NFL Game Week 13 - Schedule, Best Picks & Where to Watch
What a wild and wacky week 12 that was. Between the fourth-quarter chaos between Dallas and Washington, the Packers' hammering of the 49ers, and the Panthers' nailbiter against their Chiefs, fans were really in for a treat. To make matters even better, we now get to look forward to a sumptuous Thanksgiving slate, which is a cornerstone of every NFL season.
As always, Detroit and America’s team are on the lineup, but what else is there to look out for in week 13? Let’s find out.
Best Games to Watch - Week 13
Miami Dolphins @ Green Bay Packers
- Date & Time: Thursday, November 28, 2024, at 8:20 p.m. ET
- Venue: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
- Broadcast Details: NBC, Peacock
It’s official, Tua Tagovailoa is back, and he is playing some of the best football of his career. His last opponents, the New England Patriots, were swept aside with ease, as Tua passed for 317 yards and four touchdowns, putting a dampener on any of the good vibes his division rivals were feeling because of their rookie quarterback's performances.
Miami have now enjoyed three wins on the trot, and are looking like they are back to their best, which is what they will need to be if they are to make the playoffs. They will also need to be at the peak of their powers if they are to get a win on Thanksgiving night against the Green Bay Packers, who just embarrassed the 49ers by 38 points to 10. Green Bay are thriving on offense this year, bolstered by the arrival of Josh Jacobs, who has helped the team post the third-highest rushing yards per game, with 151.6. He is already nearing 1000 yards for the season, but he is not the only player defenses have to worry about, with Green Bays' young and versatile pass-catching group also posing a threat.
Jordan Love is currently tied for the sixth most touchdowns this year, with 18, despite having played two fewer games than the rest of the top 10. He is aggressive and dangerous, but will have his work cut out going up against a Miami pass defense that is also ranked inside the top 10, giving up just 197.5 passing yards per game. If Jordan does manage to get going in this one, then Miami should fancy the chances of being able to keep up. Tua is back to his best, and the team managed to get Jaylen Waddle going last week with 144 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. Add in Jonnu Smith, who is having a great season at tight end, and, of course, Tyreek Hill, and you have another explosive offense. This one could be fun, and a great way to wrap up the Thanksgiving slate.
Prediction/Analysis:
Both teams are fairly evenly matched in this one, but the Packers will benefit from playing in their home stadium, and we know how many issues these Dolphins have had in cold weather. Add in the fact that Green Bay are leading the league in turnovers per game this year, and they should be given the edge here.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Baltimore Ravens
- Date & Time: Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 4:25 p.m. ET
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
- Broadcast Details: CBS, Paramount+
What a clash this is to look forward to in the late afternoon slate on Sunday. This could very realistically be a Super Bowl matchup that we see later this year in New Orleans with both teams thriving in their respective conferences. The Philadelphia Eagles have put their disappointing 2023 campaign firmly in the rearview mirror, and are back to playing tough and physical football at a high level. Their opponents this week, are also known for their physicality, with the Ravens coming fresh off a game in which they bullied the Los Angeles Chargers into submission.
The one thing we know heading into this game is that both teams are going to want to run the ball. Philadelphia and Baltimore boast the two best running backs in the league, in Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, who are the only two running backs to have already surpassed the 1000-yard milestone this year; doing it comfortably, with over 1,300 yards each. With their running backs wreaking havoc, both teams stand well clear of the rest of the NFL when it comes to rushing yards per game. Philly lead the way with 193.4, followed by Baltimore at 180.2. What makes this clash so fascinating though, is that both teams also present formidable run defenses, making this a real strength-on-strength matchup.
Baltimore is giving up just 77.9 rushing yards per game, which is second-best in the NFL, and Philadelphia are seventh with 99.2 rushing yards conceded per game. Both teams want to run the ball, but both are likely to have their work cut out on Sunday.
It’s hard to imagine neither team being able to establish the run, but if they do, there should still be fireworks. Lamar Jackson looks primed to win his second consecutive MVP award, and Jalen Hurts has strung together some nice games himself. With AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith (questionable), Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews at their disposal, this is definitely a game you want to have on your radar.
Prediction/Analysis:
Picking between Super Bowl contenders is never going to be easy, so we have to look at the margins to find our predicted winner. Baltimore posts the better run defense, has the better quarterback, and benefits from playing in front of a home crowd, which gives them the edge for me. It’s not by much though, and it’s never nice to bet against Saquon Barkley.
San Francisco 49ers @ Buffalo Bills
- Date & Time: Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 8:20 p.m. ET
- Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
- Broadcast Details: NBC, Peacock
This fixture makes it into our list of games to watch, but we will need Brock Purdy to return to the lineup for the inclusion to be validated. San Francisco looked completely lost against Green Bay last week, falling to a 28-point defeat, and looking uncharacteristically incompetent and sloppy in the process. The bad news for them, is that they now have to face off against an AFC juggernaut in the Buffalo Bills who are well-rested after their bye week. They will also still be riding a high after giving the Kansas City Chiefs their only loss on the season one week earlier, which makes this fixture look even more dangerous for the 49ers.
Buffalo have been firing on all cylinders this year, racking up the third most points and yards per game, with 29.1 and 345.3 respectively. Despite the preseason narratives that Josh Allen was going to struggle without a number-one receiver he has been playing at an incredibly high-level and proved just how clutch he can be when running in the game-winning touchdown against Kansas City a couple of weeks ago. With the defense also playing at a top-10 level, giving up just 19.5 points per game, Buffalo undoubtedly pose the biggest threat to the Chiefs in the AFC.
San Francisco, on the other hand, appears to be spiraling out of control. Their 5-6 record places them at the bottom of the NFC West, and they now are given a less than 10% chance of reaching the playoffs. Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa, Trent Williams, Charvarius Ward, and other starters all missed the game against Green Bay, and will need to be back in the lineup this weekend to make this game competitive. Even with them in the lineup, things haven’t exactly been pretty this year, but this is still a unit that made it to the Super Bowl last year, and should be able to put up a fight if healthy.
Prediction/Analysis:
This game comes at a horrendous time for San Francisco. Not only are they injured and playing at a subpar level, but they now have to face one of the best teams in the AFC who are well-rested after their bye week. With Josh Alan under center, this offense is one of the best rushing and passing units in the entire NFL, and their defense is proving very sturdy as well. They should be able to get the victory at home here, regardless of who lines up for San Francisco.
Honorable Mentions:
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
- Sunday, Nov 24 | 6:00 p.m. | FOX, Fubo Sports
Thanksgiving has treated us to some upsets over the years. Can Caleb Williams and his Bears trigger another one here?
Author: Venuse, Inc.