Week 14 NFL Recap: Patriots, Buccaneers, Jets, Ravens, and More
Week 14 of the NFL season kicked off with a Thursday night matchup between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Patriots came out on top in that game. On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons, creating a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South. The New York Jets had a dominant performance against the Houston Texans, led by quarterback Zach Wilson. The Baltimore Ravens survived in overtime, and quarterbacks Jake Browning and C.J. Stroud left their games with injuries.
In other games, the San Francisco 49ers continued their winning streak with a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The Minnesota Vikings won a close game against the Las Vegas Raiders, improving their playoff chances. The Denver Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Buffalo Bills got a big win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dallas Cowboys 33, Philadelphia Eagles 13
The Dallas Cowboys’ win streak has raised questions about whether they are a legitimate contender. While much of their success has come against weaker opponents, their victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, who had the best record in the NFL, solidifies their position among the NFC’s elite. Kicker Brandon Aubrey had an impressive performance, making 30 straight field goal attempts and hitting two kicks from at least 59 yards. However, the Cowboys suffered a setback with defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins’ injury, which could impact their run defense.
The Eagles’ recent losses to the 49ers and Cowboys have exposed weaknesses in their offense and defense. They struggle to start games strong and have difficulties in the red zone and on third down. While they have a favorable schedule ahead, they need to rebound in their upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks to regain their footing.
Buffalo Bills 20, Kansas City Chiefs 17
The Buffalo Bills’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs was a crucial step in keeping their playoff hopes alive. The defense, which has been a concern throughout the season, stepped up in this game. However, there are still areas
The Jaguars’ Challenge Without Kirk
The Jaguars will have to find a way to function without Kirk, who will miss at least three more games. Tight end Evan Engram had an impressive performance, catching 11 passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Engram is on pace to become the first tight end in franchise history to catch 100 passes in a season. However, the pass rush struggled, only getting to Joe Flacco once and allowing him to throw for 311 yards and three touchdowns.
Ravens’ Pursuit of the No. 1 Seed
The Ravens’ win over the Rams was crucial in their pursuit of the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Tylan Wallace’s game-winning punt return for a touchdown in overtime was significant, considering the Rams were the last team on Baltimore’s schedule without a winning record. Quarterback Lamar Jackson had a stellar performance, throwing three touchdown passes and leading the team in rushing yards. TE Isaiah Likely also had a standout game, recording a season-high 83 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Rams’ Playoff Chances
The Rams’ loss to the Ravens decreased their chances of making the playoffs to 35%, according to ESPN Analytics. The team now has five games left in the regular season, with only one game remaining against a team with a winning record. WR Cooper Kupp had a strong performance, with eight catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. However, the secondary struggled, allowing explosive plays to the Ravens.
Zach Wilson’s Strong Performance
Zach Wilson played one of the best games of his career, throwing for 301 yards and two touchdowns in the Jets’ win over the Texans. RB Breece Hall also had a standout game, with 126 total yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. However, WR Allen Lazard had a disappointing performance, with no targets and a holding penalty.
Texans’ Injuries Impacting the Offense
The Texans have been hit hard by injuries to their starting quarterback, top receiving targets, and offensive linemen. DE Jonathan Greenard had a strong performance, recording two sacks. However, the pass defense struggled, allowing Wilson to throw for 300 yards.
Saints’ Bleak Atmosphere Despite Win
Despite their win over the Panthers, the atmosphere around the Saints
The Patriots’ Playoff Positioning and Player Performance
The New England Patriots are currently in the second position based on the tiebreaker. They have a few games remaining in the season, including matchups against the Chiefs, Broncos, Bills, and Jets. The players in the locker room are focused on winning, as it could impact the team’s positioning in the draft to potentially land a franchise quarterback.
After their recent win, running back Ezekiel Elliott’s stock is up. He had an impressive performance, totaling 140 yards from scrimmage and playing almost the entire game. He even made a hustle tackle on an interception return. On the other hand, wide receiver Ty Montgomery II’s stock is down. He was removed from the punt-protection unit after allowing a block in the fourth quarter and was subsequently waived by the Patriots.
Next game: vs. Chiefs (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET)
The Steelers’ Struggles and Player Evaluations
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ chances of making the playoffs have significantly decreased after back-to-back losses against teams with only two wins. Despite having a 74% chance to make the playoffs after beating the Bengals, they now only have a 36% chance. The Steelers’ losses were not only disappointing, but they also fell behind by at least 18 points in each game.
Although the defense made adjustments to shut out the Patriots in the second half, the offense failed to score on a short field and lacked execution and consistency. Additionally, quarterback Mitch Trubisky couldn’t provide the spark the team needed in his first game filling in for Kenny Pickett.
Linebacker Elandon Roberts’s stock is up after the loss. Despite sustaining a groin injury, he played in the game against the Patriots and made significant contributions, including a key pass breakup that led to an interception.
However, coach Mike Tomlin’s stock is down. The Steelers have come out flat in the past two games against opponents with inferior records. The team allowed one of the league’s worst offenses to take an 18-point lead in the first half, indicating a failure from the top down.
Next game: at Colts (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET)