week 14 2025 nfl season running after lions Defeated Thursday Night Cowboys. Now, let’s look at what you need to know for the remaining 13 games on the slate. We have last-minute things to know.
First, analytics writer Seth Walder breaks down three statistical trends that could be important this weekend. Then, fantasy writer Eric Moody highlights five players who have been rostered at less than 50% espn league By Saturday and can be started in the jam. What follows are NFL analyst Ben Solak’s three potential surprises, NFL analyst Matt Bowen’s key matchups worth watching and sports betting analyst Pamela Maldonado’s favorite bets for Week 14. We also asked our NFL Nation reporters to answer questions about interesting QB situations around the league.
Where do the Steelers have a clear advantage over the Ravens? what a jet wide receiver adonai michel Are there fantasies against dolphins? Will the race for Offensive Player of the Year be decided this week? How will the Bears try to overcome the Packers’ defense? Will the offense be limited in the Commander-Vikings matchup? What’s the latest on the Chargers quarterback? Justin HerbertIs your left hand injured? We investigate it thoroughly.
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state trends , imaginary sleeper
potential surprise , key matching
bet of the week , QB question
Walder: Three key statistical trends that could determine the winners of Week 14
Will the Broncos’ pass rush be too much for the Raiders quarterback geno smith,
broncos are on the move To tie the single-season team sack record (72). For them to move forward at that pace, there is no better competition than sports against the attackers,
Smith has taken sacks at a 10.6% rate, the highest among all QBR-qualifying quarterbacks this season. And with Denver as the heavy favorite in Las Vegas, the Broncos should force Smith into several frustrating situations. Denver, which ranks fourth in pass rush win rate (42.8%), sacked Smith six times week 10,
Will Falcons Cornerback AJ Terrell Jr.Seahawks be able to limit wide receivers Jackson Smith-Njigba,
It’s kind of a No. 1 versus No. 1 matchup. Smith-Njigba, even after his least productive game of the season (23 yards) vs vikings), is averaging 4.3 yards per route this season. Not only does it lead all players in 2025, but it also leads all players Any Seasons from at least 2007.
Terrell has also been quietly putting up exceptional statistics this season. He has allowed 0.5 yards per coverage snap, which is the lowest among all outside cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps. His success mainly comes through goal prevention – which is probably why his strong season didn’t get much attention. His 9% target rate is also the lowest among the same set of cornerbacks. Although Terrell won’t always be on Smith-Nzigba, photos of them against each other could be serious sunday,
Could a fumble be the key to victory for the Steelers upset by the Ravens?
To take advantage of the playoffs this game Is huge. According to ESPN, the Ravens have a 75% chance of reaching the playoffs with a win, but only a 31% chance with a loss. football power indexIt’s the same story for Pittsburgh – 64% and 19%, respectively,
The Ravens are favored going into the contest, but the Steelers have the edge in one high-leverage area: fumbles. No team has forced fumbles at a higher rate this season than the Steelers (on 2.0% of defensive plays). And the Ravens have been especially prone to fumbling, doing so at the second-highest rate in the league (2.8% on offense). If Pittsburgh can continue that trend in Week 14, it could even the playing field.
Moody: Five fantasy sleepers you need to pick up – and start doing this week
trevor lawrencecubby, jacksonville jaguars (38.3% roasted)
Since the Jaguars’ bye, Lawrence has scored at least 17 fantasy points in three of his last five games. He’s surrounded by playwrights like Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., parker washington And Brenton StrangeMeanwhile, the Colts secondary has allowed the eighth-most receiving yards per game to wide receivers this season, Lawrence is a solid option for managers desperate for a quarterback week 14,
Brenton StrangeTE, Jacksonville Jaguars (33.9% rostered)
Strange’s snaps, route runs and targets all trended up over the last two games. It’s exciting, because he’s back from there hip injuryWhich forced him onto injured reserve. Strange has scored at least 13 fantasy points in back-to-back games and recorded his first touchdown of the season against the titans In week 13. He faces a Colts defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends.
adonai michelwr, New York Jets (28.2% roasted)
Mitchell finished with a season-high 12 targets and 102 receiving yards. week 13 Against the Falcons. since business is being done For New York, his target share has increased every week. dolphin Opposing wide receivers have been limited to the fewest fantasy points per game, but they are more vulnerable on a per-play basis, allowing the highest completion percentage and the seventh-highest yards per pass attempt.
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Why does Field Yates see fantasy upside for Adonai Mitchell in Week 14?
Field Yates explains why he sees fantasy upside in Jets WR Adonai Mitchell for Week 14 vs. the Dolphins.
chris rodriguez jr., RB, Washington Commanders (28.0% roasted)
Rodriguez had at least 11 touches and nine fantasy points in three of his last four games. He scored touchdowns in three of these matches. The Commanders’ backfield remains a committee, but Rodriguez looks like a leader against minnesotaThe Vikings’ defense has also allowed the 10th-most rushing yards per game, putting them in a favorable spot for Week 14,
devaughn valewr, New Orleans Saints (7.7% roasted)
Since the Saints moved on from wide receivers Rasheed Shaheed And brandin cookVale’s role has exploded. His route participation has increased significantly, and he has converted 15 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown over the last two games. With New Orleans out of the playoff race, it makes sense for the Saints to lean on their young talent. Vale faces a Buccaneers defense that has allowed the seventh-most receiving yards per game to wide receivers.
