NFL Week 15: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game

The Los Angeles Rams kicked off Week 15 of the NFL season with a Thursday evening win over the San Francisco 49ers.

On Sunday, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had a formidable five-touchdown efficiency, and extensive receiver Davante Adams had his finest recreation but for the New York Jets, grabbing 9 receptions for 198 yards.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every recreation and detailing the whole lot else you have to know for each staff. Let’s get to it.

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LAR-SF | DAL-CAR | BAL-NYG
KC-CLE | NYJ-JAX

Jets

What took so lengthy for Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to return to previous occasions? Rodgers and Adams have been electrical, conjuring up reminiscences of their glory days in Inexperienced Bay. After getting shut out within the first half, Adams completed with 9 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns, together with a 71-yard rating. Rodgers handed for 289 yards and three touchdowns because the Jets lastly pulled out a recreation within the fourth quarter. That is what the Jets had in thoughts once they traded for Adams in October. Sadly, it took too lengthy as a result of the season was toast weeks in the past.

What we discovered concerning the QB right now: Rodgers nonetheless has wheels. The 41-year-old rushed for a team-high 45 yards, which is probably the most by a quarterback in his 40s since Doug Flutie (2003). Rodgers wasn’t transferring too effectively early within the season as a consequence of knee, hamstring and ankle accidents, however he has been wholesome for the previous three video games — and it exhibits. The draw back: You by no means need your growing older quarterback to guide the staff in speeding.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Rattling fortunate. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was responsible of terrible clock administration late within the recreation, scoring too early and giving the Jaguars an opportunity to tie the sport. Cornerback Sauce Gardner bailed out Ulbrich with a game-clinching interception, which was his first in 37 video games. — Wealthy Cimini

Subsequent recreation: vs. Rams (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Jaguars

Ought to the secondary be the Jaguars’ No. 1 precedence within the offseason? Even when there’s a new workers — coach Doug Pederson’s job safety stays unsure — the again finish of the protection needs to be on the prime of the record. That is the second time the Jaguars blew a fourth-quarter lead by permitting deep fast passes. This time it was a 71-yard landing from Rodgers to Adams and one other lengthy catch by Adams to arrange the Jets’ successful landing. Jaguars security Andre Cisco is unlikely to be again and security Antonio Johnson has struggled. They want one other cornerback to enhance Tyson Campbell, too.

What we discovered concerning the QB right now: Mac Jones is extra comfy. In his fourth begin, the Jaguars put up 25 factors — which is greater than they put up in Jones’ first three begins mixed (23). He did make two errors — interceptions on deep balls, together with one with 37 seconds left — however his improved consolation helped the Jaguars’ offense surpass 400 yards for the second time this season.

Most shocking efficiency: The Jaguars’ run recreation. It had been stagnant since they returned from London in mid-October, averaging 69.3 yards per recreation over the previous six video games. However the Jaguars put up 136 in opposition to the Jets. Operating again Travis Etienne Jr., who had 4 carries final week, completed with 65 yards (his most since Week 3). — Mike DiRocco

Subsequent recreation: at Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Chiefs

Can the Chiefs depend on their protection once more? The Chiefs did a pleasant job profiting from Jameis Winston and the Browns by forcing 5 defensive turnovers (with one other turnover on particular groups). However it’s untimely to say their protection is again to final yr’s stage, contemplating the standard of the opposition. Larger challenges await the following couple of weeks within the Texans and Steelers and with questions round Patrick Mahomes’ ankle. He left the sport within the fourth quarter with an harm and was visibly limping off the sector after the sport.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Robust rush. The Chiefs had one in all their higher video games in getting after the opposing quarterback. That they had 5 sacks of Winston, however that did not inform the entire story. They have been in line with stress on the Browns quarterback even once they weren’t blitzing. This was motive for encouragement since this go rush is among the many least productive within the league.

Most shocking efficiency: Harrison Butker had made all 72 of his profession discipline aim makes an attempt of lower than 30 yards till he missed a 29-yard attempt late within the first half. The miss did not matter within the lengthy haul, but it surely was a notable blemish within the kicker’s return to the lineup from left knee surgical procedure. — Adam Teicher

Subsequent recreation: vs. Texans (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET)

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Mahomes limps off discipline after taking hit

Patrick Mahomes throws an incomplete go on fourth down and limps off the sector.

