Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be one of the best slates of games of the entire season so far. Some things to keep an eye on include new contenders in the NFL MVP race, playoff chaos in the NFC and AFC, and a buffet of exciting NFL games during the extended Thanksgiving weekend. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and Patriots quarterback Drake Maye have done an excellent job of leading their teams during a season of resurgence. In the NFC, the Chicago Bears are rising to the top of the NFC North, while the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are experiencing turbulence. The AFC playoff picture features a logjam for the wild-card positions among the Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, and Jacksonville Jaguars, with the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens still fighting for their playoff lives.
#32 Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans missed their second win of the season but are well-positioned for the 2026 NFL draft. For the second straight year, they have the NFL’s worst record. Last year, they used their top pick on quarterback Cam Ward. This year, they have a strong opportunity to trade the #1 pick and acquire the talent needed to jump-start their rebuilding process. This week, the Titans host the Jaguars. While aiming for a division win, a loss still offers long-term benefits for the team.
#31 Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders appear stuck in rebuilding mode. Recently, they fired Offensive Coordinator Chip Kelly and, for the third time in his coaching career, rehired Greg Olson, previously their Quarterbacks coach, as offensive coordinator. It is unlikely that head coach Pete Carroll will lead the Raiders into the next era. With that uncertainty, Carroll seems focused on winning as many games as possible now. This week, the Raiders travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers, a team they can realistically defeat, though the Chargers may be more motivated as they fight for a playoff spot.
#30 New Orleans Saints
During the 2025 season, the New Orleans Saints have at times made encouraging strides on offense. The emergence of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and his dynamic chemistry with wide receiver Chris Olave has ignited genuine optimism within the team and fanbase. This week, the Saints challenge a Dolphins team fresh off a bye and determined to climb back into the AFC wild-card race. While the Saints have an opportunity to secure a road win, the real question is, “What true advantage does a victory over the Dolphins provide?” In reality, a loss could strategically benefit New Orleans by worsening its record, thereby improving its position in the 2026 NFL draft and increasing its chances of securing essential talent for the future.
#29 New York Jets
The New York Jets are yet another team that would benefit more from losing this week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons than from winning. It appears that Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is going to get at least a second season to turn this Jets team around, and that means Glenn would benefit from a better draft position. However, coaches and players in the NFL will always fight to win each week, and the Atlanta Falcons are a team the Jets could beat. With both teams being strong running teams, this game will most likely be a slugfest.
#28 New York Giants
The New York Giants nearly pulled off upsets the past two weeks against the Packers and Lions. Jameis Winston has sparked the team at quarterback, keeping them competitive. With the playoffs out of reach, starting Winston for the rest of the season could help Jaxson Dart prepare for a strong 2026. Meanwhile, Mike Kafka has the Giants playing hard and may be auditioning as the next head coach. This week, the Giants aim to end the Patriots’ 10-game winning streak in Foxboro.
#27 Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have endured a disastrous 2025 season but retain a remote chance of reaching the top of the AFC North. Although they’ve likely missed the playoffs, head coach Zac Taylor will start Joe Burrow this week, aiming to close the gap in the standings to two games. Burrow’s return, however, will come without wide receiver Tee Higgins, who remains in the concussion protocol.
#26 Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders began the 2025 season aiming to return to the Super Bowl. Their expectations, however, shifted after injuries decimated their top playmakers. Although quarterback Jayden Daniels has stated his desire to return this season, the Commanders must weigh whether risking his health is worthwhile given their slim playoff chances. Working back into wild-card contention currently seems unlikely. This week brings a new challenge as Washington hosts one of the NFL’s hottest teams, the Denver Broncos.
#25 Cleveland Browns
This week’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers is a major opportunity for Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders to show he can lead the team. Last week, Sanders made his first NFL start against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders defense and played well enough to earn another chance. Now, he faces a much tougher 49ers defense. If Sanders leads the Browns to an upset, he could secure the starting quarterback role going forward.
#24 Arizona Cardinals
In recent weeks, Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett has shown promise as a leader for the Arizona offense. Brissett has posted impressive stats, especially given the offense’s lack of many key playmakers. However, his strong performance has not led to wins. This week, the Cardinals head to Tampa Bay to take on a Buccaneers team still reeling from a Sunday Night Football loss to the Los Angeles Rams. This game could be an opportunity for the Cardinals to end their three-game losing streak.
#23 Miami Dolphins
After the bye week, the Miami Dolphins return with hopes of re-entering the AFC wild-card race. To achieve that, they will likely need to win all their remaining games this season. Currently on a two-game winning streak, the Dolphins have a chance to build momentum as they host a struggling Saints team. However, it will be imperative that the Dolphins take care of the ball against New Orleans if they want to pick up this important win.
