Seattle Seahawks @ Jacksonville Jaguars headlines NFL Sunday
Raiders @ Chiefs, Seahawks @ Jaguars, Ravens @ Steelers
Monday 11 December 2017 01:50, UK
We're at the point of the season where every single game matters, and all three match-ups this week involve teams who could find themselves in the playoffs this year. Things are hotting up!
The evening kicks off, live on Sky Sports Action from 5.30pm, with a heated AFC West rivalry as the Oakland Raiders (6-6) and Kansas City Chiefs (6-6) battle for the division title.
At 9.25pm, MVP candidate Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks (8-4) go on the road to face the league's top-ranked defense in the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4), while we finish the night in the AFC North as the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-2) host rivals the Baltimore Ravens (7-5) from 1.20am.
Here's a look ahead to another super Sunday of NFL...
Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs, Sky Sports Action (407), 5.30pm
In a tweet...
Week Seven's Raiders-Chiefs contest was one of the most thrilling all season, finishing 31-30 to Oakland. What do these two have in store for Sunday?
Live NFL
What's the latest?
The Raiders get back one receiver, Michael Crabtree, after a one-game suspension, but they might be without another as Amari Cooper is dealing with ankle issues and a concussion. His fate will likely be deciding close to game time.
Stat attack
The Raiders have allowed 20 passing touchdowns and have just one interception so far this season, putting them on pace to shatter the 2008 Lions (25 TD, 4 INT) mark for the worst TD-INT ratio since the 1970 merger. That 2008 Lions team were winless, finishing 0-16.
Key battle
It gets worse for the Raiders defense. They have allowed four quarterbacks to have games of 3+ TDs and 0 interceptions against them - most in the NFL - and their 108.2 passer rating allowed would be the highest in team history and fourth-highest in the history of the NFL. This could be just the match-up for the slumping Chiefs offense to spark their season back into life. They showed glimpses in the defeat to the Jets last week, with Alex Smith, in particular, stretching the field again, with 366 yards and four TDs.
Game-changer
Marshawn Lynch. While the Raiders D has its problems, the Chiefs have also been struggling, particularly to stop the run. They are 30th in run defense (129.4 YPG) this year and have allowed 100 rush yards in 11 of 12 games this season. Exactly what Lynch wants to hear, especially as he comes into this contest in his best form - he has scored four TDs in his last four games, and had his first 100-yarder against the Giants last week.
Seattle Seahawks @ Jacksonville Jaguars, Sky Sports Action (407), 9.25pm
In a tweet...
Can MVP candidate Russell Wilson further state his case with a win in 'Sacksonville'? The Seahawks head on the road to face the Jags and their top-ranked D.
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What's the latest?
After a fantastic performance against Philadelphia, the Seahawks have a number of key players ailing heading into this game. Ten players weren't able to practice on Wednesday, including left tackle Duane Brown, tight end Jimmy Graham, linebacker Bobby Wagner and defensive end Michael Bennett. They should all be good to go but if any aren't able to suit up, they will be key losses.
Most notably for Jacksonville, shutdown corner Jalen Ramsey was held out of practice with a hamstring injury. However, he sat out practice last week and still did a superb job against T.Y. Hilton.
Stat attack
Seattle have scored 30 offensive touchdowns this season. Wilson has been directly involved in 29 of them.
Key battle
Jacksonville's offensive success comes from a heavy dose of rookie Leonard Fournette in the running game. They are the best in the league on the ground, averaging over 149 yards per game.
However, this week they come up against a stingy Seattle defensive unit. The team is ranked seventh in the NFL, but they've made it a habit to play their best football in December as we get closer to playoff football. It'll be hard for Jacksonville to win this game if they can't keep Russell Wilson off the field.
Game-changer
Wilson. The sixth-year QB is building an incredible case for MVP this season, but it's still not a sure thing the Seahawks secure a playoff berth. Seattle will need more Wilson wizardry when they come up against a defense ranked first in passing yards allowed per game, points allowed per game, sacks and passer rating against.
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers, Sky Sports Action (407), 1.20am
In a tweet...
Football doesn't get tougher than the AFC North and this bruising battle between playoff contenders Ravens and Steelers will be no different.
Live NFL
What's the latest?
Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier has undergone surgery on his spine after suffering an injury against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Shazier was carted from the field after a collision with Bengals wide receiver Josh Malone. Shazier initially appeared unable to move his legs and lower body following the incident.
Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster's one-game suspension, handed down for a brutal block on Vontaze Burfict in the same game before then standing over the Bengals linebacker and taunting him, has been upheld and so he will miss the clash with the Ravens.
Meanwhile, Baltimore cornerback Jimmy Smith has been given a four-game suspension for an anti-doping violation. Smith, who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Sunday's win over Detroit, will serve the ban while on injured reserve.
Stat attack
The Steelers and Ravens have met 22 times since 2008, splitting the series 11-11, with 16 of those 22 meetings being decided by seven points-or-fewer.
Key battle
This game pits the Steelers' seventh-ranked offense against the Ravens' seventh-ranked defense. Can Ben Roethlisberger and his embarrassment of riches on offense get the job done against a ball-hawking Baltimore D? Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown are league leaders in rushing and receiving, though Brown has been held under 100 receiving yards in five straight games against the Ravens and had a season-low 34 yards in the Week Four meeting between the two.
Game-changer
Bell. While the Ravens kept Brown quiet in that early-season clash, they certainly failed to do the same with Bell, who ran for 144 yards off a staggering 35 carries, notching two TDs. If he has a similar such outing on Sunday night, the Steelers will romp to victory.
Week 14 continues on Sunday with three live games on Sky Sports Action, starting with Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs, from 5.30pm
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