Browns

Will the Browns make a quarterback change? Jameis Winston breathed life into Cleveland’s offense at occasions, however he was benched within the fourth quarter amid his fourth multi-interception recreation in seven begins. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is unproven, although Cleveland would not have a lot to lose in evaluating the 2023 fifth-round choose. The staff is already eradicated from playoff competition.

Most shocking efficiency: Operating again Jerome Ford recorded 104 scrimmage yards, together with a 62-yard landing run within the third quarter. It marked Ford’s first 100-yard recreation this season and his first since Week 7 of the 2023 season.

Eye-popping stat: The Browns’ protection pressured quarterback Patrick Mahomes 21 occasions earlier than he left late within the fourth quarter due to an ankle harm. It was tied for probably the most pressures Mahomes has confronted in a recreation this season. — Daniel Oyefusi

Subsequent recreation: at Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Ravens

What did the Ravens show in opposition to the struggling Giants? The Ravens insisted they would not overlook the last-place Giants, and so they backed that up by not taking part in right down to an opponent like earlier this season. After shocking losses to the Raiders and Browns, the Ravens dominated New York. Quarterback Lamar Jackson tied a profession excessive with 5 landing passes, and the protection tied a season low in yards allowed (236). Now Baltimore has to show it might beat Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Ravens have misplaced eight of their previous 9 video games to their greatest rival. The Steelers can clinch the AFC North title with a win.

What we discovered concerning the QB right now: Do not depend out Jackson from repeating as MVP. Over the previous three weeks, Jackson has gone from the betting favourite to win MVP to 3rd behind the Payments’ Josh Allen and the Eagles’ Saquon Barkley. However Jackson put collectively a spectacular efficiency, with extra landing passes (5) than incompletions (4). It was his sixth profession recreation with 5 landing passes, which is tied for fourth-most in NFL historical past.

Most shocking efficiency: Vast receiver Rashod Bateman. The 2021 first-round choose continued his breakout season with the primary a number of landing recreation of his four-year profession, catching landing passes of 49 and 20 yards. Bateman now has six landing catches in 14 video games after totaling 4 in his first three seasons (34 video games). — Jamison Hensley

Subsequent recreation: vs. Steelers (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET)

Giants

What does this loss imply for the Giants? They’ve now misplaced 9 straight video games and are on the verge of changing into the primary staff ever to go 0-9 at dwelling after being dominated by the Ravens. They’re going to be underdogs within the remaining three weeks at Atlanta, versus Indianapolis and at Philadelphia. Twelve straight losses to finish the season just isn’t out of the query. This newest defeat does maintain the Giants in pole place for the No. 1 choose. They got here into Sunday with a 41% probability on the prime choose. It jumped to 48% with the loss.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Utterly overmatched. The disparity in expertise gave the Giants no probability to win. That they had no reply for Jackson or the Ravens’ offense. That they had no probability to maneuver the ball persistently whether or not it was Tommy DeVito or Tim Boyle at quarterback. The Giants seemed each bit a 2-12 staff and tied a franchise file with their ninth straight loss.

What we discovered concerning the QB right now: The Giants cannot maintain anybody wholesome after DeVito left late within the first half with a concussion. Ever since benching Daniel Jones, DeVito was injured in every of his two begins. Drew Lock additionally lasted simply two begins after injuring his heel final week. Boyle completed Sunday’s recreation and went 12-of-24 for 123 yards, an interception and the Giants’ first passing landing in 5 video games. — Jordan Raanan

Subsequent recreation: at Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Cowboys

Did the Cowboys present some psychological toughness? Fast reply: Sure. It may not imply something on the finish of this season and it might price them draft positioning, however gamers and coaches need — and want — to win video games. Coming off their deflating loss to the Bengals on Monday, the Cowboys responded on a brief week. Aside from one play, the protection smothered quarterback Bryce Younger. The offense was environment friendly with one other reconfigured offensive line, and quarterback Cooper Rush had the primary three-touchdown recreation of his profession. At 6-8, the Cowboys nonetheless have an opportunity to make the playoffs, even when it is faint.

What we discovered concerning the QB right now: Rush should not run many zone reads. It led to his fourth misplaced fumble of the season. However he was in a position to rebound with an environment friendly efficiency, together with three landing throws underneath duress — probably the most by a Dallas quarterback since Dak Prescott in 2021 (Week 17 vs. Arizona).

