WEEK 13 WEEKEND GAME PREVIEWS
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Time, TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Chiefs by 151⁄ 2 Chiefs’ keys: Kansas City should have
Ravens (6-5) at Falcons (4-7)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Pregame.com line: Falcons by 11⁄ 2 Ravens’ keys: Under coach John Harbaugh, the Ravens have always been a defense-first team, and they’ll rely heavily on a pass rush featuring future Hall of Fame OLB Terrell Suggs and promising LB Za’Darius Smith.
Falcons’ keys: They will have to do a much better job of protecting QB Matt
Ryan, who is on pace for the most sacks in his career. Turnovers will be key.
Who wins? The Falcons have been playing below their potential all season. Even with home-field advantage, it’s hard to see them beating a wellcoached Baltimore team. Ravens, 24-20
Broncos (5-6) at Bengals (5-6)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Broncos by 51⁄ 2
Broncos’ keys: RB Phillip Lindsay is one of the most effective young rushers in the league, and working WRs Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton over the middle will help retain balance and possession.
Bengals’ keys: If RB Joe Mixon is used in the passing game and capitalizes on holes in the middle of the field, it keeps the Broncos honest, accomplishes the fast pace necessary to neutralize the Denver pass rush and keeps the Cincinnati defense off the field.
Who wins? The Bengals have coughed up 34 or more points in four of their last six games while losing five of them. Broncos, 30-21
Rams (10-1) at Lions (4-7)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Rams by 10
Rams’ keys: The offense should find success using the swiftness of WRs Brandin Cooks and Robert Woods to attack a secondary that lacks speed. Lions’ keys: QB Matthew Stafford has to come out sharper and more aggressive. The Lions have an advantage with WR Kenny Golladay on the outside. Getting dual-threat RB Kerryon Johnson back would be a big boon.
Who wins? Los Angeles has too many paths to victory for the inconsistent Lions to handle. Rams, 38-21
Cardinals (2-9) at Packers (4-6-1)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Packers by 14
Cardinals’ keys: Run the ball and win the turnover battle. The Cardinals also might need a field-flipping play on offense or special teams from rookie WR Christian Kirk.
Packers’ keys: Contain Cardinals RB David Johnson, produce turnovers and feed RB Aaron Jones, a dangerous runner and talented receiver.
Who wins? The Packers are unbeaten at home this year, and the Cardinals aren’t nearly good enough on offense to threaten an upset. Packers, 30-14
Bills (4-7) at Dolphins (5-6)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Dolphins by 41⁄ 2
Bills’ keys: Rookie QB Josh Allen returned last week and had a big day (99 yards rushing), but the Bills still need to rely on RB LeSean McCoy.
Dolphins’ keys: The Dolphins will win as long as QB Ryan Tannehill takes care of the ball. His return from a shoulder injury was critical after Miami went 2-3 with a backup.
Who wins? The Dolphins have their flaws but are good enough to beat a Bills team that has a tough time moving the ball. Dolphins 27-17
Bears (8-3) at Giants (3-8)
Line: Off Bears’ keys: Chicago wants its front seven to close up the middle of the field, allowing its safeties to stay deep and take away New York WR Odell Beckham Jr. and TE Evan Engram over the top.
Giants’ keys to victory: The Bears have one of the stingiest run defenses and will be the toughest test yet for RB
Saquon Barkley. The rookie must continue gaining “dirty yards” instead of trying to bounce each play outside hoping for a home run.
Who wins? The Giants have been substantially better since returning from their bye week, but it’s been a long time since they’ve gone up against a defense like the one the Bears will bring to town. Bears, 23-20
Panthers (6-5) at Buccaneers (4-7)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Panthers by 31⁄ 2
Panthers’ keys: They’ll have to take full advantage of QB Cam Newton’s rare skill set against a defense that lacks depth and experience in the back seven.
Buccaneers’ keys: The win over the 49ers last weekend was a blueprint for the rest of their season. QB Jameis
Winston topped 300 yards and didn’t turn the ball over, the defense had four sacks and two takeaways, and new K
Cairo Santos nailed all of his kicks. Who wins? The Bucs have momentum, but their lack of depth and experience on defense will prevent them from containing a healthier, more experienced team. Panthers, 34-27
Colts (6-5) at Jaguars (3-8)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Colts by 5
Colts’ keys: They come into Week 13 as one of the league’s ascending offenses, ranking fourth in scoring at 29.5 points per game. The catalyst has been the revival of QB Andrew Luck, who has five
300-yard games this season.
