Tag: Recaps

Los Angeles Chargers (9-6) at New England Patriots (3-12), 1 p.m. ET, NFL Network
The Chargers have the best scoring defense in the NFL, allowing only 18.3 points per game. They haven’t allowed more than 20 points in a road game this season, a feat achieved by only five teams in NFL history, including the 2010 Chicago Bears and the 2001 Philadelphia Eagles.

The Patriots have struggled with turnovers. They’ve lost five straight games while starting rookie quarterback Drake Maye (14 touchdowns, 10 interceptions). Maye has thrown at least one touchdown pass in seven consecutive games, tying Jim Plunkett’s (1971) record for the longest streak by a rookie in franchise history.

Maye has also completed 67.6% of his passes, just shy of the rookie record of 67.8% set by Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys, 2016). However, Maye has thrown an interception in seven straight games. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has 18 touchdowns and only three interceptions this season, although two of those interceptions came in the last two games.

New England has a strong record at home in this matchup, with a 12-2 all-time record when hosting the Chargers.

Denver Broncos (9-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (7-8), 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network
The Broncos are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive as the end of the season approaches. Denver lost the chance to secure a wild-card spot to the Chargers last week, but they still have a shot at reaching the playoffs and winning 10 games for the first time since 2015, when Peyton Manning led the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory.

Denver leads the NFL with 51 sacks, and rookie quarterback Bo Nix has thrown two or more touchdowns in six games without any interceptions this season. That’s an impressive achievement, but Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been even better.

Burrow leads the league with 4,229 passing yards and 39 touchdown passes. He is one of only four players to throw for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in three of their first five seasons, joining Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Dan Marino.

Burrow has been incredibly consistent, setting the record for the most games with 250 or more passing yards and three or more touchdown passes in a row, a streak he can extend to eight games on Saturday.

Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase leads the NFL with 108 receptions, 1,510 yards, and 16 touchdowns this season, and has 45 career touchdowns so far. Only Randy Moss (53) and Jerry Rice (49) had more in their first four NFL seasons.

Arizona Cardinals (7-8) at Los Angeles Rams (9-6), 8 p.m. ET, NFL Network
If the Rams beat the Cardinals, they’ll secure their sixth season with double-digit wins under head coach Sean McVay. However, Los Angeles will need to wait until Week 18 to see if they can make the playoffs, as they will face the Seahawks in that final game.

The Rams’ defense has been performing well, thanks to the strong play of their young players on the defensive line and linebackers. Wide receiver Puka Nacua has been a standout for the Rams, leading the NFL with 57 receptions since Week 10. He has caught at least five passes and gained more than 50 yards in every game during that stretch.

The Cardinals’ playoff chances are now gone after a loss to Carolina in overtime last week, which was their third consecutive loss on the road. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 26-9 in Los Angeles last season. Since their bye week, the Rams have won 8 out of 10 games after starting the season 1-4.

Running back Kyren Williams has been a key contributor in the Rams’ success, especially during their 4-0 run in December. Williams, a Pro Bowl selection last season, has a career-high 1,243 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 303 carries, including a 122-yard game against the Jets last week.

–Sunday
New York Jets (4-11) at Buffalo Bills (12-3), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Bills are trying to get wide receiver Amari Cooper more involved. Cooper was traded from the Cleveland Browns to Buffalo in October and has made 17 catches for 241 yards and one touchdown in seven games with the Bills. However, he had just one catch for 10 yards last week against the Patriots.

Buffalo needs a win to finish the season 8-0 at home, a record they have achieved only twice before (1988, 1990). Bills quarterback Josh Allen has 75 career regular-season wins, which ties him with Russell Wilson for the most wins by a quarterback in his first seven seasons in NFL history.

The Jets, on the other hand, are not playing for the playoffs but for individual milestones. Aaron Rodgers has thrown 499 regular-season touchdown passes and is one away from joining the 500 Club, which includes Tom Brady (649), Drew Brees (571), Peyton Manning (539), and Brett Favre (508).

Rodgers is playing in his 247th career game on Sunday. The Jets are 1-5 in their last six games and lost the first game between these two teams 23-20 in Week 6.

Carolina Panthers (4-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Carolina scored 36 points and defeated the Cardinals last week. The Panthers are playing with a lot of energy and would love to spoil the Buccaneers’ chances of winning the NFC South title.

Tampa Bay’s quarterback Baker Mayfield, who started for Carolina in 2022, has been playing well under the coaching of Dave Canales, who was the Panthers’ offensive coordinator last season. Mayfield has had five games this season where he threw for over 300 yards and multiple touchdown passes.

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young hopes to reach that level but is happy to rely on running back Chuba Hubbard when needed. Hubbard has set career highs in yards from scrimmage (1,366), rushing yards (1,195), and rushing touchdowns (10) in 2024. The Buccaneers are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Down by two points late in the fourth quarter, Buccaneers running back Rachaad White fumbled, ending their potential game-winning drive. Mayfield is focused on helping wide receiver Mike Evans reach 1,000 yards for the 11th straight season. Evans needs 182 more yards, and he has had a lot of success against Carolina, averaging 140.5 yards in his last four home games against them.

Dallas Cowboys (7-8) at Philadelphia Eagles (12-3), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The Eagles may rely heavily on running back Saquon Barkley this week due to some injury concerns at quarterback. Jalen Hurts (concussion) and Kenny Pickett (ribs) were both hurt in last week’s 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders.

There’s a lot that has changed since the Cowboys were beaten badly 34-6 by the Eagles on Nov. 10. Dallas is trying to get back to .500, but they lost another key player: wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb, who is second in the NFL with 101 receptions, is out for the rest of the season along with quarterback Dak Prescott.

The Eagles are expected to lean on Barkley, who leads the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,114) and rushing yards (1,838). Without Lamb, Dallas faces bigger challenges, and quarterback Cooper Rush will have to step up to lead the offense. Rush has led the Cowboys to victories in four of their last five games, throwing nine touchdown passes and only one interception.

The Eagles’ defense had five takeaways against Washington last week but has a negative turnover margin for the season (28 turnovers, 18 takeaways). In comparison, the Cowboys are tied for fifth in the NFL with a plus-10 turnover margin (26 takeaways, 16 turnovers).

Indianapolis Colts (7-8) at New York Giants (2-13), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The Colts are still in the playoff race, but they are two games behind the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos, with just two games left. The Chargers and Broncos both play on Saturday.

If both teams win, the Colts will be eliminated from playoff contention and miss the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson may not play if there’s no chance for Indy to make the playoffs, as he’s dealing with foot and back injuries.

Running back Jonathan Taylor, however, is ready for a bigger role after rushing for 218 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries in last week’s 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans. The Giants are at risk of losing their 11th straight game. They have struggled offensively, averaging only 14.3 points per game this season.

Drew Lock is starting at quarterback for the fourth time in the last five games. He had an MRI on his shoulder after the 34-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but no serious injury was found. Lock is 0-3 as a starter this season and has completed only 52.7% of his passes, with one touchdown and four interceptions in 129 attempts.

Tennessee Titans (3-12) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-12), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
For the second time in 21 days, the Titans and Jaguars are facing off, with both teams fighting for a spot at the bottom of the AFC South and a better position in the NFL draft. The loser of this game may actually benefit in the long run, as it would improve their chances of getting the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Mason Rudolph will start for the Titans this week after throwing for 252 yards and two touchdowns, but also three interceptions, in last week’s 38-30 loss at Indianapolis. The Titans have the highest turnover total in the NFL with 32 turnovers, and their offensive line has allowed 47 sacks this season, including 40 while Will Levis was the quarterback.

Levis has thrown 12 interceptions and lost two fumbles, while Rudolph has thrown eight interceptions and lost a fumble. In their previous meeting on Dec. 8, Jacksonville won 10-6, holding Tennessee to just 272 total yards and limiting Levis to 168 passing yards. This was Jacksonville’s only road win of the season.

The Jaguars are coming off a 19-14 loss to another three-win team, the Las Vegas Raiders, which moved them up to the projected No. 3 pick in the draft, just ahead of Tennessee. Jacksonville may be missing up to six regular starters on offense this week.

Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) at New Orleans Saints (5-10), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
The Las Vegas Raiders hired Antonio Pierce as their head coach after he stepped in as interim head coach last season and helped the team achieve a 5-4 record. However, the disappointing 2024 season has left Pierce’s future uncertain.

The New Orleans Saints are 3-3 under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who took over after Dennis Allen was fired following a seven-game losing streak. The Raiders are expected to start second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell, who has shared the starting role with Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder.

Rizzi had a strong start, winning his first two games and three of his first four, but the team suffered its worst loss under his leadership with a 34-0 defeat to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is now in his second season with New Orleans, is trying to recover from an injury to his left (non-throwing) hand.

