Everything you need to know as kickoff approaches...
Key game-time decisions
Harrison: Week 15 predictions
All players questionable unless noted
Julio Jones (hip) WR, Atlanta Falcons
The receiver didn't practice all week. It would be a huge loss if Jones can't play as the Falcons try to stay atop the NFC South. He's been the best wideout in the NFL the past three weeks. If Jones does see the field, there is a chance it could be in more of a decoy role this week.
Ronnie Hillman (foot) RB; Jacob Tamme (ribs) TE, Denver Broncos
Hillman was limited all week. He could provide a change of pace behind C.J. Anderson in the backfield if he's able to return. Tamme returned on a limited basis Friday.
Julius Thomas (ankle) TE; Demaryius Thomas (ankle) WR -- BOTH PROBABLE -- Denver Broncos
Both were full participants on Friday and should play.
Andre Johnson (concussion) WR, Houston Texans
The veteran still hasn't passed concussion protocol. UPDATE: NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Johnson is not expected to play against the Colts, according to a source.
Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) RB, Baltimore Ravens
The running back missed all week of practice. The Ravens calling up Fitzgerald Toussaint from the practice squad on Saturday could be a sign Taliaferro won't go this week.
Percy Harvin (ankle) WR, New York Jets
Harvin returned limited on Friday and believes he will be ready to roll on Sunday. UPDATE: Rapoport reports that Harvin will play, according to a source.
Cordarrelle Patterson (hamstring) WR, Minnesota Vikings
Patterson was limited on Friday. His forgettable season isn't getting better.
Ryan Mathews (ankle) RB; Ladarius Green (concussion, ankle) TE, San Diego Chargers
The running back missed practice all week. Still, Mike McCoy left the door slightly open for Mathews to play. Green was limited on Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday.
DeSean Jackson (shin) WR, Washington Redskins
Coach Jay Gruden said it was "50-50" for Jackson to return this week after he was limited in practice. UPDATE: Rapoport reports that the Redskins believe Jackson will play, according to a source.
Reggie Bush (ankle) RB, Detroit Lions
Bush was limited all week. He should be fine Sunday.
Charles Clay (hamstring, knee) TE; Cortland Finnegan (ankle) CB, Miami Dolphins
Both were limited all week. Finnegan expects to return.
Kendall Wright (hand) WR, Tennessee Titans
The young wideout didn't practice Friday after missing last week's game.
Jamaal Charles (knee, ankle) RB -- PROBABLE -- Kansas City Chiefs
Charles is expect to play this week after practicing in full on Friday.
Tamba Hali (knee) LB, Kansas City Chiefs
The linebacker was limited in practice on Friday.
Bobby Rainey (ankle) RB; Austin Seferian-Jenkins (back) TE; Gerald McCoy (knee) DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
All three were limited Friday.
DeAngelo Williams (hand) RB -- DOUBTFUL -- Carolina Panthers
The running back will likely only suit up in an emergency situation. Look for Jonathan Stewart to carry the load again this week.
Jermaine Gresham (toe) TE, Cincinnati Bengals
The tight end missed practice Friday after being limited on Thursday.
Weather Tracking*
Mostly worry-free weather across the NFL landscape in Week 15.
Raiders at Chiefs -- 59 degrees / Slight chance of rain (10 percent; 10 mph winds)
Saints at Bears (MNF) -- 43 degrees / Chance of rain (58 percent)
*Forecasts courtesy of Weather Underground
Three matchups to watch
Brooks: Primed to perform
Which players are in position to go off during Week 15's game action? Bucky Brooks provides his scouting eye. **READ**
Colin Kaepernick vs. Legion of Boom
All the signs point to this being a massacre. In his career versus the Seahawks, Kaepernick has thrown for 59.5 fewer yards per game (164.0) than against other teams (223.5). He also throws for three interceptions for every one touchdown against Seattle. Ouch. Maybe he'll pull a game out of nowhere? Maybe? For one last dance with Jim Harbaugh? However, the Legion of Boom has actually played better in the last three games than earlier this season. Seattle has surrendered just 20 points and 507 total yards in those three contests. With blood in the water, the Seahawks secondary sharks will circle Kaepernick and the wounded Niners' offense. And we won't be able to look away if the carnage starts.
A.J. Green vs. Joe Haden
Mike Pettine has already admitted this matchup could be the key to a pivotal AFC North game. Green has been unstoppable the past month, compiling 33 receptions for 529 yards and three touchdowns. If Haden can slow him down -- he's only allowed Green 300 total yards when covering the receiver -- it would blow out the Bengals' offensive fuse. In the Week 10 shellacking Green was held to three catches for 23 yards. It won't be as easy this time around, but if Haden can match that performance again, the Browns will keep their dimming playoff hopes alive.
Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware vs. Chargers O-line
The Chargers' running game could be without Ryan Mathews once again, which will put the onus back on Philip Rivers to carry the day. The quarterback has been a magician getting rid of the ball while taking hits this season and will need to again facing a fierce pass rush. Miller has been an absolute stud with three sacks the past two weeks and 13 for the season. The Broncos only sacked Rivers twice for 7 yards in their previous meeting, and the quarterback was able to complete 30 passes for 252 yards and three scores. This time at home if his offensive line does a similar or better job, the Chargers could pull the upset over the division leader.
