104th season, Week 14 preview

[racepug]

'N'awlins' vs. CAR - the Saints can forge a three-way tie for first place with a win while the Panthers are workin' their way to the #1 pick in the 2024 draft (though CHI owns the Panthers' pick).

ATL vs. T.B. - the other all-N.F.C. South match-up of the day. If ATL wins they stay in first place all by themselves; if T.B. wins it'll be tied for first place in the division with ATL and possibly with 'N'awlins,' as well (but ALL with LOSING records if it happens).

CIN vs. Indy - the Bengals won a tight one in Jacksonville last Monday while the Colts have quietly won 4 in a row going into this one. Will CIN win again with its backup QB (Jake Browning) or will the Colts come through with their 5th win in a row?

CHI vs. DET - another one of those "first in the division" vs. "last in the division" contests. The Lions already beat 'Da Bears' earlier in the season (albeit in a close one that many thought 'Da Bears' should've won) and need to win over their division rivals, again, to stay on pace for their first division title in 30 years.

the NYJ vs. HOU - the Jets, frankly, have been a mess ever since Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon in the first game (first drive!) of the season. The Texans, meanwhile, are looking to make the playoffs in their first year under DeMeco Ryans (and look like they have a decent shot of doing so).

CLE vs. JAX - the Browns have lost 2 in a row to fall 2 games back of BAL in the division while JAX, though it lost last Monday, still leads its division.

BAL vs. the LAR - the Ravens, as noted previously, lead the A.F.C. North while the Rams come into this one on a 3-game winning streak. Can Aaron Donald & Co. find a way to slow Lamar Jackson & Co. down and upset the Ravens?

the LVR vs. MIN - the Raiders have lost 2 straight after winning their first two under interim H.C. Antonio Pierce while the Vikings have also lost 2 straight after winning 6 of their previous 7 games. Sum'pin's gotta give in Las Vegas on Sunday.

SFO vs. SEA - the 49ers just crushed last year's N.F.C. champions one week ago while the Seahawks have lost 3 straight and 4 of their previous 5 (including a demoralizing and convincing loss to SFO on T'giving Day at home 2½ weeks ago). All signs point to another convincing 49ers win on Sunday.

K.C. vs. BUF - the Chiefs are in first place in their division but haven't looked potent on offense all season while the Bills come into this one a disappointing 6 - 6. When the N.F.L. front office put this season's schedule together they probably thought that this would be a game that would help determine seeding in the A.F.C. playoffs but right now only one of these teams looks like a (fairly) sure bet to make the playoffs.

the LAC vs. DEN - the Broncos had a 5-game winning streak ended last Sunday while the Chargers beat the Patriots for the first time since 2008 in one of the lowest-scoring N.F.L. games you'll ever see (especially in this day and age). The Broncos, despite the loss last week, have been trending in the more positive direction over the last few weeks than have the Chargers.

DAL vs. PHI (Sunday night) - the 'Iggles' barely won the home game between these two a few weeks ago and come in off of a humiliating loss to the 49ers last Sunday. If the Cowboys win they'll forge a tie atop the division with only 4 weeks left in the regular season.

the NYG vs. G.B. (Monday night) - in one of two Monday night games this week the Packers travel to N.Y. to take on the Giants. Los Gigantes are in 3rd place in the N.F.C. East (½ game up on the lowly Commanders) while the Packers are trending in a positive direction having won 3 straight games and 4 of their last 5. Los Gigantes don't seem to have much chance of making the playoffs this year while the Packers are very much still in the hunt for a playoff berth in this first season post-Aaron Rodgers - as long as they keep winning.

MIA vs. TEN (Monday night) - two teams moving in opposite directions as the Titans are in last place in the A.F.C. South while MIA is in first place in the A.F.C. East. Given what's happened with these two teams going into this game it would be a shocker if TEN were to pull the upset.

[JohnTurney]

this will be on of the poorest Sundays in recent memory
for QB matchups ... so many injuries ...there may be
more INTS than TDS thrown

not really, that cannot happen in today's game -- so few picks
but even that will be interesting -- to see how bad it can get.

[NWebster]

this will be on of the poorest Sundays in recent memory
for QB matchups ... so many injuries ...there may be
more INTS than TDS thrown

not really, that cannot happen in today's game -- so few picks
but even that will be interesting -- to see how bad it can get.

My local market (Philly btw one of the largest in the US) has a single 1PM game matching up CJ Bethard led Jags against the Joe Flacco led Browns.

[Brian wolf]

I think Lawrence is starting today ...

"New" Browns bringing up Art Modell and the ghost of christmas' past dumping PJ Walker, who balled out for his teammates. Imagine helping your team and getting dumped before Christmas.
They may regret it.

[JohnTurney]

My local market (Philly btw one of the largest in the US) has a single 1PM game matching up CJ Bethard led Jags against the Joe Flacco led Browns.

Joe Pisarcik vs Jeb Blount-style
Randy Hedberg vs Bob Avalinni-esque?

[Brian wolf]

Crazy MNF games! Dolphins choked, while the Giants took it from the Packers ...

[racepug]

this will be on of the poorest Sundays in recent memory
for QB matchups ... so many injuries

It DOES seem like there've been more starting QBs injured and "out for the season" than normal this year, doesn't it? Indy, CIN, CLE, PIT(?), the NYJ, MIN, the NYG(?), and now the LAC. Are there even more than that? Is it really an abnormally large # of starting QBs out for the year this season or does it just seem like it?

[JohnTurney]

It DOES seem like there've been more starting QBs injured and "out for the season" than normal this year, doesn't it? Indy, CIN, CLE, PIT(?), the NYJ, MIN, the NYG(?), and now the LAC. Are there even more than that? Is it really an abnormally large # of starting QBs out for the year this season or does it just seem like it?

It does seem like a lot ... but I am sure someone will do a story on it since QBs get so much attention.

[Brian wolf]

Not a good look for Bisquit as he continues to struggle with his Steelers teammates. Can the team avoid a losing season? Fans of Gardner Minshew have to feel redemption this year as he has proven he can start and win games regardless of the Colts final record. Can he help the team to another winning record since 2021?

Speaking of backups, Mullens had the Vikes poised to win but let a lead slip away today, as the Vikes can only hope to beat the Lions the next two out of three remaining games. How the hell did the Bengals beat the Vikings to the snap on a critical QB push play? Not very well executed with the game on the line, as Browning takes advantage of opportunity, knocking ...

[JohnTurney]

Is it really an abnormally large # of starting QBs out for the year this season or does it just seem like it?

I counted 19 of 32 starting QBs the intended starter at beginning of season- 13 or so backups this weekend