The AFC has never been weaker. The Kansas City Chiefs have significant problems on offense, especially at receiver. The Buffalo Bills, even after a win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15, are in real danger of not making the postseason (Currently seeded ninth in the AFC). And the Miami Dolphins have yet to have an impressive win this season (0-3 against teams over .500). Plus, we've seen several franchise quarterbacks go down in the AFC, including Joe Burrow (Bengals), Justin Herbert (Chargers), Aaron Rodgers (Jets), and Deshaun Watson (Browns).

The Baltimore Ravens are the best team in the AFC, and this year's version might be the best of the Lamar Jackson era. Heading into Sunday Night Football, the Ravens held a 10-3 record but needed to take care of the Jaguars in Jacksonville to hold onto the No. 1 spot in the AFC. Not only did they win, but they absolutely dominated another playoff-caliber team.

It all starts with Jackson, who was magnificent again on Sunday. He completed 14 of 24 passes but made several huge throws whenever the Ravens needed them the most. He routinely escaped pressure and used his legs to buy time in the pocket. His best play of the night was a wild scramble drill where he hit Isaiah Likely for 26 yards to put the Ravens inside the Jaguars' five-yard line. Two plays later, the Ravens would score to go up 17-7 to put the game away.

Lamar avoids the sack and then Isaiah Likely makes the catch over two guys 😮

📺: #BALvsJAX on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/8fWNSGquwb pic.twitter.com/TwinvfqMVz

— NFL (@NFL) December 18, 2023

Jackson was able to control the game with his arm and his legs. Jackson finished the game as the team's leading rusher with 97 yards on 12 carries. Baltimore ran for 251 yards on 42 carries, primarily due to the threat of Jackson.

While they scored only 23 points in Week 15, this is one of the better offenses in the NFL. They’ve scored 31 or more points in six games this season and have only been held under 20 points twice. Baltimore has been able to overcome injuries at tight end (Mark Andrews) and on the offensive line, and it hasn’t really mattered as Jackson has taken the next step as a quarterback.

There are other excellent quarterbacks in the AFC playoff hunt right now including Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa. But what separates the Ravens from those teams is their defense.

On the road against Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars, the Ravens allowed just seven points. They forced two turnovers and held Jacksonville under 4.5 yards per rush.

The Ravens' defense isn't perfect, but it has allowed only 16 points per game this season. No other team in the NFL has the lethal combination of a franchise quarterback and an elite scoring defense right now. That makes Baltimore dangerous in the AFC.

The bad news is that the Ravens lost another key player to their offense. Head coach John Harbaugh said rookie RB Keaton Mitchell suffered a "significant knee injury," which will cost him the remainder of the 2023 season.

Mitchell was having a huge game against the Jaguars, recording 88 yards on just 11 touches. They'll lean more on Gus Edwards and Justice Hill to carry the load on offense, but in all reality, it just means that the Ravens will put even more on Jackson's plate. The good news is that he can handle it. He is the type of player who can handle a huge workload, and the Ravens are always at their best when the ball is in his hands.

Sitting at 11-3, the Ravens are in a great position to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC. That means the road to the Super Bowl would go through Baltimore, and it’s tough to see any team going there and beating them. But before the Ravens can start making plans for their bye week, they have a difficult schedule to manage.

The Ravens will travel to San Francisco to take on the 49ers in Week 16. That’ll be a meeting of the two No. 1 seeds in each conference and a potential Super Bowl preview. Then, the Ravens will host the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 in what could be a battle for first place in the AFC. They’ll wrap up the season against the Steelers, who could be fighting for their playoff hopes in the season's final game.

The goal for the Ravens is simple. Win out, and they are the No. 1 seed in the AFC. And while their schedule is difficult, there is nothing to suggest that they aren’t capable of that. Outside of the 49ers, the Ravens might be the most complete team in the NFL. And when you factor in how good they are in the kicking game, you might even be able to give them the advantage over the 49ers.

Luckily for us, we will get to see these two juggernauts face off on Christmas night. And with a win, Baltimore can firmly say that they are the best team in the NFL. But coming out of Week 15, you can make a case that they are already at the top.

