Category: Sport

The new AP Top 25 college football poll is out, and Alabama remains a unanimous No. 1, with Notre Dame and Ohio State behind the Crimson Tide. Here’s what’s next for each ranked team.

No. 1 Alabama (10-0)

As the Heisman Trophy race heats up, Alabama has given voters another name to consider in addition to quarterback Mac Jones: DeVonta Smith. The senior wide receiver has been nothing short of spectacular this season, catching 15 touchdowns in 10 games. He has truly done it all. He has rushed for one touchdown, and against Arkansas, he got his first special-teams touchdown on a punt return. While his odds of taking home the Heisman are long — it’s a quarterback’s award, if we’re being honest — Smith deserves consideration as perhaps the best individual player in college football. — Alex Scarborough

Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

No. 2 Notre Dame (10-0)

The Irish are getting ready to play in their first (and possibly last) conference championship game after making a one-year arrangement to join the ACC this season. Coach Brian Kelly said as soon as his players found out they were eligible for the conference championship, they put it on their list of goals and have been aiming for it ever since. With Clemson standing in the way, the Irish are obviously facing a familiar opponent, but this game will be different because Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence will be playing. His added dimension in the run game and how the Irish defend that will be something to watch in the rematch. — Andrea Adelson

No. 3 Ohio State (5-0)

The Buckeyes didn’t play The Game against Michigan because of coronavirus issues within the Wolverines program. Up next for OSU is Northwestern in the Big Ten championship, after the conference officially changed its policy that teams must play six games to be eligible for the game. Ohio State was one of the programs that fought the hardest to play this season because the Buckeyes felt they had a great shot at a national championship, and so far, they’re still on track. — Harry Lyles Jr.

No. 4 Clemson (9-1)

As the Tigers attempt to win their sixth straight ACC championship, all the questions surround how healthy they are on defense headed into their rematch against Notre Dame. In their first meeting, quarterback Trevor Lawrence was unavailable after testing positive for the coronavirus, and top defensive players Tyler Davis and James Skalski were also out with injuries — and that had a major impact on the game. Davis has returned and played well; Skalski played only one series in their last game against Virginia Tech, but Dabo Swinney said Skalski is in a “good spot” headed into Saturday. — Adelson

No. 5 Texas A&M (7-1)

After their game against Ole Miss was canceled, the Aggies got to watch Florida lose to LSU, which will end the talk that the Gators should pass A&M. This weekend, the Aggies will play at Tennessee while waiting to see what happens for the teams in front of them. If the Aggies win, Alabama beats Florida and Notre Dame gets a second win over Clemson, a spot in the playoff could follow. — Dave Wilson

No. 6 Cincinnati (8-0)

The Bearcats haven’t played since they escaped at UCF with a 36-33 win on Nov. 21. After their game against Tulsa was canceled for this past weekend, the Bearcats will face … Tulsa next weekend in the AAC title game. An undefeated season and a conference championship are within reach, as well as pushing the playoff committee to see how high they can climb. — Wilson

College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Jan. 11: 8 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App

College Football Playoff Semifinal at The Rose Bowl Game
Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
Jan. 1: 5 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans)
Jan. 1: 8:45 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App

No. 7 Indiana (6-1)

The Hoosiers ended up having the week off, as their regular season ended when their rivalry game against Purdue on Saturday was canceled. Though they did suffer one loss this week, as South Alabama hired defensive coordinator Kane Wommack away. They finish the regular season with a 6-1 record, with their lone blemish a narrow 42-35 loss to Ohio State. — Lyles

No. 8 Iowa State (8-2)

The Cyclones had an off week to prepare for their first appearance in the Big 12 championship game, where they’ll get a rematch with Oklahoma. The Sooners, whose game against West Virginia on Saturday was canceled, will be rested and ready as well. These two teams have split their last four meetings, all of which have been decided by 10 points or fewer, and the Cyclones won the most recent one, a 37-30 victory on Oct. 3. — Khan

No. 9 Coastal Carolina (10-0)

The Chanticleers completed their perfect regular season with a scare from Troy, which almost pulled off the perfect trap-game scenario. Coastal gave up 38 points, the most in any game this season. But offensively, the Trojans (much like everybody else this season) had no answer for Coastal’s offense, and the Chanticleers were able to pull out the win in the final minute of regulation. The Sun Belt title game and Billy Napier’s Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are the final obstacle stopping them from a New Year’s Six bowl. — Lyles

No. 10 Georgia (7-2)

The Bulldogs continue to make their case for a New Year’s Six bowl, winning three games in a row as the offense makes significant strides forward since the addition of quarterback JT Daniels to the starting lineup. Granted, those wins have come against Mississippi State, South Carolina and Missouri, but this Georgia team looks more like what we expected in the preseason when it was listed among the playoff contenders. The offense is balanced and the defense is among the best in the country. And while the playoffs are out of the question with two losses, taking care of business at home against Vanderbilt next week would put Kirby Smart’s team in good position for a top-shelf bowl game. — Scarborough

College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Jan. 11: 8 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App

College Football Playoff Semifinal at The Rose Bowl Game
Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
Jan. 1: 5 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl
Mercedes-Benz Superdome (New Orleans)
Jan. 1: 8:45 p.m. on ESPN and the ESPN App

No. 11 Florida (8-2)

The loss to LSU stung for the Gators, who had an outside chance at the College Football Playoff entering the weekend. Could they still squeak their way in if they upset Alabama in the SEC championship game? Perhaps, but it seems unlikely, and they’ll still need multiple teams above them to lose. Regardless, their focus must turn to Atlanta and their chance for a conference championship. — Sam Khan Jr.

