It’s Week 14 of the 2019 NFL season, and playoff scenarios are becoming clearer.
The Chicago Bears humbled the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky leading the way. The win helped the Bears (7-6) stay relevant in the crowded NFC postseason race, while the Cowboys (6-7) remain atop the woeful NFC East despite a losing record.
Sunday’s slate of games includes three especially intriguing matchups that will clarify the playoff picture further.
The Baltimore Ravens head to upstate New York to meet the upstart Buffalo Bills, with the visitors looking to solidify their grip on the AFC’s top seed while the Bills hope to remain in contention for the AFC East title.
The San Francisco 49ers travel to face the New Orleans Saints in a matchup of teams with eyes on the NFC’s top seed and designs on a deep postseason run.
The Kansas City Chiefs visit the New England Patriots in a battle of AFC division leaders with generational talents under center for both teams in star quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady.
To see which games will be shown in your area, visit our game maps article here.
Without further ado, here are your Week 14 game previews for the Sunday and Monday games.
Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Ravens 10-2, Bills 9-3
Line: Ravens by 5½
Satellite radio: Ravens feed on Sirius 121 (streaming 802), Bills feed on Sirius 134 (streaming 803)
Ravens’ keys: QB Lamar Jackson’s playmaking skills have to show up early and often. The Ravens have scored at least 30 points in five of their past six games.
Bills’ keys: Their defense has to keep the offense within striking distance over the course of the game. The Ravens have scored at least 30 points in five of their last six games, and the Bills’ offense has scored 30 twice, both times against the Dolphins. Buffalo showed a national TV audience on Thanksgiving that QB Josh Allen, WR Cole Beasley, WR John Brown and RB Devin Singletary can make plays.
Who wins? The Bills are riding high and have an all-around defense to keep things closer than some might think. But the Ravens have enough to escape. Ravens 28, Bills 20
— Nick Wojton
Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Panthers 5-7, Falcons 3-9
Line: Falcons by 2½
Satellite radio: Panthers feed on Sirius 133 (streaming 804), Falcons feed on Sirius 108 (streaming 801)
Panthers’ keys: Use screen passes to get the ball to RB Christian McCaffrey and allow QB Kyle Allen to make simple reads on offense. The defense needs to bring the heat against the Falcons’ struggling offensive line, which has given up 40 sacks and 100 QB hits this season.
Falcons’ keys: Priority No. 1 is to keep QB Matt Ryan upright after allowing nine sacks by the Saints on Thanksgiving. Atlanta intercepted four Allen passes and sacked him five times when the teams played Nov. 17.
Who wins? Expect Atlanta, which throttled the Panthers 29-3 in Week 11, to win a low-scoring and possibly ugly game. Falcons 20, Panthers 16
— Matt Urben
Bal@Buf / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Bengals 1-11, Browns 5-7
Line: Browns by 8½
Satellite radio: Bengals feed on Sirius 119 (streaming 806), Browns feed on Sirius 135 (streaming 807)
Bengals’ keys: Cincinnati passes on nearly two-thirds of its offensive plays. If RB Joe Mixon finds early success, it would help neutralize the Browns’ pass rush. The defense must slow down Browns RB Nick Chubb on first down.
Browns’ keys: QB Baker Mayfield has been making smarter decisions of late and getting the ball to playmaking WRs Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. and RB Kareem Hunt, who has thrived in the passing game.
Who wins? The Browns have more riding on the game and have myriad paths. Browns 31, Bengals 13
— Jeff Risdon
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Redskins 3-9, Packers 9-3
Line: Packers by 12½
Satellite radio: Redskins feed on Sirius 137 (streaming 831), Packers feed on Sirius 81 (streaming 811)
Redskins’ keys: Dominate the line of scrimmage, continue running the football with RBs Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson and get consistent pressure with four pass rushers.
Packers’ keys: Get the ball to RB Aaron Jones and WR Davante Adams, force Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins to win from the pocket and create takeaways.
Who wins? The Packers are playing at home for the first time in a month and have a chance to take another step toward the postseason. The gap at quarterback is too big for Washington to win at Lambeau Field. Packers 24, Redskins 13
–Zach Kruse
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Denver Broncos at Houston Texans
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Broncos 4-8, Texans 8-4
Line: Texans by 7½
Satellite radio: Broncos feed on Sirius 94 (streaming 809), Texans feed on Sirius 136 (streaming 812)
Broncos’ keys: Denver can neutralize the Texans’ dynamic offense and minimize its inexperience at quarterback with its own run game, featuring RBs Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman.
Texans’ keys: Houston has a potent passing offense led by QB Deshaun Watson, who will need to feel the Broncos’ pressure and react accordingly when it arrives. RB Carlos Hyde needs to get going on the ground to provide a diverse offensive attack.