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, who is 0-4 as a starter and struggled in the loss to the Packers, is more likely to start on Sunday. Last week, the Raiders ended a 10-game losing streak with a 19-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Miami Dolphins (7-8) at Cleveland Browns (3-12), 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS
Saturday’s NFL games could decide if the Dolphins have a chance to make the playoffs. Miami is hoping for a shot at the postseason, while Cleveland is just looking for a rare win after a disappointing season.

The Browns, who were expected to compete for the playoffs, now have a slim chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With quarterbacks Deshaun Watson (Achilles injury) and Jameis Winston (shoulder injury) both unavailable, second-year quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start.

Last week, Thompson-Robinson struggled in a 24-6 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 20 of 34 passes for 157 yards, two interceptions, and being sacked five times. He is dealing with a quad issue and is looking to avoid those mistakes this week.

Miami’s defense, which has 31 sacks (ranked 26th) and eight interceptions (tied for 22nd), will try to pressure him further. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel stated he will not rest any players, even if Saturday’s results cause Miami to miss the playoffs.

Green Bay Packers (11-4) at Minnesota Vikings (13-2), 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
Both the Vikings and Packers are still fighting for playoff positioning, with both teams trailing the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has had an impressive first season with the team, becoming the first quarterback to win 13 or more games in his first year with a team since Dak Prescott in 2016 and the first non-rookie since Peyton Manning in 2012.

He has been supported by former Packers running back Aaron Jones and All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has 92 receptions for 1,387 yards and 10 touchdowns. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has led the team to 13 wins in two of his first three seasons, a feat matched only by Packers coach Matt LaFleur and former 49ers coach George Seifert.

Green Bay has also secured a playoff spot for the fifth time in six years under LaFleur. The Packers, led by running back Josh Jacobs (with a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns) and quarterback Jordan Love, nearly made a comeback in the first meeting with the Vikings.

Love threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns in that game but was intercepted three times. Last season, Love also had four total touchdowns in a win against Minnesota on New Year’s Eve.

Atlanta Falcons (8-7) at Washington Commanders (10-5), 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
The “Sunday Night Football” game in Week 17 features two teams with top-10 draft picks. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who was selected No. 8 in the 2024 NFL Draft, will try to help Atlanta’s playoff hopes in his second career start.

The Commanders, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels (the No. 2 pick), are fighting for their first playoff spot since 2020. Washington can secure a playoff spot if the Panthers beat the Buccaneers earlier in the day.

If Tampa Bay wins, Washington will need to beat Atlanta to clinch. The Falcons are looking for their third straight win, while Washington has won three in a row and could reach 11 wins for the first time since 1991. Penix won his debut last week with a 34-7 victory against the Giants, completing 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards and an interception.

Daniels, meanwhile, had an incredible performance last week, throwing for 258 yards and running for 81 yards, including a game-winning touchdown with six seconds left, in a win over the Eagles. Daniels has rushed for a team-high 737 yards and six touchdowns this season. Washington’s offense ranks third in the league in rushing (152.7 yards per game) and 16th in passing (220.9 yards per game).

Dallas Cowboys (5-8) at Carolina Panthers (3-10) 1 p.m. ET, FOX
How likely is it that the Carolina Panthers are favored in a game this season? This is the week. For the first time since December 2022, oddsmakers are giving the Panthers the edge, with a 2.5-point favorite line as of Friday afternoon, against the Cowboys.

Dallas comes to Charlotte after a tough 27-20 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at home on Monday night. The Cowboys’ chances for the playoffs are becoming slimmer after a blocked punt led to the Bengals’ game-winning score.

The Panthers are familiar with bad luck. Carolina lost its last three games but had opportunities to win each one late in close games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas has played in close games for three weeks straight, winning the first two.

Cooper Rush is still the starting quarterback with Dak Prescott out. Rush has failed to pass for over 200 yards in the past two games, while RB Rico Dowell has had back-to-back 100-yard games on the ground. One player the Panthers remember from their 33-10 loss to Dallas last season is LB Micah Parsons, who had six tackles, including 2.5 sacks in the meeting.

Panthers QB Bryce Young threw an interception for the first time in four games last week, but head coach Dave Canales continues to praise his progress and competitive spirit.

Kansas City Chiefs (12-1) at Cleveland Browns (3-10) 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Andy Reid has a perfect 9-0 record against Cleveland and has beaten Kevin Stefanski’s Browns twice, including a playoff win in 2021. The Chiefs (12-1) secured their ninth straight division title with a close 19-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday night.

