NFL Week 14 kickoff times, TV info, betting spreads
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) at Buffalo Bills (6-6)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson)
Line: Steelers by 2½
Injury report: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) S Shamarko Thomas (concussion) are out for Pittsburgh, and DT Javon Hargrave is still recovering from a concussion. K Chris Boswell (abdomen) is questionable after missing last week's game. G Ramon Foster (chest) and RB DeAngelo Williams (knee) are also questionable. The Bills expect WRs Sammy Watkins (foot) and Robert Woods (knee) to play, but both are questionable, along with TE Charles Clay (knee), T Cordy Glenn (back), and DT Kyle Williams (back).
Key to the game: QB Ben Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,085 yards and has eight touchdown passes and one interception since telling the Steelers to follow his lead four weeks ago. He could be destined for another big passing day against the injury-depleted Bills secondary.
Player to watch: Bills QB Tyrod Taylor. The Bills have a difficult decision to make after the season. If they keep Taylor, he will be due $30 million in 2017. He remains inconsistent. After going 8-for-9 for 102 yards in the first quarter vs. Oakland, he completed 10 of 26 for 89 yards with an interception the next three quarters. His 55.8 rating was the second worst of his career.
Denver Broncos (8-4) at Tennessee Titans (6-6)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts, Evan Washburn)
Line: Titans by 1½
Injury report: The Broncos will be without LB Brandon Marshall (hamstring) and still haven't decided about QB Trevor Siemian (foot), who missed Week 13. Titans DL Jurrell Casey (foot) hopes to play.
Key to the game: A healthy Siemian: Denver’s quarterback passed for 368 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Kansas City in Week 12 but injured his foot in the game. The Broncos hope they have him back to play the rested Titans on the road.
Player to watch: Titans QB Marcus Mariota. The second-year signal-caller has thrown multiple TD passes in eight consecutive games, a team record and the second-longest single-season streak by a quarterback in his first two seasons. The Miami Dolphins’ Dan Marino had a 10-game streak. Coach Mike Mularkey said of Mariota, “He’s playing smart football, taking what the defense is giving him.”
Washington Redskins (6-5-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)
TV: Sunday 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch, Pam Oliver)
Line: Pick ‘em
Injury report: Redskins TE Jordan Reed hopes to return from his shoulder injury but is questionable along with DE Chris Baker (ankle), LB Will Compton (hip), DE Ricky Jean Francois (foot, knee), G Shawn Lauvao (groin), G Brandon Scherff (ankle) and LB Preston Smith (groin). Eagles RB Ryan Mathews (knee) and WR Jordan Matthews (shoulder) are looking to return this week.
Key to the game: Since posting 20 sacks in their first six games, the Eagles have managed six in their past six games and none in their past two. Last season’s sack leader, DT Fletcher Cox, had four in the first four games and hasn’t had one since. Washington has allowed 16 sacks all season, the league’s second fewest, and gets Pro Bowl LT Trent Williams back from a four-game suspension.
Player to watch: Redskins WR DeSean Jackson. The Eagles jettisoned him in 2014. Since then, he’s been a bigger concern on the field, ringing up 338 yards on 17 receptions in four games vs. Philadelphia, an average of 19.9 yards per catch. Not coincidentally, the Redskins are 3-1 in those games. Last week, Jackson torched Arizona for a 59-yard catch. His explosiveness is an issue for the Eagles, who have a league-most 47 pass plays for 20 or more yards, 11 of which have gone for 40-plus yards.
Arizona Cardinals (5-6-1) at Miami Dolphins (7-5)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Chris Myers, Ronde Barber, Holly Sonders)
Line: Dolphins by 1
Injury report: Cardinals S Tyrann Mathieu (shoulder) won't play, and neither will Dolphins C Mike Pouncey (hip). LBs Kiko Alonso (hand, hamstring) and Jelani Jenkins (knee, hand) are doubtful for Miami, along with DE Mario Williams (ankle).
