Just five weeks remain in the NFL regular season and this round sees crucial showdowns that will define the playoff picture and set the path to the Super Bowl for many.
ESPN will bring NFL fans six live games in Week 14, with major showdowns in store across both the NFC and AFC.
ESPN’s Week 14 coverage begins on Friday December 9 at 12.15pm AEDT when the Las Vegas Raiders meet the Los Angeles Rams.
The Raiders are on a charge and making a late run to the postseason, having won three straight games to join the playoff picture.
Whilst Las Vegas are on the climb, the Rams playoff hopes are firmly buried. Six straight losses has ended the Rams hopes of defending their Super Bowl crown.
Sean McVay’s side could still claim some late season scalps though, and put a dent in the Raiders push to the post-season.
Monday sees four live games back to back, across ESPN and ESPN2, along with NFL RedZone on the ESPN App*.
Beginning at 5am AEDT on ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles meet the New York Giants in an all NFC East affair.
The Eagles still remain top of the NFC at 11-1 and easily accounted for Tennessee last round 35-10.
New York are in the playoff race themselves at 7-4 and currently hold down a wildcard position. But that could easily fall from their grasp with defeat to the high flying Eagles.
The Giants tied 20-all with Washington in Week 13, dropping crucial points, which may yet come back to haunt them this campaign.
Also at 5am AEDT on ESPN2, the Baltimore Ravens clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Ravens just held on to overcome a dogged Denver Broncos in Week 13.
Baltimore’s 10-9 win keeps them firmly placed at the pointy end of the AFC standings.
Pittsburgh have work to do to continue a late push to the post-season. The Steelers have recorded back to back wins, to keep the door slightly ajar.
They simply must keep winning though and overcoming Baltimore would be perhaps the Steelers biggest win of the season.
At 8.25am AEDT on ESPN, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers collide with the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers are flying at the right time of year, winning five straight games heading into Week 14, but they have been thrown a major hurdle with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo out for the season with a broken foot.
An impressive 33-17 win over Miami has fans expecting a deep run in the post-season, but how they respond to the QB injury crisis will define the 49ers year.
Tampa Bay claimed a thrilling 17-16 win over fellow NFC South counterpart New Orleans in Monday Night Football, in a game they trailed for the majority of the evening.
The Buccs still sit top of their conference and just a spot below San Francisco in the NFC race.
This matchup has a playoff feel, and a real test of NFC championship credentials for both.
Monday’s schedule concludes at 12.15pm AEDT when the Miami Dolphins face off with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Both sides tasted defeat in Week 13, with Miami falling 33-17 to the San Francisco 49ers and the Chargers losing 27-20 to conference rivals Las Vegas.
Not terminal to either sides playoff chances just yet, but now both sit on the AFC playoff bubble, where a logjam of sides is forming.
Miami hold #6 in the AFC, whilst Los Angeles are #9, underlying the importance of victory in Monday’s showdown.
Tuesday sees the final game of Week 14 at 12.15pm AEDT on ESPN, as the New England Patriots travel to tackle the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals will be rested following a bye in Week 13 and will be looking to respond following a one-point defeat to the Chargers last time out.
New England know how crucial this Week 14 clash is, as they sit right on the precipice of the playoffs.
Two straight defeats has seen them fall down the AFC rankings and they can’t afford any further slip ups, with competition fierce and the Chargers, Raiders and Browns nipping at their heels.
Week 14 NFL on ESPN –
Friday December 9
12:15pm AEDT, Las Vegas Raiders vs Los Angeles Rams, ESPN
Monday December 12
5am AEDT, Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants, ESPN
5am AEDT, Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers, ESPN2
5am AEDT, NFL RedZone, ESPN App*
8:25am AEDT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs San Francisco 49ers, ESPN
12:15pm AEDT, Miami Dolphins vs LA Chargers, ESPN
Tuesday December 13
12:15pm AEDT, New England Patriots vs Arizona Cardinals, ESPN
ESPN and ESPN2 are available on Foxtel, Kayo Sports, Fetch TV and Sky NZ.
*Streaming functionality on the ESPN App and ESPN.com.au is available to ESPN channel subscribers via Foxtel, Fetch TV and SKY NZ who enter their platform credentials. (Note: Kayo subscribers cannot stream via the ESPN App or ESPN.com.au). Download the ESPN App from the Apple and Android app stores.
