Why We Care: When these two teams faced off earlier this season we got to watch Adrian Peterson and Devin Hester put on a show for the ages. Peterson had 224 yards including several long runs, while Hester returned a punt for one touchdown and caught a pass for another. If this game can be half as entertaining as that one was, it will be one of the best Monday night games of the year. And if Minnesota wins, it will be very close to wrapping up a playoff spot.
When the Giants have the ball: If the weather report proves accurate, New York may look to Brandon Jacobs for a big day on the ground. And only a week after losing two fumbles against the Philadelphia Eagles, Jacobs is ready. Earlier this week, he made a bold statement, claiming he would have the best game of his young NFL career this Sunday night against the Washington Redskins.
Don't think the Redskins haven't taken notice of that. Although Jacobs' statements haven't spread through the papers like wildfire, there is absolutely zero percent chance that went unnoticed in Washington's locker room. And if there is one team in the NFL that doesn't fear physicality, it's Washington.
Why We Care: This could be a AFC first-round playoff preview and even if it's not, it's one of the better matchups of the weekend. Last year the Jaguars humiliated the Steelers in Roethlisberger's first game back after an appendectomy, so the Steelers also have reason to want some revenge.
Arizona Cardinals: 6-7 (3rd in NFC West) New Orleans Saints: 6-7 (2nd in NFC South)
Last Week:
Seahawks 42, Cardinals 21 Saints 34, Falcons 14
Why We Care: Well this is pretty easy. Though the NFC playoff battle is really just a race between gazelles to see who can get eaten by a lion quicker, it's still sort of fun to see them battle so intensely for what is an inevitable doom, correct? And if you're going to watch such a battle, wouldn't you rather watch the Saints and the Cardinals, who might combine for 750 passing yards, over a couple of grind-it-out teams relying on rushing and defense? Each of these teams is on the brink of the sixth playoff spot, so urgency is of the essence.
Green Bay Packers: 11-2 (1st in NFC North) St. Louis Rams: 3-10 (4th in NFC West)
Last Week:
Packers 38, Raiders 7 Bengals 19, Rams 10
Why We Care: The Packers are playing for a first round bye and potentially home field through the playoffs. The Rams are an afterthought, but this is where young teams falter. The Packers need to stay disciplined, but with two divisional contests to close out the season and thoughts of the playoffs ahead, the Rams might surprise them. Not necessarily that the Rams will win, or even that they'll make it a close game, logic would dictate that the possibility of that is slim, but ... this is the type of game where logic does not always apply. They call 'em "trap" games for a reason.
Cincinnati Bengals: 5-8 (3rd in AFC North) San Francisco 49ers: 3-10 (3rd in NFC West)
Last Week Bengals 19, Rams 10 Vikings 27, 49ers 7
Why We Care: Let me put it this way: if I really cared about this game, I'd be trekking through what promises to be a hectic New Jersey snowstorm to see this game at the local sports bar. I'm not. That being said, we're looking at 2008 here. Will Marvin Lewis do enough to keep his job? Will Shaun Hill show enough to get a chance to start next year? And we're also looking at the past, when these two teams played in meaningful games and Super Bowls together. Remember The Catch? Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Why We Care: When you put the Eagles and Cowboys on the field together, the name of Terrell Owens is on everyone's lips. Owens would love nothing more than to go off on his old team. T.O. is still in the smack talking news, except with former Cowboys receiver Keyshawn Johnson. Oh, and Donovan McNabb is (supposedly) back for this one. It's an NFC East thang, baby!
Why We Care: While no one really wants to watch this game, we all want to see if Miami can keep losing or not. C'mon, we all love watching the train wrecks like this. Ravens fans just pray that they aren't the team to give them their first win. Plus a Phins loss clinches the #1 pick in the draft for them.
When the Titans have the ball: It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how Tennessee is going to approach this game. Which, by all accounts, is a must win if they hope to keep their playoff dreams alive.
The Titans currently have the fourth ranked rush offense in the entire league, while the Chiefs have the 26th ranked rush defense in the NFL. And basically, that's what this game will boil down to; the ground attack. Can LenDale White and the Titans run all over Kansas City, or will the Chiefs pull one out of the hat and shut them down to go out victorious in their final home game of the season?
Why We Care: Well, if Panthers fans don't care, I'm not sure why we should. Bank of America Stadium is expected to be half-empty on Sunday as fans paying ticket holders continue to protest the team's current brain trust by wasting their tickets and staying home. Meanwhile, the Seahawks have already clinched the NFC West, but they're two games behind the Packers with three left, and Green Bay has three sub-.500 teams left on the schedule. This may turn into an exhibition game by the 4th quarter.
To get you ready for Week 15, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is your Bears/Vikings preview.
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To get you ready for Week 15, 
To get you ready for Week 15, 
To get you ready for Week 15, 
To get you ready for Week 15, 
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To get you ready for Week 15, 
