Games of the Week
Chargers 16, Chiefs 13
Both teams entered this matchup fighting for their playoff lives. The Chargers were trying to solidify their wild card positioning, while the Chiefs were clinging to postseason hopes. After the dust settled, the Chargers sit fifth in the AFC, and Kansas City’s season is effectively over.
The Chiefs offense continued to sputter, as it has for much of the year, before Patrick Mahomes went down with what has since been confirmed as a torn ACL. The Chargers offense was not exactly inspiring either, as Justin Herbert has continued to regress late in the season. Still, Los Angeles did enough to survive, and now the question becomes whether they can rediscover any offensive rhythm before the playoffs begin.
Bills 35, Patriots 31
The Bills arrived in Foxborough knowing exactly what was at stake. With New England sitting two games ahead in the division and Drake Maye drawing MVP buzz, many expected Buffalo’s injury riddled defense to get exposed.
Instead, Josh Allen put on another reminder of why Buffalo is never out of the AFC East race. Allen carried the offense, while Maye struggled, throwing for just 155 yards and an interception. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson was the lone bright spot for New England, delivering another explosive performance on the ground.
The Patriots’ future remains bright, but this game reinforced a familiar truth. As long as Josh Allen is playing at an elite level, the Bills remain a legitimate threat in the division.
Falcons 29, Buccaneers 28
Tampa Bay was once 6-2. Now they sit at 7-7 and are locked in a divisional dogfight with Carolina. Sunday’s loss only deepened those concerns.
The Buccaneers appeared to have the game under control before the defense failed to get off the field on a critical fourth-and-14 late in the fourth quarter. Kirk Cousins found David Sills V in a soft spot in zone coverage, setting up a game winning field goal at the buzzer.
Atlanta played spoiler, and Tampa Bay now looks like a team that could limp into the postseason only to make a very quick exit.
Top Performers
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
It is amazing what playing the Jets can do for a quarterback. Lawrence delivered arguably the best game of his career, throwing for 330 yards and five touchdowns while adding 51 rushing yards and another score. It may be an outlier, but it was refreshing to finally see the version of Lawrence many expected coming into the league.
TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots
Despite the loss, Henderson was outstanding. He rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns while adding a few receptions. He continues to look like the back New England hoped for and firmly belongs in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation.
Puka Nacua, Rams
At this point, we may need to start ranking for second place. Nacua caught nine passes for 181 yards despite briefly leaving the game with cramps. He continues to separate himself from the pack and may be pulling away from Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the Offensive Player of the Year race.
Mahomes Is Down, Are the Chiefs Done?
Patrick Mahomes is done for the season. Travis Kelce is clearly slowing down. Andy Reid, for the first time in a long while, looks a step behind.
That combination raises uncomfortable questions in Kansas City.
Some will argue this is simply a roster reset away from contention, but replacing Hall of Fame level talent is never that simple. Mahomes’ mobility has always been a critical part of his game, and even a slight reduction post injury matters. More concerning is the void left by Kelce’s inevitable decline and the continued failure to replace Tyreek Hill’s impact.
Add in a nonexistent rushing attack, and this offense looks headed for a difficult transition. The AFC West remains loaded, and Kansas City may soon find itself chasing rather than leading.
Betting Strategy Adjustments After Week 15
Cash In on Rams SGPs
The Rams offense is operating at an elite level, drawing comparisons to the early 2000s Greatest Show on Turf. Stafford, Nacua, and Adams are gold in stat-based same game parlays. This is a spot to keep pressing.
Do Not Overreact to the Bengals
Getting shut out by Baltimore was shocking, but this offense is still dangerous. With a soft Miami defense up next, expect a focused Joe Burrow and a bounce-back performance.
Take the Under in Giants vs Vikings
I rarely get this direct, but this matchup screams under. Outside of a comically low total, everything points to a game dominated by field position, conservative play calling, and field goals.
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