I have to admit, this was one breathtaking weekend of football. With playoffs spots on the line and pride for that matter too, every single team brought forth outstanding effort in a bid to win and the end result was absolutely spectacular. The Panthers fell, a legend said goodbye and the week ended with one of the most exciting games of the year. So let's not waste any time and take a look at some of the best stories that came to us from the field in Week 16.

1. The Carolina Panthers have been an absolute powerhouse this season, winning one stunning game after another on their way to a 14-0 record. In fact they've been so good, there were few people that expected the Atlanta Falcons to beat this squad on Sunday, but surprise, surprise...the Falcons showed up ready to play and delivered the Panthers their first loss of the season in impressive fashion. They shut down Cam Newton, stuffed the run game and scored exactly when they needed to. It was clear near the end of the game that the Panthers looked pretty shocked at losing this game and there's solid proof that they broke the biggest rule in the league, don't ever underestimate or take your opponent for granted...or they will be happy to humble you. 

2. Congratulations to the Washington Redskins, the 2015 NFC East Division Champions who have truly earned this title. Granted, some may say all they did was win the Best of the Worst award but I beg to differ. This is a team that is finally coming together after years of disarray and you see that unity on the field. The Defense is suddenly stout, the offense is clicking and this is a huge accomplishment for a team that well...has not been taken seriously for a long time in this league. I don't think they're going to go super far in the playoffs, but this is a fine accomplishment to build upon and if they can retain the key players that contributed this year, there's a chance this team gets stronger in 2016.

3. Something is clearly wrong with the New England Patriots, because any way you slice it, that was a devastating loss to the New York Jets this last Sunday. It's easy to blame the mounting injuries that the team is suffering from, but let's be honest...this was a different Patriots squad on the field the other day. This is a team that used to take the field and strike fear into their opponents by appearing invincible. If they sacked Brady, he comes back with a 40 yard bomb. If they scored a touchdown on the Pats defense, the team would answer and then force a turnover. That team appears to be a thing of the past. The defense seems confused at times and at odds with one another when it comes to assignments and Brady is easily frustrated these days. Unfortunately, I can't pinpoint exactly what the core issue is for the Patriots, but I do know that if they don't fix this mess quick, not only will they kiss home field advantage goodbye, but they could exit the playoffs early and in ugly fashion. 

4. As a lifelong Broncos fan, it's rare that I say something good about the Oakland Raiders, but the game matters above all and respect is due when appropriate and I have to say that it is going to be quite strange not seeing Charles Woodson on the sideline next year. Last Thursday was his final home game with the Raiders and the team made it a magical affair by winning the game and giving him a few moments to talk with the crowd after the game via the public address system since he already announced his retirement a few days prior. The man is a fierce competitor on the field and it was frustrating to watch him if your team had to play him because he will go down as one of the best defensive backs to ever play the game. I only wish him the best on his next endeavor and it will be a shame not seeing him in the silver and black ever again.

5. The Denver Broncos won a big one on Monday night, clinching a playoff berth and increasing their chances of winning the AFC West and a first round bye and they sure did it the hard way. They found themselves trailing for quite a while last night before making a go of it and while it was a thrilling game, one has to wonder how far this team will go in the playoffs because while some problems were fixed last night...others stuck around. The receivers finally figured out how to catch passes and the run game was actually pretty stout, but...the offensive line continues to struggle, especially Right Tackle Michael Schofield and the defense apparently forgot how to tackle for the entire first half. The good news is the defensive issues can be fixed quickly, but Schofield worries me with his sub par play, something an elite playoff team will exploit all day long and it's high time for the team to either bench the kid or get him some help because if that glaring issue doesn't get fixed quickly, it could contribute to a quick exit from the playoffs for the Broncos.

Well for many teams, we have come to the end of the line. The playoffs are simply out of reach and that means all they can do is play their best on the field and hope that next season goes way better than this one and because of that, there's a lot of bottom of the bucket games popping up in the NFL this weekend.

But you don't need to worry. Those are games you can skip since so many other teams are still in the playoff hunt and their desire to reach the postseason will translate on the field with some incredible play and with that in mind, here are some of the games we are keeping an eye on this weekend where both teams have something to play for. 

John's Take
Truth be told, I never thought I would be sitting here, concerned that the Denver Broncos might not make the playoffs after the stellar start to the season they enjoyed, but alas, there is now a chance they could be staying home for the postseason and a lot of whether or not they make it depends on if they can beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincy has a solid defense and a proven offense but there is one thing working to the Broncos advantage...the fact that Andy Dalton isn't playing on Monday night. Sure A.J. McCarron was serviceable last week but he was playing the awful 49ers, so if the Denver defense can get in his head quickly and the offense can finish drives in the end zone...then the Broncos are looking at one big win and a shot at the playoffs.

