NFL Nation, ESPNDec 15, 2024, 05:00 PM ET
The Los Angeles Rams kicked off Week 15 of the NFL season with a Thursday night win over the San Francisco 49ers.
On Sunday, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson had an impressive five-touchdown performance, and wide receiver Davante Adams had his best game yet for the New York Jets, grabbing nine receptions for 198 yards.
Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let's get to it.
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N.Y. Jets 32, Jacksonville 25
Jets
What took so long for Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams to return to old times? Rodgers and Adams were electric, conjuring up memories of their glory days in Green Bay. After getting shut out in the first half, Adams finished with nine catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard score. Rodgers passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns as the Jets finally pulled out a game in the fourth quarter. This is what the Jets had in mind when they traded for Adams in October. Unfortunately, it took too long because the season was toast weeks ago.
What we learned about the QB today: Rodgers still has wheels. The 41-year-old rushed for a team-high 45 yards, which is the most by a quarterback in his 40s since Doug Flutie (2003). Rodgers wasn't moving too well early in the season due to knee, hamstring and ankle injuries, but he has been healthy for the past three games -- and it shows. The downside: You never want your aging quarterback to lead the team in rushing.
Describe the game in two words: Damn lucky. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was guilty of awful clock management late in the game, scoring too early and giving the Jaguars a chance to tie the game. Cornerback Sauce Gardner bailed out Ulbrich with a game-clinching interception, which was his first in 37 games. -- Rich Cimini
Next game: vs. Rams (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Jaguars
Should the secondary be the Jaguars' No. 1 priority in the offseason? Even if there is a new staff -- coach Doug Pederson's job security remains uncertain -- the back end of the defense has to be at the top of the list. This is the second time the Jaguars blew a fourth-quarter lead by allowing deep quick passes. This time it was a 71-yard touchdown from Rodgers to Adams and another long catch by Adams to set up the Jets' winning touchdown. Jaguars safety Andre Cisco is unlikely to be back and safety Antonio Johnson has struggled. They need another cornerback to complement Tyson Campbell, too.
What we learned about the QB today: Mac Jones is more comfortable. In his fourth start, the Jaguars put up 25 points -- which is more than they put up in Jones' first three starts combined (23). He did make two mistakes -- interceptions on deep balls, including one with 37 seconds left -- but his improved comfort helped the Jaguars' offense surpass 400 yards for the second time this season.
Most surprising performance: The Jaguars' run game. It had been stagnant since they returned from London in mid-October, averaging 69.3 yards per game over the past six games. But the Jaguars put up 136 against the Jets. Running back Travis Etienne Jr., who had four carries last week, finished with 65 yards (his most since Week 3). -- Mike DiRocco
Next game: at Raiders (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
Kansas City 21, Cleveland 7
Chiefs
Can the Chiefs count on their defense again? The Chiefs did a nice job taking advantage of Jameis Winston and the Browns by forcing five defensive turnovers (with another turnover on special teams). But it's premature to claim their defense is back to last year's level, considering the quality of the opposition. Bigger challenges await the next couple of weeks in the Texans and Steelers and with questions around Patrick Mahomes' ankle. He left the game in the fourth quarter with an injury and was visibly limping off the field after the game.
Describe the game in two words: Strong rush. The Chiefs had one of their better games in getting after the opposing quarterback. They had five sacks of Winston, but that didn't tell the whole story. They were consistent with pressure on the Browns quarterback even when they weren't blitzing. This was reason for encouragement since this pass rush is among the least productive in the league.
Most surprising performance: Harrison Butker had made all 72 of his career field goal attempts of less than 30 yards until he missed a 29-yard try late in the first half. The miss didn't matter in the long haul, but it was a notable blemish in the kicker's return to the lineup from left knee surgery. -- Adam Teicher
Next game: vs. Texans (Saturday, 1 p.m. ET)
0:18
Mahomes limps off field after taking hit
Patrick Mahomes throws an incomplete pass on fourth down and limps off the field.
