There’s a pair of last-place teams off this week as the 3-10 Arizona Cardinals and 4-9 Washington Commanders get some much needed rest in preparation for the final four weeks of the 2023 NFL season. Going forward, there will be a full slate of 16 contests starting in Week 15.
It’s getting down to crunch time around the league when it comes to playoff runs. The three teams that are on upset alert this week are all in the postseason chase.
Baltimore Ravens (vs. Rams)
The AFC North leaders did not play last week and certainly benefited from the fact that both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns took it on the chin. The Baltimore Ravens are tied for the best record in the AFC with a 9-3 resume. John Harbaugh’s club (3-0 vs. NFC teams this season) owns the NFL’s top-ranked ground attack and have allowed the fewest points per game in the league.
But don’t discount the rejuvenated Los Angeles Rams, who have strung together three straight victories after a very shaky start this year. Sean McVay’s club has held each of its last four opponents to 20 points or less, this after a 43-20 loss at Dallas back in Week 8. The Rams’ rejuvenated running attack could present problems for Baltimore’s aggressive defense.
Detroit Lions (at Bears)
Dan Campbell’s team has a little more target on its back this season and understandably so. The 9-3 Lions lead both the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers by three games in the NFC North. The franchise not only seeks its first division title since 1993, but is very much in the mix for the best record and the No. 1 seed in the conference.
Only the Miami Dolphins are averaging more total yards per game this season and the Lions are sixth in the NFL in points per contest. However, Campbell’s club is 23rd in fewest points allowed per outing.
In their first six games this season, Detroit gave up 113 points and 11 offensive TDs. In their last six outings, the team has surrendered 173 points and 20 offensive touchdowns. Last Sunday, the Lions jumped out to a 21-0 lead at New Orleans and held on for a 33-28 victory.
Back in Week 11 vs. the rival Bears at Ford Field, Detroit came up with 17 points in the final three minutes to overcome a 26-14 deficit for a 31-26 win. Chicago quarterback Justin Fields had 104 of his team’s 183 yards on the ground. This is a tricky game for the NFC North leaders as the Lions look to sweep the Bears for the second straight year.
Minnesota Vikings (at Raiders)
Both the Purple Gang and the Silver and Black had Week 13 off and now clash in Sin City as each team looks to end a brief two-game losing streak. It wasn’t long ago that the Vikings were in the midst of a five-game winning streak. As for the Raiders, interim head coach Antonio Pierce has split his four contests since taking over for Josh McDaniels.
You have to give some credit to Minnesota’s defensive coordinator Bryan Flores’ unit gave up a total of one touchdown vs. Denver and Chicago. The team still managed to lose both contests, each in the closing seconds of those games. Kevin O’Connell’s team is on its third different starting quarterback this season. Josh Dobbs has been pretty sensational, as well as mistake prone. He’s thrown five TD passes and run for three scores, but has also turned over the ball a combined eight times in four games with the club.
The Raiders are actually 4-2 at home this season. Defensive end Maxx Crosby is among the NFL leaders in sacks with 11.5 QB traps. Speaking of Dobbs and his issues with ball security, the Vikings are tied with the Browns this season with an NFL-high 24 turnovers. Las Vegas has given up the ball 21 times. This could be a low-scoring affair in which a defensive touchdown could be the difference.