ESPN will deliver viewers an early Christmas gift this weekend with the biggest ever week of NFL on the network, which includes a massive NINE live games – all with major NFL playoff implications.
Conference leaders collide and NFL playoff hopes go on the line. Only three NFL franchises are officially out of the playoff race, making the final month of the regular season must see.
ESPN’s coverage begins on Friday December 16 at 12.15pm AEDT when the San Francisco 49ers meet conference rivals the Seattle Seahawks.
San Francisco are onto their third quarterback this season, with Brock Purdy now in the hot seat following season ending injuries to stars Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo.
It hasn’t slowed the 49ers down though, winning six straight games to climb to third in the NFC.
The 49ers latest win was a stunning 35-7 demolition of the Buccaneers – a statement to the league that they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender this season.
Up next is the Seahawks, who at 7-6, sit precariously on the playoff bubble, and know they must win to keep the dream alive, in the all NFC West clash.
Sunday will see three games back to back, beginning from 5am AEDT with the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings, live on ESPN.
At 10-3 the Vikings seem firmly headed for the post-season, barring any late season hiccups. They still hold #2 spot in the NFC, but are coming off a poor 34-23 loss to the Lions last round.
Indianapolis had the week off to reflect on their 54-19 drubbing at the hands of the Cowboys in Week 13. The Colts are an outside chance of reaching the playoffs, but will need to be perfect in the final month of the season to do so.
Following at 8.30am AEDT, the Baltimore Ravens collide with the Cleveland Browns.
A clash between AFC North participants, a conference the Ravens currently sit atop.
However, the Ravens have been joined at 9-4 by the Cincinnati Bengals, with percentage the only thing splitting the pair in the conference standings.
Ironically it was the Browns who were defeated by the Bengals in Week 14, to see Cincinnati join the Ravens at the top of the AFC North.
Then closing out Sunday’s schedule at 12pm AEDT, the Miami Dolphins face off against the Buffalo Bills.
The two top sides in the AFC East, the Bills hold a two game advantage over Miami at the top of the conference.
Buffalo are timing their run to the post-season nicely, riding a four game winning run. Whilst the Dolphins are coming off back to back losses.
Miami are still firmly in the playoff race, but do not want to drop a third straight game at the pointy end of the regular season.
Monday then sees another four live games, across both ESPN and ESPN2, as well as NFL RedZone on the ESPN App*.
At 5am AEDT on ESPN, the Dallas Cowboys take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Cowboys have won four straight and are on the charge in the NFC.
Dallas thrashed Indianapolis before accounting for the Texans last round 27-23.
Jacksonville are mounting a late charge to the playoffs, and having defeated NFC #2 Minnesota last round, belief is suddenly high for the Jags.
Over on ESPN2 at 5am AEDT, the Kansas City Chiefs tackle the Houston Texans.
The Chiefs remain neck and neck in the race for top spot in the AFC, alongside the Buffalo Bills.
Houston are simply playing for pride at this point of the season, having lost eight in a row. They will attempt to play spoiler against Kansas City, but they be heavy outsiders to spring the upset.
At 8.25am AEDT, Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers clash in a high stakes affair between AFC and NFC playoff aspirants.
The Buccaneers fortunes seemingly change by the week this season, with the last month a combination of wins and losses.
Somehow they still remain top of the NFC South, but form is fading at the business end of the season.
They were humbled by the 49ers last round and now face a Bengals outfit who have won their last five games and are locked in a battle for top spot in the AFC North.
12.15pm AEDT, the New York Giants and Washington Commanders meet to conclude Monday’s marathon on NFL on ESPN.
At this moment in time both the Giants and Commanders sit inside the playoffs, with identical 7-5-1 records.
Both sides are familiar with each other, having met just a fortnight ago. There was no splitting the sides on that occasion either, with a 20-20 tie in Week 13.
A host of sides sit below on the playoff bubble, meaning Monday’s victor taking a huge step towards the post-season.
The bumper NFL schedule concludes on Tuesday at 12.15pm when the LA Rams tackle the Green Bay Packers.
LA might be out of the playoff race, but possess one of the most fascinating stories in the NFL, with Baker Mayfield starting his new life with the Rams.
Mayfield inspired a fairytale comeback in his debut 17-16 win against the Raiders.
Green Bay enjoyed a bye last round and will be refreshed for the run home. At 5-8 they sit outside the playoff position and must string wins together to have any hope of making the post-season.
NFL Week 15 on ESPN
Friday December 16
12.15pm AEDT, San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks, ESPN
Sunday December 18
5am AEDT, Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings, ESPN
8.30am AEDT, Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns, ESPN
12pm AEDT, Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills, ESPN
Monday December 19
5am AEDT, Dallas Cowboys vs Jacksonville Jaguars, ESPN
5am AEDT, Kansas City Chiefs vs Houston Texans, ESPN2
5am AEDT, NFL RedZone, ESPN App*
8.25am AEDT, Cincinnati Bengals vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ESPN
12.15pm AEDT, New York Giants vs Washington Commanders, ESPN
Tuesday December 20
12.15pm AEDT, LA Rams vs Green Bay Packers, ESPN
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
*Streaming functionality on the ESPN App and ESPN.com.au is available to ESPN channel subscribers via Foxtel, Fetch TV and SKY NZ who enter their platform credentials. (Note: Kayo subscribers cannot stream via the ESPN App or ESPN.com.au). Download the ESPN App from the Apple and Android app stores.
