Sports
NFL QB stock report, Week 15: Does ‘unstoppable’ Josh Allen have MVP locked up?
Even in defeat, Josh Allen has the NFL marveling over his unique ability to dominate a game.
The Buffalo Bills superstar, MVP favorite and No. 1 quarterback in these rankings for a second straight week steamrolled the Los Angeles Rams defense Sunday, completing 22 of 37 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns while leading the rushing attack with 82 yards and three more trips to the end zone. In doing so, he became the first player in NFL history to tally three scores each through the air and on the ground in the same game. Allen led the Bills to four consecutive touchdown drives to close the game, nearly erasing a 17-point, fourth-quarter deficit before falling 44-42.
The Athletic’s Week 15 QB rankings
| RK. | QB | Last Wk. | SZN, High | SZN, Low |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Josh Allen |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
2 |
Lamar Jackson |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
3 |
Patrick Mahomes |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
4 |
Joe Burrow |
4 |
3 |
6 |
|
5 |
Jared Goff |
5 |
5 |
16 |
|
6 |
Jordan Love |
6 |
6 |
12 |
|
7 |
Baker Mayfield |
7 |
7 |
17 |
|
8 |
Brock Purdy |
9 |
6 |
12 |
|
9 |
Jalen Hurts |
8 |
8 |
18 |
|
10 |
C.J. Stroud |
10 |
3 |
10 |
|
11 |
Jayden Daniels |
11 |
10 |
22 |
|
12 |
Justin Herbert |
12 |
6 |
16 |
|
13 |
Geno Smith |
14 |
13 |
20 |
|
14 |
Matthew Stafford |
15 |
7 |
20 |
|
15 |
Sam Darnold |
16 |
11 |
28 |
|
16 |
Kyler Murray |
13 |
7 |
18 |
|
17 |
Tua Tagovailoa |
17 |
13 |
21 |
|
18 |
Russell Wilson |
18 |
17 |
30 |
|
19 |
Drake Maye |
19 |
19 |
23 |
|
20 |
Bo Nix |
20 |
20 |
29 |
|
21 |
Bryce Young |
21 |
21 |
31 |
|
22 |
Kirk Cousins |
22 |
11 |
22 |
|
23 |
Caleb Williams |
23 |
19 |
28 |
|
24 |
Aaron Rodgers |
24 |
5 |
24 |
|
25 |
Anthony Richardson |
25 |
20 |
28 |
|
26 |
Jameis Winston |
27 |
26 |
28 |
|
27 |
Mac Jones |
NR. |
27 |
27 |
|
28 |
Will Levis |
28 |
24 |
32 |
|
29 |
Cooper Rush |
30 |
29 |
31 |
|
30 |
Aidan O’Connell |
31 |
30 |
31 |
|
31 |
Drew Lock |
32 |
31 |
32 |
|
32 |
Jake Haener |
NR. |
32 |
32 |
The Rams survived Allen’s onslaught by brilliantly managing the game when he was tethered to the sideline. They blocked a punt for a touchdown, converted 11 of 15 third downs and didn’t punt until the fourth quarter.
It was the 32nd time in his career Allen produced a passer rating of at least 108 in a game — and the first one of those games he lost. He also fell to 18-2 in games when he’s had a hand in at least four touchdowns.
It just goes to show how much the Rams — or any other opponent — must do right on offense and special teams to withstand Allen’s barrage.
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“He is so talented and clearly capable of taking over a game,” said an offensive coach who recently played against the Bills. “Just have to find a way to hang on and make them earn everything, try to prevent the big plays. But he was unstoppable at times.”
Allen has completed 64.1 percent of his passes this season for 3,033 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also has 416 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He even was credited with a receiving score in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, bringing his total touchdown tally to 33.
It might come as a surprise, but Allen’s passing numbers are down from recent seasons. He has produced the third-highest completion percentage of his career, but his yards per game (233.3) would be his fewest since 2019. He is on pace to throw exactly 30 touchdown passes, which would rank fourth among his seven seasons.
And it’s not because he’s running more. His 32 rushing yards per game would be his fourth highest, although his nine scores on the ground are tied for his second most.
The real root of his success, according to a longtime defensive coach who has faced the Bills this season, has been a reduction in turnovers. He has been intercepted on only 1.3 percent of his passes, which would be a career best, and he’s gone seven games without a pick.
“He’s playing extremely fast,” the defensive coach said. “If you look at the turnovers and how he’s playing while protecting the ball, that’s the key to his success this season. What’s held him back over the last three years from being completely dominant are the turnovers. (This year), he’s operating on time and in rhythm. He’s making good decisions, has been in charge of more from a protection standpoint while still delivering big-time plays like everyone is accustomed to him making.
