Week 14 marks the start of the “fourth quarter” for playoff contenders looking to make their final push toward January football.
The Cowboys are the only team that has clinched a playoff spot, which means 11 slots are still up for grabs. While many teams are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs they are still playing for a high seed, a first-round bye and a division championship. This week’s slate is filled with entertaining matchups.
Pittsburgh (7-5) at Buffalo (6-6), 11 a.m. The Steelers looked dead midway through the season, but a late resurgence has them eyeing the AFC North crown.
Washington (6-5-1) at Philadelphia (5-7), 11 a.m., KDVR-31. Inconsistency has marred Washington and it is now in danger of missing the playoffs. Philadelphia is on a fast slide after starting the season well.
Arizona (5-6-1) at Miami (7-5), 11 a.m. The Dolphins were embarrassed by Baltimore last week. They revealed themselves as more pretender than contender, but they’re still lurking in the playoff race.
San Diego (5-7) at Carolina (4-8), 11 a.m. The Panthers final blow of a season gone south came in a big explosion with the Cam Newton tie-gate episode stealing headlines from the real story — Carolina’s disappointing post-Super Bowl season.
Cincinnati (4-7-1) at Cleveland (0-12), 11 a.m. A home game against a struggling division opponent might be the Browns best chance to avoid 0-16.
Chicago (3-9) at Detroit (8-4), 11 a.m. The Lions, with a two-game lead in the NFC North, are one of the season’s most pleasant surprises. They have to avoid choking away their lead.
Houston (6-6) at Indianapolis (6-6), 11 a.m. The NFL’s weakest conference, the AFC South, is up for grabs with the leaders playing .500 ball. The Colts are no longer feared among their division rivals.
Minnesota (6-6) at Jacksonville (2-10), 11 a.m. First one to 10 points may win in this matchup between two bad offenses held up by strong defenses.
New York Jets (3-9) at San Francisco (1-11), 2:05 p.m. This is a battle for draft position as both teams are in position for a top five pick. Both are looking for a new franchise quarterback.
New Orleans (5-7) at Tampa Bay (7-5), 2:25 p.m. Hard to believe this is the same Buccaneers team that the Broncos smacked by 20 points in October, but they’re a true playoff contender now.
Atlanta (7-5) at L.A. Rams (4-8), 2:25 p.m. The Falcons, in the midst of their annual collapse, are in serious dangerous of having nothing to show for the league’s best scoring offense.
Seattle (8-3-1) at Green Bay (6-6), 2:25 p.m., KDVR-31. Are the Packers back or just feasting on mediocre teams? The answer comes at home against the Seahawks in a near must-win of Green Bay.
Dallas (11-1) at New York Giants (8-4), 6:30 p.m., KUSA-9. The Giants are looking more like frauds with every contender they face, but they did hand the Cowboys their sole loss this season.
Game of the week
//player.performgroup.com/eplayer.js#c53be9927efe4566d8c4cf4fe9.11hrrvnxxgcho15mv6dsnvd13y
Baltimore (7-5) at New England (10-2), Monday, 6:30 p.m., ESPN.
The Ravens are back to playing strong defense, which helps offset their struggling offense. Baltimore has overachieved a bit in terms of its talent, which is a testament to its coaching and discipline. New England won’t cakewalk to home-field advantage with Oakland playing so well. The Patriots also have to play with a new offensive identity without tight end Rob Gronkowski. These teams have had huge matchups in the past decade so there’s likely to be plenty of emotion on Monday night.
