2023 NFL Season, Week 15: What We Learned from Sunday’s Games

The latest installment of the 2023 NFL season unfolded in Week 15, delivering thrilling matchups and surprising outcomes. Among the notable clashes was the showdown between the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills, where the keyword-rich narratives of “Cowboys,” “James Cook,” “Cowboys vs. Bills,” and “Bills vs. Cowboys” took center stage. In this comprehensive article, we delve into the key takeaways from Sunday’s games, with a particular focus on the epic clash between the Cowboys and Bills. Join us as we analyze the performances, unravel the storylines, and extract the lessons learned from the gridiron battles that unfolded during this pivotal week of the NFL season.

 

Kevin Patra’s Key Observations:

MVP Contenders Shine as 49ers Dominate Arizona:

Prepare for more Most Valuable Player discussions in the Bay Area as quarterback Brock Purdy leads the 49ers to a commanding victory, putting up a 40-point performance against the Cardinals. Purdy showcased his versatility, making plays beyond the offensive structure with four touchdowns, including perfectly placed throws to his receivers. Supported by the dynamic Christian McCaffrey, who rushed for 115 yards with a TD and contributed two more scores through receptions, the 49ers’ offensive prowess was on full display. Deebo Samuel added two touchdowns, marking his third consecutive game with multiple scores.

Cardinals’ Ground Game Thrives Despite Defensive Injuries:

Taking advantage of the absence of the 49ers’ top defensive tackles, Arizona amassed 234 rushing yards, averaging an impressive 7.8 yards per rush. James Conner’s 44-yard run and Emari Demercado’s 49-yard gallop contributed to the Cardinals’ ground success. Despite accumulating 436 total yards, Arizona’s miscues, including an early pick-six and a botched handoff, prevented them from staying competitive. The Cardinals’ roster limitations became evident as they struggled to overcome errors against the NFC’s top seed.

San Francisco Secures NFC West Title:

With three games remaining, Kyle Shanahan’s team clinched the NFC West title with a 12th consecutive division victory. Despite a pre-bye three-game losing streak, the 49ers have rebounded with six consecutive wins, boasting an average of 34.5 points per game. The focus now shifts to the pursuit of the No. 1 seed as the 49ers close the season with matchups against the Ravens, Commanders, and Rams. A successful finish would mean the road to the NFC Super Bowl runs through Santa Clara.

Notable Game Stat: Brock Purdy’s impressive performance under pressure included going 5-of-7 passing for 96 yards and two TDs, resulting in a 153.3 passer rating and a plus-8.9 completion percentage over expectation (CPOE).

NFL Research Highlight: Week 15 marked Brock Purdy’s 13th career start with a 100-plus passer rating, placing him behind only Patrick Mahomes (16) and Hall of Famer Kurt Warner (14) for the most such games in a quarterback’s first 20 starts since 1950.

Bobby Kownack’s Key Insights:

Lamar Jackson’s Remarkable Performance Ignites Ravens’ Victory:

Baltimore experienced the full force of Lamar Jackson’s prowess in a crucial win, showcasing what having him available for the playoff push means. Despite an imperfect aerial display, highlighted by one interception and 171 passing yards, Jackson consistently delivered crucial throws and breathtaking runs, contributing significantly to the Ravens’ 251-yard rushing feat. A standout moment occurred when Jackson shrugged off a Dawuane Smoot sack, extended the play, and connected with Isaiah Likely for a spectacular grab. Set the stage for Gus Edwards’ touchdown, emphasizing the trust Jackson has developed with his backup tight end. He Likely led the team with five receptions and 70 yards, securing Jackson’s lone TD pass and marking his second consecutive week with a score.

Jaguars’ Mistakes Lead to Three-Game Losing Streak:

Jacksonville’s penchant for mistakes became evident as they suffered a three-game skid. Despite reaching the Baltimore 36-yard line or beyond in four consecutive drives, the Jaguars failed to score in the first half. Missed kicks by Brandon McManus and critical errors by Trevor Lawrence, including a fumble and clock mismanagement, contributed to the deficit. While the second half showed improvement, the 10-point lead handed to the Ravens proved insurmountable. Despite Lawrence’s resilience after a recent high ankle sprain and a solid effort by the defense led by Rayshawn Jenkins, the Jaguars find themselves in a three-way tie at 8-6 in the AFC South.

Baltimore’s Business as Usual:

Baltimore continued its winning streak, securing a fourth consecutive victory. The ground-focused offense, surpassing 200 rushing yards for the second time this season and consistently exceeding 100 yards per game, paired seamlessly with a resilient defense. The Ravens, now the AFC’s first team in the playoffs, exude confidence heading into anticipated matchups against the 49ers and Dolphins.

