USA TODAY International Edition
Can Wilson stay hot in ‘Saxonville’?
USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell breaks down all the key elements for Week 14 in the NFL, from Russell Wilson to Darrelle Revis to Hue Jackson.
Who’s hot
Russell Wilson. This is what an MVP looks like. Despite injury hits that have depleted the defense of star power and forced a musical chairs scenario with five running backs logging starts, the Seahawks (8-4) are in the thick of the playoff chase largely because their magical quarterback has willed them to that point. Wilson has kept Seattle in every game and sparkled in crunch time, with an NFL-best 134.1 passer rating (15 TDs, 1 INT) in the fourth quarter. It will take some more magic to go cross-country and win at “Saxonville” against the NFL’s best defense. The Jaguars have allowed the fewest yards, passing yards and points (14.8 per game) in the NFL, while compiling an NFL-high 45 sacks.
Pressure’s on
Hue Jackson. In dumping Sashi Brown as chief football architect, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam declared that the coach stays while new GM John Dorsey settles in. So some of the heat on Jackson is relieved…or delayed, despite his 1-27 record. Yet with Green Bay coming, there’s still the matter of the Browns (012) trying to avoid becoming the second team in NFL history to go 0-16. That pressure remains. That and the constant reminders that while Jackson rolls with the NFL’s lowest-rated passer in rookie DeShone Kizer (58.1), they could have drafted Carson Wentz or Deshaun Watson.
Key matchup
Fletcher Cox vs. Rodger Saffold. The marquee value of the NFC showdown between the Rams and Eagles centers around Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. But the difference could very well be found in the trenches, where Cox, the spectacular defensive tackle, leads a Philadelphia unit that is best in the NFL against the run (68.1 yards per game). And without Todd Gurley’s impact (second in the NFL, yards from scrimmage), Goff can turn average in a hurry. That makes Saffold, the left guard ranked by Pro Football Focus as the eighth-best guard this season, a huge key. Can’t hurt that he faces all-pro Dtackle Aaron Donald in practice. But the challenge Sunday includes the spacing in Jim Schwartz’s “wide nine” scheme.
Next man up
Darrelle Revis. The veteran “island man” isn’t actually stepping in for Marcus Peters, the Pro Bowl cornerback that Chiefs coach Andy Reid suspended for their huge game against the Raiders as a disciplinary measure. Revis started opposite Peters in Week 13 and logged 40% of the snaps in his Chiefs debut. Still, Revis will be counted on for even more with Peters out – at least from the standpoint of presence and shutdown coverage – as Raiders quarterback Derek Carr torched the Chiefs for a season-high 417 yards and 3 TDs in Week 7. The other corner to watch? Kenneth Acker, likely to join Revis and Steven Nelson in the rotation.
Rookie watch
T.J. Watt. Surely, the Steelers’ firstround linebacker is used to being referred to as the younger brother of J.J. Watt – which, fair or not, raises expectations because, well, it may be in the genes. Regardless, Watt, with his five sacks tied for second-most among NFL rookies, is making a name for himself as a boost to a much-improved defense, aided by talent he’s surrounded by (Cameron Heyward, et al). And it took him one game to match his big brother’s NFL interception total.
Stomach for an upset
49ers at Texans. One start for Jimmy Garoppolo, one W. That’s not to suggest that he’s destined to match Joe Montana’s achievements, but Garoppolo was smooth enough in triggering San Francisco to a comeback win at Chicago last weekend. We know that new GM John Lynch is stoked. Lynch proclaimed on KNBR that he could have won five rings – not three…but five – had Garoppolo quarterbacked the Bucs during his heyday with Warren Sapp and Co. Let’s just say it’s apparent what a capable quarterback can do for a team’s confidence. In contrast, the 49ers’ chances improve when considering Houston quarterback Tom Savage’s issues. “Turnover Tom” has thrown six picks and lost seven fumbles in his six starts.
If playoffs were today…
The Vikings would be positioned to become the first team to stay at home throughout the NFC playoffs and host a Super Bowl in their home stadium. Minnesota (10-2) moved into position to claim the No. 1 seed, at least temporarily, after the Eagles lost at Seattle last weekend. For a team quarterbacked by solidbut-unproven Case Keenum, it could be the ultimate swing factor. But first things first: Minnesota can clinch the NFC North title with a win on Sunday at Carolina, which would mean handling Cam Newton again. The Vikings defense hammered the Panthers quarterback in notching wins the past two times they met, including the job last season when Newton was sacked a career-high eight times.