👋 Good morning. Let’s get the down news out of the way: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and Packers DE Micah Parsons both suffered torn ACLs in Week 15—with Mahomes’ coming on a drive that eliminated KC from playoff contention and Parsons’ coming as Green Bay battles for a postseason spot in the crowded NFC.
🏈 Broncos, Bills win big
Slowly but surely, people are waking up to how much of a stud Broncos QB Bo Nix is. With the Broncos as home underdogs versus the Packers, Nix threw dot after dot, totaling 302 yards and four TDs with no turnovers and without taking any sacks. The Denver defense had a relatively slow start but turned it on in the second half, including a tremendous INT by Patrick Surtain II. The Broncos are now in command of the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
The Bills did not let the Patriots clinch the AFC East, erasing a 21-0 deficit to win at Foxboro. RB James Cook III scored three times, LB Matt Milano had two sacks and a forced fumble, and DE Joey Bosa sealed the win with a pass deflection. The degree of difficulty for Josh Allen on offense remains a challenge, and he’s making a very compelling case for his second straight MVP—though Buffalo is looking to win out while New England loses to the Dolphins or Jets within the division for a shot at the AFC East title.
End of a dynasty? In addition to Mahomes’ ACL tear, the Chiefs lost to the Chargers to drop to an astonishing 6-8 while being eliminated from playoff contention with three weeks remaining in the regular season. Chargers LB Daiyan Henley had a huge fourth quarter INT of Mahomes, star S Derwin James Jr. ended the game with an INT of Gardner Minshew, and the Los Angeles defense—a unit that’s flying around and should not be slept on—made a ton of big hits. For KC, we don’t think anyone saw this type of season coming, and it’s fair to wonder how good this group that’s won so many games over the past several years will be moving forward.
The Rams pulled away to win a shootout versus the Lions, 41-34, clinching the first postseason berth in the NFC. Detroit was in control early, including with an early INT by Aidan Hutchinson and a massive first half by Amon-Ra St. Brown (9/127/2)—but the tide turned due in part to a very questionable TD call that many either felt was not a catch or was short of the goal line by TE Colby Parkinson. It’s the latest in a string of debatable calls against Detroit, but HC Dan Campbell says his 8-6 squad saw what the potential top team in the conference looks like.
The Seahawks defeated the Colts in Philip Rivers’ return on a late FG by Jason Myers—with all 18 points coming from the K. It ultimately ended up in a loss to one of the best teams in the league, but you can see why Indy went after Rivers, who helped them control the ball and stay in the game. The 44-year-old threw a TD to Josh Downs and also led the team to what could’ve been the game-winning FG drive if the defense made a stop.
Other Week 15 results:
Ravens 24, Bengals 0: This was a very odd game including an awesome hand-off pick-six by the Ravens defense, and Bengals QB Joe Burrow put the shutout loss on himself and said that “no team in the NFL would’ve won today” if he was the QB.
Jaguars 48, Jets 20: QB Trevor Lawrence totaled six touchdowns and RB Travis Etienne Jr. scored three times as the Jaguars dominated to improve to 10-4—resulting in the Jets firing DC Steve Wilks.
Falcons 29, Buccaneers 28 (TNF): Falcons TE Kyle Pitts had a legendary game, with 11 receptions for 166 yards and three TD—the best statistical/fantasy performance by his position this century—as Kirk Cousins was ice-cold on a game-winning drive on the road.
Saints 20, Panthers 17: Carolina couldn’t take advantage of the Tampa loss, as a win over the Saints and the Bucs in Week 16 would’ve won them the division with two weeks remaining. New Orleans rallied late with rookie QB Tyler Shough leading his second consecutive game-winning drive against an NFC South foe.
Vikings 34, Cowboys 26 (SNF): The Vikings went into Dallas and put a dagger into the Cowboys’ postseason hopes, with QB J.J. McCarthy putting together a second straight strong outing.
Steelers 28, Dolphins 15 (MNF): Pittsburgh scored a TD on four straight drives as the Steelers extend their home MNF winning streak to 23 games.
Bears 31, Browns 3: One of the highlight plays of the week was QB Caleb Williams’ insane spinning throw to a leaping WR DJ Moore in the end zone, and the Chicago defense feasted on rookie QB Shedeur Sanders (three INT, five sacks).
Eagles 31, Raiders 0: The backup offense for the Eagles had more yards on one drive (79) than the Raiders did all game (75), which says it all about Vegas right now.
Texans 40, Cardinals 20: Texans WR Nico Collins kicked off Sunday with a 57-yard TD reception, and Houston didn’t look back to keep pace in the AFC playoff picture.
