WEEK 13 MATCHUPS
CAROLINA (8-3) AT NEW ORLEANS (8-3) The NFC South co-leaders meet for the second time this season. New Orleans won 34-13 on Sept. 24, so a season sweep by Drew Brees and Co. would make for a tidy tiebreaker, though Atlanta — lurking at 7-4 and on a roll — shouldn’t be overlooked as a contender to win the NFL’s toughest division. All three could be playing in January.
PHILADELPHIA (10-1) AT SEATTLE (7-4)
With the Eagles soaring toward the postseason behind the sensational work of second-year pro QB Carson Wentz and a dynamic defense no one can run on, much attention will be centered on the hosts. The Seahawks uncharacteristically need to win with offense; the Legion of Boom has been ravaged by injuries and penalties keep mounting.
L.A. RAMS (8-3) AT ARIZONA (5-6)
Los Angeles beat the Cardinals 33-0 in October, a trip to London that was Arizona’s worst performance this year and ended QB Carson Palmer’s season with a broken left arm. The Rams held Arizona’s Adrian Peterson to 21 yards on 11 carries that day.
NEW ENGLAND (9-2) AT BUFFALO (6-5) Under coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots are 29-5 versus the Bills. In fact, with a 15-2 record in road games against Buffalo since 2000, Belichick has more wins in Orchard Park, N.Y., than any Bills coach since Wade Phillips went 17-7 from 1998 to 2000.
DETROIT (6-5) AT BALTIMORE (6-5)
Lions WR Marvin Jones Jr. has eight touchdown catches, tied for second in the NFL, and if QB Matthew Stafford can go despite a bothersome ankle, he’ll get to test the league’s No. 2 pass defense. The Ravens have an NFL-high 18 interceptions and 26 takeaways in all.
INDIANAPOLIS (3-8) AT JACKSONVILLE (7-4) With Jacksonville winning three of the past four meetings in this AFC South series, the tide has turned, though the Colts lead 22-11 overall. The Jaguars are making a playoff push behind a sack-happy defense and rookie RB Leonard Fournette.
KANSAS CITY (6-5) AT N.Y. JETS (4-7)
Two teams spiraling downward, although much more has been expected of Kansas City, which opened with wins over New England and Philadelphia. Still, Chiefs coach Andy Reid is 5-0 against the Jets and QB Alex Smith is 3-0.
CLEVELAND (0-11) AT L.A. CHARGERS (5-6) The Chargers have gone from 0-4 to contending in the AFC West. The Browns are 1-26 in two seasons under coach Hue Jackson and have just four wins in their past 48 games — the worst stretch in NFL history.
N.Y. GIANTS (2-9) AT OAKLAND (5-6) Considering the Giants can neither block nor run the ball and have had their two best receivers on injured reserve for months, benching Eli Manning — the QB who led them to two Super Bowl wins — seems off target. Oakland is on target in the AFC West, trailing the Chiefs by a game.
TAMPA BAY (4-7) AT GREEN BAY (5-6)
A shootout would seem possible with both defenses vulnerable to the pass — Green Bay ranks 24th, Tampa Bay last — but will either offense take advantage?
DENVER (3-8) AT MIAMI (4-7)
Forget any shootouts here. The Dolphins are anemic with the ball, and the Broncos are unsteady as Trevor Siemian returns at QB. Denver, which has lost seven straight, is next to last in turnover differential at minus-16. Miami is only one spot better at minus-10.
SAN FRANCISCO (1-10) AT CHICAGO (3-8)
QB Jimmy Garoppolo will make his first start for the 49ers since being traded from New England at the end of October. Chicago has lost four straight, but its pass defense is a bit better than average this year.
PITTSBURGH (9-2) AT CINCINNATI (5-6)
The Bengals haven’t bungled much lately, but this Monday night matchup doesn’t look to be in their favor. The Steelers’ all-time edge in the series is 61-35, and they have won five straight and eight of nine in the rivalry.