Did You Know?
Pittsburgh is averaging 6.16 yards per play (second most in the NFL). Atlanta allows 6.22 yards per play (worst in the NFL).
Pittsburgh earns 303.2 passing yards per game (second in the NFL). Atlanta allows a league-high 287.8 pass YPG.
Antonio Brown accounts for 30.7 percent of the Steelers receptions (a league high), leads the NFL with 149 targets this season and has at least 74 receiving yards in every game this season.
Julio Jones leads the NFL with 1,428 receiving yards and is second in the NFL with 147 targets this season. Jones has a touchdown in three straight games (zero TDs in the seven games previous to that). Over the past three games he has compiled 26 receptions, 172 yards per game, six receptions of 25-plus yards and three touchdowns.
The Jags' defense has allowed fewer than 275 pass yards in nine straight games, but it has given up nine rushing TDs in the last five contests (five in previous eight games). Their 39 quarterback sacks this season is most in any full campaign since totaling 47 in 2005. See? Positives!
Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs have combined for 24.5 sacks this season, which is the most among any defensive duo in the NFL. Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware are next with 23.0, followed by Mario Williams and Marcell Dareus with 22.0.
The Ravens' O-line has allowed just 16 sacks this season (second-fewest in the NFL).
Random stat that tells you bupkis about Sunday's matchup: The Ravens are 7-0 in December home games under John Harbaugh when rushing 34-plus times.
With a win at Buffalo, Mike McCarthy will move into sole possession of second place for most wins by a Packers head coach. His 99 wins would be one more than Vince Lombardi (including postseason).
Green Bay averages 6.30 yards per play, best in the NFL. Buffalo allows 4.90 yards per play, fourth in the NFL.
Buffalo has 14 passing TDs allowed (T-fewest in the NFL). Green Bay has 35 TD passes this season, third-most in the NFL.
The Panthers won the last meeting in Week 1, 2014 (20-14) when Derek Anderson started for an injured Cam Newton. The backup's numbers: 70.6 completion percent, 230 yards, two TDs, zero INT, 108.7 passer rating.
Matchup of two first-round rookie receivers who have blown up:
Mike Evans: 57 receptions, 935 yards 16.4 yards per reception, 10 receiving touchdowns.
Kelvin Benjamin: 59 receptions, 848 yards, 14.4 yards per reception, 9 receiving touchdowns.
The Panthers' defense has allowed a touchdown on 65.9 percent of red-zone drives this season (ranked 30th in the NFL); 27 TDs on 41 RZ drives.
A.J. Green is 90 yards shy of his fourth straight 1,000-yard season, which would put him second on the list of most 1,000-plus yard seasons to start a career, behind only Randy Moss' six.
Cincinnati is 7-0-1 when it gains 100-plus rushing yards this season and 1-4 when they gain fewer than 100 rushing yards.
Factory of No More Sadness Stat of the Week: Johnny Manziel will be the 21st starting quarterback for the Browns since returning to the NFL in 1999 (most by any team over that span).
The Browns' defense leads the NFL with 19 INT, has forced multiple turnovers in seven of the last eight games and is allowing opponents to convert only 35.7 percent of third downs this year (T-fourth in the NFL).
J.J. Watt leads all defensive linemen in tackles for loss (20), QB hits (41), passes defensed (9) and total TDs (5). Watt's 41 QB hits are 20 more than the next players on the list, Carlos Dunlap and Ezekiel Ansah, who each have 21.
Houston's offense has gone six straight games with one or fewer giveaways.
Indy has three-plus giveaways in each of the last three games and is tied for the most turnovers in the NFL since Week 12 (Titans).
Andrew Luck's squad has 300-plus total yards of offense in all 13 games this season. It's the third time Indy has had 300-plus yards in each of its first 13 games (2009, 2004).
The Colts have 74 plays of 20-plus yards (most in the NFL).
Derek Carr's 140.2 passer rating last week versus San Francisco was the fifth highest by a Raiders QB since 1970. Carr joins a top-five list of Oakland Super Bowl QBs that includes Rich Gannon, Jim Plunkett and Ken Stabler. (Gannon appears twice in the Top 5).
The Chiefs are 6-1 when Alex Smith throws fewer than 30 passes this season and 1-5 when Smith has 30-plus attempts.
Jamaal Charles has scored a touchdown in eight straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL.
Meanwhile the Kansas City defense has allowed 100-plus rushing yards in six straight games.
The Miami offense is averaging only 14.5 points per game in the last two contests. The Dolphins are 1-5 when rushing for fewer than 115 yards and have fewer than 100 yards rushing in four of the last five games.
Miami's defense has allowed 180-plus rushing yards in three straight games.
In their last five games, New England has faced Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers and Philip Rivers. The Patriots went 4-1 and held those teams to 18.0 points per game.
The Redskins have allowed 46 sacks this season (second-most in the NFL), including five-plus sacks allowed in five straight games.
