This article is part of our NFL Game Previews series.
In addition to our game previews below, be sure to keep an eye on our NFL injury report and the latest fantasy football news. For player usage updates and roster context, check out RotoWire's NFL depth charts, and don't miss the weekly projections to see how this week's matchups shape up.
EARLY SUNDAY
Cleveland (+7.5) at Chicago, o/u 39.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Shedeur Sanders' recent semi-success is muddying the picture for the Browns. He's already beaten the Raiders and came dangerously close to downing the Titans last week as well, putting a dent in Cleveland's 2026 draft standing while also complicating the decision on whether they should go QB-hunting in the offseason. Then again, if you're of the opinion that the 2026 draft class doesn't really contain any true franchise quarterbacks anyway, Sanders earning the chance to flop next year and line the Browns up for Arch Manning or whoever in 2027 might be the best-case scenario. Now he just has to survive until then behind a gutted offensive line. There are some pieces to build around on offense, like Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin, and of course Myles Garrett's heavily back-loaded contract (his cap hit doesn't get really silly until 2029) should keep him around for a while too. He's the story in Cleveland over the final four weeks – the likely Defensive Player of the Year already has 20.0 sacks and a seven-game sack streak on the go, making it look almost inevitable that he'll break the NFL record of 22.5 in a season held by T.J. Watt and Michael Strahan.
The Bears flinched last week in Lambeau, seeing their five-game win streak come to an end and watching the Packers leap a half-game ahead of them in the battle for the NFC North title. Whether it's the weather conditions of late, the competition, his lack of reliable wideouts with Rome Odunze's having trouble staying healthy, or a combination of all of the above, Caleb Williams has been struggling over the last month or so. In the last five games, the second-year QB has a rough 52.3 percent completion rate and 5.7 YPA, although his 7:2 TD:INT isn't terrible. Instead, Chicago's leaned on its running game and a defense that leads the league in takeaways, and which has seen its secondary get stingier in general since Jayon Johnson returned from IR. There's still no guarantee the Bears even make the playoffs, as the 49ers and Lions are right there with them in a race for two wild-card spots, but in the long run the fact that the team is finding ways to win without getting much from Williams bodes well if he takes another step forward in his development under Ben Johnson next year.
Key Info
CLE injury report: RB Dylan Sampson (out, calf), RB Jerome Ford (IR, shoulder), WR Cedric Tillman (questionable, concussion), TE David Njoku (out, knee), LT Dawand Jones (IR, knee), LG Joel Bitonio (questionable, knee), C Ethan Pocic (IR, Achilles), RG Wyatt Teller (out, calf), RT Jack Conklin (out, concussion), DT Mason Graham (questionable, ribs), LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (PUP, neck), CB Denzel Ward (out, calf), CB Martin Emerson (IR, Achilles)
CHI injury report: WR Rome Odunze (questionable, foot), LB Tremaine Edmunds (IR, groin), CB Kyler Gordon (out, groin)
Slight lean: WR Isaiah Bond (CHI 28th in receiving yards per game allowed to WR2s)
Slight lean: WR Devin Duvernay (CLE 30th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight fade: WR Jerry Jeudy (CHI ninth in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: RB D'Andre Swift / Kyle Monangai (CLE second in rushing DVOA, fourth in YPC allowed)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the low 10s, 10-15 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of snow
The Scoop: Judkins manages 60 yards and a TD. Sanders throws for less than 200 yards, gets picked off twice and sacked five times. Swift leads the CHI backfield with 80 yards, while Monangai punches in a touchdown. Williams throws for less than 200 yards but does hit Luther Burden for a score. Bears 20-10
Baltimore at Cincinnati (+2.5), o/u 51.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Two things can be true – the Ravens got absolutely, positively screwed by the refs last week, and they also maybe don't deserve to be headed for the playoffs anyway. The fact of the matter is, the NFL seems to like it when fans and the media point out how awful officiating has become, because this is 2025 and engagement is king. Who cares about actually getting calls right? There's really no other excuse for a multi-billion dollar league having part-time hobbyists as referees rather than full-time professionals. Anyway, Baltimore's lost two straight games and has a 2-2 divisional record with one loss already to Pittsburgh, so the Ravens' chances of winning the AFC North are all but out of their hands at this point. Lamar Jackson did run for a TD last week, his first since Week 1, but he still looks far from fully healthy – he's gone five straight games without reaching a 60 percent completion rate, managing a 2:4 TD:INT and 6.9 YPA during that time. The only playoff-caliber team John Harbaugh's crew have gotten past all year was the Bears back in Week 8, and the defense has started to regress again. A win here, and a win in Week 18 in the rematch with the Steelers, might give them a fighting chance, but tilts in between against the Pats and Packers might be too much to overcome.
The Bengals aren't quite eliminated from playoff contention yet – they could still win out and have the Steelers and Ravens both collapse to sneak into a division title – but last week's tough loss to the Bills was the penultimate nail in their coffin. Joe Burrow did Joe Burrow things in his second game back from toe surgery, tossing four TDs in the bitter cold in Buffalo, but he also got picked off twice. The defense remains the worst unit in the league, allowing 30-plus points for the seventh time in 13 games last week while coughing up at least 400 yards of offense for the sixth time. Sure, it was against the Bills, but the Jets did it too, not too long ago. DC Al Golden, who had spent the last three years at Notre Dame, has hopefully already put feelers out about a return to a college coordinating gig. It looks like Trey Hendrickson has played his last game for Cincy too, so the unit should be facing a total overhaul in the offseason.
