The Lions can barely field a defense with their injuries and it was Murder She Wrote for them on Sunday against the Bills. Dan Campbell made the dumbest head coaching move in history by going for an onside kick (you have to alert the opponent) early in the fourth quarter down 10 points. That’s how little confidence he had in his defense biting kneecaps.

The Bills defense is not much better, but what playoff team in the AFC is going to make them pay for that? No one.

Josh Allen cemented his MVP candidacy with another four-TD game, two on the ground. I have to take a massive loss on Amari Cooper, who did not have a catch or a target after having 14 targets and 254 air yards last week. (Throws up hands)

Jared Goff was virtually unstoppable in the passing game but you get the sense the Lions’ entire carefully-constructed playoff model has been obliterated. They are in the wrong conference to be bringing this defense into the postseason. And there’s a decent chance they’ll be playing in the wild card round. The Vikings (who also have two losses) are better right now.

The Eagles finally played the right way in beating the opponent with the passing game early. Saquon Barkley falling out of all-time rushing season contention is the best thing that could happen to Philly. Now they can build on this and make sure the air game is operating at peak efficiency, whatever that is for Jalen Hurts. It was glorious to see A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both have 100-yard days. You need a knockout punch in the playoffs, not just a bunch of body blows like Rocky Balboa in the meat freezer.

The Cardinals did everything they could to get Trey McBride a TD late in the game on Sunday but then just sealed the win the easy way by having James Conner walk in. Conner only has eight TDs but it feels like he’s been better than that. Maybe it’s because he was cheap, so we’re not easily disappointed.

I like Drake Maye but the Patriots have a lot of work to do to get me to draft him next year. I’m worried he’s the next Sam Darnold — flashing ability but just not having the supportive infrastructure (skill players, offensive line, defense, coaching).

The Buccaneers just clobbered the Chargers, who have a defense I respected. Tampa Bay had 506 total yards and 7.6 per play. Everything worked, especially Mike Evans. I consider Baker Mayfield a poor man’s Sam Darnold. That’s an odd thing to say because Mayfield was presented as the best case for Darnold. But Mayfield is lacking a little in traits (mostly size and less so in overall athleticism). Mayfield is solid though. I just don’t see the upside here going forward, especially with Tampa Bay possibly losing their OC Liam Coen to a head coach promotion in 2025.

Bucky Irving is up to 5.6 yards per carry, trailing only Maurice Jones-Drew (2006, 5.7), Adrian Peterson (2007, 5.63) and Franco Harris (1972, 5.61) among all rookie RBs with 150+ carries since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

The stock of Tyrone Tracy Jr. has really sunk, not just for next week, but next year. He has not seized the opportunity. He’s the anti-Rico Dowdle.

Lamar Jackson was fantastic, but he has a way of not doing much for his teammates. Rashod Bateman, Justice Hill and Devontez Walker accounted for four of his five TD passes and those guys were very likely not active in many (any?) places. And somehow Derrick Henry hasn’t scored a TD in a month. Lamar is a one-man band. Always has been.

Aaron Rodgers had multiple passes dropped again, including a TD, and has 29 drops on the year. That’s the most of any QB. He threw the ball great on Sunday. Yes, it was the Jaguars. He has not been aggressive enough and bears responsibility for the Jets mostly unlucky season (seven one-score losses, five fourth-quarter leads blown). But you can’t throw a football better than this:

AARON RODGERS TO DAVANTE ADAMS FOR THE 71-YARD TD TO TAKE THE LEAD 😱

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/Fn1FvWGG95

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 15, 2024

Maybe the Jets run it back, especially if Mike Vrabel is their head coach. Rodgers and Vrabel are very close. That would mean Davante Adams returns too and that was his longest career TD, part of a 198-yard second half. He also did this:

CATCH OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE

Davante Adams with 198 yards and 2 TDs in the second half. #FormerRaider 🫡

pic.twitter.com/SZnqclpxek

— Robert Guerra (@TheProducerRG) December 15, 2024

Inner-circle Hall of Fame receivers are not necessarily done in their age 33 seasons. How can you look at those two plays and think the writing is on the wall? I’m all over Adams next year in Round 5, as my third WR.

Brian Thomas Jr. is a beast. Even Mac Jones can’t stop him. He’s at worst WR15 next year, and that’s if you think Trevor Lawrence is an established mediocrity with no upside.

The Chiefs are a painful watch. We think the Browns have a better defense than they actually rank and Patrick Mahomes had just 159 passing yards on 38 attempts before exiting with injury. Travis Kelce may be holding some gas in reserve for the postseason, but he’s more likely just out of gas.

Mahomes’ late-season, high-ankle injury drama seems performative — that’s what many are saying. X-Rays were negative (eye roll).

I’m surprised Isiah Pacheco hasn’t fully regained the bell-cow role given he was cleared to play. But December 15 was the prognosis for just now starting to ramp up for the postseason. Maybe Kansas City pushed it too much. He’s down at least a half step.

Jerry Jeudy seems really exciting for 2025 until you remember Deshaun Watson is definitely going to be his starting QB given the almost impossible to conceive salary cap ramifications of Watson’s contract. (If the Browns cut Watson before June 1, the entire city of Cleveland goes bankrupt.)

Joe Burrow has now thrown three or more TD passes in his sixth-straight game. He’s the fifth QB to do that in history.

It feels like Ja’Marr Chase managers got a break, even though he scored 24.4 points. That’s how unreal next year’s No. 1 overall pick has been.

We used to think Terry McLaurin couldn’t score TDs. Now he has 11, doubling his career TD efficiency (measured by receiving yards per TD).

I don’t believe Alvin Kamara’s groin injury is really day-to-day. But that’s what we’re being told. You better have a Plan B if he’s on your team in the semifinals. Obviously, Kendre Miller is a must pickup.

Rico Dowdle is taking himself out of zeroRB range next year. The lack of rushing TDs is a fluke. He’s big enough and a very tough runner. He has three-straight 100-yard rushing days (392 yards on 65 carries — 6.0 per tote). He’ll be 27 next year, still prime age for a running back.

Bryce Young got himself up off the mat and I guess he has a chance, theoretically. But he’s not the answer for the Panthers, obviously. Maybe he sticks around the league as a backup.

Miami–Houston was so ugly. Take away the fake punt and there was not a single play by either team over 21 yards. Neither team could run the ball to save their lives and the passing was barely better. Houston’s defense is no joke though.

Colts–Broncos was similarly uneventful except for Jonathan Taylor dropping the ball a half step before walking into the end zone on a long run. I don’t want to be yelling on my lawn here, but come on guys. Stop doing this. It’s not even an early celebration really. I guess they want to drop the mic? I don’t understand the underlying motivation for this. It has to stop. That cost his managers eight points in many formats — the lost TD plus the lost fumble. We all should send him a bill.

I knew Jaleel McLaughlin wasn’t working out, but I had to say he was someone to claim on waivers. Starting him was not something I could sign off on though. He has no floor. The next Broncos factor back is not on this roster.

(Top photo of Brian Thomas Jr.: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)