Washington is averaging 4.0 yards per play on third down this season (fewest in the NFL).
Colt McCoy will start once again. His season numbers: 296.7 pass YPG, four total TD, four turnovers in three starts this season (1-2 record).
The Redskins' defense has given up one or more passing touchdowns in 19 straight games and 28 passing scores this season (third -most in the NFL).
They've also allowed 10 drives of 10-plus plays this season (fewest in the NFL) -- thanks in part to giving up so many big plays.
Odell Beckham has gone six consecutive games with 90-plus receiving yards, most by a rookie in NFL history and most in franchise history -- the overall NFL record for consecutive games with 90-plus receiving yards is nine (Michael Irvin in 1995).
Big Blue's defense has allowed 400-plus yards of total offense in six of 13 games this season (T-second most in the NFL).
Peyton Manning has thrown for fewer than 300-yards in three straight games. San Diego has allowed 300-plus passing yards in just three of 13 games.
San Diego has five rushing TDs this season (T-30th in the NFL). Denver has allowed just three rushing TDs in the last nine games.
Philip Rivers has been sacked two-plus times in seven straight games (18 total in that span). The Broncos have 14 sacks in the last four games.
The Jets' offense has 35 plays of 20-plus yards this season (second fewest in the NFL behind OAK: 28) and are going three-and-out 27.8 percent of the time (second most in the NFL, OAK: 34.2 percent).
The 169.4 pass YPG for Gang Green is the worst in the NFL and the worst by a Jets team since 2009 (148.8 pass YPG).
Rex Ryan's defense has allowed 30-plus points six times this season. (They allowed 30-plus points four times all of last season.)
The Titans' offense has had 11 drives of 10-plus plays this season, fewest in the NFL; is converting 28.2 percent on third down, worst in the NFL; and averaging 26:50 time of possession, lowest in the NFL.
Tennessee's defense has allowed 300-plus total yards in 12 straight games and 99-plus rushing yards in 11 of 13 games this season. They've also gone back-to-back games without a sack.
The Vikings' offense has just two giveaways in six wins this season and 14 giveaways in seven losses this season. Protect the ball Teddy!
The Vikings are tied for fourth in the NFL with 38 sacks with Everson Griffen leading the team with 12.0 (career high). Griffen has five sacks in the last five games versus the Lions.
Calvin Johnson has fewer than 90 receiving yards in all six home games versus the Vikings and gone three straight home games versus Minnesota without a receiving touchdown.
The Lions' defense has not surrendered more than 23 points in any home game this season. And has held opponents to fewer than 50 rushing yards nine times since the start of last season (most in the NFL).
The 49ers have never lost three straight games under Jim Harbaugh.
Colin Kaepernick has posted significantly worse numbers against the Seahawks than he has in games against other teams. His passer rating is 45.1 points lower when facing Seattle (50.6) than when facing other teams (95.7). He throws for 59.5 fewer YPG against the Seahawks (164.0) than against other teams (223.5). And Kap throws one TD for every three INTs against Seattle (three TD, nine INT), but three TDs for every one INT against all other teams (51 TD, 17 INT).
Kaepernick has not thrown multiple TDs in a game in over two months, dating to Oct. 13 (Week 6).
Seattle's defense ranks in the top three in several categories: yards per game (first); passing yards per game (first); points per game (second); yards per play (second); and rushing yards per game (third).
When covering Michael Crabtree or Anquan Boldin, Richard Sherman has given up just seven receptions on 18 targets for 114 yards, zero touchdowns, two interceptions and a quarterback rating of 21.3.
Philadelphia's defense has kept a QB's passer rating below 55.0 once since 2013 -- that was Tony Romo's 53.7 rating on Thanksgiving Day.
The Eagles' defense has allowed one 100-yard rusher this season (Frank Gore, 119 yards). DeMarco Murray has eleven 100-yard games this season (most in the NFL).
Philly has allowed eight rushing TDs this season (10th fewest in the NFL). Murray has nine rushing TDs this season (T-most in the NFL).
The Saints are 1-8 when attempting 40-plus passes but 4-0 with 35 or fewer this season.
Drew Brees has led 34 drives of 10-plus plays this season (most in the NFL) and 328 first downs this season (most in the NFL).
New Orleans had 12 rush TDs in the first eight games this season but zero rush TDs in the last five.
The Saints' defense is allowing 32.2 points per game in last five games (second-most in the NFL). Only Tennessee is allowing more points per game in the last five contests (34.4).
The Bears have rushed for 48 yards in the last two weeks, second-fewest for the franchise since 1950. If Chicago gains fewer than 23 rushing yards versus New Orleans they'd own the lowest by any team in a three-game span since 1950 (this can't possibly happen, right?).
The Bears' offense has not topped 28 points in any game this season (last season they scored 30-plus points in six games).
Opponents have reached the red zone 57 times versus the Bears, most in the NFL.
Chicago has allowed 27.5 offensive points per game (worst in the NFL).
The latest Around The NFL Podcast previews the Week 15 schedule and recaps the Cardinals' win over the Rams. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
