Excessive-scoring matchups, shut upsets and a few big-time receiver performances. Week 15 within the NFL had some intriguing implications for the playoff race and helped one participant solidify his case for MVP.
Now, with only one recreation left on the schedule on Monday Night time Soccer, let’s check out the highest storylines from Sunday’s slate of video games.
Allen powers Payments to a different high-scoring outing
If you’re a fan of high-scoring soccer, the Buffalo Payments have offered loads of it.
Rolling into the Motor Metropolis, the Payments went toe-to-toe with the Detroit Lions in a heavyweight that was billed as a Tremendous Bowl-level matchup and positively lived as much as the hype.
Trying to rebound from a surprising loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo actually obtained the wake-up name they wanted. This time, they discovered themselves on the optimistic aspect of the scoreboard.
The Payments knew the Lions had a banged-up defence, and Josh Allen was able to take benefit. The Payments quarterback completed with 362 yards by the air whereas including 68 yards on the bottom and a pair of speeding touchdowns.
Should you wanted any additional validation for Allen because the MVP this season, handing one other loss to a high staff within the NFL ought to present extra justification.
Over his final two video games, Allen had 5 touchdowns by the air and one other 5 on the bottom. What’s extra necessary is that Allen is defending the soccer whereas nonetheless pushing the ball down the sphere.
What was additionally spectacular from the Payments finish was how they dominated the road of scrimmage. It isn’t typically {that a} staff is ready to run the ball higher than the Lions, however Buffalo gained that battle with 197 yards on the bottom, whereas Detroit completed with 48.
Granted, the Lions had been compelled to desert the operating recreation early, dealing with a 14-0 deficit after the opening quarter. This compelled Jared Goff to try almost 60 passes on this recreation, and whereas he shredded the Payments for 473 yards, he was additionally sacked thrice.
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Lions fall brief in measuring stick recreation
It is laborious to be anxious a couple of staff with simply two losses this season, however pink flags are beginning to emerge for Detroit.
The Lions have been lauded for his or her aggressive play-calling, however a choice by head coach Dan Campbell left many shaking their heads.
With 12 minutes left within the recreation and the Lions trailing by two possessions, the staff determined to go for an onside kick. Payments receiver Mack Hollins recovered the ball and ran it into Lions territory, which might be adopted up with a landing.
In a Week 15 matchup, a danger like that is wonderful, particularly with how the Lions’ defence has been enjoying. Nonetheless, what if this was a playoff recreation?
Actually, the rising record of accidents on defence is hard to disregard, particularly at this level within the season.
Carlton Davis III, Alim McNeill and Khalil Dorsey all left the sport and look like coping with critical accidents. Campbell advised that Davis and McNeill won’t make it again this season.
It is laborious to have a look at the Lions’ injured reserve record proper now, particularly their line of defense, which has been with out star go rusher Aidan Hutchinson since mid-October.
Can the Lions survive by this string of accidents? They’ve three video games remaining, together with two in opposition to NFC North rivals, however, extra importantly, a combat for the highest spot within the convention.
By all accounts, this recreation in opposition to the Payments was a measuring stick, they usually sadly did not go this check. It wasn’t all dangerous, although.
Goff had one other big-time efficiency with 5 touchdowns and nearly 500 yards passing. Amon-Ra St. Brown (193 yards) and Sam LaPorta (111 yards) each led the way in which, particularly with the operating recreation struggling.
It is in all probability the one cause the scoreboard was respectable, because the Lions had been enjoying catchup from the beginning.
Eagles handle one other playoff check
The Philadelphia Eagles are on a roll proper now, selecting up their tenth consecutive victory, a franchise file, after taking good care of one other staff in a playoff place.
It isn’t simply that Philadelphia beat the Pittsburgh Steelers — it is how they did it. Going up in opposition to the No. 1 defence, the Eagles put up over 400 yards on offence, however extra importantly, the Steelers solely had 163 yards themselves.
Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown shot down the notion that there was a rift between the 2, with the duo combining for eight receptions on 11 targets for 110 yards and a landing.
Even when the Eagles dedicated a pair of fumbles, the defence restricted the Steelers to 3 factors off these turnovers.
Saquon Barkley was coping with a minor damage, however that did not cease the Eagles from producing within the operating recreation, ending with 131 yards on the bottom.
Proper now, the Eagles are tied with the Lions for the highest file within the NFC and have a powerful probability to complete out on high with the Commanders, Cowboys and Giants to finish their common season schedule.
A well-recognized place for Mahomes
Seeing Patrick Mahomes hobbling to the sidelines in all probability had each Kansas Metropolis Chiefs fan attempting to maintain calm as backup Carson Wentz checked into the sport.
The Chiefs quarterback was hit each excessive and low simply as he tried to get the ball out and make a play. You can see him get rolled up on the play.
Luckily, the X-rays on his injured ankle got here again detrimental, and experiences recommend that Mahomes’ standing is week-to-week.
The Chiefs will definitely be cautious about Mahomes’ damage, however historical past additionally tells us that if the reigning Tremendous Bowl MVP desires to play, he’ll discover a means to take action.
In 2022, Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain within the divisional spherical, and he might nonetheless lead Kansas Metropolis to a championship.
Be careful for the Packers
The NFC North is likely one of the hardest divisions within the NFL, and it feels just like the Inexperienced Bay Packers are flying a bit beneath the radar.
Nonetheless, you may ask many groups, they usually’ll in all probability agree that they might not wish to go up in opposition to the Packers within the playoffs.
Josh Jacobs set the tone early within the recreation with 11 carries alone on the staff’s first two drives. He completed with 94 speeding yards, a landing and one other 42 yards on 4 receptions.
This additionally gave Jordan Love the boldness to unfold the ball round and make some highlight-reel performs.
With that being mentioned, the defence set the stage for the offence with seven sacks from six totally different defenders and 12 quarterback hits from 9 gamers.
Inexperienced Bay takes on the Saints in Week 16 earlier than a heavyweight matchup in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings. A win over their NFC North rival might maintain the Packers able for a better seed within the NFC playoff image.
It is at all times good when some gamers get their second to shine unexpectedly.
Main the cost was T’Vondre Sweat, the 366-pound nostril deal with who ripped the ball away from Joe Burrow, rumbled 30 yards and victimized offensive lineman Alex Cappa with a nasty stiff arm.
In the identical recreation, Sam Hubbard determined that Sweat could not be the one one to have some enjoyable.
The Bengals defensive finish caught a go from Burrow within the endzone and undoubtedly made positive to benefit from the second.
Sadly for Hubbard, the rating got here at a price, as he mentioned he suffered a knee damage whereas coming down with the catch. It in all probability explains why massive males do not at all times get put in these conditions.
The Lions have by no means been shy to get their offensive lineman concerned on offence. One of many benefactors was Dan Skipper, who the Payments didn’t cowl on the Lions’ second landing late within the second quarter.
Credit score to the Lions for the artistic play name however, extra importantly, the hustle from Skipper to go 9 yards and beat out the Payments defender.
