Welcome to the “Watchability stakes” – a ranking of the weekly matchups ahead in the NFL. Games are tiered based on narrative, implications and general intrigue. You will be seeing The Lead’s NFL game watchability rankings at the start of the week to get you ready for football action.
The sprint to the finish line for the 2024 season is here if you can even believe it. With just five weeks to go, it’s full steam ahead for many teams to end the year strong and push for the postseason. This means we’ve got another week of high-stakes NFL football.
Unlike last week, there aren’t three or four “pure” marquee games. Instead, the slate in Week 14 features teams in good position in the playoff hunt to keep their current standing. Some face interesting trap games on the road, while the league’s best need to hold off teams looking to cause plenty of disruption.
That said, six games still cracked either Tier 1 or Tier 2. Once again, the late-window games remain the best watches of the week.
Which games matter the most? As usual, here are your usual game rankings for Week 14:
Tier 1: Absolutely can’t miss
Green Bay Packers (9-3) versus Detroit Lions (11-1) – Thursday @ 8:15 pm EST
- The best game in Week 14 occurs right away. Two of the best teams in the NFC square off Thursday night in an inter-divisional matchup. Detroit remains the favorite to win the conference, but Green Bay is still not far behind in a crowded NFC North.
Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) versus Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) – Sunday @ 8:20 pm EST
- The Chargers will look for arguably their most signature win of the season. One of the biggest surprise teams of 2024, Los Angeles travels east to take on the first-place Kansas City Chiefs.
Seattle Seahawks (7-5) versus Arizona Cardinals (6-6) – Sunday @ 4:05 pm EST
- The top-three spots all feature games between inter-divisional opponents with significant implications. This one is no different. Seattle still holds first place in the NFC West, but Arizona is right behind. This is arguably the biggest game on Sunday late afternoon.
Buffalo Bills (10-2) versus Los Angeles Rams (6-6) – Sunday @ 4:25 pm EST
- Similar to above, a .500 NFC West team faces a significant game to stay firmly in the hunt for the division. Buffalo will also have something to play for: remaining in the chase for the top seed in the AFC.
Tier 2: This could be fun
Cleveland Browns (3-9) versus Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- A rematch from a game that took place not too long ago. Cleveland’s last matchup saw the Browns get the last laugh on a snowy Thursday night versus Pittsburgh. The Steelers are eyeing some revenge and a chance to be the third AFC team to crack double-digit wins.
Atlanta Falcons (6-6) versus Minnesota Vikings (10-2) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- Atlanta faces a close race to win its division. Minnesota continues to eke out close wins but still has ten wins for a reason.
Tier 3: Decent floor, high upside
New York Jets (3-9) versus Miami Dolphins (5-7) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- Miami’s long-shot chance to make the playoffs starts (and ends) with an inter-division game against a semi-competitive but otherwise disappointing Jets team.
Carolina Panthers (3-9) versus Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- Philly continues to produce wins at the right time. Yet Carolina has at least looked stable the past few weeks, and this can easily be a trap game for the Eagles.
Tier 4: It could always be worse
Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) versus Dallas Cowboys (5-7) – Monday @ 8:15 pm EST
- Two teams with even longer-shot odds to make the playoffs than the Dolphins at this point. This game would’ve been ranked Tier 1 at the start of the year.
Chicago Bears (4-8) versus San Francisco 49ers (5-7) – Sunday @ 4:25 pm EST
- Chicago’s season is about over, but maybe the Bears can turn things around and finish better. San Francisco remains in the hunt for the division, but a loss here could be the official end of its season.
New Orleans Saints (4-8) versus New York Giants (2-10) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- New Orleans looks solid since making a head coaching change mid-season. Based on how some other results play out and if the Saints win, New Orleans wouldn’t be out of the division hunt yet.
Tier 5: Snooze Fest
Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) versus Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- Tampa Bay should be the heavy favorite and desperately needs this win, considering how close the NFC South is.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) versus Tennessee Titans (3-9) – Sunday @ 1 pm EST
- At this point, the big winner is the loser, who could be more on the inside track for a guaranteed top-three pick in the draft.
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