NFL Week 15 recap

Thursday:

[49ers 21, Seahawks 13]

The 49ers win rather convincingly even on a short week and facing a desperate division rival. It's pretty clear that the Vikings will have to win out to keep the 2 seed. 

Saturday:

[Browns 13, Ravens 3]

Watched none of this game, but wasn't shocked by the result. The Ravens have barely been squeaking by without Lamar Jackson and desperately need him back to hold on to their playoff spot. 

[Bills 32, Dolphins 29]

Was promised a glorious snow game, but the snow didn't arrive until late. Still, a good game, with the Dolphins putting up a fight but ultimately succumbing. Buffalo now firmly controls their division and remain the #1 seed. 

Sunday:

[Eagles 25, Bears 20]

The Bears tried to play spoiler but couldn't get it done, despite another long TD run by Fields. The big story out of this is that Jalen Hurts got hurt, although it doesn't appear to be a long term thing. 

[Lions 20, Jets 17]

The Lions are 100% making the playoffs. Even the refs are firmly on their side if this game was any indication. Lions scored on a punt return and a 4th and 1 defensive breakdown. Zach Wilson actually played okay and gave the Jets a late lead, but took a couple very bad sacks late, and some terrible clock management and that receiver running backwards led to a long field goal miss that ended the game. Jets are in big trouble for making the playoffs. 

[Chiefs 30, Texans 24 OT]

So does this make the Chiefs frauds now too? Just curious how the rules work. Anyway, the 1 win Texans pushed another team to the limit, and might have even won this time if not for a very ill-timed fumble in OT. The Chiefs win their 7th straight division title.

[Steelers 24, Panthers 16]

Naturally the Panthers could have moved into 1st place with a win, but got beat by a Steelers team thatnwins a lot lately no matter who the QB is. If Mike Tomlin avoids a losing record with this team that's one of his best coaching years. 

[Jaguars 40, Cowboys 34 OT]

The Jaguars back half of this season has been something else, and this was their best win of the Lawrence era. A 17 point comeback against a Dallas team that had only lost once in like 2 months, sealed with an OT pick six. This doesn't hurt Dallas that much, but the Jaguars are suddenly just a game out of first and control their own destiny to win the division. 

[Saints 21, Falcons 18]

Neither of these teams are anything, but naturally the Falcons loss helps keep Tampa in first. 

[Raiders 30, Patriots 24]

The only thing worth discussing from this game is that utterly hilarious ending. Jakobi Meyers etches himself forever into the sports blooper hall of fame with that moronic lateral pass directly to Chandler Jones that not only loses the Patriots the game but might prove to be the play that keeps them out of the playoffs. Couldn't happen to a more deserving coach. 

[Broncos 24, Cardinals 15]

This game was played. That much I know. 

[Bengals 34, Buccaneers 23]

The official passing of the torch from the Brady Bullshit to the Burrow Bullshit. Brady was handed a 17-0 lead then became a turnover machine and ignited a 34-0 run by Cincinnati. The Bengals took over 1st place all by themselves. And naturally Tampa got blitzed but saw their playoff odds rise. 

[Chargers 17, Titans 14]

A big, gutty win by the rising Chargers, and another big loss for the reeling Titans, who now have the Jaguars nipping at their heels. 

[Giants 20, Commanders 12]

The Giants probably saved their season with this win. A very damaging loss for the Commanders. The refs basically assured a Giants win at the end. 

Monday:

[Packers 24, Rams 12]

Naturally a win over a plummeting and now eliminated Rams team was treated as a grand accomplishment by the media. The Packers still cling to wild card hopes but finish with Dolphins, Vikings and Lions.