The remaining games on the NFL schedule with playoff implications

NFL Week 15 sets up to be a real doozy, as there are six games between teams still battling for postseason berths or seeding. Depending on what happens this weekend, there could be more games of that nature in Week 15 than in the last two weeks combined.

Even still, Weeks 16 and 17 are poised to be key in the AFC North race as well as in the chase for the AFC first-round byes and the wild-card spots in both conferences.

Here are the 12 most important games remaining on the 2018 NFL schedule:

WEEK 15

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs 

Week 15 starts with a bang Thursday, as the Chargers and Chiefs renew their rivalry at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs have been the runaway candidate to earn AFC home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, but they opened as only 3.5-point favorites in Week 15 at home.

Philip Rivers dominated the Chiefs early in his career, but since 2014, Kansas City has won seven straight in this rivalry. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers, 38-28, at Stubhub Center in Week 1.

Despite firmly in control of the AFC No. 1 seed, a Chiefs loss this Thursday could eventually knock them down all the way to the No. 5 spot. The Chargers would be champs of the AFC West if they win out and the Chiefs lose twice in the last three games.

Ironically, these two teams also met on Thursday night in Week 15 at Kansas City with the division title on the line last season. The Chiefs won, 30-13. Kansas City can clinch another AFC West title with a win Thursday.

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers 

Speaking of history repeating itself, the Patriots and Steelers will meet again at Heinz Field just a day shy of the one-year Jesse James game anniversary. Just a few weeks ago, it looked like this one would decide who earns a first-round bye, but that’s not the case anymore for Pittsburgh.

The Steelers are in a free fall, having lost three straight to AFC West opponents: the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders. In all three, they lost in the final 20 seconds.

To stay in control of their own destiny, the Steelers must find a way to finally beat Tom Brady. The last time that happened was 2011.

New England is coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Miami Dolphins, but if the Patriots win again in Pittsburgh, they will have a clear path to the AFC No. 2 seed. New England hasn’t missed out on a first-round bye since 2009.

Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts 

The red-hot Cowboys will take their five-game winning streak to Indianapolis to face the Colts. That’s the longest winning streak in the NFL thanks to the fact Indianapolis just beat Houston, which had won nine in a row before Week 14.

Newly acquired wide receiver Amari Cooper has fueled the Cowboys winning streak with 584 receiving yards and five touchdowns in the last five games. With Dallas, Cooper is averaging more than twice as many yards per game than he did during the first half of the season with Oakland.

At 8-5, Dallas can capture the NFC East in Week 15 with a win and Philadelphia and Washington losses. But Indianapolis will be fighting for its playoff life as well. The Colts enter the weekend in a four-way tie with the Ravens, Titans and Dolphins for the final AFC wild-card spot.

Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings 

This one doesn’t sound nearly as enticing as some of the previous games on our list, but it’s a pivotal matchup in both conferences' wild card races.

Miami’s miracle win against New England has the Dolphins right in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. The Dolphins host the Jaguars and then visit the Bills to end the season, so if they can defeat the Vikings, a 10-6 finish appears likely.

However, Minnesota will be attempting to end a two-game losing streak, where it faced both New England and Seattle on the road. The Vikings come into Week 15 at 6-6-1 and hold a half-game lead over the Panthers, Eagles and Redskins in the NFC wild-card race.

Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Rams

The defending Super Bowl champions are just barely clinging to playoff hopes and face a must-win scenario on the road against the 11-2 Rams. Los Angeles just lost in Chicago on Sunday night; the Rams haven’t lost two straight regular-season games in almost two years under coach Sean McVay.

But if the Eagles can find a way to win in Week 15 and the Vikings lose, they will be hold the No. 6 seed heading into "Monday Night Football." For the Rams, a win will move them closer to a first-round bye and put pressure on the Saints to win Monday night.

Unfortunately, fans will be robbed of some other intriguing storylines, though because the Eagles have ruled out quarterback Carson Wentz because of a back injury. Philadelphia will once again turn to Nick Foles to save its season.

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers 

Week 15 closes with another great division rivalry. Since losing to Pittsburgh on "Thursday Night Football," the Panthers have been on a five-game losing streak and have fallen below .500 at 6-7.

However, if the Vikings lose to the Dolphins and the Panthers win Monday, Carolina would be in decent shape. The Panthers currently hold the three-way tiebreaker with the Eagles and Redskins. In head-to-head tiebreakers, Carolina has the advantage over Philadelphia but not against Washington.

New Orleans needs to keep winning to nail down home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Week 15 will be the Saints’ third straight road game, but if they capture the NFC No. 1 seed, they wouldn’t have to leave New Orleans again until the Super Bowl.

Carolina and New Orleans will play twice in the final three weeks. The Saints beat the Panthers three times last season.

WEEK 16

Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers 

There isn’t a more important game in Week 16. Both these teams hold the AFC wild-card spots heading into this weekend, but with a win Thursday, Los Angeles will be eyeing the AFC West crown.

The same goes for Baltimore. If the Steelers lose to the Patriots and the Ravens beat the Buccaneers in Week 15, Baltimore will hold a half-game lead in the AFC North. That combined with a road win against the Chargers will make it difficult for the Steelers to repeat again as division champions.

Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints 

This showdown could be huge for the Steelers. If Pittsburgh cannot find a way to beat New England, their playoff lives will likely be on the line in Week 16. Despite a loss to the Patriots, with a win at New Orleans coupled with a Ravens loss at Los Angeles, the Steelers would be back in first place in the AFC North.

The Saints will have plenty to play for too. As previously mentioned, New Orleans is trying to stay in front of the Rams for the NFC No. 1 seed. The Saints can earn home-field advantage if they win out because they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Rams.

Kansas City Chiefs at Seattle Seahawks 

The Chiefs’ visit to the northwest becomes a lot more interesting if they lose Thursday night to the Chargers, but even if they win, Kansas City will likely need to capture a rare win at Seattle to secure home-field advantage.

Seattle possesses a 1.5-game lead vs. Minnesota and a two-game lead over Philadelphia, Carolina and Washington in the NFC wild-card race. With a win in Week 15 and at home vs. Kansas City in Week 16, the Seahawks would clinch a playoff spot.

Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles 

Again, the importance of this matchup depends on whether the Eagles can beat the Rams. But even if the Eagles lose in Week 15, should the Vikings lose too, at most, Philadelphia will be a game back of the final playoff spot.

No matter what happens in Week 15, Houston can win the AFC South with a win over the Jets this weekend and against the Eagles in Week 16. The Texans will also likely have to win out to have a shot at the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.

WEEK 17

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans 

Despite all division matchups, Week 17 doesn’t present a ton of intriguing games amid teams with playoff hopes. One of the two will be in the AFC South between the Colts and Titans.

Heading into this weekend, Indianapolis and Tennessee are in a four-way tie with Baltimore and Tennessee for the final AFC wild-card spot. With three weeks remaining, there is a plethora of scenarios, but it’s possible the Colts-Titans matchup could determine the No. 6 seed.

At the very least, the loser is likely eliminated. Indianapolis defeated Tennessee, 38-10, in Week 11.

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings 

It’s too difficult to present all the possible scenarios, but if the Vikings beat the Dolphins and Lions, they would clinch a wild-card spot with a victory against the Bears in Week 17.

For Chicago, the regular-season finale could be meaningless. The Bears can clinch the NFC North with a victory vs. the Packers this weekend. To earn a first-round bye, the Bears need the Rams to go 1-2 down the stretch. That’s not likely to happen.

Chicago holds a one-game lead over Dallas for the NFC No. 3 seed. Depending on what else happens, as long as the Bears take care of business in Weeks 15 and 16, they might not necessarily have to beat the Vikings to stay at No. 3 in the NFC playoff picture.

The Bears defeated the Vikings, 25-20, in Week 11.