Don't worry, the Super Bowl hasn't arrived… but we're in for some great rehearsals. If we omit the Chiefs, the AFC and the NFC pit their big names against each other this weekend. Bills–Lions, Eagles–Steelers: the chances of seeing at least one of these four teams compete for the Vince Lombardi Trophy next February are great.
Behind them, the knives are sharpening as the last four matches of the season approach. In the NFC, Packers and Seahawks have an important meeting, while the AFC South could definitely fall into the hands of the Texans.
Match of the week: Josh Allen, jack of all trades? (Super Bowl early? Part one: the favorites)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Detroit Lions (12-1) – Buffalo Bills (10-3)
The results speak for themselves. Both the Lions and Bills are guaranteed to make the playoffs, and each team is now looking to secure the top conference spot which ensures avoiding the wild card round. So, Super Bowl early? Not so sure. Already, the Kansas City Chiefs exist. Then, the teams arrive with less good dynamics than one might think.
Josh Allen (QB, Bills) could be the player of the week in every column because he carries his team so much. Against the Rams, his defense completely failed him. He became the first player in history to throw 3 touchdowns and score 3 rushing without winning the game. However, Buffalo's defense has exploded, and this is not the first time: in four away games against teams with a positive record, the Bills are 1-3, conceding 28 points on average.
So, against the Lions, who are undoubtedly the best team in the league, it will be complicated. Especially since the running duo Jahmyr Gibbs / David Montgomery will be able to put pressure on the ground, where it hurts, for the Bills in difficulty in the field. Be careful though, Detroit remains on two fragile victories. One thing is certain, between two teams aggressive in their choices, the offensive series will count four attempts more than ever.
Player of the week: Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh's voodoo wizard (Super Bowl early? Part two: the challengers)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) – Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)
The weather is always nice in Philadelphia, except for the Steelers. The neighbors of the Eagles have not won there since… 1965. That is 59 years of drought with 10 defeats over the period including 3 under the command of Mike Tomlin. So how can you counter the curse, other than with another spell? In his career, Russell Wilson (QB, Steelers) is 5-0 against Philadelphia. The quarterback likes big nights, and that's good, his team will really need it.
The Eagles have the second-best air defense in the league in yards conceded per game, and George Pickens (WR, Steelers) won't be there. On the other side, eyes will be on AJ Brown (WR, Eagles) and Jalen Hurts (QB, Eagles). There would be tensions between the two, against the backdrop of a poorly exploited passing game. Against Pittsburgh, less comfortable in the air than on the ground, this could be the solution. In any case, here is another poster that has a chance for Super Bowl LIX.
The stat of the week: 10 good reasons to be at home
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Seattle Seahawks (8-5) – Green Bay Packers (9-4)
The match between the Seahawks and the Packers is one of the other great games of the weekend. If Green Bay has a good chance of reaching the playoffs, whatever the result of the match, we must win to keep a chance in the NFC North. A defeat on Sunday would give them a negative result against the Seahawks who are not at all sure of winning the NFC West with the return of the Rams.
In this confrontation, most of the statistical lights are green for the Wisconsin franchise, which has only lost to teams with at least 11 victories today. Except one. In the Packers-Seahawks rivalry, the home team has won the last 10 meetings. The last away victory dates back to 2008. For prime time at Lumen Field, the Cheeseheads know what to expect, especially since the meetings between the two teams are often incredible. In 2015, it took a crazy scenario to deprive them of the Super Bowl.
The coach: Jim Harbaugh, against bad habits
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
To be a promising team. Gain power. Being on the verge of the playoffs, dreaming of the Super Bowl, only to finally collapse. The Chargers know this scenario well. If they went to get Jim Harbaugh as coach, it is partly to have this control in the moments that count. And for now, it's half working. Harbaugh has established a very good dynamic, no one will take away from him, but the Chargers are 1-2 in the last 3 games, and their defense is starting to show signs of weakness.
Facing a Buccaneers team that is running at full speed (three wins in a row), the match could be a turning point.
The division of the week: the turning point in the AFC South?
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Houston Texans (8-5) – Miami Dolphins (6-7)
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10) – New York Jets (3-10)
Tennessee Titans (3-10) – Cincinnati Bengals (5-8)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Denver Broncos (8-5) – Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
The AFC South could see its outcome this weekend. With the Titans and Jaguars already eliminated, the Texans can finish the job. To do this, they need to beat the Dolphins and hope for a Broncos victory against the Colts. A possible scenario given the form of the teams, but which would have many other consequences.
In addition to the Colts, the Dolphins would also see their playoff chances, which they have been patiently increasing for several weeks, collapse. For the Bengals, it would simply be elimination. For Indianapolis, victory is a must, not only to stay in contention for the division, but also to embarrass Denver for the wild card. With the Chargers, Bengals, and Chiefs ahead of them, the Broncos can't waste time, and the Colts could take advantage.
The shocks of division
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:00 a.m.
Minnesota Vikings (11-2) – Chicago Bears (4-9)
A defeat would officially seal the fate of Chicago, who has not won since week 7. The Bears are catchy and hard to play, but Minnesota has free rein to formalize a qualification that is beyond doubt. The victory would allow us to still believe in victory in the NFC, which would greatly increase the chances of reaching the Super Bowl.
The other matches of week 15
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (3-10) – Dallas Cowboys (5-8)
Cleveland Browns (3-10) – Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)
New Orleans Saints (5-8) – Washington Commanders (8-5)
New York Giants (2-11) – Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (6-7) – New England Patriots (3-10)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:00 a.m.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) – Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
In the other meetings of the week, there are several unbalanced posters. Jameis Winston (QB, Browns) or not, Cleveland will have a hard time against the Chiefs. The Ravens, although they disappointed in easy matches, are superior to the Giants. To a lesser extent, the Cardinals and Falcons normally have margin over the Patriots and Raiders, but the two birds are crossing a strange desert currently, so anything remains possible.
Coming out of the bye week, Washington will have to step up against the Saints to show that the Commanders are worthy of the wild card. Finally, for the Panthers, a defeat would mean elimination. Same for Dallas, but Washington would also have to win.
Matches of week 15
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (3-10) – Dallas Cowboys (5-8)
Cleveland Browns (3-10) – Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)
Houston Texans (8-5) – Miami Dolphins (6-7)
Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10) – New York Jets (3-10)
New Orleans Saints (5-8) – Washington Commanders (8-5)
New York Giants (2-11) – Baltimore Ravens (8-5)
Tennessee Titans (3-10) – Cincinnati Bengals (5-8)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (6-7) – New England Patriots (3-10)
Denver Broncos (8-5) – Indianapolis Colts (6-7)
Detroit Lions (12-1) – Buffalo Bills (10-3)
Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
Philadelphia Eagles (11-2) – Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Seattle Seahawks (8-5) – Green Bay Packers (9-4)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:00 a.m.
Minnesota Vikings (11-2) – Chicago Bears (4-9)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-11) – Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
