• A colossal Thursday evening showdown: The Packers and Lions sq. off with not solely divisional title stakes, but in addition NFC competition implications.
• Kirk Cousins appears to be like to get again on monitor in his return to Minnesota: The Falcons quarterback tossed 4 interceptions in Week 13 however appears to be like to rebound as Atlanta hopes to snap a three-game shedding skid.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer and extra. Sign up now!
Estimated studying time: quarter-hour
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Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions (-3.5)
Storyline of the sport: Battle atop the NFC North
Week 14 opens with a hotly contested rematch between NFC North playoff contenders within the Packers and Lions. A month has handed since these groups final met again in Week 9 — a matchup the Lions received handedly, 24-14, on the best way to their present 10-game successful streak.
Sloppy climate and a robust Lions protection dominated the day in that matchup in Green Bay, with the Packers being held out of the top zone till the ultimate 4 minutes of the sport. Now, the venue shifts to Detroit, the place the Lions have generated a league-leading 35.2 factors per sport at dwelling whereas producing 6.6 yards per play.
However, that loss was the Packers’ solely blemish since Week 5, capturing a 7-1 file since October. Jordan Love and Co. are coming off a pair of decisive wins at dwelling of their final two outings and can be seeking to carry that on the street.
Matchups to observe: Packers FS Xavier McKinney vs. Lions FS Kerby Joseph
The NFL’s high two highest-graded safeties – Kerby Joseph (90.9) and Xavier McKinney (89.6) — are set to square-off on this one, with eyes on laying declare to the crown. Fireworks are queued up when these ballhawking safeties take the sphere, combining for 14 interceptions on the season — greater than 29 groups have in complete.
The final time these two groups confronted off, Joseph transformed a pick-six, giving him a leg up on the dialog. But, McKinney boasts another turnover for his staff, having additionally secured a fumble restoration.
Additional information:
- Detroit has signed S Jamal Adams to the apply squad
- After RB Jahmyr Gibbs unintentionally leaked safety calls through a social media submit, OC Ben Johnson can be left to regulate on a brief week.
New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins (-6.5)
Storyline of the sport: Dolphins hanging on to slim playoff hopes
With only a 10% probability of securing a playoff berth following their Thanksgiving evening loss, the Dolphins have little or no margin for error shifting ahead. Luckily, this sport will happen in sunny Miami, the place they’ve discovered success on each side of the ball.
Undoubtedly, the Jets are aiming to play spoiler to their AFC East rival’s playoff hopes, however they’ll should discover a option to begin and end sturdy for a full 4 quarters. This previous week, Aaron Rodgers and firm shucked their first-quarter woes with a pair of scores to take an early 14-0 lead towards the Seahawks. But the Jets offense went radio silent for the subsequent three quarters, totaling zero factors en path to a loss.
Matchups to observe: Jets CB D.J. Reed vs. Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill
With All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner unsure to go well with up this week, the duty of checking one of the harmful receivers within the sport, Tyreek Hill, falls to D.J. Reed. Although he doesn’t obtain the identical stage of reward as his counterpart, Reed has performed properly this season in hopes of reaching a large payday in free company this offseason.
Although the return of Tua Tagovailoa below heart has revamped this passing sport, showcasing Miami’s extremely paid receiver hasn’t been a precedence. Instead, gamers like Jonnu Smith have been within the highlight, at the moment out-targeting Hill by eight targets over simply the final two weeks. If this Dolphins offense hopes to regain its footing for a playoff push, it begins with Hill, who hasn’t posted a 100-plus yard efficiency since Week 1.
Additional information:
- Dolphins Edge Bradley Chubb (knee) returned to apply for the primary time since happening final New Year’s Eve; HC Mike McDaniel not ruling out risk of taking part in.
- Jets CB Sauce Gardner’s (hamstring) standing stays unsure this week.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings (-4.5)
Storyline of the sport: Kirk Cousins’ return to Minnesota
Kirk Cousins makes his first journey again to Minnesota to face the staff he spent six seasons with. The matchup can be a bittersweet one for the veteran passer, as his former staff at the moment holds one of many high information within the NFC and is poised to make the lengthy march to the postseason.
