Three playoff spots are claimed. Eleven remain up for grabs.
In the AFC, the field is looking more and more set. In the NFC, two divisions are up for grabs.
The chase for the top seed might last all the way until Week 18 in both conferences.
Week 14 NFL Matchups
3-9 jets at 5-7 Dolphins (-6)
Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS (Kevin Harlan and Trent Green)
The Dolphins have a strong history against the Jets, boasting a 13-3 record since 2016, including eight consecutive victories. Dolphins quarterback tua Tagovailoa remains undefeated against the Jets in four matchups. The Jets last won in Miami back in 2014.
After a disappointing stint in New York, Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ future looks uncertain for 2024. On Thanksgiving night, the Dolphins had a three-game winning streak disrupted by their loss in Green Bay, adding another chapter to their narrative of struggling in colder conditions. With advantageous matchups against the Jets and a few other teams with losing records, the Dolphins still have playoff aspirations, but will need other wild-card teams to falter.
6-6 Falcons at 10-2 Vikings (-5.5)
Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox (Joe Davis and Greg Olsen)
This matchup sees quarterback Kirk Cousins return to Minnesota for the first time since his departure after a six-year tenure. The Falcons must consider switching to rookie Michael Penix, Jr. as their offense has struggled, with no touchdowns and six interceptions in three consecutive losses. Cousins looks for redemption, aiming to replicate his standout performance from earlier in the season.
As the Vikings make a push for the NFC North title, the Falcons, tied with the Buccaneers, hold the tiebreaker advantage.
4-8 Saints (-4.5) at 2-10 Giants
sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, Fox (Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston)
Interim coach Darren Rizzi leads the Saints into New Jersey, with a decent record since taking over. The Giants, struggling with a 0-6 home record this season, face the prospect of going winless at home for only the second time in franchise history.
New Orleans will be without key player Taysom Hill for the season after he sustained an ACL injury in the previous game against the Rams.
3-9 Panthers at 10-2 Eagles (-12.5)
Sunday 1:00 p.m.ET, Fox (Adam Amin and Mark Sanchez)
The Eagles are riding an eight-game winning streak and aim for their first nine-game streak since their Super Bowl-winning season in 2017. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been prolific during this stretch.
Meanwhile, despite their poor record, Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has shown promise since his return. The ongoing playoff conversation in the NFC remains hot as both teams vie for position.
3-9 Browns at 9-3 Steelers (-6.5)
Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS (Jim Nantz and Tony Romo)
A matchup steeped in rivalry, a win for the Browns would mark their first sweep over the Steelers since 1988. The Browns’ struggles on the road weigh heavily on their playoff hopes.
2-10 Raiders at 6-6 Buccaneers (-6.5)
Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS (Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta)
The Buccaneers have rebounded to tie for first in their division while the Raiders struggle after a missed prospect against the Chiefs. Discussions around coaching positions intensify as the season approaches its climax.
2-10 Jaguars at 3-9 Titans (-3.5)
Sunday 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS (Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, and Jason McCourty)
With Trevor Lawrence on IR, Mac Jones will start for the rest of the Jaguars’ season. The Titans, though, are looking to reverse their turnover issues while seeking a crucial home victory.
7-5 Seahawks at 6-6 Cardinals (-2.5)
Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS (Ian Eagle and Charles Davis)
After defeating the cardinals in Week 12, the Seahawks aim to maintain momentum while the Cardinals seek a much-needed win to stay relevant in the playoff chase.
10-2 Bills (-3.5) at 6-6 Rams
sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox (Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady)
The Bills are confidently pursuing a top seed in the AFC, with josh allen emerging as a strong MVP candidate. A victory would be significant for the Bills, marking historic performance for the franchise.
4-8 Bears at 5-7 49ers (-4)
Sunday 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox (Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma)
With a leadership change in Chicago, the Bears look to turn their fortunes around after a series of defeats. The 49ers, seeking advancement, face an uphill battle in their division.
