NFL Week 15 Recap

NEW YORK, N.Y.; December 15th, 2025.

Week 15 delivered one of the most revealing slates of the season, a Sunday defined by sharp execution, exposed weaknesses, and clear separation between teams capable of finishing and those still searching for identity. Across every window, games followed different scripts but shared one constant: moments mattered. Turnovers flipped outcomes, quarterbacks either rose or unraveled under pressure, and defensive units made statements that will echo into January. What follows is a full, evenly weighted breakdown of every matchup from the day, with each game given equal space, equal depth, and equal attention to the players and moments that shaped it.

Atlanta Falcons 29, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28

For three quarters, Tampa Bay dictated the game. Baker Mayfield operated efficiently, distributing the ball to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin while the Buccaneers built a two-score lead through steady, mistake-free offense. Atlanta struggled to sustain drives early, failing to capitalize on limited opportunities and entering the fourth quarter trailing by 14.

The game flipped when the Falcons abandoned balance and leaned fully into Kirk Cousins’ arm. Cousins attacked the middle of the field relentlessly, repeatedly targeting Kyle Pitts, who dominated coverage with contested catches and precise route-running. Pitts became the centerpiece of Atlanta’s comeback, converting multiple long third downs and scoring twice to close the gap.

Defensively, the defining moment arrived when Dee Alford intercepted Mayfield late in the fourth quarter, halting a drive that could have sealed the game. That takeaway set up Atlanta’s final possession, where Cousins calmly moved the Falcons into field-goal range. Zane Gonzalez delivered the decisive kick, completing a stunning comeback.

Tampa Bay’s loss stemmed not from lack of production, but from failure to close. Missed opportunities to drain clock and defensive breakdowns under pressure erased an otherwise controlled performance.

Baltimore Ravens 24, Cincinnati Bengals 0

Baltimore delivered a defensive masterclass, shutting out Cincinnati in a game that never found balance. From the opening series, the Ravens’ pass rush collapsed the pocket, forcing Joe Burrow into hurried throws and eliminating downfield rhythm. Cincinnati moved the ball sporadically but never sustained drives or threatened the end zone.

The Ravens’ secondary, led by Marlon Humphrey, limited yards after the catch and erased explosive plays. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy provided the pivotal moment, intercepting Burrow and returning the ball deep into Bengals territory, directly setting up points that extended Baltimore’s control.

Offensively, Baltimore emphasized discipline. Lamar Jackson avoided turnovers and delivered timely throws, while Derrick Henry imposed a physical presence that controlled tempo and field position. Long, methodical drives kept Cincinnati’s defense on the field and steadily drained resistance.

By the second half, the outcome was no longer in doubt. Baltimore tightened coverage, forced punts, and preserved the shutout with composure. The performance reinforced the Ravens’ identity as a defense-first contender capable of dictating games without offensive excess.

Philadelphia Eagles 31, Las Vegas Raiders 0

Philadelphia’s shutout of Las Vegas was comprehensive and unrelenting. From the opening drive, the Eagles controlled tempo with a balanced offensive approach, mixing run and pass to keep the Raiders off balance. Jalen Hurts played efficiently, spreading the ball and avoiding unnecessary risks.

Dallas Goedert emerged as a primary weapon, exploiting mismatches in coverage and scoring twice. A.J. Brown added a touchdown of his own, while the run game consistently produced positive gains that sustained drives and controlled possession.

Defensively, Philadelphia overwhelmed Las Vegas. The Raiders struggled with protection, repeatedly facing third-and-long situations that played directly into the Eagles’ strengths. The pass rush disrupted timing, the secondary limited separation, and Las Vegas never reached the red zone.

The result was a complete shutdown across all phases. Philadelphia dictated every aspect of the game, showcasing depth, discipline, and cohesion in one of the league’s most dominant performances of the season.

Houston Texans 40, Arizona Cardinals 20

Houston continued its late-season rise with a confident win over Arizona, built on offensive balance and steady execution. C.J. Stroud commanded the offense with poise, delivering accurate throws and managing tempo as the Texans built an early lead.

The Texans mixed efficient passing with a complementary run game, preventing Arizona from committing fully to coverage. Receivers consistently found space, turning short completions into extended gains through yards after the catch. Houston converted third downs at a high rate, keeping drives alive and maintaining scoreboard pressure.

Arizona showed flashes offensively but struggled defensively. Missed tackles and coverage breakdowns allowed Houston to extend drives and maintain separation. As the game progressed, the Cardinals were forced into a reactive posture, limiting their ability to control tempo.

Houston’s defense tightened in the second half, forcing punts and preventing Arizona from mounting a sustained comeback. The result reflected a team growing more comfortable in its identity and executing with consistency.