Cousins’ present dwelling has fallen on shaky instances with the Falcons having dropped their final three video games, and hanging onto the lead within the NFC South by a thread. With Tampa respiratory down their necks — additionally holding a 6-6 file — this street matchup with a high quality opponent turns into a must-win if this staff hopes to lock up a playoff berth.
Matchups to observe: Vikings go professional vs. Falcons go rush
The Falcons’ obtrusive lack of pass-rushing manufacturing has made sustaining leads a troublesome job. This protection has generated simply 31.4% pass-rush win fee (thirty first) and only a 3.3% sack fee (thirty second) this season. However, Atlanta’s rush boomed in Week 13, because the unit amassed six sacks — over 35% of their complete manufacturing for the yr — towards the Chargers.
This matchup with the Vikings’ struggling go safety ought to present one other good alternative for the Falcons to construct on their success final week. Since Week 12, Minnesota has surrendered a 41.6% stress fee (twenty ninth within the NFL), culminating in 5 sacks allowed this previous week towards the Cardinals.
Additional information:
New Orleans Saints (-4.5) vs. New York Giants
Storyline of the sport: Saints hope to rebound and shut out sturdy
After claiming victory within the first two video games with interim HC Darren Rizzi on the helm, New Orleans got here out of its Week 12 bye flat and fell late to the Rams at dwelling. A stable 2-1 file is a optimistic step for this staff, albeit every of these video games got here in New Orleans. Now, the Saints should attempt to discover success on the street, the place they possess only a 1-4 file this season.
On the opposite sideline, the Giants try to find any semblance of stability following their seventh straight loss and crushing defeat on Thanksgiving to the Cowboys. Although they embark on a two sport homestand to begin December, dwelling candy dwelling has been something however that for the Giants, who’re 0-6 at Metlife — the one staff with no dwelling win this season.
Matchups to observe: Saints red-zone offense vs. Giants red-zone protection
Converting scores within the purple zone was robust sledding for the Saints (0-for-2) final week, which now drops the Saints to only a 55.6% red-zone scoring proportion since Rizzi took over — good for thirtieth within the NFL. Now with out Taysom Hill within the lineup, this offense might want to lean much more on the likes of Alvin Kamara and Juwan Johnson within the purple zone.
The Giants are in equally unhealthy form on the subject of stopping red-zone scores, having allowed a 92.1% red-zone rating proportion — the worst fee within the NFL this season. However, New York has managed to restrict opposing offenses to only a 50% landing fee within the red-zone, a top-eight mark within the NFL.
Additional information:
- Saints TE Taysom Hill (knee) suffered a torn ACL this previous week, will miss the remainder of the season.
- New York is predicted to begin Drew Lock below heart, with Tommy DeVito (forearm) nonetheless sidelined.
Carolina Panthers vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-12.5)
Storyline of the sport: Eagles seeking to additional safe place atop NFC
With their final loss coming again in September, the Eagles have set their sights on securing not solely a division title, but in addition the No. 1 seed within the NFC ought to the chance current itself. Energized coming off their street win over Baltimore, the Eagles are again in Philly for the primary of 4 dwelling video games to shut out the common season.
With that mentioned, Philly can’t afford to go to sleep towards this reinvigorated Panthers staff that holds a 2-2 file for the reason that begin of November — which might have been a 4-0 file had a few late performs bounced in its favor. That mettle can be put to the check on the street this week, the Panthers’ first street sport since Week 8.
Matchups to observe: Eagles’ run-blocking offensive line vs. Panthers run protection
While the soccer world sings the praises of Saquon Barkley — as they need to — not sufficient is being mentioned about how properly this Eagles offensive line is in paving the best way for its again. This offensive line holds the second-highest run blocking grade (83.0) within the NFL, highlighted by the league’s highest-graded deal with in Jordan Mailata, who owns an insane 94.2 PFF run-blocking grade.
That’s unhealthy information for a Panthers protection that ranks thirty first in staff run protection grade (45.9). Just this previous week, Carolina allowed Buccaneers working backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White to mix for 224 yards on the bottom.
With Barkley chasing down a 2,000-yard season, this can be a prime spot to erupt.
