It’s Week 14 in the NFL and there’s a lot on the line! This week’s slate contains six games where both teams are at or over .500 in close Wild Card races, plus one other game with important divisional implications.
What game are must-watch this week? As we do every week, let’s go through the best and most important matchups in the NFL.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) at Cleveland Browns (7-5)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
Due to the sprained ankle he suffered on Monday night, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is expected to miss some time. Jacksonville still leads the AFC South, but is only one game ahead of the Colts, so it’s possible the Wild Card picture comes into play for them once he’s back.
If the Jaguars hope to remain in playoff contention, finding a way to win this week without him would be big. The Browns are another Wild Card hopeful, currently two games out of first in a competitive AFC North.
Despite multiple quarterback injuries, Cleveland is no pushover. Joe Flacco played relatively well in last week’s loss, throwing for 250 yards and two touchdowns. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him lead the Browns past the Jaguars in C.J. Beathard’s first start.
4. Buffalo Bills (6-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS
Coming into the season, this was expected to be a marquee matchup. It still holds weight with the recent history of these two teams and the quarterbacks involved, but both teams have struggled in recent weeks.
The Bills are coming off their bye week, having lost three of their last four games and four of their last six before the break. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey was fired during that stretch, as turnovers became a significant problem. On defense, Buffalo is dealing with mounting injuries. As December begins, the Bills find themselves on the outside looking in at a playoff spot, making this a must-win game.
Things haven’t been quite as bleak for the Chiefs, who still have a two-game lead at the top of the AFC West. Still, Kansas City has lost two of its last three games, including a very winnable game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. Despite having Patrick Mahomes the Chiefs offense isn’t firing on all cylinders and this week fell out of the top 10 units in the league (11th).
It would be surprising if Kansas City didn’t take care of business on Sunday. But the Bills are backed into a corner and if they want to live up to the preseason Super Bowl contender expectations, this is a game they have to win.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7) at Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS
It’s another one of those ‘somebody has to win the NFC South’ years, and this game could go a long way in deciding who that is. The Falcons come into the week in the driver’s seat in the division, with the Bucs tied with a reeling New Orleans Saints team for second place.
Atlanta can clinch the head-to-head advantage with a win this week after beating Tampa 16-13 back in Week 7. After both teams scored touchdowns in the first quarter of that game in Tampa, the scoring finished with five consecutive field goals. That includes Younghoe Koo’s 51-yard field goal as time expired to win the game.
Expect another low scoring game in this one. The Falcons have won two games in a row coming in, but have struggled on the road this year. Look for Tampa to build on the momentum of last week’s win over the Panthers and create a 6-7 tie at the top of the division.
2. Seattle Seahawks (6-6) at San Francisco Niners (9-3)
Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET on FOX
Two weeks ago on Thanksgiving night the 49ers went into Seattle and blasted the Seahawks 31-13 to win the third game of what is currently a four-game winning streak. On Sunday afternoon, the Seahawks travel to the Bay Area for their shot at revenge.
This is a must-win game for the Seahawks if they want to remain in the NFC Wild Card picture. They’ve now lost three games in a row and are back at .500. After struggling offensively against the Niners in that Thanksgiving game – which was the first for quarterback Geno Smith after an elbow injury – they had much more success last week, putting up 406 yards in a 41-35 loss to the Cowboys.
Meanwhile, all San Francisco did since that Thanksgiving game was go into Philadelphia and embarrass the team with the NFL’s best record. The Niners handed the Eagles their second loss of the season last week in a 42-19 beatdown. Right now the Niners look like Super Bowl favorites, and look to prove that again this week.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) at Dallas Cowboys (9-3)
Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC
The Eagles need a quick recovery from last week’s loss to San Francisco. On Sunday night they visit the Dallas Cowboys with first place in the NFC East on the line.
Meanwhile, Dallas is riding high off that big win over the Seahawks on Thursday night football, plus a longer week to recover. The Cowboys have won four games in a row and five of six since the bye week. The only loss in that stretch came in Dallas’ first meeting with Philly – a 28-23 game at the Linc in Week 9.
Of the Cowboys other two losses, one was to the Niners and the other was a slip up game early in the year against the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the best win on the Cowboys schedule is probably last week’s win over Seattle. Dallas hasn’t been tested much by elite teams, while Philly has. That could end up being the edge on Sunday night.
