NFL WEEK 15 GAMES
MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-5) AT NEW YORK JETS (5-9) TV: Saturday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFL Network (Mike Tirico, Doug Flutie) Line: Dolphins by 2
Injury report: Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill (knee) will not play. Jets RB Matt Forte (knee) is a game-time decision.
Key to the game: Stay grounded: Both teams will need to get their running games going to take pressure off potentially shaky quarterbacks who have spent much more time holding clipboards than throwing footballs over the last two seasons. Miami needs to get RB Jay Ajayi going. The Jets hope to have Forte back in the lineup but are confident Bilal Powell can duplicate Sunday’s sterling effort.
By the numbers: 273. The number of receptions by Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry, the most by any receiver in NFL history through his first three seasons.
TENNESSEE TITANS (7-6) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-3) TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl) Line: Chiefs by 51⁄ 2 Injury report: Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson (torn Achilles tendon) is out for the year.
Key to the game: Tennessee, tied for the AFC South lead, has held opponents to fewer than than 100 rushing yards in eight of its last nine games and held the Denver Broncos to 18 last weekend. The Titans rank third in the league, allowing 86.6 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have held opponents to fewer than 100 three times this season and rank 27th at 122.9 yards per game.
Matchup to watch: Titans RB DeMarco Murray vs. Chiefs LB D.J. Alexander. Murray is a vital part of Tennessee’s offense, so containing him is priority No. 1. Denver held him to 92 yards on 21 carries, but he managed to score the game’s only touchdown. With Johnson done for the year, Alexander is the next man up for K.C.’s defense.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (8-5) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-7-1) TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn) Line: Steelers by 3 Injury report: Steelers WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) hopes to return. Bengals WR A.J. Green (hamstring) could play if he practices Friday. Key to the game: Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell (franchise record 236 rushing yards, three TDs last week) was suspended for the first Bengals game, and in his last two games against Cincinnati he has been held to 65 total rushing yards. But he has been a major threat recently, and he might be the most important player in this game.
Matchup to watch: Bengals CB Adam Jones vs. Steelers WR Antonio Brown. The Steelers move Brown all over the formation, and his team’s recent rushing success makes Brown more dangerous if Bengals defensive backs get caught peeking in the backfield. The Bengals will need to limit Brown’s yards after the catch and put the Steelers in passing situations. Jones and the other Bengals defensive backs have played well lately and must deliver another big performance.
DETROIT LIONS (9-4) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (9-4)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews) Line: Giants by 4 Injury report: Lions QB Matthew Stafford (finger) is expected to play. Giants LB Keenan Robinson (shoulder) is expected to play.
Key to the game: Lions receivers will have to work extra hard to find open spaces against the Giants secondary, which has emerged as one of the best. CBs Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are at the top of their games, and rookie CB Eli Apple has blossomed into a strong No. 3. S Landon Collins has five interceptions, five tackles for loss, three sacks and a fumble recovery. Matchup to watch: Lions CB Darius Slay vs. Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham is a gamebreaker, and he turned a routine slant into a spectacular 61-yard sprint for what turned out to be the winning score last week. Slay has been the brightest spot on a pass defense that has allowed an opponent’s passer rating of 101.3, the league’s second highest. Keeping Beckham under wraps will be a challenge.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-7) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-6) TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon) Line: Vikings by 4 Injury report: Colts G Jack Mewhort (knee) is day-to-day. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (knee) could return. Key to the game: The Colts defense turned away the Houston Texans four out of five times within Indianapolis’ 20-yard line. Minnesota, the NFL’s 30th-rated red-zone offense, made things close in Jacksonville because it settled for field goals three times in the red zone and twice came up empty after advancing to the Jaguars’ 1. Enter Peterson? The Colts yielded a season-high 185 rushing yards to Houston, but Minnesota has surpassed the century mark one time this season, in Week 4. By the numbers: 71.2%. The completion percentage of Vikings QB Sam Bradford, whose career rate is 61.9%. He is tied with Drew Brees’ 2011 mark for the NFL’s single-season record.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-11) at Houston Texans (7-6) TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein) Line: Texans by 6 Injury report: Jaguars RB Chris Ivory (hamstring) is expected to play. WR Allen Hurns (hamstring) is not expected to play. Texans CB Johnathan Joseph (ribs) and OLB John Simon (chest) are day-to-day. Key to the game: Much of Houston’s and Jacksonville’s offensive success relies on their quarterbacks’ ability to make the right passes. Jacksonville’s Blake Bortles and Houston’s Brock Osweiler have struggled with accuracy and interceptions all season, and their porous offensive lines haven’t helped them. By the numbers: -45. The Texans’ point differential despite their 7-6 record and share of first place in the AFC South. The NFL’s other seven division leaders have an average differential of +67.