It was another intriguing week of action in the NFL and we have our first team qualified for the playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles, whose big win over divisional rivals the New York Giants ensured that they will be one of the 7 teams through in the NFC Playoffs come the end of the season.

Kudos this week to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Mr Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft has now become Mr Very Relevant in the Bay Area after leading the 49ers to two wins, first replacing the injured Jimmy Garoppolo against the Miami Dolphins and secondly beating the GOAT Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in his first start by an impressive 35-7 scoreline.

Over the next few weeks it is likely more teams will join them from across the different divisions in the NFC and AFC and with just four weeks to go, and four games to go for all teams, it promises to be an exciting run in to the end of the regular season as the battle for playoff spots really hots up.

You can enjoy betting across the final four weeks of the NFL season at bet365 Sport, with a massive choice of pre-match and In Play betting markets available for all games in the NFL.

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Let’s now take a look at some of the main stories in the NFL this week.

NFL Matchday 14 – Main Stories

Eagles Make Light Work Of Giants To Seal Playoff Spot – Quarterback Jalen Hurts once again inspired the Philadelphia Eagles to a comprehensive win over their divisional rivals, the New York Giants to move to 12-1 on the season and in doing so, confirm their playoff place with four games of the season to go. The Giants had no answer to the Eagles multi-faceted offense as Nick Sirianni’s team retained their two game lead in the ultra-competitive NFC East over the Dallas Cowboys.

Lions Devour Vikings To Move Into Playoff Contention – At 2-6 this season, the Detroit Lions looked as if it would be another write off season. However, a fantastic run of performances and strong results now sees them at 6-7 on the season and in with a realistic chance at the playoffs. A huge win this past week over Divisional leaders the Minnesota Vikings was a huge one for the Lions who are now one of the form teams in the NFL.

Bengals Fine Form Continues With Win Over Bogey-Team Browns – The Cincinnati Bengals don’t have the best of records against the Cleveland Browns, but Joe Burrow overcame injuries to two of his receivers as well as losing a key man on defense to continue the Bengals excellent recent form and keep them at the top of the AFC North alongside the Baltimore Ravens. The two face each other on the final week of the season which could well decide who wins this competitive division.

Mr Irrelevant Stars As 49ers Hand The Bucs A Beating – He may have been Mr Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft but Brock Purdy is now very relevant in San Francisco. Fresh from leading his team back from a deficit to victory over the Miami Dolphins, he started his first NFL game against Tom Brady’s Buccaneers and guided the 49ers to a comfortable win, throwing two touchdown passes in the game and in the process perhaps becoming the best ever final pick of any NFL Draft in modern times.

Titans Offensive Woes Return In Shock Defeat To Jaguars – A win for the Titans in this game would have all but made them certain winners of the AFC South. However, in a nightmare offensive showing, the Titans scored just 22 points, fumbled the ball three times and also had an interception as they allowed the Jaguars to land a huge victory moving the Jags just two games behind the Titans, who have now lost three in a row. Mike Vrabel said his team was at a crossroads for their season last week, they may have taken a wrong turn.

NFL Star Performers of the Week – Offense/ST

  • QB Jared Goff (Lions) – 27/39 for 330 yards and 3 touchdowns
  • QB Kirk Cousins (Vikings) – 31/41 for 425 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • WR Justin Jefferson (Vikings) – 11 receptions for 223 yards
  • WR Jamarr Chase (Bengals) – 10 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown
  • WR Chris Moore (Texans) – 10 receptions for 124 yards
  • RB Miles Sanders (Eagles) – 17 carries for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • QB Jalen Hurts (Eagles) – 21/31 for 217 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • QB Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) – 30/42 for 368 yards and 3 touchdowns
  • TE Evan Engram (Jaguars) – 11 receptions for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • WR Jerry Jeudy (Broncos) – 8 receptions for 73 yards and 3 touchdowns
  • WR Jerick McKinnon (Chiefs) – 7 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TD, 6 rushes for 22 yards
  • RB Christian McCaffrey (49ers) – 14 carries, 119 yards, 1 touchdown
  • QB Justin Herbert (Chargers) – 39/51 for 367 yards and 1 touchdown
  • WR Mike Williams (Chargers) – 6 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown

NFL Star Performers Of The Week – Defense

  • Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles defensive unit swarmed all over the Giants early allowing them to establish a big lead which they never looked like losing. The Giants added a few points in garbage time to make the scoreline more respectable, but this was another defensive masterclass from the Eagles in the main.
  • Baltimore Ravens – With their issues at quarterback and the offense not scoring many points, the pressure was on the Ravens defense to hold the Steelers and they did precisely that. For a second week in a row they kept their opponents to a low number of points to ensure that the few points that the offense did put on the board were enough to earn the team a vital victory.
  • Cincinnati Bengals – Logan Wilson had a huge day with 14 tackles and 3 assists as he led the Bengals to another effective performance, holding the Browns, now with DeShaun Watson at quarterback, to just 10 points. Wilson was also credited with half a sack alongside Vonn Bell in what was a great defensive effort from the Bengals.

