The Tampa Bay Buccaneers transformed from hunters into being hunted in Week 15, but they are still trying to track down a fourth straight NFC South title.
The Buccaneers' three-game winning streak since their Week 11 bye, coupled with a timely four-game losing streak by the Atlanta Falcons, allowed Tampa Bay to reclaim sole possession of first place in their division for the first time since Week Four. It is a tenuous lead, however, because the Bucs can't afford to lose their one-game edge over Atlanta, as a tie would go the Falcons way due to their season sweep in the head-to-head series. It's still a sprint to the divisional finish line, but now there are only four games left.
Washington got back on track with a lopsided win over Tennessee in Week 14, ending a three-game losing streak, but their lead over the Rams for the final Wild Card spot is just one game. That's true too for the Buccaneers if they don't manage to hold onto the NFC South lead; not only are they just a game back of the Commanders in the overall standings but they have a head-to-head tiebreaker in hand.
Those are the two opportunities at hand for the Buccaneers as they try to make it to the playoffs for a fifth straight season, and thus what we need to keep in mind as we study this week's NFL slate. Below are my suggestions for which teams besides the Buccaneers to root for from Thursday night through the Monday games in Las Vegans and Minneapolis, with the games presented in chronological order. This is your 2024 Week 15 Viewing Guide.
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Los Angeles Rams (7-6) at San Francisco 49ers (6-7), Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET
We're not wasting any time getting to the heart of the matter this week. These are two NFC West teams that, ideally, would both lose in Week 15. A tie would be great but I'm not going to entertain that as a realistic possibility. So who would we most like to see lose? The Rams are even with the Buccaneers in the Wild Card race but the 49ers are just one back and would have a head-to-head tiebreaker advantage over Tampa Bay. Honestly, you can choose for yourself which outcome is better. I'm going to go with a win for the 49ers, to give the Bucs a chance at moving to the top of the teams trying to unseat the Commanders in the seventh spot. (Remember, while the NFC South title is the obvious goal and the Bucs are in first place, we still want to keep an eye on that other path to the postseason.) After this week, the 49ers still have to play at Miami and Arizona and at home against the dominant Lions. I think we can afford to give them a win here and hope for a couple losses in the last three weeks.
Verdict: Go Niners!
Dallas Cowboys (5-8) at Carolina Panthers (3-10), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
How about we wish our old friend Dave Canales a happy holiday season and gift him a win here? The Panthers are not a threat in either the division or Wild Card race, and judging from what we saw firsthand in Week 13, it doesn't look like they are going to give up down the stretch, so we don't need to root for a demoralizing loss. Plus, we've been forced to root for the Cowboys a couple times in recent weeks and I don't think we can take much more of that. Dallas is a few games higher up in the standings, so let's root for them getting pushed to the edge of elimination.
Verdict: Go Dave!
Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) at Cleveland Browns (3-10), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
Miami Dolphins (6-7) at Houston Texans (8-5), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
New York Jets (3-10) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) at Tennessee Titans (3-10), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
This is a lot of all-AFC matchups in the early Sunday window. Miami-Houston has a lot of conference playoff implications, and Jets-Jaguars is fascinating for entirely different reasons. New York has lost nine of its last 10; Jacksonville five of its last six. Something's got to give! And Kansas City will probably return a fumble 89 yards for the winning touchdown with two seconds left, or something like that. The only team out of these eight that the Bucs played is Kansas City, so you can root for them to win to improve Tampa Bay's strength of victory (SOV) and strength of schedule (SOS) numbers for potential tiebreakers.
