: 25 of 36 for 284 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions

Joe Burrow wasn't the solution to solve the Cincinnati Bengals' problems this season. His presence helps, of course. But the Bengals' roster isn't built well enough to consistently compete at a high level or go on a season-ending winning streak to make some noise in the AFC.

Instead, Burrow threw four touchdowns in inclement weather and helped the Bengals establish a 10-point fourth-quarter lead. Then, everything fell apart.

Burrow threw back-to-back interceptions. The first errant pass looked like it slipped out of his hand and led to a Christian Benford pick-six. The second came via tip at the line of scrimmage. The two mistakes directly led to a 14-point swing in the Bills' favor.

"Obviously we are not where we want to be as a team or organization," Burrow told reporters. "That's how the cookie crumbled this year. Obviously, I would have loved to have been out there more, and would have loved to make an impact. But that wasn't the case."

Grade: C-

Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Kirk Irwin

Score: 31-29 loss vs. Tennessee Titans

Stat Line: 23 of 42 for 364 yards, three touchdowns and an interception

The Cleveland Browns just might have something in rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders threw for a whopping 364 yards, as well as three touchdowns, during his third NFL start. In doing so, he became only the second rookie quarterback in the Super Bowl era to eclipse 350 passing yards, throw for three touchdowns and run for another. Joe Burrow was the other.

However, his interception—which was just a poor decision while trying to extend a play—led to a Titans touchdown. He also fumbled the Browns' first attempt at a two-point conversion.

"I would say as time goes on, those decisions and those things, you know, will slim down. And we won't be in situations where I have that feeling, like, I got to make something happen," Sanders told reporters.

Despite the loss and a few mistakes, Sanders provided a promising outing which garners hope for his future as Cleveland's starter.

Grade: B

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

Score: 44-30 loss vs. Detroit Lions

Stat Line: 31 of 47 for 376 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions

Dak Prescott may have thrown for 376 yards, but it wasn't close to enough against the Detroit Lions. The Cowboys offense didn't really get moving until late in the third quarter. By then, it was already too late.

Prescott put up numbers even though he didn't have much of a chance behind an offense line missing left tackle Tyler Guyton. The Lions sacked Dallas' quarterback five times and hit him on 11 more occasions.

"He's sore," Schottenheimer said of Prescott. "He should be sore after getting hit that much and that's—again, we talked a lot about it, we have been one of the best teams in the league at protecting him, and so kudos to them. They did a great job. We've got to look at how we protected up front, and certainly there were issues because you can't have your quarterback taking those kinds of hits and be successful."

A couple of interceptions didn't help matters. Still, Prescott was forced to take on too much, particularly after wide receiver CeeDee Lamb left the contest and didn't return.

Grade: C

Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Jeff Lewis

Score: 24-17 win vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Stat Line: 31 of 38 for 212 yards and a rushing score

The story remains the same for the Denver Broncos.

"Not the prettiest win, like you'd like, but it's another win," Bo Nix said in an postgame interview after the Broncos defeated the Raiders.

It's never pretty, yet the Broncos have won 10 straight as co-owners of the NFL's best record at 11-2.

Nix doesn't need to be spectacular at quarterback, not with Denver's defense and a capable rushing attack. He just needs to be efficient, which he was Sunday by completing 81.6 percent of his passes and by contributing a rushing touchdown. The sophomore signal-caller didn't even complete pass over 15 yards, yet the Broncos were able to generate 356 yards of offense.

As long as Nix makes the plays when his team needs him, the Broncos will continue to win. He's showed he can do so, which is exactly why Denver sits atop the standings.

Grade: B

Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Photo/Rick Osentoski

Score: 44-30 win vs. Dallas Cowboys

Stat Line: 25 of 34 for 309 yards and a touchdown

The Detroit Lions lost two of their last three games prior to facing the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. Typically, the Lions were one of the NFL's most consistent squads, particularly on offense. But the unit experienced its share of hiccups throughout the current campaign.

Thursday's outing looked like the Lions of old.

"It felt like we kind of got back to who we are earlier in the week, addressed a lot of what happened in that [Green Bay] Packers game, what went wrong, what we could have done better," Jared Goff told reporters after Thursday's contest. "I think you could see an uptick in urgency from everybody."

An uptick also came from Goff, who threw for over 300 yards. The effort was his third of the season compared to seven such outings last season. A version of Goff operating at or near peak efficiency makes the Lions one of the NFL's most dangerous teams as Detroit makes a push toward the postseason.

