As the 2024 NFL season progresses past Week 15, the playoff picture is becoming increasingly clear, with several teams now mathematically eliminated from contention. Notably, the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, and Las Vegas Raiders find themselves out of the running in the AFC.
Jets Snap Losing Streak, But Miss Playoffs
The New York Jets managed to break a demoralizing four-game losing streak this week with a 32-25 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, this victory was too little, too late for the Jets, who have been officially ruled out of playoff contention. Their opponents, the Jaguars, are also on the outside looking in for the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs continued their dominance by defeating the Cleveland Browns, contributing to the Browns' elimination from the playoff chase this year. On defense, the Bengals had a memorable moment with Jordan Battle recovering a fumble and racing 61 yards before dropping the ball near the end zone, resulting in a touchback in their contest against the Tennessee Titans. This unfortunate copulation for the Titans marks another year without playoff action.
Texans Clinch AFC South
One of the key triumphant narratives this week comes from the Houston Texans, who secured the AFC South division title. The Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. had a standout performance against the Miami Dolphins with two interceptions and two tackles for loss — an achievement no other NFL cornerback has notched in a single game. Stingley also made history by recording five interceptions in December alone, setting a franchise record for the Texans.
NFC Eliminations and Milestones
In the NFC, the list of non-contenders has grown with the Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, and New York Giants being ousted from playoff possibilities. However, the Giants' game was marked by a historic performance from Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens. Jackson accomplished an unprecedented feat in the league, delivering a game with 290 passing yards, five touchdowns, over 50 rushing yards, and an 80% pass completion rate, all against the Giants.
Notably, the Washington Commanders eked out a narrow victory against the New Orleans Saints by just one point, further tightening the race for postseason positions. Additionally, victories by the Green Bay Packers over the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles against the Pittsburgh Steelers have intensified the playoff atmosphere in the NFC.
Patriots and Colts Stumble, Broncos Shine
The New England Patriots' form continued to decline as they suffered a defeat at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals. Alongside the Patriots, the Colts also faced a challenging outing, succumbing to the Denver Broncos with a decisive 31-13 scoreline. A particularly frustrating moment for Indianapolis saw Jonathan Taylor losing a would-be score near the end zone, resulting in a touchback.
The Buffalo Bills secured a win in a high-scoring affair against the Detroit Lions, ending the game 48-42. The Lions made a last-ditch effort with an onside kick attempt in the closing moments but ultimately fell short of securing a victory.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found themselves in the win column once more, this time by overcoming the Los Angeles Chargers to strengthen their standing.
The thrilling turns and game-changing plays from Week 15 set the stage for the final weeks of regular season action, where remaining teams will battle fiercely for the coveted playoff spots. Those already eliminated are left to ponder their approach for next season, while others hope to carry their momentum forward into the postseason.