By Matthew DelDonna, PSO Director of Football Development
Dec 07, 2020

Some playoff spot shifting took place on Sunday in a week full of exciting come-from-behind wins and late-game surges. History was also made when the Cleveland Browns secured their first winning season since 2007 with a dominant performance against the fellow 8-3 Titans, followed by Aaron Rodgers tossing his record-breaking 400th career touchdown pass to Davante Adams in Green Bay’s win over Philly that featured Carson Wentz getting benched for Jalen Hurts. 

Meanwhile, the Lions orchestrated an amazing comeback to beat Chicago in their first game after head coach Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn’s departures, the Jets lost once again in heartbreaking fashion, and the Giants pulled off a major upset in Seattle with a backup QB in place while Daniel Jones recovers from a hamstring injury.  

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Key FactChicago Bears 2 RUSH TD entering Week 13 were tied for their fewest through 11 games since 1950; they had 2 today

Best Highlights:

  • Stafford laid it in BEAUTIFULLY for a score

  • DET’s 2 quick scores capped off the comeback

  • Montgomery put in the extra effort for his 2nd TD

Most Valuable Intel: Chicago’s HC & GM are on the cusp of joining Detroit’s in the unemployment line

After falling to a team that just fired its head coach and general manager, the Chicago Bears are weeks away from hitting the reset button on the entire coaching staff and front office themselves. Following a 5-1 start to the season, it’s somewhat surprising to see Chicago in the position it’s in now. Things didn’t get any better against DET and it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if this loss turned out to be the breaking point for some within the organization. With so much uncertainty in the Windy City, one thing is certain: the next four weeks are going to be excruciating with jobs on the line and two major division games on the horizon. 

Final Results: DET (+135) d. @CHI (-155) 34-30 [DET +3.0 | o44]

Key Fact: Philip Rivers joins Brett Favre & Drew Brees as only 3 in NFL history with 3,000+ PASS YDS in 15 straight seasons

Best Highlights:

  • Game-changing turnover in the final minutes

  • Taylor goes totally undetected on 4th down TD

  • Deshaun Watson makes plays happen

Most Valuable Intel: Indy still needs big wins ahead to win the division

The Colts might’ve walked away with a win in Houston to move into a first-place tie with Tennessee in the AFC South, but they still have plenty of work to do. Las Vegas, whom they play next week, is creeping behind them for the last AFC playoff spot and a loss to the 7-5 Raiders would hurt IND’s playoff chances significantly if they don’t win their division. The Titans play two favorable matchups against Jacksonville next week and then Detroit so there isn’t much wiggle room for Indianapolis. The Colts snuck out of Houston with a much-needed victory but they’ll face much tougher tests when battling LVR & PIT over the next three weeks.

Final Results: IND (-178) d. @HOU (+158) 26-20 [IND -3.5 | u50]

Key Fact: Justin Jefferson has the most REC YDS (1,039) by a rookie through their team’s 1st 12 games in the Super Bowl era

Best Highlights:

  • Count on the captain to come in the clutch

  • Young Jefe is making a name for himself

  • JAX started the 2nd half with a BANG

  • Ricochet Reception TD for the rookie Shenault

Most Valuable Intel: Despite winning its last 5 of 6, Minnesota is still far from a real threat

In order to improve their playoff chances, the Vikings have to earn some convincing wins over teams with more than one win. Beating the Jaguars is obviously better than losing, but it was a sloppy victory that raised a few concerns for this teams’ chances when playing tougher competition. MIN gave up three touchdowns off turnovers in back-to-back weeks and fumbled at the 1-yard line against JAX that could’ve ended with a late 10-point lead. Next week will be a real test for them to show what they’ve got against Tom Brady and the Bucs where they can prove they’re a real contender or a simple pretender. 

Final Results: @MIN (-470) d. JAX (+380) 27-24 [JAX +10.5 | o55]

Key Fact: Cleveland Browns had their most PTS (38) in a half in franchise history

Best Highlights:

  • Peoples-Jones created maximum separation

  • Baker was on fire in the 1st half

  • Juice Landry took the reverse and tossed it to his QB

  • Big-man TD started to break this game open

  • This INT essentially sealed CLE’s win

  • Tannehill let Titans playmakers make plays

 

  • Pruitt was able to get a couple of 2nd half TDs

Most Valuable Intel: In a historic win, Cleveland showed it can hang with the big dogs

It’s crazy to think just three years ago, the Cleveland Browns made history by becoming the second team in NFL history to go 0-16 in a season. That feels like a distant memory as the Browns have secured a winning record for the first time in 13 years and are now closer to snapping the league’s longest playoff drought of 17 seasons. Baker Mayfield’s breakout performance finally seemed to complete the puzzle for CLE; with a QB that can make plays, an elite running game that features nearly two 1,000-yard rushers, and a defense capable of creating turnovers, the Dawg Pound proved their 9-3 record is no fluke as they’re a legit playoff contender.

