NFL Week 14 – Syndication Server

The top defensive players in Tampa Bay’s win over Atlanta, per PFF

Linebacker K.J. Britt, who stepped in for the injured Devin White, topped PFF’s Bucs defensive grades for Week 14:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have won, but their defensive performance was a mixed bag overall.

The team did well to limit the run game from the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14 in their 29-25 victory and also found two turnovers to lead to points, but they allowed quarterback Desmond Ridder to throw for 347 yards and displayed more evidence of blown coverages throughout the day in the passing game. The team was also injured, but some players — like the highest-graded player in this ranking — stepped up and contributed.

Pro Football Focus graded every Bucs defensive player that took snaps in Week 14, and these 10 players were their highest-regarded:

The top offensive players in Tampa Bay’s win over Atlanta, per PFF

Tampa Bay’s rushing attack gets some props in PFF’s offensive grades for Tampa Bay.

It was a tale of two offenses for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their win against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14.

The Bucs put up 27 offensive points in the 29-25 win, the second-most it as scored all year as an offensive unit. But it was marred by a series of three-and-outs and a rough passing game that limited opportunities — on the flip side, the team put together a game-winning drive when it needed to and the run game continued to improve and helped facilitate the offense a little bit. It was far from Tampa Bay’s best offensive performance, but it got the job done.

Pro Football Focus took to grading every Bucs player who took snaps in Week 14, and this is how the top 10 of their offensive rankings turned out:

Why did the Saints’ second-string offense take the field for Week 14’s victory formation?

Keen-eyed New Orleans Saints fans picked up on something odd about their team’s end-of-game sequence against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. It was Jameis Winston, not Derek Carr, taking a knee on the final two snaps to run out the clock and seal their lopsided 28-6 victory. The second-string offense filled in with Winston at quarterback, Trevor Penning and Landon Young at the tackle spots, and Max Garcia snapping from center.

And what’s the deal with that? Why wasn’t Carr out there? Head coach Dennis Allen was asked about the decision on Monday by Locked On Saints host Ross Jackson.

As Allen tells it, the Saints “Just have Jameis” taking those snaps without a specific reason in mind. As Jackson observed, Winston has kneeled out the clock in Weeks 5 and 13 this season with Carr staying in for Weeks 1, 2, and 8.

Let’s look at those scores. The Saints led by margins of 1, 3, and 11 points in the games Carr led the victory formation. Winston’s number was called when the Saints had leads of 34 and 22 points. So they hadn’t shut the starters down in the games when Carr was still under center late in regulation, which helps explain why he was still in the game and Winston wasn’t. Winston has had the nod once the Saints were comfortably ahead by multiple touchdowns with time on their side.

That isn’t too unusual. Other teams pull their starters in similar situations. But it’s frustrating for Saints fans to see Winston closing out games and not getting opportunities to play when Carr isn’t cutting the mustard; there’s a growing chorus second-guessing Allen’s decision to ride with Carr when the high-priced veteran is struggling to make throws and openly feuding with teammates during games. Those voices won’t go away after an unconvincing win like this, but Allen and the Saints are going to point to the scoreboard to try and deafen them anyway.

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GALLERY: Shots from Tampa Bay’s Week 14 win over Atlanta

Check out some of our favorite snaps from inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went to Atlanta and came home with the W.

The Bucs defeated the Atlanta Falcons 29-25 in a huge divisional matchup that saw them take the lead in the NFC South. There are always some great pictures to be seen inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and we compiled a few of them for your viewing pleasure below:

NFL Week 14 final scores from Sunday’s games

The Cardinals didn’t play, but these are the scores from all of Sunday’s games.

The Arizona Cardinals didn’t play on as it was their bye week. They and the Washington Commanders had the last bye weeks of the year. And with two scheduled Monday night games, that meant there were 12 games on Sunday.

There were some upsets. The playoff picture got more muddled.

Check out the final scores from all of Sunday’s games below.

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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Sub scribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Quick takeaways from the out-of-tune Lions in their loss to the Bears

Quick takeaways from a bad Detroit Lions loss in Chicago in Week 14

The Detroit Lions made some awful music in Week 14. Given a chance to dance to a potential division title as road favorites in Chicago, the Lions instead played out of tune and got run off the stage.

Cue the Limp Bizkit.

