So much for the suspense, but the positions are already very precise in AFC. As of this weekend, if the Steelers win against the Ravens, we could know the 4 division winners, or even the number 1 seed if the Chiefs win and Buffalo loses.
It's the opposite in the NFC where every game counts. If the Eagles can close the NFC East against the Commanders, everything is open to the north, west, and south. For the division, 3 teams are fighting each other: woe to the vanquished.
Game of the week: Lamar Jackson and the Ravens face the iron wall
Kick-off Saturday at 7 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens (9-5) – Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Stakes, division rivalry, level of the two teams: this rematch between the Steelers and the Ravens has all the advantages of the match of the week. It's simple: if successful, the Steelers, already assured of going to the playoffs, would officially win the AFC North. A destiny that not many people would have bet on at the start of the year.
But a month after the first meeting won with difficulty, we will have to work hard again against the Ravens. Baltimore would qualify for the playoffs if successful. With George Pickens (WR) and DeShon Elliott (DB) doubtful, and TJ Watt (DE) down due to an ankle injury, Pittsburgh has some work to do. Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens) has the opportunity to take revenge on an opponent who is not successful for him, with 4 defeats in 5 confrontations as a starter.
So, no excuse not to watch this Steelers-Ravens clash, especially since the match is Saturday.
Player of the week: The birth of the Penix?
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons (7-7) – New York Giants (2-12)
Can the Falcons rise from the ashes? In difficulty in recent weeks, authors of a narrow victory against Raiders who did not really want to win, Atlanta put Kirk Cousins on the bench who did not really give him wings.
Make way for Michael Penix Jr. Selected to everyone's surprise in 8th place in the draft by a franchise which had just guaranteed 100 million to Cousins, Penix must bring order to an attack undermined by the interceptions of his predecessor. The key is survival for the playoffs, and legitimacy for the choice of its general manager. Opposite, the Giants no longer have the same pass rush since the injury to Dexter Lawrence (DT).
The duel of the week; Lions versus Lions
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Chicago Bears (4-10) – Detroit Lions (12-2)
Could the lion be associating with the cockroach? Gloom sets in somewhat in Motor City. An attractive team and favorite for the title, the Lions are overwhelmed by fate. Already, the defeat against the Bills has allowed the Vikings and the Eagles to get back into the race for first place in the NFC. Above all, injuries are piling up in Michigan. They, who already had a record number of 18 players on the injured list before the game against the Bills, now have 21, adding Alim McNeill (DT), Khalil Dorsey and Carlton Davis (CB), not counting the serious injury of David Montgomery (RB).
So, facing the Bears who have nothing left to play for, the Lions must win, and above all not lose anyone again. Obviously, this is not ideal before a clash against a divisional opponent. Because it is well known, you should not sell the skin of bears before having killed them…
The stat of the week: 99
Kick-off Saturday at 7 p.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) – Houston Texans (9-5)
It is often said, in the NFL, if the attack is attractive, the defense is vital. The Kansas City Chiefs are 13-1, and yet they haven't scored more than 30 points all season. Which is amazing when you think that their quarterback remains Patrick Mahomes and their offensive guru Andy Reid, becomes staggering given the history of the league.
It has simply been 99 years since the Frankford Yellow Jackets in 1925 that any team had achieved such a number of victories with this statistic. The record would be broken if the Chiefs did not cross this threshold against the Texans. With Patrick Mahomes (QB) at least diminished by his ankle injury, and the quality of the Houston line, scoring more than 30 points would be a surprise. But, to break the record, you also have to win, and Houston has a case to make.
Division of the Week: Is the NFC Back in Philadelphia?
Kick-off Saturday at 7 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens (9-5) – Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Washington Commanders (9-5) – Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) – Watch for free on M6+
Atlanta Falcons (7-7) – New York Giants (2-12)
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Dallas Cowboys (6-8) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)
The NFC is in the exact opposite situation to the AFC since everything remains very open. The only division that appears to be played is the NFC East. With three games ahead of the Commanders, the Eagles can see it coming. In the event of victories against their rivals on Sunday, they would ensure they officially regain the division and second place in the NFC. But the stakes are broader. For Philadelphia, first place in the NFC remains accessible even if it will take favorable results to obtain it. For the Commanders, a victory would almost be synonymous with the playoffs. With the current rankings, the two teams have a good chance of finding their way there.
Cowboys like Giants have nothing left to play and will serve as stages in the fight between the Buccaneers and the Falcons for the NFC South. If Tampa Bay has a game lead and its destiny in its hands, the tie-breaker is in favor of Atlanta in the event of a tie.
Other division shocks
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Indianapolis Colts (6-8) – Tennessee Titans (3-11)
Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) – Cleveland Browns (3-11)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Buffalo Bills (11-3) – New England Patriots (3-11)
It's simple, apart from the Bills who are still chasing first place in the AFC, none of these teams really have anything to play for. To see the use they make of Josh Allen (QB), slightly injured in the shoulder last week.
Thanks to Jonathan Taylor, among others, the Colts only have a tiny chance of qualifying even if they start as big favorites against the Titans. Indianapolis is 5-1 against teams with a negative record, and the tenure of Mason Rudolph (QB) by Tennessee is not very reassuring.
Same story for the Bengals, although we imagine that a defeat against the Browns would be additional pain in a largely failed season.
The other matches of week 15
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (3-11) – Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
New York Jets (4-10) – Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks (8-6) – Minnesota Vikings (12-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) – Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11)
Miami Dolphins (6-8) – San Francisco 49ers (6-8)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Green Bay Packers (10-4) – New Orleans Saints (5-9)
Woe to the victors! Neither the Raiders or Jaguars have any interest in winning at this point. On the other hand, the Cardinals are showing their last cards in North Carolina. One defeat, and it would be over. Fortunately, Arizona's ground game led by James Conner (RB) should celebrate against the Panthers.
For their part, the Rams have an important but not crucial match against the Jets: for them, everything will be decided against the Cardinals and the Seahawks over the last two weeks. On the other hand, a defeat would put Seattle in great difficulty: and this is bad, Seattle is 3-5 at home, and the Vikings are impressive.
Against the Saints, Green Bay can secure the playoffs with a victory. The path to first place in the NFC is also so tenuous that the Packers could then be tempted to rotate their squad a little.
Matches of week 15
Kick-off Saturday at 7 p.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (13-1) – Houston Texans (9-5)
Baltimore Ravens (9-5) – Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons (7-7) – New York Giants (2-12)
Carolina Panthers (3-11) – Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
Chicago Bears (4-10) – Detroit Lions (12-2)
Indianapolis Colts (6-8) – Tennessee Titans (3-11)
New York Jets (4-10) – Los Angeles Rams (8-6)
Washington Commanders (9-5) – Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)
Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) – Cleveland Browns (3-11)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks (8-6) – Minnesota Vikings (12-2)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Buffalo Bills (11-3) – New England Patriots (3-11)
Las Vegas Raiders (2-12) – Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11)
Miami Dolphins (6-8) – San Francisco 49ers (6-8)
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Dallas Cowboys (6-8) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Green Bay Packers (10-4) – New Orleans Saints (5-9)