49ers 37, Titans 24: 49ers QB Brock Purdy totaled 339 yards and three TD—two to WR Jauan Jennings and one on a jump pass to TE George Kittle.
Commanders 29, Giants 21: Rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt starred in Washington’s win at the Giants, going for 96 yards and a TD on 18 carries.
❌ Commanders shut down Daniels
In addition to the Mahomes and Parsons injuries mentioned in the open, the Commanders shut down QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) for the final three games. This ends a very disappointing, injury-riddled second campaign for the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft—with an eye toward getting on track next season.
Steelers star OLB T.J. Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung due to a dry needle treatment last Wednesday, forcing him to miss last night’s game against the Dolphins. Watt’s recovery timeline remains uncertain.
Rams WR Davante Adams worsened the hamstring issue he’s been dealing with ahead of Thursday’s matchup with the Seahawks.
Lions All-Pro S Kerby Joseph had a setback in his return from a knee injury, could land on IR.
More injury news from around the league:
Vikings DE Jonathan Greenard is undergoing shoulder surgery after playing through it until re-aggravating it in Week 15.
Also out for the season: Buccaneers CB Zyon McCollum (hip), Ravens LB Teddye Buchanan (torn ACL), Texans DT Mario Edwards Jr. (pec), Jets S Isaiah Oliver (knee).
Broncos S Brandon Jones (pec) has been placed on IR.
Jaguars rookie RB Bhayshul Tuten (finger surgery) will miss time but is expected back for the playoffs.
Bears injuries: CB Kyler Gordon (groin) went on IR with the hopes of a postseason return, and WR Rome Odunze’s foot again forced him out of Week 15—and he might get shut down for a bit.
As for positive injury news: Ravens S Ar’Darius Washington made a phenomenal return from his torn Achilles in May; Colts QB Anthony Richardson has been medically cleared from his orbital fracture and could practice soon; Bears LB Tremaine Edmunds (groin) has been designated to return and could play Saturday versus the Packers.
📰 More NFL news and notes
The Week 17 Saturday doubleheader is set for December 27: Texans vs. Chargers (4:30 PM ET, NFL Network) and Ravens vs. Packers (8:00 PM ET, Peacock).
“If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?” Bengals QB Joe Burrow raised some alarm with his openness in discussing how he wants to have fun if he’s playing in the NFL.
The 49ers placed WR Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list, officially ending his season. HC Kyle Shanahan says it doesn’t change anything for the team because he hasn’t seen him in forever anyway.
Contract extensions: Ravens DT Travis Jones (three years, $40.5 million) and Jets C Josh Myers (two years, $11 million)
NFL in Germany: Munich will host two more games in 2026 and 2028.
The NFL announced that it is supporting the development of a professional flag football league, with an agreement to invest up to $32 million in the league.
The 2025 finalists for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award were revealed.
The NFL is thankfully shortening the Round 1 draft clock from 10 minutes to eight minutes, as the first round was getting done near midnight.
Very cool: Eagles WR A.J. Brown got a young fan a hot chocolate during the win over the Raiders.
We’re sorry that Ravens TE Isaiah Likely shockingly wasn’t a hit facing the Bengals defense leaking points to opposing TEs this season, but Purdy, Nix, Etienne, Tracy, Metcalf, Jennings, and Waller all worked out as the other highly recommended plays in the fantasy semifinal. For this week’s Consigliere Corner, we’re answering any start/sit questions you might have for the fantasy playoffs through Wednesday only for non Fantasy Consigliere members. Just reply to this email!
Also, Fantasy Consigliere members, be sure to visit wolfsports.com for our full rankings and start/sit articles this week and throughout the fantasy playoffs.
Other Sports Updates
🏆 Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy, beating out finalists Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt QB), Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame RB), and Julian Sayin (Ohio State QB).
🇺🇸 In the 126th Army-Navy Game, Navy overcame a 16-7 deficit to beat Army in a thriller, 17-16—with a fourth-and-goal TD with 6:32 remaining being the difference.
Ⓜ️ Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore, who was arrested for home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering following an alleged affair with his assistant.
⚾️ The Phillies locked in two key pieces of their core by re-signing DH Kyle Schwarber to a five-year deal and extending manager Rob Thomson; meanwhile, the Mets lost 1B Pete Alonso after he signed with the Orioles.
🏒 In a blockbuster NHL trade, the Wild acquired star D Quinn Hughes from the Canucks.
🫡 17-time WWE Champion and the G.O.A.T. John Cena retired from in-ring action after being defeated via submission final match on Saturday night.
