Week 14 worst QB performances: Kirk Cousins' downward spiral is derailing Falcons

Later, in the fourth quarter and down two scores, Cousins displayed poor touch as he lofted a pass to tight end Kyle Pitts, but it sailed over his head, and Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. made a one-handed interception.

Per ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder, the Falcons, who entered Week 14 with a 54 percent chance of reaching the playoffs according to ESPN's Football Power Index, saw their odds dip to 36.3 percent with the loss.

Cousins' play has single-handedly sunk Atlanta's season. During its four-game losing streak, Cousins is 88-of-141 for 1,068 yards, no touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Browns quarterback Jameis Winston

Winston isn't changing. The gunslinger has been turnover-prone since entering the league, and the No. 1 pick of the 2015 NFL Draft added two more ugly interceptions to his resume in a 27-14 loss to the Steelers.

On his first interception, Winston was pressured by Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. as the Browns set up a screen pass. With Bishop in his face, Winston hopped and threw a pass directly to Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton.

In the fourth, down 13, a desperate Winston sailed a seam pass intended for wide receiver Elijah Moore that Steelers cornerback James Pierre picked. 

Winston has nine interceptions in six starts, re-establishing himself as arguably the league's most careless quarterback with the football.

Giants quarterback Drew Lock

Lock, starting his first game of the season in Week 14, told reporters there was "zero finger-pointing" following New York's 14-11 loss to the Saints (5-8).

Are we sure Lock's teammates didn't wait until he wasn't looking?

Lock started rough, going 0-of-8 in the first quarter. Per the Fox broadcast, he was the first player to begin a game 0-of-7 since former Broncos teammate Kendall Hinton, a wide receiver who infamously started against Saints in 2020 after Denver's entire quarterback room couldn't play due to Covid-19 protocols.

Lock's terrible began when he flagged for intentional grounding on a fourth down in Saints territory in the first quarter, which gave New Orleans the ball at midfield.

Lock's lack of awareness likely cost the Giants a first down in the second quarter. He scrambled up the middle of the Saints defense on a 3rd-and-6 and appeared to have enough space to gain a first down. Instead, Lock made a beeline toward the sideline and was tackled for a one-yard gain.

Lock finished the game 21-of-49 (42.9 percent) for 227 yards and an interception, which he threw directly to Saints linebacker Demario Davis. 

In November, Lock pondered why — after the team benched former starter Daniel Jones — Tommy DeVito was named the starter over him despite Lock being No. 2 on the depth chart behind Jones.

"That's a question I still have for myself," Lock said. Sunday provided answers.

Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones

Everything stunk in Jags-Texans. While Jacksonville snapped its five-game losing streak with a 10-6 win in the season's most unwatchable game, Jones continued his regression from rookie playoff quarterback.

The Alabama national champion was 23-of-31 for 220 yards and two interceptions.

On his first interception, Jones threw an uncatchable ball for rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas, and Titans cornerback Chidobe Awuzie made the leaping pick.

Jones would have been better off taking a sack on his second interception. In the closing seconds of the first half, Jones threw a pass while he was being taken down and was intercepted by Titans linebacker Otis Reese IV.

While no harm came from the miscue, Jones allowed the Titans to potentially score a pick-six with his poor decision when taking the sack would have ended the half.

With Jaguars starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) out for the season, Jacksonville is stuck with Jones for the rest of 2024. Considering his unremarkable play, the Jags should probably be in the market for a backup this offseason.

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray

Murray is on our weekly list for the third consecutive week. As the stakes have heightened for the Cardinals, the former No. 1 overall pick has played his worst football of the season. 

In Week 14's 30-18 loss to the Seahawks, Murry was 25-of-38 for 258 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, both of which came in the first quarter.

Linebacker Ernest Jones IV made the first interception, and afterward, he noted his surprise at the play, telling reporters, "It was kind of right to me."

Cornerback Coby Bryant intercepted Murray's deep ball intended for wide receiver Zay Jones later in the quarter.

The Seahawks scored 14 points off Murray's two turnovers. He's thrown five interceptions during Arizona's three-game losing streak after only throwing three during the Cardinals' 6-4 start.