Intense Showdowns Await in Week 14: Divisional Rivals Battle with Playoff Stakes
High-stakes battles await in Week 14 as divisional rivals collide, igniting the playoff race Brace yourself for thrilling showdowns: Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills vs Kansas City Chiefs, and Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers Find out when and how to catch all the action!
Week 14 in the NFL started with the New England Patriots securing a victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night. The excitement continues with a lineup of thrilling games on Sunday, and wraps up with a primetime double-header on Monday, where playoff implications are at stake.
Heres what to look for in Week 14 of the 2023 season.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
In Week 14, the highly-anticipated matchup between divisional rivals Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys will take place. The last time these NFC titans faced off was just one month ago in Philadelphia, with the Eagles earning a hard-fought 28-23 victory that extended their division lead to two games.
The upcoming matchup will take place in Dallas, where the Eagles aim to return to the win column and the Cowboys hope to continue their 15-game home winning streak. Both teams are vying for temporary control of the NFC East and a crucial move towards securing the No.1 overall seed in the NFC.
A general view of TIAA Bank Field before the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Tennessee Titans on January 7, 2023.
Don Juan Moore/Getty Images
Former Jacksonville Jaguars employee facing allegations of embezzling over $22 million attributed his actions to a severe gambling addiction, according to his attorney.
With the postseason on the horizon, the pressure is mounting for teams with aspirations of reaching the Super Bowl. Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy succinctly expressed the gravity of the situation.
"The Cowboys and the Eagles," stated McCarthy, "Need I say more?"
As McCarthy highlighted, the historic rivalry between the two teams speaks volumes. With their sights set on the NFL's biggest stage, this season is sure to be intense for both divisional foes.
"This is a fantastic chance for us to experience playoff-style games without the pressure of playoffs," McCarthy informed reporters. "I've always found December football to be enjoyable and a good measure of a team's strength and what they need to do to make it into the playoffs."
Dallas goes into this week's game with a 15-game winning streak at home and a four-game winning streak overall. Despite facing challenges, they have managed to maintain a positive momentum over the past month.
McCarthy was absent from the team last week because of an emergency appendectomy. He anticipates being back on the sideline on Sunday, but having to take time away from the team before a crucial matchup is not ideal. While McCarthy was away, quarterback Dak Prescott mentioned that the team has continued to perform well and they hope to secure a win in support of their coach.
"These are the moments we've been ready for, to be completely honest with you," Prescott stated. "Not that we weren't prepared for all those previous games, but we acknowledged that this is the stretch in the season when you examine the schedule that you have to be thrilled about."
Jalen Hurts had a season-low 57.7% completion percentage in the loss against San Francisco.
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Fresh off a tough 42-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia is gearing up for their next game. The Eagles' head coach Nick Sirianni emphasized the need to push through difficult times in order to develop as a team. He also stressed the importance of maintaining confidence as they prepare for their upcoming matchup.
After posting a season-low 57.7% completion percentage in the loss, quarterback Jalen Hurts expressed similar thoughts, emphasizing the team's need to remain resilient and respond appropriately to challenges, whether in victory or defeat.
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET
The AFCs premier battle of the weekend sees the Kansas City Chiefs host the Buffalo Bills.
The conference rivals are familiar with being in the spotlight. In 2020, they faced off in an intense AFC championship showdown that resulted in a victory for Kansas City. The following year, the teams met again in the divisional round, with Kansas City coming out on top once more.
During those years, the two teams were closely competing for the top spot in the conference for most of the season. However, the current circumstances paint a different picture.
Patrick Mahomes runs the ball in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 26, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Candice Ward/Getty Images
The Chiefs still reside towards the top of the AFC with a record of 8-4, but they have not been nearly as dominant.
Despite the recent losses, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes remains unfazed, drawing on past experiences and the team's confidence to overcome the current challenges. "Ive been on a team that was 6-4 and we won the Super Bowl," Mahomes pointed out, emphasizing the team's unwavering belief in their ability to secure victories. Acknowledging the current difficulties, Mahomes stressed the importance of continuous improvement and giving their all on the field.
We understand whats in front of us and what situation were in
Josh Allen
Having fallen to a 6-6 record, the Bills are now struggling to win close games, putting them in 11th place in the AFC conference race and just outside the postseason picture. Quarterback Josh Allen acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back, stating that the locker room is filled with excitement and a positive outlook on what needs to be done.
You can't talk about the Chiefs without mentioning Taylor Swift. The worldwide sensation revealed her relationship with tight end Travis Kelce in a recent interview for Time magazine's "Person of the Year" edition. Taking a break from her "Eras Tour," Swift was at last week's game in Green Bay and might attend on Sunday, although neither Swift nor Kelce have made any public statements.
Across the five games the pop icon has attended this season, the Chiefs are 4-1.
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m. ET
The late afternoon schedule includes a rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West. Just two weeks ago, San Francisco emerged victorious with a 31-13 win in Seattle. Christian McCaffrey led the charge with 19 carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns, while Seattles offense struggled as Geno Smith was sacked six times.
The Seahawks are seeking revenge against their divisional rival, while the 49ers aim to secure their fourth consecutive win against Seattle. Despite San Francisco's recent dominance, quarterback Brock Purdy emphasizes that Seattle should not be underestimated. "It's always a challenge every time we play [Seattle]," Purdy stated.
Both teams are in need of a win at this point. The upcoming game is expected to be a tough battle, as it always is when we face Seattle. We have a lot of respect for them and know it's going to be a hard-fought contest every time.
Injuries may have a significant impact on this week's game. The 49ers' injury report shows that three players are doubtful and three are out for Sunday's game, including Arik Armstead, Ross Dwelley, and Ray-Ray McCloud.
The Seahawks' injury report shows seven players as questionable, including Smith, who had limited practice this week because of a groin injury.
According to head coach Pete Carroll, "He just tweaked his groin a little bit... He kind of stumbled over somebody."
Whether or not Smith will start on Sunday could be a game time decision.
Schedule
Sunday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Rams @ Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears, 1:00 p.m. ET
Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET
Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints, 1:00 p.m. ET
Houston Texans @ New York Jets, 1:00 p.m. ET
Minnesota Vikings @ Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m. ET
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m. ET
Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m. ET
Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m. ET
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys, 8:20 p.m. ET
MondayÂ
Tennessee Titans @ Miami Dolphins, 8:15 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers @ New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. ET
How to watch
Heres how to catch these teams in action, from wherever you are.
Australia: NFL+, ESPN, 7Plus
Brazil: NFL+, ESPN
Canada: NFL+, CTV, TSN, RDS
Germany: NFL+, ProSieben MAXX, DAZN
Mexico: NFL+, TUDN, ESPN, Fox Sports, We
UK: NFL+, We, ITV, Channel 5
US: NFL+, CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, Amazon Prime
