Week 14 saw the first NFL team to clinch a spot in the playoffs.
The Philadelphia Eagles are headed to the playoffs after defeating the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon. The Eagles unleashed their high-powered offense in a 48-22 victory over the Giants.
The Eagles improved to 12-1 and maintained their lead in the NFC East. Meanwhile, division rival Dallas Cowboys narrowly escaped the Houston Texans. The Cowboys needed an 11-play, 98-yard drive to pull out the victory.
Week 14 also featured a big upset. The Detroit Lions rolled past the Minnesota Vikings 34-23 to earn their sixth victory. Lions quarterback Jared Goff completed 27 of 39 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
In the afternoon slate, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Denver Broncos to potentially earn a playoff spot and extend their win streak against the AFC West foes to 14 games. The Chiefs will also need the Miami Dolphins to beat the Los Angeles Chargers to clinch a trip to the postseason.
Former Super Bowl champions will take over in prime time. The New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals conclude Week 14 as both teams look to finish strong down the stretch.
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Here’s a rundown of all the Week 14 action around the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams 17, Las Vegas Raiders 16
Briefly: Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield is still learning the playbook, but it didn’t stop him from making a strong first impression. Mayfield led a game-winning, 98-yard drive to propel the Rams to victory. He found receiver Van Jefferson for a 23-yard touchdown with seconds remaining. Mayfield finished 22-of-35 for 230 yards and the score. The Raiders snapped a three-game winning streak and fell to 5-8 this season. After holding a 10-point lead at halftime, Las Vegas was held to three second-half points. Raiders receiver Davante Adams finished with three catches for 71 yards but was shut down in the pivotal moments.
One highlight to know: Rams receiver Van Jefferson hauled in a 23-yard touchdown with 10 seconds remaining in the game. He ran a vertical route and caught the pass over Raiders rookie cornerback Sam Webb. Jefferson finished with two catches for 44 yards and the winning score.
Next up: The Raiders face the New England Patriots in Week 15. The Rams play the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Baltimore Ravens 16, Pittsburgh Steelers 14
Briefly: The Ravens relied on their rushing attack without star quarterback Lamar Jackson in the lineup. Baltimore rushed for 215 total yards and possessed the football for over 32 minutes of game action. Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins returned from injured reserve and rumbled for 120 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. The Steelers dropped to 5-8 overall. However, the pressing concern is the health of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett. The talented signal-caller entered concussion protocol in the first quarter and didn’t return. In his stead, Steelers backup Mitchell Trubisky threw for 276 yards and three interceptions.
One highlight to know: Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins recorded a 44-yard run in the first quarter against the Steelers. He followed it up with a 4-yard touchdown to extend the Ravens lead in his first game back from a knee injury.
Next up: The Ravens face the Cleveland Browns in Week 15. The Steelers play the Carolina Panthers.
Jacksonville Jaguars 36, Tennessee Titans 22
Briefly: Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence put together a strong effort against the Titans on Sunday afternoon. Lawrence threw for 368 yards and three touchdowns against a vulnerable Titans defense. He connected with tight end Evan Engram all afternoon as the veteran hauled in 11 catches (on 15 targets) for 162 yards and two scores. The offense was enough to thwart another impressive effort from Titans superstar Derrick Henry. The standout running back rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown in the loss. The Jaguars improved to 5-8 this season and used a 26-0 run across the second and third quarter to win.
One highlight to know: Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence connected with receiver Evan Engram on a 21-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Lawrence became the first quarterback in franchise history to eclipse 3,000 passing yards in his first two seasons.
Next up: The Jaguars host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. The Titans face the Los Angeles Chargers.
Detroit Lions 34, Minnesota Vikings 23
Briefly: The Lions entered Week 14 favored against the Vikings and proved sports bettors right. Detroit quelled the Minnesota’s high-octane offense with solid play across the line of scrimmage. Lions quarterback Jared Goff turned in a 300-yard effort and tossed three touchdowns. The Lions also forced two turnovers and recorded four sacks in the game. Minnesota was held to just 22 rushing yards as they fell to 10-3 this season. Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson continued his hot streak as he eclipsed 200 receiving yards in a game for the first time in his career.
One highlight to know: Lions rookie receiver Jameson Williams hauled in his first NFL touchdown on Sunday. He caught a 41-yard pass in the first quarter to give the Lions an early lead.
Next up: The Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. The Lions play the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys 27, Houston Texans 23
Briefly: The Cowboys got a major challenge from the Texans on Sunday. Dallas needed an 11-play, 98-yard drive to escape with a victory. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott scored the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Elliott finished with 81 total yards and the score. Houston hung around after forcing three turnovers in the game. Texans receiver Chris Moore hauled in 10 receptions for 124 yards in the loss.
