NFL Week 15 Weekend Slate Preview

We've got one more month to go. Let's get ready for that playoff push!

Dolphins vs. Texans

Houston's plummet to the bottom third of the league offensively has been the story surrounding the organization for most of the year. Last season, CJ Stroud lit the NFL on fire. Currently, he sits 16th overall in Field Vision's Threat Ratings for QBs (83.7).

There have been injuries. Nico Collins looked like he was on pace for a 2,000-yard receiving season, then was literally hamstrung on the sideline for most of October. He's still averaging over 100 yards. Joe Mixon has played well, too, and will most likely exceed 1,000 yards on the ground.

Still, the offense is a shell of what it was last year, and Stroud has pedestrian TD (15) and alarming interception (9) numbers. There just hasn't been any consistency. Most pundits haven't been discussing them nationally because they are assumed to win the South.

The game on Sunday with the Dolphins is a defacto playoff game for the Dolphins, who have had their own issues with health. The offense has also been stagnant. Head Coach Mike McDainel's run game is 8th in explosive rate but 32nd in Stuff Rate. That boom or bust process doesn't lead to efficiency. Miami is one spot ahead of Houston in offensive DVOA (23rd).

The star of the show will be the Texans' defense, which is in the top five of most metrics, advanced or not. Miami's defense has improved over the season and, with a veteran-led unit, can pounce on inferior prey. These two teams are relatively evenly matched, and with both needing to play well, expect a great game.

Bills vs. Lions

Is this a future Super Bowl preview? Buffalo's defense has started to trend down because of injury attrition. The Bills' 44-42 loss to the Rams is concerning.

The offense in Buffalo is humming, and Josh Allen is making his claim for the MVP title. The Lions want to play man coverage, and because of Buffalo's personnel, the Bills see it more than almost anyone. They know how to attack it, and with Allen's legs starting to show up, it could be difficult for the Lions to find stops against the Bills.

The defense has major issues, and the Lions will be able to take advantage of much of what LA was able to do. The Bills have the best Cover 1 EPA in the NFL but have been unable to lean into man coverage because of injuries. The system is still zone-centric, and if the front four can't pressure Goff, it could be another high-scoring shootout.

Steelers vs. Eagles

The Steelers could have tough sledding if George Pickens doesn't play Sunday. They need the explosive receiver for their offense to run correctly. Pittsburgh's defense is one of the best, but to match the Eagles point-for-point, they must pass the ball effectively. Fangio's system wants to compress the field and force everything short and in the middle of the field, which is exactly where Russell Wilson doesn't want to go.

Offensively, Philly has issues with Brown and Hurts, but with how well the run game is going with Saquan, it is hard to blame the Eagles for not running the ball. Against Carolina, there were clear miscommunication errors between the star receiver and the quarterback. Those need to get cleaned up quickly because the Steelers are a dangerous team and can quickly make this game into an ugly fistfight.

Sunday Night Football

Packers vs. Seahawks

This game is very interesting. The Seahawks desperately need to win at home. The Rams are surging, the 49ers are getting healthy, and they are in first place by one game. To finish the year, Seattle will have to play the Packers, Vikings, Bears, and Rams to hold on to a playoff bid.

The Seahawks defense has steadily improved all year under Mike Macdonald, and some of the hallmarks of his elite defense in Baltimore are starting to show up. The run game has also looked better, which is needed against playoff teams. Not everything can be placed at Geno's feet.

The Packers are also getting playoff-ready offensively. There are concerns about Jordan Love's turnovers, but looking at the metrics, this offense is elite. The receiving corps struggles mightily against man coverage, but Seattle opts to run more zone. The talent in Seattle is there to keep the passing numbers in check, but if the Packers can keep some balance to their offense, they should win this one.

Monday Night Football

Bears vs. Vikings

Caleb Williams's first year in the NFL has been quite the rollercoaster. First, there was the abysmal start. Then, there was a bump in production, only to have his offensive coordinator and head coach fired. There is talent on the Bears' offensive roster, but it will face one of the best defenses in the NFL.

Minnesota's meme defense from a year ago is gone. With the help of new free agents, Brian Flores has nuanced his blitz-centric style of play. The defense suffocates opponents' run games, and the predictability allows Flores to curate third-down looks that can cause pressure.

On the other hand, Chicago's defense has fallen off a cliff. Last season, the unit was one of the best and appeared to be making a push for elite status. The secondary is still good, but the run defense has taken a sharp turn for the worse. Minnesota should be able to control the game for the most part.

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As we dive in, we look forward to the conversation, debate, and your feedback. Hit us up at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, or on our website www.fieldvisionsports.com.