Key to the game: Which defense will show up? The Dolphins defense had been solid before getting thrashed by the Ravens. The Cardinals have allowed 28.2 points a game over the last five weeks but also have held three different opponents to single digits. It’s hard to say whether this game will result in a score of 9-6 … or 41-38.
Player to watch: Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi. While Arizona’s run defense has been serviceable this season, the Cardinals have given up eight rushing TDs in their last five games. Ajayi, who sits 92 yards from his first 1,000-yard season, has helped carry the Miami offense behind a banged-up offensive line.
Houston Texans (6-6)at Indianapolis Colts (6-6)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon)
Line: Colts by 4½
Injury report: DE Jadeveon Clowney (elbow, wrist), LB Brian Cushing (back, ankle) and CB Johnathan Joseph (ribs) are all questionable for Houston, though Clowney vowed to return after sitting out last week. The Colts are missing several starters, including LB Robert Mathis (biceps) and CB Patrick Robinson (groin).
Key to the game: In the Texans’ overtime win vs. the Colts earlier this season, their team stats were nearly identical across the board through regulation. In overtime, the Colts were forced to punt and the Texans won on a field goal. Because the teams are evenly matched, playing error-free football will be crucial. The Colts and Texans each had one turnover in Week 13. Staying on the field and making plays when it matters most will decide this game.
By the numbers: 1-13. Before their 16-10 victory last season, the Texans were 0-13 in trips to Indianapolis.
San Diego Chargers (5-7) at Carolina Panthers (4-8)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Sam Rosen, Brady Quinn, Jennifer Hale)
Line: Panthers by 3
Injury report: Chargers CB Brandon Flowers (concussion) is still out, and G Orlando Franklin (knee) questionable. Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly (concussion) practiced and could play for the first time since Nov. 17 if cleared. S Kurt Coleman could also return from a concussion. But Carolina DE Charles Johnson (hamstring) won't play.
Key to the game: San Diego has been its own worst enemy, repeatedly failing to preserve leads in the fourth quarter, and two of its losses came in overtime. If the opportunity presents itself vs. Carolina, RB Melvin Gordon (1,411 yards from scrimmage, 12 TDs), WR Tyrell Williams (53 catches, 837 yards, six TDs) and TE Antonio Gates (34-327-5) are playmakers who can get it done.
Player to watch: Panthers QB Cam Newton. The stylish, usually impeccably dressed quarterback was benched for the first play from scrimmage against Seattle for not wearing a tie and complying with the Panthers’ travel dress code. Backup QB Derek Anderson started and threw an interception on the Panthers’ first snap, resulting in a Seahawks field goal. “We didn’t lose this game because of a tie,” said Newton, who played all but that first offensive snap against the Seahawks.
Cincinnati Bengals (4-7-1) at Cleveland Browns (0-12)
TV: Sunday 1 p.m. ET, CBS (Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker, Steve Beuerlein)
Line: Bengals by 6
Injury report: Bengals WR A.J. Green's hamstring still isn't healed. DE Wallace Gilberry (calf) is also out. Browns QB Robert Griffin III (shoulder) will play and start for the first time since the season opener.
Key to the game: Though the Browns have been better against the run in recent weeks, they’re giving up more than 140 yards per game on the ground. Bengals RB Jeremy Hill ran for 168 yards in the first meeting, and getting him over 100 again will be a big part of the Bengals’ plan.
Player to watch: Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict has been in the headlines for his dealings with the league’s disciplinary system, but he remains one of the keys to the Bengals’ success. He can make plays all over the field, and when he’s locked in he commands attention from offenses.
Chicago Bears (3-9) at Detroit Lions (8-4)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots)
Line: Lions by 9
Injury report: The Bears could be in trouble at receiver. Eddie Royal (toe) is doubtful, and Josh Bellamy (shoulder) and WR Marquess Wilson (groin) are both questionable. Lions LBs DeAndre Levy (knee) and Tahir Whitehead (knee) could play but are questionable, along with DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle), TE Eric Ebron (knee), WR Marvin Jones (quadricep), and RB Theo Riddick (wrist).