No. 12 Oklahoma (7-2)

The Sooners get another shot at Iowa State, who beat them 37-30 on Oct. 3. Cause for optimism in facing ISU running back Breece Hall: The OU defense has been stout over the past five games, allowing just 81.4 rushing YPG, ranking third in the country over that span. The Sooners also will have Rhamondre Stevenson, who didn’t play in the first game and is averaging 5.9 yards per carry and nearly 100 per game. — Wilson

No. 13 USC (5-0)

USC heads into another short week preparing for two opponents: Washington and Oregon. The Huskies are on the schedule for Friday’s Pac-12 championship game, but after they were unable to play against Oregon on Saturday because of COVID issues, it’s fair to question whether they’ll be able to play against USC. If Washington isn’t ready, it will be replaced by the Ducks, who finished second in the North. — Bonagura

No. 14 BYU (10-1)

The Cougars’ loss to Coastal Carolina last week almost assuredly cost them a shot to play in the Fiesta Bowl, and now they will wait to learn which lower-tier bowl they will play in. A bowl victory would give BYU its first 11-win season since 2009, when it finished No. 12 in the final AP poll. — Kyle Bonagura

No. 15 Northwestern (6-1)

The Wildcats easily handled Illinois on Saturday with an impressive 409 yards rushing en route to a 28-10 win. This week they’ll be doing something most didn’t expect this season: competing for the Big Ten championship against Ohio State. Pat Fitzgerald joked after their win Saturday, “I’m sure we’re going to be underdogs by like 70.” That obviously won’t be the case, but they will certainly be viewed as a long shot. — Lyles

No. 16 North Carolina (8-3)

Those who follow the ACC on a regular basis know what UNC running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter are capable of doing, and that was on full display in a top-10 matchup on national television against the Hurricanes. The Tar Heels’ performance in the win over Miami made their losses to Florida State and Virginia this season all the more perplexing. But their sheer dominance should put the Tar Heels in position to earn a New Year’s Six bid to the Orange Bowl. If Clemson beats Notre Dame in the ACC championship game and both teams make the playoff, it seems reasonable to think the committee would move the Tar Heels ahead of Miami in its next rankings — and that would be the key for the Orange Bowl nod. — Adelson

No. 17 Louisiana (9-1)

Now that the talk of coach Billy Napier staying or going has quieted for the time being, it’s back to work for the Ragin’ Cajuns, who had last week off. Finishing the regular season 9-1 was nice, but Saturday’s game against Coastal Carolina offers the chance for revenge after a three-point loss to the Chanticleers on Oct. 14, as well as the opportunity to make a statement and take home the Sun Belt championship. — Scarborough

No. 18 Iowa (6-2)

The Hawkeyes are playing excellent ball, having won six in a row entering their regular-season finale. No Big Ten team has been as stingy as Iowa in November and December, as the Hawkeyes have allowed only 13.8 points per game during that stretch. All that’s left is a to-be-determined championship week opponent and a bowl destination. — Khan

No. 19 Miami (8-2)

With their next game against Georgia Tech officially canceled, the Hurricanes end their regular season with a disappointing performance against North Carolina — one that might end up costing them a spot in the Orange Bowl. Against the two best teams on their schedule — Clemson and North Carolina — the Hurricanes struggled particularly in the trenches and got completely out-physicaled in ways that rendered them incapable of both slowing down their opponents and making plays on offense. There is no question Miami made strides this season in getting the program headed in the right direction, but there is clearly more work to do. — Adelson

No. 20 Tulsa (6-1)

After a nine-point loss to Oklahoma State to open the season, it has been a magical season for the Golden Hurricane, who have won six straight, including four fourth-quarter comebacks. There’s one more giant hurdle: Saturday’s AAC championship game against a top-10 Cincinnati team that has won four of the last five against them. If this season has proved anything, it’s that you can’t count Tulsa out. — Wilson

No. 21 Texas (6-3)

After its game against Kansas was canceled because of a coronavirus outbreak, Texas finishes the regular season at 6-3 and awaits a bowl game. Meanwhile, Texas AD Chris Del Conte attempted to quell the speculation surrounding Tom Herman’s status by stating on Saturday that Herman will remain the Longhorns’ coach. After falling below expectations again in 2020, the pressure will be on Herman and his staff to take a big step forward in 2021. — Khan

No. 22 Liberty (9-1)

Assuming the Flames don’t line up an opponent for this week, they will finish the regular season 9-1 and hope for a bowl invitation. Their record seemingly would make that a foregone conclusion, but with a shrinking bowl lineup, it’s possible Liberty has played its final game of the season. — Bonagura

No. 23 Buffalo (5-0)

Jaret Patterson needed just five games to reach the 1,000-yard mark in rushing, and Buffalo remained unbeaten Saturday with a 56-7 rout of Akron. Patterson has 1,025 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on the season, and the Bulls will now set their sights on the Mid-American Conference championship game. Buffalo is 5-0 for the first time since 1980, when the Bulls were a Division III program. — Chris Low

No. 24 NC State (8-3)

The Wolfpack completed their regular season a week ago with a 23-13 victory over Georgia Tech and will now wait to see where they land in the bowl pecking order. After losing back-to-back games to North Carolina and Miami, NC State closed with four straight wins and was able to overcome the loss of starting quarterback Devin Leary earlier in the season. — Low

No. 25 San Jose State (6-0)

The Spartans rallied from a 20-7 halftime deficit Friday night to beat Nevada 30-20 and remain unbeaten. San Jose State, which had back-to-back games canceled to end November, is off to its best start since 1939, when the Spartans finished 13-0. They will now turn their focus to Boise State and the Mountain West Conference championship game on Friday. — Low

The seemingly endless sagas of Julio Jones (thigh) and Kenny Golladay (hip) knocked out two notable receivers as early as week 14, and COVID-19 knocked out another (DJ Moore). The good news is that Curtis Samuel, who was put on the COVID-19 list earlier this week, will be playing, but top WRs DeAndre Hopkins, Jamison Crowder, Tee Higgins, Brandin Cooks and Keke Coutee are all before Sunday ” questionable “games. Getting the latest injury updates is key for owners making decisions about the first round of the fantasy playoffs.

We’ll update below with the latest news. So check again to see who is officially active or inactive. For the latest information on injured RBs Ezekiel Elliott, Josh Jacobs, Frank Gore, Kenyan Drake, and D’Andre Swift, Go here; for updates on “questionable” QBs Matthew Stafford and Daniel Jones, Click here;; provide news on Monday evening Austin Hooper, Go here;; for the Weather report week 14, Click here. Follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy for the latest fantasy updates.

14TH WEEK STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Run back | Wide receiver | Narrow end | D / ST | Kicker

Is DeAndre Hopkins playing this week?

UPDATE 2: Hopkins is officially ACTIVE.

TO UPDATE: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday morning that Hopkins is expected to play against the Giants.

Hopkins (back, neck) missed the first two workouts of the week, which is not unusual for him, but he had a limited session on Friday – which was rated “full” by manager Kliff Kingsbury. He is expected to play against the Giants on Sunday early afternoon despite his “questionable” day.

Hopkins is a must see while active. If he’s a surprise scratch, Christian Kirk, Andry Isabella, KeeSean Johnson, and Larry Fitzgerald would all see more targets, but Kirk would be the only one worthy of being used as a WR3 / Flex.