John's Take
Normally this time of year, the Pats vs. the Jets would be a forgotten game with New York already out of playoff contention and New England already enjoying a first round bye with home field advantage. But this year this game has more meaning to it. The Pats haven't clenched home field yet and the Jets are still in the playoff hunt for a Wild Card spot. Now there are some serious stakes on the line for both teams which means this should end up being more than just a tune up game for New England, they need to bring their best because New York will be doing the same and considering how wild and crazy this season has turned out to be so far, this one could be anyone's game.

John's Take
Both of these teams have officially made the playoffs, with Arizona winning the NFC West and Green Bay clinching a spot so really, this is a game that will be a battle for playoff seeding. The Packers want to make absolute sure they have a home game in the playoffs because really, outside of Green Bay who enjoys playing in that kind of weather? And the Cardinals want to keep winning just in case something happens to Carolina to either ensure a first round bye or home field if it becomes available. This means we should be looking at a clash of the titans on the field, with both teams playing stout defense as they patiently await for the other team to make a mistake...should be a fun one to watch.

John's Take
This Saturday game has a lot riding on it. For one, lots of folks are still wondering as to whether or not Chip Kelly can coach in the NFL and because Washington is tired of being a laughing stock around the league. To top it all off, the NFC East Division Title and the playoffs are on the line and that makes this game all the more important. If Philly wins they still have a slim chance to stay alive and reach the post season, if Washington wins, they're all that much closer to shutting down the doubters and owning the Division for the first time in a loooooooong time and honestly, considering how both teams are playing right now, I've got a good feeling Washington walks away with the win in this one.

It's a somber yet exciting time in the NFL. On one hand, some teams are now officially eliminated from the playoffs, signaling an early end to their season. Plus, with only two weeks left in the regular season, fans everywhere know the offseason is looming large. But before that sad moment arrives, there are still playoff spots to be clenched and a push from every team to finish out the season on a high note regardless of their record. All of this will lead to some incredible games and some incredible stories and here are the ones we are keeping an eye on for Week 16.

Will Odell Beckham Jr.'s suspension hurt the Giants this weekend?
For those who missed out on the fun last week, OBJ decided during the game against the Panthers that using his helmet as a meat seeking missile and punching defensive backs was a good idea. Guess what? It wasn't. The league slapped him with a one game suspension for his actions and quite frankly, I do think it may hurt the Giants big time. He is indeed a strong go to receiver for Eli Manning and to not have him in a game with New York's playoff chances on the line is not a good thing and there's a solid chance it will hurt the Giants offense dearly as they face the stout Vikings defense. But, on the other hand, I'm glad the league upheld the suspension and hopefully not being on the field this weekend is a solid lesson to him to stop acting like a four year old and to play the game like the professional player the Giants are paying him to be. 

Will the late season surge from Washington and Houston continue? 
Let's just be honest, if you're looking for two teams that are an absolute blast to watch, then you tune in to watch the Redskins or Texans play. They've been phenomenal as of late, they know their respective destinies are in their own hands and that translates on the field in the way they play. But, the question is can they keep it up? After all, while these teams have made monumental progress this season, both of them still have glaring holes to fix and that's dangerous this late in the year. Sure it makes them fun to watch, but both squads are playing in weak divisions and I won't be shocked if either team loses at least one more game before the season ends and sadly, I'm still not sure either one of them will lock up their respective divisions or even make the playoffs for that matter. 

Which Denver Broncos team will show up on Monday Night Football?
It's been a tale of two teams this season in Denver. On one hand we've had Broncos squads take the field that are downright terrifying to other opponents as they shut other squads down with their powerhouse defense and they're able to run and throw at will on offense. Yet at the same time, we've seen Broncos squads take the field this year that are downright terrifying with how awful they are, letting games slip away despite a commanding lead and quite frankly, this Monday night game against the Bengals could make or break the season. There is a chance Denver won't make the playoffs if they lose another game and Kansas City wins so they definitely need this one to go their way, and we'll find out whether or not they can pull it off depending on which Broncos squad takes the field come Monday night. 

What will the Cleveland Browns do with Head Coach Mike Pettine at the end of the season?
It may seem premature to be discussing the fate of an NFL Head Coach two weeks before the season ends, but in reality it's not. With the season lost for the Cleveland Browns, football fans have to be wondering what will happenwith the Head Coaching gig in that town and while I know the players are calling for Mike Pettine to stay for continuity and growth's sake...how can you keep a guy whose team has regressed? Going from 7-9 to 3-11 as of press time is not a good thing and not to mention, this is a coach who hasn't been able to get his starting quarterback to act like a professional one damn bit. I'm all for continuity but I think regardless of what happens in the next two weeks, it's the end of the line for Pettine, but stranger things have happened in Cleveland. 