Verdict: Go Chiefs and chaos in Jacksonville
View images of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' matchups throughout the years vs. the Los Angeles Chargers
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 4: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016, in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 28-21. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a touchdown during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Jason Parkhurst/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Brian Griese #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers calls an audible against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 24-31. (photo by J Meric/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Linebacker Derrick Brooks #55 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackles Running back LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 24-31. (photo by J Meric/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Tight end Ken Dilger #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a pass against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 24-31. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Tight end Ken Dilger #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs after a catch against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 24-31. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Linebacker Derrick Brooks #55 and Defensive end Simeon Rice #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make a tackle against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 24-31. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Linebacker Derrick Brooks #55, Linebacker Ian Gold #52 and Defensive end Simeon Rice #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers make a tackle against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 24-31. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Linebacker Shelton Quarles #53 and Cornerback Ronde Barber #20 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to tackle Running back LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 24-31. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Fullback Mike Alstott #40 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 24-31. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 12: Wide receiver Michael Clayton #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs after a catch against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2004 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 24-31. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Jeff Garcia #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium on December 21, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 41-24. (photo by Jason Parkhurst/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 21: Running back Carnell Williams #24 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium on December 21, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 41-24. (photo by Jason Parkhurst/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Jeff Garcia #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs in a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium on December 21, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 41-24. (photo by Matt Marriott/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers directs the offense during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 34-24. (photo by Jeff Griffith/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won/lost 34-24. (photo by Jason Parkhurst/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Cornerback Leonard Johnson #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 34-24. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Running Back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 34-24. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Wide Receiver Tiquan Underwood #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 34-24. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Defensive End Daniel Te'o-Nesheim #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks Phillip Rivers #17 during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Raymond James Stadium on November 11, 2012, in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 34-24. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 4: Defensive Tackle Gerald McCoy #93 Defensive End Robert Ayers #91 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016, in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 28-21. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 4: Running Back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016, in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 28-21. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 4: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016, in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 28-21. (photo by Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 4: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016, in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 28-21. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 4: Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns an interception for a touchdown during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016, in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 28-21. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 4: Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers returns an interception for a touchdown during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 4, 2016, in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 28-21. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Running Back Ke'Shawn Vaughn #30 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scores a touchdown during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Jason Parkhurst/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Jason Parkhurst/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Outside Linebacker Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Safety Jordan Whitehead #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Wide Receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a touchdown during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Wide Receiver Scotty Miller #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a touchdown during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Running Back Ke'Shawn Vaughn #30 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a touchdown during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Tight End Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Mike Carlson/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 04, 2020 - Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won the game, 38-31. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 19: Defensive Tackle David Pear #76 and Defensive End Lee Roy Selmon #63 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to tackle against the San Diego Chargers at Tampa Stadium on September 19, 1976 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 0-23. (photo by Scott Cunningham/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 19: Fullback Ed Williams #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Tampa Stadium on September 19, 1976 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 0-23. (photo by Scott Cunningham/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 19: Runningback Manfred Moore #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the San Diego Chargers at Tampa Stadium on September 19, 1976 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 0-23. (photo by Unknown/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Steve Spurrier #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the San Diego Chargers at Tampa Stadium on September 19, 1976 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 0-23. (photo by Unknown/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 13: Tight end Jimmie Giles #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates against the San Diego Chargers at Tampa Stadium on December 13, 1981 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 23-24. (photo by Allen's Studio/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Eugene Marve #99 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gets set against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on October 28, 1990 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 10-41. (photo by Allen Dean Steele/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Eugene Marve #99 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on October 28, 1990 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 10-41. (photo by Allen Dean Steele/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 28: Offensive tackle Paul Gruber #74of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blocks against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on October 28, 1990 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers lost 10-41. (photo by Allen Dean Steele/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Offensive tackle Paul Gruber #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on November 22, 1992 in San Diego, California. Buccaneers lost 14-29. (photo by Allen Dean Steele/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Defensive tackle and Defensive end Santana Dotson #71 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on November 22, 1992 in San Diego, California. Buccaneers lost 14-29. (photo by Allen Dean Steele/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Guard and tackle Scott Dill #76 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers blocks against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on November 22, 1992 in San Diego, California. Buccaneers lost 14-29. (photo by Allen Dean Steele/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy Stadium on November 22, 1992 in San Diego, California. Buccaneers lost 14-29. (photo by Allen Dean Steele/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Washington Commanders (8-5) at New Orleans Saints (5-8), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
You can put a paper bag over your head and right "Aints" on it if you need to on Sunday, but I'm sorry to tell you we have to pull for New Orleans this weeks. The Commanders are enemy number one for the Bucs when it comes to a potential Wild Card race so our top priority here is getting Jayden Daniels and company a couple losses. The good news is the Bucs have a head-to-head tiebreaker over Washington, so we would love to be in a two-way tie with them at the end of the season. Plus, the Buccaneers have one more shot at New Orleans, at home in the last week of the season, so if they have somehow clawed back into the division race Tampa Bay will still be able to settle those matters on their own. We can go back to rooting against New Orleans next week.
Verdict: Go Commando! No, wait, don't do that. Go Commanders!
