NFL Week 15 Predictions: Red-Hot Teams That Will Hit the Wall

After seeing what the Green Bay Packers were able to do thanks to a late-season surge last year, every team will surely want to enter the playoffs this season on a hot streak. Several teams are on a roll right now, but not all of them are going to be able to keep it up over the last few weeks.

Several red-hot teams face very tough challenges in Week 15, and while wins would truly prove that they are for real, sometimes you are simply put into a losing situation. Here are three teams on big winning streaks that will come back down to Earth this week.

Baltimore Ravens

The 10-3 Baltimore Ravens have won four straight games since getting upset by the Seattle Seahawks, and they are clinging to a tiebreaker lead in the AFC North over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Because of that, every game moving forward is integral, but they will be taking on a team that is even more desperate to win in the form of the San Diego Chargers.

San Diego began the season 4-1, but went on to lose six straight games and looked to be out of contention. Thanks to spectacular play from quarterback Philip Rivers, however, the Bolts have won two straight and have once again awoken from their slumber in December. It won't be easy for Rivers and Co. to break through against the Ravens' stout defense, but with home-field advantage and an inspired attitude, I like the Chargers to pull off the slight upset.

Pittsburgh Steelers

While the game is completely contingent upon whether or not quarterback Ben Roethlisberger plays, I believe the surging Pittsburgh Steelers will come up short on the road against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. Big Ben has been hampered by an ankle injury all week, and while the Steelers would certainly love to win their division, I think they will sit Roethlisberger as his health is much more important.

Without Roethlisberger, veteran Charlie Batch would get the start for the Steelers. He filled in admirably for Big Ben last season, but he isn't the type of quarterback that can put a team on his back. That could be a major issue on Monday as the Niners are tops in the league against the run, allowing just 70 yards per game and having not given up a rushing touchdown this season. With no passing game to hurt them, I believe the 49ers will prevail at home.

Denver Broncos

It is well documented that the Denver Broncos have won seven of their past eight games since Tim Tebow took over as the starting quarterback, but they have yet to face a team as good as the New England Patriots. Sunday will mark a true test for the AFC West-leading Broncos with regards to whether they can compete with the big boys. While I think the game will be closer than most, I like the Pats to come out on top.

New England may have the worst pass defense in football, but I'm not sure Tebow can exploit that to its fullest extent. The Broncos are a running team through and through, and they won't simply abandon that against the Patriots. The defense has been as responsible for Denver's ascent as anything, but the Patriots are the best offense they have seen. While the Broncos defense is solid, I think quarterback Tom Brady and his host of weapons will humble them on Sunday.