Minnesota Vikings: 8-6 (2nd in NFC North) Washington Redskins: 7-7 (3rd in NFC East)
Last Week: Vikings 20, Bears 13 Redskins 22, Giants 10
Why We Care: Most of the playoff pairings may already be set, but the Vikings and Redskins are battling for the final NFC playoff spot. Minnesota has the inside track on that spot--if they win out they are guaranteed a spot while the Redskin need help, but they also have to win out to even have a chance.
Why We Care: You can get a pretty good idea of the difference between the AFC East and the AFC South by the fact that both of these teams are third in their division. The Titans are playing for a potential playoff spot while the Jets are playing for 2008. Tennessee needs a little help to make the playoffs, but the most important part is to win both of their final two games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9-5 (NFC South Champions) San Francisco 49ers: 4-10 (3rd in NFC West)
Last Week:
Bucs 37, Falcons 3 49ers 20, Bengals 13
Why We Care: Years after he was jettisoned from San Francisco, The Jeff Garcia Reclamation Project returns to where it all began. There's probably not much in the way of interesting football here, but it will be interesting to see how inspired Garcia plays in attempting to show the 49ers what they're missing out on. On the other side of the field, there's another interesting quarterback to keep an eye on. Shaun Hill is the 49ers' starter for the rest of the season and will further his attempts to get a big payday this offseason.
Kansas City Chiefs: 4-10 (4th in AFC West) Detroit Lions: 6-8 (3rd in NFC North)
Last Week:
Titans 26, Chiefs 17 Chargers 51, Lions 14
Why We Care: For the same reason we slow down to look at a car wreck or watch the Faces of Death videos -- our perverse addiction to gruesome things.
When the Chiefs have the ball: Here's how sorry of a state the Chiefs' offense is in -- I sat down at my desk to begin typing this, and I realized that I have no idea who their starting quarterback is this week. Is it Croyle? Huard? Does it even matter? Tony Gonzalez and Dwayne Bowe have been fine receiving options this year, but they've been about it. Larry Johnson, Priest Holmes, or Kolby Smith, the team is still only averaging 3.3 yards per carry. That's what happens when two Hall of Famers on the line retire in the same year.
Philadelphia Eagles: 6-8 (4th in NFC East) New Orleans Saints: 7-7 (2nd in NFC South)
Last Week:
Eagles 10, Cowboys 6 Saints 31, Cardinals 24
Why We Care: These two teams played two great games last year under different circumstances. The first was an early matchup of conference heavyweights, the second a second-round playoff game. Both ended 27-24 in favor of the Saints. This year, New Orleans needs to win out with help just to make the playoffs and the Eagles are out. Still, as a byproduct of three games in two years, the teams have developed a nice little snarl, and the Eagles still have something to play for -- instilling the same misery they're feeling into other teams.
When the Falcons have the ball: After an embarrassing performance against Tampa Bay last week, the Falcons will look to get anything going tomorrow against the Cardinals. And pending an early hole, you can bet Jerious Norwood will finally get the carries Atlanta has been trying to give him for the last two weeks.
Arizona's defense will likely focus heavily on the run in an attempt to make Chris Redman, who went four of 15 for 34 yards and two interceptions last week, beat them. And if all goes according to plan, they'll be able to sit back and wait for a few costly turnovers to come their way.
When the Bills have the ball: Buffalo has had some major success running the ball in recent weeks and it's unlikely they'll stray away from that this weekend. The combination of Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch has proven quite formidable, and if the weather report holds up (rain and high winds), the Bills will need that duo to have a huge game.
Defensively, the Giants should know exactly what's coming. Unless their own offensive coordinator switches sides before kickoff, it's going to be all about the ground game. In fact, no team in the league other than the Giants would pass 52 times when the winds are above 25 miles per hour.
Miami Dolphins: 1-13 (4th in AFC East) New England Patriots: 14-0 (AFC East Champions)
Last Week:
Dolphins 22-Ravens 16 OT Patriots 20-Jets 10
Why We Care: It isn't as interesting now that Miami has actually won a game, but the Patriots quest for perfection will always get everyone watching. The quest takes them to Miami ... the only other franchise to field a 14-0 team. New England hasn't lost a regular season game since ... since ... since ... Miami beat them 21-0 last season. The Dolphins are the Dolphins and bring a bit of a storyline in this one: something about Bill Parcells.
Texans 31, Broncos 13 Chargers 51, Lions 14 When the Broncos have the ball: The Broncos still rank eighth in the league in rushing yards, a shocking figure given how iffy their production on the ground has been this season. Injuries to Travis Henry and Tom Nalen are the biggest reason their ground game has flagged and this doesn't appear to be the week to bet on a big comeback. Whether Henry or Selvin Young gets the bulk of the carries, the center of the Bronco line will have to find a way to deal with big Jamal Williams and that might be too tall an order. If they can't get the ground game working early, the Broncos will be leaving Jay Cutler with an awful lot to do. He throws well on the run, a good thing since the Chargers have resumed playing aggressive, blitzing defense, but he also forces too many throws. Against a team that's picked off 10 balls in the last three weeks that's suicidal.
Packers 33, Rams 14 Vikings 20, Bears 13 When the Packers have the ball: Green Bay's first choice is to attack through the air but they aren't totally reliant on the pass. Ryan Grant has the second-most yards in the league since Week Eight and has found great success running behind a very good Packer line. With Tommie Harris and Darwin Walker ailing, the middle of the Bears defensive line should yield good gains for Grant and force the Bears to adjust their defense forward. When they do that Favre can take advantage. Tight end Donald Lee is a force in play action and Donald Driver, James Jones and Greg Jennings down the field. Nathan Vasher played for the first time in ages last week and made some plays in Minnesota, but he's missed practice all week and Tarvaris Jackson isn't exactly of Favre's caliber.
To get you ready for Week 16, FanHouse is previewing all 16 NFL games. Here is your Redskins/Vikings preview.
To get you ready for Week 16, 
To get you ready for Week 16, 
To get you ready for Week 16, 
To get you ready for Week 16, 
To get you ready for week 16, 
To get you ready for week 16, 
To get you ready for Week 16, 
To get you ready for Week 16, 
To get you ready for Week 16, 
