Tuesday 20 December 2016 12:53, UK
The Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders joined the Dallas Cowboys in booking their play-off places for January. Find out which other teams performed well in our Week 15 grades.
Miami Dolphins (W 34-13 @ New York Jets)
Matt Moore proved an able replacement for Ryan Tannehill as he tossed four touchdown passes in a convincing win on Saturday at the MetLife Stadium, while the Dolphins defence stepped up to give Bryce Petty and Ryan Fitzpatrick a torrid evening. A superb all-round performance from the 9-5 Fins. Grade A
New England Patriots (W 16-3 @ Denver)
A win is a win, and on a rare week when Tom Brady failed to throw a touchdown pass, the Patriots defence restricted the reigning Super Bowl champions to one field goal and precious little redzone activity. Four sacks and one interception kept the Broncos at arm's length, while Dion Lewis impressed with 95 yards rushing as New England notched their 12th win of the season to all-but guarantee the No 1 seeding in the AFC. Grade B+
Buffalo Bills (W 33-13 v Cleveland)
Beating the hapless - and winless - Browns is not exactly an achievement to brag about this season, but the Bills nonetheless avoided embarrassment with a professional performance in Ohio. LeSean McCoy was outstanding as he rushed for 153 yards and two TDs as Buffalo moved to 7-7. Grade B
New York Jets (L 13-34 v Miami)
The Green Machine were anything but in a woeful display against the Dolphins, being outplayed in all departments despite making an encouraging start with Bryce Petty connecting with Robby Anderson for a 40-yard score. Petty was picked off twice before being crushed by Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake, and Ryan Fitzpatrick never looked remotely likely to engineer a comeback in front of fast-emptying stands. Grade C-
Pittsburgh Steelers (W 24-20 @ Cincinnati)
The Steelers capitalised on a litany of Cincinnati mistakes to continue a five-game unbeaten streak. Ben Roethlisberger's men dominated the second half, scoring on five consecutive possessions and playing keep ball throughout the fourth quarter. Grade B+
Baltimore Ravens (W 27-26 v Philadelphia)
It was a close scare at the end but the Baltimore defence stayed strong to deny Philadelphia a two-point, game-winning conversion. The Ravens were almost the architects of their own downfall, quarterback Joe Flacco throwing the interception that handed the Eagles possession for a late comeback attempt. Now comes a Christmas Day match-up with division leaders Pittsburgh, which could decide the fate of the division. Grade B
Cincinnati Bengals (L 20-24 @ Pittsburgh)
This was the Bengals' play-off and, unsurprisingly, they found a way to blow it. So many needless penalties held Cincinnati back, and a couple of wild throws from quarterback Andy Dalton allowed Pittsburgh to control the game. Grade C-
Cleveland Browns (L 13-33 @ Buffalo)
Fans are so fed up of this Browns team that Ohio residents requested their game be taken off local TV, and the Steelers-Bengals grudge match shown instead! It was another tough afternoon for Cleveland, as LeSean McCoy racked up 153 yards and two touchdowns, dismantling the Browns' porous defence almost single-handedly. Grade E
Indianapolis Colts (W 34-6 v Minnesota)
Andrew Luck picked apart a previously-imposing Vikings defence and Robert Turbin powered over for a pair of scores as the Colts produced arguably their best performance of a 7-7 season blighted by inconsistency. The Colts defence combined to sack Sam Bradford five times in an emphatic win which kept their season alive. Grade A
Tennessee Titans (W 19-17 @ Kansas City)
The Titans struggled early on in the frigid weather at Arrowhead Stadium, and the Chiefs raced into a 14-0 lead. But a pair of scores from rookie running-back Derrick Henry got the visitors back on track, and Ryan Succop's clutch 53-yard field goal as time expired earned Tennessee a thrilling win at the death. Grade B+
Houston Texans (W 21-20 v Jacksonville)
