NFL WEEK 13
PREVIEWS PROVIDED BY USA TODAY SPORTS NFL TEAM WIRE SITES
CHARGERS (6-5) AT BENGALS (7-4) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Tipico Sportsbook line: Bengals by 31⁄2
Chargers’ keys: Prioritizing the run with RB Austin Ekeler could insulate QB Justin Herbert so he won’t have to throw for 300 yards and rush for 90 like in a Week 11 win. It could lull the Bengals, who struggle with tackling issues, into giving up big plays to WR Mike Williams.
Bengals’ keys: Attack with RB Joe Mixon. He gets a defense that has surrendered more than 130 rushing yards per game. Effective running can make a strong pass rush irrelevant, never mind make the connection between QB Joe Burrow and WR Ja’Marr Chase simpler.
CARDINALS (9-2) AT BEARS (4-7)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: Cardinals by 71⁄2 Cardinals’ keys: They will benefit from the injury return of QB Kyler Murray and WR DeAndre Hopkins, who have a chance for success against a defense that’s been vulnerable in the passing game. On defense, Arizona needs to contain RB David Montgomery.
Bears’ keys: The pass rush has come alive over the last few games, and it’s going to need to bring plenty of pressure if Chicago hopes to contain Murray and this high-powered Arizona offense. OLB Robert Quinn (11 sacks) can take pressure off a weak Bears secondary.
BUCCANEERS (8-3) AT FALCONS (5-6) TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: Bucs by 101⁄2
Buccaneers’ keys: Stop RB Cordarrelle Patterson. Atlanta went on a two-game touchdown drought when he was injured; he rushed for 108 yards and two TDs in Week 12. Bucs QB Tom Brady should look to push the ball downfield.
Falcons’ keys: Atlanta needs to take care of the ball better than when the teams met in Week 2. Matt Ryan threw two fourth-quarter interceptions that killed the chances of an upset. Over the last two weeks, three Atlanta quarterbacks have thrown five interceptions.
VIKINGS (5-6) AT LIONS (0-10-1)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Tipico Sportsbook line: Vikings by 61⁄2 Vikings’ keys: Steal away any hope by rushing out to an early lead. Detroit doesn’t have an answer for QB Kirk
Cousins throwing to WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen downfield. Backup RB Alexander Mattison was unstoppable in the first meeting, and RB Dalvin Cook is back.
Lions’ keys: They found success with QB Jared Goff throwing down the field in the Thanksgiving Day loss. The pass protection must hold up, but rookie RT Penei Sewell leads a capable offensive line and RB Jamaal Williams can keep the chains moving to set up play-action.
GIANTS (4-7) AT DOLPHINS (5-7)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: Dolphins by 31⁄2 Giants’ keys: First, they need to protect their quarterback against a defense that brings extra pass rushers frequently. Second is take away Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa’s favorite target, rookie wideout Jaylen Waddle, who has 77 receptions for 759 yards and four TDs. Dolphins’ keys: Miami has won its last four games; last week’s was the first in which the offense and defense both performed well together. The Dolphins will have to continue to get pressure on the quarterback and force turnovers.
EAGLES (5-7) AT JETS (3-8)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Tipico Sportsbook line: Eagles by 61⁄2 Eagles’ keys: QB Jalen Hurts, who has rushed for 50 or more yards in six games in a row, has been inconsistent in racking up yards through the air, but that could change against an inexperienced and depleted secondary, so long as he stays away from CB Bryce Hall. Jets’ keys: They will face a bottomthird defense better against the pass without leading rusher Michael Carter, giving RBs Ty Johnson and Tevin Coleman another prime opportunity to make an impact. The Jets’ running backs may be the determining factor.
COLTS (6-6) AT TEXANS (2-9)
TV: 1 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS
Tipico Sportsbook line: Colts by 91⁄2 Colts’ keys: RB Jonathan Taylor can keep defenses off balance and take the pressure off QB Carson Wentz to move the offense. Taylor was bottled up in the first matchup of the season with Houston but still exploded with 145 yards and two TDs on 14 carries. Texans’ keys: When they protect the ball and play great defense, they can topple contenders. RB Rex Burkhead has been featured, but rookies WR Nico Collins and TE Brevin Jordan need targets to supplement the run game.
