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We’re coming down the stretch of the NFL season, and the playoff seedings and Energy Rankings are beginning to kind themselves out, however that doesn’t imply there haven’t been some surprises alongside the best way. In the present day, we’re going to take a look at one shocking side of every workforce’s season.
After which we’re going to start out trying ahead to a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in Week 16 of the season.
(Final week: 1)
Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 45-29
Shock: Brock Purdy
We’ve let all of the speak about whether or not the second-year quarterback is a top-10 quarterback within the league and even presumably the MVP obscure what stays at its coronary heart essentially the most outstanding story within the league. Purdy, the final choose of the 2022 draft, is now 16-3 as a beginning quarterback. His passer ranking (119) and anticipated factors added per dropback (.32) lead the NFL and each would rank among the many high 5 within the final 10 years within the league, in response to TruMedia.
Up subsequent: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
(Final week: 3)
Sunday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 23-7
Shock: They’ve clinched a playoff spot
Baltimore didn’t even enter the season as the favourite in its division, and now it’s the one workforce within the AFC to clinch a postseason berth. Lamar Jackson has been Lamar Jackson and the Todd Monken rent at offensive coordinator appears impressed. The Ravens have gained eight of their final 9. Watching their protection, which leads the NFL with simply 16.1 factors per sport allowed, go in opposition to the 49ers offense subsequent week will probably be a deal with.
Up subsequent: at San Francisco 49ers, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
What we realized in NFL Week 15: Beware the Ravens and Payments, hassle in Pittsburgh and extra
(Final week: 5)
Sunday: Beat Dallas Cowboys 31-10
Shock: That they’ve misplaced six video games
The Payments proved Sunday they’re probably the greatest groups within the league and a Tremendous Bowl contender. Extra importantly, they received themselves nearer to the playoffs, transferring into the No. 9 spot within the AFC. In fact, the reply could also be so simple as turnovers. The Payments are plus-11 in turnover margin of their wins (fourth within the league) and minus-eight of their losses (twentieth within the league). They didn’t flip the ball over in opposition to the Cowboys and rushed for 266 yards, their highest complete since 2016.
Up subsequent: at Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
(Final week: 7)
Sunday: Beat New York Jets 30-0
Shock: Why no person else simply drafted all of the quick guys
Tyreek Hill didn’t play Sunday due to an ankle harm, and Miami nonetheless had three of the quickest individuals on this planet on the sphere. Jaylen Waddle had a season-high 142 receiving yards on eight catches, and Raheem Mostert and Devon Achane had a mixed 105 yards. The Dolphins have gained 4 of their final 5 and may beat anyone within the league with their dwelling run energy.
Up subsequent: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Raheem Mostert’s 20 complete touchdowns this yr (18 dashing, two receiving) ranks second all time amongst all gamers 31 years or older, behind solely John Riggins (24) per @pfref
— Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) December 18, 2023
(Final week: 2)
Sunday: Misplaced to Buffalo Payments 31-10
Shock: How they play on the street
Dallas, which is 7-0 at dwelling, is now under .500 on the street, dropping to 3-4 with Sunday’s loss. The Cowboys lead the league in scoring (39.86 ppg) and scoring margin (plus-171) at dwelling however are fifteenth in scoring (21.71 ppg) and have a minus-4 scoring margin on the street. This isn’t excellent news for a workforce that most likely goes to need to play at Philadelphia or at San Francisco to get to the Tremendous Bowl. It has performed in each of these stadiums this yr and misplaced by a mixed rating of 70-33.
Up subsequent: at Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
(Final week: 4)
Monday: Misplaced to Seattle Seahawks 20-17
Shock: The panic
The Eagles are essentially the most hand-wringing 1o-win workforce within the NFL. They have already got clinched a playoff spot and nonetheless have an excellent likelihood to win the NFC East, but the workforce and its followers imagine the sky is falling as a result of it has hit a tough patch in opposition to gifted opponents. The Eagles took management of the protection away from coordinator Sean Desai and handed it to Matt Patricia for Monday’s sport. That didn’t work so nicely on the ultimate drive as Drew Lock took the Seahawks 92 yards for the game-winning landing, however Philadelphia nonetheless has a few of the most gifted offensive and defensive strains within the league and will probably be positive in January.