“It’s just one of those days”…

It certainly was one of those days when the Detroit Lions made their fans want to break stuff. A sloppy, discordant Lions team froze on the chilly stage in Soldier Field, falling 28-13 to the Chicago Bears in a game that strikes a troubling tune for Dan Campbell’s team.

Rollin’ the takeaways…

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Fantasy football inactives, injuries and weather: Week 14

Week 14 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the fantasy football lineup decisions.

Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 60-90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.

Week 14 gameday inactives, weather and notes

KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: WR Chris Olave (active), RB Breece Hall (active), QB Trevor Lawrence (active)
Afternoon games: RB Kenneth Walker III (active), RB Zach Charbonnet (active), QB Geno Smith (inactive)
Sunday night:
Monday night: RB Aaron Jones

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 51 degrees, cloudy NNW 12 mph (retractable-roof dome)

Buccaneers

Inactives: RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn, OT Brandon Walton, DB Keenan Isaac, DT Vita Vea, LB Devin White, CB Jamel Dean and QB John Wolford

Lineup notes: NT Vita Vea (toe) was questionable but couldn’t get right in time. LB Devin White (foot) and CB Jamel Dean (ankle/foot) are out.

Falcons

Inactives: DT David Onyemata, CB Jeff Okudah, QB Logan Woodside, DE Joe Gaziano, C Drew Dalman, OT Kaleb McGary and LB Nathan Landman

Lineup notes: WR Mack Hollins (ankle) is available, and CB A.J. Terrell (head) cleared the concussion protocol. RT Kaleb McGary (knee) won’t be available.

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 36 degrees, cloudy, WNW 12 mph

Lions

Inactives: WR Antoine Green, CB Steven Gilmore, C Frank Ragnow, LB Trevor Nowaske, DE Charles Harris and CB Chase Lucas

Lineup notes: Starting C Frank Ragnow (knee, toe) will not play.

Bears

Inactives: QB Nathan Peterman, DE Dominique Robinson, S Quindell Johnson, WR Collin Johnson, WR Equanimeous St. Brown and OT Ja’Tyre Carter

Lineup notes: RB D’Onta Foreman (ankle) practiced all week and will play.

Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 36 degrees, cloudy

Colts

Inactives: LB Isaiah Land, OG Jack Anderson, LB E.J. Speed, RB Jonathan Taylor, DL Eric Johnson, OT Braden Smith and CB Julius Brents

Lineup notes: RB Jonathan Taylor (thumb) is out again. DT Grover Stewart was activated from the commissioner’s exemption list. LB E.J. Speed (knee) was downgraded to out for Sunday action.

Bengals

Inactives: OT D’Ante Smith, C Trey Hill, DT Jay Tufele, LB Devin Harper and RB Chris Evans

Lineup notes: WR Tyler Boyd (ankle) will gut it out this week. RB Chase Brown (hamstring) is good to go after a full session Friday.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 40 degrees, cloudy, WSW 10 mph

Jaguars

Inactives: CB Tre Herndon, DT Folorunso Fatukasi, CB Tyson Campbell, TE Brenton Strange, OT Walker Little and LB Yasir Abdullah

Lineup notes: WR Christian Kirk (abdomen) went on IR and requires surgery on a core muscle. He’ll be out the rest of the regular season. RB Travis Etienne (ribs), QB Trevor Lawrence (ankle), RB D’Ernest Johnson (knee) all were questionable but are ready to give it a whirl. WR Zay Jones (knee) is good to go after limited work Friday.

Browns

Inactives: CB Denzel Ward, C Luke Wypler, DT Siaki Ika, LB Mohamoud Diabate, DL Isaiah McGuire and OT Dawand Jones

Lineup notes: WR Amari Cooper (concussion) has cleared the protocol and will be out there. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (concussion) made it back to a full session Friday and will be available. QB Joe Flacco was elevated from the practice team and is expected to start. RB Kareem Hunt (groin) had a full practice Friday and will go. RT Dawand Jones (knee) was downgraded to out on Saturday, and QB PJ Walker was released. CB Denzel Ward (shoulder) will miss another one.

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Panthers

Inactives: CB Shaquill Griffin, S Jammie Robinson, DL DeShawn Williams, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., DE Eku Leota, TE Hayden Hurst and OT Ricky Lee

Lineup notes: WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (ankle) remains on IR. TE Hayden Hurst (concussion) remains out. WR Jonathan Mingo (Achilles) had a full session Friday and is good to go.

Saints

Inactives: WR Rashid Shaheed, TE Taysom Hill, RB Kendre Miller, LB Monty Rice, DL Isaiah Foskey, QB Jake Haener and DT P.J. Mustipher

Lineup notes: WR Michael Thomas (knee) remains on IR. RB Kendre Miller (ankle) is out again. QB Derek Carr (concussion, shoulder, ribs) will play, but QB/TE Taysom Hill (foot, hand) isn’t available. TE Juwan Johnson (quadriceps) and WR Chris Olave (illness) also are good, while WR Rashid Shaheed (thigh) remains at least a week away. WR Marquez Callaway was elevated from the practice squad. DE Cameron Jordan (ankle) is good to go.

Houston Texans at New York Jets (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 54 degrees, 50% chance of drizzle

Texans

Inactives: S DeAndre Houston-Carson, CB Kris Boyd, QB Case Keenum, RB Mike Boone, TE Dalton Schultz, LB Myjai Sanders and OG Nick Broeker

Lineup notes: WR Tank Dell (leg) is out for the season with a broken leg. TE Dalton Schultz (hamstring) is out again. WR Noah Brown (knee) is ready to play.

Jets

Inactives: DE Carl Lawson, OT Carter Warren, WR Jason Brownlee, OT Austin Deculus, QB Brett Rypien, CB Bryce Hall and LB Zaire Barnes

Lineup notes: QB Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) had limited practices Thursday and Friday but is out. RB Breece Hall (ankle) was idle until limited work Friday, though he’s good to go. TE Tyler Conklin (hamstring) had a full session Friday and will play.

Los Angeles Rams at Baltimore Ravens (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 53 degrees, light fog

Rams

Inactives: PK Mason Crosby, DE Ochaun Mathis, DE Earnest Brown, TE Tyler Higbee, S Quentin Lake and OT Warren McClendon

Lineup notes: TE Tyler Higbee (neck) will sit out this week. WR Puka Nacua (shoulder) practiced Thursday and Friday and will play. PK Mason Crosby was signed but isn’t ready to kick just yet.

Ravens

Inactives: C Sam Mustipher, OT Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, LB Malik Harrison, QB Josh Johnson and CB Rock Ya-Sin

Lineup notes: TE Mark Andrews (ankle) remains on IR. QB Lamar Jackson (illness) was out Thursday but made it back Friday for a full session and will play. WR Rashod Bateman (illness) had a full practice Friday and will go.

Minnesota Vikings at Las Vegas Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Vikings

Inactives: QB Jaren Hall, S Lewis Cine, OG Ed Ingram, OT Hakeem Adeniji and TE Nick Muse

Lineup notes: WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) will make his widely anticipated return after full practices all week. QB Joshua Dobbs will start once again.

Raiders

Inactives: LB Amari Burney, DT Nesta Jade Silvera, OT Kolton Miller, LB Malik Reed, QB Brian Hoyer, DL Byron X. Young and TE Jesper Horsted

Lineup notes: LT Kolton Miller (shoulder) is out. DE Maxx Crosby (knee) is active after being deemed questionable.

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 58 degrees, cloudy

Seahawks

Inactives: DE Frank Clark, QB Geno Smith, OT Raiqwon O’Neal, CB Tre Brown, WR Dee Eskridge, OG McClendon Curtis and LB Patrick O’Connell

Lineup notes: RB Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and RB Zach Charbonnet (knee) are both active, but QB Geno Smith (groin) won’t play, so QB Drew Lock will start. LB Jordyn Brooks (ankle) is ready, but CB Tre Brown (heel) couldn’t get right in time.

49ers

Inactives: TE Ross Dwelley, DL Arik Armstead, CB Darrell Luter Jr., OG Spencer Burford, RB Elijah Mitchell and DL Robert Beal Jr.

Lineup notes: RB Elijah Mitchell (knee) isn’t available, and DE Arik Armstead (foot/knee) also is out.

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 42 degrees, cloudy

Bills

Inactives: OG Alec Anderson, DT Poona Ford, OT Germain Ifedi, DL Kingsley Jonathan and S Damar Hamlin

Lineup notes: TE Dawson Knox (wrist) was activated from the Reserve/Injured list. TE Dalton Kincaid (thumb) and QB Josh Allen (shoulder) practiced all week and will play.

Chiefs

Inactives: DE B.J. Thompson, OT Donovan Smith, LB Drue Tranquill, RB Isiah Pacheco, DT Neil Farrell, CB Nic Jones and DL Malik Herring

Lineup notes: WR Mecole Hardman (thumb) remains on IR. RB Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) also is out. RB Jerick McKinnon (groin), WR Skyy Moore (knee), QB Patrick Mahomes (pectoral), WR Rashee Rice (foot) and WR Kadarius Toney (hip) all practiced Friday and will play. Starting LT Donovan Smith (neck) won’t be available to protect Mahomes’ blindside. LB Nick Bolton (wrist) was activated from IR, and RB Deneric Prince was elevated from the practice squad. LB Drue Tranquill (concussion) is out.

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 71 degrees, cloudy (open-air dome stadium)

Broncos

Inactives: C Alex Forsyth, LB Ronnie Perkins, S JL Skinner, DL Thomas Incoom, DT Elijah Garcia, TE Nate Adkins and RB Tyler Badie

Lineup notes: RB Samaje Perine (knee) will be available after an official questionable designation. WR Marvin Mims (ribs) practiced Friday and will play.

Chargers

Inactives: TE Stone Smartt, LB Amen Ogbongbemiga, CB Deane Leonard, DT Otito Ogbonnia and S JT Woods

Lineup notes: WR Joshua Palmer (knee) was designated to return from IR but has been ruled out. He had a limited practice Friday.

Sunday Night Football

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys (8:20 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 44 degrees, clear (retractable-roof dome)

Eagles

Inactives: TE Albert Okwuegbunam, DT Moro Ojomo, OG Sua Opeta, QB Tanner McKee and RB Rashaad Penny

Lineup notes: TE Dallas Goedert (forearm) is ready to return after full practices all week. WR Julio Jones (groin) was limited Friday but doesn’t carry an injury tag.

Cowboys

Inactives: OT Asim Richards, QB Trey Lance, RB Deuce Vaughn, CB Noah Igbinoghene, CB Eric Scott Jr. and WR Jalen Brooks

Lineup notes: RB Rico Dowdle (ankle) will be available after drawing a questionable tag. LB Micah Parsons (illness) was added to the report but will play.

Monday Night Football

Tennessee Titans at Miami Dolphins (8:15 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 62 degrees, cloudy

Titans

Lineup notes: QB Will Levis (ankle) will play. RB Derrick Henry (head) cleared the concussing protocol and is ready to roll. DT Jeffery Simmons (knee) and CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring) were ruled out.

Dolphins

Lineup notes: RB De’Von Achane (ribs) has practiced all week and should be fine. RB Raheem Mostert (knee) avoided an injury label. RT Terron Armstead (knee/ankle) and S Jevon Holland is questionable are questionable. RG Robert Hunt (hamstring) is out, and LB Jerome Baker (knee) was sent to IR.

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants (8:15 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 36 degrees, clear

Packers

Lineup notes: WR Christian Watson (hamstring) has been ruled out. RB Aaron Jones (knee) is questionable. RB AJ Dillon (groin) and WR Jayden Reed (chest) don’t have injury tags. LB Quay Walker (shoulder) is doubtful, and CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder) was downgraded to out.

Giants

Lineup notes: TE Darren Waller (hamstring) remains on IR. TE Daniel Bellinger (illness) is questionable. RT Evan Neal (ankle) is out.

NFC South standings: Mutual mediocrity results in a three-way tie on top

NFC South standings: Mutual mediocrity results in a three-way tie on top between the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A 6-7 record would put your team in third or fourth place in seven different divisions around the NFL, but not the NFC South. That’s good enough to tie for first place.

Mutual mediocrity has resulted in a three-way tie for the NFC South lead after Week 14’s action, with the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each jostling for position. The winner gets a home playoff game. The losers will be watching from home.

But how did we get here? What tiebreakers are in play? Let’s break it down for each team with the latest NFC South standings:

Studs and Duds from Tampa Bay’s Week 14 win over Atlanta

Here’s who we thought shined and who we thought struggled in Tampa Bay’s second consecutive win:

It was rough, but it was a win.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Atlanta Falcons in a tight one 29-25 on Sunday, extending their winning streak to two games and putting them back on top in the NFC South. It wasn’t a game that saw any unit fire on all cylinders, but turnovers from the defense and a last-minute drive executed well put the Bucs back in it and in the win column at the end of the day.

As always, there were some individuals who stood out for the Bucs and there were others who had a more negative impact. Here are our studs and duds from Tampa Bay’s Atlanta victory: