Today's schedule for Week 15 of the NFL season lacks a large number of signature games. There is, however, no shortage of important contests on the slate, not when 24 teams (13 in the AFC, 11 in the NFC) were still in the playoff picture heading into the weekend.

Only two of the 14 games left on this week's schedule do not involve at least one team with a

mathematical shot at the playoffs.

In the AFC, Cincinnati at San Diego matches two teams that are just one step from clinching

divisional championships. Miami at Tennessee brings together two with playoff chances. In the

NFC, only the San Francisco-Philadelphia game at Lincoln Financial Field pits two teams that

have playoff possibilities.

Two interconference battles — Atlanta at the New York Jets and Green Bay at

Pittsburgh — pit two teams in the playoff picture to some degree.

Game of the day

Dolphins (7-6) at Titans (6-7)



Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Titans (-5).

The scoop: Dolphins keep finding ways to win in December and may be on the way to repeating

their stretch run of '08 that produced a surprising AFC East title. ... Vince Young's

hamstring status is a big question for Tennessee. Kerry Collins finished last week's game 47-7

rout of the Rams. ... The Titans have an outside shot at a wild card spot, but a 3-7

conference record weighs against them. ... Tennessee RB Chris Johnson leads the NFL in rushing

(1,626 yards) and needs just 72 yards for the second highest season total in franchise

history. ... Miami's Ricky Williams needs 25 yards to reach 1,000 yards rushing for first time

since 2003.

Outlook: How does Parcells keep doing it? Miami, 20-13.

Top attractions

Falcons (6-7) at Jets (7-6)



Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Jets (-4).

The scoop: Jets are No. 1 in the league in defense and rushing offense (169.1 yards per

game). That's what facing the Bills twice in a season will do for you. ... Mark Sanchez (knee)

is expected to start for the Jets after missing last week's routine win at Tampa Bay. ... Matt

Ryan (toe) may be ready to start for the Falcons. Chris Redman started the last two in his

place, both losses.

Outlook: This is the greatest Jets team since the last great Jets team in the eyes of the

Gotham media. Sanchez is shaky but defense and run game aren't. New York, 24-17.

Bengals (9-4) at Chargers (10-3)



Kickoff: 4:05 p.m.

The line: Chargers (-7).

The scoop: How will the Chris Henry tragedy affect the Bengals? ... San Diego, which has

won its last eight and has not lost a December game since 2006, clinches a playoff spot with a

win and clinches its division with a Denver loss. ... Chargers rank 12th in the league in

total defense, the highest they've been all season. ... The Bengals are fifth in defense. ...

Cincinnati will win the AFC North with a win or Baltimore loss.

Outlook: Both sides have a lot to play for although each seems destined for the playoffs

regardless. San Diego, 27-20.

Packers (9-4) at Steelers (6-7)



TV: Ch. 29, 4 p.m.

The line: Steelers (-2).

The scoop: The Packers need a win plus a loss by the Giants to clinch a playoff spot. ...

The Steelers are barely alive for the wild card — a 4-6 record within the AFC hurts. ...

Green Bay has won its last five while Pittsburgh has lost its last five. ... The Packers last

won in Pittsburgh in 1970 and have lost three there since, most recently in 1998.

Outlook: The Steelers can't possibly lose three in a row at Heinz, can they? Pittsburgh,

24-21.

Giants (7-6) at Redskins (4-9)



TV: ESPN, Monday, 8:30 p.m.

The line: Giants (-3).

The scoop: The Giants won the first game of the season series, 23-17. ... The Giants have

won the last three and five of the last seven against the Redskins in Washington. ...

Underrated Washington QB Jason Campbell is 46 of 70 for 589 yards, five TDs and one INT in his

last two games with passer ratings over 106 in both.

Outlook: 'Skins stay tough despite organizational instability. Giants, 19-17.

49ers (6-7) at Eagles (9-4)



Kickoff: 4:15 p.m.

The line: Eagles (-7).

The scoop: The Eagles have become the most entertaining NFL team with the heroics of DeSean

Jackson, who has tied the NFL record with eight TD plays of 50 yards or more, and rookie

speedster Jeremy Maclin. ... The Eagles have won their last four while the 49ers are coming

off an emotional must-win over NFC West rival Cardinals last Monday night.

Outlook: The Niners will hang in if Alex Smith doesn't throw two or three picks.

Philadelphia, 27-21.

Best of the rest



Bears (5-8) at Ravens (7-6)



Kickoff: 4:15 p.m.

The line: Ravens (-11).

The scoop: The Ravens are in the AFC wild card mix but can't afford a home loss to the

Bears, who are out of playoff contention. in a disappointing season. ... Chicago QB Jay Cutler

has thrown a league-high 22 INTs, including one that set up the winning touchdown by the

Packers last week. Only Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Matt Schaub have attempted more passes.