Browns
Will the Browns make a quarterback change? Jameis Winston breathed life into Cleveland's offense at times, but he was benched in the fourth quarter amid his fourth multi-interception game in seven starts. Dorian Thompson-Robinson is unproven, though Cleveland doesn't have much to lose in evaluating the 2023 fifth-round pick. The team is already eliminated from playoff contention.
Most surprising performance: Running back Jerome Ford recorded 104 scrimmage yards, including a 62-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. It marked Ford's first 100-yard game this season and his first since Week 7 of the 2023 season.
Eye-popping stat: The Browns' defense pressured quarterback Patrick Mahomes 21 times before he left late in the fourth quarter because of an ankle injury. It was tied for the most pressures Mahomes has faced in a game this season. -- Daniel Oyefusi
Next game: at Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Baltimore 35, N.Y. Giants 14
Ravens
What did the Ravens prove against the struggling Giants? The Ravens insisted they wouldn't overlook the last-place Giants, and they backed that up by not playing down to an opponent like earlier this season. After surprising losses to the Raiders and Browns, the Ravens dominated New York. Quarterback Lamar Jackson tied a career high with five touchdown passes, and the defense tied a season low in yards allowed (236). Now Baltimore has to prove it can beat Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Ravens have lost eight of their past nine games to their biggest rival. The Steelers can clinch the AFC North title with a win.
What we learned about the QB today: Don't count out Jackson from repeating as MVP. Over the past three weeks, Jackson has gone from the betting favorite to win MVP to third behind the Bills' Josh Allen and the Eagles' Saquon Barkley. But Jackson put together a spectacular performance, with more touchdown passes (five) than incompletions (four). It was his sixth career game with five touchdown passes, which is tied for fourth-most in NFL history.
Most surprising performance: Wide receiver Rashod Bateman. The 2021 first-round pick continued his breakout season with the first multiple touchdown game of his four-year career, catching touchdown passes of 49 and 20 yards. Bateman now has six touchdown catches in 14 games after totaling four in his first three seasons (34 games). -- Jamison Hensley
Next game: vs. Steelers (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET)
Giants
What does this loss mean for the Giants? They have now lost nine straight games and are on the verge of becoming the first team ever to go 0-9 at home after being dominated by the Ravens. They'll be underdogs in the final three weeks at Atlanta, versus Indianapolis and at Philadelphia. Twelve straight losses to end the season is not out of the question. This latest defeat does keep the Giants in pole position for the No. 1 pick. They came into Sunday with a 41% chance at the top pick. It jumped to 48% with the loss.
Describe the game in two words: Completely overmatched. The disparity in talent gave the Giants no chance to win. They had no answer for Jackson or the Ravens' offense. They had no chance to move the ball consistently whether it was Tommy DeVito or Tim Boyle at quarterback. The Giants looked every bit a 2-12 team and tied a franchise record with their ninth straight loss.
What we learned about the QB today: The Giants can't keep anyone healthy after DeVito left late in the first half with a concussion. Ever since benching Daniel Jones, DeVito was injured in each of his two starts. Drew Lock also lasted just two starts after injuring his heel last week. Boyle finished Sunday's game and went 12-of-24 for 123 yards, an interception and the Giants' first passing touchdown in five games. -- Jordan Raanan
Next game: at Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
Dallas 30, Carolina 14
Cowboys
Did the Cowboys show some mental toughness? Quick answer: Yes. It might not mean anything at the end of this season and it may cost them draft positioning, but players and coaches want -- and need -- to win games. Coming off their deflating loss to the Bengals on Monday, the Cowboys responded on a short week. With the exception of one play, the defense smothered quarterback Bryce Young. The offense was efficient with another reconfigured offensive line, and quarterback Cooper Rush had the first three-touchdown game of his career. At 6-8, the Cowboys still have a chance to make the playoffs, even if it's faint.
What we learned about the QB today: Rush shouldn't run many zone reads. It led to his fourth lost fumble of the season. But he was able to rebound with an efficient performance, including three touchdown throws under duress -- the most by a Dallas quarterback since Dak Prescott in 2021 (Week 17 vs. Arizona).
