After the Miami Miracle, the Oakland Raiders ravaging the Steelers and a number of other wild results, Week 14 will be difficult to top. However, there is plenty to like about the matchups on paper for Week 15 of the NFL season. Here is a look at the top five games we’re looking forward to.
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
Line: Chicago -5.5
It’s been a long time since the Bears blew a 20-0 lead to Green Bay on the road all the way back in Week 1. Chicago has completely turned its season around with nine wins in 12 games since to climb to the top of the NFC North at 9-4. Meanwhile, the Packers have stumbled with just four wins in 12 games since and will not make the playoffs regardless of what happens to them from here after stumbling to a 5-7-1 record. However, they showed signs of life last week after the firing of Mike McCarthy. The Packers have struggled on the road this year but a similar effort could make this contest closer than expected.
Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings
Line: Minnesota -8
The Vikings have hung around in the NFC playoff picture thanks in part to the fact that the teams around them have struggled as well. Now they need to finish strong and prove they deserve a playoff spot. It won’t be easy this week against a Dolphins side that is coming off an insane 34-33 comeback win over the New England Patriots after the Miami Miracle on the final play of the game. However, Miami is 6-1 at home this year and 1-5 away, which is part of the reason why they’re such a big road dog in this spot.
Dallas Cowboys @ Indianapolis Colts
Line: Indianapolis -3
The Cowboys have come out of nowhere to all but seal their division title with an 8-5 record. They’ve won five straight but the Colts are also hot, having won six of seven. The Colts are still alive in the AFC playoff mix as they’re tied with the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans for the No. 6 spot at 7-6. They can’t afford a stumble with four teams in the hunt.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams
Line: LA -9
The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles failed to capitalize on an opportunity to close the gap in the NFC East against the Cowboys last week. Now they have to travel to face a Rams team that will be hungry following a 15-6 loss to the Bears.
This could be a prime spot for a letdown by the Eagles, who gave everything they had vs their rivals last week. We’ll see if they’re up for this game against a much tougher opponent.
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
Line: New Orleans -7
The final matchup on the schedule for Week 15 offers an intriguing battle of NFC South rivals that have trended in opposite directions over the last five weeks. New Orleans is coming off a 28-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and have regained the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Panthers have lost five straight to fall to 6-7 and are in danger of missing the playoffs.
The Panthers are a 7-point home dog, which tells you just about all you need to know about how their season is going.