Three To Watch: Week 15

by Andrew Pasquini – Sports 1140 KHTK

Week 15 is already off to a great start as the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 29-28 on Thursday night. Sunday looks to be as good with eight of the 12 playoff spots still open.

Here are the three biggest games of the week:

The Miami Dolphins (7-6) at the Minnesota Vikings (6-6-1), 10am on CBS

The Dolphins are coming off an emotional victory over the New England Patriots last Sunday and the Vikings are holding onto the final playoff spot in the NFC by a thread after losing to the Seattle Seahawks. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives as the Dolphins are tied with three other teams for the second wild card spot in the AFC and the Vikings hold just a half a game lead in the NFC. All seven of Miami’s wins this season have been by one score but will need to try to keep their space against an offense that includes Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook.

The New England Patriots (9-4) at the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5-1), 1:25pm on CBS

These two teams always seem to have big games in December and this season is no different. The Patriots are well on their way to clinching another AFC East title while the Steelers haven’t clinched a playoff spot yet. This game means more to Pittsburgh than it does New England so it will be interesting to see how the Steelers come out following their loss last week against the Oakland Raiders. Pittsburgh has lost three games in a row while New England is coming off a loss to the Dolphins.

The New Orleans Saints (11-2) at the Carolina Panthers (6-7), Monday night, 5:15pm on ESPN

The Saints have already clinched the NFC South but are still in a fight with the Los Angeles Rams for the top spot in the NFC. The Panthers are the exact opposite of the Saints, starting their season 6-2 but have lost their last five games to fall to 6-7 and out of a playoff spot. Carolina does have a shot to get into the playoffs but that road needs to begin with a victory against the Saints.

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