Five NFL teams whose playoff odds can swing the most in Week 15

The NFL playoff races are getting even more intense as the regular season hits its stretch run, and the Week 15 schedule is full of more pivotal games in the race. Here is a look at five teams that have the most to lose (and potentially gain) this weekend. 

Indianapolis Colts

It was only about a month-and-a-half ago that the Colts were 7-1 and looking like a team that was going to be in contention for the No. 1 seed and the bye week in the AFC. Now they are 1-4 in their past five games and looking at starting either rookie Riley Leonard or 44-year-old Philip Rivers in a baffling comeback attempt at quarterback. 

A Colts win would keep their playoff hopes within reach, especially with so many divisional games still remaining against the teams they are competing with.

A loss, however, would give them a sixth loss and send their playoff probabilities down to about 27%, according to NFL.com. That is a stunning fall from where they were a little more than a month ago. 

Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens became the favorites in the AFC North thanks to a midseason surge that coincided with the return of starting quarterback Lamar Jackson. But he is clearly not 100% healthy, and the offense seems to be lost. They have now lost two games in a row and have to travel on the road for a rematch with Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. 

They are now a full game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers thanks to their head-to-head defeat a week ago, but they do still have a Week 18 meeting remaining. If the Ravens do not turn things around before then, it may not matter. 

A win over the Bengals would give the Ravens a 45% probability for the playoffs. A loss would send them to 16%.

Detroit Lions

The Lions entered the season as Super Bowl contenders but head into Week 15 on the playoff bubble. In fact, they are on the outside of the NFC playoff picture. Things are not going to get any easier this week with a game against one of the NFL's best teams in the Los Angeles Rams.

A win would send their playoff probability to 72%, while a loss would drop them all the way down to only 40%. 

Chicago Bears

The Bears are one of the biggest surprise stories in the NFL this season, and they have delivered some big statements in recent weeks with wins over the Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, and going toe-to-toe with the Green Bay Packers. 

A win on Sunday would send them to 10 win, and could potentially give them a two-game lead over the Lions depending on the outcome of their game with the Rams. 

A loss, however, would drop them under 50% in the playoff odds, while they would still have a head-to-head game with the Lions remaining in Week 18 that could determine a playoff spot.

Kansas City Chiefs

Simply put, the Chiefs are in trouble. Big trouble. A win on Sunday would only take them to a 16% chance at the playoffs. A loss would take them down to about 1% and could even create the possibility of them being mathematically eliminated depending on what happens around the AFC. 

Every game the rest of the way is a must-win game. Even that might not be enough.