2024 NFL DRAFT ORDER AFTER WEEK 15

1. CHICAGO BEARS (FROM PANTHERS, 2-12) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 1st (from Panthers), 3rd, 4th, 4th (from Eagles), 5th

2. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-11) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 6th (from Raiders), 7th (from Bears)

3. ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-11) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 1st (from Texans), 2nd, 3rd, 3rd (from Texans), 3rd (from Titans), 4th, 5th, 7th

4. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-10)  

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (from Bears), 3rd, 3rd (from 49ers), 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th

5. CHICAGO BEARS (5-9) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 1st (from Panthers), 3rd, 4th, 4th (from Eagles), 5th

6. NEW YORK GIANTS (5-9)  

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (from Seahawks), 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 7th (from Cardinals)

7. NEW YORK JETS (5-9)  

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th

8. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-9)  

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th

9. TENNESSEE TITANS (5-9) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 7th (from Panthers), 7th (from Eagles)

10. ATLANTA FALCONS (6-8)  

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th (from Jaguars), 5th, 6th, 6th (from Browns)

11. GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-8) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (from Jets), 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th

12. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6-8) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th (from Vikings), 7th (from Patriots)

13. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-7) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd (from Broncos), 5th, 6th, 6th (from Eagles)

14. DENVER BRONCOS (7-7) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 3rd (from Saints), 4th (from Dolphins), 5th, 5th (from Jets), 7th, 7th (from Rams)

15. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-7)  

Draft Capital: 1st, 3rd, 3rd (from Broncos), 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th

16. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-7) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th (from Rams), 5th, 6th, 7th

17. ARIZONA CARDINALS (FROM TEXANS, 8-6) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 1st (from Texans), 2nd, 3rd, 3rd (from Texans), 3rd (from Titans), 4th, 5th, 7th

18. BUFFALO BILLS (8-6) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 6th (from Cowboys), 6th (from Rams), 7th

19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-7) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 3rd, 4th, 4th (from Broncos), 6th

20. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-7) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 4th (from Lions), 5th (from Chiefs), 6th

21. LOS ANGELES RAMS (7-7) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 5th (from Steelers), 6th (from Broncos)

22. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-6) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th

23. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-6) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (from Saints), 5th, 6th, 6th (from Panthers), 7th

24. CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-6) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th

25. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-5) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th (from Cowboys), 6th, 7th

26. HOUSTON TEXANS (FROM BROWNS, 9-5) 

Draft Capital: 1st (from Browns), 2nd, 3rd (from Eagles), 4th, 4th (from Browns), 5th, 7th, 7th (from Saints)

27. DETROIT LIONS (10-4)  

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd (from Vikings), 5th, 6th, 7th

28.  PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-4) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 2nd (from Saints), 5th, 5th (from Vikings), 5th (from Buccaneers), 6th (from Titans)

29. MIAMI DOLPHINS (10-4) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 6th (from Bears), 7th

30. DALLAS COWBOYS (10-4)  

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 7th (from Raiders)

31. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-3) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th

32. BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-3) 

Draft Capital: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 7th (from Jets)

TEAMS WITHOUT A FIRST-ROUND PICK

CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-12) 

Draft Capital: 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th (from 49ers), 5th (from Titans), 6th (from Cardinals)

CLEVELAND BROWNS (9-5) 

Draft Capital: 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 5th (from Panthers), 6th (from Ravens), 6th (from Texans), 7th, 7th (from Falcons)

The NFL playoff picture came into even sharper focus following an exciting slate of Week 15 games.

In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers firmed the grasp on their claim to the title of top team in the conference. While the Dallas Cowboys fumbled a chance to pull closer to the top of the heap.

Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins showed why they belong among the teams at the top of the AFC playoff picture, while the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts won games to keep them in a jumble on the playoff bubble.

AFC First-Round Matchups

7. Indianapolis at 2. Miami

6. Cincinnati at 3. Kansas City

5. Cleveland at 4. Jacksonville

Bye: Baltimore-x

x-clinched playoff spot

AFC Playoff Contenders

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-3, 1st North)

Playoff Prospects: The Baltimore Ravens will face a serious test before the playoffs begin, with key matchups against two of the NFL's top offenses in Weeks 16 and 17.

Remaining schedule: at SF, vs. MIA, vs. PIT

2. Miami Dolphins (10-4, 1st East)

Playoff Prospects: The Miami Dolphins have a commanding divisional lead but face a gauntlet of star quarterbacks to close the season.

Remaining schedule: vs. DAL, at BAL, vs. BUF

3. Kansas City Chiefs (9-5, 1st West)

Playoff Prospects: The Kansas City Chiefs are a perennial contender with Patrick Mahomes under center. However, an uninspiring win over New England in Week 15 is unlikely to spur increased confidence they can overcome the teams ahead of them in the standings.

