National Football League

Louisville Football: 5 Storylines Heading Into Week 14 Of The NFL

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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We take a look at five former Louisville football players that will be heading into playoff-worthy games in the NFL on Sunday.

This is a very big weekend in the National Football League for many former Louisville football players. December football in the NFL is when the great teams separate themselves from the good ones. Let’s see if there are any former Cards on those squads this year.

It should be a busy week of games that go to the wire. I’m sure there will be many games decided by field goals, turnovers, and great quarterback play.

With that being said, there are five storylines going into this week that feature former Louisville Cardinals. Let’s take a look, starting with Eli Rogers.

Dec 4, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers (17) runs after a catch as New York Giants outside linebacker Devon Kennard (59) chases during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

5. Will Eli Rogers Be A Factor For Pittsburgh Down The Stretch?

This is going to be an important game for Eli Rogers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. There is no doubt in my mind that Pittsburgh can go up to Buffalo and get the win, but it definitely won’t be easy. The Bills have a very stout defense, while the Steelers have a phenomenal offense. Something will have to give in this match-up between two playoff-hunting football teams.

The real question for Louisville fans is if Eli Rogers can make a difference for the Steelers down the stretch of the season?

His production has been up and down this year, but that’s not necessarily his fault. Pittsburgh has many other options in the passing game than just Rogers. However, his ability to get open in the middle of the field and move the sticks will prove to be huge for the Steelers this month.

If he can get 4-5 catches per game, then that’s usually a game that Pittsburgh is going to win.

Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Preston Brown (52) sacks New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first half at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

4. Can Preston Brown Keep The Bills In the Playoff Hunt?

This is the same type of game for the Buffalo Bills as it is for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bills have to get a win at home to stay alive in the 2016 playoff race. This is sure to be a cold and tough football game that will be won in the trenches.

At the same time, Preston Brown has to step up in this game for Buffalo.

The Steelers’ running back Le’Veon Bell is one of the best players at his position, if not the best. He can single-handedly take over a football game with his ability to catch the football out of the backfield and make defenders miss at the line of scrimmage.

Brown has to have a great game if the Bills want any chance of winning this game.

They cannot let Bell beat them on the ground or it could be a long day.

Nov 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) catches a touchdown pass defended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Steelers won 24-9. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

3. Will Robert Griffin’s Return Help Browns To 1st Victory Of 2016?

The Cleveland Browns have just been terrible this season. They haven’t even won a game and are looking to avoid joining the Detroit Lions as being the only two NFL franchises to go 0-16. However, their luck may be changing going into this weekend against the Bengals.

Former Heisman Trophy quarterback Robert Griffin III will be returning for the Browns on Sunday, It will be the first time he will play since getting injured in week one of this season. His presence might be enough for the Browns.

At the same time, it should also help former Louisville football player Gary Barnidge’s chances of having a great game.

Barnidge went for over 1,000 yards last year, but poor quarterback play has hurt his production in 2016.

Let’s see if Griffin and the Browns can get the job done.

Nov 27, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins celebrates with defensive tackle Nick Fairley (90) after forcing a fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

2. Can Sheldon Rankins Help Stop The Red-Hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

This is another game that has playoff implications on the line going into Sunday afternoon. The Saints are probably too far back in the race to make it into the big dance, but that doesn’t mean they can’t ruffle some feathers on their way to concluding this season.

New Orleans and Sheldon Rankins will be looking to take down the red-hot Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road. The Bucs have been playing great football after wins over Kansas City, Seattle, and San Diego this past month.

With that being said, Rankins has to get some major pressure on former Heisman-winner Jameis Winston in order for New Orleans to have a chance.

It may be a tall task, but Rankins has also been red-hot this season since returning from his broken leg.

A couple of sacks from the Saints’ defense could prove to be enough for Drew Brees to lead New Orleans to an upset victory down in Tampa.

Dec 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Tannehill (not pictured) in front of Baltimore Ravens defensive back Jerraud Powers (26) during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

1. How Will Parker And Miami Rebound From Losing Last Week?

This is an extremely important game for the Miami Dolphins and DeVante Parker. It’s imperative that Miami gets a win because either Pittsburgh or Buffalo will be winning their game and will make a move towards the playoffs. A loss for Miami would do noting but make life harder over the final weeks of the season.

DeVante Parker has a chance to have a solid game if he is healthy enough to make a difference. The Cardinals have a banged-up secondary, which will be without the “honey-badger” Tyrann Mathieu this weekend in Miami.

At the same time Arizona is not a team that should be messed with, don’t let their record fool you. This was the same team to lost in the NFC Championship game just last season.

Another bad performance from the Dolphins could prove to be fatal to their 2016 playoff hopes.

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