Week 15 within the NFL introduced loads of eventualities that followers or groups did not see coming.
Forward of the prime-time “Monday Evening Soccer” matchup between the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, tape recorders and microphones captured some genuine quotes all through the week.
Whereas some gamers and coaches remodeled the power from a win into phrases of reward, others selected phrases of reflection and criticism after losses.
From daring one-liners to anthems of reward, listed below are a number of the finest quotes throughout Week 15 within the NFL.
“Hopefully, my sons and people ball gamers that I am accountable for on the college, they’re going to say like, ‘Crap, coach wasn’t scared.'” — Indianapolis Colts QB Philip Rivers
On Dec. 9, Rivers, who had retired from the NFL in January 2021 and hadn’t performed in a recreation for the reason that 2020 season, signed to the Colts’ apply squad after starter Daniel Jones tore his Achilles.
The 44-year-old was activated days later to turn into the Colts’ beginning quarterback in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15 — and proved he nonetheless has it.
Rivers threw for 120 passing yards with a landing and an interception every on 18-of-27 passing in an 18-16 loss.
He grew to become the fifth NFL quarterback to start out a recreation at age 44 or older, becoming a member of Tom Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Steve DeBerg and Warren Moon, based on ESPN Analysis. Rivers was the primary to start out since Brady’s 2022 wild-card recreation in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys.
“There’s not a group within the NFL who would’ve received immediately with me as quarterback.” — Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow
In Joe Burrow’s first recreation again from his turf toe damage in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, he accounted for 261 passing yards and two touchdowns with a 32-14 win.
The roles reversed in Week 15.
Going scoreless in a rematch with the Ravens, Burrow threw for 225 passing yards — and two interceptions, one in all which was a pick-six by Baltimore linebacker Kyle Van Noy, who handed the ball off to security Alohi Gilman to finish the run into the top zone.
Burrow’s two-interception recreation marked his second profession recreation with no touchdowns and a number of interceptions, and first since Week 9 in 2021.
“We nonetheless have a combating probability… Oh we’re out the playoffs? … Success is rented yearly. Typically it do not go the way in which you deliberate for it to go. I feel we realized lots this yr.” — Kansas Metropolis Chiefs DT Chris Jones
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs have been a part of the NFL playoffs yearly since 2014, however issues will look lots totally different this yr. Of their 16-13 loss in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers, quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 189 yards on 16-of-28 passing together with an interception. He did not full a passing landing, however relatively scored one on the bottom.
In Jones’ postgame information convention, he wasn’t conscious Kansas Metropolis was eradicated from playoff rivalry till reporters notified him of the information.
Kansas Metropolis’s elimination marks the primary playoffs since 1998 with out Mahomes, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.
“I do not assume I ever seen Trevor like this. We received a nationwide championship collectively and I really feel like he is simply on the market. He is on hearth, man.” — Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence exploded on Sunday in opposition to the New York Jets. He collected 330 passing yards for 5 passing touchdowns with a speeding rating within the 48-20 win over the Jets.
Lawrence’s efficiency makes him the primary particular person in franchise historical past to account for six touchdowns, based on ESPN Analysis.
Etienne and Lawrence performed school soccer collectively for 3 seasons at Clemson, the place the 2 received a nationwide championship in 2019 with a 44-16 win over Alabama. To Etienne, that is the very best model of Lawrence that he has seen.
“He is Jesus Christ lizard working on water, simply no ball safety, pretend pitching on the finish … Completely simply diabolical conduct by QB1. However I find it irresistible.” — San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle
With 10:03 left within the third quarter, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was unpredictable. On first-and-10, Purdy drop-stepped earlier than discovering a niche and attacking it. He faked out the Tennessee Titans’ protection with a cross pretend, earlier than speeding an additional 10 yards.
Purdy ran the ball up the sideline earlier than decelerating in entrance of the protection and stepping out untouched, finishing a 26-yard rush. Kittle had a memorable description of Purdy’s large run.
He simply maintain going 🤯
📺: FOX
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/GEo8hyUruF— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 14, 2025
After the Philadelphia Eagles went on a three-game shedding streak, they snapped it with a shutout 31-0 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. After the sport, Dean mirrored on quarterback Jalen Hurts’ efficiency, which included three touchdowns on 12-of-15 passing for 175 passing yards.