#22 Minnesota Vikings
The start of the J.J. McCarthy era for the Minnesota Vikings has been a disaster so far this season. However, it seems things can still get worse for a Vikings team that made the playoffs last year. This week, McCarthy is in concussion protocol, and it is expected that undrafted free-agent quarterback Max Brosmer will get his first NFL start against the Seattle Seahawks. While it seems unlikely that Brosmer will right the Vikings’ ship, the bar for success has been lowered considerably by the many failures of McCarthy this season.
#21 Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons were able to snap their five-game losing streak last week, with quarterback Kirk Cousins once again leading the Falcons’ offense. This week, the Falcons have a good opportunity to stack two wins when they travel to New York to face the Jets. It will be important for the Falcons to lean on their strong running game and keep the offense manageable for Cousins. Defensively, the Falcons will need to stop the Jets’ run game, and if they do, they are likely to leave New York with another victory.
#20 Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers missed numerous opportunities last week to pick up a big upset win on the road against the San Francisco 49ers. However, the Panthers are still in a great position to overtake the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the top of the NFC South division. On the other hand, the Buccaneers were destroyed by the Los Angeles Rams last week, and this week it is the Panthers’ turn to face the Rams. Carolina will need to find ways to put points on the scoreboard against a stingy Rams defense if they want to have a chance to surpass the Buccaneers in the standings.
#19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had to sail through troubled waters over the last three weeks, and as a result, they are riding a three-game losing streak. It is currently unclear if Baker Mayfield is going to be able to play this week for Tampa Bay after suffering an injury to his left shoulder last week against the Rams. If Mayfield is unable to play, they will most likely be in for a dogfight against an Arizona Cardinals team that has been close to winning the last three weeks.
#18 Dallas Cowboys
Last week, the Dallas Cowboys picked up a huge win against the Philadelphia Eagles after scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half. This week, the Cowboys will face another huge challenge against a Kansas City Chiefs team fighting for a wild-card spot, just like the Cowboys. This game will be played under a national spotlight on Thanksgiving. That means either the stage is set for Dak Prescott and his Cowboys to prove they are a contender, or to demonstrate that the Cowboys’ two-game winning streak was simply an illusion of progress.
#17 Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a must-win game against a solid Buffalo Bills team this week. Over the last several weeks, the Steelers have gone from the best team in a bad AFC North division to now fighting for their right to stay at the top of the division against a surging Baltimore Ravens team. Last week, the Steelers struggled with turnovers without quarterback Aaron Rodgers leading the way. This week, head coach Mike Tomlin has indicated that Rodgers will be back to face a Bills defense that ranks in the top 10 in stopping opponents’ passing games.
#16 Houston Texans
This week, the Houston Texans have a big opportunity to start taking back control of the AFC South division. The Texans are on a three-game winning streak, including their stunning defensive performance against the Buffalo Bills last week. However, the Texans will need to play their best football once again this week when they face the current AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts.
#15 Los Angeles Chargers
This week, the Los Angeles Chargers have a good chance to notch another important win as they pursue a wild-card spot in the playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs are currently surging towards the Chargers in the standings, and if the Chargers intend to hold their position, they must win this week. The Chargers will face a Las Vegas Raiders team that is crashing to the bottom of the AFC West. However, to earn this division victory, the Chargers must show up ready to play a complete game on offense and defense, despite numerous injuries.
#14 Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens enter Week 13 with a five-game winning streak, which has pulled them even with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the top of the AFC North. However, this week the Ravens face a desperate Cincinnati Bengals team that needs a win to keep any hopes of making the playoffs alive. For the Ravens to win this game, they will need to execute in the red zone, where their touchdown success rate has been a shadow of what it was in past seasons. For the Ravens to win this week, they will need to be ready to capitalize on the mistakes the Bengals have become known for on the national stage during a night game on Thanksgiving Day.
#13 Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars have found a way to win the last two weeks despite inconsistent play by quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Last week, Lawrence threw three interceptions and fumbled a ball that the Arizona Cardinals defense returned for a defensive touchdown. Even with those numerous mistakes, the Jaguars pulled off a win in overtime. This week, the Jaguars go on the road to face another struggling team when they face the Tennessee Titans. While the Jaguars will likely win this game, they need to play more efficient football if they are going to succeed in the playoffs.
#12 Buffalo Bills
A week after the Buffalo Bills’ offense imploded on national television against the Houston Texans, the team has finally made an attempt to give quarterback Josh Allen the serious threat he has been missing all season. To address this, the Bills signed wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who was released by the New Orleans Saints after the two sides failed to reach a contract agreement earlier this week. If Cooks can be a legitimate deep threat, it may help alleviate the intense pressure that Allen has been facing. Buffalo will face a big test against an elite group of pass rushers when they play a Pittsburgh Steelers team that needs a win as much as the Bills.
