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Posted Dec. 13, 2008

A look at what's ahead in Week 15

NFL.com

1 p.m. ET, FOX San Francisco at Miami
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Dolphins 5-4 in the regular season, but the 49ers won the most important matchup between these two teams, Super Bowl XIX.
Streaks: The 49ers have won four of the past five meetings, but not the most recent showdown, a 24-17 Dolphins victory in Week 12 of the 2004 season.
 A 1-15 mess last season, the surprising Dolphins are entertaining AFC East title hopes with three weeks left in this season. However, the road from worst to first won't be easy. No longer a part of their own division's title chase, the 49ers are wrecking havoc on the playoff hopes of other teams as Mike Singletary's team has won three of its past four games, including victories over the Bills two weeks ago and the Jets last week. The 49ers have 55 plays that have gone for 20 or more yards, second-most in the NFC. ... 49ers WR Isaac Bruce is the active leader in receiving yards with 14,804, which ranks third all-time behind Jerry Rice (22,895) and Tim Brown (14,934). ... Dolphins QB Chad Pennington -- one of the most valuable acquisitions of this past offseason -- ranks second in the AFC with a 93.7 passer rating. ... In his past three games as a starter, Dolphins WR Davone Bess, an undrafted free agent, has 20 catches for 245 yards.


Video: Game preview




1 p.m. ET, FOX Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Buccaneers 18-12.
Streaks: The Buccaneers have padded their all-time series lead against the Falcons as of late, winning the past three meetings, including a 24-9 win in Week 2 this season.
 The Buccaneers lost ground in the NFC South title chase after Monday night's loss to the Panthers, but Tampa Bay still remains in the driver's seat for an NFC wild-card playoff berth. The Falcons are on the outside looking in and walking a fine line between miracle season and just another near-miss. The Buccaneers can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Cowboys loss or tie, or a win and an Eagles loss or tie. ... Buccaneers QB Jeff Garcia has won six consecutive starts against the Falcons. ... Buccaneers WR Antonio Bryant needs 64 yards for his second career 1,000-yard receiving season. ... Falcons rookie QB Matt Ryan is 5-1 at the Georgia Dome with a 107.1 passer rating. ... Falcons RB Michael Turner, finally given the opportunity to be a regular starter in the NFL in his fifth season, has seized the opportunity and ranks second in the NFL with 1,269 rushing yards and is tied for first with 14 rushing touchdowns.


Video: Game preview




Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Redskins 4-3.
Streaks: The Bengals have won two of the past three meetings with the Redskins, including a 17-10 win at FedEx Field in Week 10 of the 2004 season.
 The Redskins have lost four of their last five games and are on the outside looking in when considering "If the season ended today ..." playoff scenarios. However, Washington faces a favorable slate of opponents to finish out the season, starting with 1-11-1 Cincinnati. While the Bengals' defense ranks 26th in the NFL in generating interceptions, the Redskins are tied for first in the NFL (with the Dolphins) with the fewest interceptions thrown (6). ... Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick -- who has led his team in rushing yards in three games -- has run for 236 yards this season.


Video: Game preview




Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Chiefs 50-45-1 in this showdown of original American Football League teams.
Streaks: The Chargers have narrowed the gap in recent seasons, claiming three victories in the last four matchups with the Chiefs. That includes a thrilling 20-19 San Diego victory in Week 10 this season.
 The Chargers are clinging to faint hopes of winning the AFC West, which would be their only ticket to the postseason. San Diego must win their remaining games and hope the Broncos -- who the Chargers face in Week 17 -- completely fall apart. A win by the Broncos in any one of their remaining three games, or a loss by the Chargers in any one of their remaining games, delivers the AFC West division title to Denver. ... The Chargers are going for a 12th consecutive win in the month of December. ... Chargers QB Philip Rivers leads the NFL with a 102.0 passer rating. ... Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez is going for a third consecutive game with 100 or more receiving yards against the Chargers (140, 113).


Video: Game preview




Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Packers 2-1.
Streaks: The Jaguars won the most recent matchup, a 28-25 win at frigid Lambeau Field in Week 15 of the 2004 season.
 While both teams were prominent players in the 2007 postseason, the Jaguars and Packers no longer possess playoff aspirations this season. The Jaguars already have been eliminated, while the Packers still cling to playoff hopes that only a calculator can provide. The Packers -- who are 2-0 all-time in Jacksonville -- have won seven of their last nine December games. ... Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, in his first season as a starter, ranks fourth in the NFC with 3,192 passing yards. ... Of Packers WR Greg Jennings' 22 career touchdown catches, 10 have come from 40 yards or more. ... Under coach Jack Del Rio, the Jaguars are 15-8 against NFC teams. ... Jaguars safety Gerald Sensabaugh has two interceptions in his last three games.


