NFL Picks Week 15: Indianapolis Colts and Others Are Fighting for Playoff Lives

The NFL season is starting to get down to crunch time. It is do or die for a lot of teams in the NFL, including some that are not used to it, such as the Indianapolis Colts.

As we go into Week 15 looking for some great matchups as we move into playoff time, there will not be a lot of talk about sitting players this season.

Here are some teams that are fighting for their postseason lives.

Tampa Bay

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LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 12: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scrambles during the game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on December 12, 2010 in Landover, Maryland. The Buccaneers defeated the Redskins 17-16. (Photo by Larry Frenc

Tampa Bay has had a season marred by injuries and has been quiet most of the season. They come into Week 15 sitting with a record of 8-5.  

They are not a team dominated by one aspect of the game but are overall a well-rounded team that has just quietly hung in the race for the playoffs this season.

They are a game back behind the Giants for a wild-card position and will need to win out and get lucky if they expect to have a chance at getting into the playoffs for the first time in a few years.

Green Bay

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DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 12: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is tackled during a second half run by Brandon McDonald #33 of the Detroit Lions on December 12, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Packers were a sure lock for the playoffs at the beginning of the season but were quickly knocked out of the divisional lead by the Chicago Bears.

The Packers are sitting at 8-5 and still have a shot at both the division title and a wild-card berth.

The Packers are sitting a game behind the Giants for the wild-card spot and are behind via tiebreaker to the Buccaneers. If they are to get the wild-card spot they will need to get lucky.

Green Bay is also one game behind the Bears for the divisional title and will win the division if it wins out and the Bears lose two.

With the injury to Aaron Rodgers, the Packers' playoff hopes are starting to shrink.

St. Louis

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks to throw a pass during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on December 12, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams

The Rams as of now have a playoff berth but have two teams nipping at their heels. They are currently 6-7 and are first in the division—yeah, you read that right.

St. Louis needs to keep winning if it expects to get a playoff berth, as it is trailed closely by Seattle, and there is an outside shot that San Francisco could catch them.

Seattle

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SAN FRANCISCO - DECEMBER 12: Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on December 12, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Seattle currently has a record of 6-7 and is tied at the top of the NFC West with the Rams. The Seahawks are looking to get back to the playoffs and control their own destiny as the two division leaders will meet again in Week 17.

This game is what it could all come down to for both teams, and it sure would be fun to watch, but as of now, the Seahawks just need to focus on winning.

Chicago

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 15: Workers shovel snow from the stands as TCF Bank Stadium prepares for a potential monday night football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears on December 15, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Preparations are due

The Bears control their own destiny, but their horrible effort put out last week against the Patriots has a lot of people wondering. Currently the Bears are sitting at 9-5 and on top of their division, but they have the Packers on their heels.

The Bears really need to win in Minnesota on Monday night if they are going to establish themselves as a true playoff team.

Indianapolis

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Colts won 30-28. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The Colts are having a horrible year for their normal standards. They come into Week 15 with a record of 7-6 and are just a game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars, who they just happen to face this weekend.

This game is the Colts' last hope at making the playoffs this season, as they need to win their last three games of the season to make the playoffs. It would be the first time since 2001 if they did not make the playoffs this season.

It should be a heck of a match this weekend against the Jaguars, but I would give the Colts the edge in this one because of Peyton Manning.

San Diego

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers calls a play during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

San Diego is also struggling this season, although they are starting to get it together. They have a record of 7-6 and are sitting second in the AFC West behind the Chiefs.

The Chiefs control their own destiny, but if quarterback Matt Cassel is still out, it could leave a door open for the Chargers.

The Chargers will need to get lucky and win out to have a shot at the playoffs this season.

Jacksonville

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Kamerion Wimbley #96 of the Oakland Raiders attempts to tackle Greg Jones #33 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty

This is the team that is locked in right now that should be worried the most. They face their division rivals the Colts this weekend and need to beat them to pretty much ensure a berth in the playoffs this season.

This game is very important to both teams, as the Jaguars sit just one game ahead of the Colts with a record of 8-5. Jacksonville controls its destiny right now but needs to win this one and keep on winning to guarantee itself a playoff spot.

Kansas City

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers is covered by Brandon Flowers #24 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Kansas City is in the same situation as the Jaguars right now except they don't have to beat the Chargers again. The Chiefs are sitting at 8-5 and a game ahead of the Chargers. They control their own destiny if they continue to win out.

Their quarterback has been out with an injury, and if he doesn't return they could be in trouble. If he does, though, the Chiefs should have a great shot at making the playoffs.