Week 15 Passing Matchups

Go here for this week's Rushing Matchups.

Top 5 Passing Matchups

New York Jets at Jacksonville

Aaron Rodgers may be 40 years old, but his Week 14 performance suggests he still has some gas left in the tank. Last Sunday, Rodgers recorded his first 300-yard game in nearly three years, completing 27 of 39 passes for 339 yards and a touchdown. Importantly, this output came entirely in regulation, as the Jets never possessed the ball in overtime. This impressive outing could signal a potential late-season resurgence as Rodgers evaluates his 2025 plans. The veteran quarterback appears to be building a strong rapport with Garrett Wilson, who has consistently showcased his versatility and downfield ability. Wilson has seamlessly coexisted with Davante Adams, averaging 6 catches for 68 yards in their seven games together, compared to Adams' 6 for 65. Wilson, however, has demonstrated greater week-to-week upside, creating mismatches across the formation and topping seven receptions in four games this season—three of those with Adams in the lineup. This burgeoning chemistry bodes well for the Jets' passing attack.

The Jacksonville pass defense remains one of the NFL's weakest units despite a solid Week 14 showing against Will Levis. Even after that game, the Jaguars rank 31st in passing yards allowed and dead last in yards per attempt. Their struggles have been consistent throughout the season, as evidenced by recent outings against Jared Goff and Lions backup Hendon Hooker (449 yards and 4 touchdowns combined), as well as midseason performances from rookies Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Even Joe Flacco had a standout performance against them, further underscoring this unit's deficiencies. Young cornerbacks Tyson Campbell and Jarrian Jones show promise but lack the necessary support from a porous secondary and a lackluster pass rush. Jacksonville's defense ranks near the bottom of the league in quarterback pressures, making life even harder on an already struggling secondary. Without significant upgrades, it's difficult to see this unit containing a reinvigorated Rodgers and a surging Jets passing attack. Garrett Wilson, in particular, looks primed to exploit the Jaguars' vulnerabilities and could be in for a monster outing.

Minnesota vs Chicago

Sam Darnold appears to have shaken off his midseason struggles and is now operating at a high level for the Vikings. Over the last four games, Darnold has completed 68% of his passes while averaging 9.3 yards per attempt, throwing 11 touchdowns without an interception. He's increasingly becoming a dynamic playmaker for the offense, maximizing the talent around him. Justin Jefferson has remained a key focal point, tallying 22 receptions for 339 yards and two touchdowns in this span. Meanwhile, Jordan Addison has emerged as an explosive complement, posting 23 catches for 430 yards and five scores. Tight end T.J. Hockenson has been less involved as Darnold looks downfield for big plays, a trend that bodes well against Chicago's porous secondary.

The Bears' once-promising pass defense has unraveled as the season has progressed. Over their last four games, they've surrendered an average of 288 passing yards at a staggering 10.4 yards per attempt. The unit looked particularly disorganized in last week's blowout loss to the 49ers, as Brock Purdy exploited repeated failed blitzes to hit on 10 completions of 15+ yards. Defensive lapses have become commonplace, with issues stemming from Tyrique Stevenson's regression and the lingering impact of losing safety Jaquan Brisker earlier in the season. Even the otherwise strong play of cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon hasn't been enough to stabilize the group. With the Bears' defense in flux and the Vikings clicking offensively, this matchup sets up as another favorable opportunity for Darnold to continue his hot streak. Chicago's inability to prevent explosive plays makes them an ideal target for the Vikings' vertical attack. Both Jefferson and Addison are positioned for strong outings, with Darnold leading the charge against a defense struggling to find its footing. Until the Bears can solidify their scheme and execution, they'll remain vulnerable to productive quarterbacks like Darnold.

Washington at New Orleans

Jayden Daniels appears to have rediscovered his early-season efficiency, bouncing back in Week 14 with a stellar outing. Daniels completed 25 of 30 passes for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns, steering Washington to a dominant 35-13 lead before the offense eased off. While his production has cooled somewhat from a scorching start to the season, Daniels remains one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league, ranking in the top 10 in success rate and yardage rate. This offense thrives on control and precision, strategically picking moments to attack downfield. Despite ranking 22nd in downfield throw frequency, Daniels ranks 12th in completed air yards, underscoring his ability to maximize opportunities when they arise. Terry McLaurin continues to be Daniels' favorite target, commanding 22% of team targets and posting an impressive 10.9 yards per target, a mark comparable to Justin Jefferson's. Alongside McLaurin, veteran tight end Zach Ertz provides reliable volume as a dependable option in the middle of the field. In this week's matchup against a struggling Saints secondary, McLaurin and Ertz should see an uptick in ceiling potential, making them valuable assets in any offensive game plan.

The New Orleans pass defense, once a cornerstone under Dennis Allen, has fallen apart in 2024. Following Allen's departure and the trade of former All-Pro cornerback Marshon Lattimore in October, the unit has been in disarray. Rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry has shown flashes but remains inconsistent, and the loss of Paulson Adebo for the season has further stripped the secondary of its depth and quality. The safeties have provided little support, leaving the Saints unable to replicate the aggressive schemes that defined Allen's tenure. While New Orleans benefited from facing the struggling Giants in Week 14, the broader picture remains grim. They've allowed 275+ passing yards in 7 of 13 games this season, making them one of the league's more generous matchups for opposing quarterbacks. Given Daniels' resurgence and the Saints' defensive vulnerabilities, this shapes up as one of the most favorable matchups for the Washington offense this season. McLaurin, Daniels, and Ertz are all poised to capitalize against this ailing secondary.

Chicago at Minnesota

Caleb Williams has shown clear signs of improvement throughout the 2024 season, even if it hasn't translated to wins for the Bears. Williams has developed the ability to create plays under any game script, trading touchdowns in shootouts and staying poised in close games. This growth was displayed in Week 12, when he completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns against Minnesota, nearly leading his team to an upset victory. He followed that performance with another strong outing, throwing for 256 yards and three touchdowns the next week. Notably, Williams hasn't thrown an interception since Week 6, a testament to his growing confidence and decision-making. A big part of Williams' success has been his trust in his talented receiving corps. Rome Odunze has emerged as a key downfield threat, drawing 22% of targets over the last four weeks and becoming a staple in red-zone plays. Odunze's ability to high-point contested balls has been crucial, as evidenced by his two touchdown grabs last week. Meanwhile, D.J. Moore continues to provide reliable underneath production, complementing Odunze's big-play potential. With a diverse arsenal of weapons, Williams is well-positioned to exploit matchups like this one, especially considering his recent success against Minnesota.

The Vikings' pass defense, while generally solid, has been struggling. Under defensive coordinator Brian Flores, they operate a bend-don't-break scheme that has given up the league's third-most passing yards. This is partly due to game flow, as Minnesota's 11-2 record often forces opponents into pass-heavy scripts. However, it also stems from a secondary that struggles to handle the team's high blitz rate. The Vikings blitz more than any other team, frequently leaving their defensive backs in one-on-one situations. Injuries have exacerbated these issues, with top cornerback Stephon Gilmore potentially sidelined. Replacement corners Shaq Griffin and Fabian Moreau have struggled, particularly Griffin, who was torched in Week 14. Additionally, safety Harrison Smith has lost a step, further exposing the secondary.