#11 Kansas City Chiefs
After a slow start to 2025, the Kansas City Chiefs are fighting to rejoin the wild-card race and need a win to stay in contention. Last week, the Chiefs’ defense and Patrick Mahomes’ clutch play secured an overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts, keeping playoff hopes alive. This week, the Chiefs meet a determined Dallas Cowboys team on a national stage. A loss threatens their postseason chances, so, unlike last week, the Chiefs must play more efficiently to beat a Cowboys squad that has improved since major trade deadline moves.
#10 Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions come into their Thanksgiving Day matchup with the Green Bay Packers needing to secure a win against a Packers team that has moved past them in the NFC North standings. This game will feel like a playoff game for both teams as they try to keep pace with the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears. Up to this point, the Lions have struggled to play consistently against the top teams on their schedule.
#9 Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are one of the most improved teams in the NFL this season. Those improvements are a combination of improved offensive efficiency under head coach Ben Johnson and improvements to quarterback Caleb Williams’ performance on offense. However, the Bears’ defense has been an even bigger part of the Bears’ return to relevance. The Bears’ ability to force turnovers has helped Chicago put together a four-game winning streak. This week, Chicago will face a big test on Black Friday against a Philadelphia Eagles team that is looking to bounce back from a painful loss last week against the Cowboys.
#8 Philadelphia Eagles
After blowing a 21-point lead last week, the Philadelphia Eagles need to bounce back quickly as they face a Chicago Bears team looking to continue its rise in the NFC. For the Eagles to win against the Bears, they must be able to establish their running game with Saquon Barkley and avoid the turnovers that were the catalyst for the Cowboys’ comeback in the second half last week. In addition, the Eagles’ defense will need to step up its performance and force the Bears’ offense into mistakes this week.
#7 San Francisco 49ers
Despite injuries and sloppy play by quarterback Brock Purdy, the 49ers remain contenders in the NFC West. Though currently third in their division, they are just one game behind the Seattle Seahawks and must win each week to keep a playoff spot. This week, the 49ers visit a struggling Cleveland Browns team with one of the NFL’s top defenses. To secure this key road win, the 49ers will need to force turnovers from the Browns’ offense.
#6 Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers continue to gut out tough wins despite lacking efficiency on the offensive side of the ball this season. Much of the Packers’ success has been due to improved play from their defense, made possible by the addition of edge rusher Micah Parsons. This week, the Packers must travel to Detroit to face a hungry Detroit Lions team on Thanksgiving. Both the Lions and the Packers need to win this game to keep pace with the Chicago Bears in the division, so it will essentially be an early playoff atmosphere for both teams.
#5 Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks have faced significant challenges the past two weeks, with quarterback Sam Darnold throwing four interceptions against the Rams and one pick-six against the Titans. Even so, Seattle managed a close win last week in Tennessee. Now, the Seahawks and Darnold turn their attention to the Minnesota Vikings, under pressure. For Darnold, this matchup presents an opportunity to exorcise his demons against a Vikings squad that has failed to live up to expectations this season.
#4 Indianapolis Colts
Last week, the Indianapolis Colts faltered late on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs, unraveling in the fourth quarter and overtime. There’s no time for self-pity as the Colts now confront a surging Houston Texans squad eager to reclaim the AFC South. To seize a crucial win against Houston’s elite defense, Indianapolis must restore balance between Daniel Jones’s passing and Jonathan Taylor’s running.
#3 New England Patriots
While the New England Patriots are technically the hottest team in the NFL with their nine-game winning streak, the Patriots have struggled with consistency. This week, the Patriots’ offense and quarterback Drake Maye must be ready to play their best football at home against a dangerous New York Giants team. New England will need to play disciplined football on offense and defense to be successful against the Giants and maintain its best record in the NFL this season.
#2 Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos have fought their way to the top of the AFC West with outstanding play by their defense, and quarterback Bo Nix managing the Broncos’ offense. During the Broncos’ current eight-game winning streak, they have found ways to overcome offensive challenges and grind out wins in multiple one-score games. This week, the Broncos go on the road to face a struggling Washington Commanders team on Sunday Night Football.
#1 Los Angeles Rams
Currently, the Los Angeles Rams are considered the most complete team in the NFL. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, leading the offense, has set a new standard with 30 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. Meanwhile, the defense has excelled at taking the ball away from opponents. This week, as they travel to the East Coast, the Rams will face a Panthers team that poses a defensive threat but struggles offensively. To extend their six-game winning streak, the Rams must arrive prepared and play their best football.