Does Rex Ryan get to coach another year in Buffalo?
Speaking of coaches that have lost their team, let's take a moment and talk about Rex Ryan. Heralded as a big time and smart hire at the start of the offseason, Rex has turned out to be anything but. Every single promise he made to the fans in his introductory press conference has been broken, there's turmoil in the locker room now and Mario Williams has spoken out regarding his dislike for the coach and to top it all off, they're 6-8 and mathematically eliminated from the playoffs for this year. So needless to say, this season has been an unmitigated disaster for a squad that showed so much promise under Head Coach Doug Marrone a year ago. So, the big question is, do they fire Rex at the end of the year? I don't think they do. He has an impressive resume and that should keep him around for a little longer but if he begins to falter again in 2016...he may be one of the first head coaches out of a job. 

San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
John and Scotty - Oakland

Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
John - Washington / Scotty - Philadelphia

New England Patriots at New York Jets
John and Scotty - New England

Houston Texans a Tennesse Titans 
John and Scotty - Houston

Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs
John and Scotty - Kansas City

Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins
John - Indianapolis / Scotty - Miami

San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions
John and Scotty - Detroit

Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills
John - Dallas / Scotty - Buffalo

Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 
John - Tampa Bay / Scotty - Chicago

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
John and Scotty - Carolina

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
John and Scotty - Pittsburgh

Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints
John and Scotty - New Orleans

St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks 
John - Seattle / Scotty - St. Louis

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
John - Green Bay / Scotty - Arizona

New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings
John and Scotty - Minnesota

Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos
John and Scotty - Denver

As it turns out, this week in the NFL was nothing short of brutal for a lot of teams. Some that expected to win found themselves dealing with another wake up call. Some saw their playoff dreams come to an end by officially being eliminated from the tournament and others...continued to enjoy the glory of the win. Either way, it made for some downright incredible stories this week and here are the top ones from the field from Week 15.

1. The Washington Redskins have turned out to be one of the biggest surprises this season. They started out awful, everyone quickly wrote them off  and then something magical happened. QB Kirk Cousins started finding his rhythm, the defense stepped up and after all is said and done, Washington is sitting atop the NFC East, poised to actually sneak their way into the playoffs. It speaks to how bad of a player RG3 really is on the field and how much he divided this team, and my kudos to Jay Gruden for benching him and putting the right players in place because after this win against Buffalo, they look like a solid football team. Will they make the playoffs? Can't say just yet, but in the meantime, this is the best this team has looked in a long time and that's hope for the future.

2. The Dallas Cowboys clearly have a major issue when it comes to their mentality and philosophy on the field. This is a team that 100% believes that they live or die at the quarterback position and that a top tier QB is the only way they make the playoffs and well...it's a culture that needs to change. Now if you don't believe me, just look at the games this year with Romo at the helm. They played a different game on the field, there was confidence and swagger and with Romo gone, they have no fight and they keep rotating out QB's left and right. Now I'm not saying a good QB doesn't help a team's chances, it does for certain, but to believe that's the only way you make it, is wrong. If they played better defense, worked harder on the run game, who knows where they would be right now. But it's a scary prospect for the team, simply because it's clear this is an ideal that comes from the top down, and if it doesn't change soon, the Cowboys will be on the outside looking in once again come next year and if you still don't think this is a legit issue to be concerned about...well then take a look at our next item of discussion.

3. The Houston Texans continue to impress. Much like Washington, this is another squad that was left for dead, and quite frankly it looked like this team was falling to pieces when it came to unity early on in the year. But credit is due to Head Coach Bill O'Brien, he solved the rifts quickly, and made this team understand they have to win as a unit and thanks to his hard work, the Texans are now atop the AFC South. Now I made mention of Houston winning as a team whereas Dallas expects one player to do it for them and the evidence is on the field. Houston has had major Quarterback issues as well, actually having gone through as many as Dallas and guess what? They're looking at the playoffs. The defense steps up when it has to, the running game is there when needed and this is the end result and it's great to see the Texans coming together at the right time. 

4. The Denver Broncos are a team in absolute free fall right now and it's embarrassing. Actually, it's frightening because this is a team that has shown much promise at times, before absolutely making fools of themselves. A couple of great examples? Hey they beat the Patriots with a sound run game and stellar defensive play. Then they go and own the Steelers in the first half before handing the game to Pittsburgh in pathetic fashion. To top it all off, we're still talking about the same problems with this team. Piss poor offensive line play. A running game that is inconsistent. Wide Receivers and Tight Ends who can't catch the ball, and it never seems to get fixed. I hate to say it, but this is a team that should be better than this and it seems like Head Coach Gary Kubiak and his staff are afraid to make the necessary adjustments to fix these lingering issues. Either way, the Broncos destiny is in their own hands now, let's see what they do with it. 