JAGUARS (2-9) AT RAMS (7-4)
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Tipico Sportsbook line: Rams by 121⁄2 Jaguars’ keys: They have their work cut out for them against a star-studded Los Angeles defense. QB Trevor Lawrence will need to throw to his running backs and tight ends against the Rams’ linebackers, the weakest part of LA’s defense, in the middle of the field.
Rams’ keys: Outside of CB Shaquill Griffin, the Jaguars don’t have a cornerback capable of sticking with LA’s receivers. The Jaguars are decent against the run, so the Rams should trust QB Matthew Stafford to win by airing the ball out. WR Cooper Kupp shouldn’t have trouble racking up the yardage.
WASHINGTON (5-6) AT RAIDERS (6-5)
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Tipico Sportsbook line: Raiders by 21⁄2 Washington’s keys: On defense, rush four and drop seven into coverage against Raiders QB Derek Carr. On offense, Washington should be able to run at will. The bigger issue is protecting QB Taylor Heinicke against one of the league’s best pass-rush duos. Raiders’ keys: Against a talented defensive line, Las Vegas needs to win up front to protect Carr. Vegas’ defense should be able to have success because its line is far more talented than the WFT O-line. DEs Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue should have big days.
RAVENS (8-3) AT STEELERS (5-5-1) TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Tipico Sportsbook line: Ravens by 41⁄2
Ravens’ keys: Consistent with running the football against a poor Pittsburgh run defense. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is one of the best athletes in the league, and his presence alone will create mismatches all over the field.
Steelers’ keys: Figure out what has gone wrong on both offense and defense. The offense has become anemic and predictable with no punch or explosion from any of the skill players. Finding out how to stop the Ravens’ rushing attack is paramount. 49ERS (6-5) AT SEAHAWKS (3-8)
TV: 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday, CBS Tipico Sportsbook line: 49ers by 31⁄2
49ers’ keys: With dual-threat star WR Deebo Samuel (groin) out, San Francisco will have to establish other options such as RB Elijah Mitchell early and get a lead, as QB Jimmy Garoppolo’s game is not suited to lead a big comeback.
Seahawks’ keys: For the first time in a decade, they are floundering. QB Russell Wilson has kept them competitive. If he plays like he did early this year, Seattle can compete with anyone. He threw two TD passes with no interceptions against Washington.
BRONCOS (6-5) AT CHIEFS (7-4)
TV: 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday, NBC Tipico Sportsbook line: Chiefs by 91⁄2 Broncos’ keys: Don’t let Kansas City get ahead. Denver’s strength is the run and play-action passing game with a talented duo of backs in Melvin Gordon III and rookie Javonte Williams. If the Chiefs take a decent lead, the Broncos will be forced to throw to play catch-up. Chiefs’ keys: Don’t turn the ball over or make mistakes on offense. The biggest detriment to the success of the offense this season has been uncharacteristic turnovers and penalties. This has been headlined by unlucky interceptions from QB Patrick Mahomes. Five of his interceptions have hit a receiver before they were picked off. The Denver defense has been opportunistic, so the Chiefs will need to play a clean game.
PATRIOTS (8-4) AT BILLS (7-4)
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, ESPN Tipico Sportsbook line: Bills by 21⁄2 Patriots’ keys: They have to play a twodimensional game on offense against the top-tier Buffalo defense. More important, QB Mac Jones and Co. need to protect the ball and not give the Bills extra chances. Defensively, New England coach Bill Belichick should scheme up everything to stop QB Josh Allen. Bills’ keys: They go where Allen takes them. The Bills should feed WR Stefon Diggs early and often, even if he’s covered by CB J.C. Jackson throughout the contest. Diggs’ success opens up the rest of the offensive playmakers. On defense, he safety tandem of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer has to step up with CB Tre’Davious White out (ACL).