The NFL Live OT crew breaks down what the return of Adrian Peterson will mean for the Vikings. (1:43)

Taking a spin around the NFL to get you ready for Week 15:

The big questions

What kind of lift can Adrian Peterson give the Minnesota Vikings?

He has been sidelined since Week 2, but Peterson announced he's ready to return Sunday from a torn meniscus as the Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts.

Minnesota is 2-6 in its past eight games, but at 7-6 overall the Vikings still have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs. Football Outsiders gives them a 14.1 percent chance.

The Vikings' running game is near the bottom of the NFL in a number of statistical categories. Minnesota is 29th in rushing efficiency, last in yards per carry (2.95) and last in yards before contact (1.63). Per ESPN Stats & Information, the YPC number would be the worst of any team since the 1994 New England Patriots (2.79).

Coach Mike Zimmer has to be hoping that Peterson can knock the rust off quickly against a Colts defense that ranks 30th against the run. The Vikings are 4-point favorites.

Adrian Peterson is set to play Sunday for the first time since Sept. 22; in the Vikings' first two games this season, he rushed for 50 yards on 31 carries. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Will QB Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys rebound?

The Cowboys have scored just 24 points in the past two games – a 17-15 victory over the Vikings and a 10-7 loss to the Giants -- and have been unable to recapture the formula that made them so successful.

During the first 12 weeks of the season, the Cowboys averaged 6.55 plays per drive (first) and converted 48.5 percent of their third-down opportunities (third). Their offense sustained drives and wore down opponents.

In the past two games, Dallas is averaging 4.07 plays per drive (32nd) and converting 8.3 percent of third downs (32nd).

On Sunday, the Cowboys go up against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that has won five straight and is allowing 12.8 points per game during that stretch, the fewest of any team in the league.

Dallas can clinch the NFC East and a first-round bye with a victory and a New York Giants loss. The Cowboys are 7-point favorites at home in the Sunday night game.

Can the Denver Broncos keep their playoff hopes alive?

At 8-5, the defending Super Bowl champs have a 44.3 percent chance to get in, but the Broncos face a difficult path.

Their next three opponents -- the Patriots (11-2), Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) and Oakland Raiders (10-3) have a combined record of 31-8. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 1986 San Francisco 49ers were the last team to reach the postseason after playing their final three games against 10-win opponents.

Statistically, the Broncos' pass defense has been better than it was last season. But can Denver slow down QB Tom Brady (22 touchdowns, two interceptions) with so much on the line?

The Patriots are 3-point favorites on the road.

Numbers that matter

64.7 -- Chiefs QB Alex Smith's completion percentage on downfield throws (15 yards or more) in the past four games. He was 11-for-17 during that span. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Smith was 7-for-35 (20 percent) on those throws in the previous seven games. The Chiefs are 5.5-point favorites at home against the Tennessee Titans and can clinch a playoff berth with a win.

32.9 -- Giants QB Eli Manning's Total QBR against the blitz this season, according to ESPN Stats & Info. That's the worst mark in the league. Expect the Detroit Lions to send pressure often against the Giants. The Lions have allowed just 16.33 points per game since Week 8 kicked off, tied for the fewest in the NFL during that span.

1,616 -- Yards from scrimmage for Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell in his first 10 games this season. Per Elias, the record for most yards in a player's first 11 games is 1,787, held by Walter Payton (1977) and Priest Holmes (2002). Bell would need a 172-yard performance against the Cincinnati Bengals to break that record. The Steelers are 3-point road favorites.

What we'll be talking about after Week 15

The Green Bay Packers as legitimate Super Bowl contenders: If the season ended today, they wouldn't be in the playoffs. But the Packers have won three in a row and would be as dangerous as any team in the NFC if they got in. QB Aaron Rodgers picked apart the Seattle Seahawks to the tune of a 150.8 passer rating in Week 14, and the defense is allowing just 12.0 points per game in the past three. The Packers are 5.5-point favorites on the road against the Chicago Bears.

A second consecutive Oakland Raiders loss: Since injuring his finger in Week 12, QB Derek Carr has completed only 50 percent of his passes and has averaged 5.5 yards per attempt. Week 14 marked the first time all season the San Diego Chargers have lost by more than eight points. Look for them to pull off the upset as 3-point home underdogs.

The Cleveland Browns being one step closer to 0-16: They are 10-point underdogs on the road against the Buffalo Bills. The Browns play the Chargers at home in Week 16 and go to Pittsburgh for the regular-season finale. Cleveland is averaging 9.8 points per game in its past five. ESPN's Football Power Index gives the Browns a 55 percent chance of losing out.