NFL Week 13 is upon us. There are a few key matchups on the slate for Sunday that are very crucial for both the playoff race and the 2024 NFL Draft. Here I will highlight a few games on the slate for week 13. Let’s take a look:
Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots (1:00pm):
This matchup in Foxborough is one of the most interesting games on the slate because both the Patriots and Chargers are two of the bottom dwelling teams in the daunting AFC.
For the Los Angeles Chargers, they come into this game losers of their last 3 games. If the Chargers lose today, I believe it’s time to make a change at the head coaching position and just turn the page to 2024. This Chargers team is full of talent. But has little to show for it under Brandon Staley. This game is a must win game for the Chargers if they want to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot.
The Patriots on the the other hand sits at 2-9 with a lot questions needing to be answered. Whether it’s the end of the Bill Belichick era or they are officially moving on from Mac Jones, a top 15 pick from that 2021 class. It would be best for the Patriots to just lose today so they can completely knock it down and start the rebuild.
Denver Broncos vs Houston Texans (1:00pm):
This game is measuring stick for both the Broncos, winners of 5 straight and a Houston Texans team that has surprised and captured the hearts of many NFL fans across the globe.
For the Denver Broncos, they are a team deemed to make a push for the playoffs in 2023 after a horrendous showing in 2022. Russell Wilson and Sean Payton over the past month have to seemed to be building a wonderful chemistry between the two. Over the past month, the Broncos have wins over top AFC favorites in the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and the Cleveland Browns. Let’s see if they keep momentum going against this fiery Texans team.
For the Houston Texans, this is a team that many had picking in the top 5 again in the 2024 NFL draft. Well that’s not the case for the Houston Texans. Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans has this young Texans team laying down to nobody and their stud quarterback CJ Stroud has picked up where he left off at Ohio State. The Texans are still in the mix for a AFC South division title behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Texans have a chance to be one the 7 seeds in the AFC starting today with a win against the Denver Broncos
San Francisco 49ers vs Philadelphia Eagles (4:25pm):
Can we all agree that this game is just a preview of a possible NFC Championship game rematch. Not only that, this game for the 49ers is a revenge game after the storyline behind the Eagles win in the 2023 NFC Championship game. Just back and get your popcorn ready for this one.
For the San Francisco 49ers, this rematch vs the Eagles has to have this 49ers team extra motivated after they lost their quarterback in the NFC Championship game. But, the game is once again back in the city of Brotherly Love. This game for the 49ers, is a must win game for San Francisco because if they win this game they hold a tie breaker over the Eagles. Also, they have their stew of weapons at the helm of Brock Purdy. Look for the 49ers to come out energized and ready for a dog fight vs the Eagles.
For the Philadelphia Eagles, The Eagles have to come out swinging early vs this 49ers defense. The 49ers didn’t forget what happened last season in the NFC Championship game. They will be looking to come out beat the Eagles if the Eagles aren’t up for the challenge in this rematch. The Eagles have to keep their foot on the necks of the entire NFC with a win today because the Eagles play both the Dallas Cowboys (9-3) and the Seattle Seahawks (6-6) in the coming weeks. Not to mention the Eagles doesn’t have the NFC East in hand yet. So look for the Eagles to come into today game looking to match the 49ers energy and feed off their fans to get a crucial win today vs the San Francisco 49ers.
Here are my three key week 13 matchups. Enjoy the games today and appreciate football in general. This season is easily whining down with 4 weeks left until the playoffs. That starts today in Week 13.
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