Here are 10 things from NFL Week 15 that intrigue me:
1. Tom Brady against the Broncos defense: Brady is 2-7 in Denver in his career, including two losses there last season, one in the AFC title game. He was brutalized that day by the Denver pass rush. Can Brady, coming off a big game against the Ravens, get the better of the Denver defense? It won't be easy.
2. The Patriots offensive line against Von Miller and the Broncos pass rush: When the Broncos beat up the Patriots in the title game, Miller was a force. He had 2½ of the Broncos' four sacks that day. He also had an interception in coverage. The Patriots line is much better now, so it will be interesting to see how they handle the rush.
3. How will the Dolphins' Matt Moore play in place of the injured Ryan Tannheill? With Tannehill out the rest of the season, the Dolphins will turn to Moore, who hasn't started since 2011. Moore is more than capable of winning against the Jets this week, but can he get the Dolphins into the postseason?
4. How will Matthew Stafford play with an injured finger on his throwing hand? The Lions keep saying Stafford's injured middle finger isn't a big deal, but we won't know for sure until he takes the field against the Giants. I can't imagine it's not going to play a role in some shape or form. The question is how much of an impact will it have on the Detroit passing game.
5. The Redskins' Josh Norman against the Panthers, his former team: The Panthers turned their back on Norman and decided to let him walk, rather than give him a new deal or make him play for the franchise tag. Norman is a feisty competitor and you know he can't wait for the chance to show up his former team. One thing to watch for: He can gamble, which could lead to a big play.
6. Does Dak Prescott bounce back from his subpar game against the Giants? It's been the past two weeks that Prescott has been ordinary, and the Cowboys are 1-1, losing to the Giants last week. There is the Tony Romo talk hanging over his head, with Romo healthy enough to play. Prescott needs a big game against the Bucs.
7. Can the Bucs defense keep playing well? It is a defense that has been the NFL's best the past five weeks, giving up 12.8 points per game. It is a fast, run-to-the-football defense that will face a big challenge against the Dallas run game and that physical offensive line.
8. The Titans running game against the Chiefs defense: The Titans are third in rushing and the Chiefs are 27th in stopping the run. That can make for a lot of DeMarco Murray in this game. Can the Chiefs slow him down?
9. Will Derek Carr and the Raiders offense bounce back? Carr was in the MVP conversation before playing poorly and losing at Kansas City last Thursday. The Raiders must now try and get him back on track on the road at San Diego. The rest was probably good for Carr's injured pinky on his throwing hand.
10. Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell against the Bengals: It was against the Bengals last season when Bell suffered a major knee injury, forcing him to miss the postseason. He also was hurt against the Bengals in 2014, forcing him out of that game as well. Bell ran wild last week against the Bills, and will be the focal point for the Steelers as they face a Bengals team that's down.
