NFL Week 14 – Divisional Battles, Wildcard Battles, What More Could We Ask For
NFL Week 14 is here and we already had some great matchups and we had some terrible ones. Things are starting to take shape in the AFC and NFC playoff picture. Thursday Night Football helped move the LA Rams one step closer to that NFC West title. While the loss saw New England Patriot’s streak of 17 straight seasons of 10 or more wins came to an end.
Sunday would also give us a lot more idea of what teams would be competing in this years 7 team playoff format. It also saw the NFC East continue to search for a team that really wants to win. Could it be The Washington Football Team? Even the Dallas Cowboys are still in it.
For all, you NFL Fans out there that like to bet now might be the time to cash in on some of those playoff predictions. Or if not get in on the action now. The Buccaneers and Cardinals helped themselves today with wins while Washington also helped out their cause. In the AFC Raiders or Dolphins? Sports Betting Dime and their NFL playoff odds will help you navigate the final spots as we finish up the season
The Winners And Losers From Sunday Morning NFL Week 14
The losers for the NFL Week 14 early games were the football fans. Even the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs game that ended 33-27 was a blowout for the defending super bowl champs most of the game. Kansas City has the top seed to lose and unless they stumble in week 15 they should be able to cruise to that 1st round bye. The Miami Dolphins drop to 8-5 and while they are currently holding the final wildcard spot we will get to that a bit later.
The Tennesse Titans looked to have fixed the problems they had and are back rolling. Give the ball to Derrick Henry, Right! 215 yards on 26 carries and adding 2 touchdowns he was able to run over the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-10. The Titans hold onto their lead in the AFC south but only on a tiebreaker. The Jags brought back Minshew Mania but won’t be as bad as the Jet’s to get Trevor Lawrence.
Does anyone else feel bad for Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans? Watson had a solid game going 21/30 for 219 yards and a touchdown but he can only do so much with no weapons around him on offense. The Chicago Bears keep their playoff hopes alive and switch back to Mitch “The Truth” Trubisky. He had himself a day with 3 touchdowns in the air, one of them to Allen Robinson who had 9 catches for 123 yards. If the Bears figure out the offense they could be a dangerous team down the stretch.
New York Football Giants had a chance to keep pace with whatever Washington is called nowadays. After an impressive win on the road in Seattle, Joe Judge wasn’t able to get his team up for the Arizona Cardinals. Daniel Jones would fumble 3 times (Lost one) in his return before being benched for Colt McCoy. He also put the ball on the turf as Arizona got back in the win column 26-7. They currently hold the final wildcard spot in the NFC.
How about dem Cowboys? Dallas was able to stay alive with a 30-7 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow started the season off with such potential. Hopefully, he can come back in top form next season because losing by 23 points to Dallas is terrible. The most exciting play was the “Butt” fumble scoop and score by Aldon Smith.
Despite the terrible record in primetime and against the divisional opponent Saints. Tompa Bay and the Buccaneers moved to 8-5 with a solid 26-14 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Brady was a modest 15/23 for 196 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tampa was able to get the lead in the first half after a missed field goal by Dan Bailey. He would miss two more in the game and single-handedly kicked the Viking’s wildcard hopes out the window.
I am not spending very much time on the Denver Broncos 32-27 win over the Carolina Panthers. But I will mention it because both teams are technically still alive for the playoffs. It would take a miracle from either to get in but it was just a couple of weeks ago the Broncos didn’t even have a starting QB so give them a break. Thankfully the NFL Week 14 afternoon and evening game gave us a lot better action.
Late Games and The Bills Sunday Night Performance
After scoring on their first drive of the game for the 7th straight time. N.Y. Jet’s were outscored 40-0 by the Seahawks. The Jet’s are well on their way to joining the Browns and Lions as 0-16 teams. Seattle kept pace with the Rams and all but locked up a playoff spot. The Seahawks take on, winners of 4 straight games, Washington before ending the season with the Rams and 49ers. The Jet’s are just hoping Lawrence doesn’t go back to college.
