Week 15 NFL schedule: Draft order, playoff implications

The NFL is back for Sunday action, and while the San Francisco 49ers don’t get going until 1:05 p.m. PT, the morning slate of games offers some notable action.

The 49ers will be interested in the 4-9 Houston Texans, as they head to Jacksonville for a divisional matchup. The 3-10 49ers are a game ahead of them in draft order, and three weeks is plenty of time for that to change. Additionally, the 2-11 Giants are in action, hosting the 11-2 Eagles. I doubt the Giants win, but with a strength of schedule close to that of the 49ers, it is worth keeping an eye on in the draft watch.

The best matchup of the morning is Packers-Panthers. Both teams are in the playoff hunt, but more importantly, Aaron Rodgers is expected to play for the first time since fracturing his collar bone. A road game against the Panthers is a tough first game for him, but the Packers badly need a win for a playoff push.

Here’s the full morning schedule.

Dolphins @ Bills - CBS
Ravens @ Browns - CBS
Bengals @ Vikings - CBS
Jets @ Saints - CBS
Eagles @ Giants - FOX
Cardinals @ Washington - FOX
Packers @ Panthers - FOX
Texans @ Jaguars - CBS