NFL WEEK 15 GAME PREVIEWS

SEAHAWKS (10-3) AT PANTHERS (5-8) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox

Line: Seahawks by 51⁄2

Seahawks’ keys: Their success is largely the result of QB Russell Wilson’s careerbest year, but the inability to protect him in the pocket is their Achilles’ heel.

Panthers’ keys: They need to get back to riding RB Christian McCaffrey as QB Kyle Allen has been unable to handle the increased pressure.

Who wins? The Seahawks and Panthers have played each other nine times since 2010, and the Seahawks have won all but twice. Seahawks, 37-24

PATRIOTS (10-3) AT BENGALS (1-12) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS

Line: Patriots by 91⁄2

Patriots’ keys: Lean on the running backs (Rex Burkhead and James White) through the air against a defense that has struggled to contain running backs in the passing game.

Bengals’ keys: DEs Carlos Dunlap and Carl Lawson will have to get after Patriots QB Tom Brady and force him into game-changing mistakes.

Who wins? The Patriots’ defense is suffocating, and the offense can scheme up ways to exploit one of the NFL’s worst defenses. The Bengals have scored more than 20 points in a game twice all season and are unlikely to match a team coming off two straight December losses. Patriots, 30-13

BUCCANEERS (6-7) AT LIONS (3-9-1) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox

Line: Buccaneers by 31⁄2

Buccaneers’ keys: Tampa Bay’s biggest challenge will be to avoid beating itself with turnovers, penalties and missed opportunities. It starts with QB Jameis Winston making better decisions and taking care of the ball.

Lions’ keys: Detroit’s defensive playmakers, CB Darius Slay and S Tracy Walker, need to convert any opportunities to get the ball back for QB David Blough and the offense.

Who wins? The Buccaneers are tough to predict with their wild variability from week to week, but they have the better roster and play with more vitality. Buccaneers, 31-20

BEARS (7-6) AT PACKERS (10-3)

TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox

Line: Packers by 41⁄2

Bears’ keys: Keep QB Mitchell Trubisky rolling, dominate the flow of the game on defense and win in the red zone. Trubisky has thrown six touchdown passes and run for a seventh score over the past two games.

Packers’ keys: Stay balanced on offense, get RB Aaron Jones going early and keep Trubisky in the pocket. The Packers can’t get pass-happy.

Who wins? This has all the makings of another classic Packers-Bears battle. The Bears are clinging to their playoff lives, but the Packers are at home and charging toward an NFC North title.

Packers, 20-17

BRONCOS (5-8) AT CHIEFS (9-4) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS

Line: Chiefs by 91⁄2

Broncos’ keys: The Chiefs can be beaten via a ball-control offense and keeping the ball out of QB Patrick Mahomes’ hands. The Broncos’ offense is built for that kind of game with RBs Philip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.

Chiefs’ keys: The Chiefs will need to dial up their pass rush and make sure Denver rookie QB Drew Lock doesn’t get comfortable in Arrowhead Stadium.

Who wins? The Broncos are proving to be formidable in the latter half of the season. But they’re not complete enough to defeat the Chiefs at Arrowhead. Chiefs, 30-24

DOLPHINS (3-10) AT GIANTS (2-11)

TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS

Line: Giants by 31⁄2

Dolphins’ keys: Miami can’t get too pass heavy, no matter how tempting that might be for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins will need to find a way to get rookie RB Myles Gaskin and RB Patrick Laird going.

Giants’ keys: The Giants should lean heavily on RB Saquon Barkley and feature him both on the ground and through the air.

Who wins? Both teams will be playing for pride and trying to develop young players. Look for the Giants to protect the home field in a tight game. Giants, 27-23

EAGLES AT (6-7) REDSKINS (3-10) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox

Line: Eagles by 51⁄2

Eagles’ keys: If the Eagles’ offensive line gives QB Carson Wentz time to throw, he likely will be able to take advantage of a banged-up Redskins defense.

Redskins’ keys: They will need to find the holes in Philadelphia’s secondary, which has been suspect this season.

Who wins? The NFC East is still open at the top, and at some point Philadelphia has to make a move at the playoffs. The Eagles can’t afford to miss out on an easy win. Eagles, 24-13

TEXANS (8-5) AT TITANS (8-5)

TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS

Line: Titans by 21⁄2

Texans’ keys: Starting fast and keeping the momentum will be important for the Texans, who have just 30 first-quarter points this season, the secondlowest total in the NFL.

Titans’ keys: QB Ryan Tannehill will need to stay hot in order for this offense to keep rolling in the right direction. On defense, takeaways will be key.

Who wins? Having moved into a tie with the Texans for first place in the AFC South, the Titans have a new energy and have played well against division opponents lately. Titans, 21-17

JAGUARS (4-9) AT RAIDERS (6-7)

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Raiders by 61⁄2

Jaguars keys: The Jaguars’ offense is carried by their two top wide receivers but DJ Chark and Dede Westbrook are injured, so RB Leonard Fournette will have to step up.

