RADIO
The Week 14 slate started off with a bang, as the Lions and Packers fought to the finish on Thursday Night Football. Although I was on the wrong side of that one (this article was originally published on Thursday afternoon), I continue to feel good about the process for this week.
There will be some other fun matchups along the way on this slate with six teams on byes before the regular season homestretch. Injuries have also continued to unfold as we get closer to kickoff on Sunday.
From the good to the bad and the ugly, we'll go through every Week 14 game in this article, offering picks, predictions, and analysis for each and every one. Thanks for joining us here at RotoBaller; let's dive into the slate!
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Green Bay Packers 31, Detroit Lions 28
Week 14 of the NFL season kicks off with a banger: The Lions host the Packers in an old-school rivalry game that could have serious Playoff implications. Dan Campbell's rowdy bunch has won 10 straight, a streak that includes a 24-14 Week 9 victory over this Green Bay squad at Lambeau Field.
What a game we’ve got tonight between NFC North division rivals
So who should you start and who should remain on your benches in Week 14?
📝 https://t.co/2oeTw3aYac pic.twitter.com/oJUOIJADuy
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 5, 2024
The Packers haven't lost since falling to Detroit in the aforementioned matchup - a game, by the way, in which they outgained the Lions 411-261 in total yardage. Green Bay's offense has kicked into high gear and is averaging 34 points per game across their last two behind strong running from Josh Jacobs.
While we know just how explosive Detroit is, they're not invincible, as they've escaped close calls against Houston and Chicago in the past month. If they bring anything other than their "A game" against the Pack, this could finally be the week they suffer their second loss of the year.
Minnesota Vikings 27, Atlanta Falcons 24
It's the "Kirk Cousins Bowl" as the former Vikings quarterback returns to Minnesota to face his old team. To say his Atlanta tenure has been uneven would be an understatement. Cousins comes off his worst game as a Falcon, following a putrid performance in last week's loss to the Chargers that included four interceptions.
While the Vikings sit at 10-2, they've been far from dominant as of late, sneaking by with last-minute victories in each of their last two against the Bears and Cardinals.
Though neither team is playing their best ball of the season at this moment, I fully expect Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the Vikings defense to force Cousins into making some costly mistakes in his homecoming.
New Orleans Saints 20, New York Giants 13
It is one of Week 14's ugliest matchups, so you probably aren't tuning into this one unless you are a diehard fan of one of these teams. The Saints and Giants boast a combined record of 6-18. New Orleans fired their head coach earlier this season, and New York's Brian Daboll is fighting to keep his job for 2025.
While few would argue that cutting ties with Daniel Jones was a bad move, the G-Men have quickly shown they had absolutely nothing on the depth chart behind him, as both Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock have looked horrible in their limited opportunities.
While the Saints aren't in much better shape, their offense is at least competent, with Derek Carr under center and Alvin Kamara in the backfield.
Tennessee Titans 20, Jacksonville Jaguars 17
In the "Somebody's Gotta Win" matchup of the week, the 3-9 Titans host the 2-10 Jaguars. New England castoff Mac Jones will likely be taking the snaps for Jacksonville as Trevor Lawrence recovers from a concussion suffered last week following an ugly hit against the Texans.
Tennessee quarterback Will Levis' decision-making remains impossible to trust, but the second-year signal-caller has had some moments in recent weeks, most notably in a Week 12 upset of the Texans in which the Tennessee offense put 32 points on the board.
Levis and the Titans WR duo of Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine should find some success against a Jags secondary that ranks dead last in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game.
Tampa Bay Bucs 27, Las Vegas Raiders 20
Both of these squads come in off of nailbiters in Week 13. The Bucs squeaked past the suddenly-game Panthers in overtime, while the Raiders dropped a heartbreaker to the Chiefs on Black Friday.
Aidan O'Connell's return under center was a breath of fresh air for a Las Vegas offense that's struggled mightily in 2024 and AOC managed to throw for 340 yards against a proven Chiefs defense in the loss.
Tampa has a proven duo in Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans, but it's rookie running back Bucky Irving who's been stealing the show as of late. Irving has recorded 70+ rushing yards and a TD in each of the Bucs' last three games and is proving to be yet another explosive playmaker for a high-octane Tampa offense that will outrun the Silver & Black this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Cleveland Browns 21
Jameis Winston might be the most fun player in the NFL. His performance in a Monday Night Football loss to the Broncos perfectly encapsulates the type of player Winston is, as he threw for a franchise-record 497 yards and four TDs against Denver but also tossed three INTs, two of which were returned for scores.
"I know I'm better than this. I'm just praying for the Lord to deliver me from pick-sixes. Like that's... not me."
— Jameis Winston on his 2 pick-sixes vs. the Broncos pic.twitter.com/WRyxnhPFeJ
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 3, 2024
The Browns used some Jameis magic to defeat these very Steelers in the snow back in Week 12. You had better believe that this Pittsburgh squad will be out for blood in this quick turnaround rematch.
Russell Wilson did his best Winston impression last week against the Bengals, passing for 414 yards and three TDs against Cincy. While Jameis is more fun, Russ is more trustworthy, and I expect the Steelers to get their revenge on the Browns this week.