8-4 Chargers at 11-1 Chiefs (-4)
Sunday 8:20 p.m.ET,NBC/Peacock (Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth)
In what promises to be a thrilling contest,both teams look to solidify their playoff aspirations. The Chargers face challenges in their offensive execution, while the Chiefs must maintain their form amid tight competition.
4-8 Bengals (-5.5) at 5-7 cowboys
Monday 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC (Joe Buck and Troy Aikman)
Both teams are aware of the stakes, needing wins to stay in the playoff hunt. Despite their record, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is having an outstanding season, leading the league in multiple passing categories.
how might Aaron rodgers’ uncertain future impact the Jets’ season and roster decisions going forward?
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to our special NFL playoff preview! today, we have a seasoned football expert, Dr. amanda Rivers, who has been analyzing the league for over a decade. Thanks for joining us,amanda!
Dr. Amanda Rivers (AR): Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time in the NFL, and I’m eager to dive into all the action.
TNE: Let’s jump right in! With three playoff spots already claimed and eleven more still up for grabs, how do you assess the current landscape of the AFC and NFC?
AR: The AFC is shaping up quite clearly, with teams like the Dolphins and the Steelers vying for those final playoff spots. However, the NFC is in a more chaotic state, where two divisions are still very much in play. The chase for the top seed in both conferences could extend all the way to Week 18.
TNE: Speaking of playoff implications, one intriguing game this week is the matchup between the 3-9 Jets and the 5-7 dolphins. What do you think the key factors will be in that game?
AR: The Dolphins have a strong past advantage against the Jets, boasting a 13-3 record since 2016. Tua Tagovailoa is undefeated against new York, and with the current Jets’ struggles—especially with Aaron Rodgers’ uncertain future—the Dolphins have a clear edge. Though, the Dolphins need to recover from their disappointing loss to Green Bay to keep their playoff hopes alive.
TNE: You mentioned Aaron Rodgers—his presence has certainly been missed. With his future in doubt, how do you think that affects the Jets moving forward?
AR: Aaron’s absence is huge, both on the field and in the locker room. The Jets must evaluate their quarterback options for next season. If they can’t secure wins now, it might necessitate a complete overhaul of their roster. The uncertainty is palpable,and it can drain a team’s morale.
TNE: Let’s turn our focus to the 6-6 Falcons facing the 10-2 Vikings. What does Kirk Cousins’ return mean for both teams?
AR: This is a major narrative! Cousins returning to Minnesota brings a whole lot of emotional and strategic weight to the game. He’s looking to redeem himself after leaving, and there’s quite a bit of pressure on the Falcons to consider switching to rookie Michael Penix, Jr. Their offense has struggled lately, and if they stick with their current setup, it could cost them dearly.
TNE: And the Saints are heading into New Jersey to face the struggling Giants. what’s at stake for both teams in this matchup?
AR: For the Saints, under interim coach Darren Rizzi, this game is vital for establishing momentum moving forward. They’ve performed decently since his takeover. For the Giants, the pressure is mounting, especially at home. They’re 0-6 at home this season! Winning here could give the players some confidence, but they’ve really got to turn things around fast.
TNE: With so many divisions close in the NFC and AFC, do you think any surprise teams could make a late playoff push?
AR: Absolutely! The inconsistency of some teams could open doors for others. The Dolphins can still position themselves favorably if they capitalize on matchups against weaker opponents. Meanwhile,keep an eye on the NFC South; the Falcons and Buccaneers are neck and neck,and that division could very well be decided in the final weeks of the season.
TNE: it sounds like the race to the playoffs is going to be intense! What can fans expect as we head toward the finish line?
AR: Expect drama! With playoff spots on the line, every game counts and the pressure will be palpable. Teams will be pushing to either secure their spots or make that last-minute bid.The injuries, the comebacks, the underdog stories — that’s what makes the NFL so enthralling at this point in the season!
TNE: thanks for yoru insights, Amanda! We can’t wait to see how the playoffs unfold this year.
AR: Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the game with you, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.