NFL Picks Week 15: The Unit That Will Have the Biggest Impact on Each Game

NFl playoff races are beginning to heat up. That means each game becomes more important and each unit is under more scrutiny. 

Week 15 has intriguing matchups across the board.  Can Tim Tebow continue the Broncos' winning streak against Tom Brady and the Pats? Who will win the physical matchup between Pittsburg and San Francisco?

Let's look at the most important unit in each game this week. 

Jacksonville at Atlanta: Falcons Wide Receivers

Key to the development of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been the development of secondary receivers behind Roddy White.

Julio Jones has made big plays when healthy, which he is now. Also, Harry Douglas has become a big weapon out of the slot with close to 500 receiving yards.

Ryan and the Falcons will try to continue this success against the Jaguars. 

Dallas at Tampa Bay: Cowboys Running Backs

Dallas has found success this season on offense using a more ground-based attack, thanks in large part to the development running back of DeMarco Murray.

Now that Murray is done for the season, the Cowboys' offensive identity is in flux. The success of Dallas will hinge on the ability of Felix Jones to handle the load in the running game. 

Miami at Buffalo: Bills Defensive Front

The Bills rank among the worst rush defenses in the league, giving up 130 yards per game on the ground. Conversely, the Dolphins rank 11th in rush offense and have really begun to run the ball better in recent weeks.

The Bills will have to raise their game up front to hold down the Miami offense. 

Seattle at Chicago: Bears Special Teams

The Bears have managed just 13 points in their last two games with Caleb Hanie under center, and have lost three straight games since Jay Cutler went down.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks have scored 30 points in back-to-back weeks. The Bears' defense is good enough to contain them, but Chicago has to find a way to score points.

Luckily, they have the greatest return man in NFL history in Devin Hester. It will take a big day out of Hester and Robbie Gould for the Bears to pull this one out. 

Tennessee at Indianapolis: Titans Backfield

Titans fans aren’t quite sure what they’re going to get out of their backfield this Sunday. Matt Hasselbeck had to leave the Saints game early with a leg injury and was replaced capably by Jake Locker. His status is uncertain.

Additionally, Chris Johnson was unimpressive against the Saints following his two best games of the season. If the Titans can get decent play out of the backfield, they should be able to handle the winless Colts. 

Green Bay at Kansas City: Aaron Rodgers

Let’s not beat around the bush on this one. Aaron Rodgers is playing at a level that we’ve never seen in the National Football League.

The Chiefs are pretty good in pass defense, but it just doesn’t matter. Rodgers will make sure the Packers win big. 

Cincinnati at St. Louis: Bengals Defensive Line

With Sam Bradford’s struggles, the only thing on which the Rams can rely offensively is Stephen Jackson. Against the Bengals, though, that’s not the greatest strategy.

Cincinnati ranks 7 in the NFL in rush defense. It should be another long day for the St. Louis offense. 

New Orleans at Minnesota: Saints Wide Receivers

Despite ranking 3rd in the NFL in sacks, the Vikings defense is ranked 26th in pass defense.

No one has thrown for more yards this season than Drew Brees. That means that a deep wide receiver core should have a field day against a struggling Minnesota defensive backfield. 

Washington at New York Giants: Giants Running Backs

Although Eli Manning has established himself as an elite quarterback this season, he’s had to do so without the luxury of a running game.

The Giants rank last in the NFL in rushing yards per game. The Redskins have an above--average pass defense, so it will be important for the Giants to establish the run.

In the Giants' last game, Brandon Jacobs topped 100 yards for the first time all season. 

Carolina at Houston: Quarterbacks

The quarterbacks will be the key for both teams. For Carolina, Cam Newton has shown he has as much ability as any quarterback. Turnovers have plagued him, though.

In Houston, T. J. Yates has been 2-0 since being thrust from third team to starter. Whichever rookie can shine on Sunday will come out with a victory. 

Detroit at Oakland: Lions Offensive Line

Detroit isn’t known for pounding the rock on offense, but against one of the worst run defenses in the league they might be more balanced.

Even the Packers went to the ground against Oakland, rushing for over 130 yards last week. The Lions should try to get physical with the Raiders' defensive front. 

New England at Denver: Broncos Defensive Line

The teams who have given Tom Brady trouble in the past are those with the pass-rushing ability to move him consistently off of his spot. Denver has the ability to do just that.

Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil lead the way for a Broncos defense that ranks fourth in sacks. Their ability to contain the Patriots' offense is the key to the game. 

New York Jets at Philadelphia: Jets Defensive Backfield

Michael Vick has struggled to stay healthy and to find the same consistency he played with last season. The Jets can lock down a receiving corps as good as any team in the league, and will look to frustrate Vick.

Turnovers have been an issue and if Vick forces a pass, the Jets may just spark the offense with defense. 

Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals: Special Teams

Both these teams have been anemic on offense this season. That means it could take a solid return game to get points on the board.

No one has been better this season than Arizona rookie Patrick Peterson, who has returned 4 punts for touchdowns this season.

For Cleveland, Josh Cribbs doesn’t have a return touchdown this season, but has been one of the best returners in recent years. 

Baltimore at San Diego: Chargers Passing Game

The 2011 season has been one to forget for Phillip Rivers. His 17 interceptions is a career high and the Ravens love forcing quarterbacks into mistakes.

Rivers has played better in recent weeks, having avoided an interception in three straight games. His ability to protect the ball will determine the outcome of this game. 

Pittsburgh at San Francisco

Both these teams love to play a physical brand of football. That means the quarterbacks will have to make plays to set their team apart.

Ben Roethlisberger would appear to have the edge, but is questionable to return from an ankle injury. For the 49ers, Alex Smith has been pedestrian at times this year, but has done what was asked of him for the most part.