With week 14, the regular season enters its final phase and each week will be significant for qualifying for the playoffs. While the Chiefs can secure a 17th AFC West title, the 9th in a row, by winning against the Chargers, 6 teams (Ravens, Broncos, Texans, Colts, Patriots, Commanders) are the last to rest of the year.
The Eagles could pocket the NFC East, but the scenarios will have to combine. In the NFC West, the suspense is likely to last until the end, but the Seahawks could take a good option in the event of a victory against the Cardinals. Whether it's for the playoffs or the order of the draft, every game counts.
The match of the week: the Chiefs for an ever more historic 9th
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) – Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
And the winners of the AFC West are…probably the Kansas City Chiefs. Andy Reid's men are almost guaranteed to win the division, and it would be enough to win against the Chargers to make it official. In doing so, they would be crowned for the 17th time, a record, the 9th time in a row, another record, while also gleaning a 9th success in a row against the Californians
Enough to give Missouri players an appetite, but it won't be that simple. Jim Harbaugh's defense remains the best in the league in points conceded (15.7 per game). She risks giving Patrick Mahomes (QB, Chiefs), Travis Kelce (TE, Chiefs), DeAndre Hopkins (WR, Chiefs) and company a hard time. But, opposite, the Chargers attack led by Justin Herbert (QB) could also slip against the squad of Steve Spagnuolo (DC, Chiefs). So, you should not miss this high-level match of historic significance.
Player of the week: Kirk Cousins, don't make the wrong jersey
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Minnesota Vikings (10-2) – Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
Last week, Geno Smith got a revenge against the Jets. This time, it's Kirk Cousins (QB, Falcons) who returns to Minnesota, where the situation is however very different. Already, the two parties have apparently left on good terms, based on the player's decision. Above all, it is the Vikings who are favorites against their former quarterback.
In a match that promises to be difficult against one of the best teams in the league, Cousins will not be able to give any gifts. Author of four interceptions last week against Jim Harbaugh's Chargers, the Atlanta pitcher will have to be much better against Brian Florès' squad. Bad news, the residents of NFC North dominate the league in this area (18 interceptions). After 171 touchdowns thrown in a Minnesota jersey, Cousins must remember: the purple is behind him.
The coach: Mike McDaniel, to plead the accident
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Miami Dolphins (5-7) – New York Jets (3-9)
The Dolphins missed their season, that’s a fact. If the Floridians retain hope of the playoffs, it would remain minimal in the event of a victory over the Jets (13%, even if it would change depending on other results). However, it must be admitted that the week 2 injury to Tua Tagovailoa (QB) changed everything. Without him, the Dolphins conceded 3 defeats in 4 matches, moreover against accessible opponents (notably the Titans and the Colts).
With him, it's still much better. Miami is 3-3 since the return of its pitcher, with two defeats in its first two weeks, by one possession each time, against the Cardinals and the Bills. From there to say that coach Mike McDaniel was just unlucky? This would undoubtedly ignore the deficiencies in the construction of the squad and in the ability to surpass oneself. Still, a victory against the Jets could allow the coach to show the difference with a team truly losing control. And that a successful end of the year should allow him to give himself one last chance.
The stat: 166.8: Saquon Barkley, time to win?
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) – Carolina Panthers (3-9)
Saquon Barkley is having a gargantuan season with the Eagles. With 1,499 rushing yards, he has already surpassed his career yards record (1,312 in 2022 with the Giants). With 5 games still to play, he can aim for the record for yards for a runner in a season, held by Eric Dickerson (2,105 yards with the Rams in 1984). To do this, we will have to stay the course: the one who accumulates 124.9 yards per game must score 121.4 over the rest of the season to win the cup.
And that’s good, Sunday’s match lends itself to it. The Panthers have certainly made progress in attack, there is improvement in Bryce Young (QB, Panthers), but the running defense remains a real log in the foot (166.8 yards conceded on the ground per game). Opposite, the Eagles are aiming for a 9th victory in a row. Suffice to say that it is not in this match that we imagine Barkley slowing down the pace. For Carolina, a defeat would formalize elimination.
Division of the week: NFC West
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (6-6) – Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams (6-6) – Buffalo Bills (10-2)
San Francisco 49ers (5-7) – Chicago Bears (4-8)
If surprises remain possible, and the final rankings, essential for the playoffs, remain to be determined, many teams are almost assured of their destiny. In the majority of divisions, a clear contender stands out, while in the NFC North as in the AFC West, we are heading towards the accession of three participants to the post-season.
But in two divisions, absolutely everything remains to be played for. For now. Because in the NFC West, the Seahawks could take a very serious option this weekend. Already victorious two weeks ago against the Cardinals, Seattle can take a two-game lead and a tie-breaker against their opponents.
The Ospreys are on a positive dynamic, unlike the Phoenix residents, but both teams are volatile. In the event of a victory, Arizona would put itself in a favorable position, and would maintain great suspense in the division.
The first to thank them would probably be the Rams. With a very difficult match to negotiate against the Bills, already assured of winning the NFC East, Sean McVay's players would welcome a tightening in the lead, especially since they will replay the two opponents by the end of the year. For the 49ers, the road may be long. The Bears are accessible, of course, but behind them, there will be the Rams, the Dolphins, the Lions and the Cardinals. All this without Christian McCaffrey.
Other division shocks
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) – Cleveland Browns (3-9)
Tennessee Titans (3-9) – Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
Like an air of revenge for the Steelers. Surprised by the Browns two weeks ago, Pennsylvanians have been warned. To still dream of first place in the AFC, and keep the Ravens at bay in the AFC North, we must not fall into the trap again.
Between the Titans and the Jaguars, there won't really be a winner. If voluntary defeat is not really effective in the NFL, fans of both teams have their noses turned towards the draft. For the Jaguars, without Trevor Lawrence (QB), the main issue remains whether Doug Pederson would survive yet another defeat.
The other matches of week 14
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
New York Giants (2-10) – New Orleans Saints (4-8)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) – Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Dallas Cowboys (5-7) – Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
In the same vein, the Giants – Saints is devoid of challenges for this year. New York, deprived of Dexter Lawrence (DT), will undoubtedly have difficulty defending against Alvin Kamara (RB, Saints) (already 782 yards on the ground).
For the Buccaneers, the match against the Raiders could allow them to take their destiny back into their own hands. With two defeats against the Falcons, Tampa Bay must take advantage of the trip from Atlanta to Minnesota to move ahead in the NFC South – or pick up in the event of a surprise, otherwise the playoffs will move away considerably.
In the series of coaches in danger, the Mike McCarthy (Cowboys) – Zac Taylor (Bengals) duel arises there. Both, Taylor first, had great times with their team. Both have disappointed this year, unable to establish a consistent level of play. Without Dak Prescott (QB), Dallas is still not in a strong position. But, with a Swiss cheese defense, Joe Burrow (QB, Bengals) should still have to work.
Week 14 matches
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Miami Dolphins (5-7) – New York Jets (3-9)
Minnesota Vikings (10-2) – Atlanta Falcons (6-6)
New York Giants (2-10) – New Orleans Saints (4-8)
Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) – Carolina Panthers (3-9)
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) – Cleveland Browns (3-9)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) – Las Vegas Raiders (2-10)
Tennessee Titans (3-9) – Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Arizona Cardinals (6-6) – Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams (6-6) – Buffalo Bills (10-2)
San Francisco 49ers (5-7) – Chicago Bears (4-8)
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) – Los Angeles Chargers (8-4)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Dallas Cowboys (5-7) – Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