Early prediction for subsequent week: Operating again Rico Dowdle, who completed with 149 yards on 25 carries, can have his fourth straight 100-yard outing when the Cowboys tackle the Buccaneers. It will likely be robust in opposition to a Tampa Bay protection that’s permitting 115.2 yards per recreation on the bottom. The final Cowboys operating again to have 4 straight 100-yard speeding video games was Ezekiel Elliott (2016). — Todd Archer

Subsequent recreation: vs. Buccaneers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)

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Cowboys pad lead with a Jalen Brooks’ TD

Cooper Rush connects with Jalen Brooks behind the top zone for a 17-yard Cowboys landing.

Panthers

Will coach Dave Canales flip again to Andy Dalton after Bryce Younger’s four-turnover recreation? Canales insists it is a weekly determination on Younger, who set a career-high 4 turnovers (two interceptions, two misplaced fumbles). He was additionally sacked six occasions. Carolina would possibly wish to get one other have a look at Dalton, who was the starter earlier than a thumb harm from a automobile crash. The turnovers could possibly be the excuse wanted to see whether or not the 37-year-old will be the veteran backup or starter coming into subsequent season.

Largest gap within the recreation plan: Defending extensive receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys had one premier receiver, and Carolina let him run free (116 yards). Within the first half, he had eight catches for 105 yards and a landing. A lot of those splash performs have been the results of the Panthers taking part in zone and never placing prime nook Jaycee Horn on Lamb solely.

Describe the sport in two phrases: No rush. Dallas had the third-worst run protection (141.9 yards per recreation) and Carolina’s Chuba Hubbard ranked sixth in speeding (1,011 yards) coming into the sport. Hubbard received 10 carries for 32 yards, which opened up Dallas’ go rush, leading to Younger being sacked 4 occasions within the third quarter after having none within the first half. — David Newton

Subsequent recreation: vs. Cardinals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

Rams

With three video games left, can the Rams make a playoff run? They positive appear to be a playoff staff. ESPN Analytics provides the Rams a 52% probability to make the playoffs and 49% probability to win the division coming into the weekend. After the sport, coach Sean McVay stated it was “actually cool” that the Rams have “discovered a bunch of various methods to have the ability to win soccer video games.” After successful 44-42 in Week 14, the Rams beat San Francisco by simply six factors. Earlier within the week receiver Puka Nacua stated Los Angeles is “taking part in near its finest soccer” of the season. That has proven up through the Rams’ three-game successful streak, as they’ve managed to climb again out of a 1-4 gap to take a seat only a half-game again of first within the NFC West.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Gradual begin. Towards the 49ers, the Rams failed to attain within the first quarter for the ninth time this season. In response to ESPN Analysis, that’s tied with the Bears for the second-most such begins within the NFL. After the sport, quarterback Matthew Stafford stated, “Early within the recreation, I did not play ok on third down.”

Eye-popping stat: For the primary time since McVay was employed in 2017, the Rams did not get a primary down on their first 4 offensive drives, in response to ESPN Analysis. Per week after scoring a season-high 44 factors, Los Angeles completed the sport with solely 14 first downs. — Sarah Barshop

Subsequent recreation: at Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)

49ers

With their playoff hopes all however useless, the place do the 49ers go from right here? Final week’s win in opposition to Chicago provided a slight glimmer of hope for the Niners, however that each one went out the window Thursday evening. Mathematically, there would possibly nonetheless be a approach for San Francisco to sneak in, but it surely’s the longest of lengthy photographs. With three video games left, the 49ers could be well-served to relaxation star veterans who’ve been taking part in via accidents whereas persevering with to evaluate who wants to remain and who must go for them to rebound in 2025.

Describe the sport in two phrases: Punt get together. Inclement climate undoubtedly performed a component, however the Niners and Rams did not precisely gentle up the scoreboard. They mixed for seven punts within the first quarter alone (tied for many punts in 1 / 4 this season) and 13 for the sport. A recreation that seemed poised to be a shootout after the Rams and Niners mixed to attain 82 factors final week became a rock combat with a complete of 18 factors and no touchdowns.

Most shocking efficiency: Linebacker De’Vondre Campbell. Possibly that is extra of a shocking nonperformance however both approach, it was a shock to the Niners when Campbell declined to enter the sport within the third quarter after accidents to different linebackers. Campbell walked to the locker room within the fourth quarter, leaving teammates at a loss for why he would go to the difficulty of placing on a uniform and taking on a roster spot with out taking part in. — Nick Wagoner

Subsequent recreation: at Dolphins (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)