Three games already went into the book on Thanksgiving, but the NFL still has a full slate of Sunday action now that we’re done with bye weeks for the 2019 season. Those games are still plenty intriguing, too, including a matchup between the MVP frontrunner and the league’s best defense that is sure to attract a lot of attention.
What else is worth watching out for as part of Sunday’s 13-game slate? Here are 15 key questions for NFL Week 13.
1. Can Lamar Jackson crack the toughest defense he’ll see this year?
The unquestionable game of the week sees Lamar Jackson come face-to-face with a San Francisco defense that has consistently dominated opponents all season. It is, essentially, the heavy favorite for MVP against the consensus best defense in the league. The last time Jackson faced a defense of this caliber, he ripped apart the New England Patriots, but this story could be different. If Jackson does the job, he’s a clear MVP favorite, though the 49er defense will be looking to make a major statement.
2. Have the Titans unlocked something with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback?
Tannehill’s Titans have won two in a row, the second of them a very impressive performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tannehill still seems unlikely to be a long-term solution, but the Indianapolis Colts are a secondary that can be beaten, and perhaps the Titan offense is clicking at the right time. This is actually a big game — the winner will move to 7-5, second in the AFC South, and be firmly in playoff contention. If Tannehill has found some sort of stride, the Titans are for real.
3. Are the Dolphins the antidote to the struggling Philadelphia offense?
After a surprising two-game winning streak, the Dolphins appear to have returned back to earth after two consecutive losses. The Eagles are likely to make it three, but there are extra motives for Philadelphia. Their offense, which has been riddled by injury and underperformance, hasn’t scored 30 points in a game since October. This is a perfect opportunity to do that, as it looks likely that some players will be getting back healthy and Carson Wentz will play. They’re in danger of falling out of the playoff race, so this has to be a momentum-booster for them.
4. Does Saquon Barkley have any life in him yet for 2019?
Barkley’s last 100-yard rushing game came on Sept. 15 in what is increasingly looking like a lost season for him. In fact, he’s accumulated just 212 rushing yards in his last six games as injuries have effectively derailed his 2019 campaign. With the Packers up next and Barkley stubbornly refusing to rest for the remainder of the season, expectations are low, but it would be great to see the talented young back at least come up with a few good games to end the season on a more positive note. His long-term outlook is still very good.
5. Can the Browns prime themselves for a playoff push?
Don’t look now, but the Browns have a forgiving schedule and a three-game win streak to go off of. They have one truly difficult game against Baltimore left on the schedule, but a visit to Pittsburgh this week is their other toughest remaining task. If they win, they could reasonably go 9-7 at worst, setting themselves up for a real playoff push despite a disastrous start. This is a big game to watch — it could make or break Cleveland’s playoff hopes.
6. Is Kyle Allen really the future of the Panthers?
It looks increasingly likely that the Panthers are going to move on from their $18 million obligation to Cam Newton this offseason, setting up a murky future for the team at quarterback. What’s not clear is whether Allen can step in to fill that void. He essentially seems to alternate between good and bad games — he was impressive against the Saints last week, but a total disaster against the Falcons prior to that. Consistency will be key, and that starts with stringing two solid games in a row together, which he should be able to do against Washington.
7. What’s the deal with the Jacksonville defense?
The Jaguars’ issues at the quarterback position have gotten a lot of publicity this season, and understandably so. Since Nick Foles returned as the team’s starting quarterback, however, the defense has given up 33 and 42 points to Indianapolis and Tennessee, two teams not necessarily known as offensive juggernauts. The defense, which was the backbone of the team during its recent AFC Championship run, has regressed mightily, and looks to be a real issue long-term, especially since the trade of Jalen Ramsey. The Buccaneers can certainly put up points when things are going right, so Jacksonville may have more reason to be concerned.
