Everything you need to know as kickoff approaches...
Key game-time decisions
All players questionable unless noted
Ben Roethlisberger (concussion) QB -- PROBABLE; Heath Miller (rib) TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben was listed as a full participant all week and is expected to play. Miller sat out Friday.
Danny Amendola (knee) WR; Jamie Collins (illness) LB; Dont'a Hightower (knee) LB; Patrick Chung (foot) S; Justin Coleman (hand) CB; Dominique Easley (ankle) DT; Michael Williams (knee) TE, New England Patriots
Amendola appears on target to return. With Rob Gronkowski (knee) out, Tom Brady needs the wideout back. Jamie Collins could return after missing four games. Hightower wore a brace at practice and was limited all week. UPDATE: Amendola is expected to play, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
Tyler Eifert (neck) TE -- DOUBTFUL, Cincinnati Bengals
Andy Dalton is likely to play without his best red zone target. Eifert has an NFL leading 12 TDs on the season, but left last week's win with a stinger. UPDATE: Eifert is not playing, according to Rapoport.
Devonta Freeman (concussion) RB -- PROBABLE, Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons should get their workhorse back as they try to snap a four-game skid.
Michael Floyd (hamstring) WR, Arizona Cardinals
Floyd was limited all week. John Brown is probable with his lingering hamstring issue. Andre Ellington (toe) was officially ruled out. UPDATE: Floyd will play, according to Rapoport.
Charcandrick West (hamstring) RB; Spencer Ware (hamstring) RB --BOTH PROBABLE -- Kansas City Chiefs
We're looking at a timeshare in the Chiefs' backfield. Justin Houston (knee) is OUT.
Anthony Barr (hand/groin) LB; Harrison Smith (knee) S, Minnesota Vikings
Both expect to play against Seattle. With Linval Joseph already ruled out, getting the two defenders back is key as the Vikes try to stay atop the NFC North.
Case Keenum (concussion) QB; Robert Quinn (Back) DE -- DOUBTFUL, St. Louis Rams
Keenum will back up Nick Foles if he clears protocol. Quinn is likely to miss another contest after sitting out all week. UPDATE: Keenum is officially active for Sunday's game.
Mike Pouncey (foot) C; Kenny Stills (ankle) WR, Miami Dolphins
Poucey was limited Thursday and Friday. Stills sat out Friday. With Rishard Matthews (ribs) out, Stills' status becomes more important to monitor. UPDATE: Stills is not likely to play, according to Rapoport.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (shoulder) TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After weeks of negativity, we finally have a sliver of hope for ASJ's return. UPDATE: ASJ is expected to play, according to Rapoport. UPDATE: Seferian-Jenkins is listed as active.
Terron Armstead (knee) T; Jahri Evans (ankle) G, New Orleans Saints
As if the prospects of blocking the beastly Panthers' defensive front weren't tough enough.
Leon Hall (back) CB; George Iloka (groin) S; Adam Jones (foot) CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Perhaps Austin Davis could be facing a depleted Bengals secondary Sunday in his first start for the Browns.
Jason Peters (back, ankle) T, Philadelphia Eagles
The vet was full-go all week after exiting the team's Thanksgiving game early.
Eddie Royal (knee) WR; Zach Miller (ribs) TE; Antrel Rolle (knee) S, Chicago Bears
Royal hasn't played in weeks and was DNP all week, but received a questionable designation. Miller, a key piece to the Bears' offense recently, was limited Thursday and Friday. UPDATE: Miller is expected to play, according to Rapoport.
Khaled Holmes (fibula) C, Indianapolis Colts
Offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo (knee) and guard Hugh Thornton (elbow) were already ruled out. A 40-year-old Matt Hasselbeck better get that ball out quick Sunday.
Weather Tracking*
We will update as prognostications drift closer to game time.
Three matchups that intrigue
Russell Wilson vs. Mike Zimmer's D
Wilson has been lights out lately. In his last two games, the Seattle quarterback is averaging a 76.3 completion percentage and 302.5 yards passing, along with eight touchdowns to zero interceptions and a 148.0 passer rating in that span. Last week he destroyed the Steelers from the pocket, disintegrating the belief he can only perform on the move. Mike Zimmer will surely bring pressure, especially with his linebackers up the gut to try and disrupt Wilson while keeping contain on the outside (Linval Joseph being ruled out is a big blow for the Vikings). Minnesota's secondary, led by Xavier Rhodes, can run with the Seattle receivers -- safety Harrison Smith (questionable) returning would be a big boost -- aiding the pass rush. The Vikings must pressure and corral Wilson or suffer the same fate Pittsburgh did last week.
When Ben Roethlisberger is in the lineup this season, Brown is averaging 136.7 yards per game. Big Ben is probable to play. The All-Pro is a matchup nightmare for any cornerback -- ask the Colts about 2014 when he went off for 133 yards and two scores. Davis isn't having nearly as a good a season as 2014 and has been burned at times. If he lets Brown get loose, it could be a long day for the Colts secondary. Brown already set Steelers records for receptions (85) and yards (1,192) through 11 games (since 1960). If the Colts are forced to give help on Brown, the Steelers have plenty of other explosive weapons that can burn them.
The rookies won't match up on every snap, but when they are, we could be in for some fireworks. Two of the top first-year players in the NFL have provided a string of explosive plays. Cooper already earned four 100-yard games -- all other rookies have combined for five. His run-after-the-catch ability makes him dangerous on every snap and could be a problem for the Chiefs' secondary. Peters has made his share of splash plays this season. The corner has four interceptions on the season (tied for sixth-most in the NFL) to go along with 16 passes defensed. Sunday could be the first of many, many matchups we get to witness throughout their Pro Bowl careers.
Did You Know?
Since 1990, teams that start 7-5 have made the playoffs 52.7 percent of the time. Teams that start 6-6 have made the playoffs 29.2 percent of the time.
Through Week 12, there are 28 teams within two games of a playoff spot (87.5 percent). It's the most teams (and highest percentage) within two games of a playoff spot through Week 12 since the playoffs expanded in 1990.
Through 12 weeks, there have been 2,506 accepted penalties this season -- second-most through 12 weeks since 1970 (2005; 2,632).