14TH WEEK FANTASY: Sleeper | Busts | Start them, put them

Is Jamison Crowder playing this week?

TO UPDATE: Crowder is officially ACTIVE.

After pinching his calf in training on Thursday, Crowder was unable to train on Friday, which isn’t a good sign of his availability for the late afternoon game against the Seahawks on Sunday. Crowder is officially “questionable” but it looks like he’s a real game time decision.

It would be a shame if Crowder faced the worst pass defense in the league, especially if Denzel Mims (personally) was already out. When Crowder is active it is still worth using for the matchup, but obviously there are risks involved. If Crowder fails, Breshad Perriman would be an even better option, while both Jeff Smith and Braxton Berrios would have some PPR appeal, although it is likely that both will only be used in DFS tournaments.

14TH WEEK PPR RANKING:
Quarterback | Run back | Wide receiver | Narrow end | D / ST | Kicker

Is Brandin Cooks Playing This Week?

UPDATE 3: Chefs is officially OUT.

UPDATE 2: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Cooks won’t be playing the bears. Due to the conflicting reports with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, we have to watch out for the official inactive report about 90 minutes before kick-off.

TO UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Cooks is expected to play against Chicago.

Cooks (foot, neck) have been limited in practice throughout the week but despite his “questionable” day, he is expected to compete in the early afternoon game against the bears on Sunday.

As long as Cooks is out there, he’s a solid WR3 against Chicago’s unsteady pass defense. Cooks are still a major threat that has seen consistent goals and receptions for most of this year. If he’s a surprise scratch, Keke Coutee would be a solid WR3, and Chad Hansen would suddenly become a viable WR3 / Flex in all formats.

WEEK 14 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

Is Keke Coutee playing this week?

UPDATE 2: Coutee is officially ACTIVE.

TO UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Cooks is expected to play against the bears.

It’s unclear why Coutee (knee) is even rated “questionable” after Thursday and Friday practice, but there doesn’t seem to be any reason to be concerned about his status for Sunday’s game against Chicago.

Coutee scored eight out of nine goals for 141 yards in Houston’s first game without Will Fuller (suspension) last week. So you know the opportunities will come. Against the struggling pass defense of the bears, Coutee is worth a WR3 place in PPR formats.

WEEK 14 DFS CASH LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

Is Tee Higgins playing this week?

UPDATE 2: Higgins is officially ACTIVE.

TO UPDATE: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported late Saturday night that Cooks is expected to play against Dallas.

Higgins (thigh) has been limited in training all week and it is unclear whether he is in danger of missing the early afternoon kick-off against the Cowboys on Sunday.

When Higgins is playing he is a must in this extremely affordable matchup. If he was outside, AJ Green and Alex Erickson would see a bump in targets opposite Tyler Boyd.

02:17 ET

• Ben baby

  Shut downESPN Staff Writer

  • ESPN Staff Writer
  • Previously college football writer for The Dallas Morning News
  • Graduated from the University of North Texas

• Cameron Wolfe

  Shut downESPN Staff Writer

  • Covered the Broncos for two seasons with the Denver Post
  • Graduated from the University of Houston
  • Miss is from Jackson, Miss.

Once again, Shakur Stevenson was dominant.

In a hastily planned fight against Toka Kahn Clary, the aspiring junior lightweight had no problems on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Stevenson remained undefeated and won unanimously 100-90 on all three scorecards without losing a minute against the overtaken Kahn Clary.

Stevenson is one of many talented young competitors in the 130 pound division and he has big plans to take some titles from them in 2021. It could be fun with all of the interesting competitors at Junior Lightweight for the next few years, and Stevenson has the potential to be the best of the group.

2 relatives

But did he show enough on the ESPN map in Top Rank Boxing on Saturday to show that he is on the verge of realizing that potential? Cameron Wolfe and Ben Baby have different opinions about the 23-year-old’s night.

Wolfe: Shakur Stevenson opened the ESPN boxing bubble with a knockout win in June and closes the year with a win over Kahn Clary. Stevenson is on his way to becoming one of boxing’s top stars in the near future, in my opinion. I know the criticism will be that he didn’t blow him away and I understand. So Ben, I know you were skeptical of Stevenson – especially about his strength and entertainment. Did you see anything of him on Saturday to change your mind?

Infant: Stevenson was a little more entertaining than I remembered. And against Kahn Clary, Stevenson was impressive from the start. It was accurate, active, and landed some really heavy, straight shots that kept Kahn Clary on the retreat.

play

0:59

Shakur Stevenson improves to 15-0 after Toka Kahn Clary takes a unanimous decision victory.

However, it was a little disappointing on Saturday night. Stevenson had the ability to get Kahn Clary out of there in the middle rounds. And yet Kahn Clary still came forward on the 10th and didn’t seem too discouraged, despite being dominated every 30 minutes.

And that was one of my main problems with Stevenson. I understand he doesn’t have the power that other guys have, but at some point a dominant performance should culminate with a special moment, and I didn’t see that from Stevenson versus Kahn Clary.

Cam, I know you’ve done a lot to Stevenson for a while. Did Saturday’s performance show you that he can really compete with some of the top names in the division?

Wolfe: Absolutely. It was the utter dominance of a decent fighter. I will take on Stevenson over anyone currently in the junior lightweight, including the WBC tracklist Miguel Berchelt. What I like most about Stevenson is that he is neither the strongest nor the fastest man, but his technique and skill set him apart. He’s only 23, so he’s not even in his prime and just getting stronger and better.

I understand it though. Stevenson is not an Edgar Berlanga or Gervonta Davis who will make opponents fear his power. His fights will rarely end up in SportsCenter’s top 10. Let me bring that back to you: Stevenson told me he saw a 2021 in which he faces the winner of Jamel Herring-Carl Frampton, the winner of Berchelt-Oscar Valdez, and possibly Joseph “JoJo” Diaz before the end of the year. If so, how do you see him in these competitions and where do you rank Stevenson in the Junior Lightweight Division?

Shakur Stevenson’s suffocating style didn’t allow Toka Kahn Clary much to do, but Stevenson’s failure to achieve a goal could be seen as disappointing. Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images

Infant: As you said, the question for Stevenson at 130 is going to be his power and whether he’s got enough of it to demand respect for elite guys. But Stevenson does enough of the other things well that he probably beats the rest of the top-rank prospects in that division.

Of this group, Berchelt might be the only one who can really test Stevenson. Berchelt has won his last five fights on hold and has the technical skills to balance the ingenuity of the ring with Stevenson, who does a great job without wasting punches or efforts in the ring.

