NFL WEEK 14 MATCHUPS
PHILADELPHIA (10-2) AT L.A. RAMS (9-3) The Eagles had their nine-game winning streak snapped last Sunday at Seattle. Then they stayed on that side of the country while trying to figure out why an offense that had been dominant was shut down by a unit that, though typically tough, is currently undermanned. Now they take on another NFC West opponent, and this one has an equally dangerous offense. Like Philadelphia in the NFC East, Los Angeles also leads its division.
MINNESOTA (10-2) AT CAROLINA (8-4) The Vikings didn’t move to the top of the NFC the easy way. They have already faced New Orleans, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Atlanta, Green Bay and the Rams, all of them with winning records this season and most of them bound for the playoffs. Carolina is also in the postseason hunt, so a Vikings victory in Charlotte would stamp Minnesota as a conference favorite. The Panthers, outscored 75-58 in the fourth quarter this season, must improve late in games.
BALTIMORE (7-5) AT PITTSBURGH (10-2) Pittsburgh’s victory over Cincinnati last Monday night was brutal — marred by malicious hits, launching and taunting on both sides. Now the Steelers host their biggest rival in what always has been a physical affair, and despite having won seven in a row, they need to step up their game. They are barely getting by inferior opponents, and no matter the situation, the Ravens are always dangerous for them.
SEATTLE (8-4) AT JACKSONVILLE (8-4) Jacksonville and Tennessee have the same record, but the Titans hold the tiebreaker in the AFC South title race right now. And the Jaguars — who could clinch a playoff spot today if enough things go right for them — have a tough test despite playing at home. Although Seattle has some key injuries in its secondary, the defense stepped up to shut down Philadelphia.
OAKLAND (6-6) AT KANSAS CITY (6-6) If this isn’t the best rivalry in pro football, it’s certainly in the top three. That it has so much meaning today, with the AFC West title race wide open for all of its members save Denver, is like adding a tasty dessert to some delicious Kansas City BBQ. Oakland ascended after a rough start. The Chiefs tumbled after going 5-0. Now they’re both in the same position.
WASHINGTON (5-7) AT L.A. CHARGERS (6-6) Despite equal footing with Oakland and Kansas City, it’s the Chargers who look most determined to win the AFC West lately. And now they welcome perhaps the most injury-ruined squad in the league in the Redskins, who have lost five of seven. The Chargers have racked up more than 400 yards of offense in three straight games while outscoring opponents 101-40.
GREEN BAY (6-6) AT CLEVELAND (0-12) Green Bay should get back star QB Aaron Rodgers (collarbone injury) next week, and if the Packers don’t stumble here, they’ll give Cheeseheads some hope for the final three weeks. Cleveland began cleaning house by making a change at general manager last week, but that’s about hope for the future rather than their awful present.
INDIANAPOLIS (3-9) AT BUFFALO (6-6) These teams are banged up, but Indianapolis RB Frank Gore and Buffalo counterpart LeSean McCoy are worthy of top billing. Gore is the NFL’s active leader in career rushing yardage, and last weekend he moved into fifth place overall with 13,697 yards. McCoy is third on the active list and 31st overall with 9,805.
DALLAS (6-6) AT N.Y. GIANTS (2-10) Dallas finally won without suspended star RB Ezekiel Elliott when it beat Washington, but making a playoff push is a long shot in the rugged NFC. Eli Manning gets his job back as the Giants’ starting QB now that Steve Spagnuolo has replaced the fired Ben McAdoo as coach on an interim basis.
DETROIT (6-6) AT TAMPA BAY (4-8) Opponents can throw the ball with success against Tampa Bay, and that’s about all the Lions can do. But with QB Matthew Stafford battling an injury to his throwing hand, counting on Detroit’s aerial attack makes little sense. A key matchup figures to be Buccaneers WR Mike Evans against CB Darius Slay, who is tied for the NFC lead with 15 passes defensed.
N.Y. JETS (5-7) AT DENVER (3-9) Denver has been on a Rocky Mountain low for two months, dropping eight consecutive games. With an inept offense, the defense has gotten worn down, but it does get back CB Aqib Talib from a one-game suspension. The Jets play everyone tough and will have a say in the AFC West outcome — they defeated Kansas City last Sunday and still must play the Chargers.
CHICAGO (3-9) AT CINCINNATI (5-7) The Bengals haven’t been playing poor lately, but after blowing a game they led most of the way last Monday night at Pittsburgh, their postseason chances appear gone. Other than Cleveland, the Bears might be the NFL’s worst team. They have the league’s lowest-ranked offense, have lost five in a row, and in three seasons as their coach, John Fox has a 12-32 record for a franchise-worst .273 winning percentage.
SAN FRANCISCO (2-10) AT HOUSTON (4-8) The player most worth watching in this miserable matchup is Houston WR DeAndre Hopkins, who is tied for the NFL lead with nine TD receptions. San Francisco’s wins this season have come in its past three games.
NEW ENGLAND (10-2) AT MIAMI (5-7) If the Patriots haven’t secured their ninth straight AFC East crown by kickoff time Monday night — a Buffalo loss today will do the trick — they are heavily favored to get the clincher here. A couple of reasons why? The Patriots are plus-9 in turnover differential; the Dolphins are minus-10. New England is on an eight-game winning streak but will play without TE Rob Gronkowski as he serves a one-game suspension for a late, gratuitous hit to the head of Bills DB Tre’Davious White.