San Francisco 49ers 37, Tennessee Titans 24

San Francisco’s win over Tennessee was built on balance, efficiency, and control, the kind of performance that never feels chaotic but steadily suffocates the opponent. The 49ers established rhythm early behind quarterback Brock Purdy, who distributed the ball decisively and avoided negative plays. Purdy consistently hit Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel on intermediate routes, forcing the Titans’ secondary to defend the entire width of the field.

Christian McCaffrey anchored the offense with his usual versatility, contributing both as a runner and receiver while keeping Tennessee’s linebackers frozen. His ability to turn short gains into manageable second and third downs allowed San Francisco to dictate tempo and keep drives alive. The 49ers converted repeatedly in the red zone, a key separator as the game progressed.

Tennessee stayed competitive early behind physical running and short passing, but stalled drives proved costly. Turnovers in the second half swung momentum firmly in San Francisco’s direction. Defensively, the 49ers leaned on Nick Bosa and their front four to collapse the pocket, limiting Tennessee quarterback options and forcing hurried throws. Each defensive stop reinforced San Francisco’s control until the outcome was settled.

Minnesota Vikings 34, Dallas Cowboys 26

Minnesota’s win over Dallas was a lesson in finishing. From the opening quarter, the Vikings capitalized on opportunities while the Cowboys repeatedly left points on the field. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy delivered one of his most composed performances, throwing efficiently and adding a rushing touchdown that extended drives when coverage tightened.

Justin Jefferson drew constant attention from Dallas’ secondary, opening space for Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson to exploit underneath routes. Minnesota’s offense consistently converted in scoring territory, turning sustained drives into touchdowns rather than field goal attempts.

Dallas moved the ball effectively behind Dak Prescott, who found CeeDee Lamb repeatedly between the 20s. However, missed field goals and stalled red-zone possessions proved decisive. Minnesota’s defense bent but did not break, forcing Dallas to execute long, mistake-free drives that ultimately collapsed under pressure. The Vikings’ ability to capitalize on mistakes defined the game.

Buffalo Bills 35, New England Patriots 31

Buffalo’s comeback against New England unfolded as a test of poise. The Patriots jumped out early behind efficient quarterback play and opportunistic defense, building a multi-score lead that forced Buffalo to abandon its initial rhythm.

Josh Allen responded by taking control of the game. He extended plays with his legs, connected with Stefon Diggs on critical third downs, and leaned on James Cook to keep the offense balanced. Buffalo’s scoring drives grew more methodical as the game progressed, steadily erasing the deficit.

Defensively, the Bills adjusted coverage and pressured New England’s quarterback into quicker decisions. A pair of second-half stops shifted momentum fully to Buffalo, allowing Allen to lead a go-ahead drive that changed the complexion of the game. Late defensive discipline sealed the win, completing one of the Bills’ most resilient performances of the season.

Jacksonville Jaguars 48, New York Jets 20

Jacksonville overwhelmed the Jets with pace and precision from the opening possession. Trevor Lawrence delivered a franchise-defining performance, throwing five touchdown passes and adding another on the ground. He spread the ball efficiently, finding Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram in space throughout the game.

Running back Travis Etienne Jr. was relentless, turning checkdowns and short runs into explosive gains while scoring multiple times. Jacksonville’s offense attacked mismatches relentlessly, forcing New York’s defense into constant adjustment.

The Jets struggled to respond. Turnovers by the offense, combined with protection breakdowns, placed the defense in impossible positions. By halftime, Jacksonville had built an insurmountable lead. The second half focused on control rather than aggression, as the Jaguars maintained possession and closed the game professionally.

Chicago Bears 31, Cleveland Browns 3

Chicago dominated Cleveland in every phase, delivering its most complete performance of the season. Quarterback Justin Fields managed the game effectively, using his mobility to extend drives and finding D.J. Moore on key completions. The Bears’ offense capitalized on short fields and finished drives with efficiency.

Defensively, Chicago smothered Cleveland. Myles Garrett was neutralized by quick throws and disciplined protection schemes, while the Bears’ pass rush disrupted Cleveland’s quarterback consistently. The Browns failed to establish a run game and struggled to convert third downs.

By the second half, the outcome was clear. Chicago maintained control, avoided mistakes, and dictated tempo, while Cleveland never found traction. The score reflected a comprehensive imbalance in execution.

New Orleans Saints 20, Carolina Panthers 17

New Orleans and Carolina delivered a grind-it-out divisional matchup defined by defense and field position. Saints quarterback Derek Carr leaned on short throws to Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara, prioritizing ball security and manageable gains.

