Five must-watch games of Week 14 in the NFL

Patriots - Steelers

The Patriots and the Steelers are struggling on the offensive front this season. The Patriots have only scored one touchdown in their last three games, and their starting running back is out due to an ankle injury.

The Steelers are also struggling, with their starting quarterback injured and their offense averaging just 16.0 points per game. Interestingly, losing to the Steelers on Thursday would benefit the Patriots, as it would help them maintain their position in the 2024 NFL Draft order.

Texans - Jets

The Houston Texans are preparing for their next game against the New York Jets after a nail-biting victory over the Denver Broncos. Coach David Culley praised his team’s fighting spirit and unwavering belief in securing wins.

The Texans aim to build on offensive consistency and avoid relying solely on close victories. They face a formidable defense in the Jets, who possess a dynamic front and young playmakers in the secondary. The Texans will learn from previous close games and strive to control the game more effectively.

Bills - Chiefs

The Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, two of the NFL’s top teams, will face each other in Week 14. This season, the Bills have a record of 6-6 and may miss the playoffs, while the Chiefs’ offense feels stagnant despite their 8-4 record. Both teams need to start winning, and Patrick Mahomes is averaging career lows in yards per attempt and passing yards per game.

Bills need to avoid turnovers. Josh Allen’s aggression has led to 13 interceptions. Bills’ offense has the sixth-most giveaways, making it hard to score. They won both games without turnovers. If Allen avoids turnovers, Buffalo’s offense could trouble the Chiefs.

The Chiefs’ path to victory is through the Mahomes-Kelce connection. Kelce has 70 catches for 732 yards and five touchdowns this season. In their Week 12 win against the Las Vegas Raiders, Kelce caught six passes for 91 yards. The Chiefs will face a Bills defense that is struggling with injuries.

Eagles - Cowboys

The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles is well-known for its passionate fan bases and intense on-field battles. Jeff Cavanaugh and Jesse Holley have pointed out that the animosity between the teams and their supporters adds a unique flavor to this matchup. Fans can expect a game filled with energy, enthusiasm, and a healthy dose of rivalry-driven hate.

The playoff race in the NFL is heating up, and every game counts. A victory against the Eagles would mean tying for first place in their division for the Cowboys. With the Cowboys on a roll and showing significant offensive improvements recently, they enter this matchup with confidence and determination. The hosts are optimistic and predict a convincing Cowboys victory.

According to Cavanaugh and Holley, the Cowboys have made adjustments and improvements, and they are not the same team the Eagles faced just a few weeks ago. The Cowboys’ offensive unit can potentially present a significant challenge to the Eagles’ defense.

Titans - Dolphins

The Tennessee Titans will face the Miami Dolphins in an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday, and that will not be the only game of the night. The Titans have a record of 4-8 and have lost four of their last five games, while the Dolphins have a record of 9-3 and are on a three-game winning streak.

The Titans have struggled to win consecutive games this season, averaging 17.8 points per game. In their last game against the Colts, they lost 31-28 in overtime. On the other hand, the Dolphins have been performing well this season, averaging 32.0 points per game and giving up just 22.2 points per game.

The Titans have lost their last nine road games and have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 13 December games as underdogs against AFC opponents. The Dolphins have a solid passing game, generating 285.1 yards per game with 25 total touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In their last match against the Commanders, the Dolphins won 45-15 after taking a dominant 31-7 lead in the first half.

Packers - Giants

The Green Bay Packers will play the New York Giants on Monday as the second game of the double-header night. The Packers are in the running for a wildcard spot in the NFC playoffs after an impressive win over the Kansas City Chiefs last week. The Packers opened as six-point home favorites over the Giants, but the number has moved to 6.5. The Giants have won two straight games and are coming off a bye week. If the Giants want to extend their winning streak to three games, they must lean on Barkley, their best offensive player. The Packers know the key to stopping the Giants is to contain Barkley and force other players to beat them.