Week 14 Bye Battles: Bears-Packers, Bengals-Bills No. 1 Seed Showdowns

Week 14's December 7 slate features two pivotal matchups that could lock playoff byes and reshape conference standings- the Chicago Bears visit the Green Bay Packers in a flexed NFC North showdown, while the Cincinnati Bengals travel to Buffalo for an AFC wild-card test. The 9-3 Bears hold the NFC's temporary No. 1 seed after their Black Friday upset, but the 8-4 Packers lurk one game back in the division. The 5-7 Bengals need Joe Burrow's return to ignite a playoff push against the 7-5 Bills. These games carry bye-week implications that extend into January's bracket.

Aaron Rodgers' Wrist Fractures: Steelers' MNF Collapse, Week 14 Ravens Nightmare

Aaron Rodgers lasted barely a half in Pittsburgh's 26-7 Monday Night Football humiliation against Buffalo. The 41-year-old quarterback exited after a strip-sack aggravated three fractured bones in his left wrist and managed only 14 passing yards. Post-game blame aimed at teammates for missed film sessions and poor protection deepened locker room cracks. The 6-6 Steelers now face a short-week trip to the 8-4 Ravens with a battered quarterback and fractured chemistry. This piece centers on Rodgers - the physical toll, the public criticism, and the looming Baltimore disaster.

Lions vs. Cowboys Week 14: Revenge Game or Dallas' Late Surge?

The Detroit Lions host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football in Week 14, a primetime rematch of last season's 47-9 Lions rout that still stings for Dallas. The 7-5 Lions, coming off two losses, face a 6-5-1 Cowboys team riding a three-game winning streak and averaging 29.3 points per game. Lions open as 3-point favorites at Ford Field, with the total at 53.5. This preview examines the revenge angle, Dallas' offensive revival, and how Detroit's defensive woes could decide a game with playoff implications for both NFC contenders.

NFL Week 14 Power Rankings: Only Four Teams Still Deserve a Bye

Week 13 detonated the playoff picture - Rams stunned by Panthers, Bears seizing the NFC’s No. 1 seed, Steelers collapsing on Monday night, and rookie quarterbacks suddenly steering destinies. With four games remaining for most teams, the first-round bye has become the rarest currency in football. These rankings name the only four franchises that have truly earned a January vacation and explain why everyone else is still scrambling for scraps.

7 Seasons That Built the Detroit Lions’ Renaissance