Key Info
BAL injury report: RB Justice Hill (IR, neck), WR Rashod Bateman (questionable, ankle), EDGE Nnamdi Madubuike (IR, neck)
CIN injury report: WR Tee Higgins (out, concussion), EDGE Trey Hendrickson (IR, hip), EDGE Shemar Stewart (IR, knee), CB Cam Taylor-Britt (IR, foot)
Strong lean: QB Lamar Jackson (CIN 32nd in passing DVOA, 30th in passing yards allowed, t-29th in passing TDs allowed)
Strong lean: TE Mark Andrews / Isaiah Likely (CIN 29th in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight lean: WR Ja'Marr Chase (BAL 26th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: WR Zay Flowers (CIN sixth in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: WR Andrei Iosivas (BAL t-third in receptions per game allowed to WR2s)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the mid-10s, 1-10 percent chance of snow
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years including playoffs: 7-5 BAL, average score 25-25 (25.5-25.3 BAL), average margin of victory 14 points. The Ravens had won four straight meetings prior to the Bengals' 32-14 win in Week 13, in Joe Burrow's return
The Scoop: Derrick Henry plows ahead for 140 yards and two scores. Jackson throws for less than 200 yards and a touchdown to Likely. Chase Brown responds with 100 scrimmage yards and a TD. Burrow throws for 250 yards and three scores, two to Chase and one to Mike Gesicki. Bengals 28-24
Arizona (+9.5) at Houston, o/u 42.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
It's wild to think the Cardinals started the season 2-0. Five straight losses, and defeats in 10 of their last 11, have Arizona headed for a top-10 pick in 2026 and probably a new coaching staff. You can point to injuries as the cause of the collapse, and the team has gotten a combined 22 games out of what was supposed to be the core of its offense in Kyler Murray, James Conner, Trey Benson and Marvin Harrison, but guys like Jacoby Brissett and Michael Wilson certainly haven't embarrassed themselves in their place, and Trey McBride's been a rock. No, it's the defense that's become a nightmare, coughing up more than 40 points in three of the last five games – the Cowboys are the only other squad to give up 40-plus more than twice times all season. The duo of Jonathan Gannon and DC Nick Rallis are in their third year together calling the shots for the Cards, and during that time Arizona has never finished above 21st in total yards allowed, or 23rd in yards per play allowed.
The Texans are the mirror image of the Cardinals right now. They've won five straight, they have an elite defense, and they look headed for the playoffs one way or another. Houston's still one game back of Jacksonville in the AFC South, but they seems to have all the momentum – that win streak includes games against the Jags, Bills, Kansas City and the Colts when they still had a quarterback. C.J. Stroud hasn't done much in two games since returning to the lineup, posting a 1:1 TD:INT, but he hasn't had to when the defense has given up just 26 points in those games combined. The Texans are first in PPG allowed, first in QB rating against, and top five in a host of other categories. The football gods seem to be smiling on them as well – their final four games are all against teams with injury concerns around their QB1s (the Cards, Raiders, Chargers and Colts), which means they could very easily be riding a nine-game win streak into the playoffs.
Key Info
ARI injury report: QB Kyler Murray (IR, foot), RB Trey Benson (IR, knee), RB James Conner (IR, foot), RB Emari Demercado (questionable, ankle), WR Marvin Harrison (out, heel), WR Zay Jones (IR, Achilles), WR Greg Dortch (IR, chest), WR Xavier Weaver (out, hamstring), LT Paris Johnson (out, knee), LG Evan Brown (out, personal), RG Will Hernandez (IR, hip), RT Jonah Williams (IR, shoulder), RT Christian Jones (IR, knee), DT Walter Nolen (questionable, knee), LB Mack Wilson (IR, ribs), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (NFI, knee), CB Starling Thomas (IR. knee), CB Max Melton (out, heel), S Jalen Thompson (out, hamstring)
HOU injury report: RB Nick Chubb (questionable, ribs), RB Joe Mixon (NFI, foot), WR Tank Dell (PUP, knee), S Jaylen Reed (out, forearm)
Slightest of leans: WR Andre Baccellia (HOU 22nd in receiving yards per game allowed to WR2s)
Slight lean: TE Dalton Schultz (ARI 28th in DVOA vs. TE)
Strong fade: QB Jacoby Brissett (HOU first in passing DVOA, fifth in passing yards allowed, t-first in passing TDs allowed)
Slight fade: WR Nico Collins (ARI eighth in DVOA vs. WR1)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Michael Carter leads the ARI backfield with 40 scrimmage yards. Brissett throws for under 200 yards but does find McBride for a touchdown. Woody Marks leads the HOU backfield with 80 combined yards and a score. Stroud throws for 210 yards and two TDs, hitting Schultz and Collins. Texans 27-16
N.Y. Jets (+12.5) at Jacksonville, o/u 41.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Yeah, sure, why not. Brady Cook will get the start for the Jets in this one, and I suppose having an undrafted rookie under center is the best way for the team to ensure they don't accidentally win another game the way they did a couple weeks ago against the Falcons. Cook didn't look good last week in his first NFL action, completing fewer than 50 percent of his passes with two INTs against the Jags, but if the goal is better draft position, those numbers are great. Garrett Wilson is looking increasingly unlikely to return this season and Mason Taylor's banged up too, so the offense is going to be leaning on Breece Hall anyway. It might be hard for Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie to establish themselves as viable options for 2026 without a real QB, though.
The Jaguars have reeled off four straight wins to climb to the top of the AFC South, but with the Texans hot on their heels, they can't afford to give away what should be an easy win. Jakobi Meyers' arrival has helped settle down Trevor Lawrence and the passing game, but it's really been Jacksonville's defense leading the way. The Jags have allowed just 13.0 points and 233.5 yards a game during the win streak while piling up six takeaways and 13 sacks – meanwhile, Lawrence and the offense have racked up 30.8 points and 334.5 yards a contest. Even accounting for the general quality of the opposition, that's impressive. Liam Coen's biggest test this week might be preventing his squad from looking ahead – after this, the Jags have back-to-back games in Denver and Indy that could decide their season.