Remaining schedule: vs. LV, vs. CIN, at LAC

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6, 1st South)

Playoff Prospects: The Jacksonville Jaguars have winnable matchups in Weeks 16, 17 and 18. They might need wins in all three games to stay ahead in a competitive AFC South.

Remaining schedule: at TB, vs. CAR, at TEN

5. Cleveland Browns (9-5, 2nd North)

Playoff Prospects: Despite major injuries to key players, the Cleveland Browns just keep rolling. With a win over the Chicago Bears in Week 15, the Browns kept themselves at the top of the Wild Card race.

Remaining schedule: at HOU, vs. NYJ, at CIN

6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-6, 3rd North)

Playoff Prospects: The Cincinnati Bengals were supposed to fade away when they lost Joe Burrow to injury. Instead, they've continued solidifying their playoff hopes in an increasingly competitive race.

Remaining schedule: at PIT, at KC, vs. CLE

7. Indianapolis Colts (8-6, 2nd South)

Playoff Prospects: The Indianapolis Colts currently hold the tie-breaker over the Texans thanks to their head-to-head win. The teams meet again in Week 18.

Remaining schedule: at ATL, vs. LV, vs. HOU

In the Hunt

8. Houston Texans (8-6, 3rd South)

Remaining schedule: vs. CLE, vs. TEN, at IND

9. Buffalo Bills (8-6, 2nd East)

Remaining schedule: at LAC, vs. NE, at MIA

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7, 4th North)

Remaining schedule: vs. CIN, at SEA, at BAL

11. Denver Broncos (7-7, 2nd West)

Remaining schedule: vs. NE, vs. LAC, at LV

12. Las Vegas Raiders (6-8, 3rd West)

Remaining schedule: at KC, at IND, vs. DEN

13. Los Angeles Chargers (5-9, 4th West)

Remaining schedule: vs. BUF, at DEN, vs. KC

NFC First-Round Matchups

7. Los Angeles at 2. Dallas-x

6. Minnesota at 3. Detroit

5. Philadelphia-x at 4. Tampa Bay

Bye: San Francisco-x

x-clinched playoff spot

NFC Playoff Contenders

1. San Francisco 49ers (11-3, 1st West)

Playoff Prospects: The road to the Super Bowl, for the NFC, still goes through the San Francisco 49ers. The first-place team has a tiebreaker over the Eagles and Cowboys.

Remaining schedule: vs. BAL, at WAS, vs. LAR

2. Dallas Cowboys (10-4, 1ST East)

Playoff Prospects: The Dallas Cowboys temporarily fumbled their hold on the division with a Week 15 loss but the Eagles' loss Monday put them right back into the pole position for the NFC East crown.

Remaining schedule: at MIA, vs. DET, at WAS

3. Detroit Lions (10-4, 1st North)

Playoff Prospects: The Detroit Lions righted the ship with a decisive Week 15 win, remaining in position to host a first-round playoff game.

Remaining schedule: at MIN, at DAL, vs. MIN

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7, 1st South)

Playoff Prospects: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the tiebreaker over New Orleans for now, but a Week 17 matchup between the NFC South rivals will go a long way toward deciding the division.

Remaining schedule: vs. JAX, vs. NO, at CAR

5. Philadelphia Eagles (10-4, 2nd East)

Playoff Prospects: The Philadelphia Eagles' spot in the playoffs is secure, and with a remaining schedule featuring some of the NFC's worst teams, they still have a chance to win their division despite Monday's loss.

Remaining schedule: vs. NYG, vs. ARZ, at NYG

6. Minnesota Vikings (7-7, 2nd North)

Playoff Prospects: Among the jumble of teams at 7-7 is the Minnesota Vikings, who hold an outside shot at the NFC North crown thanks to two remaining matchups with the Lions.

Remaining schedule: vs. DET, vs. GB, at DET

7. Los Angeles Rams (7-7, 2nd West)

Playoff Prospects: The Los Angeles Rams currently hold the last spot in the playoffs with a crucial matchup with the New Orleans Saints, the team just below them, looming in Week 16.

