Week 13 of the NFL season saw a lot of high drama. Two playoff teams lost their starting quarterbacks to injuries, and we saw a rematch of last year’s AFC championship game. Here’s where everyone stands after a chaotic Week 13.
32. Houston Texans (1-10-1) (Eliminated) Prev: 32
The herd has begun to thin, as The Texans were the first team officially eliminated from playoff contention. Houston has been staring down the first overall pick all season and is continuing on that path. Davis Mills will return as the team’s starting quarterback this week after Kyle Allen proved he belonged on the bench.
Team MVP: Jalen Pitre (16 tackles, INT)
Next: at Cowboys
31. Chicago Bears (3-10) (Eliminated) Prev: 31
Chicago joined Houston as one of the first teams officially eliminated this year. Despite what their record says, the Bears have made significant progress this season. Justin Fields has proven himself to be a franchise quarterback. Now Chicago needs to get him some weapons and build a defense.
Team MVP: Justin Fields (20/25, 2 INTs, 71 rush yds, TD)
Next: Bye
30. Denver Broncos (3-9) Prev: 30
Denver couldn’t stop Baltimore late, even without Lamar Jackson. There’s not much to say about this team anymore. They have many talented players who cannot gel as a team. Nathaniel Hackett likely won’t last past this season.
Team MVP: Justin Simmons (5 tackles, TFL, 2 INTs)
Next: vs Chiefs
29. Los Angeles Rams (3-9) Prev: 29
The banged-up Rams kept it close with Seattle but ultimately came up short. The Rams played this game without Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and Cooper Kupp. The team won’t be able to use their draft position to their advantage, as they will be without a good amount of their picks due to trades. They did, however, claim Baker Mayfield off of waivers.
Team MVP: Cam Akers (60 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: vs Raiders
28. New Orleans Saints (4-9) Prev: 28
New Orleans had a two-touchdown lead over the Bucs in the fourth quarter, and they could not finish. The Saints missed a golden opportunity to make up ground in the miserable NFC South, letting it slip through their fingers. They will likely finish near the bottom of the standings.
Team MVP: Demario Davis (7 tackles, INT)
Next: Bye
27. Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) Prev: 27
Sunday night was a competitive game entering the fourth quarter. Then it all came unraveled for the Colts, letting up 33 points. The sheen of Jeff Saturday’s surprise win over the Raiders has worn off. He needs to start getting results to stay in consideration for the job next season.
Team MVP: Stephon Gilmore (6 tackles, INT)
Next: Bye
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) Prev: 23
Trevor Lawrence followed up his best game as a pro with a mediocre one. Lawrence left this game at one point after getting twisted up by a defensive lineman. An injury to Lawrence is the last thing this team can afford.
Team MVP: Christian Kirk (6 rec, 104 yds)
Next: at Titans
25. Carolina Panthers (4-8) Prev: 25
The Panthers had their bye this week. It gave them time to cut Baker Mayfield and commit to Sam Darnold for the rest of the season.
Next: at Seahawks
24. Atlanta Falcons (5-8) Prev: 18
Atlanta has officially fallen off. The team can’t buy a win at this point. Atlanta has elected to bench Marcus Mariota after a string of bad performances. Rookie Desmond Ridder will take the reigns next week.
Team MVP: Rashaan Evans (15 tackles)
Next: Bye
23. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7) Prev: 26
The Steelers have turned it on over the last few weeks. This week saw another win for Pittsburgh after a rough start. There may not be a playoff run for Pittsburgh this year, but we are seeing flashes of a winning football team.
Team MVP: Minkah Fitzpatrick (7 tackles, 1 TFL, INT)
Next: vs Ravens
22. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7) Prev: 24
Don’t overlook the Raiders. Now that the expectations seem to be off their shoulders, the Raiders are winning games. If they can find a way to run the table, Vegas could be worth keeping an eye on.
Team MVP: Davante Adams (8 rec, 177 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: at Rams
21. Arizona Cardinals (4-8) Prev: 21
Arizona had their bye this week. It may be too late in the season for Arizona to salvage their season.
Next: vs Patriots
20. Green Bay Packers (5-8) Prev: 22
His team may be dead, but Aaron Rodgers still owns the Bears. Green Bay took Chicago’s season out of its misery on Sunday. The Packers aren’t very likely to run the table and make a playoff run, but crazier things have happened.
Team MVP: AJ Dillon (93 yds, TD, 3 rec, 26 yds)
Next: Bye
19. Cleveland Browns (5-7) Prev: 20
Deshaun Watson returned and looked very rusty. The Browns struggled to move the ball for most of this game, winning on the back of their defense and special teams. They’re lucky they played Houston.
Team MVP: Tony Fields II (4 tackles, INT, TD)
Next: at Bengals
18. Detroit Lions (5-7) Prev: 19
Could the Detroit Lions make a run? They’re red hot over the last few weeks and look near unbeatable. Detroit isn’t too far out of the seven seed at this point. I’d say crazier things have happened, but we’re talking about the Detroit Lions in the playoffs.
Team MVP: Amon-Ra St. Brown (11 rec, 114 yds, 2 TDs)
Next: vs Vikings
17. New England Patriots (6-6) Prev: 16
New England put up a miserable performance in a must-win game. The offense is putrid, and everybody knows the source. The conversation after this game was about Matt Patricia’s failures as an offensive coordinator. Bill Belichick refuses to make a change, not wanting to change the system this late in the season.
Team MVP: Marcus Jones (1 tackle, 1 pass defense, 2 rec, 51 yds, TD)
Next: at Cardinals
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6) Prev: 17
Tom Brady somehow keeps doing it. Down 13-3 in the fourth quarter, the Bucs came back to beat the Saints. Tampa Bay faces little to no competition from the NFC South and will likely get into the playoffs, deserving or not.