5. So, the Carolina Panthers won again this weekend, making them a stellar 14-0, but Odell Beckham Jr. and his stupid decisions during the game completely overshadow this win. For those who missed it...OBJ decided it was time to add "Street Fighting" to his role as a Wide Receiver, constantly mixing it up, throwing punches and even using his helmet as a weapon against Panthers CB Josh Norman. As of press time, OBJ is currently suspended one game and appealing it and well, I'm shocked that the referees let this kind of behavior continue on the field without ejecting him, that the league only made it a single game suspension and that the Giants have done nothing as well. This kid was completely out of control and out of line and quite frankly an embarrassment to the game on Sunday and I really hope that the Giants do something to reign him in quick because he needs to understand this kind of behavior is not okay and quite frankly...he needs to grow up and quit being a giant baby and stupendous idiot on the field. 

You can feel it after Thursday Night Football. There's a certain electricity in the air as we roll toward the end of the 2015 Regular Season. Everyone knows what's at stake right now. Jobs are on the line, and so are the playoffs and the intensity we saw between the Rams and the Buccaneers is only the beginning.

Tomorrow is going to bring us some extra special games as every team in the league brings their best to the field and who knows, we may see an important upset or two along the way as everyone tries their hardest to end their season on a positive note. Because of this every game should be plenty of fun, but only a handful have our attention and here are the ones we will be keeping an eye on come tomorrow.

John's Take
Now we know something important about the Denver Broncos...their offense has some major issues. The offensive line is sub par, the running game is spotty at best and those are two things they are going to need desperately heading into Heinz Field to play the Pittsburgh Steelers. Doesn't matter how damn good the Defense is, if they're on the field for most of the game they will get tired and they will make mistakes and that's not something they can afford against Big Ben and his red hot offense right now. So really, this game is fascinating for one sheer reason, which Broncos team is going to show up? If it's the one that beat the Patriots, then Pittsburgh beware, but if it's the one that popped up last week against Oakland, the Broncos are going to be in for one hell of a fight, and it's one that they might lose.

John's Take
This is a surprisingly important game, despite the fact that both of these teams are an abysmal 6-7, for one particular reason..they are both tied as the #1 Team in the AFC South. The playoffs are truly on the line here since the winner of this division gets a shot at the Lombardi and that's one of the many reasons why this game has my attention. After all, both teams will be starting their backup quarterbacks on Sunday and both teams are well...about as inconsistent as they come. Houston is either stellar or awful on defense and the Colts offense is either lights out or an utter mess. Either way, they both know what's at stake here and that should make for one incredible game come Sunday, or a slow and sloppy mess, but there has to be a Division winner any way you slice and this game will go a long way in determining the AFC South Champion.

John's Take
No one can deny the amazing things the Carolina Panthers have done on the field this season. They've won when their backs are against the wall, they've also completely and utterly destroyed some of their opponents on their way to 13-0. But, there's a certain level of entitlement we're seeing from this team now, that sense of invincibility and that's not a good thing when you face the New York Giants. They love to be the underdog against those kinds of teams and they love to bring down undefeated teams, and if you need more proof of that, look no further than Super Bowl XLII where they made sure the Patriots went 18-1 and we cannot forget the game in the Meadowlands in 1998 where they made the 13-0 Denver Broncos...13-1. The Giants are also coming off of a big win against Miami so I'm expecting them to give the Panthers a run for their money and possibly that first L of the season.

John's Take
Sometimes there are games that you look at on paper and think that there is no way one particular team should lose this one and this is one of those games. The Niners are a team falling to pieces and the Bengals are coasting to the playoffs if you base this game solely on their records. But Cincinnati is missing their franchise quarterback since Andy Dalton is out with a thumb injury, leaving untested backup QB A.J. McCarron at the helm of it all and that changes everything. Now it's anyone's game because we don't know what we will get in A.J. and that's scary for Bengals fans as the team continues to fight for a bye week in the playoffs. I know it's a team game and everyone plays their part but the QB is a critical position for Cincinnati and if the new kid falters here...the playoffs are about to get a whole lot more interesting. 

There are only three weeks left in the 2015 NFL Regular Season and you would think by now the playoff picture should be crystal clear but that is simply not the case. The leader of the NFC West and AFC South have yet to be decided, and at this point it's just about anyone's guess as to who will be the Wild Card teams in both conferences. With that many teams fighting for their postseason lives, we can expect the unexpected this weekend and that makes for some compelling stories, and here the top ones we are keeping an eye on this week.

