WINNERS
Sam LaPorta
Sam LaPorta is having an incredible rookie season at tight end for the Lions, and after Saturday’s performance, he may be chasing down some NFL records in the next three weeks. In Week 15 against the Broncos, the rookie caught three touchdown passes from Jared Goff, putting him first alone in touchdowns for the position. Fellow rookie Jahmyr Gibbs scored twice as well, giving the two first-year players a combined five TDs on the night. LaPorta is now only ten receptions away from the all-time record for tight ends. He’s also 316 yards and three touchdowns away from the numbers set by the legendary Mike Ditka in 1961. After a mid-season trade sent T.J. Hockenson packing last year, Detroit’s next tight end was going to have some big shoes to fill. It looks like LaPorta has filled those shoes and then some.
Raheem Mostert
Raheem Mostert’s incredible year continued in Week 15, as he broke Miami’s franchise record for touchdowns in a season. The 31-year-old Mostert now has 20 scores in 2023, which is as many Christian McCaffrey. Mostert has been a massive piece on one of the NFL’s best offences this year and has only been held out of the endzone three times. At his age, what he’s doing is even more extraordinary. The Dolphins RB is older than guys like Ezekiel Elliot, Dalvin Cook, and Derrick Henry, and yet he’s producing like he’s still in his prime. At some positions in the NFL, guys can play well into their 30s, but at running back, it’s a very rare feat. Mostert, however, has made it look easy.
Drew Lock
For the second time in two years, we’ve gotten an awesome post-game interview in primetime from a Seahawks QB. First, it was Geno Smith after last year’s Week 1 win against the Broncos. This year, it was Drew Lock after he took his team 92 yards in less than two minutes to beat the Eagles at home. Lock was open about how hard it is to remain a backup in the league for so long and got emotional talking about how much the moment meant to him. It wasn’t just huge for him, though, as the Seahawks snapped a four-game losing streak to get back on track before their last three games of the season. Although Lock will most likely be back on the bench next week, it was great to see a guy in a position like that come out on top.
He finished the Week 15 tilt with 22 completions on 33 attempts for 208 yards, no turnovers, and one game-winning touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
LOSERS
Brandon Staley
After a record-setting loss to kick Week 15 off, the Chargers relieved both Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco of their duties with the organization. It was starting to seem like the team might wait for the offseason to make a move, but after losing a game 63-21 to the rival Raiders, heads had to roll immediately. Staley ended his time in Los Angeles with a record of 24-24, but his only playoff game last season resulted in a loss despite having a 27-0 lead late in the second quarter. He was hailed as a defensive coach, but his defence was never very good in L.A., and with the talent he had on the roster, the team certainly underachieved. Staley is still a young coach, but it may be a while before he gets another chance to call the shots for an NFL team.
Desmond Ridder
Two weeks ago, the Falcons sat atop the NFC South at 6-6. Now, they’re third in the division after two losses to the Buccaneers and Panthers. The Bucs game was a tough one, but the 9-7 loss to the Panthers on Sunday was simply inexcusable. In the game, Desmond Ridder completed just 12 passes for 152 yards while throwing one touchdown and one interception. Sure, the stats aren’t the worst we’ve ever seen, but coming up with those kinds of numbers against the worst team in the league can’t happen for a QB trying to lead his team to the playoffs. After the game, it came out that he will not be starting next week against Indianapolis. When a team in desperate need of a win is benching their starter at this point of the season, that tells you all you need to know about what they think of him.
Dak Prescott
Despite a bad loss in Week 15, the Cowboys still find themselves at the top of the division with three games left in the season. However, Dak Prescott’s MVP campaign may have taken a death blow. Prescott has been great this year, but a late-season performance like this won’t soon be forgotten by the award voters. A week after he ended up on the other side of this article, Dak threw for just 134 yards and one interception despite attempting 34 passes and was sacked three times. In the grand scheme of things, Dallas’ defence is a much bigger concern heading into the last three games of the season, but Dak’s performances away from home have been worrying. At home, he’s looked like one of the best players in the NFL, but on the road, he’s certainly had some struggles this season.
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