Video: Game preview




1 p.m. ET, CBS Tennessee at Houston
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Titans 11-2 in this matchup of Houston's former team against its current team.
Streaks: The Titans have won the past seven meetings with the Texans, including a 31-12 win over Houston in Week 3 this season.		 Houston has been eliminated from playoff contention, but that won't stop the red-hot Texans from trying to ruin Tennessee's fun. The Texans have won three consecutive games and would like to prevent the Titans from earning home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs for at least one more week.
 The Titans can clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win and Steelers loss, or a tie and a Steelers loss (Tennessee hosts Pittsburgh in Week 16). ... The Titans are going for the first 13-1 start in franchise history (dating to 1960). ... This game will feature two of the league's top rookie running backs. The Titans' Chris Johnson ranks second in the AFC with 1,094 rushing yards, and the Texans' Steve Slaton is third in the AFC with 1,024 rushing yards. ... The Texans need four more points to surpass the 309 scored in 2004 for the second-highest point total in team history.


Video: Game preview




1 p.m. ET, FOX Seattle at St. Louis
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Seahawks 11-9 in this matchup of teams that have been division rivals since the 2002 season.
Streaks: The Seahawks have taken the all-time series lead, thanks to a seven-game winning streak over the Rams, which includes a 37-13 victory in Week 3 this season.
 Mike Holmgren's final season as Seahawks coach as been a disaster, as Seattle has fallen to 2-11 following a 10-6 season. The Rams -- who finished 3-13 last season -- haven't shown improvement this season. Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck has won eight of 11 starts against the Rams. ... The Seahawks' John Carlson leads NFC rookie TEs with 46 receptions and 525 yards. Carlson can become the first rookie to lead the team in both categories since Hall of Famer Steve Largent did so for the expansion Seahawks in 1976. ... The Rams' Donnie Avery is second among NFC rookie WRs with 37 receptions and 517 yards.


Video: Game preview




1 p.m. ET, FOX Detroit at Indianapolis
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Colts 19-18-2 in a series that dates to a two-game Lions sweep in the 1953 season. Detroit won the NFL championship that season, the second of its three titles in the decade.
Streaks: The Colts have won four of the last six against the Lions, including a 41-9 victory on Thanksgiving Day in 2004.
 The Lions are the fifth of six consecutive losing teams that the Colts are playing. The Colts have won the previous four -- and six overall -- to climb into the thick of the AFC playoff picture. The Colts can clinch a playoff spot with a win and some help in games involving the Dolphins, Jets and Patriots. ... The Colts joined the 1989-95 49ers are the only teams in NFL history to win at least six consecutive games in five straight seasons. ... The Lions are three losses away from becoming the first 0-16 team in NFL history (the 1976 Buccaneers went winless in a 14-game season).


Video: Game preview




1 p.m. ET, CBS Buffalo at N.Y. Jets
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Bills 52-43 in this showdown of original American Football League teams that dates to a 27-3 New York Titans win over Buffalo at the Polo Grounds in the first week of play in 1960.
Streaks: The Bills have won three of the past four matchups, but the Jets were victorious in the most recent showdown, a 26-17 win in Orchard Park, N.Y. in Week 9 this season.		 The Jets are in a three-way tie -- with the Dolphins and Patriots -- for first place in the AFC East and desparately need a win to keep pace after losing two consecutive games following a 34-14 win over the Titans in Week 12. Bills WR Lee Evans (913 yards) needs 87 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the second time in his career (1,292 in 2006). ... Bills TE Robert Royal has set career highs in receptions (29) and receiving yards (308) this season. ... Against AFC East teams this season, Jets QB Brett Favre is 3-1 and has a 101.2 passer rating. ... Jets RB Thomas Jones leads the AFC with 1,144 rushing yards.


Video: Game preview




4:05 p.m. ET, CBS Minnesota at Arizona
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Series tied 9-9.
Streaks: The Vikings have won five of the last six meetings with the Cardinals, including a 31-26 win at the Metrodome in Week 12 of the 2006 season.
 This game features two 8-5 teams that lead their respective divisions. While the Cardinals already have won their division title, the Vikings are still trying to win theirs, as the Bears sit one game behind in the NFC North standings. Vikings QB Gus Frerotte has seven touchdown passes in the past three games against the Cardinals, including three in their last meeting. ... Vikings DE Jared Allen has 10.5 sacks in the past eight games, including two last week. Since 2004, Allen has 55.5 sacks, the most in the NFL in that timespan. ... The Cardinals are division winners for the first time since 1975, when the team was located in St. Louis. The Cardinals will host a playoff game for the first time since 1947, when the Chicago Cardinals hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Championship. ... Cardinals RB Tim Hightower leads NFL rookies with 10 rushing touchdowns, which also is a franchise rookie record.