Will the Giants finally be the team to hand a loss to the Panthers?
If there is one thing that the New York Giants do incredibly well, is play the spoiler. They have on several occasions over the years toppled some top tier teams at just the right time, most notably the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII and well, they just so happen to host the undefeated Carolina Panthers this weekend and you have to wonder...will they play the spoiler and hand the Panthers their first loss of the season? Well, sadly it's hard to say. They came close to beating the undefeated Pats earlier this year but the Giants are a team in flux right now. They are having major trouble finishing games, despite having a solid lead and that kind of bad habit is something the Panthers will take full advantage of. But, when the Giants are good, they are damn good and don't be surprised if they do indeed stun Carolina.

Will the Denver Broncos offense finally come together this weekend in Pittsburgh?
So now we know that the quarterback situation isn't the only problem in the Mile High City when it comes to offense. The Wide Receivers have a nasty habit of dropping footballs and the offensive line at times is simply offensive with its sub par play, and while the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't exactly a top tier team this year, they're going to attack those weaknesses all day long. Which means if the Broncos want the win, they have to play mistake free football when the offense is on the field, and it's odd that we still have to be talking about this portion of Denver's game this late in the season. After all, we have seen what this unit can do, they beat the Patriots for Heaven's sake, so here's to hoping they finally pull it together and figure it out or the playoff picture is about to get a whole lot crazier. 

Can Cincinnati win this weekend without Andy Dalton?
For some teams, it doesn't matter who the heck is at quarterback, the team will do what they do. But for the Cincinnati Bengals, the sheer value and importance of Andy Dalton at the helm is grossly misunderstood. He really is the true leader of that offense and knows exactly how to get the absolute best out of his fellow teammates and well, A.J. McCarron does not. It doesn't mean A.J. is a bad quarterback by any means, he's simply untested, this is his first start coming up after all. Which means he will either do a fine job managing the game, or display some serious growing pains. Either way, Cincinnati is another team fighting for a bye week in the playoffs and if A.J. doesn't deliver at least a decent game, the season just became all the more difficult for the Bengals. 

The Texans and Colts game may finally decide the fate of the AFC South.
Sure their records are rough. Sure they are both missing their starting quarterbacks, but when the Colts host the Texans this week, we may finally have a definitive answer as to who will win the AFC South Divisional Crown. After all, this is the second meeting this season between these two teams and the last go round Indianapolis walked away the winner. But let's be honest, this is anyone's game. Both teams have exhibited flashes of brilliance and executed mountains of mistakes and that's why they are both 6-7. Either way, this is an important one to watch for the simple fact that the playoffs are on the line and seeing a Division leader at last will help bring some focus to an already wild playoff picture in the AFC. 

Which of the potential AFC Wild Card teams will help their cause this weekend?
Three teams in the AFC are currently 8-5 and hoping for a chance to make the playoffs as a Wild Card team in a tournament that only has room for two which means those squads, the Steelers, Jets and Chiefs have to play some amazing football to make sure they make it in and this weekend is another critical test toward that goal. The question is who will show off their playoff worth? The Steelers are facing off against one of the best defenses in the league in Denver. The Jets are taking on an awful Dallas Cowboys squad and the Chiefs are headed to Baltimore to face their decimated squad. I'd say the Steelers are the team that needs to be concerned, but you never quite know what to expect when game time rolls around. 

As I think about this weekend's slate of football games, one word keeps coming to mind..."huh." That word keeps swirling around in my head for one simple reason, I cannot wrap my brain around the crazy things that went down on the field this past weekend. We saw teams give up, we saw great teams be knocked around again and in the process, the Panthers just keep winning. It was simply a wild weekend of football, filled with some incredible stories and here is what we learned from the league this past week in the NFL. 

1. There was one big question on everyone's mind this offseason when the Buffalo Bills hired Rex Ryan...is the man a good football coach or not? After all, he did get a bit of a raw deal with the Jets and his landing in Buffalo left everyone wondering what kind of dominance that squad would bring forth on defense since that's Sexy Rexy's speciality. But, after watching the Bills/Eagles game yesterday I believe that question was fully addressed and as it turns out...Rex Ryan is NOT a good football coach. He has talent abound in Buffalo on both sides of the ball and they're 6-7 and watching their playoff hopes slip away. It's a shame, because Rex has the bravado of a top tier Head Coach, he simply can't get the job done. His teams fall to pieces, they can't finish a game and I'm starting to think Buffalo may be his last stop in the NFL. Either way, I hope that I'm wrong in this assessment for the sake of Buffalo fans but man...he couldn't get it done in New York and it's not looking good in Buffalo either.