CLINCHING SCENARIOS
AFC
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (vs Philadelphia)
Clinch AFC East with win + NYJ loss
Clinch playoff berth with win + PIT loss
Clinch playoff berth with win + KC loss
CINCINNATI BENGALS (at Cleveland)
Clinch playoff berth with win + HOU, IND & NYJ losses
Clinch playoff berth with win + DEN win + HOU, IND & KC losses
NFC
CAROLINA PANTHERS (at New Orleans)
Clinch NFC South with win OR ATL loss
Clinch playoff berth with SEA loss
Clinch playoff berth with ARI & GB losses
Divisions by Winning Percentage
NFC South 26-18 .591
AFC East 25-19 .568
NFC North 24-20 .545
AFC West 23-21 .523
NFC West 22-22 .500
AFC North 21-23 .477
AFC South 18-26 .409
NFC East 17-27 .386
The NFC is 26-24 versus the AFC head-to-head this season.
Brian Hoyer: 61.4 completion percentage, 238.6, 15 TD, 5 INT, 94.4 passer rating. 4-2 as starter. Twenty-two straight games with at least one completion of at least 25 yards (longest active streak in NFL). Last six games: 4-2 record, 63.5 completion percentage, 240.2 pass YPG, 12-4 TD-INT ratio, 96.7 passer rating.
The Texans are 4-0 since Arian Foster's tore Achilles tendon in Week 7 at Miami. Houston went 3-14 in the first 17 games Foster missed in his career.
Alfred Blue: 123 carries, 430 rushing yards (3.5 average), 2 rushing TD; 13 receptions, 102 receiving yards (7.8 average), 1 receiving TD. The Texans are the only team in NFL with four RBs that have 30-plus carries each this season (Blue, Arian Foster -- IR, Chris Polk, Jonathan Grimes).
DeAndre Hopkins: 81 receptions (143 targets), 1,081 yards (13.3 average), 9 TD -- second straight 1,000-yard season. First in the NFL in targets, T-1st in TD catches, 3rd in receiving yards, 4th in receptions.
Texans' defense:
First 7 games: 2-5 record; 28.4 points per game allowed; 370.9 total yards per game allowed
Last 4 games: 4-0 record; 8.8 points per game allowed; 250.5 total yards per game allowed
J.J. Watt leads the NFL with 13.5 sacks this season. The entire Bills defensive line has 10.0 sacks combined this season. The Bills' combined front seven has 13 sacks. The Bills' entire team has 16 sacks. Mario Williams, Marcell Dareus and Jerry Hughes each had at least 10 by themselves last season. This year, Williams and Hughes each have 3.0 and Dareus has 2.0.
The Bills rank fourth in run percentage in the NFL (47.3) and fifth in rushing yards per game (136.7), but rank just 28th in pass yards per game (210.4).
Tyrod Taylor: 66.0 completion percentage, 217.8 pass YPG, 14 TD, 4 INT, 101.8 passer rating; 56 carries, 290 rushing yards (5.2 average), 2 rush TD. Taylor has eight pass TDs of 20-plus air yards this season (most in NFL) -- four of the eight pass TDs have gone to Sammy Watkins. Bills are one of four teams without a 300-yard passer this season -- Jets, Rams, Buccaneers.
LeSean McCoy: 152 carries, 680 yards (4.5 average), 3 TD; 27 receptions, 249 yards (9.2 average), 2 TD -- 10,003 career scrimmage yards (in 98 games), sixth active RB with 10,000 scrimmage yards (F. Gore, A. Peterson, M. Forte, C. Johnson, M. Lynch).
Sammy Watkins: 31 receptions, 526 yards (17.0 average), 5 TD.
Bills' defensive ranks have regressed under Rex Ryan:
2014: 4th in PPG allowed; 4th in total YPG; 3rd in Pass YPG, 3rd in sacks
2015: T-15th In PPG allowed; 19th in total YPG; T-22nd in Pass YPG, T-29th in sacks.
The 49ers own the NFL's worst scoring differential this season (-119) and worst average margin of defeat this season (17.8 points).
San Francisco's offense ranks last in NFL in points per game (13.8), total YPG (295.5) and 10-plus yard plays (117). They also are ranked 31st in yards per play (5.0) and time of possession (26:47).
49ers offense has been slightly better with Blaine Gabbert starting than with Kaepernick under center.
Gabbert: 1-2 record, 15.0 PPG, 330.7 total YPG, 244.3 pass YPG, 86.3 rush YPG
Kaepernick: 2-6 record, 13.6 PPG, 282.3 total YPG, 181.1 pass YPG, 101.1 rush YPG
Gabbert: 65.3 completion percentage, 255.7 YPG, 4 TD, 3 INT, 91.0 passer rating -- all four TD passes this season have gone to TEs.
Shaun Draughn: 43 carries, 146 yards; 17 receptions, 113 yards.
Anquan Boldin: 44 receptions, 558 yards, 2 TD. Leads team in catches and yards -- 90-plus receiving yards in four of his last five games, 16 red-zone targets this season (T-5th in NFL).
San Francisco's defense has eight takeaways this season (31st in NFL). The Niners allow 6.1 receptions per game to opponents No. 1 wideouts this season (most in NFL) and allow a passer rating of 100.5 (29th) -- last season, ranked fourth in opponent passer rating (79.5).
Jay Cutler: 63.2 completion percentage, 251.0 YPG, 14 TD, 6 INT, 92.5 passer rating. Cutler is on pace for one of the best seasons of his career in passer rating, TD-INT ratio and INT percentage (1.8). Cutler does not have a game with more than one INT this season. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2007, Cutler has averaged at least four games with two-plus INTs in each season and has never made it through a full season without throwing multiple INTs in a game.
Matt Forte: 151 carries, 592 yards, 2 TD; 26 receptions, 228 yards, TD -- averaged fewer than 4.0 yards per carry in five of last six games. Scrimmage yards have declined in each of his last five games played. Week 4: 155, Week 5: 109, Week 6: 89, Week 8; 69, Week 12: 53.
Jeremy Langford: 90 receptions, 298 yards, 6 TD; 16 receptions, 232 yards, TD -- four straight games with rushing TD. The last Bears rookie with four straight games with at least one rushing TD was HOF RB Walter Payton in 1975 (Weeks 11-14).
Alshon Jeffery: 43 receptions, 605 yards, 2 TD. Averaging 100.8 YPG in six games played this season - 75-plus yards in five of six games this season.
