NFL: 5 Things From Week 13

In the NFL, every game matters, but in December, games feel even bigger. These match ups are showdowns for future playoff match ups and eventual seeding.

5 Things I Learned In Week 13

1. Lions May Win Another – Yes, the Lions finally got their win on a last second play at home against MIN. However, the Lions have been very competitive the last 4 weeks. I’m thinking they can either pack it in or keep it rolling at DEN this week or at ATL (W16) or at SEA (W17). Jared Goff gets his first win without Sean McVay as his coach – crazy.
2. WAS D Has Turned Around – The Washington Football team was a terrible Defensive unit for the start of the year. I’m not sure if it was the scheme or just effort. In their last 5 games, this group has allowed just 17.4 PPG which has led to 4 straight wins and the loss at the Broncos on Halloween was 17-10. They are now in the 7 slot of the playoffs and at .500. This week the showdown against the Cowboys will tell us a lot.
3. The Steelers Aren’t Dead – At 5-5-1 in the AFC, the Steelers needed a win against BAL. Well, it took almost every second of the game to do it, but after BAL’s Lamar Jackson didn’t complete the 2 point conversion pass to Mark Andrews, PIT got the win, 20-19. Big Ben played better, and WR Diontae Johnson was great with 8 Catches for 105 yards for 2 critical TDs. At 6-5-1, PIT can still make it in to the playoffs.
4. Bills Gone With the Wind – The weather didn’t help the home team, as the 60 mph winds limited both the kicking and passing game. In fact, Pats’ Coach Bill Belichick decided to throw the ball just 3 times for 19 yards and used the wind and 2 red zone stands to hold the Bills scoreless in the 4th and get the win, 14-10. We will see this match up again in Foxboro in a couple weeks, but the Bills claim on the AFC East crown is denied for now.
5. Taysom Hill Is Not An NFL QB – I will say, I love Taysom Hill’s game. He is physical. He puts it all on the line, but Thursday against the Cowboys was not a good look for Hill. Four INTs and just 19 completions on 41 attempts really isn’t what NO was looking for in signing him to the contract. Yep, he ran for 101 yards and that is what he is best at. However, Hill will need to greatly improve to actually play the position going forward.

Wegs Index After Week 13

1. Bills 7-5 (3.67) – The Bills didn’t fare well in the wind against NE, but it seemed like they had the better team. Still Top 9 in every category.
2. Cardinals 10-2 (4.50) – AZ is the top team in the NFC for a reason. With Kyler Murray back, they are a real contender with Top 5 showing in every category except Yards Gained.
3. Patriots (5.83) – The Pats ran the ball at will on MNF against the Bills, but Mac Jones will need to actually pass the ball to win the 1 Seed in the AFC.
4. Bucs 9-3 (6.50) – TB12 leads the league in passing yards and the D is finally cracking the Top 10 in Yards Against. They will be just fine.
5. Colts 7-6 (7.50) – The Colts will ride RB Jonathan Taylor as long as they can, but the D is now 10th in Points Against.
6. Cowboys 8-4 (9.00) – The Boys need to see if they can stop WAS with that 27th Yards Against rating, but #1 in Yards Gained should help.
7. Rams 8-4 (9.17) – The Rams got right against the Jags, but let’s see if they can play the rest of the NFC West now.
8. Packers 9-3 (9.50) – The Pack need to figure out how to keep the train running without those Offensive Tackles.

Marquee Match Ups in Week 14

• Ravens at Browns (-2.5, 42 Total) – Sunday, 12/12 at Noon Central – Another AFC North grudge match, this time the former Browns vs. the current Browns. Honestly, I don’t think the Ravens are that great this year, but the Browns are really beat up. I’ll take the Ravens and the Points (+2.5).
• Cowboys at WAS (+4, 48 Total) – Sunday, 12/12 at Noon Central – Huge match up in WAS here. The Cowboys need to decide if they want to snatch this division for good. I think they win this one, but WAS covers the number (+4).
• Bills at Bucs (-3, 52.5 Total) – Sunday, 12/12 at 3:25 PM Central – Here is a potential Super Bowl preview. I think after the emotional game against the Patriots will take a lot out of the Bills, so I see the Bucs winning this game. I think the Bucs cover the number and Under the Total.
• Rams at Cardinals (-2.5, 51.5 Total) – Sunday, 12/13 at 7:15 PM Central – Can the Cards win this division on Monday? Well, effectively, yes. With a 2 game lead and 4-0 in the division, this is the Rams last chance to make a move. I think the Cards take care of business here and the Rams continue to lose to top teams.

With 5 weeks to play, it’s go time.

Wegs