Remaining schedule: vs. NO, at NYG, at SF

In the Hunt

8. Seattle Seahawks (7-7, 3rd West)

Remaining schedule: at TEN, vs. PIT, at ARZ

9. New Orleans Saints (7-7, 3rd South)

Remaining schedule: at LAR, at TB, vs. ATL

10. Atlanta Falcons (6-8, 2nd South)

Remaining schedule: vs. IND, at CHI, at NO

11. Green Bay Packers (6-8, 3rd North)

Remaining schedule: at CAR, at MIN, vs. CHI

12. New York Giants (5-9, 3rd East)

Remaining schedule: at PHI, vs. LAR, vs. PHI

13. Chicago Bears (5-9, 4th North)

Remaining schedule: vs. ARZ, vs. ATL, at GB

Sunday's afternoon slate asked the eternal question for any team flirting with greatness: Can it do it on a cold rainy night in Buffalo? 

For the Dallas Cowboys, the answer was no. Emphatically no. 

Nothing went right for the Cowboys on Sunday, but the crux of it all was that the Buffalo Bills demolished them in the run game in the cold, wet conditions. QB Josh Allen finished with 94 yards passing, but it didn't matter because the Bills ran the ball 49 times for 266 yards and three scores. James Cook handled 25 carries for 179 yards by himself, both career-highs for him. 

The Bills were running the ball so well that, at a certain point, they stopped seriously entertaining the idea of passing altogether, which is absurd with a force such as Allen at quarterback.

In no uncertain terms, Buffalo's run game carried the team, literally, to a resounding 31-10 win over a Cowboys team aspiring to win the NFC. 

While this was comfortably the Cowboys' worst game of run defense all season, it was not the first time Dallas got mashed up and down the field. Far from it. 

Defending the run has been a problem for the Cowboys all season long. Whenever they have faced an opponent with teeth in the run game, they have gotten abused and have allowed efficient gain after efficient gain — to the point where it's often lost them games.

Dallas' five worst games of run defense this season by success rate have come against the Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles (Week 14). The four non-Cardinals teams make up the four best rushing offenses in the NFL by success rate, and Arizona isn't too shabby at 11th. The Cowboys only won two of those games, and one came in Week 8 against a Rams team that is much scarier now than it was at the time. 

Win or lose, Dallas couldn't hold any of those teams to a below-average rushing success rate on the day. Obviously, that's a brutal task against those teams, but if the Cowboys' run defense had anything to it at all, it would have been able to hold down the fort at least once in those games. 

While those five games certainly pull down Dallas' numbers on the season, it's not like the Cowboys have been very good against most other teams, either. The Cowboys rank 31st in defensive rushing success rate on the season at 57.6 percent, per TruMedia. Only the Denver Broncos have been worse. Dallas has had good weeks here and there — such as Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers and Week 2 against the New York Jets — but they have mostly been on the losing end of the run game battle on defense. 

Where is the Problem?

Investigating how and why the Cowboys' run defense is so bad is where it gets interesting. It's one thing to say a run defense stinks, but that can manifest in many ways. Sometimes, it's a lack of talent; other times, it's a matter of schematic identity. 

For example, the Cardinals and Broncos are some of the worst run defenses in the league because they don't have the dudes up front. Conversely, Brandon Staley's Chargers struggled with run defense in large part because the scheme was designed to play with light boxes and to lean into shutting down the passing game. That was a conscious decision built into the philosophy of the defense, one that can only be overcome when you have someone like Aaron Donald changing the math up front.

In the case of the Cowboys, their issues are sort of both. Dallas' defense is built to get after the passer and play a ton of man coverage. The unit has a lot of defensive linemen who just want to explode off the ball, especially along the interior, and lighter personnel in the back seven. That's become even more true since LB Leighton Vander Esch went out for the season and was replaced by 205-pound Markquese Bell. 

The scheme dictates the personnel, and the personnel isn't geared to defend the run at a high level unless they generate tackles for loss. A year ago, the Cowboys did that. Their 65 tackles for loss in the run game, per TruMedia, tied for second-most in the league. This season, Dallas only has 35 tackles for loss against the run, 23rd in the league. 

So without the tackles for loss setting offenses behind the sticks, Dallas' formula leads to getting bullied in the trenches. Defensive linemen do not hold their ground consistently, and linebackers regularly get picked off by guards at the second level. They just don't have the bulk or physicality necessary to survive car crashes in the run game for 60 minutes. 

In turn, the Cowboys get abused the most by giving up ground before contact. They rank 28th in yards allowed per contact this season. Many runs are most of the way there to being efficient gains for the offense before a Dallas defender even gets a hand on the running back. 

To the Cowboys' credit, they don't allow many explosive runs. Only 5.45 percent of runs against the defense go for at least 12 yards, good for 11th-best in the league. It's the run defense unit's only saving grace.

