NFL Week 14: Trends which will decide each game

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 07: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills looks to pass during the third quarter of a game against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on December 07, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 06: Defensive end Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams sacks quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at State Farm Stadium on December 06, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Two of the 14 playoff berths have been clinched with four weeks to play.

It took some extra days but there’s 192 regular-season games down and 64 more to play in the NFL’s final 16-game season. The Kansas City Chiefs are headed to the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year where they will have a chance to become the first team since the 2003 and ’04 New England Patriots to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

The New Orleans Saints are back in the postseason for the fourth straight year and own the NFL’s longest current winning streak (9). A number of other teams can clinch postseason berths this week. And every club has now played 12 games. Let the stretch run begin.

NOTE: All times ET

Thursday, Dec. 10

New England Patriots (6-6) at Los Angeles Rams (8-4), 8:20 pm

Patriots: Bill Belichick’s team has rebounded from a 2-5 start to win four of the last five games and get back to the .500 mark. The club’s 45-0 victory over the Chargers saw both the New England offense and special teams reach the end zone on multiple occasions.

Only the Ravens and Browns are averaging more yards per game than the Patriots, who are running for 150.9 yards per contest while 19 of their 27 offensive touchdowns have come via the ground – 11 of those from quarterback Cam Newton. But mistakes do continue to plague the club as the Pats have turned over the ball 17 times in a dozen game – two more miscues than they managed in 16 outings in 2019.

Rams: It’s a club that remains somewhat of an enigma. But with four weeks to play, the Rams own the top spot at the moment in the NFC West thanks to a win over Seattle and despite being swept by the last-place San Francisco 49ers.

Los Angeles defense is much-improved from a year ago, most notably against the run. And coordinator Brandon Staley’s unit will be severely tested against New England’s third-ranked ground attack. The bigger question may be quarterback Jared Goff’s ability to avoid mistakes. The fifth-year signal-caller has thrown five touchdown passes but turned over the ball 10 times in the Rams’ last five outings via six interceptions and four lost fumbles.

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