Key Info
NYJ injury report: QB Justin Fields (out, knee), QB Tyrod Taylor (out, groin), RB Braelon Allen (IR, knee), WR Garrett Wilson (IR, knee), WR Josh Reynolds (IR, hip), TE Mason Taylor (out, neck), RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (IR, tricep), CB Jarvis Brownlee (out, hip), CB Azareye'h Thomas (out, shoulder), S Andre Cisco (IR, pectoral)
JAC injury report: WR/CB Travis Hunter (IR, knee), WR Parker Washington (questionable, hip), LT Walker Little (questionable, concussion)
Slight lean: WR John Metchie (JAC 30th in receiving yards per game allowed to WR1s)
Strong lean: QB Trevor Lawrence (NYJ 31st in passing DVOA)
Strong lean: WR Jakobi Meyers (NYJ 31st in DVOA vs. WR2)
Strong lean: TE Brenton Strange (NYJ 31st in DVOA vs. TE)
Strong fade: WR Isaiah Williams (JAC second in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight fade: WR Tim Patrick (NYJ t-fourth in receptions per game allowed to WR3s)
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NFL weather report: 10-15 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Hall manages 70 yards and a TD. Cook throws for less than 200 yards and commits three turnovers. Travis Etienne erupts for 140 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, and LeQuint Allen adds his first career score. Lawrence throws for 230 yards and two TDs, one each to Meyers and Brian Thomas. Jaguars 34-10
L.A. Chargers (+4.5) at Kansas City, o/u 41.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Last week's OT squeaker over the Eagles gave the Chargers two straight wins since their bye, and kept them just within site of the Broncos for the AFC West crown. A 9-4 record has Jim Harbaugh's crew in good shape for a wild card, although they have a brutal closing schedule in which the easiest game is a road trip to Dallas. Justin Herbert looked like a guy playing with a broken hand against Philly, but the return of Omarion Hampton allowed OC Greg Roman to go full ground and pound with the offense, as Hampton turned 15 touches into 67 yards and a receiving TD while Kimani Vidal piled up 104 scrimmage yards on his 15 touches. That split should tip toward the rookie once Hampton puts his ankle injury further behind him, but Vidal could end up being a good fit for the Gus Edwards role in Roman's scheme. DC Jesse Minter's unit has held five of the last six opponents to 20 points or less, and the one exception was the one game the Bolts lost during that stretch. Khalil Mack and the pass rush have 18 sacks in that span, while the defense overall has 11 takeaways. Whatever it takes to keep Herbert from being put in obvious passing situations with one busted wing and no healthy tackles to protect him.
All the success and luck that Kansas City has enjoyed over the last decade or so has finally deserted the franchise. Patrick Mahomes and company have lost four of their last five, and they needed overtime to pull out the one win. There was a brief moment earlier in the season, right around when Rashee Rice made his 2025 debut, that it looked like the old barnstorming offense might be making a return, but KC's now gone six straight games without reaching 30 points, and the defense is buckling under the strain. I know Andy Reid is a loyal guy, but it might be time to send Matt Nagy packing as OC and get a fresh voice or two in the room. At 6-7, their wild-card hopes are hanging by a thread, and a 10th straight division title just ain't happening. Reid hasn't had a losing season since he arrived in town, with the last campaign on his resume coming in at below .500 being the one that got him fired by the Eagles in 2012. I doubt anything so drastic will happen this offseason, but things are beginning to drift into 'wasting the remaining years of Mahomes' prime' territory.
Key Info
LAC injury report: RB Najee Harris (IR, Achilles), WR Quentin Johnston (questionable, groin), LT Rashawn Slater (IR, knee), LT Trey Pipkins (doubtful, ankle), RT Joe Alt (IR, ankle), S Elijah Molden (doubtful, hamstring)
KC injury report: WR Hollywood Brown (out, personal), LT Josh Simmons (IR, wrist), RG Trey Smith (out, ankle), RT Jawaan Taylor (out, tricep), CB Trent McDuffie (questionable, knee), CB Christian Roland-Wallace (out, back)
Slight lean: RB Omarion Hampton (KC 24th in passing DVOA vs. RB)
Strong lean: TE Travis Kelce (LAC 30th in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: TE Oronde Gadsden (KC ninth in receptions per game allowed to TEs)
Strong fade: WR Tyquan Thornton (LAC first in DVOA vs. WR3)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the high 10s, 1-10 percent chance of snow
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years: 8-3 KC, average score 24-23 KC, average margin of victory six points. Eight of the last nine meetings have been decided by a single score. The Chargers had lost seven straight games in this rivalry before a 27-21 victory in Week 1, which proved to be a pretty accurate omen for KC's season
The Scoop: Hampton leads the LAC backfield with 80 combined yards and a score. Herbert throws for under 200 yards and a TD to Ladd McConkey. Kareem Hunt picks up 70 yards and a touchdown. Mahomes throws for under 200 yards but hits Rice and Kelce for scores to keep the season alive for one more week. Kansas City 21-17
Buffalo at New England (+1), o/u 49.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
Two games back and with two more divisional losses than the Patriots, the Bills' chances of winning the AFC East have probably already slipped away, but if they're going to pull off a miracle finish it needs to start here. They're got the schedule to run the table if they get past New England, wrapping up their slate with a road trip to Cleveland and then home games against the reeling Eagles and the Jets, but even that might not be enough – the Pats get the Ravens, Jets and Dolphins. There's also the little matter of how inconsistent the Bills have been. Since a 4-0 start to the season, Buffalo hasn't won more than two games in a row, and for every win over a team like Kansas City or Pittsburgh that seems to mark the moment Josh Allen and company flip the switch, they have a puzzling loss to the likes of Miami or Atlanta to balance it out. Only Matthew Stafford has produced more total TDs this season than Allen's 34 (22 passing, 12 rushing), and he's delivered a career-high 70.1 percent completion rate and 8.2 YPA as he posts another MVP-caliber campaign... except for one glaring issue. Only five teams have coughed the ball up more often than Buffalo's 18 giveaways, and Allen's responsible for 12 of them. If there's reason for optimism, it's that the defense seems to be adjusting to the loss of key pieces like Ed Oliver, and if Allen doesn't feel like he needs to shoulder the entire load, it's better for everyone. Even if they are stuck with a wild-card berth, the Bills are still a viable Super Bowl contender.