... Lack of a consistent running game is killing the Bears. ... Willis McGahee, now

Baltimore's third-string running back, had a pair of touchdowns in the Ravens' win over the

Lions last week. He is among league leaders with 11 TDs, nine rushing.

Outlook: Bears QB Jay Cutler is due for a good one, but it is not enough. Ravens, 17-14.

Patriots (8-5) at Bills (5-8)



TV: Ch. 4, 1 p.m.

The line: Patriots (-7).

The scoop: The Patriots won the first game of the season series, 25-24, on opening weekend

after Leodis McKelvin's fumble on a kickoff return set up the winning TD. Turns out it was one

of the key plays of the season in the AFC. A win by the Bills would have the Pats in deeper

trouble than they may already be in. ... New England has games with dangerous Jacksonville at

home and at Houston left on its schedule after today. ... The Bills attempted only 20 passes

in K.C., yet critics wonder why Ryan Fitzpatrick passed for only 86 yards. Huh?



Outlook: Does Lee Evans ever get open? Patriots, 20-6.

Cardinals (8-5) at Lions (1-12)



Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Cardinals (-14).

The scoop: The Cardinals move a step closer to clinching the NFC West with a win. They

clinch with a win and 49ers loss at Philadelphia. ... Arizona is coming off a nightmarish

seven-turnover loss at San Francisco on Monday night. ... Daunte Culpepper will start at QB

for the Lions. He threw for 135 yards and had two passes picked off (neither figured in

scoring) in last week's 48-3 loss at Baltimore.

Outlook: Fast track at Ford Field should produce Cards' offensive show. Arizona, 33-20.

Texans (6-7) at Rams (1-12)



Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Texans (-14).

The scoop: The Texans routed Seahawks, 34-7, last week to stay on fringe of playoff

picture. ... Houston is eighth in the league in offense (374.2) and 13th in defense. ... QB

Matt Schaub is second in the AFC with 24 TD passes and third in passing yards with 3,814. ...

Rams gave up 446 yard to Titans.

Outlook: Texans are inconsistent, but not that inconsistent. Houston, 38-14.

Raiders (4-9) at Broncos (8-5)



Kickoff: 4:05 p.m.

The line: Broncos (-14).

The scoop: The Broncos won the first meeting this season, 23-3. ... With Bruce Gradkowski

out (both knees), Charlie Frye will start at QB for the Raiders instead of JaMarcus Russell.

It will be the first start for Frye since last season with Seattle. ... Denver rolled up 245

yards rushing against the Chiefs two weeks ago. The Broncos had 262 passing yards last week at

Indianapolis, 200 of them in an NFL-record 21 catches by Brandon Marshall. ... Broncos ran

over Raiders for 215 yards in win in first meeting between AFC West rivals.

Outlook: As long as Russell sits, the Raiders have a chance of competing. Denver, 24-13.

Vikings (11-2) at Panthers (5-8)



TV: Ch. 2, 8:20 p.m.

The line: Vikings (-9).

The scoop: The Vikings clinch the NFC North with a win or Green Bay loss. ... Minnesota

bounced back from humbling at Arizona with an impressive 30-10 win over the Bengals. ... Matt

Moore starts at QB again for the Panthers. ... Brett Favre is second in the league with a

106.0 passer rating. ... Adrian Peterson is second in the NFL with 14 TDs.

Outlook: Do the Panthers have enough pride to put on a decent show on national TV? Vikings,

30-23.

Browns (2-11) at Chiefs (3-10)



Kickoff: 1 p.m.

The line: Chiefs (-2).

The scoop: The Browns shocked the Steelers, 13-6, 10 days ago. ... The Chiefs lost a home

game to the Bills, 16-10, a week ago. ... The teams have only four rushing TDs each.

Outlook: This one was edged out by Bucs-Seahawks for dog of day, but it's unworthy enough.

Cleveland, 16-14.

Dog of the day

Buccaneers (1-12) at Seahawks (5-8)



Kickoff: 4:15 p.m.

The line: Seahawks (-6).

The scoop: The Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck didn't finish last week's game at Houston. Seneca

Wallace may start. ... The Seahawks looked like a team that quit in a dismal 34-7 loss at

Houston last week. ... The Bucs could sustain no offense against the visiting Jets, going 0

for 14 on third down with rookie Josh Freeman at quarterback. He has eight INTs in the last

two games.

Outlook: Did Bucs travel all this way to get embarrassed? Answer is yes. Seahawks, 28-6.

Last week's results: 11-4 straight up; 8-7 versus spread.

Season's record: 134-66 straight up; 101-98-1 versus spread.