[Preview] Week 14: Outsiders In Ambush

After Baker Mayfield’s strong comeback in the Rams jersey, it’s now time for the rest of the NFL. This week, we continue to talk about Los Angeles with the game between the Chargers and the Dolphins. Two AFC teams with big ambitions behind their division leaders. This is THE match not to be missed this week.

We will also talk about the Bills against the Jets, Brian Daboll, Brock Purdy and the Lions attack. Here is precisely the program for week 14.

Table of Contents

The game not to miss:

Kick-off in the night from Sunday to Monday 02:20
Los Angeles Chargers (6-6) – Miami Dolphins (8-4)

They are four quarterbacks drafted in 2020 to currently hold the NFL: Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa. Among them, the first two have already participated in the playoffs. The next two, on the other hand, are still looking for their first post-season meeting. This Sunday, they will face each other in a duel that promises to be explosive. As we approach the end of the season, every encounter becomes crucial. For Los Angeles, the season has (once again) been enamelled by the wounds and in particular that of the pitcher. For the past few weeks, Herbert seems to be getting better and the Chargers are in ambush to qualify. Far from the Chiefs in the AFC West, they can still claim a place in the Wild Card. For the moment, they are only one game away from the Jets, the last qualified currently. Now is the time to put pressure on New York. And at the same time, on Miami which also claims this place.

Indeed, the Dolphins currently see the Bills as leaders of the AFC East. If they are not dropped at all to win the division (1 game behind), the Wild Cards could be their way to the playoffs. But beware, a loss would potentially let Buffalo escape and Los Angeles come back. Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert will therefore have the pressure to put their team in orbit before approaching the final sprint towards the playoffs.

The duel: Josh Allen vs. the Jets defense

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Buffalo Bills (9-3) – New York Jets (7-5)

After 13 weeks of competition, Josh Allen is installed almost definitively in the Top 5 of the MVP race. Admittedly, he is no longer on the podium, but it is still the symbol of an impressive season for the quarterback. If he hasn’t gone through his games much this season, there is one that certainly sticks in his throat: the one in New York. In week 9Buffalo has indeed lost on the lawn of the Jets (20-17). And to inflict only the second loss of the season (at the time) at the Bills, Robert Saleh had bet on his defense. Result, Josh Allen may have delivered one of his worst performances of the season. The quarterback finished the game with a 18/34 for only 205 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs and 5 sacks.

To repeat “the feat”, the Jets will absolutely have to repeat this defensive performance. They are capable of it. New York only cashes in 18.6 points per game (6th in the league). The key against Buffalo remains to destabilize Josh Allen. Easier said than done. Then, it will be necessary to continue the progression in attack interview these few weeks. Mike White will start again and will have to prove once again that he is capable of leading an offensive squad. His challenge may be even more complicated than that of his defense. He will face a squad that only takes 17.4 units per game (4th in NFL). Even without Von Miller, out until the end of the season, Buffalo’s defensive line remains one of the best in the country.

Player: Brock Purdy

Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
San Francisco 49ers (8-4) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)

From 262nd draft pick to starter in his first season in the NFL. The course of Brock Purdy is atypical and yet it is he who will be at the head of this attack of the 49ers this Sunday. After two major injuries (Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo), Purdy is now propelled starting quarterback. In his first game, against the Dolphins last week, he rather impressed. Not necessarily because of his talent, but because of his calm and his ability to avoid mistakes. He did not do everything well, but knew how to put his playmakers under conditions to perform. If San Francisco wants to continue its good series (5 consecutive wins)the pitcher will again have to stay sober and take advantage of players like Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle or Brandon Aiyuk to advance.

On the other side of the ball, the Californians have a lot more certainty. It’s quite simple, the 49ers certainly have the best defense in the NFL. This will again be the main asset to win this meeting and stay ahead of the NFC West. For its part, the Buccaneers cross the country with many doubts. Certainly Tom Brady and the attack woke up at the very end of the game to beat the Saints, but most of the game was not a pretty sight. If the Floridians reproduce this same performance, it’s a safe bet that they will no longer be in the game when the 4th quarter will knock on the door. We have learned over time not to bet against Tom Brady, but it is clear that on paper, the match up is really not to his advantage on Sunday.

