NFL Week 14 Schedule & Predictions 2015: 5 Teams Who Must Win This Week's Games
What a wild and crazy week it was in the NFL. So many games were decided in the final minutes, and numerous teams suffered devastating losses. Others won their games but still have huge games next week.
Here are five teams who have to win this week.
1. Denver Broncos
It's been kind of a roller coaster ride for the these Denver Broncos. They started the year off a perfect 7-0, then they lost two games in a row, and Peyton Manning got hurt. Now the Broncos have won their last three consecutive games with Brock Osweiler starting at quarterback. The Broncos are currently the No. 2 seed in the AFC, and they have to beat the 5-7 Oakland Raiders this weekend. The Raiders may give the Broncos a fight, but don't expect an upset in Denver. The Broncos should be able to improve to 11-2 and 4-1 in the division.
2. New York Jets
A win over the New York Giants (their first since 1993) is just what this team needed. The New York Jets ended November losing four of their last five games, but have now won their last two. The Jets are right back in the AFC playoff picture as the No. 6 seed in the conference. Ryan Fitzpatrick is actually playing like a quality quarterback, certainly better than we've ever seen Geno Smith perform before. The Jets take on the Tennessee Titans this week at home, and that's a big game. The Jets can't afford to lose to the Titans, especially with the Pittsburgh Steelers right on their tail at 7-5.
3. New England Patriots
After a 10-0 start, the New England Patriots have now lost back-to-back games. Injuries are piling up, and Tom Brady is getting frustrated. Without Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman on the field, Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell have to step up. The Patriots have a huge game this upcoming Sunday night against J.J. Watt and the Houston Texans. The Patriots can't afford to lose this game. The Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos are ahead of the Patriots in the AFC playoff race, so this game has big implications.
4. Seattle Seahawks
Are the Seattle Seahawks back? Maybe. The defending NFC champions have now won their last three consecutive games and are 7-5. The Seahawks are the No. 6 seed in the NFC because the Arizona Cardinals lead the NFC West. It's going to be extremely difficult to overtake the Cardinals considering they are three games back, but the Seahawks should still make the playoffs. Luckily for the Seahawks, they take on the Baltimore Ravens next in a "battle of the birds" game. A loss against the 4-8 Ravens would be devastating for Pete Carroll's squad.
5. Indianapolis Colts
Matt Hasselbeck lost his first game this season in a thrashing against the Steelers. Luckily for the Indianapolis Colts, they caught a huge break because the Buffalo Bills defeated the Texans, thus leaving the Colts in first place in the AFC South. The Colts still have the tiebreaker over the Texans, but both teams are 6-6. The Colts absolutely have to win this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars and hope for a Patriots win over the Texans. The Colts are the best team in the NFL when playing divisional games as they are 3-0 against AFC South teams so far.
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1