Picture Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
NFL football is synonymous with this time of year. As families around the country celebrate Thanksgiving, millions of eyes will be locked into games between some of the league’s classic teams. With three games on Thursday, one on Friday, and the rest on Sunday and Monday, this is sure to be an eventful weekend of football. In Week 12, the true contenders separated themselves from the pretenders. Will we see the same in Week 13? I’ve listed the NFL’s top Week 13 games.
5. Miami Dolphins @ Green Bay Packers
Are the Dolphins sneaking back into the AFC playoff picture? Miami has won their last three games in fairly convincing fashion, putting themselves just a game and a half behind the Broncos for seventh place in the conference. In that stretch, Tua Tagovailoa has thrown for eight touchdowns and just one interception. Granted, those three games were against lesser opponents. This Thanksgiving matchup with the Packers will be a true test of where Miami stands. Coming off of a dominant win over San Francisco, Green Bay will look to cement themselves among the elite teams in the NFC. Josh Jacobs is more than capable of wearing opponents down on the ground. Keep in mind that the Dolphins tend to struggle in cold weather. With a high of 33 degrees in Green Bay on Thursday, I’ll give the edge to the home team.
GB 30-21 MIA
4. San Francisco 49ers @ Buffalo Bills
Panic has set in for the 49ers. After Sunday’s blowout loss to the Packers, the defending NFC champs have just a 24% chance to make the playoffs, according to Pro Football Network. They can significantly improve those odds with a win in Buffalo this weekend. With a healthy Brock Purdy, the 49ers offense can still produce the level of efficiency necessary to keep them in games with top opponents. However, Josh Allen and the Bills are playing some of the best football in the league right now. Coming off of a bye week, I expect the Bills to continue their winning streak.
BUF 28-24 SF
3. Chargers @ Falcons
After a quietly impressive start to the season, the Los Angeles Chargers have captured national attention with two consecutive prime time games against AFC North opponents. With a win over the Bengals and a close loss to the Ravens, LA has proven that they belong among AFC playoff teams. Justin Herbert is playing some of the best football of his career at the moment, and the Chargers’ defense is exceeding their talent level. The Falcons lost three of their last five games before a needed Week 12 bye. They’ll need a win here to retain control of the NFC South. This game should be neck and neck. With this little margin, I’ll roll with the better quarterback.
LAC 27-26 ATL
2. Cardinals @ Vikings
Who are the 2024 Arizona Cardinals? After a shockingly competent start to the season in which they cruised to the top of the NFC West, Arizona managed only six points in a Week 12 loss to the Seahawks. Now second in the division, the Cardinals no longer control their own destiny. A win against the Vikings on Sunday would go a long way toward regaining the division lead for Arizona. Minnesota has won four games in a row, but they haven’t played a playoff team since their Week 7 loss to Detroit. I expect Brian Flores to outmaneuver the Cardinals’ offense in this matchup.
MIN 21-14 ARI
1. Eagles @ Ravens
No rest for the weary. Both of these teams have played top opponent after top opponent this season. Both, for the most part, have retained contender status throughout the year, and both teams rely heavily on the run game. Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley are essentially the only contenders for the Offensive Player of the Year award at this point in the year. I trust the Eagles’ defensive front more than I trust that of the Ravens to at least slow down the run in this game. For that reason, I’ll take the underdogs to win here.
PHI 24-23 BAL
