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NFL Week 14: 5 Teams on Upset Alert

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:57 a.m. ET

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Dec 4, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws the ball to running back Robert Kelley (32) during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

With the regular season winding down, these five teams find themselves on upset alert heading into NFL Week 14.

Every win is extremely important this time of year for teams looking to make a run at the playoffs, which is why there’s even more pressure for the teams on upset alert heading into NFL Week 14.

After defeating the Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the year, the Washington Redskins hope to get back on the winning track after suffering back-to-back losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. Even if both of these games were played on the road, there’s no excuse for the defending NFC East champions as the last thing they can afford to have happen is lose a third-straight game.

Plus, with the Dallas Cowboys controlling the NFC East, the Redskins will be battling for a Wild Card spot with plenty of other NFC teams.

Speaking of teams battling for a Wild Card spots, it’s amazing to see what type of position the Minnesota Vikings are in heading into their Week 14 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars as this team needs a ton of hope. To go from having so much potential following a 5-0 start to recording just one win over their last seven games, the Vikings are close to hitting rock bottom as anything short of a playoff appearance would be a tough pill for this team to swallow.

Here’s a look at the latest list of teams on upset alert heading into NFL Week 14, beginning with the Miami Dolphins.

Dec 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) runs past Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matt Judon (91) during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated Miami Dolphins 38-6. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

5. Miami Dolphins

There was plenty of hype surrounding last weekend’s game between the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens as both teams were considered two of the hottest in the AFC. Unfortunately, only the Ravens seemed to show up in that game as the Dolphins went on to suffer a crushing 38-6 loss.

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Prior to that game against the Ravens, the Dolphins were riding a nice six game winning streak, and even managed to get back into the AFC playoff picture as they will be battling with numerous teams for one of the two Wild Card spots. Up next, Miami faces a team battling for a playoff spot of their own in the Arizona Cardinals as Bruce Arians and company are in a more desperate situation.

While the Dolphins are in good shape for their end of the season playoff battle, the Cardinals will need plenty of help from other teams in the NFC just to even have a shot. Thanks to a disappointing 1-3 start, Arizona has been facing an uphill battle all season, which makes them the more desperate team to win when compared to Miami.

If the Dolphins aren’t careful, they could end up losing their second game in a row, and fall even further behind in the AFC playoff race.

Dec 4, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals outside linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) reacts to a defensive play against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 32-14. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

4. Cincinnati Bengals

After weeks of football frustration, the Cincinnati Bengals finally picked up a win for the first time since the end of October after handing the Philadelphia Eagles a 32-14 loss in Week 12. Coincidentally, that last win for the Bengals towards the end of October prior to last Sunday’s game against the Eagles happened to be against the Cleveland Browns, which happens to be this week’s opponent.

Cincinnati managed to win 31-17 against Cleveland during the first matchup between these AFC North rivals, but the circumstances are much different this time around. Not only are the Bengals on the verge of being eliminated from the postseason, but the Browns will be playing with an extra chip on their shoulders as they look to avoid ending up on the wrong side of NFL history.

The fact that Cleveland is still searching for their first win of the year shows just how much of a disappointment the 2016 season has been for this team. Hue Jackson knew the Browns would be a work in progress when he came on board, but not even the head coach could have predicted things to end up this bad.

Between trying to earn that first win along with Jackson looking to defeat his former team, this game has trap written all over for the Bengals.

Dec 4, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn leaves the field after being defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs at the Georgia Dome. The Chiefs won 29-28. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

3. Atlanta Falcons

Remember at the beginning of the season when the Atlanta Falcons jumped out to a 4-1 start and everybody was wondering if they would collapse in the second half of the regular season like they did in 2015? Well, thanks to two tough losses over the last three games, the Falcons all of a sudden find themselves tied for first place in the NFC South with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to put even more pressure on them for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Don’t be fooled by the Rams losing seven of their last eight games as their defense has found a way to contain some of the league’s most high-powered offenses. If Los Angeles’ defense found a way to keep Russell Wilson and Carson Palmer in line earlier in the season, there’s every reason to believe they can do the same against Matt Ryan.

Also, keep in mind that despite the Rams’ loss to the New England Patriots in Week 12, the defense did manage to play better than expected as they limited Tom Brady and his offense to scoring just two touchdowns. This may not seem like a big deal, but when looking at all of the weapons New England’s offense consists of, Los Angeles’ defense seems capable of causing similar problems against Atlanta while playing at home.

Dec 1, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (21) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Alex Boone (76) during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

2. Minnesota Vikings

Isn’t it amazing how the Minnesota Vikings wouldn’t be in the playoffs if the regular season came to an end today, despite starting off the year with a 5-0 record? Injuries has been one of the main reasons behind this team’s struggles since that impressive start, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Minnesota has lost six of their last seven games.

With all things taken into consideration, it’s embarrassing to see the Vikings trailing the Detroit Lions by two games in the NFC North at this point of the season, especially since the team already surrendered next year’s first-round pick in the draft to acquire Sam Bradford. On paper, a road matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars seems to be just what this team needs to help get back on the winning track, but this certainly isn’t a game to take lightly.

If anything, the Vikings should be terrified of taking on the Jaguars while playing on the road when considering Gus Bradley is fighting to keep his job, even though all signs point to the team parting ways with the head coach at season’s end. Even if that is the case, that doesn’t mean members of Jacksonville won’t be giving it their all to put an end to their seven game losing streak.

Minnesota better be careful against Jacksonville or they’re only going to continue digging a deeper hole when in the NFC playoff standings.

Nov 24, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) breaks up a pas intended for Washington Redskins wide receiver DeSean Jackson (11) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

1. Washington Redskins

The good news for the Washington Redskins is they’re only a half game back of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC heading into Week 14. The bad news for the Redskins is in order to remain in good shape, they’ll have to figure out a way to win a very tough game on the road against their division rivals in the Philadelphia Eagles.

By losing four of their last five games, it would seem unlikely the Eagles would have what it takes to defeat the Redskins, but don’t forget how well this team has played at home throughout the 2016 season. Philadelphia’s loss to the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago was their first one at home all season (won the previous four), and there’s nothing they would love more than to have a bounce back game against Washington.

Horrendous is the best word to describe how poorly the Eagles offense has looked over their last three games as they’ve only managed to score a combined 42 points. With that being said, rivalry games always seem to bring out the best in teams. And with Washington ranking near the bottom of the league in defense, this may be the perfect opportunity for Philadelphia to turn things around.

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