[Preview] Week 13: Eagles Can Break Away

After a narrow victory for the Cowboys, it's now time for the rest of the NFL. This week, the big league offers us the poster of the last conference final between the 49ers and the Eagles. A meeting that could be expensive for the race for the playoffs. In any case, this is THE match not to be missed this week.

We will also talk about CJ Stroud against the Broncos, the Jaguars, Matt LaFleur, Joe Flacco and the NFC South. Here is the program for week 13.

Table of Contents

The match: a final before its time?

Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) – San Francisco 49ers (8-3)

This weekend will be a make-or-break match for the Eagles. The Cowboys' victory this Thursday put even more pressure on Nick Sirianni's men. Dallas is only one victory away and must face Philadelphia next week. Despite a record of 10 victories for only one defeat, they are still not safe. In addition to the division, the Eagles also want to defend the conference lead. A defeat against the 49ers would bring the Californians closer to the top of this NFC. You will have understood, the premises can fly away or be brought back to earth. Today's opponent will remind them of a good memory: last year's conference final. San Francisco will be at full strength this time and this match could be explosive!

The duel: CJ Stroud vs. Broncos defense

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Houston Texans (6-5) – Denver Broncos (6-5)

Denver is undoubtedly one of the healthiest teams currently in the NFL. With five consecutive victories, the Broncos have not lost since October 13. Several factors are at the origin of this series of successes, but there is one that stands out: the turnovers caused. Sean Payton's men have indeed recovered 15 balls in these last four matches. No team has caused more turnovers than Denver since the start of the season. CJ Stroud is warned.

The quarterback will have to protect the ball. A quality that he has already demonstrated in his (very) young NFL career. For example, he only launched 5 interceptions since the start of the season. On Sunday, it will be important for him to avoid the traps set by this defense in a meeting which could be crucial with a view to a place in the Wild Cards.

The stats: 12 years

Kick-off on the night of Monday to Tuesday at 2:15 a.m.
Cincinnati Bengals (5-6) – Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3)

For the first time since 12 years, the Jaguars will play Monday Night Football. Floridians have not been scheduled for this prime-time game in more than a decade. We must go back to December 5, 2011 and a loss to Philip Rivers' San Diego Chargers to find traces of a Monday night game for Jacksonville. Since then, each team has played at least 7 times during Monday Night Football.

Franchises like Chicago, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco even participated in at least 20 MNF each. The anomaly will therefore be rectified this week. Also a symbol of a team that is taking up space in the American sporting and media landscape. We will now have to perform on the field, against a Bengals team who will not be there to show off.

The player: Joe Flacco

Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams (5-6) – Cleveland Browns (7-4)

On Sunday, the Browns will play with perhaps their fourth quarterback of the season. After Deshaun Watson, PJ Walker and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Joe Flacco should be the starting pitcher. Paradoxically, all these changes at this crucial position have not really affected the good dynamics of this team. It's simple, the Browns have never lost two consecutive games this season. It is with this series in mind that they will try to beat the Rams this Sunday.

For the moment, Kevin Stefansky's men are third in their division, but are virtually qualified for the playoffs. They hope that Joe Flacco will stabilize this attack to resist the Californians who can get back in front of Seattle in the NFC West.

Coach: Matt LaFleur

Kick-off during the night from Sunday to Monday 2:20 a.m.
Green Bay Packers (5-6) – Kansas City Chiefs (8-3)

This season, Matt LaFleur is experiencing his 5th season at the head of the Packers. And when we look more closely at his balance sheet (52 wins for 25 losses), we notice a small peculiarity: he is undefeated in December. Indeed, since his arrival at the head of the Packers, the franchise has never lost in the last month of the year with 15 wins for no losses. A statistic that symbolizes a team that grows in strength every year. This Monday Night Football will therefore be a huge challenge for the Packers.

For the first time, Matt LaFleur will coach a game in December without Aaron Rodgers. He will have to find solutions against a Chiefs team which is not running at full speed, but which is finding solutions to win matches. It’s about his great series.

NFC South

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
New York Jets (4-7) – Atlanta Falcons (5-6)

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
New Orleans Saints (5-6) – Detroit Lions (8-3)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (1-10) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)

If the NFC North is far from being the toughest division in the league, it is perhaps the tightest currently. Three teams are within one victory and are still in the race for the playoffs. For the moment, the Falcons hold the rope, but must resist pressure from the Saints and the Buccaneers. Atlanta travels to New York this week. Arthur Smith's men will have to press on the ground as they know how to do (139.3 yards/game, 4th in the league)facing one of the worst defensive squads in this sector (140.3 yards conceded/game, 31st in NFL).

At the same time, New Orleans wants to catch up at home. Defeated last week, the Saints left the lead to their opponents from Georgia and are now in the position of the hunter. They certainly have the biggest challenge of the week with the reception of the Lions. Detroit also wants to regain its momentum and cannot afford to have a second consecutive defeat. Finally, later in the evening, Tampa Bay remains in ambush. Traveling to the Panthers, the Floridians want to keep the pace to, why not, beat everyone at the post.

The rest

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
New England Patriots (2-9) – Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) – Arizona Cardinals (2-10)

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Washington Commanders (4-8) – Miami Dolphins (8-3)

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
Tennessee Titans (4-7) – Indianapolis Colts (6-5)

In the rest of the weekend's games, the Patriots are looking for their first win since October 22. New England welcomes a Los Angeles team which remains on three consecutive losses. In Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh must confirm its offensive reaction against the Cardinals. In a very tough AFC North, the Steelers have no room for error against one of the worst teams in the league.

Always at 7 p.m., one of the few divisional duels of the week takes place in Nashville. The Titans welcome the Colts who are still thinking about the playoffs. Finally, the Dolphins begin a largely affordable three-game series in Washington. On the program, the Commanders, the Titans and the Jets. The ideal would be to make a big hit for the Floridians who will end their season with a dangerous triptych: Cowboys, Ravens and Bills.

All posters

Kick-off Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
New England Patriots (2-9) – Los Angeles Chargers (4-7)
New Orleans Saints (5-6) – Detroit Lions (8-3)
New York Jets (4-7) – Atlanta Falcons (5-6)
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) – Arizona Cardinals (2-10)
Tennessee Titans (4-7) – Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
Washington Commanders (4-8) – Miami Dolphins (8-3)
Houston Texans (6-5) – Denver Broncos (6-5)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:05 p.m.
Carolina Panthers (1-10) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)

Kick-off Sunday at 10:25 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams (5-6) – Cleveland Browns (7-4)
Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) – San Francisco 49ers (8-3)