Here’s a look at the top five games for fans to look forward to in NFL Week 15.
There’s only three games remaining in the 2016 season, which means NFL Week 15 is filled with plenty of must-win games for a lot of teams.
After rough starts to the season, nobody could have predicted the Detroit Lions and New York Giants would eventually become two of the hottest teams in the NFC as this showdown could easily turn into an early playoff preview. While the Giants still have a chance of winning the NFC East, they still trail the Dallas Cowboys by two games as all signs point to them settling for one of the two Wild Card spots.
Meanwhile, the defending Super Bowl champions in the Denver Broncos are battling for a playoff spot themselves as the last thing they can afford to see happen is suffer another loss on Sunday when they face the New England Patriots. Losing to the Tennessee Titans put the Broncos in a tough position in the AFC West since they currently trail the Kansas City Chiefs by two games, but at least they can control their own destiny as they enter Sunday’s game holding on to the No. 6 seed in the playoff race.
Without wasting any more time, here’s a look at the top games for NFL Week 15, starting off with the Indianapolis Colts taking on the Minnesota Vikings.
Dec 11, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) motions to the sidelines while in a huddle against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
5. Colts vs. Vikings
With the Minnesota Vikings fighting for their playoff lives, Adrian Peterson couldn’t have asked for a better time to return to the field, especially from a fantasy football perspective. When looking at how much the Vikings have struggled to put up points this season, the return of Peterson may be just what this team needs to give the offense a much needed boost.
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After winning the NFC North last year, Minnesota seemed capable of being strong contenders in the NFC until Teddy Bridgewater suffered a season-ending injury before Week 1 even rolled around. Luckily, the team was able to acquire Sam Bradford from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a first-round pick, but that trade will turn out to be a complete waste if the Vikings fall short of the postseason.
As for the Indianapolis Colts, they also happen to be fighting for their playoff lives after missing out on a huge opportunity to control the driver’s seat in the AFC South following a tough loss to the Houston Texans in Week 14. Nothing against the Colts, but this game could get ugly fast with the Vikings having extra momentum playing at home as they seem to have an upper hand with their stellar defense.
Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game winning touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Lions win 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
4. Lions vs. Giants
Who would have thought after a 1-3 start, the Detroit Lions would be holding on to the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoff picture? With eight wins over their last nine games, the Lions are playing with all of the confidence in the world as Matthew Stafford has carried this team on his shoulders during this miraculous 2016 season.
After Calvin Johnson decided to call it a career in the offseason, nobody knew what to expect from the Lions on offense as everyone assumed Stafford would struggle with his receiving corps. Instead, the veteran quarterback has displayed one of his best seasons as Detroit currently holds a two-game lead in the NFC North over the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.
Of course, when it comes to the hottest teams in the NFC, the New York Giants are right up there with the Lions after defeating the Dallas Cowboys for the second time this season last Sunday. If the Giants’ defense continues to play at a high level, Stafford could have quite the work cut out for him when these two teams square off in Week 15.
Not to mention, it will be interesting to see how Stafford adjusts to playing with his injured finger.
Dec 8, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) rushes for a touchdown on a punt return against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
3. Titans vs. Chiefs
Don’t look now, but the Tennessee Titans are doing everything in their power to earn a spot in the playoffs. They certainly made a statement last weekend after pulling through with a victory against the Denver Broncos. Up next, the Titans face another tough challenge on the road as they face the AFC West leading Kansas City Chiefs.
Kansas City is never an easy place for opponents to play as the fans have a reputation for making it one of the most hostile environments in the NFL. For the second-straight season, the Chiefs have found a way to turn things around and emerge as one of the hottest teams in the league following a rough start as they enter Week 15 winning eight of their last nine games.
If Marcus Mariota can figure out a way to continue avoiding turnovers, Tennessee may actually have a decent shot of pulling off this critical win on the road. With only three weeks remaining, the Titans realize every win is important moving forward as they hope to use playing in one of the weakest divisions the NFL has to offer in the AFC South to their advantage and earn a playoff spot.
It certainly won’t be easy, but Tennessee seems up for the challenge against Kansas City.
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) celebrates with Noah Spence (57) after a stop late in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
2. Buccaneers vs. Cowboys
All of a sudden, the defense of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has the team in position not to just possibly earn a spot in the postseason, but a chance to earn the NFC South title. Forget about the Atlanta Falcons winning the division as the Buccaneers have all of the momentum in the world heading into Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, who are coming off a tough loss to the New York Giants for the second time this season.
Plenty of people wrote Tampa Bay off at the beginning of the season following a 1-3 start, but this is a completely different team since then as the defense has helped them get into the playoff hunt. During their current five game winning streak, the Buccaneers have found ways to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks.
In other words, the Cowboys need to be cautious with their approach to Sunday’s game as the Buccaneers’ defense has already proven they can contain some of the league’s top offenses. Tampa Bay would love nothing more than to continue making a statement in the NFC by leaving Dallas with a win as football fans will certainly enjoy watching this one.
Dec 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak (R) talks with Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
1. Patriots vs. Broncos
Even if Peyton Manning is out of the picture, the meetings between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots always turn out to be classics as there’s a good chance the same could happen on Sunday. Hopefully, Tom Brady can figure out a way to overcome the struggles he tends to have in Denver as the future Hall of Famer has a career 2-7 record while playing the Broncos on the road.
While the Patriots will most likely win the AFC East and continue battling for the top seed in the AFC playoff picture, the defending Super Bowl champions are currently clinging on to the final Wild Card spot as they trail the Kansas City Chiefs by two games for the lead in the AFC West. Battling a team like the Patriots is never an easy task, but the Broncos defense always seems to be extra motivated when these two teams meet, whether it happens to be in the playoffs or the regular season.
Could this game between New Engalnd and Denver turn out to be an early playoff preview? If football fans are lucky, that’s exactly what will happen Sunday afternoon as all signs point to this turning into another classic battle between these AFC rivals.
