NFL Week 15 Takeaways: Superstar accidents torment playoff hopefuls

As the NFL season approached its remaining stretch, a number of groups have been battling to stay in playoff competition, whereas others appeared to say themselves.

This is the purpose within the season when it is powerful to not overreact to a outcome for groups already within the playoff image or making an attempt to remain related.

What makes this yr intriguing is simply how little separation exists among the many high groups. Whether that continues is the query.

Here is a take a look at what we realized after Week 15 within the NFL, together with some big-time performances and difficult accidents to high-profile gamers.

Brutal accidents to star gamers

Two groups face accidents that can have long-term implications going ahead.

The Kansas City Chiefs not solely noticed their post-season hopes finish in a whimper, however additionally they misplaced Patrick Mahomes for the foreseeable future after the beginning quarterback suffered a torn ACL.

While the Chiefs and Mahomes discover surgical choices, it is the primary main harm for the two-time NFL MVP. It will definitely impression his low season preparation and sure his skill to start out subsequent season on time.

After being the category of the AFC for a number of years, the Chiefs’ reign is over, however whether or not they get again to the highest hinges on the long-term outlook for Mahomes.

Unfortunately, Mahomes was not the one star participant to go down with a extreme harm, because the Green Bay Packers concern that star cross rusher Micah Parsons additionally suffered a torn ACL.

The harm got here on a non-contact play as Parsons went to hurry Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. He wanted assist attending to the locker room and head coach Matt LaFleur mentioned the prognosis didn’t look good.

Not solely does the outlook for Parsons look bleak, however the impression it is going to have on the Packers going ahead can’t be overstated.

Parsons’ first season with the Packers has gone as anticipated, with the previous Cowboy recording 12.5 sacks and 26 quarterback hits. Green Bay made the simple determination to commerce two first-round picks plus defensive deal with Kenny Clark to the Cowboys for Parsons and signed him to a four-year, $188 million contract.

Fortunately for the Packers, they continue to be in charge of the playoff path, however the addition of Parsons made them a Super Bowl contender, they usually might want to present they nonetheless are with a showdown in opposition to the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears up subsequent.

The different harm to observe is Los Angeles Rams receiver Davante Adams, who injured his hamstring, which could possibly be problematic if it turns into a long-term challenge.

Bills stay in struggle with Patriots for AFC East

The New England Patriots had a golden alternative to lock up the AFC East with a victory over the Buffalo Bills and appeared to be nicely on their approach to doing so.

Heading into halftime with a 24-7 lead, the Patriots have been in a primary place, however the Bills made it recognized that they weren’t going to go away quietly.

Buffalo outscored New England 28-7 within the second half and flexed their muscle with Josh Allen placing up one other signature efficiency that not solely put his crew again within the struggle for the division crown but in addition for the MVP award.

It’s change into routine for the Bills to play their finest soccer within the second half, they usually recorded their largest street comeback and tied a franchise document for total comeback.

Not solely did the Bills’ offence discover its groove within the second half, however the defence additionally did its job to set the stage for the rally. After permitting 285 complete yards and 24 factors within the first half, the Bills’ defence held the Patriots to only 80 yards and 7 factors within the second half.

As huge as this win was for Buffalo, the Patriots can nonetheless wrap up the AFC East within the coming weeks, however they might want to take some classes from the loss and present that they’re able to closing out a playoff opponent.

Texans, Jaguars proceed to flex muscle

Not many groups will need to face the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Houston Texans come playoff time given how each groups have carried out over the previous few weeks.

Trevor Lawrence had a dominant efficiency with six touchdowns in opposition to the New York Jets. Granted, beating the Jets is hardly an accomplishment, but it surely definitely places groups on discover, as Lawrence has discovered one other gear with 13 touchdowns and simply 4 interceptions throughout the Jaguars’ five-game profitable streak.

However, the Jaguars have firm within the AFC South with the Texans nonetheless a sport behind. Jacksonville might want to beat the Broncos, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans to safe the division, whereas Houston performs the Raiders, Chargers and Colts.

While the Texans have relied closely on their defence to hold them this season, C.J. Stroud discovered his kind in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals, throwing for 260 yards and three touchdowns. The Texans have been additionally in a position to run the ball with rookie working again Jawhar Jordan — who changed the injured Woody Marks — dashing for 101 yards.

Neither crew present beneficial matchups for anybody that goes up in opposition to them within the playoffs, however who finishes atop the division would be the storyline to observe.

Rams put a dent in Lions’ playoff hopes

After struggling probably the most surprising losses of the season in opposition to the Carolina Panthers, the Rams have scored 40-plus factors in back-to-back video games and have proven they’re the category of the NFC.

Sure, it was a bit tough at instances in opposition to the Detroit Lions, however they answered with conviction because the defence stepped up within the second half, holding the Lions to 10 factors.

Puka Nacua reminded the NFL that he stays one of many hardest receivers to cowl, recording 9 catches for 181 yards. If Adams’ harm goes to maintain him out long-term, Nacua will obtain extra consideration from opposing defences, however limiting his manufacturing will not be simple.

The Rams not solely clinched a playoff spot but in addition put the Lions in a tricky place going ahead.

At 8-6, Detroit will want some assist to get into the post-season. Not solely do the Lions must win out, however their finest path additionally entails the Packers beating the Bears and shedding one other sport of their remaining two with a purpose to catch them.

Another Cowboys letdown in opposition to Vikings

The Dallas Cowboys’ playoff hopes are formally on life help following one other irritating loss in primetime, this time to J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings, who had only one win of their final 5 video games coming into Sunday night time.

For the seventh time this season, Dallas’ defence allowed its opponent to attain at the very least 30 factors, which tied the NFL lead.

After it appeared just like the Cowboys have been going to make issues attention-grabbing within the NFC, they now face one other season with no playoff look.

This efficiency was one other reminder of how reliant the Cowboys have been on the offence to masks the problems on defence, with the crew 0-6 this season when Dak Prescott throws for one or fewer touchdowns and 6-1-1 when he throws for a number of scores.

At the tip of the day, the patchwork job by Jerry Jones on defence has been a failure, and as soon as once more, we might see extra adjustments within the low season.

Which groups are trending up, that are fading?

Colts (trending down): Indianapolis have been wanting like a sure-fire playoff crew, however accidents have caught as much as them, and never even a seasoned — however rusty — Philip Rivers might save their playoff hopes.

Broncos (trending up): Denver sits alone atop the AFC and are primed to lock in as the highest seed after erasing a nine-point deficit to beat the Packers and safe a post-season berth.

Bengals (trending down): You know issues are going unhealthy to your crew when there’s a lack of preparation on the sphere, with Cincinnati getting shutout at house, and off the sphere, because the snow crew didn’t take away snow from the seats. Safe to say, we might see some adjustments include the Bengals after one other misplaced season.

Bears (trending up): Anyone hoping Chicago was going to stumble was left dissatisfied because the Bears regained their lead within the NFC North with a powerful 31-3 win over the Cleveland Browns on a frigid day at Soldier Field. Up subsequent are the Packers, who will look to problem the Bears for the division lead.