Best And Worst Of NFL Week Fifteen

That time of year has arrived. Not only are the holidays in full swing, but we are also now at that point during the NFL season where playoff hopes and early draft picks are are really starting to take shape. New England (AFC East), Denver (AFC West) and Indianapolis (AFC South) have already locked up their respective divisions, while the Arizona Cardinals have their ticket punched for the post season in the NFC. Cleveland continues to fall from grace in the AFC North, while the Packers fall in a surprise upset. Even with losing DeMarco Murray, Dallas overtakes Philadelphia for the lead in the NFC East. While all that's going on in the top of the league, the bottom feeders are fighting out for the top overall pick. Right now Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Tennessee and Oakland are fighting it out for the top pick in next June's draft.

This past weekend went a long way in helping shape the playoff future and the draft future for a lot of teams. Here's some of the highlights from the week that was in the National Football League.

Best:
Derek Anderson, Quarterback Carolina Panthers
For the second time this year, Anderson has come in as the starter in Carolina for an injured Cam Newton. For the second time this season, Anderson has gotten a start against the Buccaneers, winning both games. This past Sunday, Anderson went 25 of 40 for 277 yards and a touchdown. I know he was sacked three times during the game, but still he was able to get the ball out to Greg Olsen and Kelvin Benjamin, who each had 100 yard receiving games. Anderson came in during a big game, allowing the Panthers to keep pace in that weak NFC South.

Worst:
Aaron Rogers, Quarterback Green Bay Packers
Many people had the feeling that, coming into Sunday, Rogers had been leading the pack for the MVP race in the NFL. That may have changed a little this week, as Rodgers suffered through what was probably his worst game as a pro as the Packers stumbled to a 21-13 loss at Buffalo. Rodgers didn't throw a TD and was picked off twice by the Buffalo defense/ This after he had thrown just three INTs in his first 13 starts of the season. He was also stripped of the ball on the Packers' final possession, a miscue that gave the Bills a safety and enabled them to run out the clock after taking possession on the ensuing free kick. Rodgers' 34.3 passer rating was the lowest of his 10-year career. Worst of all, Green Bay fell out of first place in the NFC North and may have fumbled away its shot at securing home-field advantage in the playoffs..

Best:
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, New England Patriots
This dynamic duo seems to always find a way to pull this off. Coming off the strength of the Pats 41-13 win over the Dolphins on Sunday, New England clinched the AFC East crown for the 6th year in a row and the 12th time in the last 14 years. I really don't know what it is but these two guys always find a way to win together, but during the playoffs its a bit of a different story. New England hasn't won a Super Bowl in the last decade.

Worst:
Cleveland Browns Offense
Sure the Johnny Manzel era has begun in Cleveland, but it hasn't gotten off to all that great of a start. Cleveland ran 38 total plays, during which Manziel was awful. He did Manziel things. He broke tackles, and extended plays, and was generally thrilling before throwing the ball to someone on the other team or no one in particular. His two interceptions were horrendous, both coming after he did some scrambling and then lofted a ball downfield. If there is a takeaway from Manziel’s first start, it’s that arm strength may turn out to be a problem.

Best:
Seattle Seahawks Defense
The Legion of Boom and Co. continued their late-season surge and have allowed just 27 points over the last four games after knocking out the 49ers 17-7. Only one of the Seahawks' last nine opponents has surpassed 300 offensive yards.

Worst:
Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach San Francisco 49ers
For the 2nd time in this calender year, the 49ers season has come to an end at the hands of the Seahawks in Seattle. Just 7-4 three weeks ago, the Niners fell to 7-7 after losing twice to Seattle over the last three games. It is the first time San Francisco won't reach the playoffs under Harbaugh, and maybe the last time he'll visit Seattle for a while given he and the 49ers are widely expected to part ways once the season ends.

Best:
Odell Beckham Jr. Wide Receiver New York Giants
This guy just keeps getting better and better every single week. He led all receivers this week in catches with 12, receiving yards with 143 and had his first 3-TD game of his young career. With that, he now has posted at least 90 receiving yards in his last seven games. By the looks of things the past two months, I think it might be safe to say that this guy could now have a hold on the offensive rookie of the year in the league this year, with the way he's been playing.

Worst:
Bradley Fletcher, Cornerback Philadelphia Eagles
He got abused pretty good on Sunday by Cowboys WR Dez Bryant, who found the end zone on three of his six receptions Sunday night while being "covered" by Fletcher. Dallas' 38-27 victory gave it a 10-4 record and sole possession of the NFC East lead

So there you have it, some of the best and worst of the last week in the National Football League!