Kansas City might get PK Harrison Butker back from injured reserve, which would be a valuable addition in such a tight season. Both coaches have emphasized the importance of pass rush and pass protection, as breakdowns have led to turnovers — the two starting quarterbacks have thrown 20 interceptions combined, which has changed the momentum in several games.

Browns QB Jameis Winston has 1,975 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has completed 68.1% of his passes, totaling 3,189 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.

The Browns’ offense improved with Winston at quarterback, but they lost 27-14 to the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, officially eliminating them from playoff contention. The Chiefs are aiming to rack up wins, as they face a tough stretch of three games in 11 days while holding a two-game lead in the AFC homefield race.

Miami Dolphins (6-7) at Houston Texans (8-5), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Miami Dolphins’ playoff hopes are slim, and they could get even slimmer if they lose their eighth game of the season on Sunday against Houston. The Dolphins have won four out of their last five games, but their playoff chances remain remote.

Miami went 1-3 and averaged just 10 points per game while QB Tua Tagovailoa was out with a concussion and are still trying to recover. They lost their first two games after Tagovailoa returned from IR but have scored over 30 points in three of their last four games.

Last week, the Dolphins kept hope alive by forcing overtime with a 52-yard field goal from Jason Sanders with seven seconds left, eventually beating the Jets. After a bye week, Houston has a chance to win back-to-back division titles with a win on Sunday and a loss by the Indianapolis Colts to the Denver Broncos.

The Texans lead the Colts by two games and have swept the season series, giving them the important tiebreaker. With a tough schedule ahead — Miami is the first of three opponents in 11 days — head coach DeMeco Ryans is keeping the team’s focus on Sunday’s game.

Houston will visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 21, then host the Baltimore Ravens four days later on Christmas Day. The Texans are still looking to find consistency after winning only two games since a 5-1 start.

New York Jets (3-10) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
This matchup feels more like a race for the No. 1 overall draft pick, with the Jaguars fighting for the top spot in the draft for the third time in five years (2021, 2022).

Jacksonville and the Jets are tied with three wins, meaning the team that loses could end up with the higher draft pick in April. Both teams could use some good news. Jacksonville ended a five-game losing streak with a win for the first time since October 20.

The Jets haven’t won since Halloween and are now on a four-game losing streak after falling to Miami last week. The Jets have lost nine out of their last 10 games, including four in a row. They’re 2-7 in close games and have lost their last three games by just 12 points.

QB Aaron Rodgers, who turned 41 this month, passed for 339 yards and a touchdown in a 32-26 overtime loss at Miami. He has 2,966 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. Rodgers will face Jaguars QB Mac Jones with Trevor Lawrence (concussion, shoulder) on IR.

Washington Commanders (8-5) at New Orleans Saints (5-8), 1 p.m., FOX
Saints fans, get ready for Jake Haener? It’s possible that New Orleans will give Haener his first career start or bring him in early, depending on the health of QB Derek Carr (hand). Perhaps Haener will try to follow the path of Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels, who is back in Louisiana, where he was a star and Heisman Trophy winner at LSU last season.

Daniels could become the fourth rookie QB with 3,000 passing yards (currently at 2,819) and 500 rushing yards (currently at 589). This game could also be a homecoming for Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who was traded from New Orleans to Washington on November 5.

The four-time Pro Bowler has missed the last five games due to a hamstring injury suffered while with the Saints, but he practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday. For a bit of inspiration for a holiday workout, look at the career of Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner.

At 34 years old, Wagner has 104 tackles in 2024, making it his 13th consecutive season with 100 tackles. Only London Fletcher has a streak as long as this since 2000. Wagner will face Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who leads all running backs with 64 receptions this season.

Kamara is third in the NFL with 1,423 yards from scrimmage and needs 62 yards to achieve his first-ever 1,000-yard rushing season. Kamara also only needs 15 more yards to reach 500 receiving yards for the season for the fifth time.

Baltimore Ravens (8-5) at New York Giants (2-11), 1 p.m. ET, CBS
The Ravens face an intense 11 days ahead. Currently in the fifth seed of the conference playoff race, Baltimore still has time to improve its standing.

The Ravens are just two games behind division-leading Pittsburgh with four games left, and they will play the Steelers at home in Week 16 as part of a tough stretch of three games in 11 days, which includes a trip to Houston on Christmas Day. One focus for the Ravens is fixing PK Justin Tucker, who has been struggling.

