Fansided

5 Best Storylines of NFL Week 15: Division titles and Wild Cards on the Line

By Andrew Garda

Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs past Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the second half at Soldier Field. Dallas won 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) runs past Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during the second half at Soldier Field. Dallas won 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles

There’s a good chance the loser in this game won’t make the playoffs. so even for a divisional game between two hated rivals, this one could be special.

Right now, Dallas isn’t a playoff team. They sit behind Detroit and Seattle for the Wild Card spots and while Seattle seems to have a fight on their hands against San Francisco, Detroit should be able to handle the Minnesota Vikings.

So Dallas needs this one. Then again, so does Philadelphia, as if they lose, their situation could be flipped with Dallas. There is a good chance that the winner of this division is the only team from the NFC East to make the playoffs.

To say there is a lot riding on this game is an understatement.

Will Mark Sanchez be up to the task? He’s a decent fit for Chip Kelly’s offense, but still prone to terribly decisions—decisions which result in turnovers and could win the game for Dallas. The rest of the offense will perform well, but Sanchez is the key here.

Meanwhile Dallas will probably lean on DeMarco Murray, as they have all season. Will Philadelphia’s defense be able to stop him? Will Dallas out-think itself and try to air it out too much?

This will be one of the better games of the day—it’s only fitting it is a Sunday night game.

Next: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

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