New York Jets avoided 0-16 infamy, but lose No. 1 spot in 2021 draft. This is our NFL Week 15 breakdown.
The New York Jets pulled off the most stunning upset of the season, defeating a Los Angeles Rams team that could have clinched a playoff berth Sunday. Instead, the Jets avoided 0-16 infamy and will not join the likes of the 2008 Detroit Lions or 2017 Cleveland Browns in NFL history.
For most of this season, the Jets seemed to be steam rolling toward securing the top pick in the 2021 NFL draft, and with it, the prospect of selecting a potential franchise-altering talent, such as Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence.
After Sunday, however, the Jacksonville Jaguars -- who haven't won since Week 1 -- are in position to possess the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Seattle Seahawks were the only team to clinch a playoff spot Sunday. The Cleveland Browns, now 10-4, are closing in on ending the NFL's longest playoff drought, which dates back to 2002.
- Playoff picture: Where the AFC, NFC fields stand right now
- 2021 NFL draft first-round order ... if the season ended today
Quick hits: Sunday's biggest moments
- The Jets finally won their first game, upsetting the Rams as well as their fanbase, which was pining for the top pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
- Dez Bryant scored his first touchdown in more than three years in the Ravens' rout of the Jaguars.
- Derrick Henry is a problem for opposing defenses. In Sunday's win over the Lions, the Titans star running back punished Lions CB Alex Myres with a vicious stiff arm.
- FOX's on-field mics caught Vikings rookie WR Justin Jefferson voicing his frustration with Kirk Cousins in Sunday's loss to the Bears.
- Cody Parkey, known for his double-doink in a 2018 NFC wild-card playoff game, doinked a PAT on "Sunday Night Football."
- A strange sequence led to a safety in the Chiefs-Saints game.
- What was that drink that television cameras caught Tyreek Hill having on the sidelines?
- Football fans rejoiced in the fact that the Patriots will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Key Week 15 storylines
- 32 things we learned: The Patriots' domination of the AFC East is over. The Ravens are looking like that team nobody will want to face in the playoffs.
- Winners and losers: While the Saints have several weaknesses that raise serious questions, the Jaguars moved into position to possess the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft.
- Tom Brady's vintage comeback win also cruel irony for Bill Belichick: Games like Sunday illustrate exactly why the Buccaneers lured Brady, and exactly what he mean to New England, Jarrett Bell writes.
- Saints need to rediscover mojo: The Saints desperately need to get healthy and recapture their mojo in time to make the push for the Lombardi Trophy, Mike Jones writes.
- Why Cowboys win yielded ‘big chunk of confidence’: Mike McCarthy celebrated his team's resilience in the win over San Francisco. Contributions came from a lot of areas.
Week 14 rundown
- Browns 20, Giants 6: Cleveland won its 10th game this season and moved a step closer to ending the NFL's longest playoff drought.
- Chiefs 32, Saints 29: K.C. spoiled Drew Brees' return in what might have been a Super Bowl LV preview.
- Jets 23, Rams 20: Bittersweet day for Jets fans, as team pulled off most shocking upset of season to avoid 0-16 infamy, but lose grip on top overall pick in 2021 draft.
- Cardinals 33, Eagles 26: Kyler Murray's career game helped keep the Cardinals in the thick of the NFC playoff chase.
- Colts 27, Texans 20: Deshaun Watson and the Texans put a scare into the Colts as Indy's defense bailed out the AFC South co-leaders.
- Titans 46, Lions 25: Derrick Henry continued on pace toward 2,000 yards rushing as the Titans remain tied atop the AFC South.
- Buccaneers 31, Falcons 27: Tom Brady pulled off another comeback against the Falcons and pushed the Buccaneers to the brink of their first playoff appearance since 2007.
- Ravens 40, Jaguars 14: Lamar Jackson led a confidence-boosting blowout of the hapless Jaguars.
- Dolphins 22, Patriots 12: The dynasty is officially done. The Patriots' run of consecutive seasons in the playoffs is over at 11.
- Bears 33, Vikings 27: While Chicago still has a chance of making the playoffs, Minnesota's chances all but vanished in this defeat.
- Seahawks 20, Football Team 15: The Seahawks are in the playoffs for the eighth time in Russell Wilson's nine seasons in Seattle.
- Cowboys 41, 49ers 33: Dallas' division title hopes are still alive after its second consecutive win.
- Packers 24, Panthers 16 (Sat.): After the game, Aaron Rodgers called this "one of those disappointing wins."
- Bills 48, Broncos 19 (Sat.): The Bills are AFC East champions for the first time since 1995. 1995!
- Chargers 30, Raiders 27 (Thurs.): The final "Thursday Night Football" game of the season was a doozy. Justin Herbert capped the entertaining game with an overtime touchdown plunge.
Eyes on the (fantasy) prize
Fantasy football championship week is at hand. While the best teams in the league probably won’t need to pluck a starter off the waiver wire, we only have to look at what happened on Sunday -- when RB Ezekiel Elliott and WR DeVante Parker were surprisingly declared inactive just before kickoff.
Filling in for Elliott, Tony Pollard had a huge day for the Cowboys -- rushing for 69 yards and two touchdowns, while adding six receptions for 63 more yards. If Elliott can’t go against the 49ers, Pollard is a great dual-threat option.
Dolphins RB Salvon Ahmed could also be worth adding. The rookie missed the last three weeks with a shoulder injury, but led the backfield with 23 carries for 122 yards and a touchdown. In Week 16, Miami plays the Raiders -- who have been one of the league’s worst defenses against running backs.
And keep an eye on the Chiefs injury report this week. Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire had to be helped to the locker room, while backup Le’Veon Bell was also shaken up late in their game. Darrell Williams is the only other back on the roster who’s seen extensive action.
At wide receiver, Philadelphia’s Greg Ward caught four passes for 80 yards and a pair of touchdowns. New QB Jalen Hurts looks great and the Eagles get the Cowboys -- with their porous pass defense -- up next.
Coming this week
Monday: Week 15 concludes with an AFC North matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Tuesday: Paste BN Sports offers its power rankings for all 32 NFL teams after Week 15.
Friday: Week 16 kicks off with a Christmas Day game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints at the Superdome (4:30 p.m. ET, FOX, NFL Network, Amazon).
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