Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Week 15 NFL players to watch: One MVP case grows stronger

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 12/15/23

Week 15 is off to an exciting start after the Las Vegas Raiders scored 63 points Thursday in a rout of the Los Angeles Chargers, who fired head coach Brandon Staley on Friday. Here are the top players to watch this weekend, including a rookie who is set up to have a big day:

SUNDAY'S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Lamar Jackson builds on MVP case

Jackson is in the thick of the MVP race, with the third-best odds as of Friday, according to oddschecker. The 2019 NFL MVP has a chance to strengthen his case to win another when the Ravens (10-3) play at the Jaguars (8-5).

Jackson is coming off "one of his best days," head coach John Harbaugh said, referencing the Week 14 win over the Los Angeles Rams. He should stay hot against Jacksonville, which is allowing the second-most passing yards per game (265.2) this season.

The 26-year-old has 3,578 total yards and 21 total touchdowns, but he is focused on the bigger picture.

"It's an honor ... just being in that MVP conversation with great guys," Jackson told reporters. "I'm just staying locked in. I'm trying to win. I want another championship."

SUNDAY'S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | RB Alvin Kamara humbles Tommy DeVito's Giants

The Giants (5-8) have won three straight games with DeVito leading the way. This week, he even drew (lame) comparisons to seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, but New York head coach Brian Daboll shut down that talk.

A reporter tried to compare Tommy DeVito to Tom Brady during a Zoom call with Brian Daboll....

Daboll wasn't having it.pic.twitter.com/Ow58ODjhle
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 13, 2023

Thanks to their top playmaker, the Saints (6-7) should have their way at the home against the Giants.

Kamara — who has 966 total yards and six touchdowns in just 10 games — should play a huge role. The Giants are allowing the fourth-most rushing yards per game (135.1), making them vulnerable to a big day by Kamara.

SUNDAY'S POSTGAME HEADLINE TODAY | Puka Nacua nears rookie record with big day

Nacua, the fourth fifth-round draft pick for the Rams in 2023, is having a huge rookie season with 82 receptions for 1,113 yards and four touchdown catches. He's only 361 yards away from having the most receiving yards in a season by a rookie, and his odds to do so should only rise following this week.

The Commanders (4-9) are allowing the most passing yards per game (266) in the NFL — great news for the Rams (6-7), who will surely continue relying on their rookie at home as they look to stay in the NFC playoff race.

Nacua already has four more 100-yard receiving games than the rest of the 2023 NFL Draft class combined. He may just make it five at home on Sunday.

More must-reads: