NFL Week 16: What's at Stake for Teams, Players This Weekend?

The final two weeks of the 2015 regular season are here. Pressure is mounting as the playoffs approach, and we have several key battles left before everything is decided. There could be many changes to seeding and postseason matchups if this weekend brings unexpected results.

There are several great games that will test playoff contenders and Super Bowl favorites alike. As usual, this article will cover which players and coaches have the most at stake in Week 16; slipping up now could affect job statuses for next season.

Let's take a look at the six figures around the league who face the most pressure this weekend. Leave your predictions for how things will turn out in the comments section.

Kirk Cousins: A Large Long-Term Contract

Mark Tenally/Associated Press

While Washington Redskins fans should be grateful for head coach Jay Gruden's decision to start Kirk Cousins over Robert Griffin III in Week 1, the thought of giving Cousins a long-term contract with major guaranteed money is scary. The fourth-year quarterback has posted a solid stat line, but he is still a limited signal-caller who requires high-quality playmakers to be functional. That's not a good description for a player who may be asking for $15 to $20 million a year.

Former NFL agent and salary-cap expert Joel Corry of CBS Sports opined that Cousins could receive $45 million in guaranteed money over four seasons. There's no question Cousins has played better than any quarterback Washington has had in a long time, sans Robert Griffin in 2012. That's worthy of an investment.

But to fully justify such a franchise-altering deal, the Redskins need to make the playoffs. Washington can clinch the NFC East with a win Saturday night in Philadelphia. If they do, Cousins won't be the only one responsible, but a good performance will help make a big extension easier to swallow.

Sam Bradford: First Playoff Trip

Michael Perez/Associated Press

On the other side of the Philadelphia Eagles-Washington Redskins matchup is another quarterback angling for a new contract. First-year Philadelphia quarterback Sam Bradford hasn't been a dynamic player in 2015, but he has improved recently. With a win Saturday night, the Eagles are likely to return to the playoffs, and Bradford would see the postseason for the first time.

Head coach Chip Kelly has already established he acquired Bradford for the long term, so a postseason berth may not affect his interest in retaining the Oklahoma product. But Bradford must grab control of the job, and making the playoffs would be a big step in that direction. He may also benefit in negotiations from a divisional crown on his resume.

For the Eagles to beat surging Washington, they'll have to shore up a defense that has allowed 40 or more points in three of the last five games. Bradford and the Philly offense is good enough to keep the team in modest-scoring affairs, but not a shootout. This is a good matchup for Bradford against a poor secondary.

Johnny Manziel: 2016 Roster Status

Ted S. Warren/Associated Press

If they solely focused on how Johnny Manziel has played, the Cleveland Browns should bring him back in 2016 as the unquestioned starter. Manziel hasn't been great, with an inability to adjust to defenses mid-game a major issue, but he has improved enough as a pocket passer to earn more time. But it's not that simple due to Manziel's off-field transgressions.

Playing the Kansas City Chiefs' staunch defense this week will be a massive test. Kansas City will throw looks at Manziel he may not have seen in the NFL before. He'll have to stay composed and be wary of the Chiefs' talented secondary, which is led by Sean Smith, Marcus Peters and Eric Berry.

If Manziel can finish the season strong and show he is committed to football by doing as the franchise asks, it's possible he returns. Neither the Browns nor anyone else will want to take that chance if Manziel puts up two bad games to close the year. As the Greg Hardy saga has shown, teams will deal with character-issue players as long as their output on game day is worth the headache.

Todd Bowles: The Wild Card

Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press

As impressive as the New York Jets have been this year in Todd Bowles' first season as a head coach, there's more work to be done. With two games remaining, New York trails the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers for a postseason spot due to tiebreakers in the wild-card race. Bowles and the Jets have a bit of an uphill climb to make the playoffs.

The New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills are still on New York's schedule, and the Jets likely need to win both games to reach the postseason. Even then, the tiebreaker situation may lock them out. They need a little bit of help.

The positive for New York, even if it misses the playoffs, is that its roster looks good for 2016. Continuity should help the Jets continue to improve, even in a difficult division. But they still have reason to fight this season, just in case Kansas City or Pittsburgh falters down the stretch.

Marvin Lewis: A Needed Bye Week

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

After years of building the Cincinnati Bengals through the draft, head coach Marvin Lewis finally seemed to have a legitimate Super Bowl contender. His defense has been humming along with Geno Atkins returning to an elite level and Michael Johnson back in the fold. Offensively, quarterback Andy Dalton and tight end Tyler Eifert have clearly advanced into upper-echelon players at their respective positions.

Then Dalton suffered a fractured thumb, which forced AJ McCarron to play. If Dalton cannot return for Cincinnati's first playoff game, you can count this team out right now. McCarron accomplished great things at Alabama, but he's a long way from that southern comfort now.

Winning in Denver on Monday Night Football won't be easy, but the stakes are huge. A win clinches a first-round bye for the Bengals. That extra week could be the difference in Dalton playing or not in the playoffs.

Mike McCarthy: The NFC North

Ben Margot/Associated Press

The Green Bay Packers are in a good spot with two weeks remaining before the playoffs. Things have settled somewhat for the Packers since Mike McCarthy took the play-calling duties from Tom Clements. Green Bay has scored an average of 29 points per game since that transition, which is nearly a full touchdown improvement from the 12 previous games.

While the Packers can clinch the NFC North this week with a win and a Vikings loss, their side of the bargain will be difficult to execute. Green Bay travels to Arizona to face the red-hot Cardinals. Arizona will be playing to clinch the second overall seed, so it'll be dialed in.

Winning the division one week before playing the Vikings to close the regular season would be a tremendous advantage for the Packers. Since it is likely Green Bay and Minnesota will play a third time in the Wild Card Round, the Packers wouldn't have to go all-out two weeks in a row against the same team. While McCarthy can't do much about the Vikings, he can prepare his team for the Cardinals as if this were a playoff game.

All stats from Sports-Reference.com.

Ian Wharton is an NFL featured columnist for Bleacher Report. 

Follow @NFLFilmStudy