The Bears defense has held opponents to fewer than 200 net pass yards in six of 11 games this season after holding opponents under 200 pass yards in three of 16 games last season. The Bears blitz on 17.5 percent of pass plays this season (second fewest in NFL). Only the Patriots at 16.6 percent blitz less on passing plays. Chicago allows 3.7 yards per play in red zone this season (31st in NFL).
Matchup to watch:Blaine Gabbert vs. Bears DBs
A.J. Green is 91 yards shy of his fifth straight 1,000-yard season to begin his career. The only player with a longer streak of 1,000-yard seasons to start his career is Randy Moss, who did so in each of his first six seasons from 1998-03.
Andy Dalton: 65.7 completion percentage, 270.1 YPG, 23 TD, 6 INT, 105.3 passer rating. On pace for career highs in completion percentages, pass YPG, TD-INT ratio and passer rating. Week 9 versus CLE: 21/27, 234 pass yards, 3 TD, 0 INT, 139.8 passer rating -- Completed 15 of last 17 passes in the game.
Andy Dalton has a passer rating of 130.0 this season when targeting Tyler Eifert, highest in the NFL of any player with at least 60 targets. Dalton has thrown 12 TD and 0 INT when targeting Eifert. Eifert, however, is doubtful to play with a stinger. In games without Eifert since 2013, Dalton is averaging 211.1 YPG with 20-21 TD-INT ratio and a 82.1 passer rating (10-5-1 record). In games with the TE: 269.8 pass YPG, 55-22 TD-INT, 96.8 passer rating (20-7 record).
Jeremy Hill: 140 carries, 490 rush yards (3.5 average), 7 TD. Only Isaiah Crowell (2.9) and Alfred Blue (3.5) are averaging fewer yards per carry than Hill (3.5) this season (minimum 100 carries).
Giovani Bernard: 115 carries, 581 rush yards, 2 TD; 36 receptions, 377 receiving yards. He's one of four players with 500-plus rush yards and 300-plus receiving yards this season, with the others being Devonta Freeman, Mark Ingram and Lamar Miller. Bernard is on pace for 1,393 scrimmage yards, which would be most by Bengals player since Chad Johnson had 1,487 in 2007.
Geno Atkins: 34 tackles, 8 sacks, 12 TFL, 15 QB Hits -- 2nd-most sacks in career (12.5 in 2012).
The Browns have not started the same quarterback in both matchups against the Bengals since Brandon Weeden did so in his rookie season of 2012, going 1-1. Johnny Manziel started at Cincinnati in Week 9.
Austin Davis bio: fourth season in NFL, 26 years old. Signed with Rams in 2012 as undrafted free agent out of Southern Miss. Last start: Week 10, 2014 for Rams. Career as a starter: W-L: 3-5 (all in 2014 with the Rams); completion percentage: 62.8; Pass YPG: 226.1; TD-INT: 12-8; Passer Rating 85.9. Week 12 versus BAL: 7/10 (70.0 completion percentage), 77 pass yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 125.8 passer rating.
Duke Johnson Jr: 70 carries, 216 rush yards (3.1 average), 0 TD; 44 receptions, 410 receiving yards, 2 TD.
Gary Barnidge: 55 receptions, 758 receiving yards, 7 TD.
Browns notable defensive ranks: 25th in pass YPG (265.2), 30th in total YPG (400.8), 31st in PPG (28.2) and rush YPG (135.6).
Matchup to watch:Jeremy Hill vs. Browns run D
In Week 12 at Cleveland, Will Hill returned a blocked FG for a TD as time expired to give the Ravens a 33-27 win. All four of the Ravens' wins this season have come on the final play of the game. They are the first team since at least 1983 to have their first four wins of a season each come on the final play of the game. Justin Tucker previously kicked GW FGs in OT at PIT and as time expired versus SD and STL.
Matt Schaub: 58.8 completion percentage, 232.0 YPG, 2 TD, 2 INT, 74.6 passer rating.
Javorius Allen: 76 carries, 304 yards, 0 TD; 17 receptions, 135 yards, TD -- 1 TD on 93 touches this season, 80-plus scrimmage yards in two straight games.
Kamar Aiken: 43 receptions, 536 yards, 4 TD -- Rec TD in 2 straight games, 50-plus receiving yards in four straight games, 8-plus targets in three straight games.
Ravens notable defensive ranks: eighth in rush YPG (258.6); 17th in total YPG (352.5); 24th in PPG (25.1) and pass YPG (258.6); 30th in takeaways (9) -- tied for last in NFL with four interceptions.
Miami has scored 20 points or fewer in five straight games. The Dolphins are 27th in scoring offense. They ranked 20th or worse in four of previous five seasons. Fired OC Bill Lazor on Monday (hired in 2014).
The Dolphins are averaging 150.3 rush YPG in their four wins this season while averaging 58.3 rush YPG in their seven losses. 27.7 conversion rate on 3rd down (31st in NFL, only behind STL).
Ryan Tannehill: 62.0 completion percentage, 271.9 YPG, 20 TD, 11 INT, 88.7 passer rating. On pace for 4,351 yards, 29 TD, 16 INT this season, which would set new career-highs in passing yards and TDs.
Lamar Miller: 119 carries, 567 yards, 5 TD; 38 receptions, 341 yards, 2 TD. Fewer than 45 rush yards in five straight games.
Jarvis Landry: 76 receptions, 816 yards, 4 TD. Week 12 at NYJ: Career-high 16 targets, 13 receptions, 165 receiving yards. 17 red-zone targets this season (T-most in NFL). 10 red-zone receptions this season (T-2nd in NFL).
The Miami defense has allowed 400-plus total yards in four of their last five games. 138.5 rush YPG allowed this season (last in NFL), 48 runs of 10-plus yards allowed this season (most in NFL). 22 sacks in last 7 games combined.
Ndamukong Suh: 4.0 sacks, 11 QB hits, 13 TFL, 43 tackles. On pace for fewest QB hits (16) since 2011, when he had nine. Worst-ranked total defense that Suh has been on in his career. 2015 Dolphins: 28th in total defense. Suh's previous worst: 23rd in 2011 (DET).
