Time to huddle up with another team?
Barring a miracle, there will no playoff appearance in January for the Broncos. So what are Denver fans to do when the regular season ends on New Year’s Eve? Consider this month an audition to find the team you want to cheer to the Super Bowl in Minneapolis in February. There are some up-and-coming candidates — Rams, Vikings, Eagles and Saints — who all have huge opportunities this weekend to prove they are at the top of the short list of true championship contenders. Of course, the old guard — Steelers, Patriots, Seahawks — look strong, too. Oh, the choices.
Colts at Bills, 11 a.m. Buffalo is one of three AFC teams that trail the 7-5 Ravens for the conference’s final wild-card spot. The Bills could be without QB Tyrod Taylor, who suffered a bruised knee in their loss last week. Cowboys at Giants, 11 a.m., KDVR-31.
The Giants cleaned house last week, firing their head coach and general manager, and returned Eli Manning to a starting role after a controversial benching. The Cowboys likely have to win out to reach the playoffs.
Lions at Buccaneers , 11 a.m. Both of these teams expected much more than they’ve produced so far this season. For Tampa Bay, QB Jameis Winston didn’t take the leap the Bucs had hoped for in his third season. The Lions have been felled by a nonexistent running game and spotty play on defense.
Raiders at Chiefs, 11 a.m. Who would have thought, after a 5-0 start, that Kansas City would enter Week 14 fighting for its playoff life? The Raiders already own one victory over the Chiefs this season and could move into first place in the AFC West if they sweep the season series.
49ers at Texans, 11 a.m. All QB Jimmy Garoppolo did in his first start for San Francisco after being traded from New England was lead the 49ers on a five-plus-minute, game-winning drive over the Bears. It’s too early to know if a star was born, but it was an encouraging first
step for the longtime Brady backup.
Packers at Browns, 11 a.m. The Packers, who probably need to win their remaining games to have any hope of reaching the playoffs, could get Aaron Rodgers back for their Week 15 game against the Panthers.
Bears at Bengals, 11 a.m. The progression of rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky has been slow in Chicago. The next four games are key to his confidence and development moving forward.
Vikings at Panthers, 11 a.m. Might Minnesota be staring at home-field advantage up to, and including, the Super Bowl? Philadelphia’s loss in Seattle on Sunday night moved the Vikings into a tie for the NFC’S top seed.
The Panthers are one game behind New Orleans in the race for the NFC South title.
Redskins at Chargers, 2 p.m. The Chargers have rebounded from an 0-4 start by winning six of their last eight. A victory over reeling Washington would keep L.A. in a tie for the AFC West lead with three games to play.
Titans at Cardinals, 2 p.m. Arizona is 8-1 in its last nine home games against AFC teams. But Tennessee, which has won six of its last seven games, has no margin for error in its race for the AFC South crown.
Seahawks at Jaguars, 2:25 p.m. It’s Russell Wilson, Seattle’s escape artist of a quarterback, against the league’s top pass-rushing unit in Jacksonville. Ravens at Steelers, 6:30 p.m., KUSA-9.
Pittsburgh will be without rookie WR Juju Smith-schuster, who will be suspended for an illegal hit on Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict. Baltimore has fought back into the playoff hunt behind a familiar formula: stout defense and efficiency in the running game.
Patriots at Dolphins, 6:30 p.m. Monday, ESPN. The Dolphins seemed to find their offensive rhythm against the Broncos last Sunday. But the Patriots, who have ridden a major in-season improvement by their defense to eight consecutive wins, present a much stiffer challenge, even without star TE Rob Gronkowski (suspension).