Great 1-on-1 Matchups from Every Week 13 Game

It’s Thanksgiving, which means some of the best football of the year as the stakes get sky high. There are must-wins, games that will determine teams’ playoff chances, and games that have a massive effect on playoff seeding. As we prepare for a Thanksgiving week jam-packed with great football, here’s a look at one matchup from each game you should keep your eye on.

Packers @ Lions – Micah Parsons vs. Jahmyr Gibbs

This is a division matchup with extremely high stakes. Right now both teams are looking up at the Chicago Bears, and they cannot afford a loss. The Packers’ defense has been playing incredibly well, and Micah Parsons continues to wreck games. Jahmyr Gibbs is coming off an all-world game against the Giants, with 219 yards and 2 touchdowns. This matchup will bear out whether or not the Cowboys were right about Micah’s lack against the run. If he can help shut down one of the best backs in the NFL, then the Packers can take command of their destiny in the division. If the Lions can run all over Micah, they will maintain their dominance over the division.

Chiefs @ Cowboys – Quinnen Williams vs. Creed Humphrey

After a stunning comeback win over the Eagles, the Cowboys are suddenly a very exciting team. The Chiefs also kept their year alive in overtime fashion against the Colts. We all know that pressure, and especially interior pressure, is Mahomes’ Achilles heel. New Cowboy Quinnen Williams has been tearing things up and wrecking games, as I witnessed live in Las Vegas. The Chiefs’ interior line is one of the best in the league, but if they can’t handle the new Dallas interior rush, they might have a long day.

Bengals @ Ravens – Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson vs. themselves

Joe Burrow is back, and it’s in a huge spot against the Ravens on Thanksgiving night. At 3-8 the Bengals’ season is likely over, especially given how bad their defense has been. This game is all about two quarterbacks fighting against their own injuries to salvage their seasons. Joe’s toe will be the focus for the Bengals as he gets back into rhythm and tries to prove he’s more durable. Meanwhile, as injuries have cascaded down Lamar’s entire leg, he hasn’t looked quite himself. The Ravens are now in command of the AFC North, but they haven’t put together a full game of looking great on offense and defense at the same time. The whole country will be watching as these two guys attempt to make a comeback on Thanksgiving night.

Bears @ Eagles – Jaylon Johnson vs. AJ Brown

There’s been a ton of noise around AJ Brown, and it probably got louder after last week. The Eagles struggled mightily in the second half and gave up a comeback loss to the Cowboys. Meanwhile, the Bears’ vibes couldn’t be better as they lead their division at 8-3. Jaylon Johnson is coming back from injury, and he faces a challenge right away. AJ and the Eagles will be itching for a revenge game, and it’s Jaylon’s job to shut him down. A healthy Bears defense against one of the top contenders in the NFC will be a great measuring stick for them, and this should be a fantastic game.

Saints @ Dolphins – Kellen Moore vs. Mike McDaniel

Both of these teams are in the NFL’s basement, and their seasons ended a long time ago. These rosters are honestly so bereft of talent I can’t think of a player I’m that excited to watch. This one is just a battle of two coaches hoping desperately to hang onto their jobs. This one will be in the corner of your multiview if you even watch it at all.

Texans @ Colts – Derek Stingley Jr. vs. Michael Pittman

This divisional matchup has gotten a lot more exciting since the Texans have been on a hot streak. Their defense is undisputably the best in the league, and the Colts are arguably the best offense in the league. Seeing these two match up with such high stakes will be a fascinating watch. Pittman had an off week last week and seemed to be stymied by the Chiefs’ talented corners. If the Texans can achieve something similar, they can continue the Colts’ tailspin.

Falcons @ Jets – Tyrod Taylor vs. Justin Fields

I know these guys are on the same team, but this matchup is one that only matters to the 2026 draft order. The Jets are a huge mess, and the thing they need to focus on right now is answering long-term questions. They can now see what they have in Tyrod Taylor and whether their QB answer is on their roster. Justin Fields certainly hasn’t looked like the answer, and I doubt Tyrod is either. Perhaps the best thing they can do is just continue to make their draft pick higher.