Matchup to watch: New Ryan Tannehill offense vs. Old Ryan Tannehill offense
The Seahawks' 373.8 total YPG would be second-most in franchise history -- averaged 375.8 total YPG last season.
Seahawks notable offensive ranks: second in rushing YPG (144.2); eighth in PPG (24.3) and total YPG (373.8); 22nd in pass YPG (229.6).
Seattle earned 100-plus rushing yards in every game this season -- one of two teams in NFL to do so (CAR). 22 straight games with 100+ rush yards -- tied w/ CAR for longest active streak. Their next 100-yard game ties them with 1975-76 Colts and 1977-78 Oilers for eighth-most since 1970.
Russell Wilson: 67.7 completion percentage, 247.5 YPG, 18 TD, 7 INT, 102.9 passer rating. Ranks fourth in NFL in passer rating. On pace for highest passer rating of career. Wilson leads the NFL in comp pct, yards/attempt and passer rating on 10-plus air yard passes this season.
Thomas Rawls: 122 carries, 685 yards, 3 TD; 6 rec, 54 yards, TD -- ranks 10th in the NFL in rushing.
Doug Baldwin: 50 receptions, 684 yards, 6 TD. Leads team in all three categories. 100-plus receiving yards in two of last three games.
The Seahawks have allowed 39 passes of 20-plus yards this season (T-21st in NFL). In the entire 2014 season, the Legion of Boom allowed only 32 passes of 20-plus yards (fewest in NFL). Seattle has also allowed six TD passes of 20-plus yards this season, after giving up only four all of last season.
The Seahawks defense has not allowed a 100-yard rusher this season after allowing two a season ago. Adrian Peterson has 100-plus yards in four of his last five games on the ground.
Vikings notable offensive ranks: 1st in rush YPG (146.4); 24th in PPG (21.0); 28th in total YPG (333.2); 31st in pass YPG (186.8).
Teddy Bridgewater: 65.2 completion percentage, 207.3 YPG, 8 TD, 7 INT, 85.4 passer rating - Bridgewater has one or fewer TD passes in 10 of 11 games this season. Bridgewater has been hit 61 times this year (T-10th most). Bridgewater has the third-fewest pass YPG this season (207.3 YPG) -- only Colin Kaepernick (179.4) and Nick Foles (190.4) have fewer.
Adrian Peterson: 237 carries, 1,164 yards, 4.9 yards/carry, 8 TD. Leads NFL in carries and rushing yards, which would be his third career rushing title. Peterson has 99 career total touchdowns. Only 22 players in NFL history have 100 career total touchdowns. Peterson has at least one rush TD in four straight games.
Kyle Rudolph: 36 rec, 341 yards, 4 TD -- second on the team in receptions and rec yards, leads team in receiving TDs. Rudolph has earned 6.5 receptions per game, 79.5 receiving YPG over last two games -- 2.3 receptions per game, 20.2 rec YPG in first nine games.
Vikings have held 10 of 12 opponents to 20 points or fewer this season. The Seahawks are averaging 33.3 PPG in their last three games. The Vikings have not allowed more than two TD passes in a single game - Russell Wilson has 10 pass TD in his last two games. Minnesota has allowed a passer rating of 86.2 (14th in NFL) Wilson has a passer rating of 102.9 (fourth-best in NFL). The Vikings have not allowed 300 passing yards to a team this season - one of three teams to do (DEN and WAS are the others).
Matchup to watch:Adrian Peterson vs. Seahawks front seven
Ryan Fitzpatrick: 58.5 completion percentage, 225.1 pass YPG, 20 TD, 11 INT, 85.4 passer rating -- four TD passes shy of his career-high, which he did twice (2011 and 2012). The Jets are 0-3 this season when Fitzpatrick throws multiple INTs and 6-2 when Fitzpatrick does not throw multiple INTs.
Chris Ivory: 185 carries, 766 yards, 7 TD; 19 receptions, 180 yards, TD. Career-high in total TD, 67 rush yards shy of tying career-high set in 2013 (833).
Brandon Marshall: 71 rec, 931 yards, 9 TD -- 8th in NFL in receptions, T-6th in rec yards, T-2nd in rec TD. Most rec TD by a Jets WR since Santana Moss in 2003 (10).
Eric Decker: 51 rec, 700 yards, 8 TD -- T-6th most rec TD in the NFL this season.
Jets notable defensive ranks: first in rush YPG (84.4); 3rd in total YPG (323.9) and takeaways (22); ninth in PPG allowed (20.7); T-11th in pass YPG (239.5).
Eli Manning: 63.0 completion percentage, 274.6 YPG, 23 TD, 9 INT, 92.5 passer rating.
Eli Manning threw three INTs last week at Washington. This will be the 20th time Eli has played coming off a three-plus INT game, and he has rebounded well historically. In the prior 19 such games, Manning is 13-6 with 25 TD and 18 INT.
Odell Beckham Jr. has four straight 100-yard games, and has gone over the century mark in 13 of his 23 career games. He has gained 100-plus yards in 56.5 percent of his career games, by far the best percentage in NFL history. Next on the list is Julio Jones (41.7 percent), followed by Demaryius Thomas (35.0) and Calvin Johnson (34.6).
Beckham needs just six receptions to give him the most for any player through two seasons in NFL history. Beckham currently has 163 career receptions. Marques Colston currently holds the record, with 168 receptions through two seasons.
Giants Offensive Line Injuries:
OG Geoff Schwartz: fractured leg in Week 12 (out for season)
OT Justin Pugh: questionable for Week 13 (concussion)
C Weston Richburg: questionable for Week 13 (ankle)
OT Will Beatty: tore pectoral muscle this offseason.
Giants notable defensive ranks: 32nd in pass YPG (309.2) and total YPG (419.6); 22nd in PPG (24.8); 19th in rush YPG (110.5).
Jason Pierre-Paul: 6 tackles, 3 QB hits, 1 pass defensed -- 0 sacks this season (Giants are T-fewest sacks this season).
Matchup to watch:Brandon Marshall vs. Giants secondary
Since Bruce Arians and Carson Palmer arrived in 2013, the Cardinals are 8-8 (.500) against the NFC West and 22-5 (.815) against all other teams. The Cardinals are scoring more points against non-division opponents (25.6 vs 22.0), and have a significantly better turnover differential in non-divisional games (-7 versus NFC West opponents, +16 against the other 28 NFL teams).
