The playoff picture is becoming clearer as we move through Week 14 of the NFL season. On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles secured their spot in the playoffs after defeating the Carolina Panthers. They join the Detroit Lions as the second team from the NFC to qualify for the postseason. In the AFC, the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs have also locked in their playoff positions.
Unfortunately, Sunday also saw some teams see their hopes dashed. The New York Jets were officially eliminated from playoff contention, marking their longest absence from the playoffs since 2010, which is notable as it represents the longest active drought across the NFL and other major sports leagues.
As we close out Week 14 on Monday night, the pressure is on for the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals, both of whom are looking to turn their seasons around with a much-needed win.
In other key news, the New Orleans Saints may have lost quarterback Derek Carr for the remainder of the season. Carr exited their game against the New York Giants after sustaining a wrist injury. Despite the Saints winning three of their last four games, their struggles this season leave them with a 5-8 record, and it seems unlikely that they can secure a playoff berth without Carr leading the way.
Additionally, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was carted off the field with a leg injury following a rough shove from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player. Coach Antonio Pierce indicated that the situation doesn’t look promising. O’Connell’s injury is concerning for the Raiders, who have faced multiple challenges at the quarterback position this season. However, there might be a silver lining, as they are in a position to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, which could provide new opportunities moving forward.