Who wins? The Texans need as many conference wins as possible to help their wild-card positioning if they fail to win the division. Watson is superior to whomever the Broncos start at QB, be it Drew Lock or Brandon Allen. Texans 27, Broncos 16
— Mark Lane
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Lions 3-8-1, Vikings 8-4
Line: Vikings by 12½
Satellite radio: Lions feed on Sirius 138 (streaming 810), Vikings feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 819)
Lions’ keys: Play better late in games. There is plenty of talent on this team, especially at wide receiver with Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr.
Vikings’ keys: Don’t lose focus in preparation as they have a tough closing schedule. The Lions are eliminated from the playoff hunt and have nothing to play for.
Who wins? The Vikings should think of this as a must-win game if they are to win the NFC North title. Vikings 29, Lions 13
— Kyle Ratke
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: 49ers 10-2, Saints 10-2
Line: Saints by 2½
Satellite radio: 49ers feed on Sirius 105 (streaming 827), Saints feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 821)
49ers’ keys: They must find ways to run against an elite, run-stopping Saints defense. New Orleans hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in its past 38 games (including the playoffs). San Francisco expects to get leading rusher RB Matt Breida back for this game.
Saints’ keys: Stopping the run; doing so forces the 49ers to lean on QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who ranks near the bottom third of the league in pass attempts but sits inside the top 10 in interceptions and fumbles. When the Saints’ offense has the ball, look for QB Taysom Hill on option plays in an attempt to mimic the success Ravens QB Lamar Jackson had against the 49ers.
Who wins? Defense wins championships, and the Saints are capable of shutting down the 49ers’ running attack and putting Garoppolo into an uncomfortable spot. It won’t be easy, but the Saints win this one in a street fight. Saints 22, 49ers 20
— John Sigler
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Dolphins 3-9, Jets 4-8
Line: Jets by 5½
Satellite radio: Dolphins feed on Sirius 98 (streaming 818), Jets feed on Sirius 111 (streaming 823)
Dolphins’ keys: Miami sacked Jets QB Sam Darnold three times, had nine QB hits and played a cleaner game (no turnovers and fewer penalties) in the earlier 26-18 victory against New York.
Jets’ keys: Darnold has played much better recently since the loss to the Dolphins, and the offensive line has provided him with adequate protection despite a bevy of injuries.
Who wins? After a beatdown in Miami, expect coach Adam Gase and his team to be locked in at home. Jets 30, Dolphins 14
— Gary Phillips
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Indianapolis Colts at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Colts 6-6, Bucs 5-7
Line: Bucs by 3½
Satellite radio: Colts feed on Sirius 146 (streaming 813), Bucs feed on Sirius 113 (streaming 829)
Colts’ keys: They’d love to be able to establish the run early, but given the strength of Tampa Bay’s run defense, their best option will be to take to the air, though their best receivers have been battling injuries. On defense, if they can put Bucs QB Jameis Winston on the ground early and often, the Colts could find a way to win.
Buccaneers’ keys: Expect Tampa Bay to stick to the passing game, but the offensive line will need to give Winston the time he needs to find the open receiver.
Who wins? The Bucs are finally starting to click under new coach Bruce Arians. Buccaneers 34, Colts 17
— Colin Liotta
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Records: Chargers 4-8, Jags 4-8
Line: Chargers by 2½
Satellite radio: Chargers feed on Sirius 105 (streaming 816), Jags feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 814)
Chargers’ keys: Los Angeles’ defense is talented, but it struggles against the run, allowing about 110 yards per game. If the Chargers can hold RB Leonard Fournette in check, it can put pass rushers Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa in a position where they can get after QB Gardner Minshew II, who is back starting over Nick Foles but has had fumbling issues. Offensively, QB Philip Rivers has a chance to deflate a defense that is no longer the elite group he dealt with in 2017.
Jaguars’ keys: To alleviate pressure on the rookie Minshew, Fournette must continue his success on the ground. Minshew should also look to get his favorite target DJ Chark going because his success leads to the Jags’ offense to having a good day.
Who wins? The Jags haven’t won a game since before their bye week, and it’s hard to see that happening against the Chargers’ defense. Chargers 21, Jaguars 17
— Jay Johnson
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Pittsburgh Steelers at Arizona Cardinals
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Steelers 7-5, Cards 3-8-1
Line: Steelers by 2½
Satellite radio: Steelers feed on Sirius 133 (streaming 826), Cards feed on Sirius 108 (streaming 800)
Steelers’ keys: The Steelers have been riding defense to wins in five of the last six games, which has allowed QB Devlin Hodges to play efficiently and lean on the running game. Defensively, Pittsburgh must pressure QB Kyler Murray and limit the Cardinals’ running game, led by Kenyan Drake.
