The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsThere are just three weeks left of the 2015 NFL season. The team everyone is looking out for is the only team that remains unbeaten. They look like a team that can go all the way, with the right players in the right positions. They are, of course, the 13-0 Carolina Panthers.they may concede points, they have always looked like they are able to outscore their opponents. As it comes to the business end of the season, can they continue this amazing run?
There are only two divisional games this week, but they both have huge implications on the playoff picture. In the AFC South, any one of three teams could win the division. This week sees two of them face off. Houston travel to Indianapolis with both sides at 6-7, leading the way. In the NFC North, the Bears travel to Minnesota, in a game that the Vikings need to win to keep pace with Green Bay.
Thursday Night Football:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) @ St Louis Rams (5-8)
Week 15 kicks off with an NFC battle. The 6-7 Buccaneers and the 5-8 Rams both have playoff aspirations, but anything less than a win for St Louis, and their season will be over come January. They are behind both the Cardinals and Seahawks in the NFC West, while the Bucs have had to deal with the Panthers running riot in the NFL this season. The Bucs know they have to win, but they have lost their last three against the Rams.
The Rams will be slight favourites going in having won last time out, but the Buccaneers know a win will keep them in the hunt for the playoff places.
Saturday Night Football:
New York Jets (8-5) @ Dallas Cowboys (4-9)
This year, the Cowboys have struggled, mainly due to the two injuries that Tony Romo has suffered. The QB is out for the season, and because of this, Dallas have not been able to chalk up wins. However, they are still in with a shot of reaching the top of the NFC East, just two games behind the Redskins, Eagles and Giants. The Jets are going the other way. They may be behind the Pats in the AFC East, but they currently sit in the #6 spot in the AFC playoff race. The Steelers are right behind them, so the Jets will be looking for another victory here.
The Jets will be favourites, as they come in on the back of three straight wins.
Sunday Evening Games:
Kansas City Chiefs (8-5) @ Baltimore Ravens (4-9)
Seven straight wins has seen the Kansas City Chiefs storm in the AFC Wild Card spots, and with the Broncos faltering towards the end of the season, they have every chance of winning the AFC West. For the Ravens, however, losing Joe Flacco was the end of their season. They currently sit third in the AFC North, with no hope of reaching the playoffs this season. However, the Ravens have won the last three games between the two sides.
The Chiefs will be the favourites for this one, to carry on their run for the playoffs.
Houston Texans (6-7) @ Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
This is arguably the most important game of the weekend. Whoever wins this one, will have the momentum to go on to win the division title in the AFC South. Both sides have now lost two games on the run, and will be looking to turn it round at the Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday evening. The Texans need the win more, having lost to the Colts earlier on in the season, meaning they are behind in the division on the head-to-head record. Indianapolis have won the last three, and a fourth straight would see them into the outright lead.
The Colts will be favourites because of that form, and the home advantage, but it is a game that could go either way.
Atlanta Falcons (6-7) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8)
Both of these sides still ave playoff ambitions. The Falcons are in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the NFC, just two wins behind both the Seahawks and Vikings at 6-7. The Jaguars are just a game behind the Colts and Texans in the AFC South. A victory for them will keep them within touching distance of the divisional title and a playoff spot in the AFC. This is the first regular season meeting between the two for four years, but the Jags have won two out of the last three in preseason.
The Jags will be favourites as Atlanta have lost their last six matches.
Chicago Bears (5-8) @ Minnesota Vikings (8-5)
After three defeats in their last four, Minnesota will be looking to bounce back in another crunch NFC North match. Like the Vikings, the Bears have also lost their last two, meaning they now have to win this week to keep themselves in the playoff race. They sit three games behind the Seahawks, and this week’s opponents, the Vikings, in the race for the NFC playoff spots. At 8-5, the Vikings know a victory here would keep them in with a shot of winning the NFC North.
The Vikings will be favourites having won the previous meeting this year between the two.
Tennessee Titans (3-10) @ New England Patriots (11-2)
After losing two straight, the Patriots finally got win number 11 last time out. They will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the AFC with another victory at Gillette Stadium. The Tennessee Titans have had a poor year, despite a good rookie year from QB Marcus Mariota. He has not been able to steer them into the playoff picture, with a disappointing three wins only in 2015. The Patriots have won the last two against the Titans, including a 59-0 win in 2009.
The Pats will be favourites to continue their run towards a second straight title.
Carolina Panthers (13-0) @ New York Giants (6-7)
In the other Conference, the Panthers have been sublime this season, beating all, literally ALL, that stand before them. They have just three games left to record a perfect regular season, and a game against the Giants this week may be one of the tougher ones left. The Giants are currently in a three way tie for the NFC East, alongside the Redskins and Eagles. A victory here could see them take the outright lead in the battle for the #4 seed in the playoffs.
The Panthers are the clear favourites, as you would expect, but the Giants may be able to cause an upset here.
