NFL: Playoff applications for Week 14’s top games: A touch of playoffs

Week 14 is coming up and a breath of playoff air is blowing through the stadiums of the NFL. Several players in both conferences could be possible playoff previews, which we could see again next January – or even February. The Los Angeles Rams, for instance, receive the Philadelphia Eagles and the Carolina Panthers meet the Minnesota Vikings. SPOX takes a closer look at these areas and dares to take a look into the crystal ball for the near future.

Playoff Implications: The game in L. A. Memorial Coliseum is more than just a top duel in the NFC. A preliminary decision could well be made when it comes to the conference’s coveted top seeds. The winner of the duel could already carefully plan with a Bye-Week, because the so important direct comparison would be decided with it.

That’s why the Rams make it into the playoffs and that’s where they come in: The Rams have the third-best record in the NFC, which means that they almost certainly have a wildcard even in view of the great competition in the South. The division itself will still be a tight box, as the seahawks have regained strength.

As far as the rams’ path in the playoffs is concerned, it’s still a little early for a precise forecast, because everything seems to be possible from top-seed to 6th place. They are in a pretty good position and have the ability to control the pace through their strong running game, but overall the team is inexperienced. And the defenses of the seahawks and vikings seem even more impressive at the moment. So a quick shutdown is quite conceivable.

That’s why the Eagles make it into the playoffs and that’s where they come in: The Eagles made an impressive start and looked like the best team in the league for a long time. Until she then dragged a defeat against the Seahawks closer to the hard ground of facts. The game against the Rams now becomes a kind of status quo and has to show whether the team is really ready for higher tasks. In the playoffs the Eagles have their difficulties because of historical reasons, but with their running defenses and the strong offensive, a date on Championship Sunday is at least possible.

The history of the game: Both teams have a lot in common. Both of them have quite inexperienced coaches who are each active in their first station. In addition, both quarterbacks, who were beaten in the previous year at positions 1 and 2 after their teams had traded high for it. And although Wentz had a better rookie year in the end, both did not fully convince in their premiere year. But things are very different now, because while Goff is now blossoming in Sean McVay’s offensive, Wentz has taken a huge step forward and is even in the MVP discussion.

Both teams also have explosive run games, with the rams mainly betting on Todd Gurley, while the Eagles send a whole armada of running backs into battle. However, the results can be seen on both sides. The Rams and Eagles are something of a league upstart this season. The game will show for the moment who is currently continuing its development.

Playoff Implications: The AFC West is a brutal fight for survival. Three teams are at the top with a 6-6 record and can’t afford any more slip-ups at the moment. Whoever wins will at least get a step closer to the playoffs.

That’s why the Chiefs make it into the playoffs and that’s where they come in: The Chiefs started the season brilliantly, defeated the reigning champion New England in the Season Opener and won the first five games at once, partly with very clear results. Quarterback Alex Smith was declared MVP, rookie-running back Kareem Hunt became the new superstar. In general, everything agreed that the AFC would only go over the Chiefs.

Then, however, came the big slump and the Chiefs lost six of the last seven games, four of them in a row – despite a fairly manageable opponent. If they still manage to make it into the playoffs, it’s because of a return to the recipe for success. But that doesn’t seem so easy, because even after the offense reawakened after four weeks against the jets, the defense failed. But if these problems are eliminated, the division’s title is up against equal rivals in AFC West. In the playoffs, however, there would be a duel with an unpleasant defense – the Ravens or Jaguars – which would make it much more difficult to progress.

That’s why the raiders make it into the playoffs and that’s where they come in: The raiders drove roller coasters this season. After two victories at the start four defeats followed – partly without QB Derek Carr. In the end, however, four victories from six games will be won. But none of these successes were really convincing. The Giants and Broncos have always been trembled against.

So if the raiders want to make it into the playoffs for the second time in succession, they have to correct their enormous deficits. Especially the Secondary makes problems, which can not always be concealed effectively by the Pass Rush. In addition, the wide receivers have increasingly presented themselves as butter fingers this year. Only if they get to grips with all this, the Raiders are a playoff team. There, however, there is a sudden end in sight, as the fiercely contested AFC West means that a no-4 seed is possible at most.

The story of the game: There are not many rivalries in the NFL that are more bitter and have a longer history. Both franchises have always played in the same division. Since 1960, at that time still in the AFL and since the merger then in the AFC, both teams have been fighting each other with the overall better end until now for the Chiefs. They lead the entire series with 62-53-2 (including playoffs) and are thus one of only four teams in the NFL with a positive record (at least ten games) against the raiders.

This makes it all the more fitting that both teams are now on par with each other again this year and are competing for the crown of AFC West. The fact that none of the teams are in top form is a minor matter.

Page 1: Rams vs. Eagles and Chiefs vs. raiders

Page 2: Panthers vs. Vikings and Jaguars vs. seaahawks