Week 14 saw several key matchups in this year’s playoff race. One playoff spot changed hands, and a Super Bowl favorite fell to a lovable underdog. Here is where all 32 NFL teams stand after Week 14.
32. Houston Texans (1-11-1) (Eliminated) Prev: 32
Houston gave the Cowboys a run for their money, but ultimately, they took the loss after blowing a lead late. Houston remains on the hunt for the first overall pick, and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is the likely selection. Hopefully, he turns out better for the Texans than their last franchise quarterback.
Team MVP: Chris Moore (10 rec, 124 yds)
Next: vs Chiefs
31. Chicago Bears (3-10) (Eliminated) Prev: 31
The Bears had their bye this week. Already out of playoff contention, Chicago will be looking to play spoiler.
Next: vs Eagles
30. Denver Broncos (3-10) (Eliminated) Prev: 30
Broncos country, the ride has come to a close. Denver was officially eliminated from playoff contention this week after losing to the Chiefs. Russell Wilson was playing well before leaving the game with a scary-looking concussion. With no first-round pick this year or the next, it will likely be a directionless few years for Denver.
Team MVP: Jerry Jeudy (8 rec, 73 yds, 3 TDs)
Next: vs Cardinals
29. New Orleans Saints (4-9) Prev: 28
The Saints had their bye this week. They find themselves on the brink of elimination, with not much going for them.
Next: vs Falcons
28. Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) Prev: 27
The Colts had their bye this week. They are in a similar situation to the Saints, except they have their first-round pick.
Next: at Vikings
27. Arizona Cardinals (4-9) Prev: 21
Not only did Arizona lose on Monday night, but their franchise also took a hit. Kyler Murray, their franchise quarterback, suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season. Quarterbacks’ recoveries from these types of injuries have been 50/50. If Murray isn’t the same player he was, Arizona’s trajectory may go downhill.
Team MVP: Isaiah Simmons (6 tackles, INT)
Next: at Broncos
26. Los Angeles Rams (4-9) Prev: 29
Baker Mayfield, two days removed from being picked up off waivers by the Rams, led the team to an improbable comeback against the Raiders. It was a feel-good moment for Mayfield, who may factor into the Rams’ long-term plans. Once Stafford retires, Mayfield could be the quarterback for the Rams.
Team MVP: Baker Mayfield (22/35, 230 yds, TD)
Next: at Packers
25. Atlanta Falcons (5-8) Prev: 24
Atlanta had their bye this week. Marcus Mariota is now on injured reserve, and rookie Desmond Ridder will start at quarterback.
Next: at Saints
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8) Prev: 23
The Steelers lost to the Ravens after Kenny Pickett left with a concussion. Mitch Trubisky entered the game and proved he belonged on the bench with three interceptions. The Steelers will hope their rookie quarterback can come back soon.
Team MVP: TJ Watt (5 tackles, sack, QB hit)
Next: at Panthers
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8) Prev: 26
Trevor Lawrence continues to be an enigma. After playing an average game last week, T-Law returned with another dazzling performance against the Titans. If Jacksonville continues to roll and Tennessee continues to struggle, there could be some movement in the AFC South.
Team MVP: Evan Engram (11 rec, 162 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: vs Cowboys
22. Las Vegas Raiders (5-8) Prev: 22
The Raiders lost to a team whose quarterback had been on the roster for two days. Vegas was building momentum toward a potential playoff run, but this loss brings all that to a screeching halt. Josh McDaniels hosts his former mentor with a chance to revive his team.
Team MVP: Josh Jacobs (99 yds, TD)
Next: vs Patriots
21. Carolina Panthers (5-8) Prev: 25
The Panthers got the win over the Seahawks this week. Carolina is in second place in the division, with the Bucs struggling. The Panthers were supposed to be tanking, but they may make the playoffs.
Team MVP: Chuba Hubbard (74 yds, TD, 3 rec, 25 yds)
Next: vs Steelers
20. Green Bay Packers (5-8) Prev: 20
Green Bay had their bye this week. They are likely out of the playoff picture at this point but can play spoiler with their potential on offense.
Next: vs Rams
19. Cleveland Browns (5-8) Prev: 19
The Browns were beaten by the Bengals this week. Deshaun Watson was supposed to improve the team, but he has brought the team down. Cleveland will likely be out of the AFC playoff picture sooner rather than later.
Team MVP: Donovan Peoples-Jones (8 rec, 114 yds)
Next: vs Ravens
18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) Prev: 16
The Bucs got blown out by the 49ers. Brock Purdy lit their defense up, and Tom Brady’s offense struggled. A free agent in the offseason, one has to wonder if Brady’s time as a Buc may come to an end soon.
Team MVP: Rachaad White (56 yds)
Next: vs Bengals
17. New York Giants (7-5-1) Prev: 15
New York took a loss to the Eagles. The Giants were outmatched, which could be a preview if they make the postseason. After a hot start to the season, the G-men could be in trouble down the stretch.
Team MVP: Richie James (7 rec, 61 yds, TD)
Next: at Commanders
16. Seattle Seahawks (7-6) Prev: 16
Seattle’s playoff hopes took a hit after losing to the Panthers. With the Giants losing this week, this was a prime opportunity for the Seahawks to solidify some playoff positioning. It was a very winnable game, and the last playoff spot in the NFC continues to be a toss-up.