He kicked outside in the rain this week while the Ravens worked indoors, hoping to break his slump. Tucker, who is known for his reliability, has missed 10 kicks this season, including two PATs. He missed multiple kicks in the Ravens’ 24-19 loss to the Eagles in Week 13, just before the bye week.

The Giants have already had a tough season with an eight-game losing streak, and they are making another quarterback change by starting Tommy DeVito this week. DeVito was named starter after Daniel Jones was released last month, but he was battered in that game and Drew Lock started the Thanksgiving Day loss to Dallas.

DeVito returns with the Giants still looking for their first home win of the season. First-round wide receiver Malik Nabers wasn’t targeted in the first half of DeVito’s previous start. However, Nabers has been very consistent, with five or more receptions in 10 of his 11 games. He has 80 receptions, more than any NFL player in league history through their first 11 career games.

Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) at Tennessee Titans (3-10), 1 p.m. ET, FOX
Titans head coach Brian Callahan might be one of the few people who could come up with a good plan to stop Joe Burrow, who has been on fire this season. Callahan, who became the Titans’ head coach in January, was previously the Bengals’ offensive coordinator and directly coached Burrow.

Burrow is having an outstanding season, leading the NFL with 3,706 passing yards and 33 touchdown passes in 2024. In the game at Dallas on Monday, he had his seventh game this season with three or more touchdown passes and his sixth game with at least 300 passing yards.

If Burrow plays through a sore knee and continues his streak on Sunday in Nashville, he will become the second player in NFL history, after Steve Young in 1998, to have 300 passing yards and three touchdowns in five consecutive games. Another potential All-Pro for Callahan to worry about this week is WR Ja’Marr Chase.

While Titans leading receiver Calvin Ridley has 738 yards in 13 games, Chase has been dominant in his last four games, with 602 yards (150.5 per game) and 8 touchdowns. Chase leads the NFL with 93 catches, 1,319 yards, and 15 touchdowns.

The Titans could soon be looking for their version of Burrow. Will Levis was expected to be their franchise quarterback, but his performances in 2024 have been inconsistent. However, Levis has shown improvement in protecting the ball, as he has not thrown any interceptions in the last two games.

New England Patriots (3-10) at Arizona Cardinals (6-7), 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
First-time general manager Eliot Wolf had the No. 3 pick in the draft and had to choose between two top players: North Carolina QB Drake Maye and Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. The Patriots selected Maye, and he is improving.

In Week 13, before the bye week, Maye completed 24 of 30 passes with one touchdown and rushed for 59 yards. During the break, Wolf and the team got a chance to look at Harrison Jr., who was drafted just after Maye by the Cardinals.

Harrison leads all rookies with seven touchdown catches in 2024. However, he is not the main target for Arizona. Tight end Trey McBride has been on a strong run, with more than seven receptions in the last three games, totaling 31 catches. His 80 catches lead the Cardinals by far.

The Patriots and Maye will try to avoid making plays against safety Budda Baker, who had 18 tackles last week and is second in the NFL with 132 tackles in 2024. Arizona is two games behind both the NFC West lead and the final wild-card spot, giving them two paths to follow.

They would need to pass three teams to make it into the wild-card, but they only need to pass two teams — the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams — to take the division.

Indianapolis Colts (6-7) at Denver Broncos (8-5), 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
The Broncos are currently two games ahead of the Miami Dolphins (6-7) and the Colts in the wild-card race. The two teams face each other after a bye week for the Broncos, giving them extra time to prepare.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen has made it clear that this game is a must-win for his team. The Colts are two games behind the Texans in the AFC South and Houston holds the tiebreaker. Colts running back Jonathan Taylor may be crucial in helping his team avoid losing on the road.

He has six 100-yard games this season, but the Broncos are one of the top teams at disrupting plays in the backfield. That usually means sending linebacker Nik Bonitto, who has 11 sacks this season, and forcing the interior linemen to account for defensive end Zach Allen, who has 12 tackles for loss in 2024.

Denver comes into this game riding a three-game winning streak after their bye week. Not many expected the Broncos’ combination of Bo Nix and Courtland Sutton to be one of the best in the league this season, but they have been playing at a high level, with five straight games where they’ve connected at least six times for 70 yards or more. This is the best QB-WR combo in the NFL this season.

Buffalo Bills (10-3) at Detroit Lions (12-1), 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
This game between two conference leaders at Ford Field could be a preview of the Super Bowl, but more immediately, it looks like a high-scoring matchup.