Cardinals’ keys: They have to protect Murray and pressure Hodges. They must get the running game going and involve RB David Johnson in the passing game. Johnson has 13 touches for his last four games, including three receptions.
Who wins? The Cardinals will struggle to score points against Pittsburgh’s defense, which has allowed a combined 55 points over its last three games. Steelers 24, Cardinals 16
— Jess Root
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Kansas City Chiefs at New England Patriots
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Chiefs 8-4, Pats 10-2
Line: Pats by 2½
Satellite radio: Chiefs feed on Sirius 138 (streaming 815), Pats feed on Sirius 82 (streaming 820)
Chiefs’ keys: The Chiefs need to create pressure on Patriots QB Tom Brady with DE Frank Clark and DT Chris Jones, and they’ve been having more success with their pass rush recently. On offense, the Chiefs will need to think beyond simply QB Patrick Mahomes.
Patriots’ keys: They are likely to employ a similar strategy to last season’s AFC Championship Game: double-team WR Tyreek Hill with CB Jonathan Jones and S Devin McCourty while putting CBs Stephon Gilmore, J.C. Jackson and Jason McCourty on the other receivers.
Who wins? There’s a chance the Patriots won’t be able to keep pace offensively with the Chiefs. But New England should get its top skill players healthy in time for kickoff. Patriots 27, Chiefs 24
— Henry McKenna
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Records: Titans 7-5, Raiders 6-6
Line: Titans by 2½
Satellite radio: Titans feed on Sirius 137 (streaming 830), Raiders feed on Sirius 81 (streaming 824)
Titans’ keys: They will need to continue to rely on superstar RB Derrick Henry, who will face an Oakland run defense that allows nearly 104 yards per game. On defense, Tennessee will need to slow down the Raiders’ short passing game.
Raiders’ keys: The Raiders are at their best on offense when they can stay ahead of the chains, running the ball up the middle with sensational rookie RB Josh Jacobs. Oakland has a dink-and-dunk offense that relies on being consistent.
Who wins: With each team competing for the final wild-card spot in the AFC, this might as well be a playoff game. Look for this to be a hard-fought contest with the Titans pulling off the slight upset on the road. Titans 23, Raiders 21
— Marcus Mosher
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Sea@LAR / NYG@Phi
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC
Records: Seahawks 10-2, Rams 7-5
Line: Seahawks by 2½
Satellite radio: Seahawks feed on Sirius 81 (streaming 828), Rams feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 817)
Seahawks’ keys: They haven’t been beating teams with a punishing defense or relentless pass rush. Instead, it’s been a sharp offensive attack led by QB Russell Wilson. The Seahawks shouldn’t have much trouble stopping the Rams’ offense, but moving the ball against Los Angeles’ defense could be a bit difficult.
Rams’ keys: The offense can’t find any rhythm through the air or on the ground. QB Jared Goff has regressed behind a struggling offensive line, while RB Todd Gurley looks like a shell of his former self. On defense, keeping the ball out of Seattle WR Tyler Lockett’s hands will also be critical.
Who wins? Seattle’s defense might not be great, but it forces turnovers at a high rate and will get to Goff. Containing Wilson also will prove to be too difficult. Seahawks 31, Rams 24
– Cam DaSilva
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / NYG@Phi
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN
Records: Giants 2-10, Eagles 5-7
Line: Eagles by 9½
Satellite radio: Giants feed on Sirius 81 (streaming 822), Eagles feed on Sirius 83 (streaming 825)
Giants’ keys: The Eagles thrive on creating pressure off the edges, so the Giants must do a better job of taking care of the ball and protecting QB Eli Manning, who is expected to start because of Daniel Jones’ ankle injury. Defensively, the Giants will need to key on TE Zach Ertz and RB RB Miles Sanders while pressuring QB Carson Wentz off the edge.
Eagles’ keys: In a poor NFC East, Philadelphia has playoff hopes. The Eagles must not allow Manning, RB Saquan Barkley and WR Sterling Shepard to have huge performances. Wentz must be efficient and take what the struggling New York defense will give him.
Who wins? The Giants have lost eight in a row; Philadelphia still controls its own destiny. Eagles 31, Giants 21
— Glenn Erby
Bal@Buf / Car@Atl / Cin@Cle / Was@GB / Den@Hou / Det@Min / SF@NO / Mia@NYJ / Ind@TB / LAC@Jax / Pit@Ari / KC@NE / Ten@Oak / Sea@LAR
Lines by BetMGM.com
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