Key to the game: Lions offensive coordinator Teryl Austin will use varied pressures and line games against still-green Bears QB Matt Barkley. Lions QB Matt Stafford’s only two-interception game of the season, in a 17-14 loss in the rain at Soldier Field in Week 4, came against Vic Fangio’s defense. How will Stafford and Fangio adjust? The Bears have had a youth movement in the middle of the field — led by rookie LB Nick Kwiatkoski and S Deon Bush — where Stafford loves to attack with WR Anquan Boldin, Riddick and Ebron.
Player to watch: Barkley has exceeded expectations in his first two Bears starts, earning an opportunity the rest of the way. The pending restricted free agent could get a longer look in Chicago’s cloudy 2017 quarterback picture. Barkley has shown a willingness to drive the ball downfield, and he has been particularly comfortable when the Bears go to hurry-up.
Minnesota Vikings (6-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10)
TV: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox (Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin)
Line: Vikings by 3
Injury report: Jaguars TE Julius Thomas (back) might be done for the season. WR Allen Hurns (hamstring) and DE Jared Odrick (shoulder) are also out, while RB Chris Ivory (hamstring) has a shot to play. C Joe Berger (concussion), DT Sharrif Floyd (knee) and S Harrison Smith (ankle) are all sidelined for Minnesota.
Key to the game: Both teams rank among the league’s bottom 10 in rushing yards — Minnesota is last, so don’t expect a riveting ground game in this one. But Jacksonville’s rush defense has been spotty at best in recent weeks, so don’t be surprised if Minnesota pushes the envelope early to see what might be available
Player to watch: Vikings WR Adam Thielen. Sam Bradford’s favorite target has at least five catches in three consecutive games and has had multiple receptions in every game this season, but he has struggled to break away for much yardage after the catch. If Thielen can add to his three TDs (on 52 receptions), the Vikings could break out of their offensive funk.
New York Jets (3-9) at San Francisco 49ers (1-11)
TV: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS (Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Jamie Erdahl)
Line: 49ers by 1
Injury report: The Jets O-line is a mess with C Nick Mangold (ankle) now on injured reserve and T Breno Giacomini (back, calf, shoulder) out. DE Muhammad Wilkerson (ankle) is questionable. LT Joe Staley (hamstring) is doubtful for the Niners. LB Aaron Lynch (ankle) has a better shot to play.
Key to the game: Become opportunistic: Last season, the Jets defense took the ball away 30 times. This season, New York has 10 takeaways, including zero in three out of the last four games. Injuries have contributed, but opposing scouts say the Jets don’t seem to be swarming to the ball as they did last season. CB Darelle Revis is having his worst season with no interceptions and two pass breakups.
Player to watch: 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. In the four games before his putrid performance Sunday, Kaepernick was making progress, passing for 1,110 yards with eight TDs. It’s why coach Chip Kelly might consider the Bears game an anomaly.
New Orleans Saints (5-7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox (Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman, Peter Schrager)
Line: Buccaneers by 3
Injury report: For the Saints, T Terron Armstead (quadricep, knee), RB Mark Ingram (toe, knee), G Senio Kelemete (hip), WR Michael Thomas (foot) and C Max Unger (foot) are all questionable. The Bucs won't have S Chris Conte (chest), T Demar Dotson (concussion) or WR Adam Humphries (concussion), but DT Gerald McCoy (foot) was back at practice Friday.
Key to the game: Though Bucs QB Jameis Winston is doing a better job with ball security, he has accounted for 15 turnovers (12 interceptions, three lost fumbles). Led by DE Cam Jordan and rookie DT Sheldon Rankins, the Saints defense needs to bring pressure with a conventional four-man rush and blitz packages but won't have suspended S Kenny Vaccaro.
Player to watch: Ingram. The sixth-year pro has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in total yards from scrimmage for the third consecutive year, amassing 1,022 yards and seven TDs through 12 games with a team-best 758 rushing yards to go with 264 receiving yards.
