NFL Analysis
12/17/23
7 min read
Biggest Winners, Losers from NFL Week 15
The NFL playoffs are just a month away and we saw some highly competitive football in Week 15. There were several close contests with big-time playoff implications and there were some other marquee games that certainly didn't live up to the hype. But who were the biggest winners and losers coming out of the week? Let's dive in.
Winner: Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield might have played the best game of his career in Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into the game tied atop the NFC South and they needed a win on the road to improve to 7-7. Mayfield delivered that and more Sunday.
Mayfield completed 22 of 28 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns against the Packers, finishing the game with a perfect passer rating (158.3) — the first NFL quarterback this year to do so. He was in total control all game long and was able to shred Green Bay’s defense, completing passes over the middle.
Tampa Bay is currently the No. 4 seed in the NFC, and it seems likely the team will host a playoff game again this season. The fact that Mayfield has this team trending in the right direction is incredible to see. He finally looks healthy again and is playing the most confident football of his career.
Loser: Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs were able to get a 10-point victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday to improve to 9-5 on the season. But the Chiefs' receivers (outside of Rashee Rice) remain a major issue. Kadarius Toney had another rough outing, recording just five yards on four targets. Yet again, he dropped a pass — perfectly thrown by Patrick Mahomes — that was tipped up in the air and intercepted by Jahlani Tavai.
But he wasn't the only Chiefs receiver who struggled. Skyy Moore, a second-round pick in 2022, did not catch a pass Sunday. Well, there was a play where he did catch a pass, but he fumbled it immediately afterward. Luckily for him, defensive holding on the other side of the field negated the fumble. But Moore has been a disaster this season whenever he's been on the field.
The good news for Kansas City is that Rice has developed into a weapon. He scored his seventh touchdown of the season and went over 60 yards for the fourth straight week. Rice led the team in receiving yards (94) and receptions (9), and it's clear that he is the No. 1 receiver on this team. As to the others, the Chiefs might have to seriously consider fazing Toney and Moore out of their offense altogether.
Winner: Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert didn’t get his first start in the NFL until the 2020 season. He was 28 years old and had 42 career rushing yards to date. Fast forward to the 2023 season and at age 31, he leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 20. In Week 15, Mostert didn’t have his biggest game of the season (43 yards on 17 touches), but he did get into the end zone twice and is putting together the best season of his career.
The Miami Dolphins have had a few rough outings this season, but they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders because they run the ball well. Mostert and De’Von Achane are one of the best running back duos in the league, and that could be the reason why Miami ends up being the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The duo has already combined for over 1,600 rushing yards on the season and 27 rushing touchdowns. As long as Mostert and Achane stay healthy, this team is as dangerous as anyone in the league on offense.
Loser: Arthur Smith, Head Coach, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons were in a good spot heading into Week 15 despite a 6-7 record. No team in the NFC South had a better record going into the weekend, and Atlanta had the 1-12 Carolina Panthers on its schedule. But unfortunately, Arthur Smith and the Falcons found a way to mess things up.
Atlanta's offense was dreadful against Carolina, scoring just seven points. Worse yet, the ball distribution was a mess. Bijan Robinson had eight total touches. Kyle Pitts and Drake London combined for seven targets. Nothing on offense worked, which ended up being why Atlanta lost.
Now, the Falcons are in third place in the NFC South, and it’s fair to wonder about Smith’s future in Atlanta. Despite three top-10 picks at the skill positions, the Falcons routinely underwhelm on offense. The quarterback play is an issue, but the lack of touches for the team's three best offensive players is mind-boggling.
Winner: James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
If the Buffalo Bills want to go on a run to make the postseason, they are going to have to do it on the back of James Cook. So far, so good. Cook had a monster performance in Week 15, rushing for 179 yards and a touchdown in a dominating win over the Dallas Cowboys. Not only was Cook the Bills' leading rusher Sunday, he was also their second-leading receiver with 42 yards and a touchdown in the passing game.
The Bills are a dangerous team when they can stay balanced on offense. And with Cook playing this well, Buffalo has a real chance to make a run over the final three weeks. At 8-6, the Bills might need to win out. But with games against the Los Angeles Chargers, Patriots and Dolphins still on their schedule, suddenly it looks a lot less difficult.
Loser: Cowboys Defense
The Cowboys' Jekyll and Hyde nature showed itself again Sunday.
Two weeks ago, the Dallas Cowboys allowed 35 points to the Seattle Seahawks at home on Thursday Night Football. But last week, they held the Philadelphia Eagles to six offensive points and forced three fumbles. In Week 15, Dallas allowed Buffalo to run for 266 yards and score 31 points — and the score could have been even worse if it weren’t for the Bills taking their foot off the pedal for the entire fourth quarter.
On paper, the Cowboys have a good defense. But there have already been three games this season where Dallas has allowed over 31 points on defense (49ers, Seahawks, Bills). The team can be bullied on the ground, and this was just another example of its defense not coming to play in a big road game.
Dallas is still in good shape at 10-4, and the team has already clinched a playoff berth. The Cowboys will likely be the No. 5 seed in the NFC, but their issues stopping the run could prevent them from getting past the Divisional Round again.
Loser: Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets
To be clear, Aaron Rodgers didn't do anything to deserve to be on this list. He did not play in Week 15. But the result of Sunday's game dramatically hurt him. By all accounts, Rodgers has been cleared to play next week — he was set to return from his Achilles injury, a remarkable turnaround considering this is usually a 12-month injury.
Unfortunately, Rodgers is now unlikely to get on the field this season as the New York Jets lost again to the Dolphins on Sunday. New York was blown out, 30-0, in a game that was never competitive. The Jets are now 5-9 on the season and are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs. (But for all intents and purposes, they are already eliminated.)
That means there is no reason to put Rodgers back on the field for the final three games and makes his three-month recovery moot. He'll continue to practice for the Jets, but it is doubtful he will play in a game. It's too bad Robert Saleh couldn’t keep the Jets competitive over the last few months because we will never get to see what Rodgers would have looked like after his recovery.