Additional information:
- Eagles WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) returned to apply Wednesday after lacking the earlier two video games.
Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5)
Storyline of the sport: Steelers search revenge after snowy loss
For the second time within the three weeks, these bitter AFC North rivals go toe-to-toe, with their snow globe matchup in Week 12 being one to recollect. In that contest, the Steelers discovered themselves down early however managed to storm again and take a late lead, simply to be dashed by a Nick Chubb landing to shut it out.
Pittsburgh managed to regain its footing this previous week after placing away the Bengals in a shootout on the street. Now, the Steelers return to Acrisure Stadium seeking to make the most of a Browns staff coming off a crushing loss on Monday evening in Denver, the place Cleveland totaled over 550 yards of offense however tossed a pair of pick-sixes to seal it.
Matchups to observe: Steelers QB Russell Wilson vs. Browns closed coverages
Cleveland’s protection unit lives and dies in closed coverages, working them at a 68.1% clip — second solely to the Steelers this season. Their ordinary bread and butter lies in Cover 1 — being one in all simply 5 groups to run it greater than 30% of protection snaps. Yet, the final time these two groups confronted off, they utilized it slightly below 15%.
The cause lies in the truth that Russell Wilson has picked aside Cover 1 this season, producing a 90.2 passing grade towards it. Although he didn’t see it usually of their final matchup, when he did, he accomplished all six of his makes an attempt for 74 yards.
Additional information:
- Pittsburgh has tied the NFL file with its twenty first straight non-losing season, the 18th straight with Mike Tomlin on the helm.
- Browns QB Jameis Winston set the franchise file for passing yards in a single sport on Monday evening.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7)
Storyline of the sport: Bucs seeking to take management of the NFC South
After a pair of street wins — and three corresponding losses from Atlanta — the Bucs discover themselves on the verge of taking a maintain of the highest spot within the NFC South. However, Tampa will want a little bit of assist alongside the best way if it hopes to seize the division crown, because the Falcons maintain the head-to-head tiebreaker after sweeping the Bucs of their season sequence.
On the opposite sideline, the Raiders have struggled to construct any type of basis, having notched their eighth straight loss in Week 13. Even when issues are going proper, they will’t handle to shut it out, evidenced by final week’s loss to the Chiefs. The Raiders stormed again down 13 to take a fourth-quarter lead, simply to observe it swing again to KC after which proceed to present the sport away with a late fumble.
Matchups to observe: Raiders WR Jakobi Meyers vs. Buccaneers CB Tykee Smith
Inconsistency within the Raiders’ passing sport below Luke Getsy made it troublesome for Meyers to search out productive touches, a development that has since modified with Scott Turner calling the photographs. Since getting back from bye in Week 11, Meyers has racked up six receptions of 15 or extra yards, which leads this offense.
The job of matching up with Meyers, notably within the slot, will fall to Tykee Smith, ought to he handle to return this week. The Bucs nook has missed the final three video games with a knee harm however returned to apply Wednesday, boding properly for potential return. That could be a welcome addition contemplating Smith owns a top-20 protection grade (74.3) when lined up within the slot.
Additional information:
- Raiders RB Sincere McCormick has been elevated to the energetic roster after compiling 64 dashing yards on Black Friday.
- Bucs RB Bucky Irving named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 13.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans (-3.5)
Storyline of the sport: Jaguars with out Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville’s Week 13 loss to Houston not solely formally eradicated the staff from playoff competition — nonetheless unbelievable — but in addition noticed Trevor Lawrence go all the way down to an unlawful hit by Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair, one which landed him on IR along with needing surgical procedure for a shoulder harm. The late collision additionally resulted in Al-Shaair being suspended for Houston’s subsequent three video games. That will once more thrust Mac Jones into the lineup to steer this offense.
The Titans have been using excessive following their Week 12 win over the Texans, but adopted that up in Week 13 by getting blown out by the Commanders, 42-19. While the Titans haven’t been mathematically eradicated from the playoff image, they’re, for all intents and functions, going to be at dwelling in January.
Circumstances for each these groups dictate that it’s time to take account of who could maintain the potential to contribute to those rosters sooner or later.