Team MVP: Tom Brady (36/54, 281 yds, 2 TDs, INT)
Next: at 49ers
15. New York Giants (7-4-1) Prev: 14
The Giants tied with Washington on Sunday. Neither team will gain any leverage on the other this week. Both teams will get a chance to go at it again in two weeks.
Team MVP: Dexter Lawrence (9 tackles, sack, TFL, 2 QB hits)
Next: vs Eagles
14. Seattle Seahawks (7-5) Prev: 15
Seattle got a division win against the Rams this week. The Seahawks were beginning to fall off the rails, but a win has them right back in the Wild Card race. They’ll need to keep winning, as the matchup between Washington and the Giants in two weeks will help them out.
Team MVP: Tyler Lockett (9 rec, 128 yds, TD)
Next: vs Panthers
13. Tennessee Titans (7-5) Prev: 13
The Titans were matched up with the Eagles this week, and they paid dearly for trading AJ Brown. The former Titans receiver lit up Tennessee, leading them to another loss. It’s another inconsequential loss for the Titans, as nobody else in the AFC South won this week.
Team MVP: Tre Avery (7 tackles, 2 pass defenses)
Next: vs Jaguars
12. Los Angeles Chargers (6-6) Prev: 12
The Chargers fell to the Raiders this week, missing a chance to get back in the playoff picture. The Chargers can’t afford to lose games like this, as they sit on the bubble. Los Angeles doesn’t get an easy one next week.
Team MVP: Keenan Allen (6 rec, 88 yds, TD)
Next: vs Dolphins
11. Washington Commanders (7-5-1) Prev: 11
Washington and the Giants tied this week. Coming out of the tie, Washington appears to be in better shape. The Commanders will get a bye, and the Giants will face the 10-2 Eagles. Then, they will play to see who gets the head-to-head advantage.
Team MVP: Terry McLaurin (8 rec, 105 yds, TD)
Next: Bye
10. New York Jets (7-5) Prev: 10
After a bad start, the Jets could not complete the comeback against the Vikings. New York showed a lot of fight and heart they did not have when Zach Wilson was the starting quarterback. Mike White leans more into the scrappy underdog identity of this Jets team.
Team MVP: Garrett Wilson (8 rec, 162 yds)
Next: at Bills
9. Miami Dolphins (8-4) Prev: 6
Miami fell to the 49ers, despite San Fransico having Brock Purdy as their quarterback for most of the game. Tua Tagovailoa seemed to hurt his ankle late in the game, forcing him to leave. His status is worth keeping an eye on.
Team MVP: Tyreek Hill (9 rec, 146 yds, TD)
Next: at Chargers
8. San Francisco 49ers (8-4) Prev: 9
The 49ers’ win over the Dolphins did not come without a price. Jimmy Garopollo broke his foot and is likely out for the season. That forces Brock Purdy, the last pick in this year’s draft, to step in as the starter. This team was a juggernaut with Jimmy G. Now, who knows where they stand?
Team MVP: Christian McCaffrey (66 yds, 8 rec, 80 yds, TD)
Next: vs Buccaneers
7. Baltimore Ravens (8-4) Prev: 7
Like the 49ers, the Ravens’ win also came at a price. Lamar Jackson suffered an injury and will miss a few weeks. Tyler Huntley performed admirably during Jackson’s extended absence last year. The big difference this year is that Baltimore currently leads the AFC North compared to being out of the picture last year.
Team MVP: Roquan Smith (11 tackles, 2 TFLs)
Next: at Steelers
6. Cincinnati Bengals (8-4) Prev: 8
The Bengals may be back. They struggled at points this year, but a win over the Chiefs can give them the momentum they need to take the AFC North. Ja’Marr Chase has also returned, giving the offense an even greater spark.
Team MVP: Joe Burrow (25/31, 286 yds, 2 TDs, 46 rush yds, TD)
Next: vs Browns
5. Dallas Cowboys (9-3) Prev: 5
Dallas used an excellent 4th quarter to crush the Colts. The Cowboys are firing on all cylinders and look like a true Super Bowl contender. The keys will be consistency as well as staying healthy.
Team MVP: DaRon Bland (8 tackles, 2 INTs)
Next: vs Texans
4. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3) Prev: 1
The Chiefs have knocked off their perch after a loss to the Bengals. Kansas City has lost the top seed in the AFC due to a loss earlier in the season to the Bills. Expect the Chiefs to rebound quickly.
Team MVP: Isiah Pacheco (66 yds, TD, 2 rec, 16 yds)
Next: at Broncos
3. Buffalo Bills (9-3) Prev: 4
The Bills had an excellent week. They beat their hated rivals, the Patriots, and retook control of the top seed in the AFC. Unfortunately, they officially lost Von Miller for the remainder of the season. The defense is good enough to win without him, however.
Team MVP: Stefon Diggs (7 rec, 92 yds, TD)
Next: vs Jets
2. Minnesota Vikings (10-2) Prev: 3
The Vikings held off a Jets comeback to get their tenth win of the year. The defense forced two turnovers, as Minnesota’s offense couldn’t move the ball like they usually do against the Jets’ stout defense. The Vikings are a complete team that can make a deep run.
Team MVP: Harrison Smith (9 tackles, 3 passes defenses, INT)
Next: at Lions
1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-1) Prev: 2
The Eagles have officially retaken the top spot after a win over the Titans. AJ Brown took his revenge in the form of over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Hurts also took over the MVP conversation with a dazzling performance.
Team MVP: Jalen Hurts (29/39, 380 yds, 3 TDs, 12 rush yds, TD)
Next: at Giants