Carolina countered with a conservative approach of its own, but struggled to finish drives. Missed opportunities in scoring territory kept the Panthers chasing points. Defensively, both teams tightened near the goal line, forcing field goals rather than touchdowns.

The decisive sequence came late, when New Orleans sustained a clock-draining drive that limited Carolina’s final opportunity. The Saints’ discipline and situational awareness proved the difference in a tightly contested game.

Los Angeles Rams 41, Detroit Lions 34

The Rams and Lions traded punches in one of the most entertaining games of the week. Matthew Stafford delivered a vintage performance, connecting repeatedly with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua to stretch Detroit’s secondary. Los Angeles converted critical third downs and consistently finished drives.

Detroit answered behind Jared Goff, who found Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta in stride throughout the game. The Lions’ offense moved the ball efficiently, but missed opportunities in the red zone proved costly.

Late in the fourth quarter, Stafford engineered a drive that drained clock and sealed the win. The Rams’ ability to execute under pressure, particularly in scoring situations, separated them in a shootout defined by slim margins.

Seattle Seahawks 18, Indianapolis Colts 16

Seattle’s narrow win over Indianapolis was dictated by defense and discipline. Geno Smith managed the offense conservatively, leaning on DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to convert key third downs while avoiding turnovers.

Indianapolis countered with physical defense and timely pressure, but struggled to sustain drives. The Seahawks’ defense tightened in the red zone, forcing field goals instead of touchdowns.

A late stop by Seattle’s secondary preserved the victory, as Indianapolis failed to convert on a critical possession. The game hinged on execution in low-scoring situations rather than explosive plays.

Los Angeles Chargers 16, Kansas City Chiefs 13

The Chargers stunned Kansas City by limiting the Chiefs’ explosive potential. Justin Herbert managed the game efficiently, connecting with Keenan Allen and leaning on short throws to control possession.

Defensively, Los Angeles disrupted Patrick Mahomes’ timing, forcing extended drives and limiting yards after the catch. The Chargers’ pass rush prevented Kansas City from finding rhythm, particularly on third down.

A late defensive stand sealed the upset, as the Chargers protected a slim lead through disciplined execution and clock control.

Denver Broncos 34, Green Bay Packers 26

Denver capitalized on turnovers and field position to defeat Green Bay. Russell Wilson delivered timely throws, finding Courtland Sutton in scoring situations while the run game maintained balance.

Green Bay remained competitive behind Jordan Love, but struggled with turnovers and stalled drives. Denver’s defense applied steady pressure, forcing hurried decisions that swung momentum.

The Broncos converted opportunities efficiently, maintaining control through the second half and closing out the win.

Washington Commanders 29, New York Giants 21

Washington controlled its matchup with the Giants through efficiency and opportunism. Quarterback Sam Howell distributed the ball effectively, connecting with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson to extend drives.

Defensively, the Commanders capitalized on mistakes, generating short fields and converting them into points. New York showed flashes behind its skill players, but failed to sustain momentum.

Washington dictated tempo from start to finish, closing out the game with disciplined execution and clock management.

At the Appalachian Post, our sports coverage is built on accuracy, clarity, and respect for the game. We report results the way they happen: cleanly, directly, and without exaggeration. Every recap focuses on the key plays, momentum shifts, and performances that define each matchup. We avoid speculation, bias, and hype, choosing instead to highlight the real story on the field, court, and ice. Our goal is to keep fans informed, grounded, and connected to the teams and leagues they love through straightforward, trustworthy reporting.

Sources

Primary First-Hand Sources

• NFL Game Center official play-by-play logs and game summaries
• NFL.com official condensed games and highlight packages
• San Francisco 49ers official game recap and postgame notes
• Tennessee Titans official game recap and box score
• Minnesota Vikings official game recap
• Dallas Cowboys official game recap
• Buffalo Bills official game recap
• New England Patriots official game recap
• Jacksonville Jaguars official game recap
• New York Jets official game recap
• Chicago Bears official game recap
• Cleveland Browns official game recap
• New Orleans Saints official game recap
• Carolina Panthers official game recap
• Los Angeles Rams official game recap
• Detroit Lions official game recap
• Seattle Seahawks official game recap
• Indianapolis Colts official game recap
• Los Angeles Chargers official game recap
• Kansas City Chiefs official game recap
• Denver Broncos official game recap
• Green Bay Packers official game recap
• Washington Commanders official game recap
• New York Giants official game recap

Secondary Attribution-Based Sources

• ESPN NFL game summaries, box scores, and drive charts
• ESPN Sunday Night Football recap and analysis
• Pro Football Focus game recaps and snap-count summaries
• Reuters NFL game reports for Week 15, December 14th, 2025