NFL Week 14 stories to watch: Eagles-Cowboys, Bills-Chiefs and big backup QBs

Week 14 is truly the home stretch of the NFL season. There was one last quarter of the game, and then the game came.

Lots of hype, as it has been all season, especially after last week when the top teams (Eagles and Chiefs) were weak, the hot teams (Broncos and Jaguars) cooled off. the teams that were once famous (Steelers, Seahawks, Saints and Browns). Meanwhile, the teams that opened the year with struggles (Packers, Rams, Colts and Falcons) now have some life.

Here are the five most compelling stories to follow on Sunday and Monday. (Find the NFL Week 14 schedule here.)

1. The Eagles’ response to last week’s loss

Week 13 of the highly anticipated battle between last season’s NFC champions ended with the 49ers winning 42-19. The Eagles, who were considered the best team in football, failed to muster their usual strength and resilience and suffered only their second loss of the season. Just a week off? A team that is physically and mentally exhausted after winning five straight, including three straight? Or, are the Super Bowl runners-up overhyped and no match for a juggernaut like San Francisco?

We’ll learn the answer to those questions and more about the Eagles, as they head to Arlington, Texas, to face the Cowboys, who are riding a four-game winning streak of their own. Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts was ineffective against San Francisco, posting a season-low completion percentage (57.8) and managing just 2.9 yards per carry. Hurts hasn’t lost back-to-back starts since October 2021. Will he and his team bounce back, or will familiarity help Will the Cowboys avenge a 28-23 Week 9 loss to the Eagles?

A Philadelphia loss, and a San Francisco win over Seattle, would move the 49ers into first place in the NFC. An Eagles loss would result in a tie with the Cowboys for first place in the NFC East. (Eagles at Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday.)

2. Travel high for Bill, Lord

At 6-6, with five games remaining, it was time for Buffalo. See during a tournament like the Super Bowl, the Bills may not be doing it at all. They are 11th in the AFC behind women’s prospects Cleveland, Indianapolis, Houston, Pittsburgh, Denver and Cincinnati and may need a 5-0 finish. only qualification. Before a crucial game against the Chiefs, the Bills spent the week answering questions about the Von Miller catch and Sean McDermott’s 9/11 comments.

On Sunday afternoon, they will face a Chiefs team that has been hurt by last week’s loss to the Packers and has lost three of its last five games. Kansas City remains head and shoulders above all other teams in the AFC West but is third in the race for the conference’s best team, which translates into home advantage over time. the entire playoffs.

This matchup has always been a passing battle between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, but Mahomes’ receiving has remained unsettled and the Chiefs’ regular offense has outscored 30-pointers. the third time this season. Allen and Buffalo’s offense also has its problems. Which defense will succeed in fooling the opposing quarterback and his linebackers? That unit is likely to win. Two straight losses before time runs out. (Bills at Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.)

3. Quarterbacks have their days

This season has been bad for starting quarterbacks. Three of the seven AFC teams slated to make the playoffs – Jacksonville, Cleveland and Indianapolis – may well have contributions under Sunday’s central (Trevor Lawrence is expected to be a decision in time of games; CJ Beathard will start for the Jaguars if possible. go). Fourth, the Steelers turned to Mitch Trubisky to replace the injured Kenny Pickett on Thursday. Trubisky and the Steelers lost to the lowly Patriots. In the NFC, the Vikings are struggling to stay in the mix with Josh Dobbs at the helm.

If the front offices of these teams haven’t figured it out yet—and some of them haven’t—having two starting quarterbacks on the roster is extremely important. It really is a do-or-die decision. Indianapolis got it right by signing Gardner Minshew to backup Anthony Richardson; Minshew has played well enough for the Colts to be in the mix despite Richardson’s season-ending injury in Week 4.

Cleveland was so underprepared that it turned to Joe Flacco, who had not played since wrapping up last season with the Jets. Trubisky has proven less than desirable as a starter. Kevin O’Connell marveled at how well he set Dobbs up for success after signing him to replace the injured Kirk Cousins. But Dobbs has struggled recently with ball protection (five interceptions and punts), and Minnesota has two straight. Meanwhile, NFC North rival Green Bay is on the rise and threatening to catch up with them.

For many of these teams, postseason prospects will depend largely on depth and play. The blood pressure level for many coaches will be high considering their uncertainty in the most important position on the field and the difficulties that their teams have experienced.

4. Those who rise and fall

These last five weeks will be interesting because of the consistency that reigns in the NFL today.

The four AFC division leaders – the Dolphins, Ravens, Chiefs and Jaguars – appear to be set, although things could change for Jacksonville if Lawrence is out for an extended period of time. But at least seven other teams have their pick in the last three spots, and no one would be surprised if at least one of them (probably the Texans, Bills and/or the Broncos) to force it into the mixture.

The same goes for the NFC: The Eagles or Cowboys will win the NFC East; the NFC South will go to the Falcons or the Saints; The 49ers and Lions should win their divisions. But the Vikings, Packers, Rams and Seahawks all have strong positions in the postseason.

Teams on the rise include the Colts (winners of four straight, and a tough game against the Bengals on Sunday), the Packers and the Rams (both three straight wins) and the Falcons (two straight wins).

The Saints, Steelers and Browns all seem to be headed in the wrong direction. The Broncos have won five straight but lost last week to the Texans. Which way will the pendulum swing for them this week?

The Jets return to Wilson after Tim Boyle’s season ended with just one loss, three interceptions and two fumbles. First up: Sunday’s tournament with Player of the Year CJ Stroud and DeMeco Ryans talented Texans defense. I do.

Wilson had mixed feelings about regaining the starting role, which didn’t bode well for his recovery hopes. On the one hand, it’s frustrating as a competitor, the quarterback doesn’t want another shot to play. But at the same time, because of the terrible condition of the Jets’ offensive line and Nathaniel Hackett’s inability to design a game plan to reduce the pressure on his quarterbacks and exploit the incompetence of the whole unit, maybe Wilson is right to have some problems.

Either way, it’s back to the saddle. The bar won’t be too high for Wilson (six touchdowns, seven interceptions and five lost fumbles) or a team’s five-game offense. then. This is likely to be Wilson’s last position as a Jets quarterback. He should take this as an opportunity to gather any positives he can in the hope that another team will find his athleticism and other physical gifts to impress and highlight some of his weaknesses. the tragedy that surrounded him three years ago. Wilson has nothing to lose, so his best bet against the Texans, Dolphins, Commanders, Browns and Patriots is to give it a shot and see if that aggressive mindset helps him land a better conditions this season. (Texans at Jets, 1 p.m. ET Sunday.)

(Photo of Patrick Mahomes, Sean McDermott, Zach Wilson: Stacy Revere, Bryan M. Bennett, Dustin Satloff / Getty Images)

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