Best (and worst) from NFL Week 15: Lions loss opens door for Eagles, Vikings
This is Paste BN Sports' NFL newsletter, 4th and Monday. If this newsletter isn't already getting conveniently sent to your inbox, click here to subscribe.
NFL Week 15 is (almost) in the books.
➤ Three and out (your Week 15 must-reads):
- 32 things we learned: Patrick Mahomes injury casts pall
- Winners and losers: Lions loss gives hope to Eagles, Vikings
- Your updated playoff picture through Sunday's games
➤ Game of the day: New York Jets 32, Jacksonville Jaguars 25 — Who saw this coming? Certainly not us! What appeared to be a don't-watch matchup on paper turned into can't-miss viewing on Sunday afternoon. Sometimes, there is something special about a late-season, low-stakes, high-action NFL game between non-contenders. In a game that really only impacted the top of the 2025 draft order, the Jets scored the winning touchdown with a minute remaining. Aaron Rodgers out-dueled Mac Jones as the aging veteran quarterback reconnected with an old friend, Davante Adams, who delighted his fantasy owners with nine catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns. This game was a rare instance when you found yourself rooting for overtime in a game between teams with six combined wins going in.
➤ Dud of the day: Kansas City Chiefs 21, Cleveland Browns 7 — This one felt over once the Chiefs went up 7-0. Jameis Winston can't stop throwing interceptions. After throwing three picks, Winston was replaced by Dorian Thompson-Robinson. A late ankle injury to Patrick Mahomes put a damper on this one for the Chiefs, who are rolling toward the AFC's top playoff seed.
➤ How about the ...!
- Buffalo Bills: The Bills now have scored 30 or more points in eight consecutive games, becoming just the fifth team all-time to do so (joining the 2013 Broncos, 2007 and 2010 Patriots, and 2000 Rams).
- Houston Texans: The Texans are division champs for the second straight season. This accomplishment made head coach DeMeco Ryans the sixth head coach since 2000 to win a division title in each of his first two seasons, joining Jim Caldwell (Colts), Jim Harbaugh (49ers), Matt LaFleur (Packers), Sean McVay (Rams) and Mike Tomlin (Steelers).
- Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings clinched a playoff berth before even playing their Week 15 game on "Monday Night Football" when the Packers defeated the Seahawks. MNF against a Bears team that has lost seven straight could be a nice victory lap for the Vikings, who also could close the gap on the Lions in the division.
- Philadelphia Eagles: Riding a franchise-record 10-game winning streak, the Eagles now look like the best team in the league.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Not long ago, the Chargers defense was among the NFL's best. The visiting Buccaneers made the unit look silly in a rout.
➤ What's up with the ...?
- Cleveland Browns: The Jameis Winston experience has lost whatever luster it might have had after a three interception game on Sunday. The Dorian Thompson-Robinson experience might be next up in the queue. The Browns have a serious problem at quarterback. This is a familiar issue in Cleveland, and one it thought was solved with the trade for Deshaun Watson. The Browns might not pick high enough in the first round of the 2025 draft to get a quality quarterback. Plus, the team is on the hook for Watson's ridiculous contract, which includes a full no-trade clause. An exasperating offseason could be on the horizon for Cleveland fans.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Talk about Charger-ing. The Buccaneers scored 27 unanswered points in the second half to turn what was a close game at halftime into an absolute rout.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Rough three-game stretch is not off to a great start. After visiting Baltimore to play the division-rival Ravens on Saturday, the Steelers go to Kansas City to play the two-time defending champion Chiefs on Christmas Day.
NFL Week 15 key storylines
➤ 32 things we learned: While the on-field NFL action was thrilling in Week 15, Sunday was defined by an injury to Patrick Mahomes that will loom large down the stretch.
➤ Winners and losers: The Bills vs. Lions matchup was the big one in Week 15. Buffalo won it and continues to establish itself as a top Super Bowl contender.
➤ No more Eagles drama? After a week in which the Eagles had to address rumors of a rift between Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, the QB and WR delivered a clear message Sunday, Chris Bumbaca writes.
