Week 13 was one of the most anticipated weekends of the NFL season. With several matchups between squads in the thick of the playoff race, statements would be made after this past weekend. Some statements were loud, while others leave teams with a few question marks. As the regular season draws to a close, which teams made the loudest statements from this past weekend?
The Eagles ARE the Team to Beat:
The Philadelphia Eagles hadn’t played their best ball, but kept winning the last several weeks. With the Titans coming into town, it was an opportunity to make a pretty large statement and they accomplished that with a dominating 35-10 win over the Titans. Jalen Hurts played one of his best games of the season, throwing for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns. A.J. Brown was the recipient of 2 of those touchdowns as he made his former team pay. Brown caught 8 passes for 119 yards. The addition of Ndamukong Suh helped the Eagles shore up their run defense…at least for this week. The Eagles held Derrick Henry to 30 yards on 11 carries. If Philadelphia can play at this level throughout the rest of the season and postseason, they will be playing for the Lombardi Trophy in mid-February.
The Bengals have the Chiefs Number:
Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals know how to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals have now beaten Kansas City three times in the calendar year 2022. Cincinnati scored the final 10 points of the game to win 27-24 and put them in a tie for first place in the AFC North. Joe Burrow outplayed Patrick Mahomes and was helped by the return of Ja’Marr Chase. Chase caught 7 passes for 97 yards. Not to mention that the Bengals offense will get even stronger when Joe Mixon returns. One of the key plays of the game was when Germaine Pratt forced a Travis Kelce fumble. Turnovers continue to be an issue for the Chiefs and could be their undoing if they don’t get back to the Super Bowl. The Bengals are surging and will have a say in who comes out of the AFC.
The 49ers’ Defense is Elite:
The San Francisco 49ers stymied one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL – beating the Miami Dolphins 33-17. Despite giving up a 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the game, the Niners defense held the Dolphins to only 10 points after that play. Backup quarterback Brock Purdy did a solid job of playing within himself and relying on the defense to win the game. Purdy will be the quarterback most likely going forward and was solid going 25/37 for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns. The door is still open for Jimmy G to return sometime during the postseason. Can Brock Purdy steady the ship? That will be one of the biggest story lines the last 5 weeks of the season.
Quick Takes:
Lamar Jackson is injured – again – with a PCL sprain and will need 1-3 weeks to recover. Can Tyler Huntley keep the Ravens at the top of the AFC North in Lamar’s absence?
With the Chiefs loss to the Bengals, the Buffalo Bills are now back on top of the AFC. Can the Bills hold on to the AFC’s top seed?
Just when you think Tom Brady and Tampa Bay are dead, he leads them to a late game-winning drive. The Bucs were down 16-3 before Brady led them to 14 straight points to comeback versus the Saints.
Week 14 Games to Watch:
7-5 Jets vs 9-3 Bills (-9.5): The Jets were very close to beating the Vikings on the road now they travel to Buffalo who will be looking for revenge after the Jets beat them earlier in the season.
11-1 Eagles (-7) vs 7-4-1 Giants: The Giants are coming off a tie vs the Commanders and their reward is the Eagles coming into town off one of their best performances.
6-6 Buccaneers vs 8-4 49ers (-3.5): Tampa Bay survived but their offense still looks bad and now Tom Brady will be going up against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
8-4 Dolphins (-3) vs 6-6 Chargers: Both teams are coming off disappointing losses and the Dolphins will try to stay within striking distance of the AFC East race with Buffalo while the Chargers will try to stay alive for the AFC Wildcard.
Playoff Standings:
NFC:
1. Eagles 11-1
2. Vikings 10-2
3. 49ers 8-4
4. Buccaneers 6-6
5. Cowboys 9-3
6. Giants 7-4-1
7. Seahawks 7-5
In the race: Commanders 7-5-1
AFC:
1. Bills 9-3
2. Kansas City 9-3
3. Ravers 8-4
4. Titans 7-5
5. Bengals 8-4
6. Dolphins 8-4
7. Jets 7-5
In the race: Patriots 6-6, Chargers 6-6