Early prediction for next week: Running back Rico Dowdle, who finished with 149 yards on 25 carries, will have his fourth straight 100-yard outing when the Cowboys take on the Buccaneers. It will be tough against a Tampa Bay defense that is allowing 115.2 yards per game on the ground. The last Cowboys running back to have four straight 100-yard rushing games was Ezekiel Elliott (2016). -- Todd Archer
Next game: vs. Buccaneers (Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET)
0:27
Cowboys pad lead with a Jalen Brooks' TD
Cooper Rush connects with Jalen Brooks in the back of the end zone for a 17-yard Cowboys touchdown.
Panthers
Will coach Dave Canales turn back to Andy Dalton after Bryce Young's four-turnover game? Canales insists it's a weekly decision on Young, who set a career-high four turnovers (two interceptions, two lost fumbles). He was also sacked six times. Carolina might want to get another look at Dalton, who was the starter before a thumb injury from a car crash. The turnovers could be the excuse needed to see whether the 37-year-old can be the veteran backup or starter entering next season.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Defending wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys had one premier receiver, and Carolina let him run free (116 yards). In the first half, he had eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Much of these splash plays were the result of the Panthers playing zone and not putting top corner Jaycee Horn on Lamb exclusively.
Describe the game in two words: No rush. Dallas had the third-worst run defense (141.9 yards per game) and Carolina's Chuba Hubbard ranked sixth in rushing (1,011 yards) entering the game. Hubbard got 10 carries for 32 yards, which opened up Dallas' pass rush, resulting in Young being sacked four times in the third quarter after having none in the first half. -- David Newton
Next game: vs. Cardinals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
L.A. Rams 12, San Francisco 6
Rams
With three games left, can the Rams make a playoff run? They sure look like a playoff team. ESPN Analytics gives the Rams a 52% chance to make the playoffs and 49% chance to win the division entering the weekend. After the game, coach Sean McVay said it was "really cool" that the Rams have "found a bunch of different ways to be able to win football games." After winning 44-42 in Week 14, the Rams beat San Francisco by just six points. Earlier in the week receiver Puka Nacua said Los Angeles is "playing close to its best football" of the season. That has shown up during the Rams' three-game winning streak, as they've managed to climb back out of a 1-4 hole to sit just a half-game back of first in the NFC West.
Describe the game in two words: Slow start. Against the 49ers, the Rams failed to score in the first quarter for the ninth time this season. According to ESPN Research, that is tied with the Bears for the second-most such starts in the NFL. After the game, quarterback Matthew Stafford said, "Early in the game, I didn't play good enough on third down."
Eye-popping stat: For the first time since McVay was hired in 2017, the Rams failed to get a first down on their first four offensive drives, according to ESPN Research. A week after scoring a season-high 44 points, Los Angeles finished the game with only 14 first downs. -- Sarah Barshop
Next game: at Jets (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
49ers
With their playoff hopes all but dead, where do the 49ers go from here? Last week's win against Chicago offered a slight glimmer of hope for the Niners, but that all went out the window Thursday night. Mathematically, there might still be a way for San Francisco to sneak in, but it's the longest of long shots. With three games left, the 49ers would be well-served to rest star veterans who have been playing through injuries while continuing to assess who needs to stay and who needs to go for them to rebound in 2025.
Describe the game in two words: Punt party. Inclement weather undoubtedly played a part, but the Niners and Rams didn't exactly light up the scoreboard. They combined for seven punts in the first quarter alone (tied for most punts in a quarter this season) and 13 for the game. A game that looked poised to be a shootout after the Rams and Niners combined to score 82 points last week turned into a rock fight with a total of 18 points and no touchdowns.
Most surprising performance: Linebacker De'Vondre Campbell. Maybe this is more of a surprising nonperformance but either way, it was a shock to the Niners when Campbell declined to enter the game in the third quarter after injuries to other linebackers. Campbell walked to the locker room in the fourth quarter, leaving teammates at a loss for why he would go to the trouble of putting on a uniform and taking up a roster spot without playing. -- Nick Wagoner
Next game: at Dolphins (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET)