The Cardinals are the only team ranked in the top 5 in total offense and total defense this season. ARI offense: 1st in total YPG (410.0); ARI defense: 5th in total YPG allowed (326.4).
Arizona's offense ranks first in the NFL in points per game (32.3), total YPG (410.0), pass yards per play (8.49), third-down conversions (46.6) and first downs per game (23.5).
Carson Palmer: 63.8 completion percentage, 303.4 YPG, 27 TD, 9 INT, 105.9 passer rating. Palmer's career-high for TD passes is 32, which he set back in 2005. He has 300-plus passing yards in seven of 10 games this season (Palmer's most in a season). Since 1960, the Cardinals record for 300-yard games in a season is seven -- Kurt Warner: Seven 300-yard games in 2008; Neil Lomax: Seven 300-yard games in 1984.
David Johnson: 35 rush, 139 yards, 4 TD; 19 receptions, 241 yards, 3 TD. He's scored a TD on one of every 7.7 offensive touches this season -- best in the NFL among RB with 20-plus offensive touches.
Larry Fitzgerald: 83 receptions, 992 yards, 7 TD. He needs eight receiving yards for first 1,000-yard season since 2011.
Cardinals notable defensive ranks: fourth in rush YPG allowed (91.1); fifth in total YPG 326.4); seventh in third-down conversions (34.3 percent); 10th in PPG (20.8) and pass YPG (235.3).
Tyrann Mathieu: 70 tackles, 4 INT (1 for TD), 1.0 sack, forced fumble -- four games versus NFC West: 30 tackles, 4 INT, forced fumble. Week 4 versus STL is the only division game for him this season without an INT.
Patrick Peterson: Allowing lowest opposing passer rating in NFL this season (32.1) -- 46 targets, 19 receptions, 271 yards, TD, 4 INT (Peterson himself has 2 of the 4 INT).
Rams notable offensive ranks: 32nd in pass YPG (180.9); 31st in PPG (16.9) and total YPG (304.0); seventh in rush YPG (123.1). Scored fewer than 20 points in each of last four games. Scored 10 or fewer points four times this season -- tied with Cleveland, Tennessee and San Francisco for fewest in NFL.
Todd Gurley has been held to fewer than 100 yards in each of his last 4 games: Week 9: 89 yards; Week 10: 45 yards; Week 11 66 yards; Week 12: 19 yards. Does not have a 10-plus yard run in any of last three games. Had 18 10-plus yard runs in prior five games.
Nick Foles has thrown just one TD pass in last five -- 178 attempts.
Tavon Austin: 37 receptions, 343 yards, 4 TD (4 rec TD ties his career-high). Leads team with 37 receptions (69th in NFL). Added 33 rush, 304 yards (9.2 avg.), 3 TD -- three rushing TD is a new career-high.
Rams notable defensive ranks: 8th in pass YPG; T-11th in PPG (20.9); 13th in total YPG (341.0); 21st in rush YPG (111.0).
Jeff Fisher is 24-34-1 (.415) as Rams head coach -- 166-154-1 (.519) in career. He has not had a winning season since going 13-3 in 2008 with TEN -- Won AFC South. Fisher has not won playoff game since 2003 (Steve McNair at quarterback), when Todd Gurley was nine years old.
Matchup to watch:Rams DBs vs. John Brown et al.
The Atlanta offense has stalled since starting 5-0 this season:
First 5 games: 5-0 record; 32.4 PPG; 280.2 pass YPG; 126.0 rush YPG; 51.3 3rd down percent; 5 giveaways.
Last 6 games: 1-5 record; 16.3 PPG; 279.8 pass YPG; 101.8 rush YPG; 40.0 3rd down percent; 16 giveaways.
Matt Ryan: 65.9 completion percentage, 292.0 pass YPG, 16 TD, 12 INT, 88.6 passer rating -- T-2nd in NFL in giveaways (15). 88.6 passer rating would be Ryan's worst since 2009 (80.9).
Devonta Freeman: 167 carries, 764 rush yards, 9 TD - Missed Week 12 versus MIN with a concussion.
Julio Jones: 94 receptions, 1,245 rec yards, 6 TD. Leads NFL in receptions and yards.
Falcons notable defensive ranks: 10th in rush YPG allowed (96.8); 11th in total YPG (338.4); T-13th in PPG (21.3); 15th in pass YPG (241.5); 27th in third-down percentage (42.9).
Tampa is the only team with a top 4 rushing offense this season that does not currently have a winning record -- MIN (1), SEA (2), CAR (4).
Jameis Winston: 58.0 completion percentage, 240.9 pass YPG, 16 TD, 10 INT, 85.3 passer rating; 37 carries, 145 yards, 4 rush TD (leads team). Over his last four games, Winston has completed just 17.4 percent of 20-plus air yard passes with a passer rating of 16.2.
Doug Martin: 202 carries, 1,038 yards (5.1 yards/carry), 3 rush TD -- 126 yards behind Adrian Peterson for most rushing yards in NFL this season. No TB player has ever led the league in rushing yards. Ranks first in the NFL in 20-plus yard rushes (11) and second in 10-plus yard rushes (25).
Mike Evans: 49 receptions, 789 yards, 2 TDs. Since Week 7, Evans has accounted for 35.7 percent of his team's targets and 41.7 percent of his team's receiving yards - Both are highest in NFL. Tied for most drops in NFL this season (8) with Amari Cooper, Julian Edelman and Leonard Hankerson.
Bucs notable defensive ranks: 12th in total YPG allowed (338.8) and rush YPG (97.5); 14th in Pass YPG (241.4); 25th in PPG (25.4); 29th in third-down percentage (43.4).
Matchup to watch:Julio Jones vs. Tampa secondary
Blake Bortles leads the NFL with 50 completions of 20-plus yards. Allen Robinson leads the NFL with 21 catches of 20-plus yards.
Bortles: 57.0 completion percentage, 268.4 YPG, 22 TD, 13 INT, 82.3 passer rating. At least one TD pass in all 11 games this season. Bortles is only one pass TD shy of tying the Jaguars single-season record -- David Garrard, 23 passing TDs in 2010.
T.J. Yeldon: 60-plus scrimmage yards in seven straight games, but 70 rush yards or less in 8 of 10 games this season.