Team MVP: Marquise Goodwin (5 rec, 95 yds, TD)
Next: vs 49ers
15. Tennessee Titans (7-6) Prev: 13
Tennessee is on the struggle bus. The Titans fell to the Jags, and this is a loss that means something. Mike Vrabel needs to right the ship quickly, as the Jags are getting hot. Continued losses for the Titans could knock them off their perch at the top of the AFC South.
Team MVP: Derrick Henry (121 yds, TD)
Next: at Chargers
14. Detroit Lions (6-7) Prev: 18
Who would’ve thought the Lions would be making a run at this point in the season? Detroit took down the Vikings and continued their march toward the postseason. Detroit is a red-hot, motivated team that can beat anybody. The NFC should be afraid if they make the playoffs.
Team MVP: Jared Goff (27/39, 330 yds, 3 TDs)
Next: at Jets
13. New York Jets (7-6) Prev: 10
New York lost again this week, knocking them out of the playoff picture. Mike White left this game after being mauled by the Bills’ defense all day. White will not miss any time, but he will be a little beat up.
Team MVP: Quinnen Williams (3 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 QB hits)
Next: vs Lions
12. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) Prev: 12
The Chargers took down the Dolphins, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Los Angeles had their wide receivers fully healthy for the first time since early in the season, and it showed. Their offense sliced apart Miami’s secondary.
Team MVP: Mike Williams (6 rec, 116 yds, TD)
Next: vs Titans
11. New England Patriots (7-6) Prev: 17
The Patriots retook control of the seventh seed in the playoffs with a win over the Cardinals. New England will have the most challenging road to the postseason, with matchups against Cincinnati, Miami and Buffalo looming. If their offense can keep up the momentum they have, they may pull it off.
Team MVP: Josh Uche (5 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 TFLs, 4 QB hits)
Next: at Raiders
10. Washington Commanders (7-5-1) Prev: 11
Washington had their bye this week. They face the Giants next week, hoping to avenge their previous tie.
Next: vs Giants
9. Miami Dolphins (8-5) Prev: 9
The Dolphins struggled in a loss against the Chargers. Miami has lost two in a row after leading the AFC East. Tua, in particular, has cooled off. The Dolphins will need their quarterback to get back to form.
Team MVP: Tyreek Hill (4 rec, 81 yds, TD, fumble recovery TD)
Next: at Bills
8. San Francisco 49ers (9-4) Prev: 8
The 49ers beat down the Buccaneers. Brock Purdy was excellent, as the last pick in the draft looked strong against Tampa’s defense. The 49ers’ Super Bowl aspirations look fine on the shoulders of Mr. Irrelevant.
Team MVP: Christian McCaffrey (119 yds, TD, 2 rec, 34 yds, TD)
Next: at Seahawks
7. Baltimore Ravens (9-4) Prev: 7
The Ravens are running out of quarterbacks. Tyler Huntley left their win against the Steelers, bringing in Anthony Brown. Baltimore still leads the division, but the Bengals are in much better shape.
Team MVP: JK Dobbins (120 yds, TD)
Next: at Browns
6. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) Prev: 6
Joe Burrow got his first win against the Browns this week. The Bengals have caught fire recently, and with Ja’Marr Chase back, Cincy could go on another run late in the year. Getting back to the Super Bowl is always challenging, but the Bengals could do it.
Team MVP: Ja’Marr Chase (10 rec, 119 yds, TD)
Next: at Buccaneers
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-3) Prev: 5
The Cowboys escaped a loss to the Texans. Dallas would’ve embarrassed themselves with a loss here, but a late Ezekiel Elliot touchdown saved them. Dallas will need to be better going forward because they don’t get to play Houston every week.
Team MVP: Tony Pollard (42 yds, TD, 4 rec, 20 yds, TD)
Next: at Jaguars
4. Minnesota Vikings (10-3) Prev: 2
The Vikings took a loss to the Lions this week. They’re in no danger of losing the division, but they likely have no shot of capturing the first seed now. Minnesota will likely rebound quickly after running into a hot Detroit team.
Team MVP: Justin Jefferson (11 rec, 223 yds)
Next: vs Colts
3. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) Prev: 4
Kansas City almost blew it late against Denver, but they managed to win. They beat them down early before shooting themselves in the foot several times. The Chiefs were good enough to make up for it, but those types of mistakes need to be eliminated.
Team MVP: Jerick McKinnon (7 rec, 112 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Texans
2. Buffalo Bills (10-3) Prev: 3
Buffalo took down the Jets this week. They made up for their loss earlier in the season and maintained their grip on the AFC. The Bills get another division matchup next week.
Team MVP: Greg Rousseau (2 tackles, 2 sacks, TFL, pass defense, 2 QB hits)
Next: vs Dolphins
1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) Prev: 1
The Eagles stomped the Giants this week, asserting their dominance over their division rival. Philly is the team to beat this year, led By Jalen Hurts. Hurts will likely win MVP as he continues to impress week in and week out.
Team MVP: Miles Sanders (144 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Bears
