Date 15’s Sunday motion confirmed us even suffering groups nonetheless have battle in them — the Saints took the Commanders right down to the twine, the Cowboys it appears took offense to their underdog condition in Carolina and blasted the Panthers, and the Jets received a back-and-forth combat in Jacksonville with some throwback heroics:
TAE ADAMS #NYJvsJAX on FOX pic.twitter.com/9FqFL48Tbm
— Fresh York Jets (@nyjets) December 15, 2024
The Athletic NFL writers Nick Baumgardner, Ted Nguyen and Dan Pompei percentage their ideas on all of those storylines and extra.
The Chiefs received a contest that didn’t come right down to the ultimate play games in Cleveland. In addition they had Patrick Mahomes limp off the ground, but when Mahomes is wholesome: Do you are feeling higher about their three-peat probabilities nearest gazing a powerful street win?
Pompei: Beating the three-win Browns by way of 14 issues shouldn’t exchange any evaluations of the Chiefs, however they had been at all times situated to start out taking part in their easiest soccer now. They’ve been truly excellent all season, regardless of the concerns over related margins of victory. We can get a greater really feel for whether or not they’re peaking within the nearest 3 weeks after they play games 3 groups within the playoff hunt — the Texans, Steelers, and Broncos. They aren’t moving to be going in opposition to Winston and Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the ones video games.
Baumgardner: It didn’t assemble me really feel particularly higher concerning the Chiefs. Even prior to taking place, Mahomes used to be 19-of-38 for 158 yards on this contest. The Chiefs ran the ball O.Ok., however nonetheless wound up under 4 yards according to elevate day given up higher than six according to aim at the garden to Cleveland. Credit score Kansas Town’s protection (and Cleveland QB Jameis Winston) for the 4 interceptions, but when the Browns get a cleaner contest from the QB it most probably would’ve been the kind of down-to-the twine contest we’re steadily speaking about with Ok.C. Travis Kelce remains to be Travis Kelce, however no longer the fellow of 5 years in the past. Xavier Valuable has juice, however I’m no longer positive it’s plenty. Basically, I’m no longer positive the Chiefs have plenty. They do have Mahomes, even though, and if he’s wholesome they just can’t be counted out.
Nguyen: Next some lackluster performances the protection has regarded higher, however they don’t seem like the elite unit that they had been early this season. Dropping Jaylen Watson has harm their talent to play games guy protection and blitz. The offense needs to be a lot better for me to really feel assured about their talent to compete for any other Tremendous Bowl. They did simply plenty nowadays in Cleveland, however that they had some tough stretches all the way through which they couldn’t journey the ball. The tackles are a plethora sickness and D.J. Humphries, who began ultimate day prior to hurting his hamstring, didn’t glance excellent in his first contest with the Chiefs. Perhaps Marquise Brown may just serve a spark for this offense. Their ability avid gamers have the punch to get it executed, however future will proceed to be brittle in this offense so long as Mahomes is below power. With all that during thoughts, doubting this Chiefs staff isn’t smart, however their margin of error may be very mini they usually’ll want Mahomes to be superhuman once more within the postseason.
The Commanders have back-to-back wins nearest a three-game dropping streak, even though they didn’t precisely glance remarkable keeping on in Fresh Orleans. Is that this staff in a position to successful a street playoff contest (or two)?
Nguyen: The Saints had negative industry virtually successful this contest, however the Commanders offense is fractured. Dropping middle Tyler Biadasz prior to the sport because of illness, and Zack Ertz on account of a concussion, impacted this unit. Nonetheless, that they had enough quantity of probabilities to cement this contest and couldn’t capitalize. They struggled to run the ball in opposition to the Saints, who’ve some of the worst run defenses within the league. Terry McLaurin is by way of some distance their easiest weapon however Kliff Kingsbury doesn’t journey his receivers round, making it too simple to shoot him out of the sport. Their easiest performs on Sunday had been Jayden Daniels scrambles — it’s brittle to are living that manner within the playoffs. They’ll have a puncher’s prospect on account of Daniels’ skill, however the rookie has a batch of weight on his shoulders at the moment.
Pompei: If the Commanders get started taking part in the way in which they did previous within the season after they beat the Bengals and Cardinals at the street, after they may be able to be a warning to win clear of house within the postseason. They’re taking part in higher now than they did in November, however there’s room for growth. They virtually misplaced to Spencer Rattler Sunday. They received’t be visual Rattler within the playoffs. Their contest in opposition to the Eagles nearest day will probably be a measuring stick. One moment in the past, the Commanders misplaced to the Eagles by way of 8 issues. Now they get them at house in a contest that may have heavy aftereffects for Washington.
Baumgardner: All of it depends upon the matchup and what kind of they may be able to accumulation Jayden Daniels and the offense on agenda and out of danger-zone situations. Truthfully, I’ve been ready to peer Daniels run right into a wall or accident a funk round this a part of the agenda — in particular nearest groups have had generation to review Kliff Kingsbury once more. However outdoor of a up to date three-game, four-INT stretch, that truly hasn’t came about. I believe C.J. Stroud used to be a greater participant as a rookie, however Daniels’ first life doesn’t really feel utterly in contrast to that. Or like a more youthful Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville. I believe Daniels is a gamer, and hard plenty in order within the postseason — as long as he’s secure.
Vegas, the Titans, the Giants, the Jets… working out that we may have staffing and roster adjustments at each and every spot, what do you notice as the most productive touchdown spot for a extremely drafted quarterback in 2025?
Baumgardner: As dysfunctional as they’re, the Jets do have some cast younger offensive linemen despite the fact that it hasn’t at all times regarded that manner this life. The Raiders may just assemble alike arguments, even though each groups (and truly each and every staff in this record) has to spend money on a veteran bridge quarterback forward of deciding on this kind of 2025 draft quarterbacks within the summit 10. Be it Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, the quarterbacks on this elegance are moving to want a minute generation to regulate. If you happen to throw the load of your franchise at them with none form of buffer you’re operating the chance of falling i’m sick the opening Bryce Younger is best simply now seeking to climb out of. The Giants and Titans have a batch of OL paintings forward prior to they may be able to be expecting a rookie QB to thrive.
Nguyen: I wouldn’t say that there’s a really perfect status amongst that crew, particularly with doable training adjustments bobbing up for 3 of the 4 groups (Titans may well be the one staff that helps to keep their head teacher). On the other hand, if we’re simply having a look at construction blocks, the Raiders will have the most productive status. They’ve a tender offensive layout that has performed higher in contemporary weeks, Brock Bowers is already a top-three tight finish, and Jakobi Meyers is an excessively quarterback-friendly goal. The Raiders even have some skill on protection with Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins. Out of the 4 groups, the Raiders have the most productive prospect of turning issues round with any other excellent draft and a succesful quarterback.
Pompei: In response to wave training workers, you’d say the Titans or Giants. Brian Daboll couldn’t assemble it paintings with Daniel Jones, however he had luck with Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama, and with Josh Allen in Buffalo. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka used to be a part of Patrick Mahomes’ building. Titans teacher Brian Callahan hasn’t made Will Levis right into a Professional Bowler, however he did excellent paintings with Joe Burrow, Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford and Peyton Manning. The Titans have the nucleus of a truly excellent offensive layout, however they want any other piece. If they may be able to discover a proper take on and upload any other extensive receiver, Tennessee might be an inviting spot for a tender QB.
(Lead picture: Jason Miller / Getty Pictures)
