WEEK 14 MATCHUPS
INDIANAPOLIS (6-6) AT HOUSTON (9-3)
Here’s a crazy thought: The Houston Texans with home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Yep, the team that began the season 0-3 just might sneak past the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots — both have a more testing December — to secure the coveted No. 1 seed. The Texans’ winning streak has been built in all sorts of ways, from strong defense to opportunistic offense to solid special teams to superb coaching, and with a 10th straight win today, they would all but knock their AFC South rivals out of postseason contention.
NEW ORLEANS (10-2) AT TAMPA BAY (5-7)
The Saints win the NFC South with a victory or a Carolina Panthers loss. They’re eager to get back on the field after their worst performance of 2018, a Thursday night loss at Dallas in which they were overwhelmed by the Cowboys’ defense. Tampa Bay won the first meeting to open the season. Then the Saints won their next 10 games.
L.A. RAMS (11-1) AT CHICAGO (8-4)
The Rams already own the NFC West title but would earn a first-round playoff bye by beating the Bears. The visitors bring the NFL’s second-ranked offense into a matchup with the league’s No. 4 defense. The Bears’ 21 interceptions lead the NFL and will test quarterback Jared Goff.
NEW ENGLAND (9-3) AT MIAMI (6-6)
The Patriots have lost four of their past five at Miami, but a win there today would secure their 10th straight AFC East title. Miami has been outgained by 1,168 yards this season yet is in wild-card contention.
BALTIMORE (7-5) AT KANSAS CITY (10-2)
Beating the high-powered Chiefs at their place calls for a monstrous defensive showing, and Baltimore has the league’s top-ranked unit. It also has a clock-killing ground game with rookie Lamar Jackson at quarterback — the Ravens have had at least 200 yards rushing in three straight weeks. Still, Kansas City is 5-0 at home this season and has plenty of motivation. The Chiefs clinch a playoff berth with a win, and the Los Angeles Chargers are just one game back in the AFC West standings.
CINCINNATI (5-7) AT L.A. CHARGERS (9-3)
The Chargers have a few complicated ways of getting at least a wild-card spot this week, and they could romp today with the Bengals in a rugged, injury-caused slump. Veteran Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has thrown two or more touchdowns in each game this year, tied for the third-longest streak to begin a season in NFL history.
PITTSBURGH (7-4-1) AT OAKLAND (2-10)
The Ravens have crept within a half-game of the Steelers in the AFC North, but Pittsburgh has the more favorable road trip this week. The Steelers are 3-8 all-time in Oakland, but they’ll have to beat themselves to stumble against this year’s Raiders.
PHILADELPHIA (6-6) AT DALLAS (7-5)
Dallas, which has a chance to take firm control of the NFC East, has won four straight and is coming off an impressive Thursday night victory against the Saints 10 days ago. The rest shouldn’t hurt the Cowboys, nor should the confidence of knowing they beat the Eagles in Philadelphia in November.
N.Y. GIANTS (4-8) AT WASHINGTON (6-6)
Remember Mark Sanchez? With both Alex Smith and Colt McCoy out with broken legs, he’s now the Washington Redskins’ starting quarterback. This will be his first start in three years, and the Redskins are banged up in plenty of places besides quarterback. New York has won three of four since its open date. Rookie running back Saquon Barkley and fifth-year receiver Odell Beckham Jr. are having big years despite a leaky offensive line.
DENVER (6-6) AT SAN FRANCISCO (2-10)
Denver has awakened with three consecutive victories, but the Broncos have one road win against the 49ers in the past 30 seasons and lost top receiver Emmanuel Sanders to a torn Achilles’ tendon in practice this past week. San Francisco’s five takeaways are the fewest through 12 games since at least 1940.
CAROLINA (6-6) AT CLEVELAND (4-7-1)
A four-game slide has seriously endangered the Panthers’ playoff chances. Their passing game has struggled, Cam Newton has a sore right shoulder after being picked off four times last week and the Browns lead the AFC with 27 takeaways. Yet the Panthers have averaged 140.8 rushing yards per game, only behind Seattle’s 148.8.
N.Y. JETS (3-9) AT BUFFALO (4-8)
It appears the Jets’ Sam Darnold has recovered from his strained right foot, setting up a matchup with fellow first-round selection Josh Allen among rookie quarterback prospects. Darnold has a 3-6 record and has thrown a league-high 14 interceptions. Allen has passed for 391 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 234 more yards and a score in his past two games since missing four with a sprained right throwing elbow.
DETROIT (4-8) AT ARIZONA (3-9)
The Lions have lost eight straight at Arizona, with their last win there coming in 1993, and they’re 0-3 against NFC West foes this season. Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald needs one catch to move ahead of Jerry Rice for the most receptions for one team in NFL history.
MINNESOTA (6-5-1) AT SEATTLE (7-5)
Whoever emerges in this Monday night meeting has an inside track to a wildcard berth, though Minnesota still thinks it can grab the NFC North title. Seattle is exceptional in prime time — 24-5-1 since 2010 — and rolling on offense, but the Seahawks have been inconsistent defending the pass. That could be a problem. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins lead the league with 350 completions, and top target Adam Thielen is first in the NFL with 98 catches, second in receiving yards with 1,166 and tied for fifth in touchdown catches with nine.