Week 14 is in the books. The rollercoaster is in motion. Contenders and pretenders have shown their cards. The 49ers are the first team to clinch the playoffs in 2023. Last year, the Eagles were the first team to clinch a playoff berth last season and went to the Super Bowl. Two years back, the Green Bay Packers clinched first, yet lost in the divisional round, at home.
We may be looking at yet another sub-.500 playoff team in the NFC this year if not two. The North is the place to be. The divisions of the AFC and NFC that play in the cold are holding on to three playoff spots each. Take this all with a grain of salt. It’s only week 14. With the recent expansion to 17 games and seven playoff spots, anything can happen in the 2023 NFL season.
AFC – Week 14
East
🏈🏈 Miami Dolphins (9-4): #2 seed. Stat padding season over. QB looked lost without his speed-demon. Has not beat a contender this year.
Buffalo Bills (7-6): Played well enough in Hollywood last week to beat the Chiefs.
New York Jets (5-8): 9-8 may make playoffs….and win the division?
New England Patriots (3-10): Belichick had a blank stare as he couldn’t avoid taking the victory in Pittsburgh while hoping to tank. Four more post-game pressers to go.
TITANS SACK TUA FOR THE WIN. #TENvsMIA pic.twitter.com/tmURcUgeD0
— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2023
North
🏈🏈 Baltimore Ravens (10-3): #1 seed. The QB, dominant defense and strong running game make them the team to beat.
🏈 Cleveland Browns (8-5): #5 seed. Riding with the Flacco.
🏈 Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6): #6 seed. May have given the season away with last two duds.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-6): If only they had given their superstar QB the injury rest he needed when the season began.
South
🏈🏈 Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5): #4 seed. It has been rough last three and Ravens on deck. Have they peaked?
🏈 Indianapolis Colts (7-6): #7 seed. Up-and-down Colts remain playoff contenders, but consistency needed.
Houston Texans (7-6): Doubtful QB and season on line at surging spoiler Titans this week.
Tennessee Titans (5-8): Good to see them finishing the season this way. Still mathematically involved.
West
🏈🏈 Kansas City Chiefs (8-5): #3 seed. Hollywood stars, starlets and wannabes getting camera time instead of playing football. This team should have 13 wins, not struggling to 10.
Denver Broncos (7-6): 10 wins is not impossible for the once 1-5 team.
Los Angeles Chargers (5-8): Biggest disappointment of the NFL.
Las Vegas Raiders (5-8): They are so bad to have to watch on Sunday. How about Tuesday?
NFC – Week 14
East
🏈🏈 Dallas Cowboys (10-3): #2 seed. First real win of the season came at the perfect time.
🏈 Philadelphia Eagles (10-3): #5 seed. Schedule eases up from here. Proved they are not contenders.
New York Giants (5-8): Looks like fun …..Players got the spark they needed to play football the rest of the way.
Washington Commanders (4-9): Didn’t even notice they were on the bye.
FINAL: @Giants win on Monday Night! #GBvsNYG pic.twitter.com/FFetwbNRGS
— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2023
North
🏈🏈 Detroit Lions (9-4): #3 seed. Limping into playoffs.
🏈 Minnesota Vikings (7-6): #6 seed. Team is all over the place. Star WR injured again.
🏈 Green Bay Packers (6-7): #7 seed. Sad NFC may have multiple sub .500 playoff teams.
Chicago Bears (5-8): Will keep playing spoiler while QB auditions for new club, especially with Panthers first pick.
South
🏈🏈 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7): #4 seed. Win column finally saw a well-deserved increase. Solid team.
Atlanta Falcons (6-7): How many times have we said they need to be more consistent?
New Orleans Saints (6-7): They are so hard to watch.
Carolina Panthers (1-12): Every loss helps the Bears.
NFC West
🏈🏈 San Francisco 49ers (10-3): #1 seed. Clinched playoff spot. Looks like they are toying wth the league now.
Los Angeles Rams (6-7): Finishing 9-8 will grab that final spot.
Seattle Seahawks (6-7): The road is tough through December.
Arizona Cardinals (3-10): Keep Kyler healthy during this last stretch.
Division standings with only four weeks remaining 👀 pic.twitter.com/oyDGvaDgGs
— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2023
Thank you for reading my NFL Week 14 article. Our NFL page is your premier destination for all things this NFL season. Head to my Belly Up Sports Page and follow me on Twitter/X. For NFL and all other sports articles go to Belly Up Sports. Featured image credit Jamie Squire/Getty Images.
