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Week 15 of the NFL highlighted Saturday’s return from football, with a couple of games that featured two of the best teams in the league. The Green Bay Packers, despite some struggles in the second half, and Buffalo Bills were relaxed in front of a national audience that could also see them move deep into next month’s playoffs. That’s after a wild Thursday night game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders.
It’s just the beginning when we head to the heart of Week 15, but here are the NFL Nation’s biggest takeaways through three games.
Go to a match:
CAR-GB | BUF-DEN | LAC-LV
Outstanding performer: Aaron Jones: 20 runs, 145 yards, 1 TD
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers came out of Saturday’s win over the Panthers with this assessment: “That kind of football in the second half, he won’t get it in the playoffs.” Good thing for the Packers (11-3), who still hold the advantage of being the No. 1 boss in the NFC, that the struggling Panthers are not a playoff team. Otherwise, they could have lost the scope of the local field advantage throughout the postseason. After scoring their first three possessions, the Packers scored five times in a row and only scored one field goal in the second half. Next Sunday they will have a much tougher test when the Titans come to Lambeau. – Rob Demovsky
Next match: vs. Titans (20:20 ET Sunday, December 27)
When coach Matt Rhule looks back this season, games with a score will jump off the scoreboard. The Panthers (4-10) are 0-8 in single-possession games after Saturday’s loss. This is an accusation for young players who have not quite known how to finish the games. It’s an indictment of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. It’s also an accusation for a young coaching staff that hasn’t fully understood how to put players in a position to overcome the hump. The good news? Carolina could head to a draft pick in the top five. – David Newton
Next match: in Washington (13:00 ET Sunday, December 27)
Outstanding performer: Josh Allen, 359 passing yards, 33 running yards, 4 TDs in total
Right now there is no team that plays better football than the Bills. They’ve talked at length over the last month about the high point at the right time – with three straight wins in the first hour, the Bills seem to be doing just that. His last three games have been his most complete efforts of the season, and they seem to be having a hard time reaching the playoffs. If both sides of the ball continue with this level of play, they can go from foot to foot with their heads, and even win. – Marcel Louis-Jacques
Next match: at Patriots (20:15 ET Monday, December 28)
In a season in which they haven’t had Von Miller, a former Super Bowl MVP, or played a game without quarterbacks and have adapted just three corners on Saturday, all of the Broncos ’bills finally arrived when the Bills reached city. An unfortunate third quarter turned a score into the break at what the Broncos coach Vic Fangio called “a disappointing overall performance for the team.” The Broncos simply have too many starters on the injured reserve and they don’t have enough talent left in the depth box. The biggest sign of the team’s broken spirit was Devin Singletary’s 51-yard touchdown test with 1 minute and 40 seconds to play in the middle of a Broncos defense. The Broncos say there is potential for good results this season, but they only have two games left to prove it. – Jeff Legwold
Next match: at Chargers (16:05 ET ET Sunday, December 27)
Outstanding performer: Justin Herbert, 22 of 32 for 314 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INT
Kicker Michael Badgley became the NFL leader in field goals lost with nine at the same time, the Chargers getting their second straight win and first division since 2018. Quarterback Justin Herbert tied the rookie record in most past touchdowns with 27. – Shelley Smith
Next match: vs. Broncos (16:05 ET Sunday, December 27)
That’s why the Raiders signed quarterback Marcus Mariota, who not only showed his willingness to extend leg plays, take off and run, but also a preternatural talent to do so against the Chargers. No, there is no controversy at the quarterback in Las Vegas. Not even with Mariota running for an 88-yard game and going through 226 more in just her third active game for the Raiders. He showed a taste that could be missed in Derek Carr, who was injured in the groin during the first quarter. But with the Raiders almost eliminated from the playoff race, why not give Mariota the last two games with her own plays just to see what she has in the offseason, since you already know what you have in Carr? – Paul Gutierrez
Next match: vs. Dolphins (Saturday at 8:15 pm ET)