NFL Week 13 Is Separation Sunday, With Four Matchups of 6-5 Versus 5-6 Teams
By Jason Lisk
Week 13 could set the rest of the NFL season for plenty of drama. Or, teams that are already in the lead in playoff battles could separate themselves and really make the stretch run more academic. This week’s schedule involves all 32 teams in action. Last week’s did as well, but because of the Thanksgiving gaggle of games, Sunday wasn’t as packed. This will be the fullest group of games since week 3, and several provide playoff drama.
We previewed week 13 in this week’s podcast (and also had Peter King on with thoughts on some larger topics). Our picks are listed here.
Four different 6-5 teams travel to 5-6 teams looking to create separation in a playoff chase.
Atlanta (6-5) at Tampa Bay (5-6)
The Falcons have lost four in a row, to drop out of the NFC wildcard spot (behind Seattle on tiebreakers at the moment). This feels like an elimination game. Tampa Bay will have too big a hill to climb at 5-7. Atlanta needs to right their season now, and a win would tighten the gap on Minnesota/Seattle, and if Seattle loses, move them back in front with four games left.
Houston (6-5) at Buffalo (5-6)
The Texans are surging, winners of four in a row. The Bills continue their up-and-down ways with Rex Ryan. They looked like world beaters at Arrowhead for 1.5 quarters before getting shut down the rest of the game. A win here is crucial for Buffalo to stay in contention. Houston, meanwhile, won’t drop out of the AFC South race with a loss, but a fifth straight win could have them thinking even bigger thoughts.
New York Jets (6-5) at New York Giants (5-6)
The Jets are currently tied with Houston, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh for the wildcard spot (and Indianapolis is also tied, but currently credited with the AFC South lead). They are playing “at home” at least in terms of familiarity with the stadium and travel, when they play co-tenants the Giants. The NFC Squad has really struggled defensively in allowing big plays, while the Jets will still be without Darrelle Revis.
The Giants, meanwhile, lost to Washington last week and are in a tie for the division lead in the worst division in football.
Kansas City (6-5) at Oakland (5-6)
Another must-win game for the home team. The Raiders can’t afford to drop to 5-7, given the number of teams sitting ahead of them right now in the AFC. On paper, this is the Chiefs’ toughest remaining test of the season, as they close the season with Cleveland and Baltimore, plus both the Chargers and Raiders back at Arrowhead. A win in Oakland in the rivalry game would make them solid favorites to become the 2nd team since 1970 to rally from a 1-5 start to reach the playoffs.
In addition, you have the following games that are also fairly important for both participants:
Seattle (6-5) at Minnesota (8-3)
Winner likely in as at least a wildcard. Minnesota’s tough remaining schedule (at Arizona next week) becomes relatively moot if they are 9-3. The week 17 matchup at Green Bay will almost certainly be for the division after last night’s result. As long as the teams are within a game of each other, the week 17 winner will win the division.
Seattle, meanwhile, can create separation from Atlanta and/or Tampa Bay, as well as anyone else in the NFC harboring outside hopes of a run.
Indianapolis (6-5) at Pittsburgh (6-5)
The Sunday Night game put Matt Hasselbeck’s undefeated stretch as the Colts’ emergency starter to the test. Pittsburgh really should have won at Seattle, but squandered several opportunities. They’ve survived, for the most part, the stretches with Roethlisberger out, and he should be starting this one after entering the concussion protocol a week ago. This is more important to Pittsburgh than Indianapolis given the relative division dynamics. Pittsburgh is also only 3-4 in conference games, an important tiebreaker, and I don’t know that they can overcome another home loss to an AFC team.