Steel Curtain Call: Previewing Every Week 14 Game

Summary of Steel Curtain Call: Previewing Every Week 14 Game

by ESPN, Omaha Productions, Mina Kimes

1h 34m•December 4, 2025
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Overview of Steel Curtain Call: Previewing Every Week 14 Game

Mina Kimes and Mike Golick Jr. break down every Week 14 NFL matchup, highlighting decisive matchups, coaching/game-plan keys, injury impacts, and who they’re picking. The conversation emphasizes common themes this week: the importance of identity (run vs. pass), quarterback comfort under pressure, offensive-line health/continuity, elite defensive fronts (notably Houston), and a few award/watchlist storylines (Myles Garrett’s sack chase, rookie breakout candidates).

Key takeaways

  • Run game matters more than ever this week. Multiple hosts repeatedly circled “establish the run” as the simplest way to control games (Ravens, Bills, Chargers, Colts, Browns, Cowboys/Lions discussion).
  • Pressure and protection are decisive—games will hinge on who can get to the QB without sacrificing coverage (Texans vs. Chiefs, Bengals vs. Bills, Cowboys vs. Lions).
  • Injuries and availability are shaping confidence in picks (St. Brown for Lions, Tee Higgins for Bengals, Chiefs/Chargers OL concerns, Justin Herbert’s hand status).
  • Defensive fronts that can create both pressure and run‑stuffing (Houston, Buffalo’s front when healthy, Cleveland’s front, Baltimore/Ravens rotation) will tilt outcomes.
  • Award narratives to watch: Myles Garrett’s single‑season sack chase; defensive/rookie award candidates (e.g., Browns’ Carson or Schlesinger mentioned).

Game-by-game previews & picks

(Each entry: the main strategic key(s) + the hosts’ lean/picks)

  • Cowboys @ Lions (Thursday)

    • Key: Can Detroit avoid aggressive man/press pressure and keep the Cowboys’ receivers from winning in man? Detroit needs to protect Jared Goff and manufacture quick reads; Dallas needs interior pressure and to sustain the run.
    • Picks: Mike — Cowboys; Mina — Lions (split)

  • Seahawks @ Falcons

    • Key: Falcons’ blitzing and pass rush vs. Seattle’s QB under pressure (Sam Darnold) and ability to run. Seattle’s run rotation (Walker/Charbonnet) and pass-protection limits matter.
    • Picks: Both — Seahawks

  • Titans @ Browns

    • Key: Browns’ defense (Myles Garrett) to dominate and force mistakes; Browns must finish drives on the ground. Tennessee needs to keep drives clean and avoid negative plays.
    • Picks: Both — Browns

  • Commanders @ Vikings

    • Key: JJ McCarthy’s chance — Washington’s pass defense is historically poor; quick, simple reads should unlock big plays if McCarthy is accurate. Minnesota has been hotter offensively.
    • Picks: Mina — Vikings; Mike — Commanders (split)

  • Dolphins @ Jets

    • Key: Will Tua beat man coverage again? Both teams run explosive rushing offenses (A. A‑Chain / Breece Hall). OL continuity for the Jets (same five starters) is a factor.
    • Picks: Both — Dolphins

  • Saints @ Buccaneers

    • Key: Can Baker Mayfield (Bucs) regain early-season form vs. a defensively physical Saints front? Tampa needs improved passing consistency; health/availability of skill players is a factor.
    • Picks: Both — Buccaneers

  • Colts @ Jaguars

    • Key: Colts must recommit to the run with their injured QB to avoid third‑and‑long; Jaguars need consistent pressure generation to make Daniel Jones uncomfortable.
    • Picks: Both — Colts

  • Bengals @ Bills

    • Key: Bills’ run defense vs. Bengals’ suddenly strong ground game; Bengals’ health (Tee Higgins) and Buffalo’s ability to run/punish Cincinnati on the ground will determine game plan.
    • Picks: Both — Bills

  • Steelers @ Ravens

    • Key: Will Baltimore get back to a run-first plan to take pressure off (and exploit a struggling Lamar Jackson)? Pittsburgh needs to pressure Lamar and disrupt run game plans.
    • Picks: Both — Ravens