The Washington Football team found a way to hold off the San Francisco 49ers 23-15. Despite Alex Smith getting benched for Dwyane Haskins and the two combining for 107 yards passing they moved to 6-7 and atop the NFC East. I really hope they don’t win another game as I want a Division winner to win only 6 wins. The 49ers are still in it but have suffered way too many injuries this season to be a true competitor.
Philip Rivers is enjoying his time with the Indianapolis Colts more than… Actually never mind. It helps when Jonathon Taylor rushes the ball for 20 times, 150 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Rivers finally has an O-line and a playmaker in T.Y. Hilton. After the 44-27 win Indy keeps pace at 9-4 with the Titans. They are almost a lock to make the postseason while the loss was tough for Las Vegas. At 7-6, they are very much still in it. They just didn’t make it easy on themselves. Firing your Defensive Coordinator won’t help either.
Aaron Rodgers helped his MVP like season by going 26/33, 290 yards and 3 TDs. He also added one on the ground as the Green Bay Packers beat the Detroit Lions 31-24. Devante Adams was the go too target with 7 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. Detriot was in the game at half tied 14-14 but fell apart. They are also mathematically still in the hunt but don’t put your money on it.
The Unnamed Show Upset Of The Week
The 11-2 New Orleans Saints headed into NFL week 14 against the 3-8-1 Philadelphia Eagles. A cakewalk for Sean Payton’s Saints on paper but we play the games on Sunday for a reason. The Eagles had benched Carson Wentz and rookie Jalen Hurts would make his first start. After a scoreless first quarter Hurts would show sparkles of what he could bring to the NFL. He would find Alshon Jeffrey for the 15-yard score.
The Saints couldn’t get the running game going as the Eagles defense showed up for their young QB. Alvin Kamara was held to just 50 yards on 11 carries. Meanwhile, Miles Sanders would score in the second quarter. Part of his 115 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 14 carries. The Saints were down 17-0 at half to a terrible eagles team and a rookie QB.
The halftime speech must have been good as New Orleans came out with a purpose. After forcing Philly to punt they would drive downfield and Kamara would punch it in. Another stop and Emmanuel Sanders would catch a 37-yard pass from Hill. Suddenly it was 17-14 and the Saints had a chance to tie or take the lead. Josh Sweat would make sure that didn’t happen. He forced a fumble on Taysom Hill and Hurts would lead the drive downfield for the Sanders score.
Things would get interesting late but Philly would hold on and force the Saints out of first in the NFC. The Eagles are also right in the thick of the NFC East. New Orleans should get Bree’s back soon but take on the Chiefs next week so things don’t get any easier.
Sunday Night NFL Week 14 Bills Keep Rolling Against Steelers
We had a great NFL Week 14 Sunday night matchup with the Steelers and Bills. Coming off their first loss of the year to Washington Pittsburg was looking to rebound and keep pace with the Chiefs. It was a defensive game as people expected but maybe not this defensive. The Teams would stumble through the first quarter and I couldn’t figure it out.
It turned out it was a bit of both. Pittsburg would strike first on a Ben Roethlisberger touchdown toss to James Washington. Buffalo would drive down and get a field goal to make it 7-3. As the half would wind down the Steelers would gift the Bills the lead with a pick 6. Big Ben was taken back 51 yards by Taron Johnson.
Josh Allen would lead the Bills to a 23-7 lead after two touchdown passes in the 3rd quarter. Despite as hard as the Steelers tried they couldn’t climb all the way back into the game and Buffalo would move to 10-3 atop the AFC East. Pittsburg is heading the wrong way after starting 11-0 and will take on the Bengals next week to try and right the ship.
Sports Talk Lines NFL Week 14 Coverage
Sports Talk Line has you covered from every angle for NFL Week 14. Steven VanOver brings you the live up to minute highlights and analysis on Twitter. Also check out the Sports Talk Line YouTube Channel for game highlights, pre-game, and post-game coverage.
Sunday I joined Van to dissect the NFL Week 14 that was and look forward to the rest of the season. And as always be sure to check out our revamped Sports Talk Line Website!