How Scheme Affects the Cowboys' Defense

The Cowboys knows they have light bodies and know they're going to get bullied, so they constantly load the box with bodies and try to get a hat on a hat. All those bodies and pass-oriented players still get moved off their spot, but there is enough of them that someone takes the runner down before disaster strikes (Bills game notwithstanding). 

In an ideal world, this would be the part of the column where I tell you how the Cowboys can solve their woes and turn things around for the playoffs, but we don't live in that world. The reality is that Dallas' primary personnel and schematic identity aren't changing. The Cowboys will continue to be a single-high defense hellbent on attacking up the field and locking it down in the passing game with light bodies in man coverage. It's what Dan Quinn's defenses have always been, and it's what this roster has been shaped to do. 

Even getting DT Johnathan Hankins, who missed this week's game with an ankle sprain, back soon isn't likely to change anything. Hankins' absence absolutely made Buffalo's beatdown worse than it could have been otherwise, but he has played every other game for the Cowboys this season, and they have still been a subpar run defense. He isn't going to be the magical run defense fairy the team needs. 

All of that is scary in a vacuum, but it's made worse after looking at the NFC playoff picture. A majority of the teams who will get into the dance can run the hell out of the football. 

The aforementioned 49ers will get the top seed, and the Eagles will get into the postseason one way or another, be it as division winners or the top wild-card spot. The Detroit Lions are also near locks to make the playoffs. And although not as certain to make it in, the Rams are playing at a level that should squeak them in. 

Dallas has already gotten bludgeoned by three of those teams on the ground, and you know Dan Campbell and his boys in Detroit would just be champing at the bit to do the same. Maybe the Cowboys could be fortunate enough to play the NFC South winner in the first round, seeing as how none of those teams have particularly overwhelming rushing attacks at the moment. Still, Dallas will run into these other rushing juggernauts at some point if it wants to make the Super Bowl. 

>>READ: Updated NFL Playoff Bracket After Week 15

Given that Dak Prescott has played at an MVP level for most of the season and that the Cowboys' pass defense can still take over games, it's not like the Cowboys are cooked completely. Even if their run defense fails them, they still have avenues to win games. 

Pushing through an NFC gauntlet of teams who can pound the rock will be a major obstacle. The Cowboys haven't really been able to stop any of these top rushing teams yet, and it's hard to make the case about why they would be able to when it matters most. 

The article below details one need-to-know takeaway from each NFL Week 15 contest, aimed at providing readers with actionable fantasy football information.

Top 4 Takeaways

Mullens Stabilizes Vikings’ Passing Offense

Minnesota Vikings QB Nick Mullens completed 78.8 percent of his 33 passing attempts while totaling 303 yards passing, two touchdowns passing, two interceptions and 10 yards rushing.

Mullens facilitated excellent per-route efficiency averages for his top-four pass catchers: WR Justin Jefferson (2.21 yards per route run (YPRR)), WR Jordan Addison (3.08 YPRR), TE T.J. Hockenson (1.97 YPRR) and RB Ty Chandler (1.47 YPRR), which bodes well for the group’s fantasy-scoring odds against the division-rival Detroit Lions in Week 16.

What to Expect With Chase's Injury

Cincinnati Bengals No. 1 WR Ja’Marr Chase suffered a separated shoulder in Week 15, likely sidelining him for the fantasy playoffs, per Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Jeff Mueller. Slot WR Tyler Boyd’s 1.18 YPRR is his lowest per-route efficiency average since 2017, and No. 2 WR Tee Higgins is due for a contract extension this offseason.

Fantasy managers should expect coach Zac Taylor to prioritize evaluating Higgins and 2023 rookies WR Andrei Iosivas and WR Charlie Jones over featuring Boyd. 

Rice Relegates Kelce To No. 2 Pass-Catcher Role

Kansas City Chiefs rookie WR Rashee Rice has supplanted TE Travis Kelce as the team’s No. 1 pass-catcher, out-earning Kelce in targets 43 to 38 and out-scoring him 17.9 PPR points per game to 12.9 PPR points per game since the team’s Week 10 bye.

Rice’s per-game PPR average ranks 11th among NFL wide receivers during that span. He gets a winnable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16.

Flacco Remains Fantasy-Friendly

Among 39 NFL quarterbacks with at least 125 passing attempts, Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco’s 44.3 passing attempts and 313.0 yards passing per game both rank No. 1, and his 17.8 PPR points per game rank No. 10.