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-6) AT CHICAGO BEARS (3-10) TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver) Line: Packers by 51⁄ 2 Injury report: Bears NT Eddie Goldman (ankle) is day-to-day. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (hamstring) will play but could be limited. Key to the game: The calf injury relegated improvisational Rodgers to the pocket last week, where he dissected the Seattle Seahawks’ previously No. 1scoring defense. Speedy top pick Leonard Floyd, who broke out in the first meeting with two sacks including a strip-sack for a touchdown, and Akiem Hicks (career-high seven sacks) must capitalize on Rodgers’ limited mobility. Matchup to watch: Packers WR Randall Cobb vs. Bears CB Cre’Von LeBlanc: LeBlanc broke up a pair of would-be Cobb TDs during the teams’ first meeting, though Cobb managed 11 catches for 95 yards and a score. LeBlanc has since earned a starter’s role, whereas Cobb departed last weekend on a cart with an ankle injury before returning. CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-13) AT BUFFALO BILLS (6-7) TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Tom McCarthy, Adam Archuleta) Line: Bills by 10 Injury report: Bills DT Kyle Williams (back) is hopeful of playing. Key to the game: The Bills probably need to win out to keep coach Rex Ryan in Buffalo — and that’s doable, with remaining games against winless Cleveland, a Dolphins team that has lost its starting quarterback and a Jets team playing for pride and jobs. But even a 9-7 finish might not be enough to persuade ownership to retain Ryan. Player to watch: Bills QB Robert Griffin III. Despite the rust from a three-month hiatus, he’ll probably start the last three games as coach Hue Jackson continues to assess his personnel for 2017. Griffin won the job in camp but was knocked out of action in Week 1. This four-game audition could confirm or change Jackson’s belief Griffin should be his quarterback in 2017.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-8) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-6) TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin) Line: Ravens by 51⁄ 2 Injury report: Eagles RBs Darren Sproles (concussion) remains in protocol. RB Wendell Smallwood (knee) went on injured reserve and is out for the season. Ravens CB Jimmy Smith (ankle) is day-to-day. Key to the game: Establish a rhythm: Whether it’s with Zach Ertz, Darren Sproles or someone else, look for the Eagles to try to get QB Carson Wentz safe and simple throws early so he can get comfortable. If they can catch the Ravens overplaying those, they’ll take shots over the top. By the numbers: 30. Career touchdown receptions for Eagles RB Sproles. He is the only player in NFL history with 30 career TD receptions, 20 career TD runs, a punt-return TD and a kick-return TD.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-12) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (8-5) TV: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox (Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman, Peter Schrager) Line: Falcons by 14 Injury report: 49ers WR Torrey Smith (concussion) remains in protocol. Falcons WR Julio Jones (toe sprain) is questionable. Key to the game: Atlanta showed it was more than capable of playing well without Jones. Most notably, QB Matt Ryan distributed the ball to eight receivers. That should give the Falcons supreme confidence going up against another inferior opponent. Matchup to watch: 49ers RB Carlos Hyde vs. Falcons MLB Deion Jones. Hyde is coming off a season-high 193 yards rushing (143 before contact) on 17 carries and a 7-yard scoring catch against the Jets. Jones, a second-round pick from LSU, has returned two of his three interceptions for TDs, including one for 33 yards vs. the Rams.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-8) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-7-1) TV: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox (Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Jennifer Hale) Line: Cardinals by 21⁄ 2 Injury report: Saints LT Terron Armstead (knee, quad) is on injured reserve and out for the season. CB Delvin Breaux (shoulder) is day-to-day. WR Michael Thomas (foot) practiced Wednesday and could play. Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu (shoulder) is day-to-day. Key to the game: Saints QB Drew Brees and Cardinals QB Carson Palmer have combined for nearly 15,000 passes during their illustrious careers, but they’re starting to show signs of age. Brees has failed to throw a touchdown pass in back-to-back games, the first time that has happened since 2009, and Palmer has been skidding down the other side of the hill for the good part of a year. Player to watch: Cardinals S D.J. Swearinger. While Arizona holds out hope Mathieu comes back from injury, it might have to rely on Swearinger at the back of the defense again. Swearinger has been a playmaker at times this season but also has been susceptible to big plays.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (10-3) AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-8) TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS (Spiro Dedes, Solomon Wilcots) Line: Raiders by 3 Injury report: Raiders S Karl Joseph (toe) is unlikely to play. Chargers RB Melvin Gordon (hip, knee) is unlikely to play. Key to the game: Unless his finger remains an issue, it’s difficult to imagine Raiders QB Derek Carr not rebounding from a bad game to get back on track. He has to help the Raiders be better in the red zone, where they were 1-for-4 on touchdowns vs. Kansas City and failed to score twice.
