NFL Playoff Picture: 4 Teams Facing Must-Win Scenarios in Week 15

With three weeks left in the regular season, every game carries a ton of weight. Those teams on the playoff bubble are in must-win situations. Only the Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans have clinched a playoff berth. The rest of the league is still fighting for a chance at an extended season.

Chicago Bears

The injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte sent shock-waves through Chicago. Prior to their injuries, the Bears rattled off five straight victories, capped off by a very impressive win over the San Diego Chargers. However, all that success was not enough to help Chicago overcome the injuries to their top two offensive players.

Chicago is currently in a three game loosing streak, coming off an embarrassing loss to the Denver Broncos. Still, their playoff hopes are still alive, but they need to get a win today versus the Seattle Seahawks.

This football team needs for quarterback Caleb Hanie to find some sort of success. Marion Barber has to put last week's game behind him and have a great performance.

New York Giants

The New York Giants best shot at earning a playoff berth is by winning the NFC East. In order to pull that off they need to keep pace with the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas dominated the Tampa Buccaneers last night, putting a lot of pressure on New York to win today versus the Washington Redskins.

Washington has not played great football this year, but divisional rivalries bring out the best in a team. The Redskins are looking to spoil the New York Giants season. Their defense is capable of slowing down the Giants, but Rex Grossman will ultimately be the deciding factor.

New York needs Ahmad Bradshaw and the running game to find some success. They currently average a league low 80 rushing yards per game. This isn't going to cut it and may actually be the team's downfall.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers are one win away from locking down home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This is more important than finishing the regular season undefeated. Green Bay wants to avoid having to travel to the Superdome. The Packers prefer to force a team like the New Orleans Saints to play in the tough conditions at Lambeau Field.

Today's game versus the Kansas City Chiefs will not be an easy matchup. Arrowhead Stadium is one of the toughest places to play. The Chiefs also have a new starting quarterback in Kyle Orton, who is much more talented than Tyler Palko.

The key of the game will be the Packers ability to protect Aaron Rodgers from Tamba Hali and the Chiefs pass rush. Hali has the potential to change the outcome of a game on only a few plays.

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are currently one game behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. Today is a great opportunity for the Raiders to gain some ground, as the Broncos are facing the New England Patriots. Denver could very well get a win today, but this is their toughest matchup in several weeks.

Oakland is hosting the Detroit Lions, who are also in a must-win situation. The key to today's game will be Carson Palmer's ability to avoid turnovers. He has six interceptions in his last three games and 13 on the season. Oakland doesn't have the offensive fire-power to overcome that many turnovers.