Up subsequent: vs. New York Giants, Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET
(Final week: 8)
Saturday: Beat Denver Broncos 42-17
Shock: Sam LaPorta
It’s not surprising that the rookie tight finish is sweet, however this good? LaPorta had three landing catches Saturday night time and now has 9 on the season, the fourth-most receiving touchdowns within the league. LaPorta, the No. 34 choose within the 2023 draft, already has 758 receiving yards, the sixth most by a rookie tight finish within the historical past of the league. If he hits his common the remainder of the season, he’ll find yourself third behind solely Mike Ditka and Kyle Pitts.
Up subsequent: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Inspecting NFL’s 3 teaching vacancies and 9 different groups going through choices: Sando’s Choose Six
(Final week: 6)
Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 27-17
Shock: How arduous it has been
Kansas Metropolis assured its eleventh straight successful document beneath Andy Reid, but it surely wasn’t with out extra drama. Kadarius Toney dropped a cross that was an interception, and the Patriots led 10-7 till the ultimate minute of the primary half. The defending Tremendous Bowl champion is the No. 3 seed within the AFC proper now. The excellent news is rookie receiver Rashee Rice had his fourth straight sport with at the very least seven catches and 64 yards to take a few of the stress off Travis Kelce.
Up subsequent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, 1 p.m. ET
Myles Garrett and the Cleveland protection have the Browns closing in on a playoff berth. (Nick Cammett / Getty Photographs)
(Final week: 12)
Sunday: Beat Chicago Bears 20-17
Shock: That no person employed Jim Schwartz earlier
Cleveland’s defensive coordinator spent the final two seasons as a senior defensive assistant in Tennessee. Then the Browns put him again answerable for a protection, and Cleveland leads the NFL in defensive splash performs (363). The Browns have a league-high 65 tackles for loss that aren’t sacks and 41 sacks, which ranks eighth within the league, to associate with it. The protection has saved a season by which the offense misplaced working again Nick Chubb and quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Up subsequent: at Houston Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Final week: 11)
Sunday: Beat Washington Commanders 28-20
Shock: They’re within the playoffs for the time being
This was imagined to be a reset yr for the Rams, and it seemed prefer it after they began 3-6. Since then, Sean McVay’s crew is 4-1 with the one loss coming to the Ravens. Throughout the successful streak, the Rams are fourth within the league in scoring (29.8 ppg), and Matthew Stafford is fifth within the league in passer ranking (105.2) and second in passing touchdowns (13). It’s been ok to get them to the seventh seed, for now at the very least.
Up subsequent: vs. New Orleans Saints, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
(Final week: 14)
Sunday: Beat Minnesota Vikings 27-24
Shock: They’re nonetheless in it
Jake Browning gained his third sport in a row Saturday, and the Bengals are actually 3-1 since Joe Burrow’s season ended due to harm. Cincinnati, which is third in scoring within the final three weeks (31.7 ppg), was written out of the playoff race when Burrow went down however is the No. 6 seed within the AFC as of now. The issue is the Bengals need to play Kansas Metropolis, Pittsburgh and Cleveland down the stretch.
Up subsequent: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
12. Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
(Final week: 17)
Monday: Beat Philadelphia Eagles 20-17
Shock: The protection
Pete Carroll is thought for protection, however the Seahawks are twenty seventh within the NFL in defensive EPA per snap and have given up extra performs of 10-plus yards (190) than all however two groups within the league. Nevertheless, the protection received the job achieved Monday night time, holding an illness-slowed Jalen Hurts and the Eagles to 17 factors to cease a four-game shedding streak. They’re only one spot out of a playoff spot with the Titans, Steelers and Cardinals left on their schedule.