That said, so are the Patriots. Coming out of their bye and riding a 10-game win streak, New England has largely feasted on a weak schedule, but they've downed the Bills and Bucs during their rampage and mostly dominated lesser competition rather than playing down to their level. Drake Maye's right there in the MVP conversation too, leading the NFL in completion rate (71.5 percent) and sitting second to Sam Darnold in YPA at 8.8, with a sharp 23:6 TD:INT. Much like Allen, he doesn't have a true go-to receiver, while Mike Vrabel's defense just quietly goes about its business – nobody has yet scored 30 points or piled up 400 yards of offense against the Pats in 2025, and given their remaining schedule, it's very possible nobody will. They're not just close to locking up the AFC East title, they've got a very real shot at securing that first-round bye in the playoffs.
Key Info
BUF injury report: WR Joshua Palmer (questionable, ankle), K Tyler Bass (IR, hip), DE Michael Hoecht (IR, Achilles), DT Ed Oliver (IR, bicep), LB Terrel Bernard (questionable, elbow), CB Christian Benford (questionable, toe), S Taylor Rapp (IR, knee)
NE injury report: LT Will Campbell (IR, knee), LB Robert Spillane (questionable, foot)
Strong lean: WR Khalil Shakir (NE 32nd in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight lean: RB TreVeyon Henderson / Rhamondre Stevenson (BUF 30th in rushing DVOA, 27th in rushing yards allowed, 32nd in rushing TDs allowed to RBs)
Slight fade: TE Dalton Kincaid (NE eighth in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: WR Mack Hollins (BUF fourth in receiving yards per game allowed to WR3s)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the high 20s, 5-15 percent chance of snow
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years including playoffs: 8-4 BUF, average score 27-19 BUF, average margin of victory 11 points. The last five meetings have been decided by a single score. The Patriots have won the last two meetings, including a 23-20 victory in Week 5
The Scoop: James Cook produces 120 scrimmage yards and a TD. Allen throws for 230 yards and a score to Shakir while running in a touchdown of his own. Henderson leads the NE backfield with 80 yards and a receiving TD, while Stevenson also punches in a score. Maye throws for 240 yards and a second touchdown to Stefon Diggs, but last possession goes to Allen. Bills 27-24
Washington (+2.5) at N.Y. Giants, o/u 47.0 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
The battle for the NFC East basement sees the Commanders riding an eight-game losing streak that may have bottomed out with last week's shutout loss to the Vikings. Jayden Daniels didn't do much in his return, and didn't last the whole game before being sidelined again due to his dislocated non-throwing elbow. That puts Marcus Mariota back under center, and while Mariota's been a steady replacement, he's not the kind of QB who can overcome the headwind of the team's dreadful defense. Injuries have hammered both the pass rush and the secondary, and Washington's held only one opponent under 25 points during its losing streak, a stretch in which the offense has averaged 16.0 and scored over 25 only once. Success in 2026 will hinge on Daniels' health, but adding a top-10 pick to the mix can't hurt.
The Giants are a very different team than the one that lost to the Commanders in Week 1, but that doesn't mean better. Malik Nabers is gone, Cam Skattebo has come and gone, and the offense is in the reckless hands of Jaxson Dart, who could be one more big hit away from getting shut down for the season. Dart's flashes plenty of upside since taking over as the starter despite an appalling lack of a decent supporting cast, but much like the Commanders, the defense keeps putting the rookie QB in holes he can't climb out of. The Giants have lost seven straight and allowed an average of 31.9 points over that skid, and interim DC Charlie Bullen hasn't really made much of a difference. The young triplets on offense offer some hope for the future, and if the Giants wind up with the No. 1 pick and can trade it to a QB-needy team the overall roster could improve in a hurry, but finding a new coach capable of developing that talent – and probably a GM capable of identifying that coach – will be the most important thing on the offseason to-do list.
Key Info
WAS injury report: QB Jayden Daniels (out, elbow), RB Chris Rodriguez (questionable, groin), RB Austin Ekeler (IR, Achilles), WR Deebo Samuel (questionable, illness), TE Zach Ertz (IR, knee), EDGE Dorance Armstrong (IR, knee), EDGE Deatrich Wise (IR, quadricep), CB Trey Amos (IR, lower leg), CB Marshon Lattimore (IR, knee), CB Jonathan Jones (out, ribs)
NYG injury report: RB Cam Skattebo (IR, ankle), WR Malik Nabers (IR, knee), K Graham Gano (IR, neck), EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux (out, shoulder), DE Rakeen Nunez-Roches (out, ankle), NT Dexter Lawrence (questionable, hamstring), LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (questionable, illness), LB Micah McFadden (IR, foot)
Strong lean: RB Chris Rodriguez / Jacory Croskey-Merritt / Jeremy McNichols (NYG 32nd in rushing DVOA)
Strong lean: WR Darius Slayton (WAS 32nd in DVOA vs. WR2)
Strong lean: TE Theo Johnson (WAS 32nd in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: TE Ben Sinnott / John Bates (NYG ninth in DVOA vs. TE)
No NYG fades against this sputtering WAS defense
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NFL weather report: temperature in the high 20s, 10-15 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of snow
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years: 5-5-1, average score 20-19 WAS, average margin of victory six points. Five of the previous six years have seen sweeps in this rivalry, with a tie spoiling the run in 2022. The Commanders won the first meeting this season 21-6 in Week 1
The Scoop: McNichols leads the WAS backfield with 70 scrimmage yards, while JCM adds 60 yards and a touchdown. Mariota throws for less than 200 yards and a TD to Terry McLaurin. Devin Singletary leads the NYG backfield with 80 yards and a score, while Tyrone Tracy adds 50 yards. Dart doesn't get chased out of the pocket and throws for 220 yards and two touchdowns, finding Wan'Dale Robinson and Johnson. Giants 24-20
Las Vegas (+10.5) at Philadelphia, o/u 38.5 – Sunday, 1 p.m. EST
The Raiders are right in the mix for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, as one of three two-win teams remaining along with the Giants and Titans. Unlike those two teams, Las Vegas doesn't have a young QB to build around, so it means a little more to them to make sure they don't screw things up with an upset or two in the final weeks. Geno Smith will sit this one out though after getting sacked 28 times in the last five games, putting Kenny Pickett under center for his first start of 2025. He looked good last week against the Broncos, which is something, and while he probably won't be an upgrade on Smith, he at least might not be a downgrade. Pickett still has no offensive line and no trustworthy wideouts, and the first issue has also sabotaged Ashton Jeanty's rookie season, but at least it ensures Brock Bowers will get solid volume.