Coach: Nick Sirianni (and Brian Daboll)

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
New York Giants (7-4-1) – Philadelphia Eagles (11-1)

For his second season at the head of the Eagles, Nick Sirianni has truly exploded in the eyes of the general public. After a very complicated start to the year when it was signed in 2021 (2-5)he had raised the bar to end the season above the bar of 50% (9-8). But it is truly this season that Nick Sirianni explodes in the eyes of the general public. The coach currently leads a team that has the best record in the NFL with just one loss. This Sunday, he faces a counterpart he knows (very) good. Indeed, the two men worked together there is 10 years already. At that time, Brian Daboll was the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator under Romeo Crennel. Nick Sirianni, he had just been recruited to be the receivers coach. His first major job in the big league.

Since then, the two men have evolved, but remain linked. Sirianni also explained at a press conference the importance that Daboll had in his progress and learning at that time in his career. This weekend, there will be no gifts between the two technicians. With a victory, the Eagles can confirm their place in the playoffs. For this, Philadelphia will be able to rely on the 2nd attack most productive in the league (388.3 yards gained per game) and the 3rd best defense in NFL (296.4 yards conceded/meeting). After Dallas, the Giants want to be the second to bring down the NFC ogre. In recent weeks, New York has been marking time with 1 victory only for 3 defeats and 1 draw. But there is no doubt that Brian Daboll will want to play a bad trick on his former colleague at all costs.

AFC North

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Cincinnati Bengals (8-4) – Cleveland Browns (5-7)

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7) – Baltimore Ravens (8-4)

Focus on the AFC North this week which offers us a double confrontation this Sunday at 7 p.m.. The distance duel for the first place in the division will probably keep us in suspense. Advantage for the moment to the Ravens, thanks to their victory (19-17) in week 5. But the Bengals have not said their last word and they could well regain the lead this weekend. First because they receive (the Browns)while the Ravens must move (@Pittsburgh).

Then because the dynamic is much better for Joe Burrow’s partners. They remain on 3 consecutive victories including two against serious opponents in AFC (Tennessee and Kansas City). Conversely, Baltimore worries a little more since 3 matches (despite 2 wins) and especially just lost Lamar Jackson. The quarterback is expected to be absent against the Steelers, which may leave John Harbaugh with less room to maneuver. However, this division could be played out in week 18 when the Ravens moved to Cincinnati. In the meantime, Pittsburgh and Cleveland will try to play the spoilsports and more if affinity, even if they start from afar.

The (other) division duels

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Tennessee Titans (7-5) – Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Denver Broncos (3-9) – Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)

To finish with the intra-division meetings, we stay in AFC. In the South, Tennessee hopes to use the reception of the Jaguars to break the negative spiral that the franchise is currently experiencing. The Titans fell in Philadelphia and against the Bengals and want to regain victory. They face Sunday, a team that they generally do well. A success which would also make it possible to find a little serenity within a franchise which has just dismissed its general manager in the middle of the season.

In the second part of the evening, head west. Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City travel to Denver. A meeting originally scheduled for prime time that the NFL has advanced in the afternoon as the Broncos struggle this season. And it’s certainly not the reception of the Chiefs that will put them back on the right track. The Colorado franchise hasn’t beaten its division opponent since 13 encounters.

The rest

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys (9-3) – Houston Texans (1-10-1)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Seattle Seahawks (7-5) – Carolina Panthers (4-8)

Kick-off in the night from Monday to Tuesday at 02:30
Arizona Cardinals (4-8) – New England Patriots (6-6)

In the rest of the week’s games, the most lopsided encounter of the weekend will certainly be played in Dallas on Sunday. The Cowboys, who stay on 5 wins during the last 6 matches, receive Texans who have not won for two months. Beyond the significant gap in talent between the two teams, the key will certainly be on the ground for Mike McCarthy’s men. Dallas is indeed coming out of its best performance of the season in this sector (220 yards rushing vs. the Colts) and will face the worst ground defense in the league (169.1 yards conceded on the run per game for Houston). Suffice to say that it may be difficult to stop Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.

Later in the evening, Seattle will host the Panthers. After two straight losses, the Seahawks recovered well against the Rams. Now, they hope to finish the season well to hang the playoffs. The good news for Pete Carroll and his men is that they will finish with four receptions at Lumen Field over the last five games. What put pressure on the 49ers, currently leading the NFC West. Also in this division, it will be necessary to wait for Monday Night Football to see Arizona play. The Cardinals face New England which is in its third game in prime time in three weeks. Hostilities have already begun.

The posters

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Buffalo Bills (9-3) – New York Jets (7-5)
Cincinnati Bengals (8-4) – Cleveland Browns (5-7)
Dallas Cowboys (9-3) – Houston Texans (1-10-1)
Detroit Lions (5-7) – Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
New York Giants (7-4-1) – Philadelphia Eagles (11-1)
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7) – Baltimore Ravens (8-4)
Tennessee Titans (7-5) – Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)