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NFL Week 13 is (almost) in the books.
➤ Three and out (your Week 13 must-reads):
32 things we learned: Division races set to heat up
Winners and losers: While Steelers air it out, Ravens have a Justin Tucker problem
Your updated playoff picture through Sunday’s games
➤ Game of the day: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26, Carolina Panthers 23 (OT) — In the division no team seemed to want to win, the Buccaneers might be poised to claim a fourth straight NFC South crown. It took a wild overtime win to move into a first-place tie atop the division with the Atlanta Falcons, who are really riding the struggle bus right now (it should be noted that the Falcons swept the Buccaneers head-to-head and have that all-important tiebreaker). It’s good to see Bryce Young playing well after getting benched earlier this season. However, it was the opposing quarterback, Baker Mayfield (with a lot of help from Bucky Irving), who lifted his team to victory in an unexpectedly entertaining showdown that many fans were prevented from watching late.
➤ How about the …!
Philadelphia Eagles: This team looks like it could give the Detroit Lions a real run for their money as the NFC’s top team. In Week 14 while the Lions host the division-rival Green Bay Packers on ‘Thursday Night Football,’ the Eagles get to host the Caroline Panthers.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers improved to 9-3 and recorded their 21st consecutive season without a losing record, which ties the team with the Dallas Cowboys of 1965-1985 for the most consecutive seasons without a losing record in NFL history.
➤ What’s up with the …?
Atlanta Falcons: No team’s hold on a division lead seems as precarious as that of the Falcons, who have lost three consecutive games. Could this team really consider benching expensive veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr.?
Baltimore Ravens: Starting to think this team isn’t in the same class as the AFC-leading Bills and Chiefs. It also has to be at least slightly distressing to see Justin Tucker struggling.
➤ Alt uniform of the week: New England Patriots — The glorious red ‘Pat Patriot’ throwback uniforms made a welcome return in Week 13. Unfortunately for New England, the team did what it often did in those uniforms … lose. At least they looked good doing it! Thanksgiving weekend also saw the Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys wear throwback uniforms. They good, too!
NFL Week 13 key storylines
➤ 32 things we learned: The NFL began its December slate in Week 13, and several division races are starting to heat up, Nate Davis writes.
➤ Winners and losers: Week 13 in the NFL brought us a post-Thanksgiving slate that included snow, a cross-country revenge game and an all-time great kicker who continues to struggle.
➤ Surging Super Bowl contender has new vibe after last year’s collapse: The Eagles are once again off to a hot start, but this year’s team has a much different outlook after learning key lessons from last year’s collapse, Chris Bumbaca writes.
➤ High-priced QB’s meltdown sparks questions about team’s plan: The Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to put them over the top in key spots. Instead, the QB is weighing Atlanta down, including Sunday vs. the Chargers, Jarrett Bell writes.
NFL Week 13 results
Buffalo Bills 35, San Francisco 49ers 10: The snow was an appropriate backdrop as the Bills got an early Christmas present with the team’s fifth consecutive AFC East title.
Philadelphia Eagles 24, Baltimore Ravens 19: With a thorough defeat on the road against the Ravens, the Eagles proved to be in the NFL’s upper tier.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26, Carolina Panthers 23 (OT): It’s not quite the famous ‘Heidi Game,’ but the ‘Krapopolis’ game was an overtime thriller that many outside of the Buccaneers’ and Panthers’ local markets totally missed.
Los Angeles Rams 21, New Orleans Saints 14: The Rams pulled out a nail-biter, as Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi had his first loss and Taysom Hill was carted off the field.
Los Angeles Chargers 17, Atlanta Falcons 13: The Chargers benefitted from a career-high four interceptions from Kirk Cousins, with three of those picks – including a pick-six – coming in the second half.
Pittsburgh Steelers 44, Cincinnati Bengals 38: This triumph over a reeling division opponent pushed the Steelers’ streak of non-losing seasons to 21, which ties the best in league history.
Houston Texans 23, Jacksonville Jaguars 20: The Texans maintained their two-game edge in the AFC South by collecting their second win in four games. The win came with some controversy, as a hit by Azeez Al-Shaair knocked Trevor Lawrence from the game.
Minnesota Vikings 23, Arizona Cardinals 22: The Vikings overcame a 13-point deficit to win a fifth consecutive game and keep its place amongst the Lions and Packers in the highly competitive NFC North.
Indianapolis Colts 25, New England Patriots 24: A fourth-quarter comeback and two-point gamble helped keep the Colts in the AFC playoff picture.
Seattle Seahawks 26, New York Jets 21: This victory over the hapless Jets gave the Seahawks a third consecutive win and kept them in the lead in the NFC West.
Washington Commanders 42, Tennessee Titans 19: The Commanders put an end to a three-game slide in emphatic fashion, scoring 21 first quarter points en route to a rout of the Titans.
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (Friday): You can add ‘botched snap’ to the ‘how did the Chiefs win in 2024’ bingo card as Kansas City earned yet another ugly win. A ‘W’ is a ‘W,’ though.
Green Bay Packers 30, Miami Dolphins 17 (Thanksgiving): The Packers set up a juicy Week 14 ‘Thursday Night Football’ showdown with the Lions with this relatively easy win over a desperate Dolphins team.
Dallas Cowboys 27, New York Giants 20 (Thanksgiving): The Cowboys remain ‘in the hunt’ on the NFC playoff picture after this victory in their annual Thanksgiving showcase. The Giants are trending toward a very high first-round pick, which they’ll need to draft a new quarterback.
Detroit Lions 23, Chicago Bears 20 (Thanksgiving): The Lions (11-1) are off to the best start in the 95-year history of the franchise (and ended a seven-game losing streak on Thanksgiving). A puzzling late-game time management decision might have been the last straw for Matt Eberflus in Chicago.
Coming up this week
➤ Monday: Week 13 concludes with the Denver Broncos hosting the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High (8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN). The Broncos are in the thick of the AFC playoff race, and would desire to stay there.
➤ Tuesday: USA TODAY Sports offers its power rankings for all 32 NFL teams after Week 13.
➤ Thursday: Week 14 kicks off with a huge NFC North showdown between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions at Ford Field (8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video). The Lions, off to their best start since 1934, are riding a 10-game winning streak, and have won five of their last six against the Packers. Before the weekend’s games, make sure to check out our expert picks for every Week 14 game.
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