5 NFL Teams Facing Must Wins in Week 15

Considering the length of the NFL season, each week is vital no matter what team you are a part of.

Unlike the MLB or NBA, teams cannot take days off and expect to make the playoffs, keep their jobs or even avoid setting records that no franchise wants to set.

Here are five teams desperate for victories in Week 15.

Indianapolis Colts

While starting quarterback Dan Orlovsky and linebacker Ernie Sims have already suffered through the plight of an 0-16 NFL season, the rest of the Indianapolis Colts roster is hoping to avoid becoming famous for all the wrong reasons.

Even though a trip to Jacksonville still remains on the schedule, the likelihood is a Maurice Jones-Drew led offense, with Mel Tucker and Blaine Gabbert looking to rebound against the criticism that has gone their way this season, means the game with the Tennessee Titans looks like the team's best opportunity to avoid the dreaded 0-16 season.

You hardly expect them to beat the Houston Texans next week now, do you?

Denver Broncos

While the Denver Broncos may be in the driver's seat to make an appearance in the playoffs by winning the AFC West, Tim Tebow and company need to continue winning from now until the playoffs if they have any hope of reaching the Super Bowl.

There is no point just arriving in the playoffs and being a one-and-done team. Beating the New England Patriots will allow them to continue their hot streak as the playoffs approach, as well as beating a quality team, featuring an elite opposing quarterback, which is the big question mark over the Broncos at the moment.

The optimism surrounding the Denver Broncos, otherwise known as Tebowmania, needs to continue if this team is to be a real force in the playoffs rather than just another team that made up the numbers by winning a poor conference.

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have just one goal right now. Much like any team in the NHL, the Bears are working under the ideology that just getting their name in the hat will give them a chance at winning it all.

The Bears sit at 7-6, third place in the NFC North, but are still in contention for a wildcard berth in the NFC. With the Seattle Seahawks arriving in Chicago this Sunday, the Bears actually have an opportunity to notch their eighth win of the season despite having Caleb Hanie at quarterback.

All the Bears need is a chance to still be alive when Matt Forte and Jay Cutler return to health. That chance will be diminished if the team can't keep pace with the NFC East or the Falcons and Lions.

Baltimore Ravens/Pittsburgh Steelers

Both of these teams have an opportunity to win out when you look at their remaining games this season. However, their sternest tests come this weekend.

The Steelers travel to San Francisco to play the upstart 49ers without the suspended James Harrison and without a fully healthy Ben Roethlisberger. After this week, the Steelers face off against the St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns.

The Ravens also play the Browns as well in what will be a tough trip to Cincinnati to face the Bengals. However, neither of those should be as stern a test as the trip to San Diego to face a rejuvenated Chargers side this weekend.

The difference between winning this weekend could be the difference between a second seed or a fifth seed in the AFC.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles' playoff chances may be slimmer than slim can be. However, they need to end this disappointing season on a positive and act as a spoiler for the New York Jets this weekend to save Andy Reid's job.

Eagles' fans were hoping to be Super Bowl bound after their off-season activities but instead now must fight for a .500 record. If this team drops below .500 on the season, then an already disappointing season could see some major upheaval in Philadelphia.

The investment in this team was too great for it to finish the season with a losing record.

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