We're rapidly approaching crunch time in the 2015 NFL season, with playoff contenders separating themselves from the also-rans. While some teams are essentially out of the playoff race, many are still in the thick of a playoff run. With just the Monday Night game left, let's get you caught up with Week 14's action with our NFL Final.
Panthers Still Perfect
Carolina is now 13-0 after crushing the Falcons 38-0. The Panthers have serious shot at 16-0, which is insane since they're without star WR Kelvin Benjamin. Carolina clinched a playoff bye with the win. Meanwhile the Falcons are 6-7 and falling as fast as physics allow.
Injuries Everywhere
After a light week on the injury front last week, the NFL was hit hard. Bengals QB Andy Dalton injured his thumb in the Bengals' loss and he could miss the rest of the season. Seahawks RB Thomas Rawls broke is ankle, ending his year. Vincent Jackson, Greg Olsen, Charles Clay and T.J. Yeldon were other notables who went down. It was a terrible week for injuries.
Steelers Beat Bengals
With Dalton hurt the Steelers capitalized and beat the Bengals. The Steelers are now 8-5, which greatly helps their playoff chances. The Bengals are 10-3 and while they should still win the AFC North, their bye chances took a hit.
Patriots Clinch Playoff Spot & AFC East
By beating the Texans Sunday Night, the Patriots locked up a playoff berth this season. The Dolphins' loss on Monday Night clinched the AFC East for New England. With Denver and Cincinnati losing, the Patriots are back in the driver's seat for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
AFC Wild Card Battle
The Steelers, Jets and Chiefs all won and it's starting to look like a three-team battle for the last two spots. All three teams are 8-5 and this could come down to the wire. The Bills and Raiders are both 6-7, with their chances shrinking each week. Oakland's win over Denver is impressive, but it seems unlikely they'll find a way to make the playoffs.
NFC Wild Card Battle
The Seahawks crushed the Ravens 35-6 and are now 8-5. Seattle is playing incredible and should lock up a wild card spot. The Vikings (or the Packers, but they hold a one-game lead now in the NFC North) look like the other team that'll snag a wild card spot. The NFC South has three teams with at least five wins, but it's unlikely any of those make a serious push. There is a massive difference between teams with more than six wins and those with six or fewer. The NFC is insanely top heavy.
NFC East Is Pure Chaos
The Redskins beat the Bears, the Eagles beat the Bills and the Giants beat the Dolphsins. All three teams are now 6-7 and tied atop the division lead. The Cowboys lost to the Packers, so maybe they'll finally put on their season.
AFC South Is A Mess
The Colts were blown out 51-15 by the Jaguars. That's made the AFC South even more clustered. The Jags are just a game back of the Colts and Texans, who are both 6-7.
Manziel Picks Up A Win
It came against the 49ers, but the Browns will take a win anyway they can get it. The Browns running game came to life for the first time in months and Manziel played well in the 24-10 win.
Rams Are So Much Better With Case Keenum At QB
I think Nick Foles might just be awful, but the Rams' offense is much better with Keenum at the helm. I'm not sure Keenum is the franchise QB, so the Rams might be in the market for a QB once again this offseason.
Eliminated Teams
The Ravens, Lions, Titans, 49ers and Chargers were all eliminated from playoff contention today, joining the Browns. Best of luck next year.
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