Fantasy managers can count on Flacco as a QB1 streamer against a Houston Texans defense that has allowed 300-plus-yard passing sums in three of its last six games. 

Cleveland WR Amari Cooper and TE David Njoku are locked-in starters. In the past three weeks, Flacco has facilitated one WR1 finish, four WR3 finishes, two top-two TE1 finishes and one top-five TE1 finish. 

Remaining Storylines

White Leads Backfield In Dual-Threat Role

Las Vegas Raiders RB Zamir White started in Josh Jacobs’ (quadriceps strain) stead, producing 85 yards from scrimmage, one touchdown and three receptions on four targets en route to 17.5 points-per-reception (PPR) points.

White’s moderate rushing efficiency (4.1 yards per rushing attempt on 17 rushing attempts) was offset by an encouraging 50 percent share of the backfield’s two-minute-drill snaps.

Per DPT Adam Hutchison's Injury Report, running backs who suffer quadriceps strains average 1.8 games missed and struggle to perform well in their return. White is a volume-based RB2 if Jacobs sits in Week 16. 

Colts’ Moss, Pittman Jr. Injured In Win

Indianapolis Colts fill-in RB Zack Moss re-injured his right forearm in Week 15, although X-ray imaging showed no fracture. No. 1 WR Michael Pittman Jr. entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. No. 1 RB Jonathan Taylor is theoretically scheduled to return from his late-November thumb surgery.

Still, RB Trey Sermon could handle a featured Week 16 role against a banged-up Atlanta Falcons’ defensive front. Atlanta’s 12.8 yards allowed per slot wide receiver reception tie for sixth-most in the NFL, boding well for Indianapolis’ slot WR Josh Downs.

Williams Ascends To No. 2 WR Role

Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams ran a season-high 26 routes in Week 15, leapfrogging WR Josh Reynolds (19) and closely trailing No. 1 WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (34) and TE Sam LaPorta (28). Williams’ increased usage adds needed stability to his inherently volatile downfield role.

Detroit faces the Minnesota Vikings’ blitz-happy defense in Week 16; its 11.9 percent 20-plus-yard pass play rate allowed to opposing wide receivers is the league’s 15th-highest.

Mingo Relegated To No. 2 WR Role, Thielen Inefficient

Carolina Panthers rookie WR Jonathan Mingo (four receptions on five targets for 32 yards receiving) fell behind veteran WR Adam Thielen (four receptions on seven targets for 43 yards) after leading the team in targets in Weeks 12-14.

Mingo averaged just 1.44 YPRR in the prior three weeks, forcing the team to return to Thielen as its No. 1 pass-catcher. Thielen failed to provide a difference-making PPR sum despite the return to the No. 1 role, though, and cannot be trusted to return WR3 PPR value against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.

Packers’ Target Competition Shrinks Ahead of Week 16

Green Bay Packers WR Jayden Reed (17.2 PPR points in Week 15) logged just one fourth-quarter snap after suffering a Week 15 toe injury. No. 1 WR Christian Watson (hamstring) and TE Luke Musgrave (lacerated kidney, injured reserve) remain sidelined.

WR Dontayvion Wicks (15.7 PPR points in Week 15), WR Romeo Doubs (6.0 PPR points in Week 15) and TE Tucker Kraft (15.7 PPR points in Week 15) would have access to significant target shares against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16, should Reed and Watson sit.

Stash Jets' Abanikanda

The New York Jets fell to 5-9 following their 30-0 loss to the Miami Dolphins. QB Zach Wilson was forced from the game after suffering a concussion.

The circumstances resulted in 16 fourth-quarter snaps, including 13 routes run, for rookie RB Israel Abanikanda. Fantasy managers should consider stashing Abanikanda with a potential late- and lost-season audition inbound. 

Waller Plays Efficiently In Return

New York Giants TE Darren Waller ran a route on 50 percent of team dropbacks in his return from injured reserve, promisingly catching four of six targets for 40 yards receiving (1.74 YPRR).

New York faces a Philadelphia Eagles defense that is allowing 0.71 adjusted YPRR to opposing tight ends (No. 17) and that is potentially missing primary coverage LB Zach Cunningham (knee).

Brown Wins Replacement No. 1 WR Role

The Houston Texans were without Nos. 1 and 2 wide receivers WR Nico Collins (calf strain) and Tank Dell (injured reserve) this week. No. 3 WR Noah Brown answered the call after two straight games without a catch.

He totaled eight receptions on 11 targets for 82 yards receiving and one touchdown. Collins failed to practice last week, and a Week 16 return is hardly guaranteed.