The Texans scraped a vital victory in spite of, not because of, starting quarterback Brock Osweiler, who was benched shortly after tossing his second interception of the game. Tom Savage looked a decent back-up as he threw for 260 yards, and the defence held firm down the stretch. Grade B
Jacksonville Jaguars (L 20-21 @ Houston)
A 12th defeat of the season for the Jags, despite forcing Houston to bench Brock Osweiler, and Gus Bradley was fired shortly before getting on the team plane back to Florida. Pretty much sums up their 2-12 season. Grade D
Oakland Raiders (W 19-16 @ San Diego)
This turned into a home game for Oakland, as Raiders fans filled the Qualcomm Stdaium to watch the defence clinch an important win that confirmed the team's first play-off appearance since 2002. It was a quiet game for MVP candidate Derek Carr, who allowed the run game to do the bulk of the heavy lifting, while Khalil Mack strengthened his case for Defensive Player of the Year. Grade A
Kansas City Chiefs (L 17-19 v Tennessee)
A huge opportunity missed by the Chiefs after Tyreek Hill's 68-yard touchdown gave them an early lead, which they doubled when Alex Smith scampered in from 10 yards later in the first quarter. But that was as good as it got for Andy Reid's side, who slipped to 10-4 when Ryan Succop landed the game-winning 53-yarder. Grade C
Denver Broncos (L 3-16 v New England)
The awesome Broncos defence held Tom Brady to less than 200 yards and zero touchdowns, but Trevor Siemian was unable to finish off promising drives in a disappointing re-run of last season's AFC Championship game. Denver's lack of potency in possession was again evident, and it's unlikely they will be in post-season action this term. Grade C-
San Diego Chargers (L 19-16 v Oakland)
Fans in San Diego have had enough of the uncertainty, the injuries and the losses, and many stayed away on Sunday as a season-high crowd was dominated by silver and black jerseys. It was more of the same from the Chargers, as Philip Rivers threw his 18th interception and San Diego blew a 4th quarter lead for the sixth time this year. Grade D
Dallas Cowboys (W 26-20 v Tampa Bay)
Dak Prescott stuck it to all the doubters with an impressive performance, completing 32 of 36 passes, as well as adding a rushing TD of his own. Ezekiel Elliott had 159 yards, dominating Tampa's defence all night. The Cowboys quelled a third-quarter comeback, and will hope home field advantage is confirmed before they play again, if the Giants lose to Philadelphia on Thursday night. Grade A
New York Giants (W 17-6 v Detroit)
Steve Spagnuolo's superbly-drilled Giants defence stifled the threat of Matthew Stafford and inspired a hard-fought victory at a windy MetLife Stadium. Eli Manning was efficient rather than spectacular after engineering a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, and the Big Blue are looking good for the post-season. Grade B+
Philadelphia Eagles (L 26-27 @ Baltimore)
Carson Wentz looked certain to have forced an enthralling game into overtime when he sauntered into the endzone with seconds remaining, but Doug Pederson's decision to go for the win and keep their slim play-off hopes alive backfired, as Wentz's pass for Jordan Matthews was tipped away. Ryan Mathews impressed with 128 yards and a score on the ground, but questions remain over Wentz's NFL potential. Grade B-
Washington Redskins (L 26-15 v Carolina)
The Panthers dealt Washington's play-off hopes a major blow, as Kirk Cousins struggled to find rhythm, throwing an early interception and missing open receivers. Jordan Reed was sent off late on, for punching Kurt Coleman, to cap a frustrating night for the Redskins. Jay Gruden's team now face a battle to displace Tampa and Green Bay for a post-season place. Grade C-
Green Bay Packers (W 30-27 @ Chicago)
The Packers are dealing with the biggest injury list in the NFL, but their resolve remains undiminished and Aaron Rodgers still has the ability to pull off the big plays. Green Bay were cruising at 27-10, then it was 27-27, but Rodgers hit Jordy Nelson with a 60-yard bomb - on third down - to set up the winning chip-shot for Mason Crosby. The Pack are now 8-6, and one game behind the Lions. Grade B+