Grade: A

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Score: 28-21 win vs. Chicago Bears

Stat Line: 17 of 25 for 235 yards, three touchdowns and an interception

Jordan Love may not be putting up huge numbers this season compared to some of his contemporaries, but he's playing winning football for the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers.

To be clear, Love does rank among the top 10 in completion percentage, passing yardage, average yards per attempt and passing touchdowns. He's just not found among the top three in any major category. That's OK. The Packers would much rather him continue to play as he has, with a great opportunity to claim a division crown.

During Sunday's meeting with the upstart Bears, Love was particularly good against the blitz. He sliced and diced Chicago's defense when it sent pressure packages. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Love completed eight of 11 passes against the blitz and threw two of his touchdowns. Though Love did throw a poor interception during Green Bay's first offensive possession.

The 27-year-old quarterback does lead the NFL is one statistical category: expected points per dropback.

Grade: B

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

AP Photo/Peter Aiken

Score: 20-10 win vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Stat Line: 15 of 31 for 203 yards and a touchdown

C.J. Stroud is gaining confidence, which is a bad thing for the rest of the NFL.

Stroud may have completed less than 50 percent of his pass attempts during Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs, but he didn't make any significant mistakes and helped lead the Houston Texans to their second straight victory despite facing significant pressure from Steve Spanuolo's defense.

As long as Stroud plays clean football and completes a few of the outstanding throws he's capable of making each contest, the Texans are downright dangerous because of how good their defense is.

Stroud has struggled this season and been banged up. Even during a quality win during primetime, the Texans offense fluctuated with five straight punts through the entirety of the third quarter and into the fourth. Stroud and Co. still responded with a touchdown drive to snap that streak and secure the victory.

All Houston needs is complementary football from its offense and this squad will be the opponent no one wants to face in the postseason.

Grade: B

Daniel Jones & Riley Leonard, Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Score: 36-19 loss vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Stat Line: (Jones) five of seven 60 yards and an interception; (Leonard) 18 of 29 for 146 yards and a rushing touchdown

The Indianapolis Colts' season is teetering on the edge of disaster. The team lost its third straight contest Sunday. More importantly, quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a non-contact Achilles injury.

With Jones' season now over, the team's magical run to start the campaign seems like a fever dream. The squad didn't respond well after Jones went down.

"That was definitely a gut punch," running back Jonathan Taylor told reporters.

In Jones' stead, sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard entered the lineup. But Leonard didn't have the practice reps this past week to be prepared for the Jaguars defense and it showed.

Granted, a couple quality plays, including a touchdown pass, were called back due to offensive penalties. The rookie's interception was questionable as well because the turnover was the result of a simultaneous possession called in the Jaguars' favor.

Shane Steichen must now build the Colts' offense around Leonard, while the team attempts to squeeze one or two more wins out of this season to possibly make the playoffs.

Grade: D (for both)

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo

Score: 36-19 win vs. Indianapolis Colts

Stat Line: 17 of 30 for 244 yards and two touchdowns

After the Jacksonville Jaguars' Week 10 loss to the Houston Texans, head coach Liam Coen told his team that he wanted everyone in the locker room to "cut it loose." Trevor Lawrence took that comment to heart.

The Jaguars won four straight contests since that point. Meanwhile, Lawrence is playing as well, particularly over the last two weeks. The possibility of playing fast and loose does come with some risk. Unsurprisingly, Jacksonville's quarterback threw four interceptions during the first two games of the team's winning streak. He hasn't turned it over once during the last two.

Lawrence can still be more efficient with his ball placement and could use his legs to expand the offense a little. But concerns over which version of Lawrence will show up on a weekly basis have faded.

"I think we're coming together at the right time," Lawrence said during a postgame interview. " ... We're just gonna keep going. Got a lot more left."

Grade: B

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo

Score: 20-10 loss vs. Houston Texans

Stat Line: 14 of 33 for 160 yards and three interceptions

The Patrick Mahomes magic is gone. It's not that he's incapable of still making things happen. He certainly can. But he's not getting the help around him to make the critical play that the Kansas City Chiefs always made in the past.

Now, the Chiefs are making mistakes and finding ways to lose, which is the exact opposite of the last seven seasons. Against the Texans, Rashee Rice dropped a fourth-down pass to keep the Chiefs offense moving in a one-score game. Travis Kelce bobbled a fourth-quarter pass that turned into an interception. These examples aren't atypical this season.

