NFL preview: Green Bay to confirm Super Bowl credentials

The NFL Playoff picture continues to emerge, with major wins for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams last week, while the chasing pack keeps gaining. We preview week 15 of the NFL season below.

Patriots @ Colts

The AFC-East leading New England Patriots look set to secure another high seed for the postseason with a talented quarterback at the helm. Sound familiar? This time, its rookie Mac Jones calling the shots, but his ruthlessly efficient play has been assisted by a potent running game and a dominant defence.

The Indianapolis Colts are very much in the conversation for a prolonged January schedule, but increasingly it depends on star running back Jonathan Taylor. The Wisconsin product has quite literally ran teams ragged this year and if he can get going against the Patriots early, then the Colts have potential to gain a vital home win.

The Colts are slight favourites at 20/27, with the visiting Pats 23/20. The handicap sits at just 2.5, with a tense tussle set to be the pick of the early slate of Sunday games.

Texans @ Jaguars

While not a game to affect the top of the tables, it will have important implication for NFL Draft Day. Both teams sit on just two wins, and will be battling for a high draft pick. The Jaguars have recently cut ties with head coach Urban Meyer, but do have former No.1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence at QB. The Texans have had a tumultuous year and are clearly in need of a full rebuild. While potentially not a classic, both teams will be playing for pride and it could be very good tight.

Hosts Jacksonville are comfortable 20/43 favourites, with Houston 37/20 to head back to Texas with the win. The handicap is 4.5, and while it may not be pretty to watch, there could be plenty of points. The Over/Under is just 39.5 points, so take the over at 10/11 and look out for a Lawrence breakout game.

Packers @ Ravens

Current MVP Aaron Rodgers is banged up but performing at an astonishing level, while Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson left weekend’s game injured, and there is still no guarantee he’ll play. If Jackson isn’t fit, this has to be viewed as a formality for Green Bay, but if he is then the Ravens will have to significantly improve their play from last week. Baltimore doesn’t look in the same league currently as the other leading lights in the AFC, so a result here would be enormous.

Baltimore are 2/1 home underdogs, with Green Bay just 5/12 to head back to Wisconsin with the win. With Rodgers, wideout Davante Adams and running back Aaron Jones all hitting their stride, this could be another big win for the Packers. Green Bay -5.5 is 10/11 on the handicap and the winning margin could be an awful lot more if Jackson isn’t fit.