Chicago Bears (L 27-30 v Green Bay)
The Bears made a spirited comeback from 27-10 down to level the scores in the fourth quarter, but they were undone by the Rodgers-Nelson partnership in the dying seconds. It was a mixed-bag of two touchdowns, 362 yards passing and three interceptions from Matt Barkley while Jordan Howard again looked a powerful and decisive runner, but Chicago's fourth defeat in five piled more pressure on John Fox. Grade B-
Detroit Lions (L 6-17 @ New York Giants)
The Lions travelled to the Big Apple looking to extend their five-game winning streak, but Matthew Stafford was rarely able to settle against the Giants' fearsome defence. Detroit's own defence kept them in the game, but the offence looked a little one-dimensional and their running game (56 total yards) was a particular disappointment. Grade C
Minnesota Vikings (L 6-34 v Indianapolis)
A third defeat in five games for the surprise package of the early season, and the Vikings defence that looked one of the best in the league a few weeks ago were routed by Andrew Luck's Colts. Sam Bradford was sacked five times and held without a touchdown, while Adrian Peterson's return to action yielded just 22 yards on the ground and one lost fumble. Grade E
Atlanta Falcons (W 41-13 v San Francisco)
Devonta Freeman destroyed the shambolic 49ers run defence with three scores in his 139 yards rushing. Matt Ryan was in cruise control, and the Falcons put up 40-plus points for the second week running. Grade A
New Orleans Saints (W 48-41 @ Arizona)
Drew Brees was in irresistible form in a fantastic shoot-out in Phoenix, throwing for 389 yards and four touchdowns - with 186 yards and two scores to Brandin Cooks. The Saints defence is still a work in progress and remains there for the taking, but this was an encouraging response to back-to-back defeats that ended their play-off hopes. Grade A
Carolina Panthers (W 26-15 @ Washington)
The Panthers aren't alive in this play-off race, but they're certainly not done for the season either. Cam Newton threw two touchdown passes and Jonathan Stewart rushed for over 100 yards for the first time this season. They now face the Falcons, hoping to disrupt their post-season bid, too. Grade B
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (L 26-20 @ Dallas)
Jameis Winston threatened a third-quarter upset, but it wasn't to be for the Buccaneers, who slip out of the play-off picture. Winston's performance varied from the woeful to the wonderful, but it was Tampa's defence who couldn't control Elliott, and let a sixth straight win slip away. Grade C
Seattle Seahawks (W 24-3 v Los Angeles)
Pete Carroll's team punched their ticket for January with a resounding win over the coach-less Rams. Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes and Tyler Lockett ran riot, priming Seattle for a play-off push. Grade B
Arizona Cardinals (L 41-48 v New Orleans)
The Cardinals have been strong in two areas this season: Rushing (David Johnson), and defence. So to give up 48 points to Drew Brees in Phoenix is a hammer blow for Bruce Arians and his frustratingly inconsistent Arizona outfit, whose season started with so much promise and is now fizzling out in alarming fashion. Grade A (offence) D (defence)
Los Angeles Rams (L 3-24 v Seattle)
Firing Jeff Fisher last week was never likely to encourage a positive performance on Thursday night, and so it proved as they were dismembered by the Seahawks. The Rams have yet to reach 200 points for the season, comfortably the worst record in the NFL, and although their defence has strength, they cannot begin to make up for the inept offence. Grade E
San Francsico 49ers (L 13-41 v Atlanta)
You have to be a monumentally-terrible team to be below the Rams, and the 49ers have managed just that. One good quarter (two TDs in the second), but San Francisco were third-best in every department (the officials had a belter of a game!). Don't be surprised if Chip Kelly doesn't bother ironing seven shirts on Monday morning. Grade F