“He’s an extremely tough cover on third down, in the red area and in two-minute because of his legs. His red-area production is through the roof this year. He was always tough to defend down there, but he’s avoiding the turnovers, which was happening too much for a player of his caliber.”
Allen, who has never won an MVP award, delivered in crunchtime in Week 11 to give Kansas City its only loss. After the Chiefs cut the Bills’ lead to 23-21 midway through the fourth quarter, Allen converted two third downs before a 26-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-2. Until that point, Lamar Jackson looked like a runaway MVP candidate.
On 4th & 2 with 2:27 left in regulation, Josh Allen dropped back before breaking off a 26-yard TD run.
Allen had just a 1.2% chance of scoring a touchdown once he tucked the ball to run. It was Allen’s first scramble TD run against the Chiefs in his career.
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— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) November 18, 2024
More importantly, though, Allen’s difference-making ability has the Bills looking like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. They have to be much better on defense than they showed in Los Angeles, something they’ll have a chance to show this weekend when they visit the 12-1 Detroit Lions. If the Bills can knock off a second top seed favorite behind Allen’s strong play, postseason expectations will be through the roof in Buffalo.
“He can beat you so many ways,” an executive said. “If you let him sit in the pocket, he will pick you apart. If you blitz him, he will stand in and not flinch, or he will beat you with his legs. He is so big and strong that defenders fall off him. He is fun to watch. So much poise and command on the field.”
Another defensive coach said, “It’s brutal” to both prepare for Allen and then to adjust the plan during the game.
“Even when you have something dialed up, he can make a spectacular play off script and scramble out of trouble,” the second defensive coach said. “You have to continuously change looks pre- and post-snap. You also have to keep him contained in the pocket. If you don’t, you’ll have no shot.”
So yeah, Allen has an answer for everything — at least when he’s on the field.
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Still in command
Jayden Daniels’ red-hot start propelled the Washington Commanders into the playoff race and accelerated the new regime’s rebuild far quicker than anticipated.
So it was mildly surprising when the rookie quarterback and the Commanders limped to a three-game losing streak in November. They snapped the skid with a blowout victory against the Tennessee Titans, and they’re coming out of their bye week with a trip to the New Orleans Saints on tap. From there, they’ll have an opportunity to avenge two of those losses when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, with another important game against the Atlanta Falcons in between.
They’ll continue to rely on the No. 2 pick, so their bye-week adjustments will be paramount.
Though there’s been a natural inclination to wonder whether defenses have caught up to offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme — a popular point of criticism when he was the Arizona Cardinals coach — a couple of executives believed that was overblown.
More likely, it was just a rookie quarterback who, for the first time in his young career, hit the proverbial wall.
“Each defense presents its own challenges, and some schemes match up better than others,” an assistant coach observed. “It’s probably more of him trying to figure things out on a week-to-week basis.”
It’s a natural progression for all young quarterbacks. Once there’s enough tape, defenses find new ways to attack, then it’s on the QB to counter. In that sense, it was a great time for a bye week.
Daniels also has faced more pressure. He’s been sacked 12 times in his last four games, and he’s thrown four interceptions over that stretch. He was sacked 17 times with two interceptions in his first nine games.
“Function of the offense,” an executive said. “Takes pressure, and the turnover-worthy throws increase.”
Suffice it to say, Daniels’ early success wasn’t a ruse. Rival coaches and executives believe he’ll be just fine after plateauing for a few weeks.
It’s gonna be Maye
Drake Maye and the New England Patriots were also on a bye last week, but this quote was too good not to use.
“He’s such a stud,” an executive said. “They absolutely nailed that pick. They were patient in the draft, waited and got their guy. That was awesome. He’s got such a powerful arm. That arm is the real deal. He’s a leader, just a great person. They got the right guy.”
It took longer than the Patriots would have liked, but it surely looks like they’ve found their next franchise quarterback.
Injury notes
Saints quarterback Derek Carr has a significant fracture in his left hand and is expected to miss at least several weeks, according to a league source. The Saints have not publicly named their starter, so Jake Haener made his debut in the rankings because he replaced Carr on Sunday.
Las Vegas Raiders QB Aidan O’Connell suffered a bone bruise in his knee, according to a league source. He hasn’t been ruled out this week, so he remained in the rankings.
Dropped out: Carr (left-hand fracture, concussion), No. 26 last week; Trevor Lawrence (concussion), No. 29 last week.
(Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)
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After its massive 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday night, Mexico has won Group A and officially clinched a spot in the knockout round.
El Tri will play its Round of 32 game in Mexico City, and will face the third-place finisher in either Group C/E/F/H/I.
This is the fourth time that Mexico has topped the group stage of a World Cup, with the other three coming in 1986, 1994 and 2002.
