Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
NFL WEEK 13 PRIMER
BYE WEEK: Carolina, Tampa Bay
Browns (8-3) at Titans (8-3)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Titans by 6 Titans’ keys: The defense is going to have to stack the box and force Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield to make plays. Browns’ keys: It starts with riding RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, which will open things up through the air for Mayfield. The Browns must also get Mayfield going with bootlegs. – Mike Moraitis, Titans Wire
Saints (9-2) at Falcons (4-7)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Saints by 2 1⁄2 Saints’ keys: Pressure Falcons QB Matt Ryan and take advantage of his lack of mobility. In their last meeting, Ryan was sacked eight times. Falcons’ keys: Convert on third downs – they were 2-for-14 in the Week 11 matchup – and tire out New Orleans' pass rush. – Matt Urben, Falcons Wire
Lions (4-7) at Bears (5-6)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Bears by 3 Lions’ keys: Establish the run against a defense that is giving up more than 100 yards on the ground per game. Bears’ keys: Put pressure on the quarterback with their dominant defense, with OLB Khalil Mack generating pressure and LB Roquan Smith, who has been playing at an All-Pro level. – Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire
Colts (7-4) at Texans (4-7)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Colts by 3 1⁄2 Colts’ keys: Establish the run game early with RB Jonathan Taylor. Coach Frank Reich must not play not to lose. Texans’ keys: The passing game has developed cohesion – QB Deshaun Watson has not thrown an interception since Week 5, but Will Fuller's suspension will cause a void. – Mark Lane, Texans Wire
Bengals (2-7-1) at Dolphins (6-4)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Dolphins by 11 1⁄2 Bengals’ keys: Find a way to consistently move the ball against a defense most vulnerable to power-run concepts. Dolphins’ keys: Between ball-hawking CB Xavien Howard, a ferocious pass rush and one of the league's most proficient special teams groups, Miami needs to stay smart and disciplined. – Kyle Crabbs, Dolphins Wire
Jaguars (1-10) at Vikings (5-6)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Vikings by 10 1⁄2 Jaguars’ keys: Mike Glennon will get the start at quarterback over Gardner Minshew II, who is cleared to play after a thumb injury. Vikings’ keys: If RB Dalvin Cook has another big game and the defense creates timely turnovers, Minnesota should pull away. – Jack White, Vikings Wire
Raiders (6-5) at Jets (0-11)
TV: 1 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Raiders by 8 1⁄2 Raiders’ keys: Look for RB Josh Jacobs to inflict maximum damage against a defense that has failed to stop far less talented rushers. Jets’ keys: A prevent secondary, combined with pressure in the trenches, could potentially stop Las Vegas through the air. – Gary Phillips, Jets Wire
Rams (7-4) at Cardinals (6-5)
TV: 4:05 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Rams by 2 1⁄2 Rams’ keys: They are 6-0 against Arizona since Sean McVay took over as LA's head coach in 2017, and the games have rarely been close. Cardinals’ keys: Their offense has been most effective when QB Kyler Murray runs the ball, which opens things up for RBs Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds. – Jess Root, Cards Wire
Giants (4-7) at Seahawks (8-3)
TV: 4:05 ET Sunday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Seahawks by 10 Giants’ keys: No matter who the quarterback is, New York will need to continue to run the ball, something it's done well since Week 6, averaging over 140 yards per game. Seahawks’ keys: They must use the ground game with RBs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde to control things. – Liz Mathews, Seahawks Wire
Eagles (3-7-1) at Packers (8-3)
TV: 4:25 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Packers by 8 Eagles’ keys: Run the ball with RB Miles Sanders, win the takeaway battle and dominate the important situational downs. Packers’ keys: Protect QB Aaron Rodgers, feed the ball to RB Aaron Jones and force turnovers. Philadelphia QB Carson Wentz has thrown an NFLhigh15 interceptions. – Zach Kruse, Packers Wire
Patriots (5-6) at Chargers (3-8)
TV: 4:25 ET Sunday, CBS BetMGM.com line: Patriots by 1 Patriots’ keys: They are averaging 153.6 rushing yards per game and face a defense that was just gashed for 172 against the Bills. Chargers’ keys: Use quick passes and play-action to protect rookie QB Justin Herbert. The return of RB Austin Ekeler gives the team another big weapon. – Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire
Broncos (4-7) at Chiefs (10-1)
TV: 8:20 ET Sunday, NBC BetMGM.com line: Chiefs by 14 Chiefs’ keys: In Week 7, they scored TDs on defense and special teams, leading to a 43-16 blowout of Denver. This time the Chiefs will likely need to rely on more traditional means of scoring on offense. Broncos’ keys: Do a better job taking care of the football, which was costly in Week 7. – Charles Goldman, Chiefs Wire
Washington (4-7) at Steelers (11-0)
TV: 5 ET Monday, Fox BetMGM.com line: Off the board Washington’s keys: Rookie RB Antonio Gibson is a young star with the ability to impact the running and passing game. Pittsburgh’s keys: Focus on QB Ben Roethlisberger and his ability to distribute the ball to guys like WR Diontae Johnson, TE Eric Ebron and WR Chase Claypool. – Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire
Bills (8-3) vs. 49ers (5-6)
TV: 8:15 ET Monday, ESPN BetMGM.com line: Bills by 1 1⁄2 Bills’ keys: If QB Josh Allen can extend plays, the 49ers will have a hard time stopping him. 49ers’ keys: QB Nick Mullens has to be perfect in a home game moved to Arizona because of Santa Clara County's contact sports ban. If he's converting third downs, the run game opens for RB Raheem Mostert. – Kyle Madson, Niners Wire
Cowboys (3-8) at Ravens (6-5)
TV: 8:05 ET Tuesday, Fox/NFL Network/Amazon BetMGM.com line: Off the board Cowboys’ keys: Rely on RB Ezekiel Elliott, as other teams have carved the Ravens up with bruising backs. Ravens’ keys: Don't let penalties and big plays hurt them. Offensively, that means not turning the ball over and playing the field-position game. – Matthew Stevens, Ravens Wire