I don't think they'll be able to pull it off, but the Eagles are trying their best to give away the NFC East. They've lost three straight games coming into this one, but there's no way this roster can dribble away a 1.5-game lead when three of their four remaining games are against the Raiders and Commanders. Can it? Last week's loss to the Chargers was also just a weird one – I mean, how often do you see one player commit multiple turnovers on the same play? Jalen Hurts coughed the ball up five times in total in Week 14, and that's just not something he's going to do every week. And Philly still only lost in OT! If there was a silver lining to that loss it was that Saquon Barkley turned back the clock to 2024 with 122 rushing yards and a TD. Over his last six contests he's averaged just over 100 scrimmage yards a game with a 4.7 YPC, so he might be finding his groove just in the nick of time. If Barkley gets going, it takes a lot of pressure off Hurts and should allow the rest of the offense to find a rhythm as well. Considering that the defense also has nine takeaways and 15 sacks in the last five games, and it just seems to me like rumors of the defending champs' demise are greatly exaggerated.
Key Info
LV injury report: QB Geno Smith (out, shoulder), LT Kolton Miller (IR, ankle), RG Jackson Powers-Johnson (IR, ankle), EDGE Maxx Crosby (questionable, knee), S Jeremy Chinn (questionable, back)
PHI injury report: RT Lane Johnson (out, foot), EDGE Jalen Carter (out, shoulder), S Andrew Mukuba (IR, ankle)
Slight lean: WR Jack Bech (PHI 26th in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight lean: WR DeVonta Smith (LV 24th in DVOA vs. WR2)
Strong fade: TE Brock Bowers (PHI first in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: TE Dallas Goedert (LV t-second in receptions per game allowed to TEs)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the high 20s, 10-15 mph wind, 1-10 percent chance of snow
The Scoop: Jeanty grinds out 60 yards. Pickett throws for less than 200 yards and finds Bech for his first NFL score, but he also tosses a pick-six to Cooper DeJean. Barkley puts together 80 yards. Hurts hangs onto the ball and throws for less than 200 yards while running for a touchdown. Eagles 20-7
LATE SUNDAY
Green Bay at Denver (+2.5), o/u 43.0 – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST
Winners of four straight, the Packers took control of the NFC North with back-to-back victories over the Lions and Bears. Green Bay doesn't have an easy closing schedule, but the team might be peaking at the right time. Over the win streak, the Pack have averaged 27.3 PPG while allowing only 17.8, with the defense producing 11 sacks and six takeaways. Jordan Love's wideout corps is finally healthy, although he's still missing Tucker Kraft at tight end, and the trio of Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs are all capable of making impacts, with Dontayvion Wicks and rookie speedster Matthew Golden providing enviable depth. Josh Jacobs' knee is still bothering him, but Emanuel Wilson's a capable backup, and while Micah Parsons has taken a back seat to Myles Garrett in the elite edge rusher conversation this year, he's still got a dozen-plus sacks for a fifth straight season to begin his career. All the pieces are here for Green Bay to make a real run, and they seem to be falling into place at the right time.
That said, the visitors aren't the team currently in line for a first-round bye to begin the playoffs. The Broncos have won an incredible 11 straight games to surge to the top of the AFC, but they keep playing with fire – the last five wins have all been by a single score, including two games against the Raiders that were closer than they needed to be. Bo Nix hasn't taken a step forward in his second season, but rookie RJ Harvey is stepping up in the backfield with 162 scrimmage yards and three rushing TDs over the last two games. Patrick Surtain, Nick Bonitto and the defense are the leaders in Denver though, sitting first in sacks and yards per play allowed, and fourth in PPG allowed. Someone on the offense will likely have to make a statement before it's all said and done though, especially against a closing schedule that features two other division leaders (the Broncos host the Jags next week) and then two games against the two teams chasing them in the AFC West.
Key Info
GB injury report: RB Josh Jacobs (questionable, knee), RB MarShawn Lloyd (IR, hamstring), TE Tucker Kraft (IR, knee), C Elgton Jenkins (IR, lower leg), DT Devonte Wyatt (IR, ankle)
DEN injury report: RB J.K. Dobbins (IR, foot), WR Pat Bryant (out, hamstring), LG Ben Powers (IR, bicep), RT Mike McGlinchey (questionable, shoulder)
Slight lean: WR Jayden Reed (DEN 26th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight lean: WR Troy Franklin (GB 29th in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight fade: RB Emanuel Wilson (DEN fourth in rushing DVOA, t-fourth in rushing yards allowed to RBs, first in passing DVOA vs. RB)
Slight fade: TE Evan Engram (GB fifth in DVOA vs. TE)
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NFL weather report: 1-10 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Wilson starts and gains 70 yards and a TD. Love throws for 200 yards and two touchdowns, finding Reed and Doubs. Harvey compiles 80 scrimmage yards. Nix throws for under 200 yards and two scores, hitting Courtland Sutton and Franklin, but the Broncos' luck in one-score games runs out on a last-second revenge field goal by Brandon McManus. Packers 24-23
Detroit (+5.5) at L.A. Rams, o/u 55.0 – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST
The Lions have been alternating wins and losses since the beginning of October, and that inconsistently could end up costing them a playoff spot. Detroit is coming off a big win over Dallas as the offense topping 40 points for the third time in 2025, but its defense is reeling right now, allowing an average of 29.3 points and 431 yards over the last three weeks. That trend doesn't figure to reverse itself with three starters in the secondary on the shelf, so it'll be up to Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and friends to win shootouts down the stretch if they're going to keep playing past Week 18. Even if the Lions don't rally to win the NFC North, seeing the Bears or Niners fade past them to open up a wild-card spot isn't unrealistic, but they'll have to stack some wins themselves to make it happen.