Solak: Don’t be surprised if…
The Broncos have a big loss
The Rams were 9.5-point favorites when the Panthers stunned them last weekServes as a good reminder that any team can lose at any time in the NFL. The Broncos are 7.5-point favorites in Las Vegas, playing a Raiders team that played well against them in the first meeting. Denver is also on a short week, which is ending overtime game Sunday night. This could be ugly.
browns edge rusher miles garrett Broke the single-season sack record
Garrett is just four sacks away from surpassing the single-season mark of 22.5 achieved by Michael Strahan (2001). TJ Watt (2021). garrett gets home matchup against newbie cam wardOne of the most sacked quarterbacks in the NFL. This may be a rare example in which the Browns blow a lead in the second half and Garrett gets a chance to actually put together a great performance.
Offensive Player of the Year will be decided this week
Seahawks wide receiver Jackson Smith-Njigba and Colts running back jonathan taylor Desperate for the prize. Smith-Njigba gets a Falcons defense that has given up 100 receiving yards to Adonai Mitchell and the Jets, and he is coming off a career-worst game – expect JSN to get big production early. Taylor needs to win the divisional game against a suspect Jags run defense – hopefully he gets more than 25 touches. One of them is going for 150 yards and two touchdowns this week.
Bowen: Key matchups to watch
The Bears had 12 personnel plays against the Packers’ defensive front.
We should see consistent use of 12 personnel from the Bears – one running back, two tight ends and two wide receivers – to create run game production. sundayCoach Ben Johnson’s offense has run the ball 133 times out of 12 personnel this season, fourth-most in the league, The Bears like to use their tight ends to win corners, while also creating backside cutback lanes on unique “wham” blocks, Also, Johnson will bring his tight ends into motion before the snap to give them a better blocking angle,
However, the Bears may have a challenge opening up lanes for running backs d’andre swift And kyle monangaiThe Packers’ defense has allowed 3,9 yards per carry this season, which is tied for fifth-best in the NFL,
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Orlovsky to McAfee: Bears’ pass game still leaves much to be desired
Dan Orlowski tells Pat McAfee that Caleb Williams has improved but the Bears’ passing game still leaves a lot to be desired.
Maldonado: My favorite bet for Week 14
less than 42.5 points In Washington Commanders But minnesota vikings
Both offenses are stuck behind their boundaries. Washington’s QB situation keeps the ceiling low jayden daniels Is making my first start After dislocating his left elbow on November 9. The Commanders run the ball well but rarely finish drives, and the Vikings quietly rank third in red zone touchdown rate allowed (48.6%).
Minnesota’s offense is an even bigger threat. vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy Is expected to returnBut he has been the least efficient signal-caller in the league in every meaningful metric. Both teams must remain one-dimensional, throwing loads but not generating sustained efficiency.
NFL Nation: QB Question
how close is it Caleb Williams To utilize his full potential in the Bears’ passing game?
Williams believes the Bears are “very close” to unlocking the passing game. He pointed to several examples in the win in Philadelphia where his receivers were in the right place at the right time and slipped due to field conditions or a miscommunication between them and their primary target. When Ben Johnson said Chicago is winning games “despite our passing game, not because of it,” he’s right, but it’s not just Williams who has to fix those issues.
The key to getting the passing attack on track is route depth and ball placement. Williams said he must be clean in his footwork and as he walks through concepts, he must make sure his drop is correct and his passes are hitting receivers correctly. -Courtney Cronin, Bears reporter
Is trevor lawrence found its receiver inside Jakobi MeyersAnd what has made their relationship so strong so quickly?
It’s easier to let Lawrence explain it. Here he is on November 19, after playing just two games with Meyers: “I love throwing to him. He’s an easy guy from a quarterback perspective. Sometimes it’s hard to describe, the way he moves, it seems very obvious what he’s going to do. So, that’s something I really like.”
That’s a long way of saying he trusts Meyers. The stats testify: 18 catches on a team-high 21 targets since Meyers acquired 4 November. The Jaguars had dropped a league-high 19 in eight games before Meyers’ acquisition, but have dropped only five in four games since. -Michael DiRocco, Jaguars reporter
What’s the latest? Justin Herbert And if he plays with one left arm fracture,
despite being he had surgery on his left hand Four days ago, no one in the organization was concerned that Herbert would miss Monday’s game. against the eaglesHerbert practiced Thursday with a cast, throwing passes and catching snaps normally, although catching the ball with his left hand still appears to be a challenge, after his injury against the attackersChargers operate exclusively with shotguns and pistols, a plan expected to continue on Monday. If the Chargers need an under-center snap, they’ll likely turn to a backup quarterback trey lance, – Chris Rimm, Chargers reporter