Target 49ers' Run Defense in Future Weeks

The Arizona Cardinals fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 45-29, but exposed San Francisco’s injury-weakened run defense. Arizona’s 234 yards rushing beat San Francisco’s prior allowed rushing sum by 74 yards. It was also the first time San Francisco’s defense surrendered more than one rushing touchdown all season. San Francisco faces Baltimore’s third-ranked rushing attack (4.9 yards per rushing attempt) in Week 16.

Don't RUle Out Brissett Starting Next Week

Washington Commanders backup QB Jacoby Brissett replaced starting QB Sam Howell early in the fourth quarter. But coach Ron Rivera told reporters Howell remains the starter.

Despite playing for less than one quarter, Brissett totaled 123 yards passing and two touchdowns passing while completing 80 percent of passes en route to a near-perfect 157.9 NFL passer rating. He also added nine yards rushing on two rushing attempts.

Howell finished with 102 yards passing, one touchdown passing, one interception, a 42.3 percent completion rate, a 50.5 NFL passer rating and 22 yards rushing on three rushing attempts.

Fantasy managers should monitor the situation closely to see if Rivera wavers.

Bills' Ground Game Is Just Getting Started

The Buffalo Bills’ offense totaled a season-high 49 rushing attempts in its 31-10 victory against the Dallas Cowboys. That neutralized Dallas’ juggernaut offense by dominating the time of position (35:05 vs. 24:55).

Buffalo’s 38.8 rushing attempts per game since replacing OC Ken Dorsey with quarterbacks coach Joe Brady in Week 11 lead the NFL by more than four. The Bills face a Los Angeles Chargers defense allowing 113.9 yards rushing per game, the 15th-most in the NFL, in Week 16.

Gus Edwards' Ceiling Rises After Mitchell Injury

The Baltimore Ravens lost explosive rookie RB Keaton Mitchell to a season-ending knee injury, significantly increasing No. 1 RB Gus Edwards’ week-winning potential. Mitchell tallied exactly nine rushing attempts and two targets in each of Baltimore’s last three games.

The NFL playoffs are just a month away and we saw some highly competitive football in Week 15. There were several close contests with big-time playoff implications and there were some other marquee games that certainly didn't live up to the hype. But who were the biggest winners and losers coming out of the week? Let's dive in.

Winner: Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield might have played the best game of his career in Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into the game tied atop the NFC South and they needed a win on the road to improve to 7-7. Mayfield delivered that and more Sunday.

Mayfield completed 22 of 28 passes for 381 yards and four touchdowns against the Packers, finishing the game with a perfect passer rating (158.3) — the first NFL quarterback this year to do so. He was in total control all game long and was able to shred Green Bay’s defense, completing passes over the middle.

Tampa Bay is currently the No. 4 seed in the NFC, and it seems likely the team will host a playoff game again this season. The fact that Mayfield has this team trending in the right direction is incredible to see. He finally looks healthy again and is playing the most confident football of his career.

Loser: Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs were able to get a 10-point victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday to improve to 9-5 on the season. But the Chiefs' receivers (outside of Rashee Rice) remain a major issue. Kadarius Toney had another rough outing, recording just five yards on four targets. Yet again, he dropped a pass — perfectly thrown by Patrick Mahomes — that was tipped up in the air and intercepted by Jahlani Tavai.

But he wasn't the only Chiefs receiver who struggled. Skyy Moore, a second-round pick in 2022, did not catch a pass Sunday. Well, there was a play where he did catch a pass, but he fumbled it immediately afterward. Luckily for him, defensive holding on the other side of the field negated the fumble. But Moore has been a disaster this season whenever he's been on the field.

The good news for Kansas City is that Rice has developed into a weapon. He scored his seventh touchdown of the season and went over 60 yards for the fourth straight week. Rice led the team in receiving yards (94) and receptions (9), and it's clear that he is the No. 1 receiver on this team. As to the others, the Chiefs might have to seriously consider fazing Toney and Moore out of their offense altogether.

Winner: Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins

Raheem Mostert didn’t get his first start in the NFL until the 2020 season. He was 28 years old and had 42 career rushing yards to date. Fast forward to the 2023 season and at age 31, he leads the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 20. In Week 15, Mostert didn’t have his biggest game of the season (43 yards on 17 touches), but he did get into the end zone twice and is putting together the best season of his career.

