:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24460367/20131202_ter_sn8_145.0.jpg)
With just four weeks of the regular season remaining, the playoff races around the NFL are getting tighter. This week could go a long way in deciding the playoff teams and seeding with several key matchups, especially in the NFC.
Carolina will travel to New Orleans in a battle for the NFC South lead, with both teams entering the game 9-3. The winner will take over the lead in the division before the teams meet again in two weeks. The winner will also slide into the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Carolina has won eight straight games and the Saints are coming off a blowout loss at Seattle, but all six of SB Nation's NFL experts picked New Orleans to win.
The Lions currently sit atop the NFC North and they will travel to Philadelphia this week. The Eagles are tied for the NFC East lead and the winner of this game could ultimately earn the No. 3 seed in the NFC. The Eagles are the heavy favorite among SB Nation's experts, with five of the six picking Philadelphia. Only Joel Thorman picked Detroit.
The final major matchup in the NFC will be in San Francisco where the 49ers will host Seattle. Seattle would wrap up the NFC West with a win and clinch a first-round bye. The 49ers have a one-game lead for the final wild-card spot and could move one step closer to a playoff bid with a win. The experts are split, with three picking Seattle and three picking the 49ers.
Here is a complete look at the SB Nation expert picks for Week 14.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Joel Thorman | Jason Chilton | Stephen White | David Fucillo | Matt Ufford | |
| Texans at Jaguars | Jaguars | Texans | Texans | Jaguars | Jaguars | Texans |
| Lions at Eagles | Eagles | Lions | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles | Eagles |
| Colts at Bengals | Bengals | Colts | Bengals | Bengals | Bengals | Bengals |
| Dolphins at Steelers | Dolphins | Steelers | Dolphins | Steelers | Dolphins | Dolphins |
| Browns at Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots | Patriots |
| Panthers at Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints | Saints |
| Raiders at Jets | Jets | Raiders | Raiders | Jets | Raiders | Jets |
| Bills at Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Bills | Buccaneers | Bills | Buccaneers | Buccaneers |
| Chiefs at Redskins | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs |
| Vikings at Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens | Ravens |
| Titans at Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos | Broncos |
| Rams at Cardinals | Rams | Cardinals | Cardinals | Rams | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Giants at Chargers | Chargers | Giants | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers | Chargers |
| Seahawks at 49ers | Seahawks | 49ers | Seahawks | 49ers | 49ers | Seahawks |
| Falcons at Packers | Falcons | Falcons | Falcons | Falcons | Packers | Packers |
| Cowboys at Bears | Cowboys | Cowboys | Bears | Cowboys | Cowboys | Bears |
Our panel consists of: David Fucillo, SB Nation's fantasy guru; Stephen White, retired NFL defensive end and SB Nation NFL contributor; Jason Chilton, SB Nation NFL contributor; Joel Thorman, manager of SB Nation NFL blogs; and Ryan Van Bibber, SB Nation's NFL editor; Matt Ufford, editorial producer, SB Nation studios.
More from SB Nation NFL
• 2014 NFL Mock Draft: 5 quarterbacks in the first round
• NFL Power Rankings: Saints go marching ... down
• Rookie Report: Keenan Allen tops Giovani Bernard
• The Post-Mortem: Excuse Philip Rivers for having manners, jerkwad
• Debrief: How I learned to love the Jaguars and Browns