Up subsequent: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Final week: 13)
Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 19-16 in OT
Shock: One other Kyle Shanahan disciple
Is there no finish to the variety of actually good play callers San Francisco’s head coach can create in his lab? Texans first-year offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is 36 years previous and had just one yr as a full-fledged member of the 49ers workers earlier than becoming a member of DeMeco Ryans in Houston. Earlier than that, Slowik had a number of secondary roles in San Francisco. On Sunday, he helped backup quarterback Case Keenum to a victory that retains the Texans within the playoff race and retains him on the radar for head teaching jobs.
Up subsequent: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
The Colts, that includes tight finish Mo Alie-Cox, are one of many shock groups within the NFL this season. (Justin Casterline / Getty Photographs)
(Final week: 15)
Sunday: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers 30-13
Shock: This workforce is within the playoff race
The Colts have been 4-12 final season. They misplaced quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 choose within the draft, within the fourth sport of the yr. Jonathan Taylor has performed in solely seven video games. And but, Indianapolis is eighth within the league in scoring (24.6 ppg) and has the No. 7 spot within the playoff race proper now. Shane Steichen is making a robust case for coach of the yr.
Up subsequent: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Final week: 9)
Sunday: Misplaced to Detroit Lions 42-17
Shock: Sean Payton-Russell Wilson is form of working
Or at the very least it was till Saturday night time when Payton had a really animated, and seemingly one-way, dialog with Wilson on the sideline. It was what everybody anticipated from their relationship headed into the season, however issues had been going fairly nicely. After a career-low 84.4 passer ranking in his first season in Denver, Wilson has bounced again to a 97.5 this yr and has at the very least made it believable he could possibly be Denver’s beginning quarterback subsequent season.
Up subsequent: vs. New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Final week: 16)
Sunday: Misplaced to Baltimore Ravens 23-7
Shock: That Trevor Lawrence isn’t higher
The No. 1 choose within the 2021 draft is sweet, however he was anticipated to be nice. Lawrence is ninth within the league in passing yards (3,525) however simply twenty first in touchdown-to-interception ratio (1.8) and twenty third in EPA per try (.08). Sunday’s loss highlighted a few of the frustrations with Lawrence, who threw an ill-advised cross on the finish of the primary half that price the Jaguars factors, and he merely dropped a ball with out being touched on a scramble.
Up subsequent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
20 years after his profession started, this NFL lineman retains defying the percentages
(Final week: 20)
Sunday: Beat Inexperienced Bay Packers 34-20
Shock: They’re going to win the division
It’s not set in stone but, however the odds are actually 61.6 p.c, in response to The Athletic’s NFL betting mannequin. That is the workforce that had the bottom preseason win prediction within the NFC South and misplaced six of seven video games at one level this season. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay has now gained three in a row. Baker Mayfield, who Sunday turned the primary opposing quarterback ever to have an ideal passer ranking at Lambeau Discipline, threw for 381 yards and 4 touchdowns in opposition to the Packers.
Up subsequent: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
18. Inexperienced Bay Packers (6-8)
(Final week: 10)
Sunday: Misplaced to Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-20
Shock: How inconsistent they’re
Beat the Lions and Chiefs? Lose to the Giants and the Buccaneers? Positive, the Packers have achieved all that within the final month. Oft-analyzed quarterback Jordan Love hasn’t been the most important drawback, both. The protection is twenty ninth in success charge (56.4) and twenty third in yards per play allowed (5.4). On Sunday, the Packers surrendered the one excellent passer ranking of Mayfield’s six-year profession and 452 yards to the Buccaneers to fall into eleventh place within the NFC.
Up subsequent: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Final week: 18)
Saturday: Misplaced to Cincinnati Bengals 27-24
Shock: The Justin Jefferson thriller
Within the seven video games Jefferson has performed, he’s averaging 97.43 receiving yards per sport, which ranks behind solely Tyreek Hill. Nevertheless, after Saturday, Minnesota is 2-5 when he’s within the lineup. In video games Jefferson has missed due to harm, the Vikings are 5-2. Nick Mullens turned the fourth quarterback to start out a sport for Minnesota on Saturday. He threw for 303 yards and two touchdowns but additionally had two interceptions.
