Turnovers, injuries and big plays.
With the 2024 NFL regular season winding down, play across the league got sloppy in Week 15. Many teams and players weren't quite at their best in the early window of games, but the standouts were thrilling to watch.
The late window featured highly anticipated matchups, resulting in some comfortable scorelines and one high-powered shootout.
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Here are the winners and losers from Week 15:
WINNER: Lamar Jackson's MVP campaign
The reigning MVP wants to defend his crown.
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson had another surgical performance in Sunday's 35-14 win over the New York Giants. The two-time MVP went 21 of 25 for 290 yards and five touchdowns, plus 65 yards on the ground, before sitting out the second half of the fourth quarter. Jackson is up to 34 passing touchdowns and just three interceptions on the season, but the case against him is that the Ravens (9-5) are unlikely to finish with a top-two seed.
On the other side, the Giants' miserable season continued with another QB injury and blowout loss. Tommy DeVito was knocked out of the game with a concussion, which thrusted Tim Boyle into the lineup with Drew Lock already injured (and serving as the emergency QB). New York (2-12) is on its way to earning a top draft pick, and a new franchise QB can't arrive quick enough.
LOSER: Dolphins' playoff hopes
Four turnovers by Tua Tagovailoa might have been the final nail in the coffin for the Miami Dolphins' season.
The Houston Texans (9-5) earned a 20-12 home victory over Miami (6-8), with two fourth-quarter interceptions by Derek Stingley Jr. sealing the deal. Tagovailoa had three interceptions and a fumble on the day, while C.J. Stroud had two touchdowns and a fumble.
While it wasn't the sharpest win for Houston, it was critical as they went on to win the AFC South later in the day when the Colts lost to the Broncos.
WINNER: Turnovers in Nashville
"Careless" was the word of the day in Nashville.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans combined for 10 turnovers, including six by the home team. The quarterbacks were loose with the ball, as Joe Burrow (two interceptions and a fumble), Will Levis (three interceptions and a fumble) and Mason Rudolph (one interception) each gave it up. Bengals safety Jordan Battle dropped the ball while walking in for an easy scoop-and-score TD, and Titans running back Tony Pollard joined the party for a third-quarter fumble.
Cincinnati held on for a 37-27 victory to improve to 6-8 and keep its postseason hopes alive, while Tennessee dropped to 3-11.
LOSER: Jaguars and Saints in the final moments
Two surprisingly exciting games took place in Jacksonville and New Orleans on Sunday.
In Florida, the Jaguars lost to the New York Jets 32-25 after Mac Jones' interception in the final minute. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams finally found their chemistry, connecting for two of Rodgers' three touchdown passes. Adams finished with nine catches for 198 yards, easily his best game since being acquired in an early-season trade. The 4-10 Jets are out of playoff contention, but they've slowly improved in recent weeks.
Over in Louisiana, the Saints nearly pulled off an improbable comeback led by third-string QB Spencer Rattler. After replacing Jake Haener, the rookie led New Orleans on an 11-play touchdown drive in the last two minutes to pull his team within one point as time expired. Instead of playing for overtime, the Saints went for 2 but were unsuccessful as the Washington Commanders held on for a 20-19 win.
WINNER: A rare week for the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs won again to improve to 13-1. That's no surprise. The notable part is that it didn't take any late heroics.
Patrick Mahomes' team jumped out to a 14-0 lead at halftime and then 21-0 in the third quarter before allowing a long touchdown to Jerome Ford. That 21-7 score held, giving the Chiefs just their third double-digit win of the year. The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, fell to 3-11 and benched Jameis Winston (three interceptions) in the process as the team totaled six turnovers.
While the win is nice for Kansas City, its main concern is Mahomes. The star QB left banged up in the fourth quarter and did not return with what the team called an ankle injury. He was not sacked in the game, but the Browns were constantly pressuring him. Mahomes went just 19 of 38 for 159 yards and two touchdowns before being replaced by Carson Wentz for the final two drives.
LOSER: Bryce Young regresses
There was a lot to like about Bryce Young's play over the last few weeks. Well, that progress was halted on Sunday.
The Carolina Panthers were uncompetitive in a 30-14home loss to the Dallas Cowboys, with Young turning the ball over four times (two interceptions and two fumbles). Aside from an 83-yard touchdown toss to Jalen Coker and a late 6-yard rushing score, it was a disappointing day for the second-year QB.
For the Cowboys, backup QB Cooper Rush put together his best effort of the season -- 18 of 29, 214 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Playoff hopes remain slim for the 6-8 Cowboys, but the team is still competitive even after losing Dak Prescott for the season. Dallas has won three of its last four games as a decision regarding head coach Mike McCarthy looms in just a few weeks.
WINNER: Cardinals stay alive
Arizona currently doesn't have the best odds at the postseason, but it stayed within the race with a 30-17 home win over the New England Patriots. It was a mostly dull game until both teams lit up the scoreboard in the fourth, scoring 14 points apiece.
Kyler Murray did not throw a touchdown or pick in the game but James Conner rushed in two scores. Drake Maye completed 19 of 23 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and one pick on top of a rushing score himself.
LOSER: Chargers suffer blowout loss
The Chargers are picking a suboptimal time to enter the loss column. Los Angeles fell at home 40-17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Baker Mayfield's side erupting with 27 second-half points.
Los Angeles is fortunate the AFC wild card race is not as tight, but the 8-6 Chargers cannot keep slipping with the playoffs inching closer. Justin Herbert threw two touchdowns on 195 passing yards, but Los Angeles' leading rusher was Gus Edwards with just 23 yards on eight carries.
Mayfield, on the other hand, threw four passing touchdowns with just five total incompletions (22 of 27).
WINNER: Broncos capitalize off Colts' woes
Indianapolis could've closed the gap in the AFC wild card race, but conceded a 21-point fourth quarter by Denver to lose 31-13 on the road.
Bo Nix posted a confusingly decent stat line, completing 20 of 33 passes for just 130 yards, three touchdowns and three picks. Anthony Richardson continued to be erratic with 17 of 38 completions, 172 yards, no touchdowns and two picks, one of which was returned for a touchdown.
Jonathan Taylor logged 107 rushing yards, but also celebrated a score too early and "fumbled" before crossing into the end zone, resulting in a touchback. Denver moved to 9-5 to keep pace in the AFC.
LOSER: Steelers' offense shut down by Eagles
The Battle of Pennsylvania went to the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-13 behind an improved two-way showing by Jalen Hurts. Hurts completed 25 of 32 passes for 290 yards, two touchdowns and no picks while rushing for 45 yards and a score as Saquon Barkley had a quieter showing.
Pittsburgh, though, just could not get any momentum going offensively. Russell Wilson completed just 14 of 22 passes for 128 yards, one touchdown and a pick while Najee Harris led the rushing department with 14 yards. That just won't cut it for Pittsburgh against the elites.
WINNER: High-powered shootouts
The most anticipated game of the week certainly delivered. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills just got past Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions 48-42 at Ford Field.
Buffalo led 38-21 and 45-28 but Detroit made it a game late and threatened to storm back, but time eventually did not take its side. Josh Allen continued his MVP form with 362 passing yards, two touchdowns and no picks while also rushing in two scores. James Cook also added two rushing scores on 105 ground yards.
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery could not get going on the ground, resulting in Jared Goff attempting 59 throws. He completed 38 en route to 494 yards and five touchdowns, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta both collecting 100-plus receiving yards, the former nearly reaching 200.
Buffalo moved to 11-3 while Detroit fell to 12-2.