Week 15 (NFL)-Who's Hot?

As we enter Week 15 of NFL football Action, our attention begins to shift from "Who are Playoff Contenders" to "Who is The Best Team in the NFL". As of today, a handful of teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention. Those teams include the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants/Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, and Cleveland Browns. Only one of these teams out of the NFC, the New York Giants.

Barely in, But I think they'll make it

Out of the Six Divisions, the AFC South, NFC South and NFC West seem to be falling a bit behind as they're led by the 8-5 Texans (AFC South) 8-5 Seahawks (NFC West) and 7-6 Buccaneers (NFC South). With ball throwers like CJ Stroud, Geno Smith, and possible MVP Nominee Baker Mayfield it is hard to completely count these three teams out of Super Bowl Conversations, but their overall play has been nowhere near dominant enough to be grouped up with the true front runners of the league.

Who's Been Hot?

The last few Weeks of NFL action have left viewers with a rollercoaster of emotions. Historical numbers of single score games, most of which being 1–3-point differentials. Backup QBs, blocked field goals, everything a true football fan thrives to see.

The Obvious Three Powerhouses out of the AFC are currently the 10-3 Buffalo Bills (AFC East), 10-3 Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC North) and the 12-1 reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs who hope to secure their 3rd straight Super Bowl victory. After winning nine straight to open the season, the Kansas City Chiefs were eventually stopped and served their 1st loss of the season vs. Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Although Pittsburgh has looked very strong the last few weeks, it would be safe to assume Buffalo and Kansas City will see each other again in the AFC Championship. Will the Chiefs make another Trip to the Big Game?

Now over to the NFC we've got the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles who have separated themselves by 3 games in the NFC East, leading the 8-5 Washington Commanders led by Rookie QB Jayden Daniels. The NFC North continues to be a hard-fought battle between the 12-1 Detroit Lions led by QB Jared Goff and the RB duo sensations of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs; and the 11-2 Minnesota Vikings, led by QB Sam Darnold and superstar WR Justin Jefferson. In week 15 the Detroit Lions will face the Buffalo Bills as they hope to extend themselves to 13-1. Minnesota Vikings will take on the Chicago Bears in an always hard-fought NFC North Battle. These two teams (Detroit and Minnesota) will then meet in the final week of the regular season to officially decide who will end as the 1 seed of the NFC North.

Super Bowl Projection

In conclusion, out of the AFC I'd fully expect to see the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs faceoff for the AFC Championship. However, this game could really go either way given the continuous close-game victories to bottom 10 teams, as well as overall momentum towards the end of the season. I'd take Buffalo to win this one. Josh Allen, James Cook, and Amari Cooper are just so many levels above teams like Vegas, Carolina, Denver, etc. who all gave the Chiefs serious trouble throughout the season.

As far as the NFC goes it is much harder to say. Philadelphia, Minnesota, and Detroit have all remained very steady especially through the last 4-5 weeks. Philadelphia will likely be met with a tough matchup out of the gates; forcing me to question if they will be playoff ready come next week. With that said, I also don't necessarily see the Eagles making it past the Lions in an NFC Championship. The Lions are a likely favorite to advance out of the conference and get a shot at the Super Bowl. However, the Vikings are very close second. It could be hard to tell before their week 18 Matchup in Detroit.

Between these two conferences I'd say one thing for sure, if both teams have an Off-Night, this year's Super Bowl goes to the AFC almost 100%. The Bills and Chiefs are desperation teams who usually tote good luck when they need it. If this becomes a hard-fought Super Bowl/playoff I'm giving it to the NFC. Minnesota, Detroit, and Philadelphia are all powerful teams that will strike if you let them.