Some of the best quarterbacks in the league heated up in NFL Week 15, while others were hit with an arctic bomb cyclone of misfortune.
The best of the best took place on Thursday night, which is as good a place to start as any. These were the best and worst quarterback performances from NFL Week 15.
Best: Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Forget about NFL Week 15. Lamar Jackson is the best quarterback of the 2019 season. Period.
The second-year Ravens star had yet another legendary game Thursday night as the Ravens clinched the AFC North — which is clearly not enough for this young star, by the way.
Tossing an absurd five touchdown passes on 15-of-23 attempts, Jackson also broke multiple records on Thursday night to cement his status as the NFL MVP in 2019.
Worst: David Blough, Detroit Lions
The Lions are spiraling down the drain. They lost their seventh game in a row Sunday as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won in blowout fashion, 38-17. Along the way, undrafted rookie quarterback David Blough had his second straight forgettable game.
Completing 24-of-43 attempts for 260 yards, Blough tossed two second-half interceptions, one of which was taken to the house for six by Bucs cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting.
It’s hard to blame Blough for his struggles. He was put into an impossible situation and is doing the best he can.
Best: Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It didn’t look like Jameis Winston was going to have a good game when he tossed a brutal interception on the opening drive. So often, mistakes like this lead to an avalanche that buries the quarterback and his team. But on Sunday, Winston bounced back in a big way, putting on an incredible show.
Winston led a touchdown-scoring drive on his next possession and went on to put up jaw-dropping stats the rest of the way. Completing 28-of-42 passes, he threw for 458 yards and four touchdowns, setting an NFL record in the process.
Worst: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Folks, Andy Dalton is not coming back to Cincinnati next year. He’s never been great, and in recent years the veteran has been pretty bad. That describes his outing Sunday against the New England Patriots.
All told, Dalton completed 17-of-31 passes for 151 yards with one touchdown and four back-breaking interceptions as Cincinnati lost 34-13.
Best: Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
For the second week in a row, Carson Wentz willed the Eagles to victory in a comeback situation, despite having barely any healthy receivers to work with in the passing game.
Showing out in a big way during the second half, Wentz led two go-ahead touchdown-scoring drives and cemented the win with a touchdown pass to Greg Ward Jr.
Showing incredible grit throughout the past two weeks, Wentz finished Sunday’s huge win with 266 yards and three huge touchdown passes on 30-of-43 passing.
Worst: Kyle Allen, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers had a real chance to beat the Seattle Seahawks at home Sunday, but Kyle Allen made too many mistakes and ultimately they fell short. Allen threw three costly interceptions against Seattle.
Two of the interceptions Allen threw took place well in Seattle territory. The first took place just before halftime and killed Carolina’s chance to put points on the board. The second ended an 11-play drive. The third led to points for the Seahawks late in the third quarter.
Since opening his season on fire, Allen has cooled off significantly and has thrown 15 interceptions in his last eight games.
Best: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had no trouble dispatching the Denver Broncos while playing in a snow globe also known as Arrowhead Stadium, and Patrick Mahomes was a big reason why.
The third-year quarterback got his two stars, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, involved early. Kelce ended up setting an NFL record Sunday while piling up 142 yards on 11 catches. Hill caught two touchdowns in the first half, the second of which turned into a snow-angel celebration by Chiefs players.
Mahomes and the Chiefs had a ton of fun winning 23-3. Along the way, the reigning MVP passed for 340 yards and two touchdowns.
Worst: Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers
It sure looks like the end is nigh for Philip Rivers as it pertains to his time with the Chargers. One weekend after coming alive with an awesome three-touchdown performance in a win against Jacksonville, Rivers went back to his interception-prone ways.
The Minnesota Vikings feasted off of Rivers, tallying three interceptions while handing the Chargers a 39-10 beat-down of a loss. The veteran managed to toss the ball around to the tune of 307 yards and a touchdown. But those three picks, along with a lost fumble, sunk his team’s chance at even competing with the Vikings.
Best: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys laid waste to the Los Angeles Rams to keep pace with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East. They finally saw the ground game take precedence over what we’ve seen lately with Dak Prescott throwing the ball all over the yard.
On a day that Dallas didn’t need Prescott to unload 50 passes, he did the most with his limited opportunities. Completing 15-of-23 passes, Prescott passed for 212 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He managed the game perfectly, and the Cowboys looked like a competent team for the first time in weeks.
Worst: Devlin Hodges, Pittsburgh Steelers
In a must-win game with the entire nation watching on Sunday night, Devlin Hodges committed sins head coach Mike Tomlin will have a hard time forgiving. Pittsburgh’s defense was outstanding as usual, which is why Tomlin has one rule for his quarterbacks this year: Don’t turn it over.
Going against what’s made him a reliable player for Pittsburgh, Hodges turned the ball over four times in a very close, very winnable game for the Steelers. The undrafted rookie finished the game with 202 yards, one touchdown and four back-breaking interceptions.