2. I think it's time we stick a fork in the Atlanta Falcons because they're done. This team has no fight, no fire left and it showed yesterday against Carolina. They looked lost, they played without heart and they found themselves absolutely blown out against an NFC South foe. With their season basically over, it's time to start looking ahead and I'm starting to wonder what owner Arthur Blank is going to do once the season is over to give this team the polish it needs to sell tickets in the new stadium. Will he fire new Head Coach Dan Quinn? It's possible because it's clear he is in over his head and has completely lost this locker room. In fact, it wouldn't shock me to see him clean house in the front office and with the players as well because Mister Blank has had enough and when things are this bad...blowing it up and hitting the reset button is never a bad option and if you don't believe me...don't forget what John Elway did with the Broncos after their playoff loss last year...

3. Cincinnati is suddenly in a scary place when it comes to the Quarterback position right now. While Andy Dalton may not be considered one of the NFL's elite passers just yet, he's a solid quarterback and one that has made some amazing things happen on the field during the regular season and now he appears to be out until the playoffs and that may change the entire landscape of the AFC Playoff picture since clearly A.J. McCarron is a backup quarterback through and through and didn't do anything too special on the field replacing #14. This injury could not have come at a worse time for this team and unless a miracle happens with A.J.'s play, there is a solid chance the Bengals will continue to slide in the playoff seeding and find themselves playing in the Wild Card Round come January. 

4. Sometimes I think losses are a good thing for teams that are surging because it humbles them and let's them see what kinds of problems are plaguing them so they can fix it now and move on, which is why I'm good with the Broncos losing to the Raiders this Sunday. It showed everyone that Peyton Manning and his injuries weren't the only issues when it comes to this offense. The O Line needs a lot of work since they let Khalil Mack hit Osweiler over and over again and the Wide Receiver corps needs to spend a little more time with the ball machine after practice because they let important passes that could have won the game slip right through their fingertips. Now it's all about picking up the pieces for the Broncos and I'm curious to see if they rally and respond, or let their mistakes haunt them further. 

5. The Johnny Football saga continues with another odd game. On the plus side, he went 21 for 31 for 270 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Those are some damn respectable stats, can't deny that. What was weird about yesterday, was Johnny's response after throwing that interception when he took his tablet and smashed it against his head in frustration. No. I'm not kidding, look it up. I'll wait. Did you see it? Yeah, so did I and well...I still don't get this kid and that's the only word to describe him. I honestly would expect that from a four year old, not a fully grown man and to complicate matters, once more the jury is out on whether or not he's the answer because he had a great game against the absolutely awful 49ers so where we go from here is anyone's guess because let's be honest, Manziel is simply fascinating, we'll just have to tune in next week and see what wild shenanigans he pulls off next.

There is a certain sense of urgency in the air when it comes to this week in the NFL. After all, there are a surprising amount of teams in the playoff hunt right now and a win keeps that dream alive while a loss...well it could be a nail in the coffin as teams begin to hear the phrase "better luck next year."

Either way, it means every single game is going to be more intense from here on out and this Sunday's slate of games looks to have quite a few match ups that should leave everyone thoroughly entertained and potentially heartbroken if you team misses out on the playoffs. So without further ado, here are the games that have us fascinated come tomorrow.

John's Take
If you back up about six weeks on the NFL schedule and take a look at this game, you would no doubt roll your eyes and make a point to skip it, unless you're a diehard fan of either team. Because six weeks ago, the Patriots were unstoppable and the Texans seemed to be falling to pieces. Yet, here we are. The Patriots are banged up have just lost two in a row and the Texans are resurgent and in the hunt for the playoffs meaning this is going to be one interesting game. Brady is still missing a lot of his weapons and the Texans happen to have one of the finest defenses in all of the league, meaning there is a strong chance that Houston could deliver New England its third straight loss of the season.

John's Take
Yeah, this is probably going to be a rough game to watch. Both of these teams are awful but let's be honest, neither myself nor anyone else settling in for this game are watching it with the expectation that this is a preview of Super Bowl 50, we're watching it because of the quarterbacks. Blaine Gabbert is a former first round pick looking to salvage his career and what do you know...so is Johnny Manziel. This is a game that belongs to the quarterbacks for certain as Blaine Gabbert needs to prove once and for all that he can lead a team at the position and for Johnny Manziel, he needs to prove that he can actually play the position period. Should be interesting to see what these two young men do on the field when all is said and done. 