Notable Game Stat: Lamar Jackson’s 26-yard completion to Isaiah Likely in the third quarter stood out with 7.24 seconds to throw, 1.3 yards of target separation, and an 18.7% completion probability – ranking as Jackson’s second-most improbable completion in 2023.

NFL Research Highlight: Justin Madubuike’s strip sack against the Jaguars solidified his place as the third player (since sacks became official in 1982) to achieve 0.5-plus sacks in 11 consecutive games within a season.

 

     Nick Shook’s Key Observations:

1. Joe Flacco’s Resilience Spurs Browns’ Comeback:

Despite facing adversity with three interceptions and a struggling offensive line, Joe Flacco showcased resilience in his third start with the Browns. The quarterback persevered, connecting with Marquise Goodwin for a crucial 57-yard completion and orchestrating a game-tying drive, highlighted by a well-placed throw to Amari Cooper for a touchdown. Flacco’s late-game magic continued with a 34-yard pass to David Njoku, setting up the go-ahead field goal. The Browns’ improbable comeback adds another chapter to their season marked by overcoming challenges.

2. Bears Squander Defensive Excellence:

Chicago’s defense played exceptionally well, generating three interceptions and benefiting from Montez Sweat’s standout performance with 2.5 sacks. Positioned for an upset win, the Bears faltered in the fourth quarter, allowing Flacco and the Browns to capitalize on chunk plays. Justin Fields’ touchdown pass to Cole Kmet showcased individual brilliance, but the offense struggled overall, managing only 236 yards and converting 4 of 18 third downs. The failure to secure a game-tying field goal in the final seconds overshadowed the positive defensive efforts, potentially impacting Coach Matt Eberflus.

3. Browns Overcome Injuries in Gritty Victory:

Cleveland faced a cascade of injuries, deploying third-string and backup players across the offensive line. Despite the adversity, the Browns didn’t succumb to the challenges, showcasing resilience and determination. Kevin Stefanski’s coaching prowess was evident as the Browns navigated through injuries to secure a crucial win. The team’s ability to persevere underscores Stefanski’s coaching excellence, making him a worthy candidate for Associated Press Coach of the Year.

Notable Game Stat:

Amari Cooper’s effectiveness on in-breaking routes stood out, as he caught three of five targets for 104 yards and a touchdown during the game.

NFL Research Highlight:

Joe Flacco led his first game-winning drive since Week 2 of 2022, a replica that powered the Jets to a stunning win over the Browns in Cleveland.

Eric Edholm’s Key Takeaways:

Rams Secure Victory Despite Ugly Performance:

The Rams faced challenges against one of the NFL’s struggling teams but managed to secure a vital win to maintain their postseason aspirations. Although the game had its less-than-ideal moments, with a slim 3-0 lead midway through the second quarter, the Rams defense held Washington early, forcing four first-half three-and-outs. Despite defensive lapses in the second half, the offense, led by Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, found its rhythm. Stafford’s statistical success, coupled with Kupp’s second consecutive 100-yard receiving game, propelled the Rams to a 20-0 lead.

Commanders Falter During Crucial Game Period:

Washington struggled during the pivotal middle portion of the game, turning a close contest into a three-score advantage for the Rams. A sequence in the final minutes of the first half and the early minutes of the second half proved costly for Washington. Despite the Commanders’ resilience, a 14-0 swing during this game segment ultimately led to their defeat. Mistakes, including a botched punt attempt and a quick touchdown by the Rams, contributed to the Commanders’ fifth consecutive loss.

Kyren Williams’ Mixed Performance:

Kyren Williams, a key offensive player for the Rams since his return from injury, had a productive yet flawed performance. Accumulating 149 rushing yards, Williams contributed significantly to the Rams’ offensive effort. However, two first-half fumbles on Washington’s side of the field tempered his impact. Despite the miscues, Sean McVay continued to trust Williams, who played a role in securing the Rams’ insurmountable lead.

Notable Game Stat: Matthew Stafford’s efficiency in rhythm was showcased as he completed 16 of 17 passes for 196 yards and two TDs with a remarkable CPOE of +23.3%. Since his return from injury in Week 11, Stafford has led the NFL in passing EPA (+34.6) and success rate (55.2%) when in rhythm, facing the second-lowest pressure rate on such throws (29.9%).

NFL Research Highlight: Rams WR Puka Nacua joined an elite group of rookies with nine-plus games of five-plus receptions and 50-plus receiving yards in a season alongside Michael Thomas (2016), Odell Beckham Jr.