NFL Nation reporters look ahead to what Friday has in store for each team.
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: The Bills won't reveal much about their game plan to defend tight end Rob Gronkowski, but one possibility that linebacker Preston Brown mentioned Thursday was using defensive end Mario Williams to jam Gronk at the line of scrimmage. If the Bills can't get to quarterback Tom Brady in the pass rush, then using their pass-rushers to disrupt receivers might be their best strategy. The Bills will be back on the practice field Friday and Saturday to fine tune their game plan for Monday night. -- Mike Rodak
Miami Dolphins: Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said to expect more opportunities for rookie running back Jay Ajayi, who has shown quality flashes the past two weeks. Ajayi has 11 carries for 89 yards. Lazor also said Ajayi is improving in pass protection, which gives him a chance to play more on third down. -- James Walker
New England Patriots: If starting linebacker Jamie Collins (illness) is going to play Monday night against the Bills, Friday would seem to be a key day. Collins hasn't even been at the facility, as his chair remains folded up at his locker. He hasn't been on the field since Nov. 6, two days before the team's win over Washington, although NFL Network reports that his health from an undisclosed illness is improving. -- Mike Reiss
New York Jets: Defensive end Sheldon Richardson (hamstring) will try to practice on Friday after resting all week. Either way, he'll be a game-time decision. And if he can't play against the Texans? Look for fewer 4-3 fronts and Leonard Williams in the third-down package, replacing Richardson. -- Rich Cimini
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: This is another good opportunity for tight end Crockett Gillmore to reach the end zone. Last week, the Rams allowed Bears tight end Zach Miller to catch five passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Gillmore leads the Ravens in touchdown catches after getting his fourth last Sunday. He is one of six tight ends this season to average more than 11 yards per catch and score at least four touchdowns in 2015. -- Jamison Hensley
Cincinnati Bengals: For the second straight day, Bengals cornerback Adam Jones sat out of practice to nurse a foot injury he received in Monday night's loss to the Texans. It wasn't the only injury he received in the game. The 32-year-old was forced from the game with a shoulder issue following a hard collision. Originally it appeared he had been hit in the back of the head on the play. A Bengals official said Thursday the shoulder injury was no longer an issue. Will Jones' foot become healthy enough for him to play this weekend? He'll probably figure out some way to get out there, even if he isn't near 100 percent by game time. -- Coley Harvey
Cleveland Browns: The Browns defense has been a major disappointment. It ranks 29th in scoring and 29th in total defense. Coach Mike Pettine blames it on young players losing what they were taught in practice and giving up big plays. As a result, he said, "I am not looking to make wholesale changes. We know there are corrections that need to be made. I wouldn't put it at something where it needs to be drastic." -- Pat McManamon
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have a few sneaky-good Pro Bowl options this year thanks to players who have helped the franchise survive a brutal year on the injury front. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert has been stout blocking the edge in his fifth season. He slimmed down in the offseason, and the improved agility is paying off. Safety Mike Mitchell has created a turnover in four of the last five games. He has three interceptions and two forced fumbles on the year. Mitchell overcame a painful groin injury that required surgery after the 2014 season. Now healthy, he is playing like the player the Steelers envisioned when they signed him two seasons ago. -- Jeremy Fowler
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans: Although Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday, he didn't hesitate to declare that he was perfectly fine for Sunday's game. The Texans have been cautious with Hopkins given the short week since the Texans played Monday. -- Tania Ganguli
Indianapolis Colts: Colts coach Chuck Pagano will have a better idea if safety Mike Adams (ankle) and linebacker D'Qwell Jackson (hamstring) will be available for Sunday's game at Atlanta. The two have not practiced the past two days. Adams is tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with five, and Jackson leads the league in tackles with 93. -- Mike Wells
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars squeezed out a 19-13 win against the Titans on Thursday night to stay in the AFC South race. For the first time since December 2013, they have won back-to-back games. The Jaguars will have a chance to rest as they prepare for next week's game against the Chargers. -- ESPN.com staff
Tennessee Titans: The Titans dropped to 2-8 after allowing the Jaguars to come back, dropping their third game to an AFC South opponent. The Titans will have Saturday and Sunday off as they recover from their short week. They'll be monitoring knee injuries to running back Dexter McCluster and safety Da'Norris Searcy. -- Paul Kuharsky
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: The Broncos' depth along the defensive line will likely be tested Sunday against the Bears. Two of the team's five defensive linemen who have played at least 230 snaps in the defense this season -- Antonio Smith and Vance Walker -- have not practiced this week because of hip and shoulder injuries respectively. It means rookie nose tackle Darius Kilgo, who has been inactive for the last four games, will likely be in the rotation against the Bears as either Smith or Walker -- or both -- could miss the game. -- Jeff Legwold
