With the end of the NFL regular season looming, teams logged statement wins (Lions over Broncos, Ravens over Jaguars) and concerning losses (Cowboys to Bills, Falcons to Panthers) in Week 15. Here's a look at four aftershocks.
Few teams have overcome the injuries the Colts (8-6) have this season.
Indianapolis began the season with first-round pick Anthony Richardson at quarterback but turned to Gardner Minshew after the rookie underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. Star running back Jonathan Taylor missed the first four games because of a contract dispute, only to be sidelined again for multiple weeks with a thumb injury he suffered Nov. 26.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen has embraced the "next man up mentality," with multiple backups exceeding expectations. Even after losing receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to a concussion and running back Zack Moss to an arm injury in Week 15, the Colts beat the Steelers, 30-13.
After inheriting a 4-12 team and transforming the Colts into a playoff contender, Steichen deserves accolades. As of Monday, per oddschecker, he is among the betting favorites to win the Coach of the Year award.
For the first time in a long time, quarterback Josh Allen wasn't the player who carried the Bills to a victory.
Buffalo dismantled the Cowboys, 31-10, marking their third win in four games. Running back James Cook was the star, accounting for 221 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in the best performance of his career.
"I felt like the kid that didn’t do anything in the class project but got an 'A,' " joked Allen, who finished the game 7-of-15 for 94 yards and one touchdown pass.
Josh Allen: “I felt like the kid that didn’t do anything in the class project but got an A.” pic.twitter.com/PgOYLMXWGk
— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2023
The Bills (8-6) are putting it all together down the stretch and could snatch the division title from the Dolphins (10-4), who have difficult games remaining vs. Dallas (10-4), at Baltimore (11-3) and vs. Buffalo. Meanwhile, Buffalo's remaining games are at the Los Angeles Chargers (5-9), vs. New England (3-11) and at Miami.
If Buffalo continues to dominate on the ground and takes pressure off Allen, it is a team that few opponents would want to face in the playoffs.
Jacksonville (8-6) looked to be running away with the AFC South several weeks ago. Following the Jaguars' three-game losing skid and sloppy play, however, the top spot in the division is up for grabs among the Texans, Colts and Jaguars.
The Jaguars couldn't stop shooting themselves in the foot during the early portion of their 23-7 loss to the Ravens on Sunday night. Despite driving into Baltimore territory on four straight drives, Jacksonville failed to score by halftime. Kicker Brandon McManus missed two field goals and quarterback Trevor Lawrence made two boneheaded mistakes, fumbling on a scramble in which he went untouched and completing a pass in bounds in the red zone with less than 10 seconds left in the half and no timeouts.
With an easy three-game stretch to end the season — at Tampa Bay (7-7), vs. Carolina (2-12) and at Tennessee (5-9) — the Jaguars are still likely to win their division. A slip or two, however, and the Colts or Texans (both 8-6) could end Jacksonville's reign as division champs at one season.
DeVito's "Linsanity" run has seemingly run its course.
The Giants quarterback took a beating in a 24-6 loss to the Saints, taking seven sacks and momentarily exiting the game late in the first half following a high hit on a slide. He returned in the third quarter and finished the game 20-of-34 passes for 177 yards, no touchdown passes and no interceptions.
New York failed to create much of anything on offense until garbage time, going three-and-out four times. Though DeVito's signature hand gesture was used several times throughout the game, it was the quarterback's opponents that were mimicking the celebration.
Not the sack celly!!
— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
: #NYGvsNO on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/GlrRixJT83
DeVito has played well since becoming starter, going 3-2, and earned a roster spot for next season. He'll start for the Giants on Christmas Day at Philadelphia.
"He's earned it," New York head coach Brian Daboll told the media Monday.
Brian Daboll shares his reasoning behind the decision to give Tommy DeVito the start on Christmas:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) December 18, 2023
"He's earned it. It's not always going to be perfect, but he's earned the opportunity to play" pic.twitter.com/k6KVscMGQc
The odds he's the Giants next franchise quarterback, however, are almost nil.
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