The Miami Dolphins have had a few rough outings this season, but they are legitimate Super Bowl contenders because they run the ball well. Mostert and De’Von Achane are one of the best running back duos in the league, and that could be the reason why Miami ends up being the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The duo has already combined for over 1,600 rushing yards on the season and 27 rushing touchdowns. As long as Mostert and Achane stay healthy, this team is as dangerous as anyone in the league on offense.

Loser: Arthur Smith, Head Coach, Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons were in a good spot heading into Week 15 despite a 6-7 record. No team in the NFC South had a better record going into the weekend, and Atlanta had the 1-12 Carolina Panthers on its schedule. But unfortunately, Arthur Smith and the Falcons found a way to mess things up.

Atlanta's offense was dreadful against Carolina, scoring just seven points. Worse yet, the ball distribution was a mess. Bijan Robinson had eight total touches. Kyle Pitts and Drake London combined for seven targets. Nothing on offense worked, which ended up being why Atlanta lost.

Now, the Falcons are in third place in the NFC South, and it’s fair to wonder about Smith’s future in Atlanta. Despite three top-10 picks at the skill positions, the Falcons routinely underwhelm on offense. The quarterback play is an issue, but the lack of touches for the team's three best offensive players is mind-boggling.

Winner:  James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills

If the Buffalo Bills want to go on a run to make the postseason, they are going to have to do it on the back of James Cook. So far, so good. Cook had a monster performance in Week 15, rushing for 179 yards and a touchdown in a dominating win over the Dallas Cowboys. Not only was Cook the Bills' leading rusher Sunday, he was also their second-leading receiver with 42 yards and a touchdown in the passing game.

The Bills are a dangerous team when they can stay balanced on offense. And with Cook playing this well, Buffalo has a real chance to make a run over the final three weeks. At 8-6, the Bills might need to win out. But with games against the Los Angeles Chargers, Patriots and Dolphins still on their schedule, suddenly it looks a lot less difficult.

Loser: Cowboys Defense

The Cowboys' Jekyll and Hyde nature showed itself again Sunday.

Two weeks ago, the Dallas Cowboys allowed 35 points to the Seattle Seahawks at home on Thursday Night Football. But last week, they held the Philadelphia Eagles to six offensive points and forced three fumbles. In Week 15, Dallas allowed Buffalo to run for 266 yards and score 31 points — and the score could have been even worse if it weren’t for the Bills taking their foot off the pedal for the entire fourth quarter.

On paper, the Cowboys have a good defense. But there have already been three games this season where Dallas has allowed over 31 points on defense (49ers, Seahawks, Bills). The team can be bullied on the ground, and this was just another example of its defense not coming to play in a big road game.

Dallas is still in good shape at 10-4, and the team has already clinched a playoff berth. The Cowboys will likely be the No. 5 seed in the NFC, but their issues stopping the run could prevent them from getting past the Divisional Round again.

Loser: Aaron Rodgers, QB, New York Jets

To be clear, Aaron Rodgers didn't do anything to deserve to be on this list. He did not play in Week 15. But the result of Sunday's game dramatically hurt him. By all accounts, Rodgers has been cleared to play next week — he was set to return from his Achilles injury, a remarkable turnaround considering this is usually a 12-month injury.

Unfortunately, Rodgers is now unlikely to get on the field this season as the New York Jets lost again to the Dolphins on Sunday. New York was blown out, 30-0, in a game that was never competitive. The Jets are now 5-9 on the season and are on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs. (But for all intents and purposes, they are already eliminated.)

That means there is no reason to put Rodgers back on the field for the final three games and makes his three-month recovery moot. He'll continue to practice for the Jets, but it is doubtful he will play in a game. It's too bad Robert Saleh couldn’t keep the Jets competitive over the last few months because we will never get to see what Rodgers would have looked like after his recovery.

The Dallas Cowboys' defense was exposed by the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but Mike Martz expects Micah Parsons and his teammates to bounce back in their Week 16 showdown in Miami.

Following the Buffalo Bills' dominant performance at home against the Dallas Cowboys, Mike Martz explains why he believes the AFC is a two-team race between James Cook's 8-6 Bills and the first-place Baltimore Ravens.

Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns have won games with four different quarterbacks, and Jim Schwartz’s defense held the Chicago Bears in check in the Browns' Week 15 win. Rich Gannon comes away very impressed with Cleveland.

Despite a Week 15 win at Foxboro, Mike Martz doesn’t think the Kansas City Chiefs' offense is making significant progress due to inconsistent receivers and poor play from their starting tackles.