The battle for the NFC West title between the Rams and Seahawks will likely hinge on next week's meeting in Seattle, but that makes this game a good tune-up for Sean McVay's crew. A Week 13 loss to the Panthers is still fresh enough that they shouldn't be complacent, and Matthew Stafford and his league-leading 35 passing TDs (tied for a distant second at 26 is Goff, the guy whose fate will always be intertwined with his) have an MVP Award to go win. The Rams' backfield is getting interesting, as Blake Corum seems to be forcing his way into a real timeshare with Kyren Williams, but Williams is still the guy they'll lean on when it matters. An offense that seems capable of dropping 30 points in its sleep. combined with an aggressive, stingy defense, makes the Rams one of the true Super Bowl favorites in a wild and chaotic season. Even if they end up with a wild-card spot.
Key Info
DET injury report: WR Kalif Raymond (questionable, ankle), TE Sam LaPorta (IR, back) TE Brock Wright (IR, neck), LT Taylor Decker (questionable, shoulder), LG Christian Mahogany (IR, leg), LG Kayode Awosika (questionable, foot), CB Terrion Arnold (IR, shoulder), S Kerby Joseph (out, knee), S Brian Branch (out, toe), S Thomas Harper (questionable, concussion)
LAR injury report: WR Davante Adams (questionable, hamstring), TE Tyler Higbee (IR, ankle), RT Rob Havenstein (IR, ankle), CB Quentin Lake (IR, elbow)
Slight lean: WR Isaac TeSlaa (LAR 24th in DVOA vs. WR3)
Slight lean: WR Puka Nacua (DET 28th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: RB Jahmyr Gibbs / David Montgomery (LAR third in rushing DVOA, seventh in rushing yards allowed to RBs, first in rushing TDs allowed to RBs)
Slight fade: WR Davante Adams (DET sixth in DVOA vs. WR2)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Gibbs piles up 90 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Goff throws for 250 yards and three scores, two to St. Brown (who tops 100 yards) and one to TeSlaa. Kyren responds with 100 combined yards and a TD. Stafford throws for 300 yards and three touchdowns, one each to Nacua (who also tops 100 yards), Adams and Colby Parkinson, while a Braden Fiske fumble recovery touchdown end up being the difference. Rams 38-31
Carolina at New Orleans (+2.5), o/u 40.5 – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST
A 7-6 record isn't much, but it's enough to put the Panthers at the top of the NFC South somehow, as the Buccaneers continue to stumble. Carolina hasn't made the playoffs since 2017 and hasn't won a playoff game since Cam Newton took the team to a Super Bowl in 2015, running through seven head coaches since that last one-and-done in the wild-card round, but it looks like Dave Canales might be the one to stick around for a while. Bryce Young is also suddenly looking like a guy who can win games for the Panthers, not just do his best to avoid losing them. He's got a 68.1 percent completion rate, 7:2 TD:INT and 8.8 YPA over the last three games, including a 448-yard effort in Atlanta and three touchdowns in a huge upset of the Rams right before the Panthers' bye. Tetairoa McMillan had TDs in all three of those games, and he's closing in on 1,000 yards as the clear top rookie wideout of 2025 – no offense intended to Emeka Egbuka, who's the only other player even in the conversation. (The next four rookies in receiving yards after those two are all tight ends). DC Ejiro Evero's unit is also starting to look dangerous, collecting 10 takeaways over the last five games, although Carolina still has no pass rush to speak of. It's division title or bust if the Panthers want to make the postseason, but with both games against the Bucs still coming, their destiny is in their own hands.
The Saints would be picking fifth in next year's draft if the season were already over, but they're certainly been picking their spots for their wins, being equal-opportunity spoilers with wins over both the Panthers and Buccaneers in the last month. Tyler Shough has been efficient as the starter, and over the last five games he's completed 67.8 percent of his passes, albeit with a less impressive 5:4 TD:INT and 7.1 YPA. Alvin Kamara's absence has also allowed Devin Neal to show what he can do, and he's delivered 153 scrimmage yards and a TD over the last two games. A really weak closing schedule – the Saints get the Jets, Titans and Falcons after this – could boot them out of the top 10 entirely in next year's draft, but if Shough looks like a viable starting option in that time, a strong finish is going to build some real optimism for next season, even if the roster has a lot of holes to patch.
Key Info
CAR injury report: RG Robert Hunt (IR, biceps), RG Chandler Zavala (IR, calf), RG Brady Christensen (IR, Achilles)
NO injury report: RB Alvin Kamara (out, knee), C Erik McCoy (IR, bicep), S Justin Reid (questionable, knee)
Slight lean: TE Ja'Tavion Sanders (NO 22nd in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight lean: WR Chris Olave (CAR 29th in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: WR Jalen Coker (NO sixth in DVOA vs. WR3)
Strong fade: WR Devaughn Vele (CAR first in DVOA vs. WR2)
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NFL weather report: indoors
Head-to-head record, last five-plus years: 7-4 NO, average score 22-15 NO, average margin of victory 13 points. The Saints have won the last two meetings at the Superdome by a combined score of 69-33.
