The Week 14 NFL slate has a few very important matchups that will impact the playoff picture.
After a Thursday Night game that showed an incredible Los Angeles Rams comeback, the week is off to a good start.
At this point in the season, the healthiest teams usually find themselves in the best positions to win.
This is a battle of attrition, and that is something to keep track of.
Here are two storylines to watch this NFL Sunday.
1. How Will Brady Fare Against The 49ers?
Coming off an incredible comeback victory last Monday night, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a tough test this week.
They travel to the San Francisco 49ers, who have one of the best defenses in the NFL.
This might be the toughest test yet for Brady and the Bucs.
Also, Brady heads home to California where he grew up a 49ers fan.
But, this will not be an easy homecoming.
The 49ers have an elite pass rush and they will cause plenty of problems for Brady.
Tampa Bay will have a hard time sustaining drives and scoring points on Sunday.
Also, seventh-round pick Brock Purdy will be making his first career start against Brady.
“He’s been playing football longer than I’ve been alive.”#49ers Brock Purdy's first career start will come next week … against #Bucs Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/vio64cPGV0
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) December 6, 2022
So the experience is in favor of the 45-year-old quarterback.
This game will be a great test for a Buccaneers team that has struggled most of the year.
2. Battle Of The 2020 QB Draftees
Sunday Night Football this week gives us the Los Angeles Chargers facing the Miami Dolphins.
Justin Herbert vs. Tua Tagovailoa is the battle of the fifth and sixth overall picks in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Those two players will forever be compared with each other based on where they were drafted.
But, both teams will be more focused on getting a much-needed win.
Chargers are 0-4 vs teams with a winning record this season. They’ve lost 3 of their last 4 games. Justin Herbert sacked 4+ times in 3 straight games. 6-6 record, a game back of AFC playoff spot.
Sunday night vs Dolphins isn’t quite a must-win game for LAC but feels very close.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) December 7, 2022
This game could end up deciding which team gets one of the Wild Card spots.
Even though Herbert has had a better career up to this point, it seems clear that Tua is having a better season this year.
This should be a great game between two of the budding star quarterbacks in the AFC.
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