NFL Week 15: 5 teams that must win

After a crucial NFL Week 14, the playoff hunt continues. Here are five teams that have to come away with a win in Week 15.

Can you believe the NFL regular season has almost come to a close? It’s gone by faster than a blink of an eye and playoffs are right around the corner. Only 12 teams can make it to the promise land and the picture still isn’t set yet. A lot can happen and seeds will be juggled around these last few weeks of the season.

Here are five teams that must win in Week 15.

5. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens had a chance to stamp themselves as legitimate playoff contenders last Sunday but failed to do that in a 39-38 loss to the Steelers. The Killer B’s exposed a Jimmy Smith-less defense and the Ravens were no match for the offensive firepower that ensued. It was a shootout that left the Ravens leaving Heinz Field in heartbreak once again but they must have a short memory and move on.

The loss to the Steelers really doesn’t change anything in the playoff picture for the Ravens. They’re still in the driver’s seat for the last wild-card spot in the AFC, if they win out. The key here is winning out. Looking at the Ravens’ final three games, they play the Browns, Colts, and Bengals. There’s no reason they shouldn’t go 3-0 to finish out the season against inferior opponents. To start this final push, the Ravens need to take care of business against a winless Browns team.

The Ravens know all about losing to winless teams. Back in 2007, they were upset by the 0-13 Dolphins in a 22-16 loss. That loss will always resonate in the back of player’s heads and they never want to be the team to give the Browns their first win of the season. It would be absolutely devastating.

Even with the Browns’ struggles, they seem to always play the Ravens tough. These games sometimes feel too close for comfort and the Ravens need to set the tone early. They should and will win this game and take a step closer to the playoffs.