Throughout the course of the 2025 season, this column has largely focused on three games/headlines each week. That is just not possible this week because there are too many huge contests on the slate.
With that in mind, here are six mouth-watering contests that we should all be keeping an eye on over the coming days.
The battle for the West
Two of the leading teams in the league will go head to head in a battle that could not only determine the destination of the NFC West title, it could decide who ends the regular season as the top seed in the conference. The Rams won the first meeting between the teams by a 21-19 scoreline. The Seahawks out-gained Los Angeles 414 yards to 249 but were undone by four Sam Darnold interceptions. Will this be another big Matthew Stafford day or will Seattle's defense toughen up once more? A win for Seattle will obviously help them, but could also open a door for San Francisco to end as an unlikely one seed in the NFC.
Bears out for revenge
The Chicago Bears were on the wrong end of a 28-21 defeat against the Green Bay Packers two weeks ago. They will have a great shot at revenge at Soldier Field on Saturday night. The Packers have lost defensive stud Micah Parsons to torn knee ligaments and emerging wideout Christian Watson is facing a race against time to overcome a shoulder injury. Chicago looked complete in getting back to winning ways against Cleveland last week. They can attack through the air and with the league's second-ranked rushing attack. I think they take this one at home.
Stumbling to the finish line in the NFC South
If anyone would like to win the NFC South – and somebody has to – now would be a good time to make a move. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lost five of their last six, while the Carolina Panthers have alternated wins and losses for the past eight weeks. Both teams are in a real fight and in that situation, I would trust Baker Mayfield to get the job done more than Bryce Young; who continues to blow hot and cold.
A test for Trevor
Trevor Lawrence is playing some of the best football of his career and his Jacksonville Jaguars have won five in a row to move to the top of the AFC South with a 10-4 record. In the past three contests, Lawrence has thrown nine touchdown passes and no interceptions. That cleaning up of his game has really helped Jacksonville. But here comes the toughest of tests as the Jags head to Denver to take on the Broncos and a defensive unit that is arguably the best in the league. Perhaps the difference in this game won't be Lawrence or that defense? Bo Nix threw a career-high four touchdown strikes for the Broncos during last week's defeat of Green Bay and he could power a Super Bowl run if that kind of form is maintained.
Pressure on Detroit's attack
The Detroit Lions have scored at least 34 points in eight games this season, but that has only been good enough for them to compile an 8-6 record. That's because the injury-hit defense has crumbled for the second year in a row. And it means the Lions are on the outside of the NFC playoff picture with three games remaining. They simply cannot afford to lose at home to the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, who also have little room for error with Baltimore just one game back in the division (they meet again in Week 18). With the Steelers struggling to stop the run, this feels like it could be a huge Jahmyr Gibbs game.
AFC contenders clash
The big games will roll into Sunday Night Football when the Ravens host a New England Patriots team that can clinch a playoff spot with a win. The opportunity for New England to clinch the AFC East has gone for a week or so after missing that chance against Buffalo. This will be another tough test, but the Pats will lean on long stars such as quarterback Drake Maye and running back TreVeyon Henderson. The Ravens have been more of a proven commodity in recent years and have Lamar Jackson at the helm. But this team has proven to be anything but trustworthy in 2025, meaning this is a high-stakes contest that could go either way.
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