Of course, with Stevenson under the Top Rank umbrella, the big question is whether he’s ready for Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2021.

Wolfe: I would like to see Stevenson waiting for Lomachenko. As I mentioned earlier, I don’t think Stevenson is still in his prime, but his superior skills should help him compete against some of the other champions in his division like Herring and Diaz. Lomachenko is very similar to Stevenson in that both fighters rely on technique, IQ, and defense. So it would be a mirror as the veteran has more experience. I think Stevenson can hang out with him, but I think his most ideal chance of beating him comes in 2022 or 2023 after he gains a little more strength.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date with all the boxing news.

The biggest fight for Stevenson in 2021 should be Berchelt, who is also under the umbrella of the Top Rank and is considered by many to be the best fighter in the Junior Lightweight Division. It would be the epitome of the fight between boxer and big puncher, and while Stevenson doesn’t have the power to take out Berchelt, I think he has enough to pull him off the shelf.

Ben: Regardless of who Stevenson agrees with in his next fight, he’ll have to turn it up again next time in the ring. If he wants to be the next Floyd Mayweather or Sugar Ray Leonard, he has to be more imposing. Kahn Clary was the perfect opponent for Stevenson to put on the pressure to take a break and show why he is on his way to becoming one of the top draws in boxing.

Wolfe: I would have liked to see Stevenson get the interruption, and so did he. My biggest criticism of Stevenson is that he has not yet shown the consistent strength to knock out beaten opponents and Saturday was an example of that. But winning is all that should matter, and no one has beaten Stevenson yet. Ultimately, I believe that Stevenson can have a move up to Lomachenko level in his career. The biggest impact this fight had on me is Stevenson’s dominance – Kahn Clary only landed 9% of his total punches and couldn’t win nearly a round. Stevenson is ready for the smoke.

Michael Carter and Javonte Williams have boasted throughout the season of being the best rushing duo in the country. They definitely played that way as they led North Carolina to a 62-26 win at No. 10 Miami, Florida on Saturday.

Carter stacked 24 carries for 308 yards (12.8 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns, while Williams added 23 carries for 236 yards (10.3 yards per rush) and three touchdowns. Her 544 combined yards is an NCAA record for the most rushing yards by two teammates in a single game. The previous mark was set earlier in the season by Buffalo’s Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks against Kent State.

Carter and Williams are the tandem for the tar heels. Carter is the “lightning bolt” often used on the sidelines to stretch the defense. He showed it early with a 65-yard touchdown towards the end of the first quarter to give UNC a 21-3 lead.

He also showed off his vanity with a nice cut to that 25 yard score:

Williams is the LenDale White of Carter’s Reggie Bush and often plays the role of “thunder” when running between tackles and through defenders. All three of his touchdowns were near the goal line, but his best run of the game was that “Beast Mode” -like run in which he shrugged off seven Miami players before eventually falling for a profit of 43 yards.

MORE: Heisman Trophy PM: Updated Odds, Top Candidates to Win the 2020 Award

Carter and Williams stole the show from Heels quarterback Sam Howell, who had little to do other than hand over the ball. Still, Howell had a fairly efficient day at the office: 14 of 19 passes (73.7 percent) for 223 yards and a touchdown. He also added a quick touchdown and a receiving touchdown for a “Chapel Hilly Special” to complete the hat trick.

Broad receiver Dyami Brown also managed to have an explosive stats line with four catches for 167 yards. This made him the first player in school history to receive multiple seasons with 1,000 yards.

With the big win, North Carolina (8-3) is now in a position to get a bid for the Orange Bowl if both Notre Dame and Clemson make it to the college football playoffs. This comes in Mack Brown’s sophomore year as the Tar Heels head coach. They had won just five games in total in the two seasons before his arrival in 2019.

Is it possible that an entire crime could win the Heisman?

– Zach Goins (@zach_goins) December 12, 2020

December 11, 2020

• Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN

ORCHARD PARK, NY – The NFL posted a memo on Wednesday describing various scenarios where the top teams of each conference could occupy a playoff spot in Week 14 – a list of the Buffalo Bills (9-3) .

Two years ago, the chatter about the Bills this time of year revolved around who to pick with their eventual top 10 picks in the 2018 NFL draft. Buffalo fans are now considering whether to go for the Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) to beat the Miami Dolphins (8-4) and extend the Bills’ lead at the AFC East, or for a Miami win, which would increase Buffalos chances of taking the AFC’s No. 1.

How things are changing.

• Game selection from our NFL experts »
• PickCenter »| ESPN chalk »
More NFL coverage »

While life is good for the bills, they didn’t stamp themselves as Super Bowl contenders. Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) is a chance to compete against the best of the conference after they beat the leaders of the AFC division – the Tennessee Titans (Week 5) in their last two games and the Chiefs (week 6) stalled).

Their win over the San Francisco 49ers (5-7) on Monday night was impressive but faced a hobbling NFC team. A prime-time win over the Steelers (11-1) would set the tone for a critical final of the four regular season games and give Buffalo a unique win over a conference opponent.

Bill’s trainer Sean McDermott said what defines the Steelers elite starts with his counterpart, trainer Mike Tomlin.

“What you see at the Steelers is you see Mike’s personality on the team,” said McDermott. “He’s got a very dynamic personality, he’s … great and I think you can see that in your soccer team. They play at a high level, they play well week after week and they are led by one of them I think the greatest coaches took care of our game in Mike. “

It’s a rematch of Buffalo’s last season playoff win. While it is about a playoff spot, this is where the similarities between the two games end, as both teams are drastically different from their 2019 versions.

The Bills have won five of their last six games with their only loss due to a Hail Mary pass. Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh are fresh into the game on Sunday after their first loss of the season after a series of close calls. While the Steelers play the NFL’s easiest schedule yet, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), they represent the Bills’ toughest remaining test. And Buffalo is playing better preparing for the Steelers than it did against the Titans and Chiefs.

As of week 9, the Bills have had the highest scoring offense in the NFL with 33.8 points per game and the second best offense at 302.5 meters per game. In particular, quarterback Josh Allen’s play put him back on MVP talk after winning his third AFC Offensive Player of the Week award in Week 13.

This is what the postseason bracket looks like at the moment and what scenarios are ahead of us.
• Playoff picture (ESPN +) »
• Playoff machine: see scenarios »
• Ranking list »| Football Power Index »

Defensively, the Bills are bleeding yards at first sight, allowing for the second highest number of yards per game in the NFL since week 9, most of which come in the fourth quarter when they’ve allowed a league high of 127.5 yards per game. However, Buffalo owns the fourth-best fourth-quarter defense in the league and is responsible for leading the table on fourth-quarter sales.