JAX has one rush TD this season (fewest in NFL).
Robinson: 55 receptions, 927 yards, 8 TD; 50-plus receiving yards in 10 straight games. Robinson has 12 receptions of 20-plus air yards this season (most in NFL)
Julius Thomas: 29 rec, 283 yards, 3 TD. Receiving TD in two straight games.
Jags notable defensive ranks: 1st in yards per carry allowed (3.34); 6th in rush YPG (93.3); 20th in total YPG 358.5; 29th in PPG (27.2).
Tennessee's offense has at least one giveaway in every game this season (only team in NFL) -- 22 giveaways this season is tied for the most in the NFL. Ranks 30th in total YPG (314.5) and points per game (314.5), 25th in rush yards per game (93.2) and 26th in pass YPG (221.3).
Marcus Mariota: 62.8 completion percentage, 249.3 YPG, 16 TD, 8 INT, 92.8 passer rating. Over the past three games, Mariota has tossed for just 211.3 yards per game with a 3-3 TD-INT ratio and a 74.7 passer rating.
Delanie Walker: Leads team in receptions (59) and yards (708). 50-plus receiving yards in each of last seven games -- season-high 109 yards Week 11 at JAX.
Titans notable defensive ranks: 6th in pass YPG (224.1); 7th in total YPG allowed (331.8); T-15th in PPG (23.4); 17th in rush YPG (107.7).
Matchup to watch:Titans pass rush vs. Jags O-line
Alex Smith: 63.8 completion percentage, 243.7 YPG, 12 TD, 3 INT, 94.6 passer rating - 0 INT in last 8 games. 283 consecutive pass attempts since last INT; fourth-longest streak in NFL history.
Smith has a passer rating of 122.0 when throwing 15-plus air yard passes this season (2nd in NFL among QBs with at least 50 such attempts -- Derek Carr, 132.9). 16.7 percent of Smith's pass attempts (59 of 354) have gone for 15-plus air yards this season (4th-fewest in NFL). 27 completions of 25-plus yards this season (T-2nd in NFL) -- Derek Carr has 25 comp of 25-plus yards (T-6th).
Charcandrick West: 98 carries, 373 yards, 3 TD; 14 receptions, 199 yards, TD -- Left game in Week 11 with hamstring injury in 3rd quarter, did not play Week 12.
Spencer Ware: 36 carries, 234 yards, 4 TD -- 100-plus scrimmage yards in each of last 2 games. Averaging 7.0 yards per carry in last 2 weeks (30 for 210 yards).
Jeremy Maclin: 57 receptions, 772 yards, 3 TD. Leads team in receptions and yards.
Kansas City's defense has two-plus takeaways in six straight games (Longest active streak in NFL). Chiefs have allowed one total rush TD in last nine games.
Chiefs notable defensive ranks: 7th in PPG allowed (20.0); 9th in rush YPG (95.9); 10th in total YPG (335.4); 11th in pass YPG (239.5).
Oakland's offense has scored 31 touchdowns this season. Oakland scored 28 touchdowns in the entire 2014 season. Their 14 sacks allowed this season are T-fewest in the NFL.
Oakland ranks fourth in the NFL with a 44.8 percent conversion rate on third down. The Chiefs allow 32.9 opponent conversion rate on third down (third in NFL).
Derek Carr: 63.5 completion percentage, 263.2 YPG, 24 TDs, 6 INT, 101.5 passer rating. Has six 300-yard passing games this season (one all of last season) -- T-3rd most in the NFL (behind only Carson Palmer, Philip Rivers). Five games with three-plus pass TDs this season.
Latavius Murray: 179 carries, 765 yards, 4 TD; 27 receptions, 156 yards -- 1 TD in last five games (three in first six).
Amari Cooper: 58 receptions, 851 yards, 4 TD. Four 100-yard receiving games this season -- All other rookies have combined for five 100-rec yard games. His four 100-yard games breaks a Raiders rookie record of three set by Denarius Moore in 2011.
Seth Roberts: 21 receptions, 352 yards, 4 TD -- 2 TD in Week 12. Spent 2014 season on Raiders practice squad (undrafted out of West Alabama).
Raiders notable defensive ranks: 18th in rush YPG allowed (108.3); 26th in PPG (25.5); 27th in total YPG (391.0); 29th in pass YPG (282.7).
Khalil Mack: 45 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 11 QB hits, 13 tackles for loss. First Raider with at least 7.0 sacks since Tommy Kelly (7.5) in 2011.
David Amerson: 39 tackles, 2 INT, 18 passes defensed. Set Raiders record with six passes defensed in Week 12.
Matchup to watch: Amare Cooper vs. Marcus Peters
The Brock effect:
In Brock Osweiler's two starts the Broncos are averaging 23.5 points per game and a +2 turnover differential.
After running 83.7 percent of their plays out of the shotgun in Peyton Manning's nine games, the Broncos have run 66.9 percent of their plays from under center (33.1 percent out of shotgun) with Osweiler.
Denver is averaging almost 80 more total yards per game with Osweiler under center. A rush offense that had been held to just 86 yards per game with Manning has more than doubled in production to 174.5 yards per game with Osweiler.
With Osweiler at the helm over the past two weeks, the Broncos have the 4th ranked total offense in the NFL (411.0 YPG). In the first 10 weeks with Peyton Manning at QB, the Broncos ranked 28th in total offense (331.7 YPG).
Osweiler: 61.3 completion percentage, 222.0 pass YPG, 4 TD, 2 INT, 88.4 passer rating.
C.J. Anderson: 117 carries, 496 yards, 3 TD. Anderson's 2014 hot streak began in Week 12, 2014: Averaged 22.3 rush YPG in Weeks 1-11, 108.0 YPG in Weeks 12-17. Anderson in Week 12 2015 versus NE: 15 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD -- Second 100-yard rushing game this season.
Demaryius Thomas: 72 receptions, 911 yards, 2 TD. Responsible for NFL's 3rd-worst passer rating among all players targeted at least 60 times this season (62.9). Thomas is averaging only 2.0 receptions per game since Osweiler took over as the starter, despite being targeted an average of 10.5 times.
Emmanuel Sanders: 52 receptions, 752 yards, 4 TDs. Week 12 versus NE: 6 receptions, 113 yards -- first game paired with Brock Osweiler starting (missed Week 11).
