5 NFL players that need to step up for their teams in Week 14

There are just five weeks remaining in the 2021 NFL season entering Week 14. That means games are more crucial than ever. Wins and losses this time of year can be the ultimate difference in each team's quest for a playoff spot. Given the situation with each particular team, these five NFL players need to come up big in an important Week 14 matchup.

Players who need to step up in NFL Week 14

#1 - QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford

If the Los Angeles Rams want to have any chance of winning the NFC West division, they need to beat the Arizona Cardinals in Week 14. If the Rams were to lose, they would trail the Cardinals by three games with just four games remaining. The Cardinals would also own a head-to-head tie breaker.

The Cardinals enter Week 14 with the best record in the NFL, so it won't be an easy task for the Rams. Matthew Stafford is going to have to step up and have a big game if they are going to pull off the upset. He will get his opportunity to shine on Monday Night Football.

#2 - QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins

The Minnesota Vikings kick off Week 14 by hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. The Vikings will be without wide receiver Adam Thielen while running back Dalvin Cook is questionable. With the offense hobbling and the defense struggling this season, Kirk Cousins is going to have to step up.

The Vikings are in a heated Wild Card race in the NFC playoff picture. They currently sit just one game out of a playoff spot entering Week 14, so a win would be crucial to their postseason hopes. The Vikings have an active two-game losing streak, and Kirk Cousins has an 8-17 record in his career in prime time games. He will have an opportunity to rebound.

NFL players that need to come up big in Week 14

Three more players who need to step up for their teams in Week 14 of the 2021 NFL season.

#3 - QB Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints vs. New York Jets

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill

The bad news is that the New Orleans Saints enter Week 14 on an active five-game losing streak. It is the longest active losing streak in the NFL. The good news is that they are still alive in the NFC playoff race. They currently sit just one game behind in the standings for a Wild Card spot.

Taysom Hill has been a gadget player on the Saints offense for most of the 2021 NFL season, but as of last week, he has been named the starting quarterback. With Jameis Winston out for the year and Trevor Siemian losing the job, Hill will be responsible for ending the Saints' losing streak and getting back in the playoff race. It has to start in a favorable matchup in Week 14 against the New York Jets.

#4 - QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton

Cam Newton returned to his former long-time team, the Carolina Panthers, just three games ago. In his first game back, he didn't start at quarterback but did score two touchdowns in a win. This got the Panthers excited that Cam Newton was going to save their season after the team struggled with quarterback Sam Darnold.

Newton started the next two games for the Panthers but lost both of them. He has thrown two interceptions already and is completing just 56 percent of his passes. He will need to turn things around in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons or their playoff hopes could disappear. Both teams enter Week 14 battling to remain in the Wild Card race.

#5 - QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens enter Week 14 having lost three of their last five games. One of the main reasons is Lamar Jackson's recent struggles. Over his last four games, Lamar Jackson has thrown eight interceptions. He now has the second-most interceptions in the entire NFL this season.

The Ravens enter Week 14 just half a game out of the top seed in the AFC playoff picture. It is crucial that they keep pace if they want to stay in the race for the top spot. Jackson has an opportunity in Week 14 to clean up the turnovers and get back on track in a rivalry game with the Cleveland Browns.