➤ Injuries: Patrick Mahomes wasn't the only key player to endure an injury on Sunday. Saquon Barkley, T.J. Watt, Josh Allen and Geno Smith were among the players feeling some pain.
📸: Fans, mascots, cheerleaders and celebrities at NFL games
NFL Week 15 results
- Green Bay Packers 30, Seattle Seahawks 13: The Packers' only defeats this season have come against the Lions (12-2), Vikings (11-2) and Eagles (12-2).
- Buffalo Bills 48, Detroit Lions 42: An injury-riddled Detroit defense seemingly held together with duct tape at the moment has to be a concern as now the Lions will be forced to hold on for dear life for the NFC's top playoff seed.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40, Los Angeles Chargers 17: Three losses in four games now have the Chargers in an enviable position of hanging onto the AFC's final wild-card spot.
- Philadelphia Eagles 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 13: While the Lions are showing signs of vulnerability, the Eagles seem to be surging at the right time of year.
- Arizona Cardinals 30, New England Patriots 17: Nothing like a home game against the lowly Patriots to help the Cardinals end a three-game losing streak.
- Denver Broncos 31, Indianapolis Colts 13: This victory helped the Broncos close in on ending a playoff drought that dates back to 2016. At eight seasons, the Broncos are tied with the Panthers for the second-longest active playoff drought in the NFL (Jets have the longest at 14 seasons).
- Dallas Cowboys 30, Carolina Panthers 14: A third win in four games helps keep the Cowboys in the "in the hunt" graphic for the NFL playoff picture.
- Kansas City Chiefs 21, Cleveland Browns 7: This one was never really in doubt. What is in doubt is the health of Patrick Mahomes' ankle, which doesn't seem to be a serious injury.
- Houston Texans 20, Miami Dolphins 12: The Texans defense forced four turnovers and Nico Collins had two touchdowns as Houston won a second straight game and clinched the AFC South after the Colts' loss to the Broncos.
- New York Jets 32, Jacksonville Jaguars 25: It was just like old times for Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, who helped the Jets end a four-game losing streak.
- Washington Commanders 20, New Orleans Saints 19: Spencer Rattler, coming in for Jake Haener, nearly rallied the Saints to a stunning come-from-behind victory over the visiting Commanders, but a failed two-point try at the end of the game foiled New Orleans' upset bid.
- Baltimore Ravens 35, New York Giants 14: Lamar Jackson threw for five touchdowns as the Giants have yet to win a home game this season and have lost a franchise record-tying ninth consecutive game.
- Cincinnati Bengals 37, Tennessee Titans 27: In a sloppy contest in Nashville, Joe Burrow and Co. made sure their team's faint playoff hopes will flicker for at least one more week.
- Los Angeles Rams 12, San Francisco 49ers 6 (Thursday): A week after winning an aesthetically pleasing, high-scoring shootout against a really good Buffalo Bills team, the Rams won ugly (very ugly) against the 49ers at soggy Levi's Stadium. It rained, but not points, as all scores came via field goals. The Rams won't care, the win kept them in the middle of the playoff race.
Coming up this week🏈
Monday: Week 15 concludes with two "Monday Night Football" games. Lucky us 🏈🏈! Well, one of those games is Atlanta Falcons vs. Las Vegas Raiders (8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN). In the somewhat more intriguing game, the Minnesota Vikings host the NFC North rival Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium (8 p.m. ET on ABC).
➤ Tuesday: Paste BN Sports offers its power rankings for all 32 NFL teams after Week 15.
➤ Thursday: Week 16 kicks off with an AFC West showdown between playoff hopefuls, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers, at SoFi Stadium. Before the weekend's games, make sure to check out our expert picks for every Week 16 game.
Get your daily dose of sports with the Morning Win!
For The Win's daily sports newsletter pairs the latest news from around the sports world with the smartest − yet somewhat irreverent – takes from FTW's staff.
Come celebrate your fandom with us Monday through Friday by signing up here.
If you enjoy reading 4th & Monday 📰, encourage your football fan friends to subscribe 📱. Follow the writer of this newsletter on social media @jimreineking 🎉.