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Five Things to Watch this Weekend (Week 14)

December 4, 2025

Week 14 is packed with season-defining matchups, playoff-shifting stakes, and a few surprise storylines worth clearing your Sunday schedule for:

1 . Bengals vs. Bills

Fine, I’m slightly intrigued here. The Bengals win last week over the Ravens improved their record to 4-8, which is the same record they had last year when they rattled off 5 straight wins. Right when you think their defense is completely lost and gives them no shot, they force 5 turnovers for a dominating win. It’s interesting, so I’ll follow it because I expected them to lose last week. For the Bills, they’ve been as inconsistent as I’ve ever seen them but are still finding just enough ways to win. They travel to New England in week 15 and can’t afford to go there risking a losing streak. The passing attack will need to come alive a bit more to match what they’re accomplishing on the ground.

2. Saints vs. Buccaneers

I’m officially interested in what Tyler Shough can do against the Bucs defense. They haven’t been as lockdown as they have in the past, but divisional games in the South are always tighter, especially between these two. “Older” rookies are always interesting because they essentially need to hit immediately and Shough has been showing some great growth over the last few weeks. I’m not sure he’s THE guy for them but I’m sure they would settle for any sort of stability at the position for once and he could certainly buy himself a year of starts for 2026 if he hasn’t already. Tampa Bay should get this win, they need this win. They have the Panthers right on their tail after the upset over the Rams last week. Panthers/Bucs will be a major story line moving forward as they’ll match up twice down the final stretch.

3. Steelers vs. Ravens

There’s a 6-6 tie at the top of the AFC North between these two. Baltimore just lost to the Bengals but gets Cincy again at home in a few weeks and two shots at Pittsburgh in week 14 and again in week 18. The team that takes advantage of these games could very well win the division. However, Baltimore has a rough schedule outside of those matching up with New England and Green Bay. Pittsburgh has had a ton of noise this week. Not as much from their building as outside of it with former great Ben Roethlisberger calling for a change at coach after they were dropped by Buffalo. Fans are getting tired of mediocrity and you can always count on the Steelers being just good enough to kind of matter, but not really threatening for any real success.

4. Bears vs. Packers

Give me this one! This is another division game with so much on the line. Ben Johnson has his team playing lights out in year one at the helm. This time last year, the team was a complete mess with no direction. Bears fans were hopeless. Now? They’re first place in the division (and the NFC) with a chance to make a real statement with these final few weeks. The schedule will be tough but they get the Pack twice and the Lions in week 18 while being in full control. Chicago is fully battle tested after going to Lincoln Financial Field on Black Friday and taking down the defending champs. But Green Bay is hot themselves after dismantling the Lions on Thanksgiving. It’s yet to be seen if they’ll get Golden and Reed back from injury, but the rest of the receiving corps stepped up beautifully. Should Jacobs also be a full go, this game will have fireworks in the Sunday slate.

5. Texans vs. Chiefs

Can you believe it? Kansas City is 6-6 with the mighty Mahomes. The scriptwriters have to be coming up with something wild for their finish because so far it’s been a bumpy ride.. The Chiefs took the loss in Dallas on Thanksgiving which went down as the most watched regular season game in NFL history with 57.23 millions viewers. Personally, I’m not sure what else you’d be doing on Thanksgiving so I’m always surprised to see the numbers grow.. What else are those other people doing?!? Anyways, the Chiefs have run out of losses to give if they’re going to save this season but it isn’t going to be easy. Houston has stepped up in a big way as of late defeating the Bills and Colts, improving to 7-5 while chasing their own playoff dreams. There’s a ton to play for on both sides. Kansas City obviously gets the advantage at QB, and maybe with the passing weapons by just a hair. Houston has a better ground game and the defense is right up there with the best in the league. It’ll be a fun one with a playoff type feel to it.

Keith, Author

Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.