While it seems like the 2024-2025 football season just started yesterday, week 14 has already passed, with four weeks left until playoffs, free of bye games, all teams guaranteed to play, and a selective few to continue until 2025.
As teams prepare for their next week games, let’s review NFL Week 14.
The Los Angeles Chargers would have won if Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker Matthew Wright’s last field goal bounced the other way-or as social media called it “Doinked”- the other way. With Wright going 4-4 on on Field Goals, the Chiefs’ thrilling game ended with a field goal attempt that struck the left upright, but was good for the win. Kansas City Chiefs 19, Los Angeles Chargers 17
Despite this game being closer than it should have been, Saquon Barkley broke LeSean “Shady” McCoy’s franchise record of 1,607 rushing yards by 16 yards against the Carolina Panthers. Barkley can break Eric Dickerson’s 1984 record of 2,105 yards (in 14 games). Despite facing the Pittsburgh Steelers, Barkley may be able to surpass Dickerson in the last three games against divisional rivals, the Commanders, Cowboys, and Giants. A humble caption on social media from Barkley reads, “Thankful” for what he accomplished on Sunday. Many Eagle fans felt the same way after Eagles won the not-so-pretty game and clinched a playoff spot. Philadelphia Eagles 22, Carolina Panthers 16
It’s hard to believe that the New York Jets let another one slip through their fingers (no its not -its the freaking Jets), this time in overtime to the Miami Dolphins, who kept their playoff dreams alive. It was a good game until the end, but the Jets became their own worst enemy (always the case since 1969) With just over a minute left to play, everything fell apart. After the Jets lost 5 yards on first down, Aaron Rodgers was sacked for a loss of 6 yards. Following Rodgers’ 14-yard pass to Davante Adams, Adams ran out of bounds and stopped the clock on third down. During the last 56 seconds, kicker Anders Carlson gave the Jets the lead with a 42-yard field goal. With 44 seconds left, Miami still had time to kick a field goal and tie the game 26-26. With the score tied, the game moved into OT. With this loss, the Jets have been eliminated from the playoffs. Miami Dolphins 32, New York Jets 26 (OT)
After beating the Cleveland Browns, the Pittsburgh Steelers moved closer to a playoff spot. After the Steelers’ offense went three-and-out on four of their first five possessions and Russell Wilson finished with a passing line of only 8 for 16 for 46 yards at the half, Wilson and the offense came alive in the third quarter. While the Steelers’ offense lacked spark in the first half, their defense shone and allowed them to lead 13-7 at halftime. As soon as Wilson and his teammates got some fire in the third quarter, they were able to extend their lead even further. With this loss, the Browns were eliminated from the playoffs. Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Cleveland Browns 14
AFC playoff berths and division titles have been clinched by the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills. KC won the West and the Bills won the East. The Jaguars, Titans, Patriots, and Raiders have all been eliminated from playoff contention along with the Browns and Jets.
Both the Lions and Eagles have qualified for the playoffs in the NFC. New York Giants are out of the playoffs.
Trevor Lawrence was rocked by the Houston Texans in week 13’s game. Lawrence’s season was not ended by Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair’s brutal hit. According to HC Doug Pederson, his season ended due to an unrelated shoulder injury. Now that the Jaguars are out of the playoffs, Lawrence’s shoulder injury that has plagued him since the Eagles game in week nine made sense to get surgery.
Other Week 14 outcomes:
- Detroit Lions 34, Green Bay Packers 31
- Minnesota Vikings 42, Atlanta Falcons 21
- New Orleans Saints 14, New York Giants 11
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 28, Las Vegas Raiders 13
- Jacksonville Jaguars 10, Tennessee Titans 6
- Seattle Seahawks 30, Arizona Cardinals 18
- Los Angeles Rams 44, Buffalo Bills 42
- San Francisco 49ers 38, Chicago Bears 13
- Cincinnati Bengals 27, Dallas Cowboys 20
Sourced (NFL.com)