The December chill is starting to bite, and honestly, the NFL playoff picture is looking like a jigsaw puzzle that someone spilled coffee on. Chaos is the only constant. By the time the week 14 nfl schedule kicks off, we aren't just looking at football games anymore. We are looking at survival.
If you've been following the 2025 season, you know that the "middle class" of the league is massive this year. Everyone is 7-6 or 8-5, it seems. One bad Sunday in December doesn't just hurt your feelings; it effectively ends your season.
The Games That Actually Matter
Let’s be real for a second. Some games on the slate are just "inventory" for the networks, but others are basically early playoff games. The Steelers at Ravens (1:00 PM ET, CBS) is the one everyone has circled. It’s a classic for a reason. These teams don’t just want to win; they want to physically delete each other from the standings. Pittsburgh came into this one fighting for the AFC North lead, and in a division that has been surprisingly top-heavy, this 1:00 PM window is basically a bar fight in cleats.
Then you have the Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (4:25 PM ET, FOX). This was actually flexed. Why? Because the league realized Caleb Williams vs. Jordan Love at Lambeau in December is TV gold. It’s one of those matchups where the record almost doesn't matter, except this year, it totally does. Both teams are clawing for a Wild Card spot, and losing to your oldest rival in Week 14 is a special kind of hell.
The Full Sunday Slate (December 7, 2025)
You’ve got a massive 1:00 PM window to navigate. Most people will be glued to Bengals at Bills or Seahawks at Falcons, but don’t sleep on the "trap" games.
💡 You might also like: OU Football Depth Chart 2025: Why Most Fans Are Getting the Roster Wrong
- Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons (1:00 PM ET, FOX): Seattle travels across the country, which is always a gamble for West Coast teams.
- New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (1:00 PM ET, CBS): It’s an AFC East grudge match. Miami usually plays better in the heat, but New York’s defense is no joke.
- Cleveland Browns at Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM ET, FOX): Keep an eye on Shedeur Sanders here—he's been the spark the Browns desperately needed.
- Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 PM ET, CBS): A pivotal AFC South battle that could decide who stays in the "In the Hunt" graphic.
- Washington Commanders at Minnesota Vikings (1:00 PM ET, FOX): Basically a "Loser Goes to Cancun" game for two fringe NFC contenders.
Sunday Night Drama in Kansas City
The week 14 nfl schedule reaches its peak when the Houston Texans visit the Kansas City Chiefs (8:20 PM ET, NBC/Peacock).
Arrowhead is usually where dreams go to die for visiting teams. However, the Texans have been a different animal this year. Their defense is legit. We’re talking top-10 in almost every major category. Patrick Mahomes is used to being the hunted, but Houston’s pass rush is specifically built to frustrate elite quarterbacks.
It’s sorta wild to think that Kansas City, the perennial powerhouse, could be fighting for their playoff lives at home in December. But that’s the 2025 season for you. Injuries to the offensive line have made the Chiefs look human, and C.J. Stroud doesn't exactly get intimidated by loud crowds.
Monday Night: The Final Blow
To cap it all off, we get Philadelphia Eagles at Los Angeles Chargers (8:15 PM ET, ABC/ESPN).
📖 Related: NL Rookie of the Year 2025: Why Drake Baldwin Actually Deserved the Hardware
Philly fans are probably stressed. After a rough patch late in November, the Eagles headed to SoFi Stadium needing a statement win. It's a long flight for a team that has struggled with consistency lately. On the other side, Jim Harbaugh has the Chargers playing a brand of "ugly" football that works. They run the ball, they hit hard, and they don't beat themselves.
If Jalen Hurts turns the ball over like he did in those November losses, the Chargers will eat them alive. It’s a fascinating contrast in styles: Philly’s high-flying talent vs. the Chargers’ blue-collar grind.
What to Look for in the Standings
The week 14 nfl schedule is the Great Divider. By Monday night, the "mathematically eliminated" list is going to get a lot longer.
The AFC South is particularly messy. You have the Jaguars, Colts, and Texans all essentially within a game of each other. If Houston pulls off the upset in KC and the Jags beat the Colts, the division race is basically over. But if Indy wins and Houston loses? We’re looking at a three-way tie-breaker nightmare heading into Week 15.
👉 See also: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks: What Most People Get Wrong
Over in the NFC, the North is the "Group of Death." The Lions, Packers, and Bears are all legitimate playoff teams, but there aren't enough seats at the table. Someone is going to be the "best team to miss the playoffs," and Week 14 usually reveals who that victim will be.
Your Game Plan for Week 14
Don't just flip channels randomly. If you're a fantasy manager or a degenerate gambler—or just a fan—you need a strategy for this many games.
- Monitor the Weather: Highmark Stadium in Buffalo and Lambeau Field are the "Snow Bowl" candidates this week. Heavy snow doesn't just look cool; it kills the passing game and makes kickers irrelevant.
- Watch the Flex Schedule: The NFL can move games around with 12 days' notice. Always double-check your local listings because what was a 1:00 PM kickoff on Tuesday might be a 4:25 PM national broadcast by Friday.
- Check the "In the Hunt" Graphic: CBS and FOX start showing these every five minutes in December. Pay attention to the "Strength of Victory" tie-breakers; they matter more than you think.
The regular season is a marathon, but Week 14 is the part where everyone starts sprinting. Enjoy the carnage.