NFL 2022: Football Food For Thought (Week 13)

A week ago, all 32 NFL teams were in action. The slate is only slightly smaller this week but it does feature six divisional clashes – three of them rematches from earlier this season.

Off: Arizona, Carolina

Thursday, Dec. 1

Buffalo (8-3) at New England (6-5): Sean McDermott’s club plays four of its final six games vs. AFC East rivals and is looking for their first divisional win (0-2) this season. Including last year’s playoff victory, Buffalo has won four of their last five clashes with the Patriots. From 2000-19, the Bills were a mind-boggling 5-35 in this divisional series.

Sunday, Dec. 4

Pittsburgh (4-7) at Atlanta (5-7): The Steelers come off a Monday night road win at Indianapolis. Pittsburgh’s running game has arisen after a miserable start this year. After totaling just 615 yards on the ground in their first seven outings (87.9 average), the team has rushed for a combined 635 yards in their last four contests (158.8).

Denver (3-8) at Baltimore (7-4): Both teams finished last in their respective divisions a year ago. John Harbaugh’s team can match its 2021 win total with a victory. Meanwhile, the Broncos are a loss away from a sixth straight season below .500. That hasn’t happened since Denver posted 10 consecutive losing campaigns from 1963-72.

Green Bay (4-8) at Chicago (3-9): In Week 2 on a Sunday night at Lambeau Field, the Packers came up with a 27-10 victory. Both teams have had big problems on the defensive side of the ball. Green Bay has allowed the second-most yards per game on the ground (154.8 average) and the Bears are 27th in the NFL in rushing defense (143.9).

Jacksonville (4-7) at Detroit (4-7): A year ago, each of these teams finished with three victories. But both clubs have already improved on those totals 11 games into this season. And it’s also a meeting between the first two picks in the 2022 NFL Draft in Jaguars’ linebacker Travon Walker and Lions’ defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

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Cleveland (4-7) at Houston (1-9-1): After serving an 11-game suspension, Deshaun Watson will play in his first game with the Browns. The last time the former Houston Texans’ signal-caller took the field was Week 17 of 2021. In a 41-38 home loss to the Titans, Watson hit on 28-of-39 throws for 365 yards and three scores (1 interception).

N.Y. Jets (7-4) at Minnesota (9-2): It’s a battle between two teams that have already bested their win totals from 2021. The Jets finished 4-13 but can double that victory total with a win. The Vikings (8-9) have ensured a winning season for the first time since ’19. Both New York (2-0) and Minnesota (3-0) are unbeaten in interconference play.

Washington (7-5) at N.Y. Giants (7-4): The Giants play four of their final six games vs. NFC East rivals and clash with the Commanders for the first time this season. A year ago, Washington swept Big Blue for the first time since 2011. Dating back to last season, the Giants are just 1-7 vs. their divisional foes – including two losses to Dallas this year.

Tennessee (7-4) at Philadelphia (10-1): Titans’ running back Derrick Henry hopes to take advantage of the NFL’s 18th-ranked run defense. But the Birds are a perfect 4-0 vs. AFC teams this season and have won 10 games for the first time since their Super Bowl LII title season of 2017. Eagles’ wideout A.J. Brown faces his former team.

Seattle (6-5) at L.A. Rams (3-8): This has been a series owned by the Rams as of late. Including a playoff win at Seattle in 2020, the club owns an 11-4 record vs. the Seahawks dating back to 2015. The battered Rams have dropped five straight. And a loss here means the first sub-.500 campaign for Sean McVay as an NFL head coach.

Miami (8-3) at San Francisco (7-4): Both the Dolphins (5) and 49ers (4) are in the midst of winning streaks. There are lots of former Niners with Miami – including former offensive coordinator/turned Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel. Explosive Dolphins’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill leads the NFL in catches (87) and receiving yards (1,233).

Kansas City (9-2) at Cincinnati (7-4): A year ago and including the postseason, the Chiefs won 11 of their last 13 games (after a 3-4 start). Both losses were to the Bengals (the second in the AFC title game) as quarterback Joe Burrow combined for 696 yards through the air, six scores and only one interception in the pair of victories.

L.A. Chargers (6-5) at Las Vegas (4-7): The Bolts are in position to sweep the Silver and Black for the first time since 2018. Back in Week 1 at Los Angeles, the Chargers came up with a 24-19 victory. Raiders’ running back has now rushed for 1,159 yards and nine scores. Brandon Staley’s club has totaled 944 yards on the ground and eight TDs.

Indianapolis (4-7-1) at Dallas (8-3): The Colts faces a tall order on Sunday night. The team is averaging 15.8 points per game – third-worst in the NFL. Only the 49ers (15.7) are allowing fewer points per contest than Dallas (17.0). The Cowboys have totaled 45 sacks in 11 games while Indianapolis has given up 43 QB traps in a dozen outings.

Monday, Dec. 5

New Orleans (4-8) at Tampa Bay (5-6): Back in Week 2 at the Superdome, Tampa Bay’s defense picked off Saints’ quarterback Jameis Winston three times and returned one for a score in a 20-10 win. New Orleans has committed 21 turnovers in 12 games (tied for the most in the NFL). And 18 of those miscues have come in their eight losses.