The 2015 NFL season rages on in week 13, as we still have an undefeated team chasing perfection, as well as several key matchups. The season is slowly winding down and in the midst of some interesting playoff chases are some cool story-lines. Let’s break down the top five games we’ll want to be tuning into this weekend, all things considered:
Texas @ Bills
This matchup may have looked like a snooze fest only a few weeks ago, but the Bills desperately need a win to stay alive in the chase for one of the AFC’s two wild card spots, while J.J. Watt has fueled a surprise four-game winning streak. Just like that, the Texans have one of the best, most smothering defenses in the league and are tied for first place in the AFC South with a 6-5 record. A big road win this week, and Houston would be 7-5 and suddenly look like a potential Super Bowl contender. Even if they lose here, they’d still be in contention for their division and/or a wild card spot. This one means for more the Bills at home, but both sides will badly want to get this one so they can separate themselves from the pack. Perhaps the Bills will bust out those sweet all red custom football uniforms they rolled out three weeks ago during Nike’s Color Rush campaign. They probably won’t, but considering they’re 1-0 with them and 0-2 without them the past two weeks, they might want to consider it.
Jets @ Giants
The battle of New York ensues in week 13, as the Jets and Giants get together at the stadium they share. It’s a nice rarity for New York and NFL fans alike, as these two sides only face off once every four years. New York is in a good spot when it comes to the AFC wild card race, but probably can’t afford to lose at 6-5 if they’re serious about making a playoff run. The Giants have some wiggle room, but at just 5-6 they can’t fall too much further behind the Washington Redskins, who they split their season series with. The Giants may have the slight edge at home in this one, but it could be difficult for an under-performing G-Men defense to stop Chris Ivory and Brandon Marshall.
Chiefs @ Raiders
Fans get a huge AFC West battle this week, as the Chiefs shoot for their sixth win in a row, while the Raiders aim to get back to .500 with their second straight win. There is much more on line for Oakland, but the Chiefs could actually put themselves in position to threaten Denver at the top of the division. A sixth straight victory would get them to 7-5 and with a season split with the Broncos, KC could be a hot finish away from taking over the AFC West. Oakland may have something to say about that, though, as Derek Carr has been one of the best young passers in the league this year and Kansas City’s defense once again showed vulnerability to the pass last week. That being said, the Chiefs have been rather nasty on defense and will look to suffocate Oakland’s running game and force Carr to try to win the game with his arm. If Carr plays into KC’s hands and can’t take care of the ball, the Chiefs could slowly turn into one of the best stories in the league (if they aren’t already).
Colts @ Steelers
Another huge AFC showdown happens in Pittsburgh, as the Andrew Luck-less Colts take on the Steelers. This is a mammoth-sized game even without the injured Luck, as Matt Hasselbeck has been amazing as a fill-in starter and will look to go 5-0 while at the helm. The Steelers could make doing so difficult, as Ben Roethisberger runs one of the most potent offenses in the entire league and the Steelers tend to play their best ball at home, in general. It’s unlikely Hasselbeck stays undefeated, but Indy is 6-5 and playing for first place in the AFC South, so you just never know.
Seahawks @ Vikings
This might actually be the biggest game of the entire week, as the Vikings lead the NFC North at a stout 8-3 and Seattle remains in the thick of the NFC wild card chase at 6-5. The Seahawks haven’t been perfect in 2015 and even lost star tight end Jimmy Graham last week, but they still have the goods to make some noise and sneak into the playoffs down the stretch. They even have slim hopes of stealing the NFC West if they can win out (they face Arizona to end the regular season). Both teams will want this game and it’s easily the best NFC showdown of week 13. Adrian Peterson could have few running lanes to pick from against a stout Seattle front seven, but he’s been a total machine, so something may have to break there. On the flip side, Teddy Bridgewater’s ability to slice up a regressing Legion of Boom could be the key for the Vikes.
Like these five games? Got another one you’re excited to take in this weekend? Tell us in the comments below!