Video: Game preview




4:15 p.m. ET, CBS New England at Oakland
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Raiders 14-13-1 in this showdown of original American Football League teams.
Streaks: The Raiders have won three of the past four meetings, but the Patriots won the most recent game 30-20 in Week 1 of the 2005 season.
 Stuck in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East, the Patriots face a favorable remaining schedule, starting with this game in Oakland. The Patriots are going for their 10th consecutive win in December and have posted a 21-2 record in the month since 2003. ... In his past two road games, Patriots QB Matt Cassel has completed 64.4 percent of his passes for four touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 99.0. ... Dating to 1981, the Raiders are going for a fourth consecutive regular-season win at home against the Patriots. ... Raiders WR Johnnie Lee Higgins is tied for second in the NFL with two punt returns for touchdowns.


Video: Game preview




4:15 p.m. ET, CBS Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Steelers 15-10.
Streaks: The Steelers have won two of the past three meetings, including a 23-20 overtime victory over the Ravens in Week 4 this season.
 The Steelers can clinch the AFC North division title and a first-round playoff bye with a win over the Ravens, who are just one game behind in the division standings and have their own division title and playoff aspirations. The Steelers have won 10 games in consecutive seasons under coach Mike Tomlin, and the team aims for 11 wins for the first time since 2005. The 2005 season ended with a Steelers victory in Super Bowl XL. ... Steelers linebackers James Harrison (15) and LaMarr Woodley (11.5) have totaled 26.5 sacks this season. Harrison needs one sack to surpass Mike Merriweather (15 in 1984) for the team's single-season record. ... The Ravens have won seven of their last eight games, and in that span, rookie QB Joe Flacco has 12 touchdown passes and three interceptions for a 95.6 passer rating. ... Since 2003, the Ravens are 34-10 when their defense posts three or more sacks.


Video: Game preview




4:15 p.m. ET, CBS Denver at Carolina
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Broncos 2-0.
Streaks: The Broncos and Panthers haven't played since the 2004 season, when Denver took a 20-17 win over Carolina.
 The Panthers are coming off a huge 38-22 win over the Buccaneers on Monday Night Football to take sole possession of first place in the NFC South. The march toward the division title won't be easy. Each of Carolina's remaining opponents -- Broncos, Giants and Saints -- currently has a winning record. The Broncos, meanwhile, need just one more win or a Chargers loss to clinch the AFC West title. The Broncos are going for their fifth consecutive win against an NFC South team, having already beaten the Saints, Buccaneers and Falcons this season. ... Broncos QB Jay Cutler -- who has 23 touchdown passes -- needs four more to tie Jake Plummer (27 in 2004) and John Elway (27 in 1997) for the team's single-season record. ... The Panthers rushed for a team-record 299 yards Monday against the Buccaneers. DeAngelo Williams -- with a team-record 186 yards, two TDs and a 9.8-yards-per-carry average -- and rookie Jonathan Stewart -- with 115 yards, 2 TDs and a 7.7-yards-per-carry average -- became the first teammates to rush for 100 or more yards, score two touchdowns and average at least seven yards per carry in the same game.


Video: Game preview




8:15 p.m. ET, NBC N.Y. Giants at Dallas
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Cowboys 54-36-2.
Streaks: The Cowboys have won three of the past four regular-season meetings, but the Giants routed Dallas 35-14 in Week 9 this season.
 The Giants backed into the NFC East title after last week's 20-14 loss to the Eagles and can clinch a first-round playoff bye with a win over the Cowboys, who are sitting in the NFC's second wild-card spot in the latest "If the season ended today ..." scenario. The Giants return to the scene of their divisional playoff upset of the Cowboys last January. ... Including playoff games, Giants QB Eli Manning is 25-6 in his past 31 starts. ... Giants WR Amani Toomer has three touchdown catches in his last two games against the Cowboys, including two TD receptions in that NFC divisional playoff victory. ... In his past two regular-season games against the Giants, Cowboys QB Tony Romo -- who missed the two teams' previous encounter due to injury -- has a 129.2 passer rating with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. ... Cowboys rookie TE Martellus Bennett has three touchdowns in his past four games.


Video: Game preview




8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Mon.) Cleveland at Philadelphia
Matchup Storyline Did you know?
Series leader: Browns 31-14-1 in a series that dates to their 35-10 victory over the defending NFL champion Eagles in Cleveland's first NFL game in 1950.
Streaks: The Eagles have won three of the past four meetings, including a 34-31 overtime victory over the Browns in Week 7 of the 2004 season.
 The Browns, officially eliminated from playoff contention in the AFC, can seriously damage the Eagles' playoff hopes with a win in Philadelphia on Monday Night Football. The Eagles are on the outside looking in on the latest "If the season ended today ..." scenario. The Browns are going for a third consecutive win on Monday Night Football in 2008. ... Jamal Lewis (800) needs 200 rushing yards to become the first Browns RB since Mike Pruitt to gain 1,000 in consecutive seasons. ... Eagles CB Asante Samuel has 19 interceptions since 2006, the most in the NFL in that timespan. ... Eagles WR DeSean Jackson leads NFC rookies with 775 receiving yards and is tied for second with 53 catches.


Video: Game preview



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