With week 14 here in the NFL season, we are now in the final stretch of the regular season. Each week from here on out will have significant implications. Here are five things to watch in the week 14 slate.
Five Things to Watch in NFL Week 14
The NFC West Race
The NFC West is the most interesting division of the 2024 NFL season. Each team has at least six losses and is still alive to win the division. Right now, the Seattle Seahawks are in first place. The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks take on each other for the second time in three weeks. Seattle took the first matchup at home, which gave them a leg up against Arizona for the division lead. Arizona has been on a two-game losing streak, and if they want to try to take back control of the NFC West as they had before the week 12 matchup with Seattle, they have to come away with the win in Arizona.
On Sunday, the Los Angeles Rams have a matchup with the hottest team in the league, the Buffalo Bills. At no point this season have the Rams been in first place for the division or even tied for first place. They will have a chance to at least tie for the division lead if they are able to pull off the upset at home against the Bills.
The San Francisco 49ers take on the Chicago Bears and will be looking to wipe the bad taste out of their mouths from an embarrassing loss to the Bills last Sunday. Unlike the other three teams in the division, the 49ers have seven losses and are two games back out of first place in the division. Essentially, the 49ers have to win out for a chance to win the division, and even then, that may not be enough.
Chargers chance at making a statement against KC Chiefs
The LA Chargers will go on the road Sunday night for a showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. This game and stage will allow the Chargers to make a statement in front of the country. At 8-4, LA has the fifth seed in the playoffs but only has one win over a team with a winning record currently, and that was against the Denver Broncos.
A statement win against the Chiefs will solidify the Chargers as a team to be reckoned with once the AFC playoffs roll around. The two teams matched up back in September, with the Chiefs taking the win in LA; however, the Chargers will need a win over the Chiefs to be considered legitimate playoff contenders in the AFC.
Saquon Barkley MVP Case
The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The current odds for MVP have Barkley at second, right behind Josh Allen. A big game against the Panthers will continue bolstering Barkley’s MVP case. The last running back to win the award was Adrian Peterson back in 2012, and that season, Peterson rushed for over 2,000 yards. Barkley is on pace for 2,124 yards, which would break the record for most rushing yards in a season, so a big game and a big December for Barkley could push him atop the NFL MVP race.
Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota
After spending six seasons as the head signal caller for the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins will return to Minnesota for the first time since signing with the Atlanta Falcons during 20204 free agency. It will be sentimental for the Cousins, but it is also an important game for the Falcons and its race for the NFC South division.
Right now, the Falcons hold the division lead at 6-6, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also 6-6. The Falcons hold the tiebreaker, so they are in the first place. The Falcons are currently on a three-game losing streak and need a win in the worst way if they want to maintain their hold on the NFC South.
Steelers push AFC North lead?
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a chance to extend their AFC North lead on Sunday with a win over the Cleveland Browns. The Baltimore Ravens will be on their bye week this week, so an extra win for the Steelers will put them a clear two games up on Baltimore, which will be beneficial for the Steelers as the two will meet each other once again before the season is over.
Also, with a loss from the Chiefs and the Bills, the Steelers are very much alive for the top seed in the AFC playoffs.
Main Image: Vincent Carchietta – Imagn Images