  • Broncos @ Raiders

    • Key: Bo Nix’s comfort under blitz/pressure and Denver’s ability to run vs. Vegas’ soft spots. Home/tempered environment favors Denver to clean up mistakes and run.
    • Picks: Both — Broncos (Mina explicitly named Broncos)

  • Bears @ Packers

    • Key: Bears’ turnover-dependent defense vs. Packers’ resurgence in vertical passing (Christian Watson) — Caleb Williams must play on time and avoid heavy pass protection pressure from Micah Parsons; Bears’ run game vs. Packer front is big.
    • Picks: Both — Packers

  • Rams @ Cardinals

    • Key: Cardinals’ pass rush must get pressure to knock Stafford off his non‑pressure (very efficient) production; Rams’ run game and front should control the line of scrimmage.
    • Picks: Both — Rams

  • Texans @ Chiefs

    • Key: Can Kansas City protect Mahomes vs. Will Anderson/Will Anderson‑led front? Conversely, Houston’s elite front (Will Anderson + interior) can dominate and alter Mahomes’ game; Chris Jones vs. Houston interior is a critical matchup.
    • Picks: Both — Texans (hosts favored Houston upset)

  • Eagles @ Chargers

    • Key: Chargers must run to control possession and limit Philadelphia’s opportunities; Eagles should consider more QB-design runs / RPOs to reintroduce uncertainty. Philly’s D line (post‑Jalen Phillips) is a major matchup advantage.
    • Picks: Both — Eagles

Players & storylines to watch

  • Myles Garrett (Browns): continuing his single‑season sack pursuit.
  • Will Anderson (Texans): impact as a structural force; Texans’ front as a whole.
  • Chris Jones (Chiefs): ability to pressure the interior of Houston’s line.
  • Jahmyr Gibbs / Cowboys RB situation: how Lions/Dallas defend/attack the run.
  • JJ McCarthy (Commanders): major audition spot vs. a weak Washington pass defense.
  • Justin Herbert (Chargers): health status and Chargers’ OL run blocking.
  • Joe Burrow / Bengals WR availability (Tee Higgins): affects Bengals’ already fragile passing attack vs. Buffalo.
  • Lamar Jackson (Ravens): lower‑body questions — will Baltimore go full run game to protect him?
  • Jordan Love vs. Caleb Williams: Packers/Bears QB matchups, pressure and deep‑ball aggressiveness.

Betting & tactical themes (what to watch for bettors/fans)

  • Favor teams that can and will run: many hosts emphasized pounding the rock against suspect run defenses as the most repeatable edge this week.
  • Pressure/OL news will swing lines: late injury/out status of tackles (Chiefs, Texans, Bills, Chargers) materially affect outcomes.
  • Game scripts where backups/young QBs operate against heavy blitz/man coverage: those QBs either win quick (short reads) or collapse under pressure—monitor defensive usage rates (man vs zone; blitz %).
  • Sack-prop and rushing-TD markets to track: Garrett’s chase, Mahomes/other QBs’ rushing upside against structural fronts.

Final notes / recommended viewing focus

  • Watch the Dallas–Detroit Thursday tilt for pass-catch matchups and whether Dallas’ defensive overhaul is legit.
  • Keep an eye on Browns and Texans for front‑seven dominance narratives (Garrett, Will Anderson).
  • Bengals–Bills is an important barometer of Buffalo’s run defense improvement and Cincinnati’s new-look ground game.
  • Steelers–Ravens will feel like a playoff game; how Baltimore answers after recent offensive struggles is instructive for their playoff path.
  • Late injury reports (WRs, QBs, O‑line) will materially change predictions—check them before lock.

Where to follow Mike Golick: Golick & Golick (FanDuel Sports Network) and Mina: The Mina Kimes show and Instagram (@mina_kimes) — both hosts previewed a couple bold underdog picks this week (notably Houston and Dallas) and highlighted matchup details to monitor before kickoff.