Buffalo Bills (6-7) @ Washington Redskins (6-7)
Another of the NFC East division-toppers, the Redskins, are in action early on Sunday. They host another 6-7 side in the Buffalo Bills, who are just about hanging on to their own playoff hopes in the AFC Wild Card race. They are currently two games behind the Chiefs, Jets and Steelers, and will be hoping for those teams to slip up in the last few weeks. For the ‘Skins, the division may be the only way in to the playoffs, with both the Vikings and Seahawks two wins in front in the Wild Card placings in the NFC.
Washington will be slight favourites thanks to the home field advantage.
Green Bay Packers (9-4) @ Oakland Raiders (6-7)
After a mid-season blip, the Packers have come into their own recently, and have taken charge of the NFC North once more. They currently sit at 9-4, a win ahead of the Minnesota Vikings. Green Bay will be looking to increase that this weekend when the travel west to Oakland. The Raiders have struggled this year, and can only hope for a Wild Card spot, but divisional rivals, the Chiefs, are two wins ahead of them, currently in the #5 spot.
The Packers will be favourites, but Derek Carr could throw the Raiders into the mix on Sunday.
Cleveland Browns (3-10) @ Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
After a terrible start to the season, last year’s Super Bowl runners-up are now well into their stride. The Seahawks have won their last four, and will be looking to make that five as they take on one of the worst teams in football on Sunday evening. They shot a Cleveland side who have had more starters at QB than they have wins this season. Manziel is back in the hot seat this week, but he will have to produce the perfect performance to get past the ‘Legion of Boom’ in Week 15.
Seattle are clear favourites for the match-up.
Denver Broncos (10-3) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)
The high-class match-up of the week sees the 10-3 Denver side travel to Pittsburgh to take on the 8-5 Steelers. The Broncos are currently the #3 seed in the AFC, but they can still be caught in the AFC West by the Kansas City Chiefs. The Steelers can also catch the #2 seeded Bengals in the race for the playoffs. Pittsburgh are currently #7 and need a win here to make sure they can reach the top 6 in the AFC come the end of the season.
Depending on whether Peyton Manning is back, Pittsburgh will be slight favourites going in.
Miami Dolphins (5-8) @ San Diego Chargers (3-10)
This is a game that has no real bearing on the playoffs. Only a massive turnaround in results for plenty of teams, plus winning their remaining three, would see the Dolphins in the playoffs, while the Chargers are bottom of the AFC West and staying there no matter what. Despite Philip Rivers playing well, San Diego have not been able to put together a good run of form, and they are already looking to the draft for 2016.
This is one that could go either way, but Miami will be slight favourites due to their better record.
Cincinnati Bengals (10-3) @ San Francisco 49ers (4-9)
The #2 Bengals travel to San Francisco this week to take on the struggling 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Cincinnati know a win here could see them move ahead of the Patriots and back into the #1 spot in the AFC, but a win could also guarantee them top spot in the AFC North. For San Francisco, their season has been over for a while. With contract disputes over the franchise QB in Colin Kaepernick, to injuries all over the field, they did not stand a chance in 2015.
Cincinnati will be clear favourites despite being away from home this weekend.
Sunday Night Football:
Arizona Cardinals (11-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (6-7)
Sunday Night Football sees the Philadelphia Eagles host Arizona. The Eagles have been on a great run recently, after beating the Patriots in Foxboro before beating the Bills last time out. Another win here could see them go to the top of the NFC East outright. For the Cardinals, they have been brilliant this year, with Carson Palmer reaching new heights at QB. They are the #2 seed in the NFC behind only the Panthers, and they have already guaranteed themselves a playoff spot.
Arizona will be favourites, but Philadelphia could spring another surprise this week.
Monday Night Football:
Detroit Lions (4-9) @ New Orleans Saints (5-8)
The final game of the weekend is not an important one in terms of the playoff race. Neither of these two teams can reach the final 12, but they will be playing for pride come Monday night. The Saints are bottom of the NFC West having only won five games this year. The Lions can have some pride in turning their season around. They were 0-6, before winning four of their last seven to reach the 4-9 mark they are at now. However, that start sees them at the bottom of the NFC North.
The Saints will be favourites for the game in the Superdome on Monday night.
Playoff Picture:
AFC
Divisional – Patriots (11-2), Bengals (10-3), Broncos (10-3), Colts (6-7)
Wild Card – Chiefs (8-5), Jets (8-5)
In the Hunt – Steelers (8-5), Raiders (6-7), Bills (6-7), Texans (6-7), Jaguars (5-8)
NFC
Divisional – Panthers (13-0), Cardinals (11-2), Packers (9-4), Redskins (6-7)
Wild Card – Seahawks (8-5), Vikings (8-5)
In the Hunt – Buccaneers (6-7), Falcons (6-7), Eagles (6-7), Giants (6-7)
Sky Sports will be showing six games this weekend:
Fri 18, 1:25 – Buccaneers @ Rams
Sun 20, 1:00 – Jets @ Cowboys, 17:30 – Panthers @ Giants, 21:15 – Broncos @ Steelers
Mon 21, 1:00 – Cardinals @ Eagles
Tue 22, 1:00 – Lions @ Saints