"I'm going to go to those guys in big moments," Mahomes told reporters. "Those guys have made plays in Super Bowls. They've made plays in AFC Championship Games. So obviously it didn't go our way today. I have a lot to do with that myself."

If Mahomes and Co. haven't flicked the switch yet, it's probably not going to happen during the Chiefs' final four games.

Grade: F

Geno Smith & Kenny Pickett, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo

Score: 24-17 loss vs. Denver Broncos

Stat Line: (Smith) 13 of 21 for 116 yards and a touchdown; (Pickett) eight of 11 for 97 yards and a touchdown

The Las Vegas Raiders have been stuck in a lost season for some time. The chance to finally see Kenny Pickett in the lineup is a step in the right direction, even if that setup was forced after Geno Smith left Sunday's contest with a left hand injury.

Smith's shortcomings this season have been well-documented as the NFL's worst-graded quarterback according to B/R. Pickett may provide a glimmer of home.

By the time Pickett entered this past weekend's game, the Broncos already held a decisive lead. How the quarterback performs if he's named the starter and gets a full week of practice with the first-team offense could be interesting. Clearly, the Raiders are looking for their future starter. Pickett deserves a chance to show what he has.

"I've seen a lot of Kenny in practice," head coach Pete Carroll said. "He's active, he's quick, he's really athletic, he's a good thinker, he's clearly a competitive guy. I see nothing but positive stuff."

Grade: C (for both)

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian

Score: 22-19 win vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Stat Line: 12 of 26 for 139 yards, a touchdown, interception and fumble lost; 10 carries for 66 yards

Justin Herbert had every reason not to put everything on the line Monday against the Philadelphia Eagles. His toughness and resiliency can't be questioned, though.

Herbert required surgery a week earlier to fix a broken bone in his non-throwing hand. Considering the amount of pressure that the Chargers' quarterback regularly faces, no one would have questioned a decision not to play. He did and endured a season-high seven sacks, as well as 11 quarterback hits.

Somehow, Herbert continued to make plays, particularly as a runner later in a contest that required overtime to decide a winner. The quarterback's 66 rushing yards led the Chargers. He also ran for three first downs after halftime.

Los Angeles certainly didn't feature an efficient passing attack and Herbert missed some throws. But the Chargers' quarterback did enough to keep his team in the game and emerge with a victory.

Grade: C

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Score: 45-17 win vs. Arizona Cardinals

Stat Line: 22 of 31 for 281 yards and three touchdowns

All is right with the world once again, because Matthew Stafford is back to playing at an MVP level.

The Rams endured an embarrassing loss a week earlier against the Carolina Panthers. Stafford looked out of sorts for the first time this season and uncharacteristically committed three turnovers. Against the Cardinals, Stafford was back to being Mr. Peak Efficiency, with his seventh outing throwing at least three touchdown passes and no interceptions.

"The continued response is something we preach every week in the process. There's no better example than No. 9 with his ability to come in and reset and get everyone refocused," wide receiver Puka Nacua told reporters. "That's our guy, No. 9. Without him, we wouldn't be operating the way we do."

Even with the previous week's hiccup, Stafford owns a 30-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio since Sept. 28, which has helped the Rams emerge as the NFC's top team.

Grade: A

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Score: 34-10 win vs. New York Jets

Stat Line: 13 of 21 for 127 yards and a touchdown

The Miami Dolphins have won four straight games. Tua Tagovailoa hasn't thrown for more than 173 yards in any of those contests, including 127 Sunday against the Jets.

Miami's success is predicated on the tried-and-true method of running the football and playing good defense. Tagovailoa doesn't need to do as much when the Dolphins run for 239 yards and three scores, while the defense allows only 207 yards and creates three turnovers.

But something important happened for the quarterback. His team finally found a way to win a cold-weather game with Tagovailoa behind center.

"I felt good, but it's football," Tagovailoa told reporters. "Whether it's hot, whether it's cold, you've got to go out there and you've got to play."

Amazingly, the Dolphins remain in playoff contention even after a 2-7 start. Granted, the chances of Miami making the postseason are slim. But this squad looked it was barreling toward a rebuild. Instead, the Dolphins can build on their second half performance to get on track in 2026.