Atlanta Falcons (7-5) at Los Angeles Rams (4-8)
TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox (Dick Stockton, David Diehl & Kristina Pink)
Line: Falcons by 5½
Injury report: Falcons WR Julio Jones (turf toe) is in jeopardy of missing the game, while DE Adrian Clayborn (knee) and WR Mohamed Sanu (groin) won't play. Rams WR Tavon Austin (chest), DE Robert Quinn (concussion) and OT Rodger Saffold (hand) expect to play.
Key to the game: Falcons QB Matt Ryan is having the best season of his career, and nobody’s really been able to slow down the Atlanta offense. The Rams will certainly try, but the more determining factor could be whether rookie QB Jared Goff can do enough to keep Los Angeles in a high-scoring game. Goff has passed for 134, 214 and 161 yards in his first three starts.
By the numbers: 1-2-3. The passer rating rankings of the NFL quarterbacks that the Rams will face in a span of three weeks. Los Angeles faced Tom Brady in Sunday’s loss, Drew Brees the week before that and has Ryan on tap for Sunday. Brady, Ryan and Brees were ranked first, second and third.
Seattle Seahawks (8-3-1) at Green Bay Packers (6-6)
TV: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews)
Line: Seahawks by 2½
Injury report: Seahawks S Earl Thomas is out for the season after breaking his leg Sunday. Packers RG T.J. Lang (foot) and ILB Blake Martinez (knee) could return. LB Clay Matthews' shoulder has improved.
Key to the game: QB Russell Wilson’s protection has been downright porous. Packers D-coordinator Dom Capers won’t spare any aggression against a group whose edges, LT Bradley Sowell and RT George Fant, have been compromised by lesser pass-rushing groups than the Packers.
Player to watch: Seahawks S Steven Terrell: Seattle is entering uncharted waters without Thomas. Terrell can’t match Thomas’ range and playmaking ability (few can), but he’ll be asked to be in the right spots and limit big plays.
Dallas Cowboys (11-1) at New York Giants (8-3)
TV: Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya)
Line: Cowboys by 3
Injury report: Cowboys LB Justin Durant (hamstring) expects to play. Teammates Barry Church (forearm), DE Jack Crawford (foot), Demarcus Lawrence (back), and T Tyron Smith (back) are dealing with issues. Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul (hernia) is out, but G Justin Pugh (knee) may return.
Key to the game: The Cowboys’ game plan is no secret: Run the ball, control the clock and keep their defense off the field. Lately, though, they’ve had trouble staying with that formula. In each of their last two games, they’ve been outgained and lost the time of possession battle by more than six minutes. Dallas’ defense is potentially a weak link, and re-establishing ball control will be imperative in the playoffs.
Matchup to watch: Cowboys WR Dez Bryant vs. Giants WR Odell Beckham.The excitable receivers are two of the NFL’s biggest talents and biggest personalities. Beckham has had the bigger impact on his team this season (75 catches, 1,015 yards, 8TDs), but Bryant (37 catches, 634 yards, 6 TDs despite missing time because of injuries) has delivered in big situations. Expect them to try to outdo each another.
Baltimore Ravens (7-5) at New England Patriots (10-2)
TV: Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN (Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters)
Line: Patriots by 7
Injury report: Ravens CBs Jimmy Smith (back) and Tavon Young (shoulder), expect to play. Same for Patriots TE Martellus Bennett (ankle), but New England's latest injured weapon is WR Danny Amendola (ankle).
Key to the game: The Ravens have made many opponents one-dimensional by stopping the run and forcing them into must-pass situations. Even seasoned QB Tom Brady wants to avoid third-and-long situations and predictability, so he will need to keep the Ravens off balance.
Player to watch: Pats WR Malcolm Mitchell. A fourth-round pick who was way down the depth chart when the season began, Mitchell has played himself into the rotation and very much into the game plan. He has 17 catches over the last three games and, with TE Rob Gronkowski out, has become a red-zone weapon.
PHOTOS: Week 14 games ranked by watchability