NFL Week 15 winners, losers: Josh Allen's MVP case; Bengals, Chiefs done

Denver Broncos. They not only extended their winning streak to 11 consecutive games, but they also officially punched their ticket to the playoffs. It is time to start taking them seriously if you were not. If they get home-field advantage, they will be a tough team to beat in Denver. 

Los Angeles Rams. The Rams were the first team in the NFC to officially clinch a playoff berth as Matthew Stafford out-dueled Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions in a 41-34 win. Every week, they look more and more like the team to beat in the NFC. 

Mike Macdonald, head coach, Seattle Seahawks.  The Seahawks won a thriller against Phillip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts, exchanging last-minute field goals. The biggest reason the Seahawks had a chance to answer and get the win was the aggressive timeout usage and clock management of Macdonald, saving time and giving his offense a chance. Kicker Jason Myers also deserves credit for his six made field goals, providing all of the Seahawks' offense in the win. 

NFL Week 15 losers

Cincinnati Bengals. They are 4-10, are going to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in six years with Joe Burrow and are just 17-15 in the past 32 games he has started. This is a broken franchise that needs major changes this offseason. 

Kansas City Chiefs. Just an absolutely brutal day for the Chiefs. Not only did they get mathematically eliminated from the playoffs with still three weeks to play, but quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in the 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. 

Kenny Pickett, quarterback, Las Vegas Raiders. If this was an audition to show that Pickett still had something to offer as a potential starting quarterback, he flopped. Pickett completed just 15-of-25 passes for a paltry 64 yards and an interception in a 31-0 loss to one of his former teams, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Green Bay Packers injuries. The Packers have bigger issues than just their loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday. They were absolutely devastated by injuries, with none of them being more significant than the potential season-ending injury to superstar Edge rusher Micah Parsons. That dramatically changes their Super Bowl odds in the NFC.

Carolina Panthers playoff chances. The Panthers are definitely improved this season. But they are also clearly not ready for prime time. They missed a great opportunity to take control of the NFC South with a loss to the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have four wins this season. Two of those wins have come against the Panthers. That has dramatically changed the division race. 

Detroit Lions defense. The Lions did not do themselves any favors in the NFC playoff race, dropping to 8-6 thanks in large part to their defense having no answer for anything the Rams were doing on the ground or through the air.