Grade: C

J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Matt Krohn

Score: 31-0 win vs. Washington Commanders

Stat Line: 16 of 23 for 163 yards and three touchdowns

To understand just how poorly the Minnesota Vikings offense had played entering Sunday's contest with the Commanders, the unit had not scored a touchdown in 22 possessions (since the fourth quarter of Week 11).

The Vikings' outing in Week 14 caused a sigh of relief, particularly with J.J. McCarthy's performance. The second-year quarterback threw three touchdown passes and didn't commit a turnover for the first time this season.

"It's definitely reassuring," McCarthy told reporters. "I always knew I had that and I always knew the potential is there. But I'm looking at it right now, and there's so many ways I could get better. I'm so far from where I want to be, so it's just great to get the win and grow in this game."

The previous week's contest proved to be a disaster with McCarthy out of the lineup after being placed in the NFL's concussion protocol. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer wasn't ready to start and it showed. McCarthy bouncing back after his return may have the arrow finally pointing upward as the Vikings attempt to finish the season strongly, though the upcoming schedule won't do Minnesota any favors.

Grade: B

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Score: 24-20 win vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Stat Line: 13 of 20 for 144 yards and an interception; seven carries for 55 yards and two touchdowns

The New Orleans Saints haven't drafted a quarterback in the first round since the organization selected Archie Manning in 1971. With the way Tyler Shough is playing, the streak will continue through the 2026 offseason.

The second-round rookie continues to flash. In doing so, he may push the Saints out of position to even consider another quarterback.

During Sunday's upset victory over the Buccaneers, Shough showed off his athleticism and ability to extend plays. As a passer, this year's 40th overall draft pick didn't play particularly well. However, he found ways to help his team win by scoring two touchdowns as a runner.

Shough took a designed run 34 yards to the house and gave the Saints a second-half lead. Then, the rookie somehow shrugged off three Tampa Bay defenders to scramble for what became the game-winning 13-yard score.

"He's shown to have that IT factor," veteran linebacker Demario Davis told reporters.

Grade: B

Tyrod Taylor & Brady Cook, New York Jets

AP Photo

Score: 34-10 loss vs. Miami Dolphins

Stat Line: (Taylor) one of four for six years and an interception; (Cook) 14 of 30 for 163 yards and two interceptions

The New York Jets were forced into a position they needed to get into anyway.

With Justin Fields already out and Tyrod Taylor leaving Sunday's contest because of a groin injury, rookie Brady Cook took over the Jets offense. The organization didn't invest much in Cook since he signed with the team as an undrafted free agent. Once Fields proved he wasn't going to develop into New York's franchise quarterback and the Jets continued to lose, a look at Cook became necessary. It doesn't need to be along evaluation. But it's in the organization's best interests to see if anything is there before moving on next offseason.

Cook not getting starter reps during the week showed with a pair of interceptions in his first NFL action. Still, he hung tough in the pocket and could have done more if not for multiple drops by his receivers.

The Jets can now prepare Cook for the coming week(s) and see what he actually has.

Grade: F (for both)

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Caroline Brehman

Score: 22-19 loss vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Stat Line: 21 of 40 for 240 yards, four interceptions and a fumble lost

Jalen Hurts' performance against the Chargers can be summed up in one play where he committed two different turnovers.

First, Hurts didn't see a defensive lineman, Da'Shawn Hand, dropping into a coverage on a zone-blitz. The 300-pounder plucked the pigskin out of the air and started to rumble only to be stripped of the ball. Hurts momentarily made the recovery only to fumble as well.

The play encapsulated a turnover-filled day.

Hurts wasn't at fault in each instance. For example, one of his interceptions ricocheted off of AJ Brown's hands. Then again, Hurts couldn't make a critical play in overtime. Instead, Cam Hart tipped his intended pass to Jahan Dotson, which resulted in Tony Jefferson's game-ending interception.

Thanks to all of these mistakes, the Eagles will enter yet another week where everyone is trying to figure out what's wrong with the offense.

Grade: F

Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Score: 27-22 win vs. Baltimore Ravens

Stat Line: 23 of 34 for 284 yards, a passing touchdown and a rushing score

What a difference a week makes. The Pittsburgh Steelers offense managed only 166 yards in the team's loss to the Buffalo Bills. Seven day later, wide receiver DK Metcalf nearly produced that number all by himself.