One highlight to know: Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott scored a 2-yard touchdown to win the game. Dallas improved to 10-3 on the season.
Next up: The Texans face the Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 15 home matchup. The Cowboys play the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Buffalo Bills 20, New York Jets 12
Briefly: The Bills endured slick weather conditions to defeat the Jets on Sunday. Both teams struggled early but found their footing after halftime. Bills quarterback Josh Allen accounted for two touchdowns, including a 5-yard score in the third quarter. With offense at a premium, Allen accounted for 194 total yards. The Jets hung around behind backup quarterback Mike White. He threw for 268 yards and made some clutch plays to extend drives. However, Jets running back Zonovan Knight scored the lone touchdown on the afternoon.
One highlight to know: Bills tight end Dawson Knox scored a 26-yard touchdown just before halftime. He dove into the end zone and after spinning around defenders to give Buffalo the outright lead.
Next up: The Jets play the Detroit Lions in a Week 15 home matchup. The Bills host the Miami Dolphins in an AFC East matchup.
Philadelphia Eagles 48, New York Giants 22
Briefly: The Eagles became the first NFL team to secure a postseason spot this season. Philadelphia relied on their dynamic offense led by MVP candidate Jalen Hurts, who completed 21 of 31 passes for 217 yards and three total touchdowns. He spread the football around to top receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Meanwhile, Eagles running back Miles Sanders rushed for 144 yards and two scores. The Giants struggled in a key moment. Giants running back Saquon Barkley finished with just 48 total yards as receiver Richie James led the team with 61 receiving yards.
One highlight to know: Eagles running back Miles Sanders eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing for the first time in his career. He capped the career day with a 40-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Eagles lead.
Next up: The Eagles face the Chicago Bears in a Week 15 road matchup. The Giants renew their NFC East rivalry with the Washington Commanders.
Cincinnati Bengals 23, Cleveland Browns 10
Briefly: The Bengals exacted a measure of revenge in the Battle of Ohio. Cincinnati continued their hot streak by winning their fifth consecutive game and improving to 9-4 this season. The Bengals vaulted into a first-place tie with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North as well. Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase put together another 100-yard effort as he paced the Bengals offense. The Browns were held to just 71 rushing yards in the loss.
One highlight to know: With the Bengals down a couple receivers, quarterback Joe Burrow dialed up a flea flicker and found receiver Trenton Irwin for a 45-yard touchdown.
Next up: The Browns host the Baltimore Ravens in a AFC North divisional matchup. The Bengals play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15.
Kansas City Chiefs 34, Denver Broncos 28
Briefly: The Kansas City Chiefs survived a rally from the Denver Broncos. Russell Wilson’s head hit the turf in the fourth quarter and was ruled out of the game with a concussion. Backup Brock Purdy scored a seven-yard touchdown to Jerry Jeudy, the wideout’s third score of the day, to put the Broncos within six. But a tradeoff of interceptions and Patrick Mahomes’ clock management to chew up the final four minutes of the game secured the Chiefs’ 14th straight victory over their AFC West foe.
One highlight to know: Patrick Mahomes showed why he is considered an elite quarterback in the second quarter when he pitched a no-look toss to Jerick McKinnon. The running back jetted upfield for the 56-yard touchdown that put Kansas City up 13-0.
Next up: The Chiefs travel to take on the Houston Texans. The Broncos take a five-game losing streak to a road game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Carolina Panthers 30, Seattle Seahawks 24
Briefly: The Carolina Panthers upset the Seattle Seahawks with a combined 223 yards rushing and forcing quarterback Geno Smith to throw two interceptions. The Panthers started the game with a 17-0 lead before the Seahawks clawed their way back. Smith threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns — two in the second quarter, but the Seattle offense was limited to only 46 yards on the ground.
San Francisco 49ers 35, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7
Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers
Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Betting info: Odds, moneyline and more
What to know: The Dolphins and Chargers have two high-powered offenses. On Sunday, both teams could engage in a shootout on Sunday Night Football. The Dolphins have won five of their last six games and are hitting all the right notes. The Chargers are finding their way as key playmaker Keenan Allen settles back into his superstar role. This game is important for AFC Wild Card positioning. The Dolphins sit as the No. 6 seed. The Chargers are one game back of the final spot.
New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Betting info: Odds, moneyline and more
What to know: The Patriots are desperately looking for an offensive spark. New England has lost two consecutive games and was held to 10 points against the Buffalo Bills. Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has asked for more accountability from the coaching staff. Things don’t get any easier on Sunday. The Cardinals are coming off a bye week and have a dynamic front seven that can cause problems at the line of scrimmage. It is a big game for both teams late in the season.