Final Results: CLE (+180) d. @TEN (-210) 41-35 [CLE +4.0 | o54.5]

Key Fact: Darren Waller is the 1st TE to have 13 REC, 200+ REC YDS, and 2+ TD in a game since at least 1950 

Best Highlights:

  • It’s almost like the Jets are trying to lose on purpose

  • Waller is establishing himself as an elite TE

Most Valuable IntelThe play-call to end the game was the worst defensive play-call in recent history

The last play of the game that saw the Raiders score the game-winning TD on a deep ball to Henry Ruggs can be summed up by this stat released by ESPN: Out of 252 pass plays over the last 15 seasons in the final 15 seconds of the game where the offense was down 4-8 points and 40+ yards away from the end zone, the Jets were the first defense to ever send 6+ pass rushers in that situation. Essentially, EVERY single defense plays prevent defense and uses most of their defenders near the end zone to stop anyone from getting behind them. 

Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams and the Jets had a different idea when they blitzed 6+ defenders after Derek Carr in an inexplicable decision.. unless the decision is actually simple. It’s tough to legitimately wonder whether a team’s coaching staff is losing games on purpose, but with the best prospect of the 21st century available if they land the No.1 overall pick and the most questionable defensive play-call in a game-changing moment, the dots are starting to connect…

Final Results: LV (-360) d. @NYJ (+290) 31-28 [NYJ +7.5 | o48.5]

Key Fact: Michael Thomas became the fastest player to reach 500 career REC in NFL history (69 games)

Best Highlights:

  • Hill was lighting it up early in ATL

  • Ridley used great concentration on this catch

  • Ryan was threading the needle in the clutch

Most Valuable IntelTaysom Hill can win games, but likely isn’t the future franchise QB for New Orleans

While Taysom Hill has done a decent job in Drew Brees’ absence, the likelihood of him being the future at quarterback in New Orleans is still up in the air. In his three starts, Hill has played the Falcons twice and against a Broncos team forced to start a practice squad WR at QB, which aren’t exactly impressive wins.

Starting Hill made a lot of sense as it gives NO a chance to evaluate Hill and his future outlook as well as keeping Jameis Winston’s stock down instead of him getting credit for winning these games and a team signing him away on a $80M+ deal like Carolina did with Teddy Bridgewater last year after he went 5-0 in a similar situation. With Brees likely to retire this offseason, the Big Easy can have both QBs on its roster next year to have another season to evaluate whether or not one can become the heir apparent to the NFL’s all-time leading passer.

Final Results: NO (-143) d. @ATL (+123) 21-16 [NO -2.0 | u46]

Key Fact: Only Ed Reed (21) has more INT in their 52 career GP than Xavien Howard (20) since 1990 

Best Highlights:

  • What a block to give Boyd daylight

  • Gesicki made an A+ effort on this catch

  • Xavien Howard snags ANOTHER INT in 2020

Most Valuable Intel: Xavien Howard should be recognized in the conversation for the best CB in the NFL

So far, Brian Flores has done a magnificent job leading a Dolphins team many saw as a five-to-six-win team at most, and a lot of that is thanks to the defense and its leader CB Xavien Howard. Since 2017, Howard has a league-best 20 interceptions despite missing time due to injuries during that period. Leading the NFL in 2020 with eight interceptions, Howard has been a force to be reckoned with once again this season. Nabbing another pick on Sunday continued the Dolphins’ consecutive games with a defensive turnover to 18 games (best in the NFL) largely thanks to Howard’s elite ball hawking skills. 