Matchups to observe: Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. vs. Titans run protection
This yr has been Etienne’s most troublesome season thus far, with the previous first-rounder producing the bottom dashing grade (63.1) of his profession. And whereas blocking hasn’t been nice, he has failed even when given area to work, totaling over 43% of his manufacturing earlier than contact — fourth-highest within the NFL amongst qualifying backs.
Given how poorly the Titans match the run this previous week, this can be a spot for Etienne to rebound. In Week 13, this protection allowed 90-plus yards on the bottom to 2 completely different backs, highlighted by an insane 6.8 yards per carry mixed.
Additional information:
- Titans WR Treylon Burks (knee) will miss the remainder of the season after present process surgical procedure.
- Titans first-year S Julius Wood has been suspended for six video games for violations of the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance coverage.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Arizona Cardinals (-2.5)
Storyline of the sport: Playoff implications in tightly contested NFC West
The NFC West is the closest division in soccer, with simply two video games separating the primary and-last place groups within the standings. Currently, the highest spot is within the grasp of the visiting Seahawks, who’re using excessive off their third straight win since coming off of their Week 10 bye — together with their Week 12 matchup with this identical Cards staff.
The Cardinals haven’t been practically as lucky, dropping their final two and fumbling away the division lead. That slide began with Arizona’s loss to Seattle in Week 12, the place the Seahawks saved Kyler Murray and firm out of the top zone, totaling only a pair of subject objectives the whole sport.
Matchups to observe: Seahawks go safety vs. Cardinals’ stress packages
The Cardinals have seen a renaissance dashing the passer for the reason that begin of November, greater than doubling their sack manufacturing — in half as many video games — from the primary half of the season. Identifying stress may be troublesome towards this Arizona pass-rush given the staff’s top-eight charges calling blitzing (40.4%), stunting (30%) and simulated pressures (35.8%) on passing downs.
Some shuffling alongside the offensive line since getting back from its Week 10 bye has left Seattle on shaky floor in go professional. Over their final three video games, this offense has surrendered a ten.9% sack fee — rating thirtieth within the NFL over that span. A renewed give attention to pre-snap communication can be very important this week if the Seahawks don’t need to quit one other 5 sacks like they did when these two groups performed simply two weeks in the past.
Additional information:
- Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald and his spouse, Stephanie, welcomed their first baby on Tuesday evening.
Buffalo Bills (-4.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams
Storyline of the sport: Bills take purpose for AFC’s high seed
After securing a playoff berth following their decisive victory within the Buffalo snow on Sunday evening, the Bills set their sights on chasing down the No. 1 seed within the AFC. Josh Allen and this staff look poised to make a deep postseason run, at the moment using a seven-game win streak and producing the third-highest offensive EPA per play over that span.
If the Bills hope to catch the Chiefs, they need to present up on the street on this matchup with a Rams staff within the hunt for a playoff berth and only one sport again from the NFC West lead. Since LA returned from its Week 6 bye, this staff has secured a 5-2 file behind stable play on each side of the ball — together with top-eight total offensive and defensive unit grades over that span.
Matchups to observe: Rams go rush vs. Bills QB Josh Allen
Given the unbelievable play of Josh Allen each out and in of the pocket, it’s going to take a concerted effort from this complete Rams pass-rush if this protection goes to comprise him. This younger pass-rush may very well be as much as the problem, although, having generated a top-four stress fee (37.2%) and pass-rush productiveness ranking (30.2).
Allen, alternatively, handles stress in addition to any quarterback within the sport, highlighted by his innate escapability and expertise as a runner. This season, the MVP candidate ranks within the ninetieth percentile in below stress grade, per PFF IQ. The solely method to ensure Allen is contained is by getting him on the bottom early and infrequently.
Additional information:
- Bills have clinched the AFC East with their Week 13 win over the 49ers.
Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers (-3.5)
Storyline of the sport: Bears title Thomas Brown interim HC after firing of Matt Eberflus
Following this staff’s Thanksgiving loss to the Lions and subsequent explosion reported to have occurred within the Bears locker room after the sport, Chicago determined to half methods with Matt Eberflus. For the primary time in franchise historical past, the Chicago Bears have opted to fireside their head coach mid-season. Now, Thomas Brown steps into the interim function just some weeks after being named the interim offensive coordinator.
