Thanks to Thanksgiving, there will be fewer games this weekend in the NFL. But be careful not to be the turkey of the joke. Between the Ravens and the Eagles, feathers risk flying to avoid being devoured. Geno Smith (QB, Seahawks) has some accountability to the Jets, who drafted him 11 years ago.
While the Jaguars play a week-long survival game against the Texans, we could know the names of the first eliminated and qualified: the end of the regular season is coming, all the games will count.
Game of the week: spats in Maryland
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens (8-4) – Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
Once again, the Ravens are headlining this week. But how could it be otherwise as the match against the Eagles is the unmissable event of the week? Between one of the favorites in the AFC and one of the hottest teams in the NFC, the meeting has the taste of a potential Super Bowl.
With a current 7 winning streak, the Eagles are a real threat in the league, dominating the advantage line on offense and defense. The ground game is likely to be one of the real keys to the match. As he demonstrated against the Rams, Saquon Barkley (RB) spearheads the best rushing attack in the league. (193.4 yards per game) Except that on the other hand, the Ravens have the 5th defense in this area (77.9 yards conceded per game). The battle in the trenches risks being Homeric, and that's without even counting the electrifying Jalen Hurts (QB, Eagles) and Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens). Not to be missed.
Player of the week: Geno Smith, the return of the prodigal son?
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
New York Jets (3-8) – Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
“They erased me, I won't answer them”. In 2022, Geno Smith (QB, Seahawks) announced the program. The former league outcast, who fell into anonymity while serving as Russell Wilson's understudy in Seattle, is making the alumni tour. Since Wilson left, Smith has played every weekend against the odds of doubters. And his specialty is making his former teams miss him. The 34-year-old is 4-1 against his former teams (Jets, Chargers, Giants). And this Sunday, he will return to the Metlife Stadium of the Jets, the team that drafted him with the 39th pick in 2013, where he got lost the first time.
Where no quarterback manages to find the sun, even the legend Aaron Rodgers (QB, Jets) arrived with great fanfare in 2023 and whose record does not live up to the status of quadruple MVP. So of course, for his return, Geno Smith has scores to settle. Against a team in difficulty, he even has the status of favorite. But be careful with gifts. Between the inconsistency of the Seahawks, the weakness of their offensive line compared to the qualities of front-seven of the Jets, and Smith's tendency towards interceptions (12 since the start of the year), the son's return has no interest in being too lavish.
Coach: Mike Tomlin, is it the right one this time?
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) – Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
This was already what we wanted to write last week. Against the Browns, Mike Tomlin had the opportunity to score a 9th victory this season. He would then have ensured that he finished the season with a positive result. Enough to sign a 21st season in a row with a positive or zero record, a record obviously in a league where he is the oldest coach in service.
Except that to everyone's surprise, the Steelers lost. This week, we would therefore have to overcome Cincinnati. The Bengals are failing their season, but the duo Joe Burrow (QB) – Ja'Marr Chase (WR) remains formidable. However, the Bengals have never beaten a team with a positive record (0-6). In the AFC North, prediction is a difficult art.
The stat: 30+
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Buffalo Bills (9-2) – San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
Much like the Bengals, the season seems to be passing too quickly for the 49ers. Between bad luck, injuries, and bitter defeats, the Californians are off to a bad start for the playoffs. And this while they remain a formidable team. Bad luck for them, this week's match is not the right opportunity to get back on track.
At home, the Bills of Josh Allen (QB) are intractable: 5 games, 5 victories, and each time, more than 30 points scored on offense. Even the unbeatable Chiefs have not escaped. San Francisco has not won a game by conceding more than 25 points this season. With Fred Warner (LB) reduced, Brock Purdy (QB) uncertain, despite the expected return of Dre Greenlaw (LB), everything seems against Kyle Shanahan's men.
Division of the week: Bye bye Jaguars?
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) – Houston Texans (7-5)
New York Patriots (3-9) – Indianapolis Colts (5-7)
Washington Commanders (7-5) – Tennessee Titans (3-8)
Week 13 could end some or all of the AFC South's relative suspense. Despite their recent struggles, the Texans have a golden opportunity to gain a near decisive advantage to win the division against the Jaguars.
A victory would kill any chance for Jacksonville to win the division, and, if the Chargers and Broncos win, to advance to the playoffs. A statement of terrible failure when we think that the Floridians had two first draft choices (2021, 2022) to rebuild, while the Texans returned at the sole mercy of the 2023 draft (CJ Stroud, Will Anderson). Neither Doug Pederson (coach) or Trent Baalke (GM) should recover.
Otherwise, the Colts can still believe in the wild card against the intriguing Patriots. Jayden Daniels (QB, Commanders) for his part has an interest in being wary of the Titans who have just trapped the Texans and whose defense remains formidable.
Other division shocks
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (3-8) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
In the NFC South, the Buccaneers are probably playing their destiny against the Panthers. Not beating Carolina, certainly making progress in recent weeks, would be catastrophic for the chances of reaching the playoffs, both statistically and psychologically.
The other matches of week 13
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons (6-5) – Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Minnesota Vikings (9-2) – Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
New Orleans Saints (4-7) – Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Denver Broncos (7-5) – Cleveland Browns (3-8)
On paper, the most exciting matchup is undoubtedly the meeting between the Falcons and the Chargers. It should be a good matchup between the Falcons' protean attack and the solid defense of LA, which has revenge to take after conceding 57 points in two games against the Bengals and the Ravens.
Also watch out for the Browns – Broncos as Cleveland likes to defy the odds. Cleveland has three wins, against the Jaguars, Ravens, and Steelers. A great achievement for a team as unpredictable as its fanciful pitcher Jameis Winston.
The other two shocks could weigh heavily in the NFC West. The Rams no longer have the right to make mistakes and must absolutely beat the Saints who no longer have much hope, while the Cardinals could put themselves in a very good position if they created the feat against Vikings who will have difficulty securing anything other than a wild card as the Lions are untouchable.
Week 13 matches
Kick-off Sunday at 7 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons (6-5) – Los Angeles Chargers (7-4)
Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) – Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) – Houston Texans (7-5)
Minnesota Vikings (9-2) – Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
New York Patriots (3-9) – Indianapolis Colts (5-7)
New York Jets (3-8) – Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Washington Commanders (7-5) – Tennessee Titans (3-8)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (3-8) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-6)
New Orleans Saints (4-7) – Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Baltimore Ravens (8-4) – Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)
Kick-off Monday at 2:20 a.m.
Buffalo Bills (9-2) – San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
Kick-off Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Denver Broncos (7-5) – Cleveland Browns (3-8)