Final Results: @MIA (-560) d. CIN (+440) 19-7 [MIA -10.5 | u43]

Key Fact: Aaron Rodgers is the fastest player in NFL history (of 7 QBs) to ever reach 400 PASS TD (193 GP)

Best Highlights:

  • Jones refused to go down and iced the game

  • Rodgers –> Adams connection leads to TD No. 400 for A-Rod

  • Rodgers was torching Philly’s defense

  • Hurts showed flashes of his skills 

  • Reagor made things interesting in the 4th Qtr

Most Valuable Intel: Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are as good as they’ve ever been

Every week it seems like Aaron Rodgers is making headlines by adding to his already strong case for MVP with Davante Adams by his side catching touchdowns left and right. During another phenomenal performance, Rodgers made history as he threw his 400th career TD pass to Adams (of course) and now leads the NFL in PASS TDs this season with 36 while only throwing four INTs. At age 37, stats like these show he continues to age like fine wine.

As he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in receiving against Philly, Adams is close to making history of his own. With four games left, Adams can break the Packers’ season record 112 receptions with just 29 more catches and potentially the REC TD record of 18 with 6 more. Nobody has more TDs than Adams in the last four years, who might not have even reached his peak yet. With Rodgers and Adams playing at their best, this Packers team can beat anyone in the league and bring the Lombardi Trophy home to Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Final Results: @GB (-415) d. PHI (+335) 30-16 [GB -8.0 | u50]

Key Fact: NY Giants’ 1 win through 8 games would be the fewest by a team that made the playoffs since the 1970 Bengals

Best Highlights:

  • Gallman sparked the Giants 1st PTS of the game

  • Giants’ D forced 2 TOs in win

  • Russ kept the ‘Hawks in it with 4th Qtr TD

  • SEA forced a crucial Safety w/ 0:26 left in 1st Half

  • ‘Hawks D taking it to the other side of the field

Most Valuable Intel: Even without Daniel Jones, the Giants are the favorites in the NFC East

It sounds weird to say, but the New York Giants are the hottest team in the NFC East right now. Riding a four-game winning streak, NY has gone from worst-to-first in the blink of an eye. Even without Daniel Jones on Sunday, the defense played a spectacular game and pulled off a major upset in Seattle to improve to 5-7. As the race now seemingly ensues between the Giants and Washington Football Team for first place, the G-Men hold a significant advantage; they’ve already beat WAS twice this year, so all they’d have to do is stay at least tied with them and they’d claim a home playoff game. 

Final Results: NYG (+485) d. @SEA (-625) 17-12 [SEA -10.0 | u48]

Key Fact: Since hiring McVay as HC (2017), LA Rams are 32-0 when leading at half as the only undefeated NFL team over that span

Best Highlights:

  • LAR dominated in the TO battle

  • No one could lay a finger on Henderson here

  • Arnold socially distanced himself from the entire Rams’ D

Most Valuable Intel: Sean McVay calling out Jared Goff is exactly what he needed

Goff’s struggles against the 49ers last week appear to be sort of a blessing in disguise. Following the loss, Head Coach Sean McVay called out his QB and basically said he’s got to play better. Goff was in agreement after his three-turnover performance and returned this week looking very much improved. Goff threw for over 350 yards, had two total touchdowns, and most importantly zero turnovers in a commanding win over their division rival Arizona Cardinals as it was Kyler’s TOs that cost his team the game. Who knows if this mistake-free performance from Goff in a critical division battle occurs without McVay’s reality check.

Final Results: LAR (-145) d. @ARZ (+125) 38-28 [LAR -2.5 | o49]

Key Fact: Bill Belichick is the only coach to win a game in 50 different NFL stadiums in the Super Bowl era

Best Highlights:

  • Pats’ special teams dominated

Most Valuable Intel: Bill Belichick vs. rookie QBs is the biggest mismatch football

As someone who’s been around the league longer than any current head coach, Bill Belichick has become a master at exploiting teams’ weak spots. He did just that against the Chargers on Sunday, making things miserable for their rookie QB Justin Herbert and proving that special teams can single-handedly dictate the outcome of a game. While he’s been able to at least keep his team in games this year, Herbert had no chance against the greatest coach of all-time.

Final Results: NE (+110) d. @LAC (-130) 45-0 [NE +2 | u46.5]

Key Fact: KC Chiefs are now 31-4 against AFC West since 2015, the best record by any team vs. division in a 6-year span since ’70

Best Highlights:

  • It didn’t count, but this catch by Hill was absolutely insane

  • Mathieu came in the clutch with 2 INTs

  • Only Mahomes can make these throws

  • Kelce brushed a defender off like a fly

  • Gordon slipped right through the tackles

  • Patrick made a nice grab for his 2nd TD

Most Valuable Intel: The “big, bad” Chiefs are still the best team in the league but are far from unbeatable

There is no such thing as a perfect team. No matter how good a team is, there are always a flaw or two about them. While the argument certainly could be made that Patrick Mahomes is the best QB in the NFL and Kansas City’s offense is absolutely stacked, they are not perfect. The Chiefs’ defense was seriously tested last night with Melvin Gordon finding gaps to run through almost every time he touched the ball, allowing Denver to control the clock for a large portion of the game.

