NFL Playoff Picture: Which Teams Have the Most to Gain with Wins in Week 15?

Week 15 in the NFL means that there are a number of teams in must-win situations.

The playoffs are rapidly approaching and there's not much time for those teams on the bubble to secure themselves postseason berths without victories this week.

Here are four teams in must-win situations—a W this week means the playoffs are in their grasp.

Detroit Lions (at Oakland Raiders)

Both the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions are trying to salvage their respective seasons. While both teams have a lot to play for today, the Raiders are in a serious tailspin thanks to a number of injuries on offense, and it's going to take far more for them to see the field in January.

It's the Lions that have the most to gain by winning this week. They've got a tenuous grip on a Wild Card berth headed into Week 15, but with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and even the Chicago Bears breathing down their necks, they need to defeat the Raiders on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions started their season off with a five game win streak but have won only three of their next eight games. Injuries, penalties and mistakes are the main reason for Detroit's relative collapse.

They need to prove they have the ability to overcome these setbacks and missteps today if they are to be the heavy contenders they seemed at the beginning of the season.

New York Jets (at Philadelphia Eagles)

The New York Jets have made the playoffs the last two seasons—in fact, they've made it all the way to the AFC Championship game both times. But without a win this week, their chances to see the postseason this year are in jeopardy.

At 8-5, a loss this week (in concert with a win by one of the 7-6 teams in the AFC) makes it that much harder for the Jets to snag a Wild Card playoff nod.

While the Philadelphia Eagles haven't gotten close to living up to the high expectations placed on them at the beginning of the season, they can now play the role of spoiler to a Jets team that's been that's had the Super Bowl on their minds more than seemingly any other team.

The Jets have been up and down all season long, alternating winning streaks with stretches of consecutive losses. New York has won their last three in a row. They'll need to notch a fourth today and at least one more win in their next two games if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.

New York Giants (vs. Washington Redskins)

It's likely that the NFC East champion won't be crowned until Week 17 when the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys face each other for the second and last time of the year. But if the Giants want to remain contenders in the division then they need to beat division rivals the Washington Redskins this afternoon.

There's still a chance that the No. 2 team in the NFC East could make the postseason by way of a Wild Card berth, but with a glut of teams in the conference still in contention for those two spots the Giants could find themselves watching the playoffs from home without a win this week.

Both the Giants and the Cowboys are 2-2 in the division, making this a must-win situation for the the Giants if they want to remain competitive with Dallas. While the 4-9 Redskins are a mess, the Giants have a history of being inconsistent, especially in the second half of the season, and they've won just one game in their last five.

They need to play at a high level for the remainder of the year; if they can do so today, they're well on their way to proving it's they, and not the Cowboys, who are the best in the East.

Chicago Bears (vs. Seattle Seahawks)

The Chicago Bears are in bad shape. Because of injuries to starting quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte, the team has dropped their last three games in a row. Even their vaunted defense can't do enough to make up for the offense's collapse, and now the team has dropped out of playoff contention.

However, they're not far behind. A win this week against the Seattle Seahawks would certainly help the team's chances to nab a Wild Card slot in the playoffs, when both Forte and Cutler are expected to be healthy enough to return.

Considering the Bears next face the Green Bay Packers before ending their year with the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago only has a chance to win two of their remaining three games. If they cannot manage a win this week, their chances to take the field come January are in serious jeopardy.

Though the Seahawks have managed themselves a two-game win streak and a 6-7 record, the Bears definitely have more than a good shot to notch a home victory this Sunday. It's a must-win for a Chicago team with everything on the line.