Jaguars’ keys: They fired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and QB Blake Bortles has been benched for Cody Kessler, who has not started an NFL game since 2016. Also, RB Leonard Fournette is suspended for the game after leaving the bench and throwing punches in last weekend’s game. Who wins? The Jaguars are skidding out of control while the Colts are improving. Colts, 27-24
Browns (4-6-1) at Texans (8-3)
Time, TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Texans by 6
Browns’ keys: The emergence of RB Nick Chubb has given legitimacy to the big-play threat of the running game. Another rookie, QB Baker Mayfield, will need to realize hero ball could lead to giveaways more often than big plays. Texans’ keys: QB Deshaun Watson will need to emphasize ball security in the pocket and through the air. Houston has proved it can win games through a war of attrition with its ferocious defense led by DE J.J. Watt and CB Kareem Jackson. Who wins? The Texans are a dark horse to earn a first-round bye, and their veterans won’t let them overlook the Browns. Texans, 27-20
Jets (3-8) at Titans (5-6)
Time, TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Line: Titans by 8
Jets’ keys: They have averaged 11.2 points in their last five games, all losses. The defense hasn’t been much better; the Jets have given up nearly 30 points per game in their last six outings.
Titans’ keys: They are the better team at most positions and should be able to control the game with RBs Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry. Who wins? The Titans have been inconsistent, but the Jets don’t pose much of a threat. Titans, 23-17
Chiefs (9-2) at Raiders (2-9)
no problem scoring at will as long as it protects the ball. Turnovers were the biggest reason the Chiefs lost to the Rams in Week 11.
Raiders’ keys: If they can avoid having to convert long third downs, they should be able to move the ball. Conversely, the Raiders defense is going to be at a severe disadvantage.
Who wins? Expect the Raiders to hang around for a quarter. Chiefs, 35-10
Vikings (6-4-1) at Patriots (8-3)
Time, TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Patriots by 6
Vikings’ keys: They would be wise to use RB Dalvin Cook in an effort to reduce the number of plays run by the Patriots offense, but if that’s not working they shouldn’t hesitate to air it out with QB Kirk Cousins.
Patriots’ keys: There’s no easy way to attack the Vikings defense. The Patriots might look to RB Sony Michel to establish a running game and QB Tom Brady might need support from TE Rob Gron
kowski and WRs Julian Edelman and Josh Gordon.
Who wins? The Patriots are still hunting for consistency on the road. But at Gillette Stadium, they can handle the Vikings. Patriots, 34-27
49ers (2-9) at Seahawks (6-5)
Time, TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Line: Seahawks by 10
49ers’ keys: CB Richard Sherman will face his old team for the first time and hopes to frustrate QB Russell Wilson. San Francisco will have to find a way to stop Seattle’s run game.
Seahawks’ keys: They are eyeing a wildcard spot after the win over the Panthers and need to be careful to not overlook San Francisco.
Who wins? The Seahawks are the better team and with the playoffs in sight won’t stumble against a team that hasn’t beaten them since 2013. Seahawks, 34-17
Chargers (8-3) at Steelers (7-3-1)
Time, TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC Line: Steelers by 31⁄ 2
Chargers’ keys: It starts with QB Philip Rivers’ ability to distribute, which makes Los Angeles hard to defend. The defense, led by DE Joey Bosa and S Derwin James, was swarming again in the rout of the Cardinals.
Steelers’ keys: They got away with mistakes during their six-game winning streak, but it came back to bite them in the loss to the Broncos at Denver. The Steelers still don’t use RB James Conner enough and keep trying to use the pass to set up the run.
Who wins? The Chargers have won seven of their last eight. But the Steelers are just too hard to beat at home and in prime time. Steelers, 28-21
Redskins (6-5) at Eagles (5-6)
Time, TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN Line: Eagles by 6
Redskins’ keys: They will attempt to feature TEs Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis and WR Josh Doctson, hoping the Eagles’ cornerbacks continue to miss tackles and blow coverages. Eagles’ keys: The offense will have to carry the load for a walking-wounded defense that simply doesn’t have the parts to stop a potent offense.
Who wins? The Eagles’ playoff hopes remain alive after a come-from-behind win over the Giants. The Redskins have lost three of their last four and have too many issues. Eagles, 24-17 Game previews provided by USA TODAY Sports Media Group affiliates