Up subsequent: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7)
(Final week: 19)
Saturday: Misplaced to Indianapolis Colts 30-13
Shock: George Pickens remains to be on the workforce
The second-year huge receiver’s angle has been sufficient of an issue that coach Mike Tomlin felt the necessity to inform the workforce’s official web site that he and Pickens had “a fantastic assembly” final week. It should not have been that nice as a result of Pickens had two embarrassing clips floor from Saturday’s sport — one on which he put hardly any effort right into a run block and one on which he appeared to run away from the opposing ball provider after an interception. He leads the workforce with 52 catches for 814 yards, but it surely won’t be value all this.
Up subsequent: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Kaboly: The Steelers’ roster wants an overhaul (and never simply because it lacks expertise)
(Final week: 22)
Sunday: Beat New York Giants 24-6
Shock: Derek Carr retains getting away with it
Final week, the story was the New Orleans quarterback stepping into one other in-game argument with a teammate (including heart Erik McCoy to an inventory that features huge receiver Chris Olave and offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael). This week, he threw three landing passes and had a 134.8 ranking because the Saints gained their second straight to remain alive within the playoff race.
Up subsequent: at Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Carr finds Juwan Johnson as he steps into the tip zone! TD @Saints
📺: #NYGvsNO on FOX📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/ktajaC4VDv
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
(Final week: 28)
Thursday: Beat Los Angeles Chargers 63-21
Shock: That offensive exhibiting
Just one workforce, Miami on this yr’s 70-20 win over Denver, has scored extra factors in a sport since at the very least 2000. The Dolphins have Mike McDaniel calling performs and the quickest talent place group within the league. The Raiders have an interim head coach, Antonio Pierce, and a rookie quarterback, Aidan O’Connell, who even after Thursday is simply thirtieth within the league in passer ranking. It’s most likely not sufficient to get Pierce the full-time job, however he’s 3-3 since taking the helm.
Up subsequent: at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Monday, 1 p.m. ET
(Final week: 21)
Sunday: Misplaced to Carolina Panthers 9-7
Shock: The offense is unhealthy
Arthur Smith, who’s in his third season, was employed for his offensive acumen. The Falcons have drafted an offensive skill-position participant within the high 10 in every of the final three drafts. Their $46.6 million funding of their offensive line is the fourth-highest within the NFL. And but they’re twenty sixth within the NFL in factors (18.43) after scoring simply seven Sunday in opposition to a one-win Carolina workforce. Now there’s an opportunity Smith is on his means out in Atlanta.
Up subsequent: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Final week: 23)
Sunday: Misplaced to Cleveland Browns 20-17
Shock: There’s nonetheless no reply on Justin Fields
With solely three video games left within the season, Chicago nonetheless doesn’t seem to have a transparent reply about whether or not it ought to stick to Fields at quarterback or use the Panthers’ choose it acquired final March to take Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Sunday was a “transfer on” sport. Fields accomplished 19-for-40 passes for 166 yards and had a 46.5 passer ranking. For the season, he’s twenty third in passer ranking (85.6) however is eighth in scramble EPA (17.72), in response to TruMedia.
Up subsequent: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
(Final week: 24)
Sunday: Misplaced to Miami Dolphins 30-0
Shock: Garrett Wilson is a top-25 receiver
Regardless of Zach Wilson and every thing else that has gone fallacious in New York, Garrett Wilson has 882 receiving yards, the twenty second most within the league. If that doesn’t sound that spectacular, keep in mind that the Jets are thirtieth within the NFL with 170 passing yards per sport. Wilson led New York in receiving Sunday, but it surely was a fairly hole achievement contemplating he had solely three catches for 29 yards.
Up subsequent: vs. Washington Commanders, Sunday 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
Jets get embarrassed once more, and Robert Saleh’s workforce future grows extra tenuous
26. New York Giants (5-9)
(Final week: 25)
Sunday: Misplaced to New Orleans Saints 24-6
Shock: They screwed up the 2024 draft
The Tommy DeVito story is nice, or at the very least was till Sunday when New York misplaced for the primary time in a month, however how fondly will or not it’s remembered in New York sooner or later? The three wins that DeVito led earlier than this have moved the Giants to the No. 7 choose within the 2024 draft for the time being. There’s nonetheless hope contemplating New York has to play the Eagles twice within the last three video games, however for now the Giants nonetheless don’t have a solution to their quarterback drawback.