With the win, Mexico remains unbeaten in World Cup group games at home, going a combined 6-2-0 (W-D-L), with two wins and a draw in 1970 and 1986, and now two wins in 2026.
Before the tournament began, Mexico was listed at +6500 to win the World Cup. Now, after winning its first two games of the tournament, Mexico has surged up the oddsboard to +5000.
Can Mexico build off its first two matches and make a deep run in this tournament? Let’s check out the updated odds for El Tri as of June 19.
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Team Mexico — Stage of Elimination
Last 32: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)
Last 16: +135 (bet $10 to win $23.50 total)
Quarterfinals: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Semifinals: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Runner-up: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Outright winner: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Mexico is currently +5000 to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup after winning Group A (Getty Images).
Mexico’s Past World Cup Results:
1930: Group stage
1934: Did not qualify
1938: Withdrew
1950: Group stage
1954: Group stage
1958: Group stage
1962: Group stage
1966: Group stage
1970: Quarterfinals
1974: Did not qualify
1978: Group stage
1982: Did not qualify
1986: Quarterfinals
1990: Banned
1994: Round of 16
1998: Round of 16
2002: Round of 16
2006: Round of 16
2010: Round of 16
2014: Round of 16
2018: Round of 16
2022: Group stage
2026: TBD
What to know: Mexico has made a habit of being in the running, but never really being in the running. Make sense? Consider this: El Tri made it out of the group stage in seven consecutive World Cups (1994-2018), but never made it past the Round of 16 in any of those years. In 2022, Mexico failed to make it out of the group stage, and it will look to get back to its winning ways in 2026 after a great start to the tournament. With its win Thursday night, Mexico has now advanced to the knockout stage in eight of the last nine World Cups. It is important to note, however, that Mexico has never made it past the quarterfinals at a FIFA men’s World Cup.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Three and a half years after its biggest failure on the World Cup stage in half a century, the Mexican national team needed only two games to advance to the knockout round of this year’s tournament as winner of Group A.
Mexico’s defense held off a spirited final push by South Korea, earning a 1-0 win on Thursday night at Guadalajara Stadium in front of a fiery announced sellout crowd of 45,522.
“It was a very tough game,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.
Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu made a mistake in the 50th minute, failing to stop what appeared to be a simple cross and bobbling the ball. That allowed Mexico’s Luis Romo to easily tap the ball into the net and claim a 1-0 lead.
“In the end, a mistake was going to tip the scales,” Aguirre said.
Mexico goalkeeper Raúl Rangel blocks a shot from South Korea’s Son Heung-min during their World Cup match at Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.
(Natacha Pisarenko / Ap Photo/natacha Pisarenko)
“You always want to be there; I felt it, and I got the chance,” said Romo, who started the game after starting the opener on the bench — a strategic change by the Mexican coach that paid off.
South Korea put pressure on the Mexican team throughout the game. Late in the scoreless first half, Jae-sung Lee came close to giving South Korea the lead. Aguirre hoped his team would shake off nerves following the emotional opener at Azteca Stadium and show more bite in its second game against South Korea, but his team didn’t have much power behind its attack during the game’s first 45 minutes.
The crowd in Guadalajara grew frustrated and began booing the Mexican national team’s performance at the end of the first half.
Mexico, however, won back their cheers when it capitalized on South Korea’s costly mistake and converted it into a goal.
Obed Vargas replaced Romo in the 71st minute and was close to scoring a spectacular goal if not for Seung-gyu’s save.
El Tri earned a win without any other goals thanks, in part, to a great night by goalkeeper Raúl Rangel, who stopped a header by Cho Gue-sung in the 87th minute. Captain Edson Álvarez helped turn away South Korea’s attack late, holding up relatively well despite having left ankle surgery during the past year.
“It was just a reflex,” said Rangel, whose club team Chivas plays at at Guadalajara Stadium. “I was very focused and stepped up when the team needed me, and I’m happy about that.”
LAFC star and South Korea captain Son Heung-min fired one shot over Mexico’s goalkeeper in the first half, but Álvarez cleared it off the line before the referee ruled Son was offsides.
South Korea finished controlling possession 58% of the time, but it only earned two shots on target.
“It wasn’t a good game because they didn’t let us do much,” Aguirre said.
Mexico was coming off a comfortable 2-0 victory over South Africa, while the South Koreans had defeated the Czech Republic 2-1, marking their first World Cup opening-match win since 2010.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Mexico was eliminated in the group stage for the first time since 1978, breaking a streak of seven consecutive appearances in the knockout rounds. However, playing on home soil, the team’s goal is to emulate El Tri’s achievements in 1970 and 1986, when they reached the quarterfinals — the country’s best World Cup finish.