The Lions are the top-scoring team in the NFL, averaging 32.5 points per game, and the Bills are first in the AFC with 30.5 points per game. Both teams are already in the playoffs, but neither wants to lose now, as it could affect their home-field advantage in the postseason. Buffalo has lost three times on the road this season.

They lost to the Rams in a game where Josh Allen had one of his best performances ever, with 424 yards (342 passing and 82 rushing) and six total touchdowns (three passing, three rushing).

The Bills are trying to avoid losing two road games in a row for the second time this season. Detroit has been handling the challenge of losing several key defensive players, but their offense is explosive and deep. The Lions are already in the playoffs for the second year in a row, their first time achieving this since 1993-95.

Quarterback Jared Goff has thrown 25 touchdown passes to seven different receivers, plus one touchdown to himself (no, really). Detroit’s offensive line and running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are powerful, helping the Lions rush for 1,964 yards and average 4.6 yards per carry in 2024. The battle for NFC homefield advantage could be settled on January 5 at Ford Field when the Minnesota Vikings come to visit.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-5), 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS
Both teams are in the playoff picture as of Week 14, and with four games left in the regular season, neither can afford to lose. The Chargers’ next opponent is their division rival, the Denver Broncos, who share the same 8-5 record. But first, the Chargers must face Tampa Bay’s improving running game and quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Last week, with the Chargers’ top receiver Ladd McConkey sidelined, wide receiver Quentin Johnston stepped up, showing improvement after a tough game against Kansas City.

He has become one of QB Justin Herbert’s main targets again. Herbert has had a remarkable streak of 11 games without an interception, setting an NFL record with 335 consecutive pass attempts without one. Close games are common for the Chargers.

Los Angeles allows the fewest points per game in the league (15.9), but half of their eight wins have been by seven points or less. The Buccaneers are on a three-game win streak, but they have faced teams with a combined 7-32 record, including the Raiders, Giants, and Panthers.

Despite being overlooked in the NFC playoff race due to the weak division, Tampa Bay has wins over the Lions, Eagles, and Commanders, including two division leaders and one wild-card contender. The Buccaneers still have games left against the Cowboys, Panthers, and Saints.

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-2), 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown might have looked ahead at the schedule and prepared to face the Steelers, knowing how well he has played against them. Last time, he had six catches for 153 yards and a career-high three touchdowns against Pittsburgh, and he has had big games in the last two matchups.

While the Eagles’ passing game has not been the main focus, it’s because of Saquon Barkley. Barkley leads the NFL with 1,623 rushing yards this season and has set a franchise record. He also leads the NFL with 1,890 scrimmage yards.

The Eagles will be happy to continue their trend of winning at home, with the home team winning nine of the last ten matchups between the two. However, the Steelers are 6-1 this season with Russell Wilson at quarterback, and Wilson is 5-0 in his career against the Eagles.

Pittsburgh will be missing their top wide receiver, George Pickens, on Sunday. However, their defense is back to full strength with linebacker Alex Highsmith returning to the lineup and recording a sack. He teams up with T.J. Watt, who needs just half a sack to reach 10 for the season for the sixth time in his career.

Green Bay Packers (9-4) at Seattle Seahawks (8-5), 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
The Seattle “12s” are excited for Sunday night, knowing that the home team has won four straight games in the dramatic Packers-Seahawks rivalry. This game could have big playoff implications, with both teams battling for important tiebreakers and home-field advantage.

To keep a playoff home game in reach, Seattle needs to stay ahead of other NFC West teams, especially after the Rams (8-6) defeated the 49ers on Thursday. The Seahawks may have found an unstoppable backfield duo with running back Kenneth Walker III sidelined last week.

Zach Charbonnet set career highs in receptions (seven), total yards (193), rushing yards (134), and two rushing touchdowns in a key win over Arizona. His rise has come alongside wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s improvement, joining receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

With this newfound talent, it’s a good time for Green Bay to have their top cornerback Jaire Alexander healthy again after a month-long absence due to a knee injury. Rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper is also expected to return after a long time out. Green Bay continues to push running back Josh Jacobs, who has eight rushing touchdowns in the last four games.

Jacobs also had a career-high 229 rushing yards and 74 receiving yards with two rushing touchdowns in his only career game against the Seahawks while playing for the Raiders. Seattle defensive tackle Leonard Williams has been playing at a high level recently and is now in the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.