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chargers lead the NFL in yards after the catch, a statistic that has the attention of defensive coordinator Bob Sutton as the Chiefs prepare for Sunday's game in San Diego. "It really demands everybody's attention,'' Sutton said. "You just really have to have good intensity.'' Running back Danny Woodhead, who has 521 yards on 45 receptions, is of particular concern. -- Adam Teicher
Oakland Raiders: Tailback Roy Helu is not getting the playing time he was expected to get when Oakland signed him to a two-year, $4 million deal in the offseason. He has just 18 touches and has been inactive for three games. Taiwan Jones and Jamize Olawale have taken away his touches. Helu may have to pick it up down the stretch to stay in the Raiders' plans. -- Bill Williamson
San Diego Chargers: With Jamaal Charles done for the season due to a knee injury, Charcandrick West has stepped in for the Chiefs and filled the void. In four starts, West's averaging 5.3 yards per carry. The Chargers have one of the worst run defenses in football, giving up 4.85 yards per carry, third-worst in the NFL. Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano will have his hands full on Sunday. "He's a good football player," Pagano said. "Jamaal's so explosive, but this guy gives them a little bit more of an edge of really pounding the football down in there. And he does a good job of that." -- Eric D. Williams
NFC EAST
Dallas Cowboys: Byron Jones is set to start his fifth game this season, but it will be his first as an outside cornerback. With Morris Claiborne expected to miss Sunday's game with hamstring and ankle injuries, the Cowboys turned to the first-round pick. Jones has started games in the dime and nickel packages as well as at free safety. Before moving to corner last week after Claiborne was hurt, he had not played outside corner since training camp. This week he has taken almost all of his work on the outside with Tyler Patmon working in the slot and Jeff Heath working in the dime defense. -- Todd Archer
New York Giants: The Giants lead the NFL in turnover differential by a fairly wide margin. With a league-leading 14 interceptions and 22 total takeaways and only 10 giveaways, their plus-12 turnover margin is well ahead of that of the Chiefs and Panthers, who are tied for second at plus-8. What's amazing is that it's not translating into more wins. The Giants had a positive turnover differential in four of their five losses, and overall, their turnover differential in their five losses is plus-5. It helps explain why they've played so many close games and why they feel they should have won all but one of them. -- Dan Graziano
Philadelphia Eagles: It looks more and more like Mark Sanchez will start at quarterback for the Eagles on Sunday. Sam Bradford (concussion) was not cleared for practice Thursday, so he did not get any significant work with his teammates. The question is whether there will be time for Bradford to be cleared and prepare in a short week for the Thanksgiving Day game in Detroit. -- Phil Sheridan
Washington Redskins: One stat to watch Sunday: The Redskins' average gain on first down runs. They struggled in this area from Weeks 5-9, averaging just 2.28 per carry (which partly explains their 1-3 record in this stretch). Last week against New Orleans they exploded for 7.06 yards per carry, which will be hard to duplicate vs. Carolina. But considering the Panthers' success vs. the pass, the Redskins can't afford to revert to the previous four weeks. -- John Keim
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: The Bears played it safe on Thursday. With high winds making it dangerous for camera technicians to film practice from high above the field, the club moved the workout indoors. The only downside was that several injured players, including tailback Matt Forte, had to miss practice entirely to protect them from the field turf installed in the Walter Payton Center. The Bears hope to be back outside on natural grass on Friday, which is easier on the body. Chicago will continue to monitor Forte (knee), linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee) and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (groin/shoulder) in advance of Sunday's home game vs. the Broncos. -- Jeff Dickerson
Detroit Lions: New Lions team president Rod Wood will meet with the media for the first time Friday. Wood, who was hired Thursday, has an extensive history with the Ford family. He has run Ford Estates and has acted as an advisor to the family and certain members of it. He will also be part of an advisory board that will hire the team's general manager along with team owner Martha Ford and the four vice chairmen -- her children. Wood appears to have little to no football experience. This is the first full-time hire for Martha Ford since firing ex-team president Tom Lewand and general manager Martin Mayhew earlier this month. -- Michael Rothstein
Green Bay Packers: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was zipping passes around during practice on Thursday like there was nothing wrong with his throwing shoulder. Yes, he was listed on the injury report this week because of his right shoulder, but after being limited in practice on Wednesday, Rodgers was a full participant in Thursday's more important, full-pads practice. After one throw during the media viewing portion of practice, Rodgers gave the double-biceps flex move as if to show how strong his arm is. -- Rob Demovsky
Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings will see Friday if left tackle Matt Kalil can practice with a toe injury and get ready to play Sunday against the Packers. If he can't, a beleaguered offensive line could have a tough time against a Packers team that brings plenty of unpredictable blitzes. The Vikings kept extra players in protection against the Raiders last week, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was still pressured 50 percent of the time. The Packers blitz more than all but four teams in the league, and offensive coordinator Norv Turner said the Packers' blitzes present a major challenge. -- Ben Goessling
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan agreed with coach Dan Quinn in saying veteran receiver Roddy White deserves more touches. Virtually in the same breath, Shanahan also said that he concerns himself more with feeding Julio Jones the ball rather than how receptions are distributed to others. We'll see how that translates with Jones expected to have his battle with Colts cornerback Vontae Davis, considered one of the best in the league. Jones, who has a lead-high 80 receptions, has been targeted 120 times, the same number as Jacob Tamme (52), Leonard Hankerson (39) and White (29) combined. -- Vaughn McClure
Carolina Panthers: Panthers coach Ron Rivera has been called a "players' coach" because he relates to them so well, having been a former player. When he saw the energy level of the offense down on Thursday, he went from group to group doing little fun things to create what he called "entertainment.'' It created energy. "They were a little stoic so I just thought I'd throw a little entertainment in." One of the keys during Carolina's 9-0 run has been a high energy level in practice. Rivera plays a big role in creating that. -- David Newton
New Orleans Saints: If the Saints hope to turn their defense around after the bye, getting some of their linebackers back healthy would be a great start. Starters Hau'oli Kikaha and Dannell Ellerbe and veteran backups David Hawthorne and Ramon Humber have all missed time over the past two weeks, leaving glaring holes in the middle of the defense and forcing New Orleans to pluck veteran linebackers off the street. Tennessee exploited that by throwing to wide-open tight ends two weeks ago. Washington ripped through the defense with screen passes. Kikaha, who has been the Saints' second best pass-rusher this year, should be able to return from an ankle injury next week. And the athletic Ellerbe, who is probably New Orleans' best coverage linebacker, has a chance to be back from his lingering hip injury. -- Mike Triplett
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs received some good news on the injury front with Vincent Jackson participating in practice for the first time since suffering a knee injury in Week 7. He was limited, but he was seen making cuts and running routes in the open portion of practice. The likelihood of him playing against the Eagles on Sunday is slim. Still, the sight of him back on the practice field is a welcome development for Tampa Bay. -- Andrew Astleford
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are still in wait-and-see mode with left guard Mike Iupati and whether he will play Sunday night against Cincinnati, a week after injuring his neck against Seattle. But they need him in the run game -- they average 4.6 yards per carry with him on the field compared to 4.1 without him. Their passing game, however, has been better in some areas without him. Quarterback Carson Palmer has been sacked six less times and intercepted three fewer times when Iupati isn't on the field. -- Josh Weinfuss
St. Louis Rams: Despite his benching, Rams quarterback Nick Foles is still doing anything he can to help the team. Foles is close friends with his replacement, Case Keenum, and has made it clear he will serve as a sounding board for Keenum moving forward. Coach Jeff Fisher has said Keenum won't have a short leash but also that Foles will be under center again for the team. How soon that happens remains to be seen, but the Rams still have more questions than answers at the game's most important position. -- Nick Wagoner
San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers defense kept the team hanging around for a bit the last time the Niners faced the Seahawks in an eventual 20-3 loss at Levi's Stadium in Oct. 22. And that was with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback and Carlos Hyde at running back. Kaepernick has been benched, replaced by Blaine Gabbert, and Hyde has yet to practice since that game, dealing with a stress fracture in his left foot. Shaun Draughn appears ready to start in Hyde's place for the second straight game. But about that defense ... the Niners sacked Russell Wilson five times last month, and for them to have any shot at an upset in the Emerald City, they again need to get pressure on the mobile Wilson. Maybe not five sacks worth of pressure, but enough to keep him from getting in a rhythm. -- Paul Gutierrez
Seattle Seahawks: The biggest issue the Seahawks' defense has had this year is explosive plays. They've given up 30 pass plays of 20+ yards through nine games. In 2014, the Seahawks gave up a league-low 32 all season. Despite that, the Seahawks have given up just 16.86 points per game since Kam Chancellor returned in Week 3, the second lowest number in the league over that span. The defense has had issues, but overall it's down the list of reasons why this team is 4-5. -- Sheil Kapadia