Philadelphia Eagles 31, Carolina Panthers 17
The Bryce Young renaissance continued last week against the Bucs, as the much-maligned second-year pro and former No. 1 overall pick looked sharp while throwing for 298 yards and leading the Panthers to what appeared to be a game-winning drive near the end of regulation. Though Carolina ultimately lost in overtime, it was an outing that will give Young confidence going forward.
That newfound confidence will be put to the sternest of tests this week against the Eagles. Philly is on a roll as the winners of eight straight following a huge Week 13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
In addition to an offense that's averaging 26.5 points per game behind Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, the Eagles' defense is allowing the league's fewest total yards per game. While I could see the Panthers being frisky early in this one, Philly's talent will overcome any upset bid here.
Miami Dolphins 23, New York Jets 17
Two of the league's most disappointing teams are set to face off in an AFC East divisional matchup in South Beach. Both squads come in licking their wounds off tough losses in Week 13. While the Dolphins can still cling to the hope of a late-season run, the 3-9 Jets have no such dreams.
New York appears to be a broken team. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has looked like a 41-year-old, while star running back Breece Hall could be on the verge of being shut down for the year.
Miami has dominated this series in recent years by taking eight of the last 10 meetings against Gang Green and the 'Fins should add another one to the tally against a Jets squad that has nothing left to play for.
Seattle Seahawks 21, Arizona Cardinals 20
Another quick turnaround matchup, as these teams just squared off in Week 12 with the Seahawks coming out on top 16-6 at Lumen Field. This divisional clash will take place in Arizona with the Cardinals coming off a heartbreaking last-minute loss to the Vikings last week.
I'll be staying far away from this one with my own personal bankroll, as these two squads have been two of the NFL's most unpredictable in 2024.
Both Kyler Murray and Geno Smith have had highs and lows, but I'm most intrigued by Seattle's improving defense, which has held opponents to 21 points or less in each of their last three games.
Buffalo Bills 28, Los Angeles Rams 21
Josh Allen's do-it-all ability appears to have no bounds, as the Bills star QB caught a TD on a pass that he threw in a Sunday night win over the 49ers in the snow. The victory clinched the AFC East title for a 10-2 Buffalo squad that travels cross country to face the Rams in Week 14.
The healthiest they've been all season, L.A. got back to .500 with a hard-fought win last week over the Saints. While the Rams are certainly dangerous as long the trio of Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua are in the lineup, Sean McVay's offense has yet to find a great rhythm in 2024.
I don't expect them to finally break out against a Bills defense that's allowing less than 200 passing yards per game to opponents.
Chicago Bears 24, San Francisco 49ers 23
For the first time in the history of their storied franchise, the Bears fired a head coach before the season was over. Chicago couldn't continue with Matt Eberflus following his latest game-management disaster in a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Lions.
Bears passing game coordinator turned interim offensive coordinator, turned interim head coach Thomas Brown will guide this squad for the rest of the year.
Breaking: The Chicago Bears have fired head coach Matt Eberflus.
Offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will serve as interim head coach, sources told @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/0eNco9t9f5
— ESPN (@espn) November 29, 2024
While the Niners won't be firing Kyle Shanahan anytime soon, their 2024 campaign has also been a disaster - largely due to injuries. San Fran faced even more setbacks in their Week 13 blowout loss to the Bills, as running backs Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason are both headed to IR.
As the injuries keep piling up for the Niners, motivation will be tough to come by, while the Bears could get the "interim coach bump" this week.
Kansas City Chiefs 20, Los Angeles Chargers 17
We end the Sunday slate with a clash between divisional rivals. The Kansas City Chiefs just keep finding ways to win and sit at 11-1 after escaping a Black Friday tussle with the Raiders. Meanwhile, the Chargers escaped Atlanta with a Week 13 victory despite being outgained 350-187 in total yards by the Falcons.
Though both of these squads will have superstar QBs under center, I expect more of a defensive battle in this AFC West showdown.
L.A.'s defense is for real and is allowing the NFL's fewest points per game this season, while KC's stout unit isn't far behind and stands eighth in the league in that department. Expect a close one, but Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have made careers out of winning these types of games.
Cincinnati Bengals 27, Dallas Cowboys 23 (Monday Night Football)
Two of the NFL's most disappointing squads close out Week 14 on Monday Night Football, as the 4-8 Bengals travel to Jerry World to take on the 5-7 Cowboys.
Despite their underwhelming records, both Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are having career-best statistical seasons for this high-octane Cincy offense that's averaging just a shade under 28 points per game. The problem for the Bengals has been a defense that's allowing just over 28 points per contest. The math doesn't add up, does it?
Joe Burrow said on Hard Knocks that he purchased a fully functional Batmobile.
• 525 horsepower
• Weighs 5,500 lbs
• Imitation gun turrets
• Smokescreen delivery systemThe car cost $3 million, and Burrow will be one of only ten people in the world who own one. pic.twitter.com/ABn31CdBfs
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 4, 2024
There are serious questions as the whether the Cooper Rush-led Cowboys can take advantage of this soft Bengals defense, although this version of the 'Boys has averaged 30.5 points over their last two games - both of which were wins. Even though Dallas is at home and on a mini-heater, Burrow will prove to be too much, because "yanno...he's Batman."
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