NFL

NFL Playoff Picture: 5 Teams Facing Must-Wins In Week 15

NFL Playoff Picture: 5 Teams Facing Must-Wins In Week 15

Tennessee Titans v Houston Texans
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The NFL season is drawing to a close quite soon, and these five teams must win this weekend to realistically achieve a playoff berth. The NFC is definitely a weaker conference thanks to the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, but the last three weeks should be great entertainment, mainly due to these five squads.

5. Dallas Cowboys

tony romo cowboys
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5. Dallas Cowboys

tony romo cowboys
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The Dallas Cowboys (9-4) must win this divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles (9-4), and for that they can blame the Atlanta Falcons (5-8) and the NFL's ridiculous playoff system. Tony Romo can also rewrite his typical December narrative with a clutch road victory. The NFC East hangs in the balance.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco Steve Smith Touchdown
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4. Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco Steve Smith Touchdown
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The Baltimore Ravens (8-5) have endured a hectic year amidst all of the controversy surrounding Ray Rice, but many forget that they are still in the playoff hunt. Whether they will succeed or not depends on this Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

3. Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans
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3. Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts v Houston Texans
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J.J. Watt really should win MVP this season for the effect he has on every single down of football, but that will not happen unless the Houston Texans (7-6) are playoff bound. While it's not a likely possibility, it would be a pretty cool comeback story. The Indianapolis Colts will do their best to eliminate Houston mathematically on Sunday.

2. New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees
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2. New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees
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It is shameful that the New Orleans Saints (5-8) even make this list, but that is the current state of affairs for a putrid NFC South division. In good news for Saints fans, Sean Payton announced he would not consider leaving, however, New Orleans is no longer a team with actual Super Bowl hopes. They can help their playoff dreams though with a win over Chicago on Monday night.

1. San Francisco 49ers

jim harbaugh jets
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1. San Francisco 49ers

jim harbaugh jets
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They are not technically out of the hunt, but the San Francisco 49ers (7-6) are quite close. They need to win out in order to have any chance at a playoff bid, and things do not look great, with Jim Harbaugh apparently on his way out of town. A must-win game against the Seattle Seahawks looms large tomorrow.

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