Matchup to watch: Raiders WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree vs. Chargers CBs Craig Mager and Casey Hayward. The weather will be warmer, and the Raiders will be rested. That means Mager and Hayward will be challenged trying to stop Cooper and Crabtree, who will be focused on putting the Kansas City game behind them. Cooper has 73 receptions for 1,010 yards, and Crabtree has caught 71 balls for 806 yards.
N. ENGLAND PATRIOTS (11-2) AT DENVER BRONCOS (8-5) TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS (Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely) Line: Patriots by 3
Injury report: Patriots CB Malcolm Butler (hip) is day-to-day. WR Danny Amendola (ankle) is unlikely to play. Broncos LBs Todd Davis (ribs) and Brandon Marshall (hamstring) are unlikely to play.
Key to the game: This will be Broncos QB Trevor Siemian’s first game against the Patriots, and how he handles it will determine how productive the Broncos will be on offense. Siemian probably has to find a way to get the ball to WRs Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders consistently and hit some big plays.
Matchup to watch: Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount vs. Broncos run defense. Denver was 28th against the run (122.8 per game) before Tennessee rushed for 180 yards Sunday. In the last two games, the Broncos have allowed 334 yards rushing.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-5) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (11-2) TV: Sunday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya) Line: Cowboys by 7 Injury report: Bucs WR Adam Humphries and RT Demar Dotson (concussions) have not cleared the protocol and are day-to-day. Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence (back) is unlikely to play. Key to the game: The Bucs’ 25 takeaways are tied for the league lead, and 14 have come in the last five weeks. The Cowboys offense, which had done an excellent job of taking care of the ball this season, has had five turnovers in the last two games, including a season-high three last weekend. Player to watch: Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. Dallas is counting on its young quarterback to be a steadying influence on offense. But Prescott has looked like a rookie in recent weeks. He has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in each of his last three games and has had trouble getting the ball to his best receiver, WR Dez Bryant, who managed one catch on nine targets vs. the Giants.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-8) AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS (7-5-1) TV: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters) Line: Redskins by 61⁄ 2 Injury report: Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly (concussion) is day-to-day. Redskins TE Jordan Reed (shoulder) will be limited if he plays. LBs Will Compton (knee) and Su'a Cravens (elbow) are day-to-day. Key to the game: If the Panthers’ pass rush puts forth the same effort against Washington as it did vs. San Diego QB Philip Rivers (five sacks, seven QB hits), it could make for a long day for Redskins QB Kirk Cousins. DE Mario Addison leads Carolina with 71⁄ sacks, and DT Kawann 2 Short has five. Matchup to watch: Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin vs. Redskins CB Josh Norman: All eyes will be on Norman, the Redskins’ mercurial, trash-talking cornerback, in his first game against his former team. Many suggest the Panthers’ woes began when he was abruptly released from his franchise tag during the offseason, enabling him to sign a five-year, $75 million contract with Washington. Benjamin (51 catches for 765 yards and a team-high five TDs) has a 5-inch height advantage on Norman, who has one interception.