Only three short weeks remain in the 2015 NFL season. With so many teams still fighting for playoff spots, every game and every win is precious.
Here is a look at the teams with the most difficult schedules over the final three games of the season:
New York Giants
Opponents: vs. CAR, at MIN, vs. PHI
Opponents’ record: 27-12
The Giants are currently in a three-way tie atop the NFC East, but winning the division won’t be easy. New York must host the undefeated Carolina Panthers and travel to Minnesota to play the 8-5 Vikings, all before welcoming the surging Philadelphia Eagles to MetLife Stadium for what could be a winner-take-all showdown in Week 17. If the Giants get into the postseason, they will have earned it.
Baltimore Ravens
Opponents: vs. KC, vs. PIT, at CIN
Opponents’ record: 26-13
At 4-9, the Ravens are no longer in the playoff hunt. Getting a fifth win to finish 2015 also looks increasingly unlikely. Over the final three games, Baltimore will host two teams fighting for wild card spots and go on the road to face a club in the race for one of the AFC’s top seeds. The Ravens haven’t lost 12 games in a season since 1996, the franchise’s first year in Baltimore.
Green Bay Packers
Opponents: at OAK, at ARI, vs. MIN
Opponents’ record: 25-14
The Packers are 9-4 and in good shape to make the postseason. But the playoffs aren’t a guarantee with just nine wins, and the schedule to close the year isn’t easy. The Raiders are coming off a big over the Broncos and fighting for their playoff lives; the Cardinals are 11-2 overall and 5-1 in Arizona; and the Vikings are 8-5 and capable of winning at Lambeau Field, which might be the setting for a de facto NFC North title game in Week 17.
Cleveland Browns
Opponents: at SEA, at KC, vs. PIT
Opponents’ record: 24-15
The Browns’ final three games are about evaluating quarterback Johnny Manziel and draft position. Winning over the brass in Cleveland won’t be easy for Manziel, who must travel to Seattle and Kansas City in back-to-back weeks before taking on the playoff-hungry Steelers in Week 17. Yikes. Barring an upset, the Browns will be 3-13 to finish 2015.
Arizona Cardinals
Opponents: at PHI, vs. GB, vs. SEA
Opponents’ record: 23-16
The Cardinals have already clinched a playoff berth, and a win over the Eagles on Sunday will secure the NFC West title. Still, Arizona’s final stretch isn’t a walk in the park. Philadelphia has beat the Patriots and Bills in back-to-back weeks, and both the Packers and Seahawks are near locks for the NFC playoffs. It’s possible the Cardinals will need to beat Green Bay in Week 15 to clinch a first-round bye.
Tennessee Titans
Opponents: at NE, vs. HOU, at IND
Opponents’ record: 23-16
The 3-10 Titans are in a similar boat as the Browns. While there’s no need for evaluating the future of quarterback Marcus Mariota, Tennessee is in a position where it could secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. The Patriots, Texans and Colts will all be expected to beat the Titans over the final three weeks.
Philadelphia Eagles
Opponents: vs. ARI, vs. WAS, at NYG
Opponents’ record: 23-16
Wins over the Patriots and Bills have thrust the Eagles back into the playoff hunt. Staying there will be difficult. Before finishing in New York, Philadelphia will first play home games against the NFC West-leading Cardinals and NFC East-leading Redskins. The Eagles probably need two wins over the final three.
Atlanta Falcons
Opponents: at JAX, vs. CAR, vs. NO
Opponents’ record: 23-16
The Falcons have been in a tailspin since a 5-0 start, winning just once in the last eight games. Atlanta now likely needs a 3-0 finish to make the postseason. Good luck. The Jaguars are no longer a push over, the Panthers are perfect and the Saints still have Drew Brees.