NFL Week 14: Biggest Winners and Losers from a Wild Sunday of Playoff Implications
Week 14 delivered exactly what December football is supposed to: high stakes, big-time performances, and a few gut-punch losses that could linger well into January. With division leads on the line and playoff positioning tightening, several teams and players stepped up in a big way - while others may have just watched their postseason hopes slip through their fingers.
Let’s break down the biggest winners and losers from a pivotal Sunday around the league.
Winners
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
If you’re looking for a reason the Bills are still a legitimate threat in the AFC, start - and probably end - with No.
- Josh Allen was at his absolute best in snowy conditions, completing 22-of-28 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, with zero turnovers.
He added 78 rushing yards on nine carries, including a 40-yard touchdown that reminded everyone just how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands. MVP-level stuff, plain and simple.
The Bills may be flawed, but with Allen playing like this, they’re never out of the fight.
Mike Tomlin, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
A week ago, fans in Pittsburgh were chanting for his job.
This week, Tomlin’s Steelers beat the division-leading Ravens 27-22 and reclaimed first place in the AFC North. That’s the kind of response you want from a locker room - and it’s a testament to the culture Tomlin has built.
Say what you want about the offense or the inconsistency, but his players still go to battle for him. That matters, especially in December.
J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings
It’s been a bumpy ride for McCarthy since entering the league - injuries, uneven play, and plenty of questions about his ceiling. But Sunday was a glimpse of what the Vikings hoped they were getting.
He went 16-of-23 with three touchdown passes in a dominant 31-0 win over the Commanders. It wasn’t just the numbers - it was the poise, the command of the offense, and the confidence.
If this is the version of McCarthy Minnesota gets going forward, the future just got a lot more interesting.
Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ offense has plenty of stars, but on Sunday, it was Corum’s turn to shine.
The rookie running back carved up the Cardinals for 128 yards on just 12 carries, finding the end zone twice in a 45-17 blowout. He showed burst, vision, and power - and gave the Rams yet another playmaker to lean on down the stretch.
With Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua already cooking, Corum’s emergence could be a game-changer.
Keisean Nixon, DB, Green Bay Packers
The Packers are now sitting atop the NFC North after a 28-21 win over the Bears, and Nixon made the play that sealed it.
His late-game interception shut the door on Chicago’s comeback hopes and kept Green Bay’s momentum rolling. It wasn’t just a clutch play - it was the kind of moment that can define a season for a team trying to reassert itself as a contender.
Losers
Indianapolis Colts’ Playoff Hopes
This one hurts.
The Colts were already walking a tightrope, but the season-ending Achilles injury to Daniel Jones feels like the final blow. Without their starting quarterback and with a tough schedule ahead, the odds are stacked against them.
They’re now a game behind the Jaguars and don’t hold the tiebreaker. It’s not impossible, but the margin for error is gone.
Baltimore Ravens’ Grip on the AFC North
For a while, it felt like the Ravens were dodging every bullet - close games, weather delays, you name it.
But the magic might be fading. They’ve now dropped two straight and haven’t looked sharp in weeks.
The offense is sputtering, and the defense isn’t bailing them out like it was earlier in the season. The division is still within reach, but the rest of the AFC North isn’t exactly elite - and that’s the only thing keeping Baltimore in the mix right now.
New York Jets’ Playoff Drought
Fifteen years.
That’s how long it’s been since the Jets made the postseason - the longest active drought in the NFL. Sunday didn’t change that, and at this point, it’s hard to see how or when it ends.
The Jets’ defense has talent, but the offense continues to be a black hole. They’re not just stuck in neutral - they’re going backward.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Defense
Joe Burrow is back.
The offense is humming. The Bengals are putting up 30 points again - and still losing.
That’s a tough pill to swallow. The defense gave up more than 33 points in another loss, wasting a strong offensive effort.
If Cincinnati is going to make a late push, the defense has to get right - and fast.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The NFC South is wide open, and the Bucs had a golden opportunity to take control.
Instead, they fell flat against the Saints, losing to Tyler Shough and a New Orleans team that’s been wildly inconsistent. Baker Mayfield threw for just 122 yards, and the offense never found a rhythm.
If Tampa misses the playoffs by a game, this is the one they’ll look back on and wonder how they let it slip away.
Final Word
Week 14 didn’t just shake up the standings - it gave us a clearer picture of which teams are built for the stretch run.
The Bills reminded us they still have one of the league’s most dangerous weapons. The Steelers showed they’re not going quietly.
And the Rams might have found another gear. Meanwhile, for teams like the Colts, Ravens, and Bucs, the margin for error is getting razor-thin.
December football is here, and every snap matters.