NFL week 14 is already here and as playoff races tighten every matchup matters more, so let’s take a look at the best matchups this upcoming weekend. As the weather gets colder and teams get more desperate.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass in the third quarter during the 2023 NFL London Games match between Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 15, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Rams (+7.0) @ Baltimore Ravens
The first matchup I want to take a look at for this weekend is the 6-6 Rams heading to Baltimore to take on the 9-3 Ravens. Baltimore is a touchdown favorite in this one and it might not seem like the best game on paper, but Matt Stafford and Sean McVay have seemed to have rekindled some of their magic as of late scoring points in bunches and getting themselves back into the NFC playoff race.
The Ravens are one of the best teams in the league, Lamar Jackson and his new offensive coordinator Todd Monken have started to figure it out and Jackson is a serious MVP contender. Baltimore is coming off two straight wins and a bye week so they’ll be well rested and ready to go for this one. I still expect the Rams to put up a fight with their offense and Aaron Donald anchoring their defense. If the Rams can take care of the ball and hold Jackson in check this will be a close game and the Rams can improve their playoff chances in a crowded NFC, while the Ravens are looking at that #1 seed in the AFC hoping they can secure the bye.
The Rams are a desperate team looking for anyway into the playoffs while the Ravens are in the mix at the top of a loaded AFC. This game has massive playoff implications for both sides and I’m excited to see what two of the best coaches in the league have drawn up for this one.
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 04: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paycor Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills (+1.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs
The next game I want to look at is a battle between two AFC heavyweights that headed into the season as Super Bowl hopefuls. For the Bills this season hasn’t gone how they hoped, Buffalo finds themselves at 6-6 and outside the tight playoff race in the AFC at the moment. Josh Allen hasn’t been able to take care of the ball and his relationship with star wide receiver Stefon Diggs seems to be on the rocks. This is as big a game as it gets in early December for Buffalo if they want any chance at making some noise in the playoffs.
Kansas City on the other hand has looked like the defending Super Bowl champs for most of the season. They’ve hit a few rough spots including last week against the Packers but a home game against the Bills will be a real test to see if they can rebound. Patrick Mahomes finds himself in the MVP race again to the surprise of no one, but his weapons have let him down this season and the Chiefs defense still has some question marks on it.
For me this is one of the more exciting matchups in recent week, not just because of the star power on the field but the playoff implications that are on the line. Allen will need to take care of the ball and spread the ball if Buffalo is going to have a chance to win. While Mahomes and the Chiefs offense will look to get back on track after a tough loss in Green Bay to an up and coming Packers team.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes the ball against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on October 29, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Eagles (+3.5) @ Dallas Cowboys
The last matchup I want to take a look at this weekend is the best matchup of the weekend in my opinion and maybe the one with the most playoff implications on the line. The Sunday night football matchup between the 10-2 Eagles and the 9-3 Cowboys is exactly what the NFL was hoping for when they scheduled this matchup. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are coming off a rough loss to the 49ers getting blown out at home 42-19 and will look to bounce back in a matchup of NFC East rivals.
Hurts and the Eagles have been one of the best teams in the NFL the last two seasons and have had very few bad weeks, but last week was about as bad as we’ve seen in recent years from the Eagles. Philadelphia was manhandled at home by a physical 49ers team that was looking for revenge after Philly knocked them out of the playoffs in the NFC Championship game last season.
The Eagles offense when firing is as explosive as any in the league but they haven’t quite hit the peak they did last year and this week will be another major test as they look to hold onto the #1 spot in the NFC. On the Dallas side of things Dak Prescott might be the league MVP right now, performing better than any other quarterback in the league since week 6. At 9-3 the Cowboys are right in the mix for the #1 spot in the NFC and that coveted bye week.
If Dak can continue his MVP level play against the Eagles things in the NFC will get a lot more interesting. The NFC East race will be as tight as any in the league at the top. Prime time games have been very hit or miss this season (we don’t need to mention the Bailey Zappe-Mitch Trubisky bowl we’re all being subjected to on Thursday night) so this will be a very welcome sight for NFL fans around the country.
