Takeo Spikes and Jeff Reinebold preview the best of Week 15...
Sunday 17 December 2017 17:26, UK
We're down to the final three weeks of the NFL regular season, and playoff positions are at a premium.
With some massive clashes between contenders in Week 15, the playoff picture - in both the NFC and AFC - is set to become much clearer (or possibly even muddier) come the weekend's conclusion.
Here, ''Coach' Jeff Reinebold and studio guest for the month of December, former NFL linebacker Takeo Spikes, take a look at the key match-ups this weekend and give their predictions...
Playoff implications: The Packers have just about stayed in contention ready for the return of their star QB Aaron Rodgers from injury. They likely must win all of their remaining games to squeeze into the playoffs, starting in Carolina, who are tied with the Saints for the lead in the NFC South.
When: Sunday, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports Action
Takeo's take: Panthers
"With Rodgers being back, you see the excitement coming from his team-mates, especially his offensive line. They now know they don't have to block a certain type of way, because they have No 12 back at QB. It really puts a battery in the back of all of the offensive, and defensive, guys on the team.
"But the question mark is his health going forward? This week he faces the No 3 defensive team in the league in terms of sacks, and also against the run. That means the Packers need Rodgers to be Superman, but his shoulder is still not super, because he is only just back from injury."
Jeff's verdict: Panthers
"I take Takeo's point about the lift that Rodgers gives this Packers team, but I also look at the other side of the ball and I see a great Panthers defense. I also like the fact that, on offense, Cam Newton is playing at that level he has which is so unique - that mix of size, speed and energy."
Playoff implications: A Rams win over their divisional rivals sees them all but clinch the NFC West (two up with two to play), while victory for the Seahawks will see them pinch first place. Defeat for either puts them in danger of slipping out of a Wild Card spot in the ultra-competitive NFC.
When: Sunday, kick-off 9.05pm (follow via NFL RedZone, Sky Sports Mix)
Takeo's take: Seahawks
"This is one game I'm struggling to give a 'Takeo Guarantee' on. With a divisional game, everything is off the table, anything can happen. But I'm going to just lean towards Seattle, in Seattle, in front of the '12th man' crowd.
Jeff's verdict: Rams
"Both teams come into this one off the back of tough losses, giving their all but coming up just short. It's going to be another physical game, but you could see warts in the Seahawks when going down in Jacksonville, while I liked more from the Rams in defeat to Philadelphia - Todd Gurley gives them so much in the running game and Jared Goff continues to show me some things at QB, particularly his toughness. I just think the Rams are a better overall football team."
Playoff implications: The Patriots are back in contention for the No 1 seed, and home-field advantage, in the AFC with a win, while the Steelers would clinch it if successful. A New England defeat, coupled with a Jacksonville win, would seem them lose their first-round bye with two weeks to go.
When: Sunday, 9.25pm, live on Sky Sports Action
Takeo's take: Steelers
"When you have Tom Brady at quarterback on one side, and 'the killers B's' in Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown on the other, the biggest guarantee I can give from this game is that there will be at least 60 points! Actually, maybe 50.
"Brady's Patriots historically own the Steelers - he is 10-2 against them - but I expect that to change this week. Come Sunday night that record will be 10-3.
Jeff's verdict: Steelers
"Bill Belichick's press conference after last week's defeat to the Dolphins was priceless. He didn't exactly agree with one reporter's question that did he think the team were distracted by this match-up against the Steelers? No, he did not.
"Belichick is going to make you beat him left-handed - he is going to take away your biggest player. But, the Steelers have so many weapons on offense. If Belichick shuts down Brown, then they've got Bell, and even if he takes away both, Big Ben can still get the ball to JuJu Smith-Schuster, Martavis Bryant etc. I'm still not sold on the New England defense."
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