John's Take
The Carolina Panthers are 12-0 and no doubt assured a place in the postseason in a few weeks. Whereas the Atlanta Falcons are scrambling to save their season which will make this game incredibly interesting. The Panthers know what they have on offense and defense and will undoubtedly be bringing the pain all day long...but they cannot underestimate the Falcons. This team is desperate to prove they are worth something and not a fluke and they too will bringing a level of passion to the field this week because what better a way to get your season back on track than by beating the number one team in the league? There is a chance for Atlanta to pull it off if Carolina comes in with the attitude that they will win no matter what they do and because of that, I'll be watching this one closely come tomorrow.

John's Take
The fact of the matter is, you never quite know what to expect when these two teams hit the field, outside of one amazing football game. I'm expecting a fun one for certain, but despite the wonder of this rivalry there are some important things to keep an eye on. The Raiders were mowing down teams left and right before their season started to slide, so you know they'll be gunning for the Broncos with an extra glimmer in their eye. But in order to beat Denver, they need Brock Osweiler to make silly mistakes and turn over the ball and I'm honestly not sure if that is going to happen. He's been Brock Solid (these are going to keep coming, deal with it) since he took his first snap as a starter and I don't see the Raiders shaking his confidence in this game. Denver should win, but expect a little back and forth from two teams that truly hate one another.

This is it, the home stretch of the 2015 NFL Season is upon us as we head into the final four weeks of the year. The playoffs are looming large and more teams than expected have a shot to make it into the tournament which means the games are only going to get tougher and more exciting as everyone does their best to win and win big. It also means the stories from the field are going to get that much more fascinating and here are the ones we are keeping an eye on for Week 14. 

Which team in the NFC East will stand up and become the team to beat?
Heading into tonight, it's a three way tie for first place in the NFC East since everyone but Dallas is 5-7 and this has been one incredible quagmire to watch as the season continues along. One minute, Washington looks like the team to beat, then they hand the game away. Or the Giants look like they have it all figured out and blow a fourth quarter lead. Or the Eagles look like the NFL's worst team and then go out and beat the Patriots. The list of ups and downs go on and on and the fact of the matter is, each one of these squads control their own destiny...so the one to finally take the reigns and play some damn good football owns the East. But as to who it will be, I honestly haven't a clue, that's how confusing these teams are.  

Will Atlanta finally turn their season around against the Panthers?
Dropping six of the last seven after starting off your season 5-0 is a tough place to be as a team and despite the players only meeting that happened last week, they still lost another game. This is a team completely in disarray, desperately searching for some kind of spark or inspiration and what better way to do it than against the undefeated Panthers? A win against a perfect team can completely change everything for a squad, just ask the Texans who were left for dead before they beat the Bengals and well...even if the Panthers walk away with another victory, at least giving them a fight on the field can help remind the players they're better than they think. I don't know if they get the win come Sunday, but this is no doubt their last chance to show what they have in the tank.

In the end, does it even matter that Johnny Manziel is starting again?
Let's have a cold and frank discussion about the Cleveland Browns. They're 2-10, the worst record in football right now. They're no doubt going to fire Head Coach Mike Pettine and his staff and possibly GM Ray Farmer as well. They've made some poor choices again this year in Free Agency and to top it all off, they keep going back and forth on former first round pick Johnny Manziel. One minute he's the starter, then he's not. Then he is and screws up and is benched again and now for the last four weeks of the season...he's the starter again. But does it matter? The season is lost, Johnny has already damaged his brand as a player and I'm wondering if the Browns keep him on the bench and healthy in order to trade him in the offseason because let's be honest, there's a good chance Dallas is putting in a offer. Either way, there's no good answer here because the Browns are so damn dysfunctional, but to me, no, it doesn't matter whether he starts or not, Cleveland will continue to lose regardless who is under center because this is an awful football team, run by incompetent management and until they get good football minds in the front office and good coaching on the field, it will be the same result come this time next year. 

Will the Colts or the Texans take control of the AFC South this weekend?
It's not just the NFC East suffering from a lack of identity or a clear division leader, the AFC South has its issues as well. All season long it's been a back and forth battle royale between the Colts and the Texans for supremacy and after last week, we are no closer to seeing who deserves a shot at the playoffs and quite frankly, I'm not sure we will see a clear leader after this week either. After all, the Steelers showed the league how to beat Matt Hasselbeck and you know the Jaguars were watching and the Texans are taking on a Patriots squad that is angry after dropping two. But, these teams are the ones in charge of their destiny and one of them needs to take control of this division and quick or spend January watching the playoffs from their couches rather than playing for a shot at the Lombardi. That extra motivation might be enough to spark one of these teams to take charge and speaking of the Texans...