KC is still the best team in the league though because when it mattered, they came through in the clutch in different ways; Butler was 5-5 on field goals, and Mathieu came away with another late-game interception to keep his team right near the top. Mahomes always plays his best when it matters most which makes this team HARD to beat, but not UNBEATABLE. Anybody who believes it’s a lock that Kansas City goes back-to-back could be in for a rude awakening since games like this where a Super Bowl team should dominate, the Chiefs repeatedly seem to barely sneak out of. 

Final Results: @KC (-750) d. DEN (+550) 22-16 [DEN +13.0 | u51.5]

Key FactPIT has now recorded a SK in 69 straight games, tied for the longest streak since team SKs became official in 1963

Best Highlights:

  • The WAS defense came to play and ultimately won it

  • Logan Thomas came up big for Washington

https://twitter.com/nfl/status/1336100533505904640?s=21

  • Cam Sims made some amazing catches

  • Washington ducked and dodged his way to the end zone

Most Valuable IntelPIT’s lack of a running game may ultimately be its downfall

The cracks began to show on the Pittsburgh Steelers after they fell to the Washington Football Team and finally lost a game. The team as a whole had several miscues, but perhaps the most glaring issue was a lack of a running game. PIT’s pathetic total of 21 RUSH YDS forced Big Ben to throw the ball 53 times and made play-calling for WAS’ defense much easier as PIT became more predictable. Now with Bud Dupree out for the year, the Steel City faithful must adapt and overcome or else its season could go south real quick. Pittsburgh may be good, but they aren’t good enough to win without a credible running game.

Final Results: WAS (+217) d. @PIT (-257) 23-17 [WAS +5.5 | u44]

Key FactBUF won its 1st MNF game since 1999 as the only franchise since the start of 2000 that had not won on MNF

Best Highlights:

  • Josh Allen was on point all night

  • BUF’s defense dictated the game with 2 INTs

Most Valuable IntelJosh Allen has one of the highest MVP ceilings in the entire NFL 

As the Buffalo Bills continue flying under the radar in 2020 despite being the AFC East leaders, somehow the mainstream media and national conversation around this year’s list of contenders continues to gloss over this Buffalo team. Josh Allen has been the centerpiece of that success when he’s not making head-scratching decisions. Allen is like a speeding bullet when aimed at the right target as he’s almost impossible to stop, and this version of him was present against the 49ers. 

The future MVP candidate finished the day with almost 400 yards and four touchdowns as he made plenty of history (read above section in key facts). Even though Allen will most likely be overlooked in the MVP conversation this season, winning games in January and February will most likely have more meaning to him, which he can carry over into next season and beyond where his high level of play is sure to become more consistent and help him be a perennial MVP candidate if he can cut out the disastrous turnovers like he did in this game.

Final ResultsBUF (+110) d. @SF (-130) 34-24 [BUF +2.0 | o48]

Key Fact: Lamar Jackson is the 1st player in NFL history with 5,000+ PASS YDS and 2,500+ RUSH YDS in his 1st 3 seasons

Best Highlights:

  • Hollywood lived up to his name on this catch

  • Lamarvelous doing what he does best

  • Pollard set his team up nicely for a TD a few plays later

  • BAL responds with INT and TD of its own

  • 294 RUSH YDS carried BAL to victory

Most Valuable Intel: Lamar Jackson’s unique contributions are the key for Baltimore to make the playoffs

Baltimore is a talented team all around and can win games in different ways, especially when Lamar Jackson is playing to his full potential. Unfortunately for them, the Ravens have faced more bumps in the road than most teams have this season and it’s had an adverse effect on them. BAL faced a daunting task in last week’s loss without almost all its offensive starters but bounced back in Jackson’s return. Down the stretch, their MVP quarterback will have to play like it again if they want any shot at the playoffs. If they go on a run to clinch a spot, any AFC team could be on upset alert, especially if they have a weak run defense.

Final Results: @BAL (-450) d. DAL (+360) 34-17 [BAL -8.5 | o46]

Full game highlights of every NFL Week 13 game will be posted here once they conclude.

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