#StanfordNFL: Week 14 Preview

Players to Watch

Josh Mauro • DE/DL • Arizona Cardinals • Third season • @JustJoshin90

On only 260 snaps this season, Mauro has accumulated a +8.2 rating against the run, ninth-best in the league out of 54 4-3 defensive ends, per Pro Football Focus. He and the Arizona defense, which ranks sixth against the run, according to PFF, face a Miami offensive line which ranks dead last in the league in run blocking.

Ryan Hewitt • TE/FB • Cincinnati Bengals • Third season • @Huey85

With Cincinnati often falling behind and being put in obvious passing situations, Hewitt's production and snap count have been limited in 2016. He could see more action in Week 14 when the Bengals' eighth-rated run blocking unit faces a Browns defense which ranks 27th in the league in run defense and 31st in overall defense.

Andrew Luck • QB • Indianapolis Colts • Fifth season • @ALBookClub

With three 6-6 teams tied atop the AFC South, Andrew Luck is finding his groove at the opportune time for Indianapolis. The Colts welcome the reeling Texans to town, who have lost three in a row but own the eighth-rated pass defense in the league, per Pro Football Focus. Luck, PFF's second-rated quarterback behind Tom Brady, will look to win his fourth consecutive start.

Matchup to Watch

Seahawks at Packers
Seattle (8-3-1) and Green Bay (6-6) have a memorable history, but are in differing situations heading into Week 14. The Seahawks are jockeying for the chance to host a playoff game, while the Packers are merely trying to stay in the hunt. Ty Montgomery and the Packers' passing attack will have their work cut out against Richard Sherman and the Seahawks' pass defense, which ranks fourth in the league, per Pro Football Focus, but is missing Earl Thomas. Doug Baldwin, PFF's fifth-rated receiver, faces a Packers secondary which ranks 29th in the league in pass coverage, per PFF.
 

Injury Report

Blake Martinez missed two games with a knee injury he sustained in Week 11, but has returned to practice in a limited capacity. The rookie linebacker reportedly tweaked his knee in Thursday's open practice, and was even more limited after that. Second-year safety Jordan Richards was absent from Thursday's practice as he recovers from a knee injury sustained in Week 12.