NFL Week 15 Preview: Dissecting Games with Biggest Playoff Implications

The amount of parity around the NFL this season is utterly amazing.

The San Diego Chargers and Indianapolis Colts both sit at an ominous 7-6, and are on the outside looking in for a spot in the postseason.

The New York Jets, a team that many had penciled into the playoffs before the season even began, find themselves in the midst of a two-game slide and have a very tough matchup once again this week with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Will the Green Bay Packers be left out of the playoffs in a competitive NFC? Can the Chiefs finish their triumphant run and take home the AFC West?

This week's slate of action should be awfully telling for a number of teams around the league.  

San Fracisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 31-0. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

The Chargers come into this week's Thursday night showdown at 7-6 and desperate for a win.

Likewise, Mike Singletary and the 49ers have their back against the wall as they stand at 5-8. Believe it or not, the Bay Area boys still have a legitimate shot at taking home the division title in a very poor NFC West.

A loss would be devastating to both teams, as it would essentially knock them out of postseason contention with just two weeks left to play.

Look for Philip Rivers to come out and put on an aerial display early and for Alex Smith to crumble against a very formidable San Diego defense.

Final Score: Chargers 31, 49ers 17

New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 12: Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets against the Miami Dolphins at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 12, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

This is not a good time to be a Jets fan.

After losing consecutive games in embarrassing fashion to division rivals New England and Miami, Mark Sanchez and the rest of the Jets have one of their toughest matchups of the season in store with a trip to Pittsburgh scheduled for Week 15.

The Steelers have been playing well of late despite some struggles on offense, as the Steel Curtain's defense looks as strong as it has all season. With a very intimidating linebacking core and the best safety in the NFL, it doesn't look like the Sanchize is going to turn it around this week.

If the Jets fall to 9-5, they're in serious trouble. And that's a very likely scenario.

Final Score: Steelers 24, Jets 17

Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots

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CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 12: Lance Briggs #55 of the Chicago Bears rushes against Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots at Soldier Field on December 12, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Patriots defeated the Bears 36-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

This one is very basic.

If Aaron Rodgers doesn't play, the Packers don't stand a chance and will likely fall to 8-6. And even if he does, the Patriots have been blistering opponents so badly that it's hard to imagine Green Bay finding success in Foxborough.

Tom Brady and his crew are looking to put the rest of the league on notice, and they should do exactly that. If the Packers fall to 8-6, they're going to have a tough time reaching the postseason.

A disappointing scenario for many people's Super Bowl favorites.

Final Score: Patriots 35, Packers 20

New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints looks to throw the ball during the game against the St. Louis Rams at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Saints are riding an enormous wave of momentum and find themselves sitting at 10-3, good enough for just second place behind the surprising Falcons.

The 9-4 Ravens sit one game behind the first-place Steelers (10-3) and need to secure a victory if they have any hopes of taking home their division.

Unfortunately for Baltimore, the offensive attack hasn't look as potent as many had predicted with all of the weapons in that offense and the defense is aging rather quickly.

Look for Drew Brees to fire quick strikes all day around the field and the Saints to come away with their 11th win of the season.

Final Score: Saints 34, Ravens 24

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts gives instructions to his team during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

When the 2010 NFL regular season schedule was released, nobody thought that the Week 15 matchup between the Colts and Jags would have this type of impact.

The marquee matchup of the week, the 7-6 Colts are looking to pull into a tie for the lead in the AFC South with the over-achieving 8-5 Jaguars.

With the Jags 3-1 in the division, including a 31-28 victory over the Colts in Week 4, Peyton Manning is going to do everything possible to ensure that this game results in a victory.

Luckily for the Colts, this one is at home, but the way they've been playing recently, it's still to be determined whether or not that is going to help them very much.

In the end, there's little doubt that one of the greatest quarterbacks ever will find a way to pull it out.

No Jaguars fans, I'm not talking about David Garrard.

Final Score: Colts 35, Jaguars 26