December football is a time in the season that separates the contenders from the pretenders. The contenders are looking to stack up wins to clinch a division crown or a playoff spot, while other teams are looking to spoil their rival season. Another emerging storyline is teams that look buried from early in the season can still make a late surge. So is there hope for the Raiders, Steelers, Lions, and Browns to have a shot despite being 5-7? Maybe. However, it’s a long shot because they would have to run the table to make the playoffs as a wild-card team. It is something to watch as the season heads to the finish line. However, let’s break down the top five matchups for week 14.
Last week: 3-2
Overall: 41-24
1. New York Jets (7-5) at Buffalo Bills (9-3)-Sunday 1 p.m. CBS
Home sweet home! The Buffalo Bills will be jubilant that they are playing at home for the first time in nearly a month after playing three straight home games on the road. In this matchup, they will have added motivation in avenging a 20-17 loss to the Jets. Oddly, the Bills found their way on the road with Josh Allen and the offense showing dominance over the Patriots last week amid a 3-game win streak. The Jets, on the other hand, suffered a bad loss in Minnesota last week with the hype surrounding Mike White quieting down with a 2-interception performance. I have the Bills winning this game with the potential of maintaining their lead atop the conference at stake and the Chiefs waiting for any slip-ups.
Bills 28-Jets 17
2. Cleveland Browns (5-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-4)-Sunday 1 p.m., CBS
The battle for Ohio will be decided in this interstate matchup. The Bengals are coming off a big victory over the Chiefs and are on a four-game winning streak. Joe Burrow was brilliant, and with Ja’Marr Chase back, things seem to be clicking at the right time. However, the last time they lost a game was against the Browns, and Burrow is 0-4 against the franchise during his time in the league. I think the Bengals get over the hump in this matchup because DeShaun Watson did not look good last week despite the win, and it will take time for him to find his previous form. I have the Bengals winning, but a close game in this divisional rivalry.
Bengals 27-Browns 21
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-1) at New York Giants (7-4-1)- Sunday 1 p.m., FOX
There is the saying fortune favors the brave. The Giants will look back on last week’s tie and see it as a missed opportunity to pick up a game in the heated NFC playoff race. It might cost them because they face the Eagles in the 1st of two meetings late in the season. It is a tall task because Jaylen Hurts is cooking in this offense because they can be chameleons in topping 300 yards of rushing or passing in any given matchup. I have the Eagles winning an exciting matchup decided late in the fourth quarter.
Eagles 30-Giants 27
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) at San Francisco 49ers (8-4)-Sunday 4:25 p.m., FOX
Don’t ever count out Thomas Edward Patrick Brady! I have to admit, I got reminded of that on Monday Night. If the Buccaneers had lost that game, I think they would be in trouble because their next two matchups are the 49ers and the Bengals. It is hard to imagine this Buccaneers offense can consistently deliver points on the scoreboard to win games after just 17 against the Saints. The 49ers’ defense is a top unit in this league which makes me think the offense will have a difficult time scoring on the road. It won’t be a blow-out because the 49ers are starting a rookie at quarterback, but they will hold on for the win.
49ers 20-Buccaneers 17
5. Miami Dolphins (8-4) at Los Angeles Chargers (6-6)-Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC
I think this will be game this will be the most exciting game this weekend, and both teams will have a lot at stake in primetime. Tua struggled last week, but the big question is whether it was an aberration or a sign of struggles to come. I think it’s an aberration because the 49ers’ defense can do that to any team in the league. Tyreek Hill is still a problem in this matchup, especially with the injuries to the Chargers’ defense. If the Chargers are to win this game, Justin Herbert has to carry them on his back, and I feel he will come up just short in the 4th quarter.
Dolphins 33-Chargers 31