Broncos' notable defensive ranks: 1st in total YPG allowed (285.8) and pass YPG (197.1); T-2nd in rush YPG (88.7); 4th in PPG (18.8) and third down percentage (33.1). Lead NFL with 37 sacks this season. Held opponents below 30 points in every game this season -- one of two teams in the NFL (DEN, CAR).
Chargers' notable offensive ranks: 2nd in pass YPG (308.7); 6th in total YPG (390.5); 30th in rush YPG (81.7). No rushing TD since Week 1.
Philip Rivers: 68.5 completion percentage, 319.2 YPG, 23 TD, 8 INT, 100.1 passer rating. Leads NFL with 463 pass attempts and 317 completions this season, 2nd in NFL with 3,511 passing yards this season (Brady, 3,600).
Melvin Gordon: 143 carries, 510 yards (3.6 average), 0 TD; 27 receptions, 150 yards, 0 TD -- 0 TDs on 170 touches this season (most in NFL without a TD).
Antonio Gates: 33 receptions, 371 receiving yards, 4 TD -- 9 TDs away from breaking all-time record for TE.
San Diego's notable defensive ranks: 31st in yards per play allowed (6.32); 30th in PPG (27.9); 26th in rush YPG (123.7); 24th in total YPG (377.6); T-22nd in pass YPG (253.9).
Matchup to watch:C.J. Anderson vs. Chargers' defensive front
Not only have the Eagles lost three straight games, but they have scored less than 20 points in all three of those contests. The last time a team with Chip Kelly on the sidelines scored less than 20 points in three straight games was 1993 -- when Kelly was the defensive coordinator for the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays.
Philadelphia's notable offensive ranks: 20th in PPG (22.1); 16th in pass YPG (247.0); 13th in rush YPG (114.5); 12th in total YPG (361.5).
Sam Bradford (probable to play): 63.9 completion percentage, 255.2 YPG, 11 TD, 10 INT, 82.4 passer rating. With Bradford as the starter the Eagles are 4-5, with 255.2 pass yards per game, 11-10 TD-INT ratio and an 82.4 passer rating. With Mark Sanchez as the starter the Eagles are 0-2 with 230 pass YPG, 4-3 TD-INT ratio and 86.6 passer rating.
DeMarco Murray: 155 rush, 545 yards, 4 TD; 39 receptions, 295 yards, 1 TD (2nd-most receptions on the team).
Jordan Matthews - Season: 58 receptions, 625 yards, 3 TD.
Eagles notable defensive ranks: 20th in pass YPG allowed (252.8); 23rd in PPG (24.9); 25th in total YPG (379.5); T-27th in rush YPG (126.6).
The Eagles have allowed 45 points in each of their last two games against the Buccaneers and Lions. No team since the merger has allowed 45-plus points in three straight games. The Patriots have the NFL's second-ranked scoring offense, putting up 31.5 PPG.
The Patriots are missing a significant portion of their offensive contributors due to injury. Rob Gronkowski (out), Julian Edelman (out), Danny Amendola (questionable) and Dion Lewis (IR) account for over 70 percent of the Patriots receiving yards this season.
The Patriots have played 15 games without Rob Gronkowski since he was drafted in 2010. They are 11-4 (.733) without him and 62-14 with him (.816). They score an average of 32.2 PPG with Gronk in the lineup, a number that drops to 26.7 when he is out.
Tom Brady: 65.2 completion percentage, 327.3 YPG, 28 TD, 4 INT, 106.7 passer rating. With his 3 TD passes in Week 12, Brady matched Dan Marino for the 3rd-most TD throws in NFL history.
LeGarrette Blount: 142 carries, 596 yards, 6 TD -- fewer than 3.6 yards per carry in each of the last three games.
Patriots' notable defensive ranks: 5th in PPG allowed (19.3); 11th in rush YPG (97.0); 16th in total YPG (349.6); 19th in pass YPG (252.6). New England has 35 sacks this season (2nd in NFL behind DEN, 37).
The Panthers' defense has allowed 300-plus pass yards in two of 11 games this season. Drew Brees is averaging 320.0 passing YPG this season.
The Saints defense is allowing 30.8 PPG this season (worst in NFL). Carolina's offense is scoring 30.2 PPG this season (3rd-most in NFL).
Cam Newton: 57.2 completion percentage, 224.2 YPG, 20 TD, 9 INT, 89.5 passer rating; 98 carries, 427 yards, 7 rush TD. Newton is the 1st player in NFL history with 100 pass TDs and 25 rush TDs in his first five NFL seasons. Cam has three straight games without an INT -- Newton has not had four straight games without an INT since 2012. Only Devonta Freeman (9) and Adrian Peterson (8) have more rush TDs than Newton this season (7).
Jonathan Stewart: 211 carries, 832 rush yards (3rd in NFL), 4 TD - 832 rush yards this season. Surpassed his 809-rush yard total from 2014. On pace for 1,210 rush yards (would be a career-high).
The Panthers are the only team with more rush plays (342) than pass plays (326) this season -- running the ball on 51.2 percent of plays (most in NFL).
Greg Olsen: 92 targets, 53 receptions, 788 yards, 6 TD. His 788 yards is 2nd among TEs this season (Rob Gronkowski -- 931 yards).
The Panthers lead the NFL with 28 takeaways this season. Notable defensive ranks: 2nd in total YPG allowed (312.5); T-2nd in rush YPG (88.7); 3rd in PPG (18.6); 5th in pass YPG (223.8). Carolina has not allowed 30+ points in any game this season.
Luke Kuechly: 75 tackles, 3 INT, 1 INT return for TD (49-yard), 2 passes defensed 177. His 10 INTs since entering NFL in 2012 are most by a LB.
The Saints rank 3rd in total YPG (401.2), but only 13th in PPG this season (23.7).
Drew Brees: 68.1 completion percentage, 320.0 pass YPG, 20 TD, 10 INT, 97.1 passer rating.
Mark Ingram: 154 carries, 713 yards, 5 TD; 46 receptions, 382 yards -- 99.5 scrimmage YPG this season (8th in NFL) and 95-plus scrimmage yards in five straight games.
Ben Watson: 50 receptions, 604 yards, 3 TD.
