Just three rounds remain in the NFL regular season and Week 15 brings must win matchups and a potential Super Bowl showdown on ESPN.
The action begins Friday December 18 at 12.15pm AEDT, as the Los Angeles Chargers face off against the Las Vegas Raiders.
There will be no playoffs for the Chargers in 2020, but Las Vegas simply need to keep winning to have any chance of securing a post-season berth.
Kansas City have secured the conference, but a 10-6 record may just see the Raiders climb into the playoffs.
That means no slipups for Gruden and his Raiders on the run home.
Sunday December 20 sees ESPN bring another two games back to back, beginning at 8.30am AEDT with the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos.
The Bills are in control of the AFC East, but their position atop the conference is still not guaranteed.
Denver have an outside chance of making the playoffs. Although unlikely, a win over the Bills would put added pressure on the Raiders above them.
However, with Buffalo on a three game winning run, the Broncos will need to come up with something special.
Sunday’s second game begins at 12.15pm AEDT, as the Carolina Panthers tackle the Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay have already secured the NFC division and the NFC North conference title.
Momentum is a wonderful thing on the way to the playoffs, and the Packers will hope to continue riding their three game streak.
The Panthers cannot make the playoffs, but a big scalp could just end their season on a positive note.
Monday December 21 sees ESPN raise the stakes once again, with a triple-header beginning at 5am AEDT.
New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins kick things off, in a pivotal clash between two AFC East rivals.
Whilst the Bills lead the conference, both the Patriots and Dolphins are making a late charge to the post-season.
Those playoff hopes will end though for the loser, ensuring a high stakes affair.
The pick of the Week 15 action is at 8.25am AEDT Monday, as the Kansas City Chiefs clash with the New Orleans Saints.
This one looms as a potential Super Bowl showdown between two of the standout sides in 2020.
The Chiefs have secured top spot in the division and remain solid at 12-1, and are strong favorites to defend their Super Bowl crown.
New Orleans are coming off a narrow loss to Philadelphia, but at 10-3, certainly remain a contender.
An early look towards the Playoffs, and a taste of what is to come in January perhaps for both sides.
Monday’s action concludes at 12.15pm AEDT, with the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants.
The Browns are still fighting for a playoff berth, as are the Giants, so the stakes in this one might as well be a post-season game.
New York are locked in a four-way battle for the NFC East – where all sides have losing records.
Cleveland and New York have both let chances slip in 2020, and neither will want to drop this one, given its importance to their season.
Finally, Tuesday December 22 sees the remaining game of the round on ESPN Australia New Zealand, when the Pittsburgh Steelers welcome Cincinnati Bengals.
The Steelers are secure in the playoffs, despite losing two games on the bounce.
After 11 games unbeaten, many were talking up Pittsburgh as the team to beat. The past fortnight has changed some opinions; however, a strong win over the Bengals, can steer the ship.
Week 15 NFL on ESPN
Friday December 18
12.15pm AEDT, Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN
Sunday December 20
8.30am AEDT, Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos, ESPN
12.15pm AEDT, Carolina Panthers vs Green Bay Packers, ESPN
Monday, December 21
5am AEDT, New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins, ESPN
8.25am AEDT, Kansas City Chiefs vs New Orleans Saints, ESPN
12:15pm AEDT, Cleveland Browns vs New York Giants, ESPN
Tuesday December 22
12.15pm AEDT, Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cincinnati Bengals, ESPN
*All times listed are AEDT
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports,