The 49ers, nonetheless, discover themselves a little bit worse for put on on the backside of a crowded NFC West. Without a doubt, accidents proceed to derail this staff’s possibilities after the group misplaced Christian McCaffrey for the season to a non-contact knee harm. He’s simply one in all many 49ers to overlook time this yr, together with Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Jordan Mason, George Kittle, Trent Williams and Brock Purdy.
Matchups to observe: 49ers RB Isaac Guerendo vs. Bears run protection
Along with Christian McCaffrey (knee) being out for the yr, Jordan Mason (ankle) was additionally positioned on injured reserve. The lion’s share of the workload within the backfield will shift to Guerendo. While first-year again has not graded out notably properly with a 62.9 dashing grade, he has managed to provide 5.9 yards per carry and discover the top zone twice.
Although the Bears maintain a stable 71.2 staff run-defense grade (tenth) this season, their latest outings have seen struggles. Over their final three video games, Chicago has allowed backs to amass 75 yards or extra on the bottom 4 instances.
Additional information:
- 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (knee) to bear assessments to find out severity of non-contact harm; anticipated to overlook the rest of the season.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5)
Storyline of the sport: Primetime matchup atop the AFC West
Nail-biting, last-second victories are the M.O. of the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs, as they survived yet one more shut sport on Black Friday towards the Raiders. Week 13 was a sport through which Vegas coughed up the soccer with below 15 seconds left whereas in vary of a possible game-winning subject purpose. That marks KC’s third win by three factors or fewer during the last 4 video games.
Although the Chargers are unlikely to achieve the bottom wanted to seize a divisional crown, they will search redemption for his or her Week 4 loss the final time these two AFC West rivals matched up. In that sport, LA began off with a 10-0 lead within the first body, solely to permit 17 unanswered factors and go three straight scoreless quarters.
Matchups to observe: Chargers CB Tarheeb Still vs. Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins
Although Hopkins’ transition to taking part in in Chiefs purple hasn’t netted notably noteworthy manufacturing, he has proven some flashes — like he did this previous week, when he tallied a pair of receptions over 30 yards and a high quality 2.65 yards per route run.
Tasked with checking the veteran receiver can be rookie fifth-round nook Still, proprietor of the league’s fourth-highest protection grade on the place (83.7). The first-year nook is coming off his finest sport as a professional, having secured a pair of picks final week towards Atlanta — together with a second-half pick-six to take the lead, in the end successful the sport for the Chargers.
Additional information:
- Chargers WR Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) practiced in restricted vogue to begin the week amid hypothesis if will be capable of go on this one.
Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys
Storyline of the sport: Despite slim odds, each franchises clawing to remain alive
With neither of those franchises holding increased than a 2% probability to make the playoffs, per PFF’s simulation mannequin, the chances of this sport carrying any important influence are exceedingly slim.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ hopes of creating a postseason push fell flat following their third straight loss amid a tricky stretch of schedule. This previous week, they took the AFC North-leading Steelers to the brink in a shootout, however in the end fell brief within the second half and have been unable to make up the bottom versus an opportunistic Pittsburgh protection.
Conversely, the Cowboys discover themselves trending the wrong way after successful two video games to shut out November following their very own five-game slide. With Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland again within the lineup, this protection has given this staff the spine it sorely lacked.
Matchups to observe: Cowboys EDGE Micah Parsons vs. Bengals RT Amarius Mims
The return of Micah Parsons has meant the world to this Cowboys protection, as having an elite pass-rusher has introduced the sting again to this unit in all fronts. Since his return in Week 10, Parsons has racked up an unbelievable 90.8 PFF pass-rush grade, powered by a powerful 22 complete pressures — together with a league-leading seven sacks over that span.
Mims will certainly have his fingers full with this matchup towards the previous All-Pro, because the first-year deal with has struggled in go professional this season with a 61.0 grade, which ranks 57th out of 77 qualifying tackles. However, the younger deal with took strides in his final matchup coming off of the bye, the place he allowed only a single stress throughout 49 go units on his option to a season-high 74.9 pass-blocking grade.
Additional information: