Week 13 was wild in the 2025 NFL season. Several teams proved their readiness to ascend, while others began to slide. The new NFC and AFC leaders are the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots. As these teams climb, others trend downward. The Colts and Steelers have cooled after a hot start, and the Kansas City Chiefs appear less like a playoff team after three Super Bowl runs. The AFC South is now wide open, with the Jaguars, Colts, and Texans jammed at the top of the division standings.
Arizona Cardinals = 3 for 8 on 3rd Down
For the fourth straight week, the Arizona Cardinals narrowly missed grabbing their fourth win of the 2025 season. This time, the Cardinals kept the game close against the Buccaneers, but they couldn’t consistently convert on 3rd down. Arizona converted only three of eight 3rd-down opportunities, for a 37.5% success rate. Their struggles on 3rd down prevented them from building more scoring drives, which would have proved vital in a three-point game.
Atlanta Falcons = 2 Failed 4th Quarter Drives
In a close game, it is rare for a team to get multiple chances to make the key plays to help that team clinch a win. However, the Atlanta Falcons found themselves with two opportunities to put together a drive in the last two minutes of their game against the Jets to pull ahead and clinch a win on the road. The Falcons only needed a field goal to steal a win in New York, but both times the Falcons’ offense came up short. Atlanta’s inability to get into field goal position sealed the fate of the Falcons against the Jets.
Baltimore Ravens = 5 Turnovers
Entering Week 13, the Baltimore Ravens carried a five-game winning streak and had just tied the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the AFC North. With momentum on their side, it seemed they would easily defeat a consistently underperforming Bengals team. But five costly turnovers, Lamar Jackson’s interception and two lost fumbles, Isaiah Likely’s end-zone fumble for a touchback, and Zay Flowers’ late-game fumble, cost the Ravens a win and revived memories of their early-season struggles.
Buffalo Bills = 249 Rushing Yards
The Buffalo Bills entered Pittsburgh needing a win to maintain hope for the AFC East lead. They started slowly on offense, falling behind early. Then, defensive end Joey Bosa forced quarterback Aaron Rodgers to fumble and the Bills defense returned it for a touchdown, putting Buffalo ahead. The Bills’ running game then dominated, finishing with 249 rushing yards and 23 unanswered points.
Carolina Panthers = Forced 3 Turnovers
Over the last few weeks, the Carolina Panthers’ defense has shown it can excel at forcing turnovers. Although the Panthers have struggled to take the turnovers their defense has forced and convert them into points. However, that trend was reversed this week as the Carolina Panthers forced the Los Angeles Rams to turn the ball over 3 times, and this week they turned those interceptions into points. That improvement allowed the Panthers to pull off a huge upset over the Los Angeles Rams.
Chicago Bears = 281 Rushing Yards
The Chicago Bears picked up a team-defining Week 13 road win over the Eagles. They dominated the line of scrimmage with their offensive line and running game, finishing with 281 rushing yards against one of the NFL’s top defensive units. Rookie Kyle Monangai rushed for 130 yards, while veteran D’Andre Swift added 125.
Cincinnati Bengals = Forced 5 Turnovers
The news out of the Cincinnati Bengals camp this week was dominated by the news that quarterback Joe Burrow was cleared to return to the field and get his first start since Week 2 of the season. However, the much-maligned Bengals defense stole the headline by forcing the Ravens offense to turn the ball over five times. Cincinnati turned an interception and four fumble recoveries into multiple scoring opportunities, allowing the Bengals to take and hold their lead against the Ravens.
Cleveland Browns = Allowed a 66-Yard Return
The Cleveland Browns entered Week 13 looking for another win with quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This week’s opponent was stronger than last week’s Las Vegas Raiders, whom Cleveland defeated. The Browns avoided a collapse against the 49ers but made key mistakes that cost them. The crucial error was allowing 49ers punt returner Skyy Moore to return a 66-yard punt, setting up a short 32-yard drive that put the 49ers ahead and handed the Browns a loss.
Dallas Cowboys = Forced a Punt on Four Drives
Since the trade deadline during Week 10, the Dallas Cowboys’ defense has been stepping up each week. The improvements made by the Cowboys’ defense complement their explosive offense, giving Dallas a chance to win each week. During the last two weeks, the Cowboys have beaten the Eagles and Chiefs, both of which played in last year’s Super Bowl. This week, the Cowboys’ defense stepped up during an offensive shootout, forcing the Kansas City Chiefs to punt on four consecutive drives. Those stops were enough for the Cowboys to maintain their lead over a resilient Chiefs team.
Denver Broncos = Eight 3rd Down Stops
The Denver Broncos’ current nine-game winning streak shows just how far having a great defense can get a team in the NFL. Thanks to their excellent defense, the Broncos have won 8 of 10 games decided by one score or less. This week, the Broncos’ defense kept pace with the Denver offense by stopping 9 of the Commanders’ drives, shutting Washington down on 3rd downs. That includes the Commanders’ fast start on offense, during which they converted 6 of 7 3rd-down opportunities. Denver’s defense then stepped up its game, stopping the Commanders on 8 of 10 3rd-down situations.
Detroit Lions = 4th Down Failures
The Detroit Lions were ready to fight for their chance to be the best team in the NFC North this season, but even though they were ready, the Packers took advantage of their weaknesses to hand the Lions another loss. Those weaknesses included the inability to protect quarterback Jared Goff and the loss of wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown during the game. Even with those challenges, the Lions still had a chance to make a comeback against the Packers, but down the stretch, they failed to pick up critical first downs in 4th-and-short situations, going 0-for-2. Those lost opportunities to extend drives and one red-zone possession in which the Lions had to settle for a field goal allowed the Packers to spoil the Lions’ Thanksgiving.
Green Bay Packers = 4th Down Domination
The Green Bay Packers visited Ford Field on Thanksgiving, aiming to prove themselves as a top NFC team. Jordan Love, Christian Watson, and Micah Parsons showed they could win big games against quality opponents. The Packers dominated the Lions on 4th-down attempts and in the red zone, achieving a 100% success rate in both. Those edges provided the boost needed to win a closely contested game.
Houston Texans = 45.8% 3rd Down Rate
Recently, the Houston Texans have recovered from a slow start to their season by stringing together some important wins against some quality AFC teams. This week, the Texans continued to surge to the top of the AFC South standings by upsetting the Indianapolis Colts on the field. A big part of the Texans’ winning effort was their ability to outperform the Colts’ offense, with a 3rd-down success rate of 45.8% on 24 attempts. In contrast, the Texans’ defense held the Colts to a 30% success rate on 3rd down. Houston’s ability to convert on 3rd down allowed them to control the time of possession, including a 5th trip to the red zone, which was enough for the Texans to pull off a 4-point win over the Colts.
Indianapolis Colts = Zero Rushing Touchdowns
During the Indianapolis Colts’ first 10 games of the 2025 season, they ranked among the NFL’s top offenses. The Colts’ offensive success was based on the balance of their passing game, led by quarterback Daniel Jones, and their running game, featuring running back Jonathan Taylor. However, over the last several weeks, the Colts’ offense has failed to maintain its early momentum, largely due to a lack of balance. This week, the Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ran the ball for 4.0 yards a carry, but he was unable to score a rushing touchdown. When the Colts’ offense stops leaning on their running game, they become a much easier offense to defend.
Jacksonville Jaguars = 0 Turnovers on Offense
The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to find ways to win games even when their quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, is not having his best day. Recently, Lawrence has had trouble turning the ball over. Even with those turnovers, the Jaguars dug out close games with wins. This week, the Jaguars solved their turnover issues with quarterback Trevor Lawrence not throwing any interceptions or fumbling the ball. If Jacksonville can continue to take care of the ball on offense, it could end up winning the AFC South.