Will the Patriots right the ship this week or lose three straight?
Last week against the Eagles, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots looked pretty pedestrian. There were turnovers, dumb plays and stuff you're not really accustomed to seeing from a Pats squad that normally imposes their will upon their opponent and it begs the question as to whether or not they can get their season back on track or if we are seeing the beginning of a hell of a losing streak. To make things worse, the Pats are facing a resurgent and powerhouse Houston defense that is licking its chops at a chance to beat down the World Champions, giving New England a greater challenge than they expected. Normally you'd think the Pats would unleash their fury and turn this matchup into a tune up game, but considering how many injured players are out of the lineup and how hungry the Texans are right now...there's a good chance Brady is in for a long day.

Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals
John and Scotty - Arizona
Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles 
John and Scotty - Buffalo
San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns
John - San Francisco / Scotty - Cleveland
Detroit Lions at St. Louis Rams 
John - St. Louis / Scotty - Detroit
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John - New Orleans / Scotty - Tampa Bay
Tennessee Titans at New York Jets 
John and Scotty - New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals 
John - Pittsburgh / Scotty - Cincinnati
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
John and Scotty - Indianapolis
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
John and Scotty - Kansas City
Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears 
John and Scotty - Washington
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers 
John - Atlanta / Scotty - Carolina
Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens 
John and Scotty - Seattle
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
John and Scotty - Denver
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers 
John and Scotty - Green Bay
New England Patriots at Houston Texans
John - Houston / Scotty - New England
New York Giants at Miami Dolphins
John - New York Giants / Scotty - Miami

There's a certain level of anticipation that I have not experienced before this year when it comes to watching the NFL. Every single time I sit down to enjoy a game there's a level of anticipation I've never experienced simply because this season is giving us some of the most incredible games I've seen in years. Every single week, something amazing happens and I can't wait to see what it will be and this week was no exception. Some incredible games were on display and that of course brought forth some incredible stories and here are some of the top ones from the field from Week 13.

1. Was there any game more incredible this past week then Thursday Night with the Lions and the Packers? I think the safe answer is no because wow...this one turned out to be one hell of a show. You had Detroit going into the second half with a three touchdown lead and next thing you know, the Packers come alive and bring it within two before that stunning penalty and that amazing Hail Mary from Aaron Rodgers to win the game. This was simply one of those instant classics and it showed that the Packers had had enough of being pushed around and losing and with a little help, took advantage of a big opportunity. This is the kind of game that ignites a team in powerful ways, I expect more big things from the Pack after this. 

2. The Atlanta Falcons look like a team that has completely given up. A promising season that kicked off with a 5-0 start and a shot at the playoffs has turned into an absolute nightmare. Suddenly the Falcons are 6-6, tied for 2nd/3rd in the NFC South and their season continues to slide away from them after dropping another game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I say that this team looks like they've quit...because you can see it on the field. There's no fight in them anymore. No unity between these men and Roddy White's complaining continues to demonstrate the rift between everyone. I'm not sure when this team fractured like this, but if they don't find a way to come together soon, we will be looking at one of the greatest season collapses in the history of the league. 

3. The Denver Broncos finally looked like a complete team this last Sunday and the San Diego game should draw concern for their upcoming opponents for several reasons. For starters, Brock Osweiler, who continues to Brock and roll under center, is more than just a game manager, he is responsible with the ball. He makes strong decisions in the pocket and doesn't turn over the ball in dangerous fashion. Second, the run game is white hot right now, wearing out opposing defenses and helping to set up the pass and most importantly, the defense has finally found a way to play their game without drawing costly penalties. All of these things led to a strong win over the Chargers and if they put together more complete games like this, the wins are going to keep piling up and make life hell on the remaining teams the Broncos face. 

4. Well it turns out that the New England Patriots are human after all. Yes, I know they lost to Denver last week, but even then they kept it competitive. But this week...they lost to the freaking Eagles! Philadelphia is one of the most predictable and one dimensional teams out there and they managed to put the Patriots away courtesy of some sloppy play and sloppy play calling. I would honestly venture to say this loss is far more humbling than the one to the Broncos because of the fact they came into this game simply expecting to win. It was a fine lesson to never underestimate your opponent and never expect the win. Should be interesting to see how the Pats respond to this loss. 

5. So how bad are things in Cleveland? They're so bad the team is going back to Johnny Manziel as the starting quarterback...again. That's right, Johnny Football is back after a dismal performance from Austin Davis this Sunday where the offense didn't score a single touchdown and well...this is just ridiculous. I get they need to see what they have in their first round pick, but let's be honest, this is just another weird misstep from a franchise that is completely and utterly lost and this move essentially nullifies Johnny's "punishment." He knows now that this franchise doesn't mean business about him acting like a professional, and that he can continue to do whatever he wants because they need him more than he needs them. It's a stupid move through and through and I feel bad for Cleveland fans for having suffer through all of this.