Week 15 is where the wheels usually fall off for the "pretenders." It’s that weird, cold stretch in mid-December where the turf gets hard and the playoff picture finally stops looking like a blurry mess. Honestly, by the time the nfl football week 15 schedule rolls around, you’re either planning a Super Bowl party or looking at mock drafts.
This past December 11th through 15th was particularly brutal. We saw dynasties basically crumble in real-time and a 44-year-old grandfather figure try to save a season in Indy. If you missed the chaos, you missed a lot.
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The Thursday Night Trap
The week kicked off with an NFC South slugfest that was way more entertaining than it had any right to be. The Atlanta Falcons traveled to Tampa to face the Buccaneers on December 11th. It was a Prime Video exclusive, and if you didn't have a subscription, you missed a one-point nail-biter. Atlanta pulled it off 29-28.
People always underestimate these short-week divisional games. They’re messy. They're physical. They’re usually decided by a missed extra point or a weird fumble, which is exactly how this one felt.
Sunday’s Early Slate was a Bloodbath
Sunday morning (well, 1:00 p.m. ET) is usually a blur of RedZone highlights. But on December 14th, the schedule was packed with games that ended up being "elimination games" without the official title.
Take the Kansas City Chiefs. They hosted the Los Angeles Chargers at Arrowhead. Most fans expected Patrick Mahomes to just... do Mahomes things. Instead, the Chargers defense absolutely suffocated them. The 16-13 loss didn't just hurt; it effectively ended the Chiefs' playoff hopes for the first time since 2014. To make matters worse, Mahomes went down with a torn ACL late in the game. It was a "where were you" moment for the league.
Over in Foxborough, the New England Patriots had a chance to clinch the AFC East. They were up 21-0 against the Buffalo Bills. It looked like a blowout. Then Josh Allen happened. The Bills roared back to win 35-31, proving that the AFC East still runs through Buffalo, even if the standings say otherwise.
Other 1:00 p.m. Scores:
- Chicago Bears 31, Cleveland Browns 3
- Baltimore Ravens 24, Cincinnati Bengals 0 (A total shutout in the Jungle)
- Houston Texans 40, Arizona Cardinals 20
- Jacksonville Jaguars 48, New York Jets 20
- Washington Commanders 29, New York Giants 21
- Philadelphia Eagles 31, Las Vegas Raiders 0
The Philip Rivers Experiment in Seattle
The 4:25 p.m. window gave us the weirdest storyline of the year. The Indianapolis Colts were desperate. With Daniel Jones out and Anthony Richardson on IR, they literally called Philip Rivers off his couch at age 44.
He had three days of practice. Three.
The Colts traveled to face a terrifying Seattle Seahawks defense at Lumen Field. Honestly, Rivers didn't look terrible, but the rust was there. He threw a late interception that sealed an 18-16 win for Seattle. It was gutsy, sure, but it showed that you can't just plug a retired legend into a modern offense and expect magic.
Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos continued their tear, beating the Green Bay Packers 34-26. Bo Nix looked like a seasoned vet outdueling Jordan Love. The Broncos clinching a playoff berth here was a massive validation for Sean Payton’s system.
Primetime Dramas: Dallas and Pittsburgh
Sunday Night Football featured the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Minnesota Vikings. Dallas was 6-6-1 coming in—very "on brand" for them—and they desperately needed a win to stay relevant. They didn't get it. The Vikings walked into AT&T Stadium and left with a 34-26 victory, leaving Cowboys fans in their usual state of December despair.
Monday Night finished the week in the cold of Pittsburgh. The Steelers welcomed the Miami Dolphins. Aaron Rodgers (yes, still playing) threw for 284 yards, leading the Steelers to a 28-15 win. It’s wild seeing Rodgers in black and gold, but it’s working.
Why the Schedule Matters for Your Strategy
If you're a bettor or a fantasy manager, the nfl football week 15 schedule is your final exam. This is the week where "rest vs. rust" starts becoming a conversation, though in 2025, nobody was resting. Every game had seeding implications.
The biggest takeaway? Don't bet against Josh Allen in December. And definitely don't assume a dynasty is safe just because they have a star QB. The Chiefs' collapse this week was a reminder that the NFL's "parity" is very real and very cruel.
Your Post-Week 15 Checklist:
- Check the Injury Reports: Mahomes’ ACL injury changes the entire AFC landscape for next year.
- Watch the Flex: Remember that Weeks 16 and 17 are subject to the NFL's flex scheduling. The league wants the best games in primetime, so your Sunday afternoon tickets might move to Sunday night.
- Waiver Wire: If you’re in a fantasy playoff, look for the backups in Cleveland and Kansas City. Opportunity is everywhere when the starters go down.
The playoff picture is almost set. The pretenders are gone. Now, we see who actually has the legs to make it to February.