NFL 2022 Week 14 Recap

And so, we've hit the last quarter of the season mark. Playoff races are getting tighter, some teams have already had their fate sealed, while others have minimal hopes of making a postseason berth. Today, we'll take a look at this past week which included an improbable, but sensational comeback effort and win by Baker Mayfield and the Rams, the Eagles being the first team to clinch a playoff berth, and the NFC and AFC South proving they're the worst divisions in the NFL this season.

Photo: Nic Antaya/Getty Images

---

Week 15 Power Rankings

Teams to Note

Detroit Lions (Rose 6 spots)

Don't look now, but the Lions may very well be the hottest team in football. They are 5-1 in their last 6 games after starting 1-6, and they rank top 3 in terms of offensive yards, efficiency, and scoring in this stretch. Their defense has also improved as they sit in the middle of the pack in terms of total defense in the past 6 games as well. With a win this week, they'll be a half game out of a wild card spot.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Dropped 3 spots)

If not for playing in the lowly NFC South, the Bucs would have a slim shot at making playoffs. Alas, they are in the worst division in football and hold a firm, 1 game lead for the division title - all thanks to a MNF 14-point comeback with 4 minutes left in the game. Brady has been struggling lately, their receivers cant separate, and the defense in crumbling. I'll be shocked if they clinch playoffs before Week 18, if at all.

Jacksonville Jaguars (Rose 3 spots)

Similar to the Lions, the Jags have been on a tear lately and are one of the most fun teams to watch. Doug Pederson has the offense clicking, and defensive studs like Tyson Campbell and Josh Allen are locking in as leaders on this defense. To boot, rookie Travon Walker seems to be hitting his stride as of late. It'll be a stretch, but the Jags have a legit shot to make it to the post-season with an AFC South division title in sight.

Week 14 Awards

AFC Offensive MVP: Trevor Lawrence vs Tennessee Titans

AFC Defensive MVP: Josh Uche vs Arizona Cardinals

AFC Trench Tyrant: Orlando Brown Jr vs Denver Broncos

AFC Special Teams MVP: Cameron Dicker vs Miami Dolphins

NFC Offensive MVP: Justin Jefferson vs Detroit Lions

NFC Defensive MVP: Jaycee Horn vs Seattle Seahawks

NFC Trench Tyrant: Coleman Shelton vs Las Vegas Raiders

NFC Special Teams MVP: Eddy Pineiro vs Seattle Seahawks

Award Winners to Note

Coleman Shelton - Who? Coleman Shelton, that's who. He had a terrific game blocking for Baker Mayfield, as he allowed no pressures on 44 pass block snaps. His 88.0 pass block grade ranked 3rd in the entire NFL last week, and he had the 2nd highest overall grade among all offensive linemen at 82.7.

Jaycee Horn - Horn's a guy that won't light up a stat sheet, but man does he have some incredible skills that not many other corners in the league have. His ability to bait QBs into what are seemingly wide-open throws is a rare talent, and he has massive range when playing the pass game as well. He broke up a pass, picked one off, and had a dropped pick which could've easily been his second. He also allowed a 38.5 passer rating, along with 4 receptions on 8 targets, with an average depth of 14.6 yards per target. He put that all together in an upset win against the Seahawks, and they now sit one game behind the Bucs for the division lead.

Trevor Lawrence - T-Law just had the best game of his young career, and you can back that up through film and his stat sheet. He made multiple off balance throws and was still able to hit guys in stride, while also showing his poise in the pocket under pressure to make precise touch passes. He totaled 368 yards and 3 TDs, as well as an adjusted completion rate of 84.2%. Add in a rushing score, and he nearly had a 5-TD day, if not for an easy catch that was dropped by Zay Jones.

Photo: Chanelle Smith-Walker/Carolina Panthers

Key Fantasy Players Recap (Week 14)

QB: Ryan Tannehill vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Projected - 14.9

Actual - 17.76

Results - Boomed

RB: James Cook vs New York Jets

Projected - 9.8

Actual - 2.5

Results - Busted

WR: Nelson Agholor vs Arizona Cardinals

Projected - 7.0

Actual - 8.2

Results - Pushed

TE: Greg Dulcich vs Kansas City Chiefs

Projected - 9.4

Actual - 7.2

Results - Busted

D/ST: Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns

Projected - 5.5

Actual - 7.0

Results - Boomed

K: Cameron Dicker vs Miami Dolphins

Projected - 7.5

Actual - 11.0

Results - Boomed

Week 14 Total: 3 Boomed, 1 Pushed, 2 Busted

Yearly Total: 22 Boomed, 8 Pushed, 18 Busted

Key Fantasy Players for Week 15

QB: Andy Dalton vs Atlanta Falcons (proj. 14.5)

With Desmond Ridder starting on the other side, expect some offensive mistakes from the Falcons to give Dalton and the Saints more chances than normal to score.

RB: Dare Ogunbowale vs Kansas City Chiefs (proj. 6.8)

With Dameon Pierce out, Dare brings some power running and solid pass catching skills out of the backfield that should help the Texans put up some good numbers.

WR: Elijah Moore vs Detroit Lions (proj. 10.5)

With Zach Wilson needing to prove himself as the starter, he'll need all the help he can get. Expect Elijah Moore to be targeted more than he normally does when Zach is at the helm.

TE: Chigoziem Okonkwo vs Los Angeles Chargers (proj. 8.9)

Chigo has slowly turned into the main TE option for this offense, and this should be the best game of his rookie season.

D/ST: Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns (proj. 7.5)

You guys get it at this point...also David Ojabo is officially active which makes me happy.

K: Brandon McManus vs Arizona Cardinals (proj. 6.6)

Both the Broncos and Cardinals are in shambles, so expect both offenses to pull some tricks out to try and put up multiple scores on each other.

Photo: Kara Durrette/NFL

End of Year Awards Tracker

This is a new addition to the weekly recaps, where from now until Week 18, I'll be listing the top 3 people for each award in no particular order. I think it's still too early to call most awards, and this will also keep my favorites for each award a mystery until I dish them out at the end of the year.

Comeback Player of the Year

1. Saquon Barkley

2. Derrick Henry

3. Christian McCaffrey

Most Improved Player

1. Justin Fields

2. Geno Smith

3. Tua Tagovailoa

Defensive Rookie of the Year

1. Sauce Gardner

2. Aidan Hutchison

3. Tariq Woolen

Offensive Rookie of the Year

1. Chris Olave

2. Kenneth Walker III

3. Garrett Wilson

Trench Tyrant of the Year

1. Chris Lindstrom

2. Trent Williams

3. Tristan Wirfs

Special Teams Player of the Year

1. Daniel Carlson

2. Jason Myers

3. Justin Tucker

Defensive Player of the Year

1. Nick Bosa

2. Myles Garrett

3. Micah Parsons

Offensive Player of the Year

1. Tyreek Hill

2. Josh Jacobs

3. Justin Jefferson

Coach of the Year

1. Mike McDaniel

2. Kevin O'Connell

3. Nick Sirianni

Most Valuable Player

1. Joe Burrow

2. Jalen Hurts

3. Patrick Mahomes

---

We're in the home stretch now. Can teams like the Lions, Jags, and even the Rams somehow make playoffs? Or will the leading teams hold their own and maintain their steady leads for post-season clinching spots? It'll be a wild finish that should come down to the wire.