Aaron Rodgers said the team needed to be held accountable after the previous performance. The 42-year-old veteran backed up his words with his best performance in nearly two months. Rodgers threw for 284 yards and provided two scores.

"He just brought that approach all week," Tomlin said of Rodgers. "I think oftentimes game day is indicative of what transpires during the week. I just thought he had can-do attitude, man. He was wired all week. Texted me after hours, etc. But I just appreciate his mindset and what he brought into the building today."

More importantly, the quarterback finally got back onto the same page with Metcalf, who contributed a season-high seven receptions for 148 yards, and helped lead the team to an AFC North division lead.

Grade: A

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo

Score: 37-9 win vs. Atlanta Falcons

Stat Line: 20 of 30 for 249 yards, two touchdowns and an interception

Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks started slowly, scoring only six of their 37 points during the first half of Sunday's contest. But Darnold got hot in the second half and led his team to four straight second-half scoring drives.

During the final two frames, Darnold posted an 86.7 adjusted completion percentage and a 153.3 quarterback rating, according to Pro Football Focus.

"(Darnold) brought us all together and let us know we needed to put points on the board," Rashid Shaheed told reporters. "He is a leader. We knew that opportunities were going to come, and he was going to be ready. He played a great second half."

Darnold's growing rapport with Shaheed, whom the Seahawks acquired in a trade last month, could be vital to Seattle's postseason aspirations. Shaheed can take pressure off of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and add a vertical element to the offense. He caught four passes for 67 yards against Atlanta.

Grade: B

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Score: 24-20 loss vs. New Orleans Saints

Stat Line: 14 of 30 for 122 yards, a touchdown and an interception; six carries for 42 yards

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost four of their five games since the team's Week 9 bye. Mayfield has played worse as the season progress.

After being considered an MVP candidate earlier in the year, Tampa Bay's quarterback completed a season-low 46.7 percent of his passes against the Saints. To be fair, a wet afternoon certainly played a role. But New Orleans' rookie signal-caller found ways to make plays and lead his team to victory. Mayfield didn't.

Instead, the Bucs now find themselves in a tie atop the NFC South with the idle Carolina Panthers. Part of the issue stems from Tampa's offense not clicking.

"I don't disagree that it feels disjointed," wide receiver Chris Godwin said. "I can't put my finger on exactly why. I feel like if we could, it would probably be easier to fix it. You can't just look at this and go, 'Oh, it's whatever.' It's not whatever, we have to correct it. If we want to make a run at this thing, we've got to get it together and get it together fast."

Grade: D

Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

AP Photo

Score: 31-29 win vs. Cleveland Browns

Stat Line: 14 of 28 for 117 yards, two touchdowns and an interception

This year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Cam Ward, was outplayed by his counterpart Sunday, Shedeur Sanders, who the Browns selected in the fifth round. However, Ward got the last laugh because the Tennessee Titans emerged victorious.

The fact that Cleveland sacked Ward only once may be the most fascinating aspect of Sunday's performance. Tennessee built and maintained a lead thanks to a strong ground game. Tony Pollard ran for 161 yards against the Browns' vaunted defense, including 65- and 32-yard touchdowns.

Ward did his part with a couple of red-zone touchdown tosses, with one coming on the team's first offensive possession.

"About time, honestly," Ward said. "We have to continue to be efficient. I have to be efficient, throwing to my guys open, putting it in their radius to make plays."

However, the rookie didn't operate efficiently by completing only 50 percent of his passes, while throwing a poor interception based on a lack of awareness regarding a linebacker in underneath coverage.

Grade: C

Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Matt Krohn

Score: 31-0 loss vs. Minnesota Vikings

Stat Line: Nine of 20 for 78 yards and an interception

All of the good will earned by the Washington Commanders during the 2024 campaign is now gone. At 3-10 with a banged-up and struggling sophomore quarterback, the team is coming off its worst loss of the season. The Vikings had lost four in a row before shutting out the Commanders.

Jayden Daniels being back in the lineup did absolutely nothing to help the team.

Daniels probably shouldn't have been on the field. He didn't even finish the team's latest contest after throwing an interception and a falling on his injured left elbow. This season, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has missed games due to the elbow, a tweaked hamstring and a knee strain.

With Washington now eliminated from the postseason contention, no reasons exists for Daniels to see the field again in 2025. The Commanders must protect their young quarterback and make sure he's healthy and ready for the following campaign.

Grade: F