Buffalo’s Pass Rush has done its job for the past four weeks, ranking 10th on Sacks and fourth on Pass Rush Win Rate.

“Probably in the last five or six weeks just to see how much better we play from an aggressive, offensive point of view and when we take the football away it stands out and that’s how you win games,” said Bill’s defensive coordinator Leslie Said Frazier. “We have improved so much in the third red zone. We do some things that affect the game and give you the chance to win.”

“Statistically, the shipyards won’t show that. [San Francisco] have so many scrapyards [Monday] late in the fourth quarter and some third late game losses. You may not have the statistics to show you are helping the team win, but that shows the way the guys play. “

The Bills need to be at their best against Pittsburgh, which the NFL leads on takeaways and points allowed this season, while ranking in the top 10 against both the run and the pass. There’s an opportunity for Buffalo’s defense to shine on Sunday as the Steelers’ offense ranks 21st in the NFL, even with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who skipped the competition last year.

“We definitely need to do more work here and more meat on the bones,” said McDermott, pointing to Buffalo’s room for improvement. “I think the coaches … they did a great job developing the players we have on our squad. And you can’t say that in every place, and you can’t say that every season.

“The players, as they appreciate, have really embraced the growth mindset and some of those conversations are difficult and some are truthful conversations but they are necessary.”

No. 5 Texas A&M is the first team in the College Football Playoff Leaderboard.

The Aggies are 7-1 and won’t play in the SEC championship game, but their path to the four-team playoffs isn’t overly complicated.

Texas A&M must win its regular season finale against Tennessee on December 19th to keep the conversation going. What else do the Aggies have to do before the College Football Playoff Selection Show on December 20th?

Let’s play the rest with the three key pieces:

BENDER: The Big Ten’s decision to protect the Ohio state season is the right one

College Football Playoff Scenarios for Texas A&M

A Christmas miracle of Arkansas versus Alabama or LSU versus Florida this weekend would obviously work in favor of the Aggies. For this scenario, we don’t expect any of these issues to occur.

So let’s be more realistic:

• No. 1 Alabama (10-0) must beat No. 6 Florida in the SEC championship game. That puts the Gators out of the competition with two losses.
• Notre Dame # 2 (11-0) must beat Clemson # 3 in the ACC championship game. That gives the tigers two losses.
• A No. 4 Ohio State loss would help, but it’s unlikely not worth counting on.

That would give Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State three spots and leave a big debate for that # 4 spot:

Who else could argue?

Texas A&M (8-1) would be the best one-loss team but would not have the advantage of attending a conference championship.

Clemson (9-2) and Florida (9-2) had two losses.

No. 7 Iowa State (9-2) or No. 11 Oklahoma (8-2) would have a conference championship.

No. 15 USC (6-0) or No. 21 Colorado (6-0) could be undefeated and have a Pac-12 championship.

No. 8 Cincinnati (9-0) would be the top-ranked group of 5 undefeated teams if they beat No. 24 Tulsa in the American Athletic Conference championship.

Would Texas A&M get in?

That’s a lot to play, but the Aggies would be a good bet to secure that last spot if that scenario unfolds. It’s not that unrealistic, but it does require Notre Dame – a likely underdog in the rematch with Clemson – to deliver another surprise.

Remember, the college football playoffs have never seen a team with two losses. Clemson would have an argument, but the committee could bow to the Aggies at a loss.

That said, the loss is dire. Alabama defeated Texas A&M on October 3, 52-24. This would be the worst loss for a CFP team since Georgia in 2017. The Bulldogs lost 40-17 to Auburn in the regular season, but Georgia corrected that mistake at 28 : 7 victory in SEC championship game. The 15 one-loss teams that qualified for the CFP lost an average of 7.5 points per game.

Some other teams might consider that.

USC – a Power 5 champion with a big brand – has a lot to do in two weeks.

The argument would likely be based on Texas A&M versus Cincinnati at this point. Would the committee put an unbeaten G5 school over a one-loss team?

It’s still an argument that we believe Texas A&M would win – even if the Bearcats could be the more deserving team at the time.

The half-made piñata would sit on the bottom of Pinatas Moreno in Tijuana, Mexico, and the shop owner Alfredo Moreno wouldn’t be happy.

The job wasn’t done, and his son’s other interest was probably to blame.

Brandon Moreno began his mixed martial arts training when he was 12 years old while also working part-time in his family’s company. One was a job. The other was a passion. But both have helped shape the athlete who will be the first Mexico-born fighter to fight for a UFC title on Saturday when he challenges flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in the main UFC 256 event.

The piñata business exposed Brandon to his parents’ work ethic, which served him well in his unlikely rise to the UFC rankings. The business also served as a financial liferaft after it was cut by the UFC in 2018 and had surgery on his newborn daughter. Although Brandon was never that good at making pinatas, his efforts in the family business helped him figure out what he wanted in life.

“Every day I saw my parents work so hard to give us the best opportunities and the best possible lives,” said Moreno.

Brandon Moreno’s mother, Cecilia Carrillo, and father, Alfredo Moreno, run Pinatas Moreno in Tijuana, Mexico. The family business helped advance her son’s historic UFC title quest. ESPN

When Moreno started MMA training in 2005 at the age of 12, he was a “shabby” kid, he said. Chubby. When he was younger, his main hobbies after school were video games and junk food. At first, MMA was just a way to get the exercise you need.

In the same year Moreno started working part-time at Piñatas Moreno. Some of the work was done from home and the other part in a small warehouse nearby. Moreno’s day consisted of school, making piñatas, and then running to practice.

The more Moreno trained, the more he fell in love with fighting – the physicality and the competition. The original plan was for Moreno to go to college and then law school. But it quickly became clear that fighting wasn’t a random interest.

Deiveson Figueiredo will achieve the fastest turnaround of a UFC champion when he defends the men’s flyweight title in Saturday’s UFC 256 main event. Figueiredo, who defeated Alex Perez at UFC 255 on November 21, faces top candidate Brandon Moreno. In the co-main event, Tony Ferguson competes against Charles Oliveira. Ferguson has won 12 of their last 13 fights while Oliveira has won seven in a row.

