5 NFL Teams to Stick a Fork In Heading Into Week 16

5 NFL Teams to Stick a Fork In Right Now

Week 15 of the NFL schedule wraps up Monday night, with the Detroit Lions (4-9) taking on the New Orleans Saints (5-8). Both teams in Monday night's game could make a rendition of this list, but here are five NFL teams to stick a fork in heading toward Week 16.

5 NFL Teams to Stick a Fork In Right Now

Week 15 of the NFL schedule wraps up Monday night, with the Detroit Lions (4-9) taking on the New Orleans Saints (5-8). Both teams in Monday night's game could make a rendition of this list, but here are five NFL teams to stick a fork in heading toward Week 16.

5. Houston Texans

Houston took over first place in the AFC South with Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts, and their final two games look favorable. But with T.J. Yates (torn ACL) out and Brian Hoyer dealing with a concussion, there's a real chance Brandon Weeden starts under center in Week 16. The Colts may get Andrew Luck back this week as well, so I'm sticking a fork in the Texans again.

5. Houston Texans

Houston took over first place in the AFC South with Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts, and their final two games look favorable. But with T.J. Yates (torn ACL) out and Brian Hoyer dealing with a concussion, there's a real chance Brandon Weeden starts under center in Week 16. The Colts may get Andrew Luck back this week as well, so I'm sticking a fork in the Texans again.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

A 40-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals Sunday night was a reality check for the Eagles, though at 6-8 they still have a chance to win the NFC East. Two division games remain, against the Washington Redskins and New York Giants with an opportunity to control their fate, but I'm sticking an early fork in the Eagles.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

A 40-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals Sunday night was a reality check for the Eagles, though at 6-8 they still have a chance to win the NFC East. Two division games remain, against the Washington Redskins and New York Giants with an opportunity to control their fate, but I'm sticking an early fork in the Eagles.

3. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons ended a long losing streak, and re-entered the NFC Wild Card picture to some degree, with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. But they still aren't a very good team, and they'll probably need to upset the Carolina Panthers in Week 16 to keep their playoff hopes afloat, so Atlanta is a target for my fork once again.

3. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons ended a long losing streak, and re-entered the NFC Wild Card picture to some degree, with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. But they still aren't a very good team, and they'll probably need to upset the Carolina Panthers in Week 16 to keep their playoff hopes afloat, so Atlanta is a target for my fork once again.

2. New York Giants

Yes, I know that right now the Giants could still win the NFC East if they win out and finish 8-8. But the likelihood they'll be without wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in one of the next two games, with a possible appeal of a reported to be likely one-game suspension that would possibly postpone a ban, puts the Giants on the ropes in terms of playoff contention and I'm hitting them with my fork again this week.

2. New York Giants

Yes, I know that right now the Giants could still win the NFC East if they win out and finish 8-8. But the likelihood they'll be without wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in one of the next two games, with a possible appeal of a reported to be likely one-game suspension that would possibly postpone a ban, puts the Giants on the ropes in terms of playoff contention and I'm hitting them with my fork again this week.

1. New York Jets

Even at 9-5 with a four-game winning streak going, the Jets are not an AFC Wild Card team right now. A win over New England in Week 16 looks like a necessity at this point, so I'm going to get ahead of the curve and consider the Jets done as a potential playoff team.

1. New York Jets

Even at 9-5 with a four-game winning streak going, the Jets are not an AFC Wild Card team right now. A win over New England in Week 16 looks like a necessity at this point, so I'm going to get ahead of the curve and consider the Jets done as a potential playoff team.