Five worst Week 14 performances: Cardinals defense, Falcons special teams come up short

Sanders was 23-of-42 for 364 yards, four total touchdowns and an interception while only taking two sacks in the defeat, showing enormous growth from when he received his first NFL action with no prior first-team reps. He deserved to be on the field for the game's biggest play. It's a travesty that his head coach was perhaps the only person in the stadium — or watching on television — who didn't agree.

Atlanta Falcons special teams

The Falcons (4-9) were competitive for the first 30 minutes against the Seattle Seahawks (10-3), but the wheels fell off after the kickoff coverage unit allowed speedster Rashid Shaheed, acquired from the New Orleans Saints at the trade deadline, to take the opening kick of the third quarter 100 yards for a touchdown.

That kickstarted a 31-3 second-half beatdown, with Seattle running away with a 37-9 win. Afterward, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris lamented the "back-breaking" play, telling reporters, "You can't give up back-breaking plays that allow your team to self-destruct when you're playing a really tight football game like that."

Earlier in the game, the Falcons failed to take advantage of excellent field position after an interception when the field goal unit allowed a block, keeping the 3-3 game tied.

With a bottom-10 offense, defense allowing 24.1 points per game, and subpar special teams, it's difficult to identify anything the Falcons do well.

Rookie quarterbacks thrust into first regular-season action

The Indianapolis Colts (8-5) may have watched their season go up in flames with quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a ruptured Achilles in a 36-19 loss to the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4). Rookie sixth-rounder Riley Leonard couldn't generate much offense in his first NFL regular-season action, finishing 18-of-29 for 145 yards and an interception.

He wasn't the only late-round draft pick to see substantial playing time, with the New York Jets (3-10) forced to turn to Brady Cook, a 2025 undrafted free agent, after Tyrod Taylor left a 34-10 loss to the streaking Miami Dolphins (6-7), winners of four in a row, with a groin injury. Cook was 14-of-30 for 163 yards and two interceptions while also being sacked six times.

Anthony Richardson, the Colts' 2023 first-round pick, remains on injured reserve after suffering a fractured orbital in October, meaning Leonard could be set for a prolonged stint leading the Indianapolis offense. It's unclear how long Taylor or Justin Fields (knee) will be out for New York, but Cook could also be in line for a Week 15 start. If so, both quarterbacks will have to take significant strides in a week to be winning options going forward. 

Washington Commanders defense

All struggling Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy needed was a game against Washington's defense.

The 2024 first-rounder got off to a hot start by marching the Vikings down the field for an opening-drive touchdown, snapping a 23-possession touchdown drought, the franchise's longest since 2006, per the Fox broadcast. Later, he operated a 98-yard drive that stretched 12 minutes and one second, Minnesota's longest this century.

McCarthy had by far his best game as a pro, finishing 16-of-23 for 163 yards and three touchdowns. His 129.2 passer rating was 30.7 points higher than his previous best. It's a terrible look for the Commanders, particularly defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn.

Washington entered Sunday No. 31 in total defense (388.3 yards per game) and No. 28 in scoring (26.9 points per game). Quarterback Jayden Daniels' injury-plagued second season has given Quinn cover, but he deserves criticism for his defense's rough season. Amid an overall disappointing season, making McCarthy look like a competent quarterback is Quinn's biggest crime.