The Scoop: Rico Dowdle leads the CAR backfield with 70 yards and a score. Young throws for less than 200 yards and hits McMillan for another touchdown. Neal manages 60 yards. Shough throws for less than 200 yards and can't get the ball into the end zone. Panthers 17-12
Indianapolis (+13.5) at Seattle, o/u 42.5 – Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST
The Colts have a chance to do something incredibly funny. Daniel Jones' season-ending Achilles tear, combined with Anthony Richardson's fluke orbital injury months ago, left a legit Super Bowl contender with a sixth-round rookie, Riley Leonard, as its top QB. They beat the bushes for a veteran alternative and somehow landed on 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who last threw a pass in earnest in 2020 – which opens up the very real possibility of Rivers starting a playoff game against the Chargers, who are currently headed for a wild-card spot. That would, of course, require the Colts to survive the last four weeks of the season, which is much easier said than done considering they face nothing but playoff contenders. Whether it's Rivers or Leonard getting the start here, they are almost certain to lean very heavily on Jonathan Taylor to generate any offense. Taylor's cooled down a bit since Indy's Week 11 bye – I mean, he's gone three whole games without a multi-touchdown performance – but he's still the team's best hope of staying afloat. The Colts also need Sauce Gardner and DeForest Buckner to get back as soon as possible, but neither one will be playing in Seattle.
The Seahawks are having the most incredible luck when it comes to opposition QBs. They've allowed nine total points over the last two games while facing Max Brosmer and Kirk Cousins, and now they get either Leonard or Rivers. The 'Hawks are locked in a duel for the NFC West title with the Rams, who they face next week, so there could be some risk of them looking past a wounded Colts squad. Even if they do though, it's hard to see them blowing it completely. Sam Darnold could spot them three turnovers and it might not matter. There's also some motivation for Jaxon Smith-Njigba to rack up big numbers to try and get back on pace for 2,000 yards after he didn't have much to do against Minnesota, so even if things get out of hand early, Darnold could still be chucking it to his favorite target.
Key Info
IND injury report: QB Daniel Jones (IR, Achilles), QB Anthony Richardson (IR, eye), RT Braden Smith (out, concussion), K Spencer Shrader (IR, knee), DT DeForest Buckner (IR, neck), CB Sauce Gardner (out, calf), CB Charvarius Ward (IR, concussion)
SEA injury report: WR Tory Horton (IR, shin), C Jalen Sundell (IR, knee)
Slight lean: TE Tyler Warren (SEA 26th in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight lean: TE AJ Barner (IND 25th in DVOA vs. TE)
Strong fade: RB Jonathan Taylor (SEA first in rushing DVOA, third in rushing yards allowed to RBs, third in rushing TDs allowed to RBs)
Strong fade: WR Michael Pittman (SEA first in DVOA vs. WR1)
Slight fade: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (IND seventh in DVOA vs. WR1)
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NFL weather report: 60-70 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Taylor picks up 90 scrimmage yards and a receiving TD. Leonard starts and throws for less than 200 yards with two INTs, but he does run in a touchdown. Kenneth Walker leads the SEA backfield with 80 yards and a score, while Zach Charbonnet also gets into the end zone. Darnold throws for 240 yards and two TDs, finding Cooper Kupp and Barner. Seahawks 34-17
Tennessee (+12.5) at San Francisco, o/u 44.5
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST
Last week's win over the Browns cost the Titans a chance to all but lock up the top pick in the 2026 draft, and now they've got two other two-win teams between them and the big prize. Rude. Cam Ward threw multiple TDs for the first time in his career last week, but he's also failed to reach a 6.0 YPA in three of the last four games as the Tennessee passing games retreats into a shell. Tony Pollard also erupted for a career-high 161 rushing yards and two touchdowns last week, but prior to that he hadn't topped 60 rushing yards since Week 5, so a repeat performance seems a touch unlikely. Young players like Chimere Dike offer a smidge of upside, but the Titans' roster really just doesn't have enough talent on either side of the ball to be much of a threat. A slow rebuild might be for the best anyway, since Ward seems like he might be on the kind of development schedule Bryce Young's been muddling through.
The 49ers are in a weird spot. They're on course for a wild-card spot and are only one game back of the Rams and Seahawks for the NFC West title, but it doesn't really feel like they're a serious contender. The team's ongoing injury issues are a big part of that, but San Francisco's about as healthy as its been all year coming out of its bye, and they shouldn't be ignored as a threat in the NFC. Christian McCaffrey remains on pace for a truly bonkers season, and not just from a production perspective. He's seen a league-leading 322 touches so far, and given his own injury history and the way the Niners have been snake bit, it's kind of incredible that he's been the one constant in the lineup. His career high in touches is 403, set back in 2019 with the Panthers, and he's on pace to top that workload. Note for next year's drafters – he played three games in 2020. His next-highest workload was 339 touches in 2023, and then he played four games last year. The defense is coming together at the right time too despite the big names on the shelf, generating seven turnovers during a three-game win streak prior to the Week 14 bye and allowing just 17 total points to the Panthers and Browns in the last two victories.
Key Info
TEN injury report: WR Calvin Ridley (IR, lower leg), LT Dan Moore (questionable, neck), C Lloyd Cushenberry (out, foot), RG Kevin Zeitler (questionable, groin), CB L'Jarius Sneed (IR, quadricep), CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (out, Achilles)
SF injury report: WR Brandon Aiyuk (PUP, knee), LG Ben Bartch (IR, foot), EDGE Nick Bosa (IR, knee), DE Sam Okuayinonu (out, ankle), LB Fred Warner (IR, ankle), LB Tatum Bethune (out, ankle)
Strong lean: WR Chimere Dike (SF 32nd in DVOA vs. WR3)
Strong lean: WR Jauan Jennings (TEN 31st in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight fade: TE Gunnar Helm (SF seventh in DVOA vs. TE)
Slight fade: WR Demarcus Robinson (TEN ninth in DVOA vs. WR3)
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NFL weather report: 1-10 percent chance of rain
The Scoop: Pollard gets held to 60 yards. Ward throws for less than 200 yards and a touchdown, but he also tosses a pick-six to Ji'Ayir Brown. McCaffrey collects 100 scrimmage yards and a TD. Brock Purdy throws for 230 yards and two scores, one each to Jennings (who tops 100 yards) and George Kittle. 49ers 28-13
SUNDAY NIGHT
Minnesota (+5.5) at Dallas, o/u 47.5 – Sunday, 8:20 p.m. EST
This season is a write-off for the Vikings, so the focus is all on 2026 and building up some confidence for, or maybe in, J.J. McCarthy over the next few weeks. His performance against the Commanders was encouraging, but throwing three TDs against the tattered remnants of their secondary is like throwing 1.5 against anyone else. Fortunately he gets a run of three more shaky or worse defenses until wrapping things up in Week 18 against the Packers, so Justin Jefferson might be able to salvage his season yet (even if it's probably too late to help his fantasy investors). DC Brian Flores' defense had also been playing better even before last week's shutout, so the Vikes might be able to play spoiler in the NFC North race yet.