Buy UFC 256 here

UFC 256: Figueiredo versus Moreno
• Saturday, Las Vegas
• 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPN + PPV

“At first I thought [MMA] was a distraction for him, a hobby, “said Moreno’s mother Cecilia Carrillo.” I always wanted him to study, go to college. It was very important to me that he do it so that he can have a good life.

“But he never wavered, he always worked out and he really liked it. Since he was little he started setting goals. He always told me he would be the best in whatever he did in life,” Me become a lawyer – the best, “he told me.

Moreno’s parents supported his decision to fight rather than study. But there was a requirement. In order to cover the costs of the training and to make ends meet, Moreno had to work full time in the family business.

It was a busy schedule. Moreno woke up in the morning, exercised for two hours, and then came home for five or six hours to make piñatas. After dinner, he went to the gym for two hours before finishing the night in the warehouse and putting the finishing touches on the piñatas.

“I could make my own schedule because I wanted to train,” said Moreno. “That’s why my parents helped me so much. … I started making money myself. I grew up and started to know hard work.”

Things didn’t always go smoothly. Admittedly, Moreno was never a very good piñata maker. The process, he said, starts with cardboard glued together with homemade glue – a combination of hot water and flour. Moreno said it would take him about 30 minutes to build a piñata. Alfredo became impatient at times.

“In the end, he’d run Brandon out of the room because he couldn’t,” Carrillo said with a laugh.

“I never had the right skill to make the piñatas, but it has been a fun part of my life. I’m a better fighter than a piñata maker.” Brandon Moreno

The Morenos founded the small company in 1997. Their Colonia Guerrero neighborhood had many families making piñatas, said Carrillo, who also grew up making piñatas. The business started a few years later when the family began selling piñatas across the border in San Diego and Los Angeles.

Alfredo, Moreno’s brother, and another worker made the shells for the piñatas. Then Carrillo came in and decorated them. The piñatas come in different shapes and sizes – like stars, animals and numbers. While building the piñatas wasn’t his forte, Moreno eventually found his niche.

“He would come home and help put on the piñata sticks, and he was very good at it,” said Carrillo. “And he kept on doing it, even though at that point he was 100% committed to the sport.”

The 26-year-old Moreno worked full time at Piñatas Moreno for four years until he got a place on the UFC reality show “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2016. It was a great achievement – and a relief – for Moreno.

“I never had the right skill to make the piñatas,” Moreno said with a laugh. “But it’s been a fun part of my life. I’m a better fighter than a piñata maker.”

Moreno lost in the first round of The Ultimate Fighter in 2016, but he was impressive enough to be the only first-round loser to get a UFC contract. Brandon Magnus / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

The Ultimate Fighter 24 was a tournament to decide who would be the next challenger to UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. To say Moreno is an unannounced prospect would be an understatement. It was last sown among the 16 participants.

Moreno lost his first fight by filing in the second round to Alexandre Pantoja, but Moreno was impressive enough to land a UFC contract. No other first-round loser received an offer.

If he steps into the octagon against Figueiredo, many will again expect Moreno to lose. Figureido is a 3: 1 betting favorite.

“I was – and always am – the outsider,” said Moreno. “I think I’m the underdog in life. But I always win. I always win [in the end]. For me, that’s the most important thing. “

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After losing to Pantoja, Moreno won his first three official UFC bouts. But then he lost two fights and uncertainty about the future of the flyweight division prompted the UFC to release him.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. Eight months after his release, in September 2018, Moreno’s second child, Megan, was born with health problems. The family does not want to elaborate on their illness, but at some point they feared they had a tumor on their stomach. She had to be operated on. And at that time it was hard to get hold of money. Moreno’s parents came to Megan’s help with money from the piñata business.

“When we knew it was Friday and the doctor told them they could operate as soon as possible [my son] I didn’t have the money, “said Alfredo.” I told him if he needed it I would give it to him so they could operate on Monday. And so it went and everything worked out. Thank you God. We were concerned, but it went well.

“She’s strong. She’s like Brandon, he’s a fighter. He’s got a lot of energy. He never takes a step back.”

Moreno will be the first Mexico-born fighter to compete for UFC gold on Saturday. A win could help grow the sport in a country known for its rich boxing history. Jeff Bottari / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Moreno, who lives with his wife Shirley and their three daughters, said Megan is now healthy and “amazing”.

And Moreno is excellent at what he does.

In June 2019, Moreno fought in the Legacy Fighting Alliance and won the flyweight title in that promotion. He was back in the UFC three months later – and hasn’t lost since.

Now he will make history and represent a country that is not alien to martial arts. Mexico has produced some of the greatest boxers such as Julio Cesar Chavez and Salvador Sanchez, as well as current superstar Canelo Alvarez. There have been Mexican-American UFC champions like Cain Velasquez, but never one born in Mexico.

“It means everything to me,” said Moreno. “We have a lot of the future of martial arts in Tijuana and Mexico in general. … But mixed martial arts is a relatively new sport in my country.

“I know I can change the game in my country when they have the first 100% Mexican champion in the UFC.”

From dreams of law school to pinatas in Tijuana to leaving the UFC and headlining a pay-per-view, Moreno’s trip has been a unique testament to his work ethic and perseverance.

“My life is a roller coaster,” said Moreno. “Lots of good moments, lots of bad moments too.

“At the end of the day, it’s all part of my experience.”

Game week 12 of 2020-21 Fantasy Premier League is here and we have an early deadline to make changes as Leeds hosts West Ham on Friday night.

The Manchester derby will then take center stage on Saturday, while Tottenham and Liverpool both play on Sunday to extend their lead at the top of the table.

So as we head out on another busy weekend goal is at your disposal with advice on team selection, possible captain choices and much more if you want to color those arrows green and climb your leaderboards.

content

1. Game week games
2. Team selection tips
3. Who is the best captain?
4. Who are the players with the highest score?

Game week 12 games

date	Attachment	Time (GMT)
11th December	Leeds versus West Ham	20:00
12th of December	Wolves versus Aston Villa	12:30
12th of December	Newcastle versus West Brom	15:00
12th of December	Man Utd versus Man City	17:30
12th of December	Everton versus Chelsea	20:00
13th December	Southampton v Sheff Utd	12:00
13th December	Crystal palace against spurs	14:15
13th December	Fulham versus Liverpool	16:30
13th December	Arsenal versus Burnley	19:15
13th December	Leicester versus Brighton	19:15

GAMEWEEK 12 CHANGES DEADLINE: December 11th, 6:30 p.m.

Team selection tips

goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris (£ 5.5m) is the most broadcast goalkeeper, playing with a little less than 50,000 FPL bosses in Gameweek 12 at the time of writing, and choosing to bring the Tottenham captain in.

