As the NFL season progresses, the playoff scenario becomes more defined. Week 15 was a noteworthy example.

In the AFC, two teams secured their spots in the playoffs. The Houston Texans clinched the AFC South with their 20-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins, along with the Indianapolis Colts’ 31-13 defeat against the Denver Broncos, while the Pittsburgh Steelers also made the cut due to this outcome.

Meanwhile, the NFC was relatively subdued, with no teams claiming playoff spots immediately. However, the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings both narrowed the gap with the Detroit Lions for the top seed. Additionally, the Washington Commanders advanced in the wild-card race.

It’s also becoming evident that teams like the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens pose a significant challenge in the postseason. As long as Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson maintain their high performance, both teams will be formidable threats to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are currently coping with another ankle injury to Patrick Mahomes late in the season.

Here’s a recap of the winners and losers from Sunday of Week 15.

WINNERS

Bills solidify Super Bowl contender status with win over Lions

The Bills previously defeated their top AFC rival, the Chiefs, this season. Now they’ve added a victory against what many consider the best team in the NFC, the Lions.

Buffalo emerged victorious with a 48-42 win over Detroit, racing to an early 14-0 lead. Quarterback Josh Allen had another stellar game, throwing for 362 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 68 yards and scoring twice on the ground. Additionally, James Cook contributed significantly with 105 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, showcasing the Bills’ resilience throughout the 2024 NFL season.

Cook made a notable run down the center that seemed destined for disaster when it appeared he was going to be tackled by his hair; instead, he broke free, maintaining his speed to reach the end zone for a touchdown.

The Bills remain one game behind the Chiefs in AFC rankings but are positioning themselves as an offensive powerhouse that few would wish to face in the playoffs. If they manage to surpass the Chiefs and secure home-field advantage for the playoffs, their chilly home setting could help propel them to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994.

Vikings’ position in the NFC North

The Minnesota Vikings have performed excellently in the 2024 NFL season, yet not many saw them as serious contenders for the NFC North due to the strong performance of the Lions.

Now, the opportunity for the Vikings to close in on the Lions has presented itself. They are merely half a game behind the Lions as they prepare to face the Chicago Bears on “Monday Night Football.” A victory could set up a thrilling three-week stretch where the Vikings battle for divisional supremacy.

Detroit still holds an advantage over Minnesota in the race for the division title, currently leading 1-0 in head-to-head matchups and boasting a 4-0 divisional record, compared to Minnesota’s 2-1 record. However, if the Lions falter in their last three games, the Vikings might seize an unexpected NFC North championship.

Lamar Jackson’s push for MVP

Jackson is facing a tough challenge to surpass Josh Allen in the NFL MVP rankings as the season nears its end. However, he is doing everything he can to close the gap.

In Baltimore’s decisive 35-14 victory over the New York Giants, Jackson had another remarkable performance. After fumbling on his first carry, he later completed 21 of 25 passes for 290 yards and added 65 yards on six carries.

While the Giants were significantly weakened on defense and now hold the NFL’s worst record at 2-12, they did manage to contain Derrick Henry, leaving Jackson under pressure to perform. Nevertheless, he registered an impressive passer rating of 154.6 and produced a +23.7 EPA in passing.

Of greater significance, the Ravens are back in contention for the AFC North title, trailing the Pittsburgh Steelers by just one game following the latter’s loss to the Eagles, making the upcoming Week 16 match crucial.

The connection between Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams

New York Jets supporters haven’t had many reasons to cheer this season, but they witnessed a classic performance from Rodgers and Adams in Week 15.

Initially, the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars started poorly, with Adams not making any receptions in the first half and the Jets only managing seven points.

However, the second half was a different story. Rodgers targeted Adams nine times, which translated to an impressive 198 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard catch and a two-point conversion that put the Jets ahead in the fourth quarter.

Adams accounted for approximately two-thirds of Rodgers’ passing yards during his 289-yard, three-touchdown performance in the 32-25 victory. Although it might be overshadowed by this season’s struggles, this display showed that the former All-Pro duo still possesses the talent as they face an uncertain future in 2025.

LOSERS

Lions’ prospects for home-field advantage

While it’s not the end of the road for the Lions after their loss to the Bills, fans need to be concerned about the potential loss of home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Quarterback Jared Goff has thrived at Ford Field and typically excels in comfortable, indoor settings, but his performance falters in colder, outdoor conditions. This could pose a challenge if the Lions have to travel to Philadelphia for a playoff match.

The Eagles and Lions are currently tied for the top seed in the NFC with the 11-2 Vikings lurking closely. The last three weeks of the season will be a crucial battle for all three teams as they vie for top seeding.

If the Lions end up losing home-field advantage to the Eagles, they may regret letting a game slip where they scored 42 points.

Chiefs’ offensive line issues persist as Patrick Mahomes encounters injury

Kansas City began the season with uncertainty at left tackle, which continued into Week 15. Their offensive line faced struggles during the game against the Cleveland Browns.

With D.J. Humphries sidelined due to a hamstring injury, the Chiefs shifted starting left guard Joe Thuney to left tackle for the contest. Thuney managed reasonably well against Myles Garrett, yet the team allowed pressure on 54% of Mahomes’ dropbacks, as reported by ESPN’s Seth Walder. While Mahomes wasn’t sacked, he endured 12 hits throughout the game.

The most concerning moment came with Mahomes’ last hit of the afternoon. The pocket collapsed around him on a crucial fourth-and-3 play. Even though he managed to release the ball, he was hit heavily both from above and below afterward.

Mahomes limped off the field subsequently and didn’t return to the game. His ankle is “sore but not broken,” according to head coach Andy Reid, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport states Mahomes is likely to be “week-to-week” due to the injury.

This news is somewhat reassuring for the Chiefs, but their struggles at offensive tackle could ultimately hinder their chances for achieving an unprecedented third Super Bowl victory.

Dolphins’ playoff hopes and performance against winning teams

The Dolphins started Week 15 with a mere 16% likelihood of making the playoffs in the AFC, as reported by The Athletic. That percentage plummeted following their 20-12 defeat to the Houston Texans.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa displayed one of his poorest performances of the season at a pivotal moment, committing four crucial turnovers that led to 10 of Houston’s 20 points. The Dolphins’ rushing attack contributed little support, accumulating only 52 yards on the ground throughout the game.

Miami’s playoff hopes are now dwindling, and the team’s inability to win against strong opponents has been a major issue. They hold a disappointing 1-5 record against winning teams this season, while achieving a 5-3 record against teams with a .500 record or worse.

As a result, Mike McDaniel will likely need to reflect during the offseason on how to enhance the Dolphins’ performance against playoff-caliber teams in order to secure a spot in the postseason in the future.

Jonathan Taylor’s pre-goal-line blunder and Colts’ playoff outlook

The Colts seemed to be on the verge of a significant upset against the Denver Broncos when Taylor broke free for what appeared to be a sure touchdown.

However, Taylor made a typical mistake that NFL players sometimes commit. He dropped the ball to the ground prematurely to celebrate his score—before crossing the goal line.

This error proved detrimental for the Colts. Instead of going up by two possessions, they left the Broncos with an opportunity to recover the ball and stay within six points.

The momentum shifted decisively in favor of the Broncos, who scored 24 unanswered points to secure a 31-13 victory. Consequently, the Colts’ defeat allowed the Texans to clinch the AFC South division and left Indianapolis two games behind the Los Angeles Chargers in the race for the wild card, with only three games remaining in the season.