Raiders’ keys: The Raiders’ offense has relied on rookie RB Josh Jacobs to carry them this season, but a shoulder injury kept him out of action in Week 14. He is expected to return to the lineup.

Who wins? The Raiders still have a glimmer of playoff hope left and desperately need a win to stay alive in the AFC postseason race. This is also their final regular-season home game in Oakland.

Raiders, 24-21

BROWNS (6-7) AT CARDINALS (3-9-1)

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Browns by 21⁄2

Browns’ keys: QB Baker Mayfield needs to find his playmakers.

Cardinals’ keys: They have to get in an offensive rhythm early, involving RBs Kenyan Drake and David Johnson. Who wins? The Cardinals close out their home schedule with a good showing offensively, but the defense makes things interesting and they lose their seventh game in a row. Browns, 30-27

VIKINGS (9-4) AT CHARGERS (5-8)

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Vikings by 21⁄2

Vikings’ keys: On the offensive side of the ball, Minnesota needs to ride the hot hand with RB Dalvin Cook.

Chargers’ keys: The offensive line needs to be at its best against a fearsome Minnesota pass rush. If it can do so, it should be enough for QB Philip Rivers, who’s coming off a strong game. Who wins? The Vikings are fighting for their division. That urgency should make the difference. Vikings, 27-17

RAMS (8-5) AT COWBOYS (6-7) TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox

Line: Rams by 11⁄2

Rams’ keys: It appears the pitch count for RB Todd Gurley is over, as he’s played a key role for the offense the past several weeks. Keeping him involved will reduce the pressure on QB Jared Goff.

Cowboys’ keys: QB Dak Prescott will need to overcome injuries to both hands and provide accurate throws. He has a productive receiving quartet in WRs Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Randall Cobb and TE Jason Witten.

Who wins? Rams head coach Sean McVay will try to scheme around Goff’s deficiencies and take advantage of a Cowboys team that is allowing a lot of points. Rams, 34-27

FALCONS (4-9) AT 49ERS (11-2)

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: 49ers by 101⁄2

Falcons keys: The Falcons have to get a big game from RB Devonta Freeman, a dual threat who can give the 49ers trouble. If QB Matt Ryan can stay upright and have an efficient game to keep the 49ers’ offense off the field, the Falcons have a chance. On defense, they have to dominate the edges.

49ers keys: The 49ers have to get behind their run game against a Falcons run defense that’s struggled. RB Raheem Mostert has broken out, and RB Matt Breida is explosive and finally healthy.

Who wins? The 49ers are simply more talented. San Francisco should roll in a game it needs to win to keep pace in a tightly contested NFC. 49ers, 34-20

BILLS (9-4) AT STEELERS (8-5) TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC

Line: Steelers by 21⁄2

Bills’ keys: Buffalo has to figure out a way to use tempo to wear down the Steelers’ defense. When that group is fresh it can terrorize any quarterback, even one as athletic as Josh Allen. Containing LBs T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree will be job one for Buffalo’s offensive line. For the Bills’ defense, it will be all about slowing down QB Devlin Hodges. As he gets more confident, the Steelers’ coaches are opening up the playbook for him and he has responded. Making Hodges uncomfortable and forcing him to make mistakes would give the Bills more opportunities on offense.

Steelers’ keys: At this point the Steelers are a team with an average offense and an elite defense. The offense has to continue to evolve and expand so it can sustain drives and give the defense a chance to rest. This means RBs Benny Snell Jr. and Jaylen Samuels have to get going early. Defensively, the Steelers have to focus their attention on the Bills’ Allen and be smart with their pass rush, and they also must create turnovers and give the offense short fields.

Who wins? This is a matchup as close as these two teams’ records. Look for this game to be close, very physical but in the end too much for the Steelers. Bills, 28-21

COLTS (6-7) AT SAINTS (10-3) TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN

Line: Saints by 91⁄2

Colts’ keys: The 49ers proved in Week 14 that New Orleans could be outplayed on vertical passes, and the Colts need to follow that same game plan. But it’s going to be tough to do that with such a depleted receiving corps, especially if WR T.Y. Hilton can’t go. On defense, the Colts must continue taking advantage of their opponents’ mistakes. LB Darius Leonard had two interceptions in Week 14, returning one of them for a touchdown. The Colts will need every break to get an edge over the playoff-bound Saints.

Saints’ keys: Getting back on track starts with stronger discipline on the back end. CB Eli Apple has to play more like his early-season self, and the Saints’ linebacker corps could really use a jolt of good health. They missed starters LB Kiko Alonso and LB A.J. Klein against San Francisco. Improved speed on the perimeter would do a lot to cure them. On offense, they need a good option opposite WR Michael Thomas. The Saints hoped that would be TE Jared Cook, but his status is up in the air with a concussion.

Who wins? The Saints can’t overlook the Colts, just like they were shocked by the Falcons a month ago. Saints 30,

Colts 21

Lines by BetMGM.com

Game preview information compiled from USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s NFL team wire sites