NFL Week 14: Five Performances That Fell Flat on Sunday
Week 14 brought plenty of fireworks across the league - but not everyone was lighting up the scoreboard for the right reasons. While some teams are surging toward the playoffs, others are struggling to stay afloat. From coaching decisions that left fans scratching their heads to units that simply didn’t show up, here are five performances from Sunday that missed the mark in a big way.
1. Arizona Cardinals Defense: No Answers, No Resistance
The Cardinals’ defense didn’t just have a bad day - it had a no-show. In a 45-17 rout at the hands of the Rams, Arizona looked overwhelmed from the opening snap. This wasn’t just another loss for a 3-10 team; it was a performance that raised serious questions about the direction under head coach Jonathan Gannon, whose defensive pedigree was supposed to be a strength.
Rams rookie running back Blake Corum had a breakout game, torching Arizona for 128 yards on just 12 carries - that’s a blistering 10.7 yards per attempt - and punched in two touchdowns. Matthew Stafford, meanwhile, looked every bit the veteran star, carving up the Cardinals secondary for 281 yards and three scores on 22-of-31 passing.
By the time the final whistle blew, the Rams had racked up 530 total yards - their highest total against Arizona since 2019. That’s not just a bad day at the office; that’s a system failure. With four games left, Gannon’s defense needs to show signs of life - or this could be a short-lived tenure in the desert.
2. Kevin Stefanski’s Costly Call in Cleveland
Shedeur Sanders gave the Browns everything he had in a gutsy performance against Tennessee. The rookie quarterback threw for 364 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns - a huge step forward for a player still finding his footing in the league. But when it mattered most, he was standing on the sideline.
Trailing 31-29 after a furious rally, the Browns lined up for a potential game-tying two-point conversion. Instead of putting the ball in Sanders' hands, head coach Kevin Stefanski dialed up a wildcat play with rookie running back Quinshon Judkins - and it backfired spectacularly. Judkins appeared to misread the reverse option, scrambled aimlessly, and tossed a desperate pass across the field that had no shot of being caught.
It was a baffling decision in a critical moment, and one that overshadowed Sanders’ impressive outing. The rookie QB had earned the right to take that snap. Instead, a gadget play cost Cleveland a shot at overtime - and possibly momentum in a season that’s quickly slipping away.
3. Atlanta Falcons Special Teams Collapse
For a half, the Falcons looked like they might hang with the surging Seahawks. But one special teams lapse changed everything.
Right out of the halftime break, Seattle’s Rashid Shaheed - a midseason pickup from the Saints - took the opening kickoff 100 yards to the house. That explosive return flipped the game on its head and sparked a second-half avalanche. Seattle outscored Atlanta 31-3 after the break, coasting to a 37-9 blowout win.
Head coach Raheem Morris didn’t mince words afterward, calling the play “back-breaking.” And he’s right - in a game that was tied 3-3 early and still within reach at halftime, giving up a momentum-shifting return like that is a killer.
To make matters worse, Atlanta’s field goal unit also had a kick blocked earlier in the game, squandering great field position after an interception. With the offense struggling, the defense leaking points, and now special teams falling apart, it’s hard to pinpoint what this team does well right now.
4. Rookie Quarterbacks Thrown Into the Fire
It was a tough Sunday for two young quarterbacks who were thrust into action under less-than-ideal circumstances - and the results were about what you’d expect.
In Indianapolis, rookie Riley Leonard was called upon after Daniel Jones went down with a ruptured Achilles. The sixth-round pick looked overwhelmed in his first real NFL action, completing 18-of-29 passes for just 145 yards and tossing an interception in a 36-19 loss to the Jaguars. The Colts are still in the playoff hunt at 8-5, but losing Jones and relying on a raw rookie could derail their momentum.
Meanwhile, the Jets were forced to turn to undrafted rookie Brady Cook after Tyrod Taylor exited with a groin injury. Cook’s debut was a rough one - 14-of-30 for 163 yards, two interceptions, and six sacks in a 34-10 loss to the red-hot Dolphins. With Justin Fields also sidelined due to a knee injury, New York may be looking at another week of Cook under center.
Both young QBs showed flashes, but they’ll need to take major steps - and quickly - if they’re going to keep their teams competitive down the stretch.
5. Washington Commanders Defense: Making Things Too Easy
If you’re a struggling quarterback looking for a get-right game, Washington’s defense is starting to look like your best friend.
Minnesota rookie J.J. McCarthy came into Sunday’s game in a serious slump - the Vikings hadn’t scored a touchdown in 23 straight possessions.
That drought ended quickly. McCarthy led a crisp opening-drive touchdown, then later orchestrated a 98-yard, 12-minute march down the field - the Vikings' longest drive since the turn of the century.
McCarthy finished 16-of-23 for 163 yards and three touchdowns, posting a career-best 129.2 passer rating - nearly 31 points higher than his previous high. Simply put, Washington made him look like a seasoned pro.
For head coach Dan Quinn, a defensive specialist, this performance is hard to defend. The Commanders came into the game ranked 31st in total defense and 28th in scoring defense, and those numbers aren’t getting any better after this one. Injuries on offense have taken some of the heat off Quinn, but the defense’s lack of competitiveness is a glaring issue.
Final Word
Every NFL Sunday has its heroes and heartbreaks, but Week 14 delivered some particularly painful moments for these teams and individuals. Whether it was a questionable coaching call, a unit falling apart at the worst possible time, or a rookie struggling under the spotlight, these performances serve as reminders that in this league, the margin for error is razor-thin - and the consequences of falling short are very real.