NFL · 10 months ago

5 NFL Teams That Should be Worried After Week 14

Grant White

Host · Writer

Chicago Bears
Four yards.

Four yards is all the Chicago Bears could manage in the first half of Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. That's a terrible omen for a team that is supposed to be on an upward trajectory.

When teams fire a head coach, we expect a more inspired effort the following week. We saw it earlier in the season when the New York Jets moved on from Robert Saleh. However, the Bears are again the exception to the rule. Chicago was outmatched in every facet of the game against a beleaguered Niners squad, leaving little optimism for the remainder of the season.

The Bears are falling into the same traps that have kept them down for so many years. Week 14's result reinforced that this remains one of the most poorly run franchises in the NFL.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins didn't beat the New York Jets. The Jets beat themselves. Back to full health and seemingly out of excuses, the Dolphins still can't find a way to put together a full 60 minutes of football.

Miami was outgained by the Jets, netting -0.7 yards per play versus its division foes. Their run game was obsolete, with De'Von Achane mustering 24 yards on 14 carries, contributing to just 83 rushing yards in the contest. Further, the Dolphins' defense let Aaron Rodgers put together his best performance of the past few years, underscoring the same concerns that pop up every other week.

Foolishly, the Dolphins think they still have a shot at a playoff berth. But it won't be long before they again fall flat on their collective faces.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.
Arizona Cardinals
It might be time to call it. The Arizona Cardinals have been lifeless over the last couple of years. Kyler Murray has been given all the rope he needs to prove that he can do the job, and all he's done is tangle himself further in it with each passing week.

This was Arizona's best chance at victory since Week 4. The Cardinals were installed as -3 favorites, their highest spread since losing to the Washington Commanders in September. The common thread between both outcomes is that the Cardinals were home favorites and suffered an equally painful defeat in both contests.

Losers of three in a row and with only 46 points to show for their efforts, Murray and the Cardinals should be done getting second chances.
Philadelphia Eagles
If there was one team that didn't deserve to win in Week 14, it was the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles entered their contest against the Carolina Panthers as substantive -14 chalk. If not for a dropped pass in the waning moments, the Eagles wouldn't have limped off the field as decisive losers.

Philadelphia was outgained at home by the lowly Panthers, giving up more first downs and a concerning 43.8% conversion rate on third down. Hopefully, that's not a sign of things to come as they gear up for two important battles against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Commanders over the next two weeks.

Eagles fans don't need reminding of last season's epic collapse. But unless the Eagles do an about-face, that nightmare will become more than a distant memory.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons were expected to compete for the division title in the NFC South. All they continue to do is prove that they aren't even capable of competing for a playoff berth.

Kirk Cousins is part of the problem in Atlanta. The four-time Pro Bowler has gone four games without throwing a touchdown pass. More concerningly, he's completing just 62.4% of his passes over that stretch, with an astounding eight interceptions.

The Falcons' lackluster production is a symptom of Cousins' disastrous play. It might be time to pivot and give Michael Penix the requisite reps to hand the offense to their future franchise quarterback. Coincidentally, handing it off is the only thing the Falcons get right these days.
Chicago Bears
Four yards.

Four yards is all the Chicago Bears could manage in the first half of Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. That's a terrible omen for a team that is supposed to be on an upward trajectory.

When teams fire a head coach, we expect a more inspired effort the following week. We saw it earlier in the season when the New York Jets moved on from Robert Saleh. However, the Bears are again the exception to the rule. Chicago was outmatched in every facet of the game against a beleaguered Niners squad, leaving little optimism for the remainder of the season.

The Bears are falling into the same traps that have kept them down for so many years. Week 14's result reinforced that this remains one of the most poorly run franchises in the NFL.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins didn't beat the New York Jets. The Jets beat themselves. Back to full health and seemingly out of excuses, the Dolphins still can't find a way to put together a full 60 minutes of football.

Miami was outgained by the Jets, netting -0.7 yards per play versus its division foes. Their run game was obsolete, with De'Von Achane mustering 24 yards on 14 carries, contributing to just 83 rushing yards in the contest. Further, the Dolphins' defense let Aaron Rodgers put together his best performance of the past few years, underscoring the same concerns that pop up every other week.

Foolishly, the Dolphins think they still have a shot at a playoff berth. But it won't be long before they again fall flat on their collective faces.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

5 NFL Teams That Should be Worried After Week 14

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos