NFL Standings 2015: Results, Playoff Picture and Scenarios After Week 15
The Carolina Panthers used a last-second, game-winning field goal to remain undefeated, and in the process they handed the New York Giants a painful loss that may be a death blow to their efforts to come away with the NFC East title.
The Panthers (14-0) built a 35-7 lead over the Giants at MetLife Stadium, but the Giants (6-8) came roaring back and tied the game on Eli Manning's 14-yard TD pass to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. However, MVP candidate Cam Newton keyed a late drive and set kicker Graham Gano up for the game-winning, 43-yard field goal on the game's final play.
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Since the Washington Redskins (7-7) defeated the Buffalo Bills (6-8), 35-25, the Giants are a game behind the Redskins and Washington holds a tiebreaker edge over New York. The Bills were eliminated from wild-card consideration in the AFC with the loss.
| 1 | Carolina#, NFC North | 14-0 | at Atlanta | vs. Tampa Bay |
| 2 | Arizona*, NFC West | 12-2 | vs. Green Bay | vs. Seattle |
| 3 | Green Bay*, NFC North | 10-4 | at Arizona | vs. Minnesota |
| 4 | Washington, NFC East | 7-7 | at Philadelphia | at Dallas |
| 5 | Seattle*, NFC West | 9-5 | St. Louis | at Arizona |
| 6 | Minnesota, NFC North | 9-5 | vs. N.Y. Giants | at Green Bay |
| -- | Atlanta, NFC South | 7-7 | vs. Carolina | vs. New Orleans |
| -- | Philadelphia, NFC East | 6-8 | vs. Washington | at N.Y. Giants |
| -- | N.Y. Giants, NFC East | 6-8 | at Minnesota | vs. Philadelphia |
| *-Clinched playoffs; #-First-round bye |
The Minnesota Vikings (9-5) improved their playoff chances with a solid 38-17 victory over the Chicago Bears. The Vikings used four Teddy Bridgewater TD passes to get the victory.
The Vikings still have an opportunity to earn the NFC North title, and their Week 17 finale at Green Bay is likely to decide the division championship. Even if the Vikings can't overtake the Packers, they have an excellent chance at earning a playoff spot because they have a two-game lead over the Atlanta Falcons (7-7), who beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 23-17. The Vikings also have a tiebreaker edge over the Falcons because they beat them earlier this season.
The Packers (10-4) pulled off a 30-20 road victory over the Oakland Raiders. Damarious Randall had a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown to help set the tone for the Packers' victory.
The Vikings still trail the Seattle Seahawks (9-5) by virtue of the tiebreaker. The Seahawks beat the Cleveland Browns, 30-13, for their fifth straight win, as quarterback Russell Wilson threw three TD passes. Seattle has the edge on Minnesota because the Seahawks beat the Vikings in Week 13.
The Arizona Cardinals (12-2) stayed alive for the top seed in the NFC with their 40-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles (6-8). While the Eagles have given up 40 or more points in three of their last five games, they can still win the NFC East championship if they beat the Redskins in Week 16 and the Giants in the season finale.
The Houston Texans (7-7) took charge in the AFC South with their hard-fought 16-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts (6-8). The Texans shut out the Colts over the final 30 minutes and picked up their first victory ever in Indianapolis.
| 1 | New England#, AFC East | 12-2 | at N.Y. Jets | at Miami |
| 2 | Cincinnati,*, AFC North | 11-3 | at Denver | vs. Baltimore |
| 3 | Denver, AFC West | 10-4 | vs. Cincinnati | vs. San Diego |
| 4 | Houston, AFC South | 7-7 | at Tennessee | vs. Jacksonville |
| 5 | Kansas City, AFC West | 9-5 | vs. Cleveland | vs. Oakland |
| 6 | Pittsburgh, AFC North | 9-5 | at Baltimore | at Cleveland |
| -- | N.Y. Jets, AFC East | 9-5 | vs. New England | at Buffalo |
| -- | Indianapolis, AFC South | 6-8 | at Miami | vs. Tennessee |
| -- | Jacksonville, AFC South | 5-9 | at New Orleans | at Houston |
| *-Clinched playoff spot; #-First-round bye |
The Texans can clinch the AFC South with victories over the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars in the final two weeks of the season, while the Colts are on the outside of the playoff structure and will need help to get in.
The Pittsburgh Steelers improved to 9-5 with a 34-27 come-from-behind victory over the Denver Broncos. The Steelers trailed, 27-10, before Ben Roethlisberger and the offense took over. Pittsburgh has scored 30 points or more in six straight games, and they moved into the No. 6 spot in the AFC playoffs by virtue of the victory. Roethlisberger completed 40-of-55 passes for 380 yards with two TDs and he did not throw an interception.
The Broncos (10-4) are just a game in front of the streaking Kansas City Chiefs (9-5). If the Chiefs can win both of their remaining games against the Browns and Raiders and close the season on a 10-game winning streak, they will earn first place in the AFC West if the Broncos lose to the Cincinnati Bengals or San Diego Chargers. Kansas City defeated struggling Baltimore in Week 15, 34-14.
The Bengals (11-3) earned a 24-14 victory on the road over the San Francisco 49ers with backup A.J. McCarron at quarterback. The Bengals are holding onto the No. 2 spot in the AFC, and they will clinch that spot if they win at Denver in Week 16.
The No. 1 spot belongs to the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots (12-2), who recorded a 33-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans. Tom Brady threw two more touchdown passes in the victory and did not throw an interception.
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