Baltimore Ravens (8-5) at New York Giants (2-11), Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
There's no compelling reason to root against the Giants, but there's no reason to root for them, either. The AFC North race to the finish could be very interesting, on the other hand, if the Ravens can get back on track after a 1-2 mini-skid. They play the Steelers in Week 16 and that could be for all the division marbles, but probably not if Baltimore drops this one to lowly New York. When in doubt, pick the AFC team in an interconference battle. It's true that a New York win would be better for the Bucs SOV, but either team winning would be a draw in SOS. That SOV bump is probably not important enough to worry about.
Verdict: Go Ravens!
New England Patriots (3-10) at Arizona Cardinals (6-7), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-2), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Here are a pair of games pitting AFC teams against NFC teams, and in these two cases we definitely care who wins. The Eagles game isn't terribly important since Philadelphia just about has the NFC East locked up and is likely to be either the one or two seed in the conference. Still, we'll take a loss to an AFC team if we can get it. The Cardinals are definitely on our hit list, even if their playoff odds have sunk to 9%, and would only rise to 12% with a win. There's a lot standing between Arizona and a playoff, potentially including the Buccaneers, but let's go ahead and get one more contender out of the race as soon as we can.
Verdict: Go AFC!
Indianapolis Colts (6-7) at Denver Broncos (8-5), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
This game is critical for the Colts, who would see their playoff odds more than double, from 25% to 51% with a win but drop to 6% with a loss. A Broncos win would come close to wrapping up the AFC playoff picture very early, particularly if Miami also loses on Sunday. That's not very interesting. A Broncos win would help the Bucs SOS, but I'd rather root for more meaningful football for teams like the Colts and Dolphins over the last three weeks.
Verdict: Go Indy!
Buffalo Bills (10-3) at Detroit Lions (12-1), Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
Wow, what a game! The Game of the Week…or the Season…or the Century! Wish I could watch it live but the Bucs will be working at the same time, so that's what I'll be watching. You too, right? RIGHT? Technically, the Buccaneers are better off with a Lions win to improve their SOS and SOV numbers, and that's enough for me to put me on the Lions' crowded bandwagon for at least this week. On the other hand, it feels like it's finally time for the Bills' Josh Allen to win an MVP award, and a big game plus a win in this one might lock it up.
Verdict: We really just want a great game here, but I'll side with the Bills!
Green Bay Packers (9-4) at Seattle Seahawks (8-5), Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
This is a tough one. We've been rooting for Seattle to just go ahead and pull away from the crowded NFC West pick and win the division while the other three teams falter. And if they lost here and the Rams won in San Francisco, Los Angeles would take over the division lead due to a head-to-head tiebreaker, pending a Seahawks-Rams showdown in Week 18. On the other hand, we'd like to keep the Seahawks close in case there is a shot at moving up to the third seed in the conference standings. I had essentially ruled out catching the Packers in any Wild Card race, but a loss here coupled with a Bucs win would pull Tampa Bay to within one game of Green Bay, and the Packers still have to play in Minnesota in Week 16. Let's stay on the Seattle bandwagon for now.
Verdict: Go 'Hawks!
Chicago Bears (4-9) at Minnesota Vikings (11-2), Monday, 8:00 p.m. ET
The Bears haven't been eliminated from the Wild Card race just yet, but NFL.com has their playoff odds at below 1%. Minnesota did us a favor by smashing the Falcons again so we should probably pay them back with our rooting interest this week. On the other hand, since they are a possible first-round opponent for the Bucs – that would be the matchup if the season ended today – we would probably rather see them look vulnerable down the stretch. The Vikings have Seattle, Green Bay and Detroit in the last three weeks, so a loss to the Bears could potentially start a little mini-slide. That's enough to root for the Bears this week.
Verdict: Go Bears!
Atlanta Falcons (6-7) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-11), Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET
I don't have to tell you who to root for here, but let's go one step farther and get specific. Let's root for a rough first half for Kirk Cousins, who has thrown zero touchdowns and eight interceptions during the Falcons' four-game losing streak. Would that be enough to make Atlanta turn to rookie Michael Penix? I mean, it's possible that Penix would give the Falcons a boost, which we don't want, but he could also struggle the way most rookie quarterbacks do when first thrown into the fire. You know what, Kirk? I would like that.
Verdict: Go Michael Penix!