Kansas City Chiefs = 3rd Down Failures
The Kansas City Chiefs came into Dallas ready to put points on the scoreboard in an effort to stay in the race for a wild-card spot for the playoffs. However, the Cowboys also brought a high-powered offense into the game, and the result was a shootout between Dallas and Kansas City. Ultimately, the Chiefs came up short against the Cowboys, and a big part of that was the Chiefs’ inability to get the Cowboys’ offense off the field. Kansas City’s defense allowed the Cowboys offense to pick up a 1st down on 55.6% of the Cowboys’ 3rd-and-long situations.
Las Vegas Raiders = 156 Total Offensive Yards
The low point of the 2025 season for the Las Vegas Raiders came when they fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly after losing to the Cleveland Browns. However, this week was not significantly better with new offensive coordinator Greg Olson leading the offense against the Los Angeles Chargers. In a losing effort, the Raiders totaled only 156 offensive yards.
Los Angeles Chargers = 71.4% 3rd Down Rate
After several weeks of finding it difficult to produce consistently on the offensive side of the ball, the Chargers were able to bounce back and dominate against the Raiders’ defense. During the game, the Chargers excelled at extending drives, with a 3rd-down success rate of 71.4%. The ability to pick up first downs in 10 of 14 3rd-down situations allowed the Chargers to control the pace of the game and extend drives, putting points on the scoreboard.
Los Angeles Rams = 3 Turnovers on Offense
The Los Angeles Rams came into Week 13 as the hottest team in the NFC, riding a six-game win streak. While Stafford played outstanding, efficient football during that stretch, he had only two interceptions and 30 passing touchdowns up to this point in the season, an MVP-caliber performance. That changed when the Carolina Panthers defense doubled Stafford’s interception total by picking him off twice, including one return for a defensive touchdown. They also forced him to fumble the ball in the 4th quarter.
Miami Dolphins = +2 Turnover Margin
After a poor start to 2025, the Miami Dolphins are now stringing together wins and could re-enter the AFC wild-card race. This week, the Dolphins earned a key victory over the New Orleans Saints by forcing three turnovers, including two interceptions. One interception sealed the win by returning it on a two-point conversion. Although Tua Tagovailoa threw a pick that led to a Saints field goal, Miami’s +2 turnover margin was enough for another win.
Minnesota Vikings = 4 Interceptions Thrown
This week, the Minnesota Vikings found themselves in a desperate situation, with starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy unable to play due to concussion protocol. McCarthy’s absence provided undrafted free agent quarterback Max Brosmer his chance to start his first game in the NFL. However, things did not go well for Brosmer, who threw four interceptions in a shutout loss to the Seattle Seahawks. One of those interceptions resulted in an 85-yard return for a defensive touchdown.
New England Patriots = 94-Yard Punt Return
The New England Patriots stretched their win streak to 10 straight with a dominant performance against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Controlling the line of scrimmage on both offense and defense, they set the pace early. However, it was a special-teams play, the 94-yard punt return touchdown by Marcus Jones, that electrified the stadium and gave New England the lead. Afterward, the offense and defense firmly took over.
New Orleans Saints = 2.5 Yards/Carry
While the New Orleans Saints have had some bright points offensively this season, the Saints faced a big challenge with running back Alvin Kamara being out due to a knee injury. The absence of Kamara put the pressure of establishing the Saints’ running game on Devin Neal. However, the Saints’ offensive line ended up getting pounded by the Dolphins’ defensive line. As a result, Neal only gained 60 yards on 24 carries, giving him an average of 2.5 yards/carry.
New York Giants = 224 Total Offensive Yards
The return of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart did not provide the New York Giants with the offensive boost that interim head coach Mike Kafka had hoped. Instead, Dart took several more big hits and abuse while the Giants’ offense continued to struggle to get into a rhythm. Offensively, the Giants produced only 224 total yards, compared to the Patriots’ 396. If the Giants cannot keep up offensively and cannot get stops defensively, you get a performance like the Patriots put on against the Giants on Monday Night Football.