8. Is it now or never for the Cincinnati Bengals?
The Bengals do have one game left on the schedule that looks winnable — an away game against the Miami Dolphins. However, facing the Jets at home looks like it might be their best shot at getting a win this season. They’re playing the Jets at the wrong time — the team has won three straight behind a resurgent Sam Darnold. Andy Dalton back under center might be the best thing for the offense, but the defense has to step up. If they lose, things will start to get very dire for Cincinnati.
9. Is Jared Goff wrecked, or can he find it again against Arizona?
The knock on Jared Goff has always been his road numbers, and that problem has continued well into the 2019 season. More alarmingly, he also looks bad at home now as the once-mimicked Ram offense turns into a unit that is decidedly league-average or worse. He could scarcely ask for a better matchup than against the Cardinals, even if it is on the road. The Rams need a big performance; Goff hasn’t put together a completely solid game since October, even though the team is still in the playoff hunt. He needs to show some return on the Rams’ investment, and soon.
10. What will Drew Lock look like in his starting debut?
Drew Lock is set to make his starting debut for the Broncos against the Chargers on Sunday, serving as an intriguing late-season subplot. It’s tough to say how he will look. He’s sat out practice for most of his rookie season, and he was hardly regarded as a sure thing when drafted. Denver desperately needs a long-term answer at the quarterback position. The Broncos are in line for a fairly high draft pick, so Lock will really want to prove that he can be their answer at the key position.
11. Can the Raiders make a statement in a tough matchup?
The Raiders are only one game behind the Chiefs in the AFC West as the two teams clash in Kansas City on Sunday. There’s a lot working against Oakland — they’re 1-4 on the road and their vulnerable pass defense is a bad matchup for Kansas City’s explosive offense. Still, they walk into this game with a chance to make a statement, which is all they can ask at this point. A win could really upend the AFC playoff picture, even if it will be an uphill climb.
12. Will the Patriots have better luck against Deshaun Watson than they did against Lamar Jackson?
The first time New England came up against a talented quarterback who can hurt them with both his arm and his legs was against Baltimore when Lamar Jackson gave them nightmares. Deshaun Watson has some disadvantages — his offensive line isn’t as good, for one, and he’s not quite as explosive as Jackson, but he’s still a tremendous quarterback who can give the Pats trouble. Bill Belichick will have a plan to bottle up Watson, and it’s worth noting that New England admirably held Josh Allen, another quarterback who can be dangerous inside and out of the pocket, in check in their early-season matchup. That may help their effort against Watson.
13. Which once-elite secondary will hold up best in Seahawks-Vikings?
Minnesota and Seattle both have reputations for producing elite secondaries, but both teams are a bit more vulnerable against the pass than they have been in recent years. The likes of Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman are no longer in Seattle, while Xavier Rhodes has lost a step for Minnesota. That could lead to more offense than expected in a big game that looks likely to determine NFC playoff positioning. Russell Wilson, in particular, will be looking to make a statement after Lamar Jackson appears to have taken a decisive lead in MVP hype.
14. Is Devlin Hodges the answer at quarterback for the Steelers?
Mason Rudolph hasn’t been getting it done for Pittsburgh, which led to them turning to Hodges. Hodges played game manager in his lone start, a 24-17 win over the Chargers which saw him throw for only 132 passing yards. They’ll need more than that against the Browns, especially with Pittsburgh desperate for a win as they try to hold on to a playoff spot. Hodges could also be trying to stake his claim to a future with Pittsburgh, even after Ben Roethlisberger comes back next year.
15. Where do things stand with Seattle’s running game?
The Seahawks’ run game has been something of an odyssey all season. Chris Carson has looked in control, with four 100-yard games and a stranglehold on the team’s backfield carries. That turned on its head last week, when Rashaad Penny went for 129 yards on 14 carries, including a 58-yard touchdown. Carson’s fumbling problems also returned to the forefront. Seattle is still trying to get this sorted out before the playoffs. Carson has been most successful, but the ball-carrying issue isn’t going away. Penny has a chance to seize some carries at this rate.