49ers @ Browns – Trent Williams vs. Myles Garrett

This week, we get the chance to watch two of the best in the world face off. We all know Trent Williams is the baddest man on the 49ers, and perhaps one of the baddest in the NFL. Thought Myles Garrett might be even badder, given he’s now apparently a Stranger Things monster. He’s also a monster on the football field, and could easily be the MVP of the league if his team had more than 3 wins. Watching these two greats battle will be a joy for all of us this Sunday, as it always is.

Rams @ Panthers – Cameron Kinchens vs. Tetairoa McMillan

The Rams are undoubtedly the best team in football, and their defense is no small part of that. Last Sunday night, we watched them absolutely dominate the Buccaneers. Troy Aikman rightly gave Cameron Kinchens his flower, as he’s had an incredible year. Tet McMillan has also had a great rookie year, and we saw them in primetime, albeit to a less favorable result. We all expect the Rams to dominate, but if Bryce and Tet can deliver some plays, they might have a fighting chance.

Jaguars @ Titans – Travon Walker vs. Cam Ward

This week we get another battle between two underdiscussed and underwhelming first overall picks. Can the Jags defense and team stay hot and put the pressure on the young QB? Will Cam Ward finally show some flashes of why the Titans drafted him? Who can prove their draft spot wasn’t a coincidence?

Cardinals @ Buccaneers – Will Johnson vs. Emeka Egbuka

This is a huge battle between two rookies with a lot of promise. Will Johnson has struggled with some injuries, but when he plays, he’s been pretty good. If he can stay on the field, the Cardinals will be happy they took a gamble on him. Emeka Egbuka has been everything the Buccaneers wanted and more in his first year. But Tampa Bay is in a bit of a slide, and they need to turn it around with the Panthers on their tail. Can the Bucs stabilize and get their team rolling again as we close out the year? Or will the Cardinals play spoiler as they attempt to figure out who they are?

Vikings @ Seahawks – Max Brosmer vs. Sam Darnold Regret

When the Vikings let Sam Darnold go, I doubt they expected to be 4-7 starting Max Brosmer the next time they saw him. To add insult to injury, the Seahawks are rolling, and Sam is playing great football (Rams picks aside). This game is all about the Vikings figuring out what their quarterback situation is and trying not to regret letting Sam go too much. Frankly, this one shouldn’t be too hard for the Seahawks, but perhaps Brian Flores has something special cooked up for Sam Darnold to miss his old home as well.

Bills @ Steelers – Dion Dawkins vs. TJ Watt

A rematch of last year’s wildcard game comes at a time when both teams are relatively unhappy with their current standings. They’re both on losing streaks, and neither of them leads in their division. The line of scrimmage will feature a battle between two of the best in Dion Dawkins and T.J. Watt. The Steelers’ main way to win seems to be T.J. taking over and creating turnovers for the team. Dion Dawkins will be in his way, and Josh Allen isn’t the easiest guy to contain. Which of these teams will get back on track as they clash on Sunday afternoon?

Raiders @ Chargers – Maxx Crosby vs. Justin Herbert

Maxx Crosby is just about the only good thing happening on the Raiders at the moment. They are fully in a tailspin after losses to the Cowboys and Browns, and their season is already over. However, that doesn’t mean Maxx Crosby isn’t still capable of taking over and winning a game. The risk is especially high given LA’s beat-up offensive line. Will Justin Herbert and the Chargers have a plan to avoid Maxx Crosby wrecking the game? Or can Mad Maxx bring Las Vegas some life?

Broncos @ Commanders – Bo Nix vs. A Bad Defense

Sorry, Commanders, but only one of these teams is remotely interesting. The Broncos are in the thick of the playoff race and even have a shot at the one seed. We all know their defense is excellent, and most of their questions swirl around their young quarterback. Washington provides a good test for him, as their defense is one of the worst in the league. If Bo can’t light up the Commanders, the playoff concerns are real. Take care of Bo-siness on Sunday!

Giants @ Patriots – Abdul Carter vs. Will Campbell

Primetime Sunday night, we’ll be getting a battle between two top 5 picks in the 2025 draft. Their teams are headed in opposite directions, but neither of them has thrived in their rookie years. Abdul Carter has just one sack this year, a huge disappointment for such a high pick. Meanwhile, Campbell has allowed 5 sacks and committed 7 penalties, both in the bottom quarter of the league. These guys have had a tough time adjusting to the NFL so far, but perhaps battling a fellow rookie will give them time to shine.