We’ve made it to Week 14 of the NFL Season, which features some matchups that will have a big impact on the playoff race. With four teams on a bye, and a big matchup Thursday and Monday, that leaves 12 games on the Sunday slate. Below are the five I’m most excited to see.

Early Games:

Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) at Buffalo Bills (8-4)
About: It’s always fun to see Joe Burrow and Josh Allen clash. But this one actually has some playoff repercussions. Burrow came back to see if he could lead the Bengals on an epic run to get to 9-8. To do that, they need a win in Buffalo. The Bills, meanwhile, need to keep winning if they want to remain in the playoff race, especially if they want a chance at the AFC East. They are 2.5 games back of the Patriots with only five games left, so the pressure is on.

Indianapolis Colts (8-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4)
About: The race in the AFC South is tight. Three teams sit with seven or more wins. The Colts were once the top of the heap in the AFC, now they aren’t even atop their division. The Jaguars snuck up and took the top spot back last week. To keep it, they need to beat the Colts at home. These matchups are always fun, so this should be a good one.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) at Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
About: Despite the records and the mediocre play from these teams, this is for first place. The team that wins moves into first by a game and also holds the tiebreaker—for now. This is the first of two matchups down the stretch. These are always tough games, and this one figures to be more of the same. Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson have struggled of late, but this is their chance to get back on track.

Late Games:

Chicago Bears (9-3) at Green Bay Packers (8-3-1)
About: This is another battle for first place in the division. It’s also the first of two matchups between these teams this season. The Bears enter the game atop the NFC North, and as the No. 1 seed in the NFC in general. The Packers, meanwhile, are starting to get back on track. A win here will put them back on top in the division and within sight of the top seed in the NFC. The Bears, meanwhile, need a win to keep this Cinderella run going.

Sunday Night Football:

Houston Texans (7-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-6)
About: In year’s past, this was a matchup of division leaders. Now, it’s a matchup of two teams clinging to their 2025 playoff hopes. The Texans have won four games straight to get back in the race. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are already at six losses, four games back in their own division and sitting at No. 10 in the AFC. It’s desperation time for both teams.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.