Matchup to watch:Josh Norman vs. Brandin Cooks
Matt Hasselbeck and Ben Roethlisberger were the opposing QBs in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, with Roethlisberger's Steelers topping Hasselbeck's Seahawks 21- 10. It would be Roethlisberger's first Super Bowl title, and Hasselbeck's only Super Bowl appearance. Four Steelers remain from that 2005 team: Roethlisberger, TE Heath Miller, LB James Harrison, and LS Greg Warren.
One area where Matt Hasselbeck has upgraded the Colts over Andrew Luck this season is on play action passes. Hasselbeck has the NFL's best passer rating on play action throws this season (138.3), while Luck has the NFL's worst passer rating on play action throws (67.2). This runs counterintuitive to the fact that the Colts are averaging 105.9 rushing YPG with Luck starting, and only 67.8 rushing YPG with Hasselbeck starting.
With a victory, Matt Hasselbeck will become the only QB in NFL history to win five straight starts in a single season at age 40-or-older.
Hasselbeck: 64.7 completion percentage, 255.8 YPG, 7 TD, 2 INT, 94.4 passer rating. 100-plus passer rating in two of his last three games.
Frank Gore: 181 carries, 657 rush yards, 4 TD. On pace for 263 carries, 956 yards, 6 TD this season, which would be first sub-1,000 yard rushing season since 2010. Does not have a 100-yard game this season -- furthest into a season Gore has gone without a 100-yard rushing game since his rookie year (2005).
T.Y. Hilton: 51 receptions, 819 receiving yards, 5 TD.
Colts' notable defensive ranks: 17th in PPG allowed (23.6); 24th in rush YPG (115.1); 26th in total YPG (387.9); 27th in pass YPG (272.8).
The Steelers have scored 30-plus points in three straight games, matching their longest streak in franchise history. In their entire 81-year existence (since 1933), they have never scored 30-plus points in four straight games within a season. They have also gained 450-plus yards in each of their last three contests, their longest streak since at least 1950 (as far back as we can check).
The Steelers are the first team in NFL history to have three different receivers gain 175-plus receiving yards in at least one game within the same season. Antonio Brown (195 yards in Week 2 vs 49ers & 284 yards in Week 9 vs Raiders), Martavis Bryant (178 yards in Week 10 vs Browns), and Markus Wheaton (201 yards in Week 12 at Seahawks).
Ben Roethlisberger is averaging 334.7 passing yards per game this season. That would be the third-highest mark for any complete season in NFL history, behind only Peyton Manning's 2013 and Drew Brees's 2011 seasons (both averaged 342.3 YPG).
Roethlisberger has 13 completions that have traveled at least 30 yards in the air season. It's the highest such total in the NFL, despite the fact that Roethlisberger has only played in 7 of 11 games.
DeAngelo Williams: 115 carries, 563 rushing yards, 6 rush TD.
Antonio Brown: 85 receptions, 1,192 receiving yards, 5 TD. Most receptions and receiving yards by any PIT player through 11 games since 1960. Six 100-yard games this season, tied for most in NFL with Julio Jones, Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall.
Pittsburgh's notable defensive ranks: 7th in rush YPG (93.6); T-11th in PPG (20.9); 23rd in total YPG (377.3); 30th in pass YPG (283.6). Allowed 300-plus passing yards in each of the last three games.
Matchup to watch:T.Y. Hilton vs. Steelers CBs
Dallas' 65 wins versus Washington are their most versus any team (65-41-2).
The Cowboys went 3-1 in Tony Romo's four starts this season, but Romo finished the season with just 5 TDs and 7 INTs. In seven starts between Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel, the Cowboys went 0-7, but also had 5 passing TDs and 7 INTs.
Cowboys' notable offensive ranks: 29th in PPG (18.5) and total YPG (331.4); 27th in pass YPG (216.1); 11th in rush YPG (115.3).
Matt Cassel: 63.0 completion percentage, 180.4 YPG, 5 TD, 5 INT, 78.8 passer rating. Cassel is 16-of-30 pass for 201 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 85.6 passer rating versus the blitz this season. The Redskins have 5th lowest blitz frequency in NFL (18.7 percent).
Darren McFadden: 169 carries, 634 rush yards (3.8 average), 2 TD. With Cassel at quarterback McFadden has 23.3 carries per game, 91.3 rush yards per game, 3.9 yards per carry and 1 TD.
Dez Bryant: 23 receptions, 280 receiving yards, 2 TD. Fewer than 50 receiving yards in three straight games, the longest streak of career as starter.
Dallas' notable defensive ranks: 7th in pass YPG (225.1); 8th in total YPG (332.0); 15th in rush YPG (106.9). Of the 10 teams ranked in the top half of the NFL in both run defense and pass defense, only Cowboys and Buccaneers are below .500. Dallas has one or fewer takeaways in nine of 11 games this season. Cowboys have seven takeaways this season (fewest in NFL).
Washington is 5-1 at home and 0-5 on the road. The Redskins have averaged 139 rush YPG and 4.3 yards per carry at home, compared to 44.8 rush YPG and 2.6 yards per carry on the road. Cousins' passer rating is more than 43 points higher at home than on the road this season. In six home games, Cousins has completed a league-best 74.7 percent of his passes, averaged 272 pass YPG, posted an 11-2 TD-INT ratio, and has a passer rating of 113.0.
Cousins: 68.4 completion percentage, 253.4 YPG, 16 TD, 10 INT, 91.7 passer rating. Four 300-yard games this season. Cousins had the 2nd best passer rating (105.9) among all QBs to play 3-plus games in November.
Alfred Morris: 135 carries, 482 rush yards (3.6 average), 0 TD. 145 touches without a TD this season (2nd most in NFL -- Melvin Gordon, 170).
DeSean Jackson: 12 receptions, 212 receiving yards, 2 TD (5 games). 18 career receiving TDs of 50-plus yards.
Jordan Reed: 55 receptions, 541 receiving yards, 6 TD -- all career highs.
The Redskins join the Panthers and Broncos as the only teams to not allow 300 net yards passing in a game this season. History says the Cowboys won't be the team to reach that number this season. The last Cowboys QB to individually throw for 300-plus yards on the road against Washington was Troy Aikman in 1999.
Matchup to watch:Darren McFadden vs. Redskins D-line