Due to the new 48-team format, Mexico would need to win two knockout-round matches and reach a sixth game to realize its goals.
“We’re taking it one step at a time; first, there’s the third game,” Romo said.
Mexico’s Luis Romo celebrates with his teammates after scoring during a match against South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday.
(Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press)
After the win over South Korea, Mexico will close out group play against Czechia at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Wednesday. El Tri will get to play the first two games of the knockout round — should it win the first one — at Azteca Stadium, a venue where it has never lost a World Cup game.
South Korea has four points and will be favored when it plays South Africa Wednesday in Monterrey. If South Korea wins the match, it would be the Group A runner-up and advance to play the Group B runner-up on June 28 at SoFi Stadium.
“We want all nine points,” Vargas said of Mexico’s goal entering its next game against Czechia.
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Who’ll win the Golden Boot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? The race is on for who’ll score the most goals at the tournament, and it is set to be one of the tournament’s most closely watched storylines.
Several of the world’s top forwards will be aiming to finish as the competition’s leading goalscorer. Kylian Mbappé enters the tournament after winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Mikel Oyarzabal are among the other players expected to challenge for the award.
And check out our list of all the 2026 World Cup goals, ranked!
Favorites To Win The Golden Boot
Harry Kane: +310 (bet $10 to win $41 total)
Lionel Messi: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Kylian Mbappé: +350 (bet $10 to win $45 total)
Erling Haaland: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Kai Havertz: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)
Vinícius Júnior: +3300 (bet $10 to win $340 total)
Folarin Balogun: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Mikel Oyarzabal: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Lamine Yamal: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Raphinha: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Michael Olise: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Romelu Lukaku: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Viktor Gyökeres: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)
Cody Gakpo: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
Cristiano Ronaldo: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total)
3 Goals
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
2 Goals
Johan Manzambi (Switzerland)
Harry Kane (England)
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Kylian Mbappé (France)
Harry Kane (England)
Elijah Just (New Zealand)
Yasin Ayari (Sweden)
Kai Havertz (Germany)
Folarin Balogun (USA)
1 Goal
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
Rubén Vargas (Switzerland)
Ermin Mahmic (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Michal Sadilek (Czechia)
Teboho Mokoena (South Africa)
Jáminton Campaz (Colombia)
Luis Díaz (Colombia)
Daniel Muñoz (Colombia)
Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Uzbekistan)
Caleb Yirenkyi (Ghana)
Jude Bellingham (England)
Marcus Rashford (England)
Martin Baturina (Croatia)
Petar Musa (Croatia)
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)
João Neves (Portugal)
Marko Arnautović (Austria)
Jude Bellingham (England)
Marcus Rashford (England)
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)
João Neves (Portugal)
Caleb Yirenkyi (Ghana)
Ali Olwan (Jordan)
Romano Schmid (Austria)
Leo Østigard (Norway)
Ayman Hussein (Iraq)
Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal)
Bradley Barcola (France)
Ramin Rezaeian (Iran)
Mohammad Mohebbi (Iran)
Maxi Araújo (Uruguay)
Abdulelah Al-Amri (Saudi Arabia)
Emam Ashour (Egypt)
Alexander Isak (Sweden)
Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden)
Mattias Svanberg (Sweden)
Omar Rekik (Tunisia)
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
Keito Nakamura (Japan)
Daichi Kamada (Japan)
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands)
Crysencio Summerville (Netherlands)
Felix Nmecha (Germany)
Nico Schlotterbeck (Germany)
Jamal Musiala (Germany)
Nathaniel Brown (Germany)
Deniz Undav (Germany)
Connor Metcalfe (Australia)
Nestory Irankunda (Australia)
John McGinn (Scotland)
Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
Vinícius Júnior (Brazil)
Breel Embolo (Switzerland)
Gio Reyna (USA)
Mauricio (Paraguay)
Cyle Larin (Canada)
Jovo Lukić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Ladislav Krejcí (Czechia)
Julián Quiñones (Mexico)
Raúl Jimenez (Mexico)
Hwang In-Beom (South Korea)
Oh Hyeon-Gyu (South Korea)
Own Goals
Yazan Al-Arab (Jordan; 1)
Ayman Hussein (Iraq; 1)
Mohamed Hany (Egypt; 1)
Miro Muheim (Switzerland; 1)
Damián Bobadilla (Paraguay; 1)
Last 5 Golden Boot Winners
- 2022 (Qatar): Kylian Mbappé (France) – 8 goals
- 2018 (Russia): Harry Kane (England) – 6 goals
- 2014 (Brazil): James Rodríguez (Colombia) – 6 goals
- 2010 (South Africa): Thomas Müller (Germany) – 5 goals
- 2006 (Germany): Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 5 goals
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