NFL Playoff Picture: What's on the Line in Week 15?

The 2013 NFL season has been quite the whirlwind; the end already in sight.

There is plenty of drama left to unfold over the final three weeks. San Diego got the fireworks started early this week, shocking Denver on the road and giving Philip Rivers and his bolo tie a chance to shine.

Denver's dud had serious playoff implications across the top of the AFC. What else is in store for teams in the playoff hunt this week?

Green Bay's Shot

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Somehow, some way, Green Bay has been able to stay in the NFC playoff hunt without Aaron Rodgers for the past several weeks. But the Packers are on life support.

Green Bay sits a half-game behind Detroit and Chicago, and Rodgers might be back for the stretch run starting this week. If he doesn't, it might be too little, too late.

It won't be easy on the road against a Dallas team also fighting for its playoff life. Fortunately, the Cowboys are playing their patented no-tackle defense these days, so it might not matter much if Rodgers is back or Matt Flynn gets the starting nod.

Jason Garrett's Job

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If votes of confidence were worth money, Jason Garrett would be a rich man.

Well, richer, given he probably makes several million dollars per year. Incidentally, coaching contract information isn't easy to find.

At any rate, what good are votes of confidence when you cannot shake your team from perennial mediocrity? The Cowboys have finished 8-8 the past two seasons and are in grave danger of a similar finish this year.

Dallas has fallen behind Philadelphia in the NFC East. The margin for error is shrinking.

They have a great opportunity to win against a Packers team that may still be without Aaron Rodgers this weekend. But last week was supposed to be a nice opportunity against backup Josh McCown, and all he did was torch the woeful Cowboys defense for five total touchdowns.

Should things go awry at home, though, Jerry Jones might start to think about a veto.

Bubble Teams' Chances

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The Dolphins have been coming on lately, but an earlier loss to the Ravens has them stiff-armed out of a playoff spot. Miami is tied with Baltimore for the six seed in the AFC, but that loss has the Dolphins on the outside looking in for now.

Arizona has been playing as well as any team lately, but the Cardinals can't crack the NFC's top six. Fortunately for them, the Panthers stumbled in New Orleans last week, opening the door a bit for the Cardinals to sneak into the playoffs.

Will either of these teams get over the hump and into the driver's seat this week?

Miami has to beat New England this week, never an easy task no matter who is injured on that squad. Fortunately, the Dolphins do not have to travel to wintry weather for this matchup, though they have fared well in the cold the past couple of weeks.

Can Miami's defense take advantage of the injures that have decimated the New England offense?

Arizona has a bit of an easier time against Tennessee, but the game is on the road. That defense has been playing lights out in recent weeks, but losing Tyrann Mathieu is no small matter.

Beyond needing to win, of course, is the fact these teams need help to get into the playoffs. Baltimore and Carolina are ahead. The Cardinals hold the tiebreaker over the Panthers.

The AFC's Top Seed

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The first part of this equation was eradicated when the Broncos couldn't take care of business at home against the Chargers, but plenty is still at stake this weekend for Peyton Manning and Co.

New England is master of its playoff fate, able to win home-field advantage by winning out. The Patriots travel to Miami reeling from a devastating knee injury to tight end Rob Gronkowski, however.

Lest we forget, the Dolphins held a big lead on the Patriots at halftime the last time the teams met. This will be no cakewalk.

Kansas City could pull even with Denver this weekend, too. The Chiefs—who were effectively two games back of the Broncos heading into Week 15 given tiebreaker scenarios—need to avoid doom in the Black Hole.

The NFC North

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Green Bay might be lurking, but the NFC North is in the hands of Detroit and Chicago.

The Lions and Bears have floundered at times, stumbling into a tie for the division for a variety of reasons. By virtue of a tiebreaker, however, Detroit is the current leader in the north.

Both teams get AFC divisional counterparts this week. The Bears travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns, who have not been an easy out this season. Chicago does get Jay Cutler back, though, which could not come at a better time despite Josh McCown's marvelous play in his stead.

Detroit might have finally thawed out after that snowy affair in Philadelphia last week, and the Lions get to play the Ravens in the comfortable confines of Ford Field.

It's rather simple for Detroit—keep winning and they'll be in. 

Chasing the Top Pick

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Alright, so this has nothing to do with this year's playoffs, but things are coming down to the wire in the NFL's race to the bottom.

It was once a foregone conclusion the Jaguars or Raiders would have the top pick in the draft. Things have changed quite a bit since then.

Washington and Atlanta are playing in the Toilet Bowl this week, an already malodorous affair with Mike Shanahan's shenanigans. Of course, the Rams will be rooting for the Falcons, given they own Washington's first-round pick this year.

The Texans control their own destiny for the top pick, having the worst record in the league and all. But should they mess around and win a game, the loser of the battle in Atlanta might win the Bridgewater-Clowney sweepstakes.  

Philadelphia's Continued Rise

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What a difference half a season makes.

The Eagles are 7-2 over their last nine games, taking over sole possession of the NFC East in that time. Sports Illustrated cover boy Nick Foles has defied the odds and the pundits to become one of the better quarterbacks in the league—at least over that span—and he takes his talents on the road to Minnesota this week.

Philadelphia should have no trouble continuing its success this week in Minnesota, but this is the NFL. Road games are never a given. 

But if all goes as expected, Philadelphia will keep that lead in the NFC East. The division could get a whole lot clearer if the Cowboys also get upended at home.

Righting the Ship

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The Colts have the AFC South and a playoff spot all sewn up. But has there ever been a worse team to clinch the division by Week 14?

Indianapolis certainly earned it with its early season success, beating the likes of the 49ers, Seahawks and Broncos in impressive fashion. But injuries and regression have taken their toll on this team, which has lost three of its past five games.

The Colts don't have to win anything the rest of the way—there is little chance to improve seeding—but they might want to right the ship a bit before diving into the postseason.

It will be interesting to see if they can do just that against a tailspinning Texans team. Houston comes to town with an interim head coach, so this figures to be a "get right" game for the Colts.

There is certainly a lot to fix in Indianapolis.

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