NFL Picks Week 15: Outcomes That Will Reshape Playoff Picture

It is that time of the NFL season where games not only affect the teams involved, but the teams around them. Here are three games whose outcomes will have that kind of impact on the playoff picture.

New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles

Winner: Eagles

The Jets enter this game with a one-game lead on three other teams for the final playoff spot. They are in a bad situation with tiebreakers. They need this win.

Unfortunately, they play an Eagles team that looked worlds better with Michael Vick at the reins last week. The offensive numbers weren't amazing, but they did enough against a Dolphins defense that had been playing at a high level to pull out the victory.

This week, the Eagles will be able to spread out the field and use their speed to torch a slow Jets defense. 

On the other side of the ball, the Jets will be able to find some success running the ball, but the Eagles will make it tough for them to pass the ball.

Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers

Winner: Steelers

This game was already played. It was on Thanksgiving, and the 49ers lost 16-6. Wait...that wasn't against the Steelers, that was against the Ravens!

This contest will be similar to that one though, only the 49ers matchup worse with the Steelers' offense than they do with the Ravens. The Steelers like to spread the field and throw the ball.

And that is how you beat this San Francisco defense. The 49ers are 11th on the year in yards allowed per pass attempt at 6.4, and that number is getting worse. Over their last three they are averaging 7.5 yards per pass.

This loss will knock the 49ers to the No. 3 seed in the NFC. That means no first round bye for the 49ers. However, the win for the Steelers will not improve their situation because....

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

Winner: Ravens

The Ravens will beat the resurgent Chargers to maintain their tie with the Steelers in the AFC North. A tie is alright for the Ravens because they hold the tiebreaker on the Steelers.

As for this game, they take on a San Diego team that appears to be in the midst of their December hot streak.

However, the Chargers' resurgence has come against the downtrodden Bills and Jaguars. Those are two teams that are ill-equipped to handle the Chargers' passing attack.

The problem that those two teams had that the Ravens will not is they could not rush the passer. The Chargers' offensive line is thin and ineffective.

Baltimore is No. 1 in the NFL in sack percentage. They are going to destroy this offensive line and harass Philip Rivers into bad throws and turnovers.

The Chargers' loss will end their hopes at the postseason.