NFL Rookies Of The Week

  • QB Brock Purdy (49ers) – 16/21 for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus rushing TD.
  • RB Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs) – 93 total yards (70 rushing, 23 receiving)
  • EDGE Travon Walker (Jaguars) – 3 tackles, a sack and forced fumble.
  • RB Bam Knight (Jets) – 71 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
  • CB Marcus Jones (Patriots) – 7 tackles, 2 passes defensed, 1 interception.
  • S Jalen Pitre (Texans) – 12 tackles, 2 passes defensed

NFL Key Injuries

  • WR Deebo Samuel (49ers) – Possible high ankle sprain – out for 3-6 weeks
  • QB Kyler Murray (Cardinals) – Knee injury – likely to be season ending.
  • QB Russell Wilson (Broncos) – Concussion – In protocol and is doubt for weekend.
  • QB Mike White (Jets) – Ribs may miss practice but will likely be fit for the weekend.
  • OL Terence Steele (Cowboys) – Tore his ACL and is out for the season.
  • QB Kenny Pickett (Steelers) – Concission – In protocol and is doubt for weekend.
  • WR DJ Moore (Panthers) – Ankle – Undergoing tests to assess severity.
  • DT Quinnen Williams (Jets) – Calf strain – Day to Day
  • WR Tee Higgins (Bengals) – Hamstring and may not feature against Bucs.
  • WR Tyler Boyd (Bengals) – Dislocated finger, could miss a week.
  • EDGE Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) – Broken Wrist, out for several weeks.
  • QB Tyler Huntley (Ravens) – Concussion – In protocol and is doubt for weekend.
  • RB Mike Boone (Broncos) – High ankle sprain – likely to miss rest of season.

NFL Bonehead Play of The Week

It’s not an individual this week but rather an entire unit that gets the award for bonehead play(s) of the week and this goes to the Tennessee Titans offense. Derrick Henry, fumbled the ball twice, Ryan Tannehill once, all of which were recovered by the Jaguars and Tannehill also threw an interception. The Jaguars scored points from all of those turnovers which meant they ran out deserving winners in a game that the Titans only really needed to win to ensure they landed top spot in the division. Now, another defeat after a run of three straight losses, would bring the Jags back into real contention.

NFL Matchday 14 – Results

  • Las Vegas Raiders 16-17 Los Angeles Rams
  • Minnesota Vikings 23-34 Detroit Lions
  • Baltimore Ravens 16-14 Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Cleveland Browns 10-23 Cincinnati Bengals
  • New York Jets 12-20 Buffalo Bills
  • Houston Texans 23-27 Dallas Cowboys
  • Philadelphia Eagles 48-22 New York Giants
  • Jacksonville Jaguars 36-22 Tennessee Titans
  • Kansas City Chiefs 34-28 Denver Broncos
  • Carolina Panthers 30-24 Seattle Seahawks
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-35 San Francisco 49ers
  • Miami Dolphins 17-23 Los Angeles Chargers
  • New England Patriots 27-13 Arizona Cardinals

NFL Standings After Matchday 14

NFC North NFC West NFC East NFC South 
Vikings10-349ers9-4Eagles12-1Buccaneers6-7
Lions6-7Seahawks7-6Cowboys10-3Panthers5-8
Packers5-8Cardinals4-9Commanders7-5-1Falcons5-8
Bears3-10Rams4-9Giants7-5-1Saints4-9
AFC North AFC West AFC East AFC South 
Ravens9-4Chiefs10-3Bills10-3Titans7-6
Bengals9-4Chargers7-6Dolphins8-5Jaguars5-8
Browns5-8Raiders5-8Patriots7-6Colts4-8-1
Steelers5-8Broncos3-10Jets7-6Texans1-11-1

*Teams shown in bold are qualified for the playoffs.

NFL Matchday 15 – Fixtures & Betting Tips

Thursday 15th December

  • San Francisco 49ers (9-4) @ Seattle Seahawks (7-6)

Saturday 17th December

  • Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) @ Minnesota Vikings (10-3)
  • Baltimore Ravens (9-4) @ Cleveland Browns (5-8)
  • Miami Dolphins (8-5) @ Buffalo Bills (10-3)

Sunday 18th December

  • Atlanta Falcons (5-8) @ New Orleans Saints (4-9)
  • Dallas Cowboys (10-3) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8)
  • Detroit Lions (6-7) @ New York Jets (7-6)
  • Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) @ Houston Texans (1-11-1)
  • Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) @ Chicago Bears (3-10)
  • Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8) @ Carolina Panthers (5-8)
  • Arizona Cardinals (4-9) @ Denver Broncos (3-10)
  • New England Patriots (7-6) @ Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
  • Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)
  • Tennessee Titans (7-6) @ Los Angeles Chargers (7-6)
  • New York Giants (7-5-1) @ Washington Commanders (7-5-1)

Monday 19th December

  • Los Angeles Rams (4-9) @ Green Bay Packers (5-8)

NFL Matchday 15 – Top Betting Tips With Bet365

We had a great week last week landing three of our five tips at odds of 11/10, 10/3 and 17/4, which meant a very decent profit across our five bets. Let’s see if we can continue our good run of form with this set of bets for Week 15’s NFL action.

  • 49ers to beat the Seahawks by 7-12 points – 19/4
  • Bengals to beat the Buccaneers by 13-18 points – 6/1
  • Chiefs @ Texans – Over 49.5 points and Chiefs to win – 11/10
  • Lions to beat the Jets by 7-12 points – 11/2
  • Packers to beat the Rams by 13-18 points – 9/2

NFL – Power Rankings (After Week 14)

  1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-1) (7,4,2,1,3,2,2,2,1,2,1,1,1,1)
  2. Buffalo Bills (10-3) (1,1,1,2,1,1,1,1,2,3,4,5,5,2)
  3. Dallas Cowboys (10-3) (19,17,11,6,4,7,6,5,5,9,6,4,3,3)
  4. San Francisco 49ers (9-4) (16,11,17,15,9,10,13,10,14,13,10,8,6,4)
  5. Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) (2,2,4,3,2,3,3,3,4,4,2,2,4,5)
  6. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) (8,15,12,11,13,9,9,13,11,12,9,7,7,6)
  7. Minnesota Vikings (10-3) (9,12,13,9,5,4,5,4,3,1,3,3.2,7)
  8. Baltimore Ravens (9-4) (6,8,6,8,7,8,11,8,10,11,8,11,9,8)
  9. Miami Dolphins (8-5) (13,7,3,4,14,16,14,14,12,6,7,6,8,9)
  10. Seattle Seahawks (7-6) (23,25,29,24,25,20,12,9,8,10,13,15,10,10)
  11. New York Jets (7-6) (32,27,31,26,19,13,7,11,6,8,12,10,11,11)
  12. Los Angeles Chargers (7-6) (3,5,16,10,8,6,10,12,13,14,16,14,15,12)
  13. New York Giants (7-5-1) (22,10,15,14,6,5,4,7,7,5,11,12,12,13)
  14. Washington Commanders (7-5-1) (18,23,26,30,28,27,21,19,18,16,15,13,14,14)
  15. Tennessee Titans (7-6) (24,31,23,19,12,15,8,6,9,7,5,9,13,15)
  16. New England Patriots (7-6) (26,20,24,28,24,19,23,15,15,15,14,16,17,16)
  17. Detroit Lions (6-7) (28,21,25,27,29,30,32,32,28,25,20,19,18,17)
  18. Green Bay Packers (5-8) (11,9,7,5,10,11,15,16,20,18,18,20,22,18)
  19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7) (4,3,8,12,11,12,16,21,16,17,17,17,16,19)
  20. Las Vegas Raiders (5-8) (17,24,30,21,27,28,24,28,29,31,27,25,19,20)
  21. Cleveland Browns (5-8) (14,18,9,13,16,22,26,22,22,27,26,24,20,21)
  22. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8) (31,26,14,18,21,25,28,29,26,28,31,26,28,22)
  23. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-8) (10,16,21,29,32,26,30,30,31,30,29,27,21,23)
  24. Carolina Panthers (5-8) (30,32,28,31,31,32,29,27,30,29,23,23,25,24)
  25. Atlanta Falcons (5-8) (29,30,27,20,23,18,19,20,21,21,19,18,23,25)
  26. Los Angeles Rams (4-9) (5,6,5,7,15,14,17,17,17,22,24,29,29,26)
  27. Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) (15,29,20,25,22,17,20,25,25,20,21,22,27,27)
  28. Arizona Cardinals (4-9) (25,19,22,17,18,23,18,23,24,19,22,21,24,28)
  29. New Orleans Saints (4-9) (12,14,18,23,17,21,25,18,19,23,25,28,26,29)
  30. Denver Broncos (3-10) (20,13,10,16,20,24,27,24,23,24,28,30,30,30)
  31. Chicago Bears (3-10) (21,22,19,22,26,29,22,26,27,26,30,31,31,31)
  32. Houston Texans (1-10-1) (27,28,32,32,30,31,31,31,32,32,32,32,32,32)
Bet365 Sport NFL NFL Power Rankings