With just a few weeks left in the NFL season, every game carries lots of significance, and for some teams, one loss could mean the difference between missing the playoffs and making some serious noise there.
These two teams really need to throw just about everything at their upcoming matchups in Week 14 to make sure they won’t have to watch this year’s postseason from home.
1. Cleveland Browns
At 5-7 and with Deshaun Watson finally in uniform, the Browns may have a slim chance of making the playoffs.
However, they will face a stiff test on Sunday, as they will play the Cincinnati Bengals on the road.
The Bengals are an explosive offensive team, while Cleveland has struggled on the defensive side of the football for much of this season.
The team is currently two games behind the New York Jets for the final Wild Card spot in the AFC.
2. New England Patriots
Coming off tough losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills, Bill Belichick and company have a 6-6 record and are just outside the AFC playoff picture.
.@ColinCowherd tries to process the state of the New England Patriots… pic.twitter.com/WUbwPrCGop
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) December 2, 2022
They will face the struggling Arizona Cardinals on the road in Week 14, and it will be a virtual must-win situation for them, as three of their subsequent four games are against the Bengals, Miami Dolphins and the Bills – all teams with at least eight wins.
Before playing those three teams, New England will visit the Las Vegas Raiders, a team that has won three games in a row and may be starting to figure it out a bit.
NEXT: Do The Steelers Have A Chance To Make The Playoffs?