New York Jets = 1 Forced Turnover on a Punt
The New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons clashed as both teams hunted for an edge with their powerful running games. The Falcons blundered repeatedly, gifting the Jets a hard-fought win. One pivotal play occurred when the Jets’ punt team pounced on a loose ball after the Falcons bobbled a punt at their own 2-yard line. That recovery sparked a swift Jets touchdown, ultimately allowing the Jets to win the game.
Philadelphia Eagles = 5.98 Yards/Carry
Over the last five years, the Philadelphia Eagles have established themselves as the NFL’s toughest team, especially at the line of scrimmage. Their identity centers on being unstoppable, running the “Tush Push,” and last year, they strengthened their running game by adding Saquon Barkley behind their offensive line. However, this week the Chicago Bears visited Philadelphia and beat the Eagles at their own game. So far this season, the Eagles’ defense has allowed 4.3 yards per carry. Against the Bears, they surrendered 5.98 yards per carry, a clear blow to their reputation.
Pittsburgh Steelers = 1 Defensive Touchdown
Over the last several weeks, times have gotten tough for the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Two weeks ago, Rodgers sat out Pittsburgh’s game against the Chicago Bears due to a left wrist injury, but after losing that game, Pittsburgh decided to start Rodgers against the Buffalo Bills. That was until Bills defensive end Joey Bosa stripped Rodgers and scored a defensive touchdown. During that play, Rodgers’ wrist injury was aggravated, resulting in Rodgers being pulled from the game.
San Francisco 49ers = 13 Points Off Big Plays
This week, the 49ers created two scoring opportunities from two Cleveland Browns mistakes. First, a 66-yard punt return by 49ers punt returner Skyy Moore set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Christian McCaffrey. Second, a muffed punt by Cleveland led to a touchdown pass from Brock Purdy to Jauan Jennings.
Seattle Seahawks = 20% 3rd Down Rate
The Seattle Seahawks are another NFC West team that just keeps finding ways to win. Despite quarterback Sam Darnold struggling with turnovers, the Seahawks’ defense has helped Seattle overcome its mistakes and continue winning games. This week, against a short-handed Minnesota Vikings offense, the Seahawks defense shut down the Vikings in critical 3rd-down situations. Defensively, Seattle held the Vikings to a 20% 3rd-down success rate, which contributed to the Seahawks’ shutout of Minnesota’s offense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers = Two 4th Down Stops
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ season has been all about close games and close calls. Most of the time, the Buccaneers have come out on top in those situations, and this week, the Buccaneers’ defense stepped up in the 4th quarter to help Tampa Bay seal their win against the Arizona Cardinals. Specifically, the Buccaneers’ defense stopped the Cardinals’ offense on two 4th-and-short situations. In the 4th-and-short situation, the Buccaneers broke up a Cardinals pass to get the stop, and then in a 4th-and-1 situation, Tampa Bay’s defense stuffed a Cardinals run play to stop Arizona’s offense once again.
Tennessee Titans = 188 Total Offensive Yards
Recently, the Tennessee Titans have found themselves in close games, with opportunities to pick up wins in the 4th quarter. While the Titans’ close calls have been signs of potential progress for their offense, that progress was quickly reversed against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This week, the Titans struggled to find their offensive spark and finished with only 188 total yards against Jacksonville.
Washington Commanders = Failed 2-Point Play
The Washington Commanders’ offense had a fast start against the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football. That fast start included picking up first downs on 6 out of 7 3rd-down situations. However, the Commanders were unable to maintain their offensive momentum. Consequently, the Commanders only converted 8 out of 17 3rd down situations for a 47.1% 3rd down success rate. Despite those struggles, the Commanders found themselves in a position to snap the Broncos’ winning streak in overtime after responding to a Broncos touchdown to start overtime with a touchdown of their own. Rather than playing for a tie, the Commanders went for a two-point conversion in an effort to pick up a big win, but the Broncos’ defense broke up Washington’s pass, giving the Broncos a 1-point victory.
