'MNF' preview: Top storylines to monitor for Week 14's doubleheader

Week 14 marks the final "Monday Night Football" doubleheader of the 2023 season, but it will be the first time ESPN will broadcast both games simultaneously. With postseason aspirations and future draft position on the line, here are the top storylines and players to monitor on Monday. 

Green Bay Packers (6-6) at New York Giants (4-8)

Can QB Jordan Love lead the Packers to the postseason?: After a 3-6 start, the Packers, winners of their last three games, are firmly back in the playoff mix and came into Week 14 holding the NFC's final wild-card spot. Love struggled with consistency to begin his first full season as a starter, but has been the driving force behind Green Bay's recent surge and has looked the part of a franchise quarterback. Over the last three games, Love has thrown for the second-most touchdowns (eight) and third-most yards in the NFL (857) without committing a turnover.

Will the Packers' incredible December streak continue?:  With last week's 27-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Packers HC Matt LaFleur moved to a remarkable 16-0 in December games for his career. According to CBS Sports' John Breech, it's the second-longest December winning streak in NFL history, behind only that of the then-San Diego Chargers, who won 18 straight between 2006-09. 

Who fills the void left by Packers WR Christian Watson?: Watson won't play Monday after injuring his hamstring last week. It's a massive blow since the second-year wideout re-established himself as Green Bay's top pass-catcher during its current win streak, catching 14 passes for 186 yards and four touchdowns. In his absence, look for rookie second-rounder Jayden Reed to make an impact, as the Giants have had difficulty covering slot receivers since Week 8, allowing the second-most fantasy points to the position (16.9).

Giants QB Tommy DeVito: Despite designating QB Tyrod Taylor to return from injured reserve, New York is rewarding DeVito with the starting role after he won his last two starts. The undrafted free agent and New Jersey native has been a bright spot for the Giants in an otherwise disappointing season. In seven games, DeVito has completed 62.9% of his passes for 697 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions while posting a 92.4 passer rating, the second-best among rookie signal-callers. 

Giants DT Dexter Lawrence’s availability: The All-Pro missed New York's last game with a hamstring injury, which he sustained in Week 11. He is listed as questionable for Monday’s matchup. However, with the Giants coming off their bye and having logged limited practice sessions last week, Lawrence's availability appears to be trending toward playing. Lawrence, the highest-rated interior defender by Pro Football Focus (92.8) continues to be one of the NFL's more underrated stars, as he ranks second at his position in pressures (37) and third in QB hits (11). 

Tennessee Titans (4-8) at Miami Dolphins (9-3)

Is Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill the NFL’s best non-QB?: While the NFL MVP Award typically goes to a quarterback, Hill has crafted a compelling case to be the first wide receiver in history to earn the honor. Hill has hauled in 93 receptions for an NFL-leading 1,481 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns this season while ranking first in total yards per game (124.7). 

Titans QB Will Levis: Levis hasn't been able to replicate the success he had in his 238-yard, four-touchdown performance in his NFL debut over his past five starts. The rookie signal-caller has thrown for 205.6 passing yards per game during that stretch, with Tennessee ranking as the seventh-worst scoring offense (16.2 ppg). Unfortunately for Levis, the situation may not improve since Miami's defense has turned a corner since CB Jalen Ramsey returned to action, allowing the second-fewest points (15.8) and fourth-fewest passing yards among teams over the last five games (184.6). 

Titans RB Derrick Henry returning to form?: The three-time Pro Bowler had shown signs of decline this season, evidenced by his 70.1 rushing yards per game, a significant drop from 2022's 96.1 mark in that category. Nonetheless, Henry has been far more productive across Tennessee's last two games, averaging 89 rushing yards while scoring four touchdowns. Even so, it is worth noting that Henry's production plummets when Tennessee loses, with him rushing for 57.8 yards per game in eight losses, a potential concern considering Miami is listed as a 14-point favorite, per oddschecker. 

Expect Levis to lean on WR DeAndre Hopkins: If Levis is able to rebound, Hopkins will likely be responsible for making it happen. Although an animated Levis voiced his frustrations to Hopkins after they failed to connect on a first-quarter pass during last week's loss to the Colts, the two have built a strong rapport that should be on full display Monday. Hopkins has averaged 66.3 yards on eight targets per game and scored five touchdowns since Levis took over. 

Dolphins’ dominant ground game: Miami's passing attack is frequently praised — and rightly so — but it sometimes overshadows the fact that the team boasts one of the top running games in the NFL. The Dolphins rank second in rushing yards per game (143.3) and have arguably the league's top backfield tandem in Raheem Mostert and rookie De'Von Achane. Mostert is third in the NFL in rushing (828 yards) and has scored the second-most total touchdowns this season (16), whereas Achane has amassed 635 all-purpose yards and nine total touchdowns in just six contests.