With just two weeks left in the NFL regular season, tensions are running as high as ever. Many teams will be jockeying for position in the playoffs and others will be fighting just to get in.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for NFL fans, as Week 16 is here. This is what you should be watching as we head to Sunday.
1. Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have struggled since starting 9-1, and with Ryan Lindley starting, will be facing the Seahawks for a likely division title. However, the Seahawks have found their way, winning four straight.
Lindley will have his hands full against the top pass defense in the league, but has home field advantage to work with. Russell Wilson has an efficient offense in front of him, but an equally tough Cardinals defense to throw against.
2. Monday night battle
The Cincinnati Bengals could really use a home win over the Denver Broncos in primetime. However, Peyton Manning need a win to keep any chance at a No.1 seed alive.
Thus, we have a pretty interesting matchup between these two teams. For Andy Dalton, he needs to prove his 10-for-33 performance in the last primetime game was a fluke, and he must succeed at home.
3. Will the Philadelphia Eagles get back on track?
It seems like just yesterday that the Eagles were the toast of the league, but after two losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys, they’re on the outside looking in. Mark Sanchez needs to step up Sunday.
Luckily for the Eagles, their counterparts, the Washington Redskins, are still trying to figure out who they want to play quarterback. It’ll be Robert Griffin III by default, but it might not even matter.
4. How will the San Francisco 49ers respond to Jim Harbaugh rumors?
By now, most of us know that Harbaugh is considering taking the Michigan Head Coach job, but right now, he has a team to coach in the 49ers. The question is whether the 49ers can end the disappointing season on a somewhat positive note.
The San Diego Chargers come into town looking to entering back into a Wild Card spot in the AFC, so it won’t be easy. Philip Rivers ranks eighth in the league in passer rating, and he’ll be looking to exploit the 49ers on Sunday.
5. Move over Jay Cutler
The Chicago Bears will take the field at home will a whole bunch of questions surrounding the quarterback position among other aspects of the team. Jimmy Clausen, who has one full season of work in his career, will take the helm against a hungry Detroit Lions team.
Clausen will have to beat the 15th-ranked Lions defense in order to be successful. With the Lions holding onto first place in the NFC North, it’ll be that much tougher.
6. Cam Newton expected to play
Newton looks like he’ll make the miraculous recovery from a car accident just a few weeks ago. He’ll re-enter a division title race that should never have happened, yet is here.
Newton, who threw three touchdowns in a rout of the New Orleans Saints in his last start, will face the tough Cleveland Browns that’s allowing opposing passers just 221.9 yards per game.
7. The battle for the NFC South
How would have thought a game between the 5-9 Atlanta Falcons and the 6-8 New Orleans Saints could decide this division. It could be the division-clinching game for the Saints, who have turned in two out of three wins.
The Falcons, though, need a win to stay alive in this race and Matt Ryan will be slinging it whoever he can at the Superdome. It will be up to the Saints defense to stop this star-studded offense.
8. Can the Pittsburgh Steelers keep pace in the Wild Card?
The Steelers currently own the No.5 seed in the AFC, but a loss against the Kansas City Chiefs would put their playoff hopes at risk. However, Ben Roethlisberger and his offense have been clicking as of late.
The second-ranked Steelers passing offense will face off against the second-ranked Chiefs pass defense in a do-or-die situation. Le’Veon Bell could be used early and often for the Steelers and the same goes for Jamaal Charles.
9. Will the New England Patriots end strong?
The Patriots own the No. 1 seed the AFC and need to beat the New York Jets to assure they don’t lose that spot. The Jets have been awful all season, but always get up to play their rivals, especially in New York.
Tom Brady has been efficient as they come lately and will have to keep it up because the Jets are strong against the run. Does it sound like a Bill Belichick-coached team to lose in a situation like this, though?
10. Can the Dallas Cowboys stay on top the NFC East?
After the big win in Philadelphia last week, the Cowboys are riding high in the uber-competitive battle between them and the Eagles. However, the Indianapolis Colts will enter Cowboys Stadium looking to keep up in the AFC playoff race.
Andrew Luck will be licking his chops against the 23rd-ranked Cowboys pass defense and Tony Romo will likely have to keep up. With DeMarco Murray coming off surgery, he may not be able to carry the load in this game.