10 NFL Games we're most looking forward to in 2015

10 NFL Games we’re most looking forward to in 2015

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) walks off the field after the NFL divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium. The Colts defeated the Broncos 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Indianapolis Colts during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals, Week 17

Last season, the AFC North came down to the last few weeks. Three teams made it – the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens – but that’s very unusual. If the Cleveland Browns can somehow get their act together, the division could be even closer.

Every win or loss will count. So you can easily see this game having massive implications for the end of the season and who will land in the playoffs. Which is rather the point of putting division rivals against each other at the end of a season.

For the Bengals, the better the seeding, the better their chances to finally advance beyond the first or second round. Quarterback Andy Dalton seems to be his generation’s Peyton Manning – a guy who can play well in the regular season, but shrinks too much in the playoffs. If the team can get a bye, it could give him a little more confidence and the team some better luck.

The Ravens are a team which has a very odd combination of new and old pieces. Can a critical guy like Steve Smith contribute late in the season? In 2014, he had less than 50 yards in three out of five games and scored just one touchdown over that span. The team brought in Breshad Perriman to help out, but there are questions as to whether he can catch the ball cleanly or not.

And of course, you have to wonder if Justin Forsett can replicate his 2014 numbers, especially late in the season.

There are a lot of games in Week 17 which could be critical. This is one I think will have the most weight, though.

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