A quick look at the fixtures and Tottenham meet Crystal Palace on Sunday – with Roy Hodgson’s side inspired by an in-shape Wilfried Zaha (£ 7.4m), I just hit five to West Brom – before heading to Anfield in a top duel with Liverpool.

Spurs also have Leicester (H) and Wolves (A) to play before the end of the year and a better time to pick up the French could be at Gameweek 16 when Jose Mourinho Fulham’s men are ahead of Leeds (H ) align. , Aston Villa (A) and Sheffield United (A).

A better option could be Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier (£ 4.6m).

Marcelo Bielsa’s side have back-to-back home games against West Ham and Newcastle, while also facing Burnley and West Brom in December.

The 20-year-old Frenchman has scored 46 points so far this season – the third highest of all goalkeepers in the game – and made 40 saves in the process – the fourth highest total in the Premier League.

defender

Over 250,000 FPL managers have decided to include both Kurt Zouma (£ 5.7m) or Reece James (£ 5.3m) in the past week and it’s not hard to see why.

The blues duo has become a fixture in Frank Lampard’s starting XI in the Premier League Ben Chilwell (£ 6.2m), are the defenders with the highest number of points in the game after the first 11 games of the 2020-21 season.

Chelsea have friendly matches against Everton and Wolves in their next two games, both away, but even when they miss a goal or two, Zouma, James and Chilwell have come in handy in attacking areas.

Now could be the perfect time to contribute Trent Alexander-Arnold (£ 7.2m) after recovering from a calf injury.

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The Liverpool full-back, who collected a total of 210 points last season, will now return to the starting line-up of the reds of the league and is not expected to see a price increase until the coming weeks.

However, if you’re looking for a cheaper option then West Ham is Defender Fabian Balbuena (£ 4.4m) could be your man

After not being selected in the first two games of the season, the Paraguayan is now a regular on David Moyes’ first team and one of the best players to face Leeds (A) and Crystal Palace (H).

midfield player

After his 14-point win in a 4-0 win against the Wolves Mohamed Salah (£ 12.3m) proves the most popular addition in midfield in Gameweek 12.

Given its high price tag, after the Egyptian’s positive Covid-19 test, many FPL bosses have chosen Gameweek 9, although getting him back into your XI is crucial as he is the strongest attacker in the midfielder category is.

Oddly enough, Salah played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s 1-1 Champions League game against Midtjylland on Wednesday night, but it is highly unlikely that Jurgen Klopp would rest him for the trip to Fulham on Sunday as things are getting tight at the top the table.

Elsewhere the injuries too Hakim Ziyech (£ 8.2m) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (£ 5.7m) opened the door Christian Pulisic (£ 8.2m) Reintegration into Chelsea’s starting XI.

Frank Lampard confirmed on Thursday that the USMNT star is available for the trip to Everton on Saturday. After the huge success in the 3-1 win over Leeds last time in the league, Pulisic is likely to play a big role at Goodison Park.

After what is expected to be a welcome week off for Aston Villa following the postponement of the Newcastle game due to a Covid-19 outbreak Jack Grealish (£ 7.7m) rarely goes as he tries to increase the 71 points he has already accumulated this season.

The England international is in second place Bruno Fernandes (£ 10.9m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£ 11.8m) For the chances created in the Premier League with 26 and the favorable pairings for Dean Smith’s team, Villa will face Wolves (A), Burnley (H), West Brom (H) and Crystal Palace (A) in the next four games.

Forward

Patrick Bamford (£ 6.2m) scored his eighth Premier League goal of the season in their last loss to Chelsea and although his price rose ahead of Gameweek 12, the Leeds forward remains an excellent pick.

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West Ham head to Elland Road on Friday night and after the Hammers delivered three in their last game against Manchester United in the second half, Bamford will be confident of improving their record.

Another Englishman that is available at a relatively cheap price is Newcastle Forward Callum Wilson (£ 6.6m).

The 28-year-old took 12 points from his last game, a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, and Newcastle will face West Brom, the team with the worst defensive record in the Premier League, on Saturday.

And finally, it goes without saying, but when you have the money and don’t already have it Harry Kane (£ 10.9m) Then it is probably time to think about getting him. The Tottenham forward was at his best last time out against Arsenal and he will appreciate his chances of making it to the net against Palace on Sunday.

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Who is the best captain for Gameweek 12?

With the Manchester derby going on and Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham not playing at home, predicting who will be the most effective captain is not the easiest week.

That said Not correct has scored in his last two games in a row and the chances of scoring three against Fulham are relatively high.

Jamie Vardy (£ 10.3m) looks like a sensible replacement option too – the Leicester forward has scored six goals in his last eight games in all competitions and can look forward to meeting Brighton at King Power Stadium on Sunday.

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The top five players with the highest score

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LAS VEGAS – Tony Ferguson believes he is a big part of the UFC’s resumption of operations as soon as it did in 2020, and he suspects that this swift return has benefited everyone – except him.

Ferguson (25-4) will face Charles Oliveira (29-8) at UFC 256 on Saturday, in his first appearance since Justin Gaethje on May 9 in five rounds. The UFC 249 event marked the end of an eight-week stretch in which the UFC canceled five events due to the pandemic, and it came while the NBA, NFL, MLB and NCAA delayed operations.

Ferguson was set to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed lightweight championship at UFC 249, but the pandemic canceled the scheduled April date. Instead of waiting for the UFC to rebook this lucrative title fight, Ferguson agreed to a new opponent and location. Then another new place came when the UFC’s backup plan failed. Then there was a new date on which these plans changed again.

Deiveson Figueiredo will achieve the fastest turnaround of a UFC champion when he defends the men’s flyweight title in Saturday’s UFC 256 main event. Figueiredo, who defeated Alex Perez at UFC 255 on November 21, faces top candidate Brandon Moreno. In the co-main event, Tony Ferguson competes against Charles Oliveira. Ferguson has won 12 of their last 13 fights while Oliveira has won seven in a row.

Buy UFC 255 here

UFC 256: Figueiredo versus Moreno
• Saturday, Las Vegas
• 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPN + PPV

In the middle of it all, Ferguson decided to cut weight for an event that had already been postponed. He said it was because he was committed and wanted to give the world something to follow. It was a move that many in the MMA world have questioned and even derided. He eventually suffered the loss and achieved a winning streak of 12 fights. Gaethje then lost in the second round at Nurmagomedov for the undisputed title on October 24th.

