The NFL Roundup 2017 - Week 14 - The Most Fascinating Games to Watch on Sunday

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​There’s a special electricity in the air surrounding tomorrow’s slate of games, simply because, every single second, every single play, every single down, and every single yard matter more than ever before, and a lack of execution on any of those things…could spell doom for teams that are currently in the playoff hunt. These players know what’s at stake, and that the only way they can keep their playoff hopes alive is to deliver their very best when they take the field and that means we are in for some incredible football come game time, and here are the top games that we will be keeping an eye upon come tomorrow. 

---

Oakland Raiders (6-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, MO
1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

​Expect the unexpected. That’s a lesson that every single player and coach in the NFL needs to learn and it’s a lesson that is one hundred percent applicable to the two teams involved in this matchup. Because both the Raiders and the Chiefs were expected to do incredible things this season when it comes to their loaded rosters, but the unexpected has come into play and now this game…may decide how these two squads reflect upon their season. Win, and there’s a chance they could clench the Division and get a shot at the tournament. Lose, and there’s a fair chance their season ends earlier than expected. Which means this game should be quite the knock-down, drag it out affair and as to who wins this one? Well I think that comes down to discipline, and the team that can settle down and make the least amount of mistakes, walks away from this one, the victor. 

Minnesota Vikings (10-2) at Carolina Panthers (8-4)
Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC
1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

​Sometimes, a particular matchup has far more meaning to a pair of teams than we will ever know and honestly, this feels like one of those matchups. Because both of these teams desperately want to be viewed as the best in the league and a win here will help both of them in that quest greatly. For the Panthers, a win over the mighty Vikings would not only deliver them confidence, but all the talk that would follow such a victory, would be about them defeating big teams at the right time and the possibility of them accomplishing that in playoffs and for the Vikings…well, with the NFC playoff picture suddenly wide open, a victory here would help them move one step closer to the number one overall playoff seed, an honor that would deliver a ‘best of’ symbol for their Conference. However, while I do expect this one to be quite the hard-fought matchup, I get the feeling that Minnesota will claim the victory here since they are a patient team that knows exactly when to strike. 

Philadelphia Eagles (10-2) at Los Angeles Rams (9-3)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Los Angeles, CA
4:25 p.m. EST – FOX

​There is quite a bit at stake when it comes to this particular game. After all, the Rams are looking to continue their win streak and defeat the almighty Philadelphia Eagles so that they too can join the number one playoff seed race in the NFC and also because hey, beating the Eagles gives you some serious bragging rights, and as for the Eagles, well they’re simply looking to rebound. They were a touch relaxed when they played Seattle last week and paid the price for it, so you know they’ll be looking to re-focus and secure a win so they don’t lose any of their playoff standing clout. As for who wins this game, well it comes down to the basics as always, whichever team doesn’t turn over the ball, executes on every single play and maintains their focus for sixty minutes, will enjoy a hard-earned victory.

Seattle Seahawks (8-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
EverBank Field – Jacksonville, FL
4:25 p.m. EST – FOX

​Some of the finest matchups you can get this time of year, feature teams that are still fighting for their playoff lives and that’s precisely what we’re looking at when it comes to this particular game. After all, Jacksonville is currently tied for first in the AFC South and would love a win to keep their Divisional or Wild Card hopes alive and the Seahawks are in a similar situation in that they’re a game behind in the NFC West, and a win here would keep them in the hunt for a shot at the tournament as well. So, expect both of these teams to deliver a little more effort than usual on the field as they try to improve their standings and I think that since this one is a pretty even keeled match on paper, the winner will be decided by a couple of intangibles. In that, if Seattle can rattle and stun the Jaguars like they did the Eagles, they’ll likely snag the win, but if Jacksonville can keep a level head and play their game, they’ve got a shot at keeping their magical season rolling.