Week 15 in the NFL doesn’t carry the same wall-to-wall playoff intensity we saw in Week 14 - when all five broadcast windows were stacked with high-stakes matchups - but don’t let that fool you. There’s still plenty on the line.
In fact, out of the 16 games on the slate, 15 have at least one team fighting for their postseason life. The lone exception?
Commanders at Giants - a game that, let’s be honest, is mostly about draft positioning at this point.
But everywhere else? There’s drama.
There’s urgency. And there’s a whole lot of playoff math in play.
Let’s start with Thursday night, where the Falcons, despite being out of the playoff picture, knocked off a Bucs team that’s still very much in the hunt. That result was a reminder: just because a team’s season is technically over, it doesn’t mean they’re going to roll over. These are still pros with pride, and they can absolutely play spoiler - or worse - to teams with something to lose.
Sunday Early Slate: High Stakes, Tight Races
The 1:00 p.m. ET window kicks off with a game that could swing the AFC East and the wild-card race all at once: Bills at Patriots.
For Buffalo, this is a last-ditch effort to stay in the division race and keep their wild-card hopes alive. A loss here would put them in a tough spot with just a few weeks left.
Meanwhile, the Patriots are eyeing their first AFC East crown since 2019 and are still in the mix for the AFC’s top seed. This one’s got playoff implications on both ends.
Then there’s Chargers at Chiefs, a rivalry with layers. The Chargers haven’t swept Kansas City in a season since 2013, but this is their chance.
At 9-4, L.A. is clinging to a wild-card spot and trying to keep pace in a crowded AFC. For the 6-7 Chiefs, this is more than just pride - it’s survival.
A loss here could all but shut the door on their postseason hopes, and for a team that’s been to the top of the AFC five out of the last six years, that’s a steep fall.
Late Afternoon: Playoff Races and Personal Storylines
At 4:25 p.m. ET, we’ve got two games that could shape the playoff picture - and maybe even preview February football.
Packers vs. Broncos has sneaky Super Bowl vibes.
Both teams are heating up at the right time, both are leading their divisions, and both are playing with the kind of edge you want to see in December. The winner here takes a big step toward securing a top seed in their conference - and that coveted first-round bye.
Then there’s Lions at Rams, and yes, we all know the headline: Jared Goff vs. Matthew Stafford, nearly five years after they were traded for each other in a blockbuster deal that included multiple first-round picks.
But this one’s more than just a QB narrative. The 10-3 Rams are in the thick of the race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed, while the 8-5 Lions are currently on the outside looking in.
For Detroit, this is a must-have.
Sunday Night: Win or Go Home
The prime-time spotlight shines on Vikings vs. Cowboys, and this one’s about survival.
At 5-8, Minnesota is facing elimination. Dallas, sitting at 6-6-1, isn’t far behind.
This is the definition of a do-or-die game - the kind of matchup where one team walks away with hope and the other walks into the offseason.
The Rest of the Slate: No Shortage of Drama
Elsewhere on Sunday:
- The Ravens, losers of three straight, can’t afford another slip-up. A loss would drop them two games behind the Steelers with just three to play - a brutal hill to climb.
- The Bengals, sitting at 4-9, are hanging by a thread. One more loss and that thread snaps.
- The Texans have quietly won five in a row. At 8-5, they’re very much in the mix, but they can’t afford to stumble against a 3-10 Cardinals team that’s playing for pride.
- The Jaguars, now 9-4 and leading the AFC South, need to stay sharp against the Jets and undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook. This is exactly the kind of trap game that can derail momentum.
- The Eagles, also 8-5, are trying to silence the doubters after a few shaky outings. They’ll get their chance against a 3-10 Raiders squad that’s lost seven straight.
Philly needs to handle business and keep pace in the NFC East.
- The Colts, facing quarterback chaos, have turned to 44-year-old Philip Rivers in a desperate move to avoid joining the short list of teams that started 7-1 or better and still missed the playoffs.
That’s a tall order against the 10-3 Seahawks, who have been rolling lately.
- The Panthers, now 7-6 after a shocking loss to the Saints, get a shot at redemption - and a potential one-game lead in the NFC South.
- The 49ers, fresh off a bye and sitting at 9-4, can’t afford to sleepwalk against the 2-11 Titans. Tennessee just dropped 31 on the Browns in Week 14, so there’s no room for complacency.
Monday Night: Cold Weather, Hot Team
Week 15 wraps up with Steelers at Dolphins on Monday night. Pittsburgh will be without T.J.
Watt due to a bizarre dry-needling injury - yes, really - and that’s a massive blow. Miami, meanwhile, has won five straight and looks like one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
The kicker? This one’s being played in cold-weather conditions, which haven’t exactly been kind to the Dolphins in the past.
If they can pull this one off, it’ll be another sign they’re built for a deep run.
So while Week 15 might not have the across-the-board fireworks of last week, there’s still plenty to watch - and plenty at stake. Just don’t expect much from Commanders-Giants.
The rest? Buckle up.
December football is here, and the margins are razor-thin.