NFL - Week Fifteen Preview

There are three teams (all in the AFC) that clinch their respective division titles this week with a win.
The Denver Broncos (10-3) will wrap up the AFC West with a road victory against the San Diego Chargers while the New England Patriots (10-3) can do the same in the East division with a home win against the Miami Dolphins.

The same holds true for the Indianapolis Colts (9-4) in the AFC South as they will be at home against the Houston Texans.

In the meantime, many teams are still battling it out for playoff positioning and to move even closer to wrapping up a division crown.
The Sunday Night Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the visiting Dallas Cowboys (both are 9-4) will pretty much determine the winner of the NFC East. The Eagles crushed the Cowboys two weeks ago (on Thanksgiving Day) 33-10 as their defense shut down the high powered Dallas offense.
A battle in the NFC West between the surging Seattle Seahawks (9-4) and the slumping San Francisco 49ers (7-6) in the Great Northwest should decide each team's playoff hopes. The 'Hawks can all but wrap up a post-season spot with a win while the 'Niners have to win out to have any chance at all for getting a wild card berth.
The following capsule previews offer a look at the week ahead with the Heftyinfo predictions following up.

Pittsburgh (8-5) at Atlanta (5-8) - This game could be a high scoring affair with two teams that can throw ball around the field.

Washington (3-10) at New York Giants (4-9) - Two disappointing teams finishing up the schedule.

Miami (7-6) at New England (10-3) - A must win game for the Dolphins ... Patriots should wrap up the AFC East with a win here.

Oakland (2-11) at Kansas City (7-6) - The Chiefs will be ready for the Raiders this time around.

Houston (7-6) at Indianapolis (9-4) - C-O-L-T-S ...  Colts!!!

Jacksonville (2-11) at Baltimore (8-5) - Ravens roll!

Green Bay (10-3) at Buffalo (7-6) - Packers should win, but the Bills are tough at home.

Tampa Bay (2-11) at Carolina (4-8-1) - The Panthers can actually take over first place in the weak NFC South with a win this weekend.

Cincinnati (8-4-1) at Cleveland (7-6) - It's do or die for the Browns, so ..... Heeeere's Johnny!

Minnesota (6-7) at Detroit (9-4) - Lions better be ready. Both teams have good defenses.

New York Jets (2-11) at Tennessee (2-11) - Yawn.

Denver (10-3) at San Diego (8-5) - The Chargers usually get it rolling in December... they will need to do so this week with the Broncos in town.

San Francisco (7-6) at Seattle (9-4) - Another low scoring game just like two weeks ago ... with the Seahawks winning again.

Dallas (9-4) at Philadelphia (9-4) - Winner of this game should be in great shape to make the playoffs.

New Orleans (5-8) at Chicago (5-8) - Two teams with bad defenses on Monday Night Football. Saints in a squeaker.

The Heftyinfo picks for Week Fifteen  . . .     (Home teams are listed in BOLD type and Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Arizona over St. Louis
Pittsburgh over Atlanta
NY Giants over Washington
New England over Miami
Kansas City over Oakland
Indianapolis over Houston
BALTIMORE over Jacksonville
Green Bay over Buffalo
Carolina over Tampa Bay
Cleveland over Cincinnati
Detroit over Minnesota
NY Jets over Tennessee
San Diego over Denver
Seattle over San Francisco
Philadelphia over Dallas
New Orleans over Chicago 

Last Week's Record:  12-4

SEASON RECORD:  141-66-1

Lock of the Week Record:  12-2