Last week's loss to the Lions didn't quite end the Cowboys' season, but they'll really need a total collapse from the Eagles to sneak into the playoffs via a NFC East title, because 10 wins might not get a wild card in the NFC. It's been the same story for Dallas all year – great offense (top five in PPG and yards per play), abysmal defense (bottom five in PPG allowed and yards per play allowed). The additions the team made to the defense didn't help against Detroit, and over the last three weeks DC Matt Eberflus' unit has surrendered 31.0 points and 369.7 yards a game, numbers which only look good in comparison to how the season started for them. There's still an Island of Misfit Toys vibe to the roster which will only get worse when Jerry Jones screws up his salary cap again by giving George Pickens a top-of-market contract in the offseason – you know, the very thing he supposedly traded Micah Parsons to alleviate – but hey, at least the Cowboys are fun to watch.
Key Info
MIN injury report: LT Christian Darrisaw (questionable, foot)
DAL injury report: TE Jake Ferguson (questionable, calf), LT Tyler Guyton (out, ankle), EDGE Jadeveon Clowney (questionable, hamstring), CB Trevon Diggs (IR, knee),S Juanyeh Thomas (NFI, migraines)
Slight lean: QB J.J. McCarthy (DAL 30th in passing DVOA, 32nd in passing yards allowed, 32nd in passing TDs allowed)
Slight lean: TE Jake Ferguson (MIN 24th in DVOA vs. TE)
No MIN fades. The DAL defense still has a long way to go
Slight fade: WR Ryan Flournoy (MIN fourth in DVOA vs. WR3)
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NFL weather report: indoors
The Scoop: Aaron Jones churns out 80 yards, while Jordan Mason adds 60 and a TD. McCarthy throws for under 200 yards and a score to Jefferson. Javonte Williams gains 90 yards and a touchdown. Dak Prescott throws for 250 yards and three TDs, two to Pickens and one to Brevyn Spann-Ford. Cowboys 28-20
MONDAY NIGHT
Miami (+3.5) at Pittsburgh, o/u 41.5 – Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST
The Dolphins have won four straight to stay mathematically alive in the playoff race, but mainly what they're doing is saving Mike McDaniel's job. De'Von Achane's been the engine of the offense, racking up a massive 629 scrimmage yards and four rushing TDs during the win streak, but he's now battling sore ribs and might cede some touches to Jaylen Wright, who topped the century mark in rushing yards himself last week. Tua Tagovailoa hasn't had much to do as a result, because the defense has held four straight opponents under 20 points while producing multiple takeaways each time. To be fair, three of those opponents have a combined nine wins (the Commanders, Saints and Jets), but they did it to the Bills too. Leaning on the running attack and defense doesn't feel much like McDaniel Ball, but if the RBs are fast enough I guess it counts.
The Steelers got an early Christmas present from the refs last week to move ahead of the Ravens in the AFC North, which isn't going to dispel the notion that they're only winning with smoke and mirrors. The defense has been pretty un-Pittsburgh-like this season, getting by purely on splash plays, while Aaron Rodgers hasn't thrown multiple TD passes in a game since Week 8. Rodgers has a mediocre 61.0 percent completion rate, 4:2 TD:INT and 6.5 YPA over his last five games, and only the Jaylen Warren/Kenneth Gainwell duo in the backfield seems to be following the franchise's usual script. The calls to fire Mike Tomlin from the fanbase seem a bit silly to me – yeah, things may not be getting better, but they could get a whole lot worse – but I get the frustration given the lack of recent playoff success. The fact of the matter is, unless they luck into another Ben Roethlisberger (the 11th overall pick in 2004, and the third QB off the board after Eli Manning and Philip Rivers that year) or sign the next Sam Darnold, they're probably stuck in a holding pattern of being OK, but not great.
Key Info
MIA injury report: RB De'Von Achane (questionable, ribs), WR Tyreek Hill (IR, knee), LG Liam Eichenberg (PUP, undisclosed), C Aaron Brewer (questionable, ankle), RG James Daniels (IR, pectoral), K Jason Sanders (IR, hip), EDGE Chop Robinson (questionable, oblique), CB Storm Duck (IR, knee), CB Jack Jones (questionable, knee), CB Rasul Douglas (questionable, foot), CB Kader Kohou (IR, knee)
PIT injury report: WR Calvin Austin (questionable, calf), TE Darnell Washington (questionable, concussion), LT Broderick Jones (IR, neck), LT Andrus Peat (questionable, concussion), EDGE T.J. Watt (out, chest), EDGE Cameron Heyward (questionable, knee), DE Derrick Harmon (out, knee), NT Keeanu Benton (questionable, ankle), CB James Pierre (questionable, calf), S DeShon Elliott (IR, knee)
Slight lean: WR Jaylen Waddle (PIT 31st in receptions per game allowed to WR1s)
Slight lean: RB Jaylen Warren / Kenneth Gainwell (MIA 30th in passing DVOA vs. RB)
Slight fade: WR Malik Washington (PIT fourth in DVOA vs. WR2)
Slight fade: WR DK Metcalf (MIA third in receiving yards per game allowed to WR1s)
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NFL weather report: temperature in the high 10s, 20-30 percent chance of snow
The Scoop: Achane jets for 120 yards and a touchdown. Tagovailoa throws for less than 200 yards and a TD to Waddle. Warren leads the PIT backfield with 80 yards, while Gainwell adds a receiving score. Rodgers throws for 200 yards and a second touchdown to Pat Freiermuth, and a Patrick Queen fumble recovery TD is the difference. Steelers 21-20