Up subsequent: at Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, 4:30 p.m. ET
Titans working again Derrick Henry went nowhere in opposition to the Texans on Sunday. (Christopher Hanewinckel / USA In the present day)
27. Tennessee Titans (5-9)
(Final week: 26)
Sunday: Misplaced to Houston Texans 19-16 in OT
Shock: Derrick Henry is human
The final seven seasons had satisfied us in any other case, however the Titans and their otherworldly working again are trying like they’re close to the tip of their runs. On Sunday, Henry had the fewest yards (10) for any participant with 20 or extra touches in NFL historical past, and after the sport, he indicated it could possibly be his final season with the Titans. Tennessee was eradicated from the playoff race when Case Keenum led Houston to 10 factors within the last 3:03 and additional time on Sunday.
Up subsequent: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
(Final week: 27)
Thursday: Misplaced to Las Vegas Raiders 63-21
Shock: That it took this lengthy
The Chargers lastly fired Brandon Staley, who fell to 24-24 in three seasons with Thursday night time’s embarrassing loss. It was the fifth loss within the final six video games for Los Angeles, which entered the season with playoff hopes and now could be the second-worst workforce within the AFC, forward of solely the Patriots. Staley was employed as a result of he was imagined to be an up-and-coming defensive guru, however the Chargers are twenty seventh in factors (24.6) and yards per play (5.6) allowed.
Up subsequent: vs. Buffalo Payments, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET
29. Arizona Cardinals (3-11)
(Final week: 29)
Sunday: Misplaced to San Francisco 49ers 45-29
Shock: Nothing actually
This workforce is precisely what we thought it will be. There was a second (bear in mind the Week 3 win over Dallas?) when Arizona seemed prefer it may be plucky, however the one wins since have come in opposition to the reeling Falcons and Steelers. The Cardinals have ended up the place they need to be, within the combine to draft one of many high two quarterbacks within the league.
Up subsequent: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
30. New England Patriots (3-11)
(Final week: 30)
Sunday: Misplaced to Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 27-17
Shock: The document
Invoice Belichick hasn’t had fewer than seven wins in a season since 2000, and he’s on monitor for the fewest wins in his 29-year head teaching profession. The Patriots are 28-36 since Tom Brady left after the 2019 season, however no person anticipated issues to be this unhealthy. New England is twenty eighth within the league in scoring margin (minus-113) and is within the backside third of the league in each dashing and passing yards per sport.
Up subsequent: at Denver Broncos, Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ET
(Final week: 31)
Sunday: Misplaced to Los Angeles Rams 28-20
Shock: The Sam Howell lovefest
Ron Rivera mentioned he pulled Howell from Sunday’s sport to guard him as a result of the Rams protection was ready to be very aggressive in its cross rush. Then Jacoby Brissett went 8-for-10 and led two landing drives within the fourth quarter. Howell is seventh within the league in passing yards (3,568), however his damaging performs have outweighed all that yardage. Howell leads the league in each interceptions (15) and sacks (59).
Up subsequent: at New York Jets, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
32. Carolina Panthers (2-12)
(Final week: 32)
Sunday: Beat Atlanta Falcons 9-7
Shock: They gained a sport
In pouring rain in a virtually empty dwelling stadium in opposition to an Atlanta workforce nonetheless within the race for the division title, Carolina put collectively a 90-yard drive and kicked the successful area objective as time expired. It doesn’t change how unhealthy this season has been, however at the very least it made the Panthers really feel a little bit higher about themselves. “Clearly, we’re not gonna clinch something, but it surely feels good to mess up their Christmas,” defensive finish Brian Burns mentioned.
Up subsequent: vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
GO DEEPER
NFL QB EPA rankings: Brock Purdy is in Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers territory
(High picture of Payments working again James Prepare dinner: Wealthy Barnes / Getty Photographs)
“The Soccer 100,” the definitive rating of the NFL’s greatest 100 gamers of all time, is on sale now. Order it right here.
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