What did Ferguson make of the whole experience? When he fights Oliveira on Saturday, Ferguson says he’s fighting 100% for himself.

“I pointed out directly, directly and directly that I would never feel that way again for anyone else,” Ferguson told ESPN. “As toxic as everyone is, f — ’em.

Tony Ferguson started 2020 with a winning streak of 12 fights and dreams of beating Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title. But things didn’t go according to plan and Ferguson may need a win on Saturday to stay in the competition. Stephen R. Sylvanie / USA TODAY Sports

“You save the world, you think you get a medal? No. You don’t get s —. You hear, ‘You didn’t do it well enough. You didn’t do it great. You got hit. You never get the same ‘What I am saying is: “You’re welcome, everyone. You’re welcome “Because it took this guy to get things going again.”

Well, maybe a “me versus the world” mentality is exactly what Ferguson needs. Because he’s right, the MMA world doesn’t believe he fought well in his past performance, and many have questions if he’ll ever be the same.

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Nurmagomedov said Ferguson was done. “If you suffer such damage, you will never be the same,” he said. “Never. Even if you are Tony Ferguson.” UFC commentator Jon Anik asked during the fight, “How many shots can a human take?” ESPN analyst and retired UFC veteran Chael Sonnen didn’t go as far as to demand Ferguson’s resignation after the fight, but he did admit that it should be on the table as the next step.

Ferguson has just lost its first loss in eight years but will turn 37 in February. The amount of damage he sustained seven months ago, as well as major knee surgery in 2018, is cause for concern. Although he won 12 fights in a row between 2013 and 2020, he has never fought for an undisputed championship, despite having planned to do so several times.

Ferguson says he no longer cares about the elusive title shot. He’s basically saying the rug has been pulled from under him too many times when it comes to championship opportunities, so he’s done chasing them.

How will Ferguson recover from his May 9 beating against Justin Gaethje? Cooper Neill for ESPN

Whether or not that’s true, the reality is that Saturday is likely a must-see for Ferguson if he’s ever looking to battle for the undisputed title. He’s right as the UFC is not handing out medals for headlining the first pay-per-view event of a pandemic. No medal – and no title shot either.

The clock is ticking for this, and in a crowded division where champion Nurmagomedov says he’s retired but still has the belt in hand – times are uncertain and title shots will be paramount. For the first time in years there are serious doubts as to whether Ferguson can prove himself to be the best lightweight in the UFC.

If Ferguson’s fight at UFC 249 was supposed to save the sports world, then his fight at UFC 256 should save his career.

With a 6-6 week 14 record against the Rams in Los Angeles on Thursday night, the Patriots live in the NFL playoff picture. However, New England still has a chance of making the NFL playoffs for the 18th consecutive year.

The Patriots are currently number 10 in the conference with their 500 record. Before considering catching either the No. 6 Dolphins (8-4) or the No. 7 Colts (8-4) for either of the final two AFC wildcard spots, they must also both No. 8 Raiders (7 ) jump -5) and No. 9 Ravens (7-5).

The bad news is that two games in just four weeks have a lot of catching up to do. The good news is that the Patriots already have the right wins that can help them extend their postseason with Bill Belichick and without Tom Brady.

Here’s a look at New England’s schedule and résumé, and what help it takes to get into the playoffs:

MORE: Complete Betting Guide for Patriots vs. Rams

Can the Patriots make the playoffs?

The NFC West-leading Rams (8-4) on the road are a tough start. Then it’s all division game rematches, with the Dolphins (8-4) in week 15, against the Bills (9-3) in week 16 and against the Jets in week 17.

While it is unreasonable for the Patriots to lead the table 4-0 and finish 10-6, there is a fair shot at 3-1 and 9-7. Going 2-2 or worse is just not enough to hit .500 at 8: 8 at best as that would take a lot of help to jump three teams.

In front of the Patriots, which team is in the most trouble?

The Raiders will host the Colts in Week 14 and the Dolphins in Week 16 as their toughest games. The Colts are due to join the Steelers in week 16 two weeks after their trip to Las Vegas.

While this seems pretty daunting, there is no doubt that the dolphins are having the worst. You need to line up the Chiefs in week 14, go to Las Vegas in week 16, and close on the bills in week 17. The missing game in between is the home game against the Patriots.

On the flip side, the Ravens have it easiest by far, having climbed back above .500 in week 13. They play for the Browns in week 14 but that is made up for by jaguars, giants and bengals in the final three weeks.

With all of this in mind, the Raiders, Colts, and Dolphins can harm each other while having a tough time in their other games as well.

The Patriots should aim for the Raiders to lose both the Colts and Dolphins games to end 2-2 and 9-7 or worse. In that case, the Colts would likely finish 3-1 and get in at 11-5. The Dolphins are also a good bet with the Raiders victory to lose the Chiefs and Bills games. The Ravens then have to finish 2-2 against a favorable schedule.

It may not sound good to the Patriots when the Colts climb to big double-digit wins, but it makes more sense to beat the Raiders, Dolphins and Ravens 9-7 for 7th place.

How the Patriots can make the playoffs

Three quarters of the answers are simple. The Patriots beat the dolphins at home in week 1, the raiders at home in week 3, and the ravens at home in week 10. They keep all the tiebreakers there and can keep them going by sweeping the dolphins in week 15.

So if the Raiders, Dolphins, Ravens, and Patriots all land 9-7, the Patriots would be the last team behind the Browns and Colts.

Now let’s face the Patriots against the Colts. The Rams game does not affect the Patriots’ conference recording. If the Patriots go 3-1 and that is their only loss, they have an 8-4 mark in the AFC game. The Colts would have to go 1-3 to finish 9-7. That would set their conference record to 5-7, so the Patriots would win that tiebreaker too.

Unlike the Packers in Week 16, the Titans have a very favorable schedule. Whichever way you look at the Colts at AFC South, both the division winner and the wild card should have double-digit wins, which doesn’t do the Patriots any good.

If the titans, bay horses, and stallions are removed from the equation due to future odds of winning, there’s a good chance the Patriots will get the proper help beyond their direct second shot at the dolphins. At 9-7, the Patriots would have a real chance to step in if there weren’t more than six AFC playoff teams with 10 or more wins. If the Patriots can also somehow take care of the Rams and end the season with a six-game winning streak to get to 10-6, they would be near locks to get in.

It takes several events for the Patriots to break their path, starting with their own improved performance, but based on who they beat, who they play, and who their playoff competition is playing, it can all add up well for the calculated belichick.