An Al Pacino loss, a lack of name recognition and a walk-off win for the winless headline the lucky NFL Week 13 Recap.
2021 NFL Week 13 Recap
1/14
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) carries the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.
(AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Patriots 14
Bills 10
In gale force winds, Bill Belichick basically went to his Navy roots by attempting just three passes (3!), including a historic ONE pass in the first half. The road to the Super Bowl just might have to come through Foxborough (again … eye roll) and visions of a Belichick vs. Brady Super Bowl have to be dancing in the league’s heads.
2/14
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — DECEMBER 05: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs crosses the goal line for a touchdown as Kyle Fuller #23 and Pat Surtain II #2 of the Denver Broncos defend during the first quarter at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 05, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Broncos 9
Chiefs 22
Is there a safer bet than Andy Reid after a bye? He’s now 20-3 and hasn’t lost such a game since 2017.
3/14
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA — DECEMBER 05: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Football Team runs with the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 05, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Washington 17
Raiders 15
After decades of using an offensive one, Washington is embodying a much better ‘R’ word: Resilient. Winning this game on the other side of the country on a short week against a team with a de facto mini-bye is perhaps the gutsiest Burgundy and Gold victory yet — and sets them up nicely for the season-ending NFC East gauntlet. Dallas beware.
4/14
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) gets to the end zone after making a catch past Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won 20-19.
(AP Photo/Don Wright)
Ravens 19
Steelers 20
Baltimore had a once-in-a-generation drive against Pittsburgh’s worst defense since 1988, but the 30th game between Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh was decided when the latter opted to go for two rather than take the game-tying extra point. Even if Harbaugh’s reasoning is sound (and his movie references on point), the Ravens may just regret not burying the Steelers while they had the chance. Hooo ahhh.
5/14
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson passes against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Seattle.
(AP Photo/John Froschauer)
49ers 23
Seahawks 30
I don’t think Seattle makes the playoffs but this was a reminder that Russell Wilson and company won’t just go quietly into the night. The Seahawks are here to play spoiler.
6/14
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA — DECEMBER 05: Mack Hollins #86 of the Miami Dolphins makes a touchdown reception against the New York Giants in the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 05, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Giants 9
Dolphins 20
Look, I know it’s only the Giants … but Tua is going to mess around and prove to Miami that he’s their guy.
7/14
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY — DECEMBER 05: Elijah Moore #8 of the New York Jets catches the ball over Steven Nelson #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles for a touchdown during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 05, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Eagles 33
Jets 18
It’s telling that a 83.9 passer rating for just 18 points against a middle-of-the-road defense represents Zach Wilson’s best game. Maybe they should have been the ones to trade for Gardner Minshew.
8/14
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA — DECEMBER 05: Jalen Ramsey #5 of the Los Angeles Rams recovers a fumble by Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 05, 2021 in Inglewood, California.
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Jaguars 7
Rams 37
Von Miller was a bad luck charm for L.A. but lucky week 13 brought the lousy Jaguars to town for Ramsey’s revenge (even though he was dirty) against the franchise that traded him. The Rams still aren’t to be taken seriously unless/until they beat the conference-leading Cardinals in prime-time.
9/14
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — DECEMBER 05: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers catches a touchdown pass over Erik Harris #23 of the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 05, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Bucs 30
Falcons 17
Step aside, Arthur Blank. Tom Brady is the owner of the Atlanta Falcons, by virtue of his 10-0 record against his now-division rival. He and Gronk are trying for history and I’m not sure who can stop the present-day Odd Couple.
10/14
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Kyler Murray as Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (33) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Chicago.
(AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Cardinals 33
Bears 22
The most impressive part of Arizona’s NFC-best record is the fact that they’re undefeated on the road, becoming only the third team in NFL history to win seven straight road games by double digits in a single season. If the Cardinals keep this up, they won’t have to play any playoff games on the road.
11/14
CINCINNATI, OHIO — DECEMBER 05: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers looks to pass during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on Dec. 05, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
(Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Chargers 41
Bengals 22
Cincy entered this game having scored 30 or more points in 5 of their last 6 but that still wouldn’t have been enough against Justin Herbert. I know Joe Burrow had a busted pinkie but Herbert looks like he’ll be the better quarterback for the long run.
Vikings 27
Lions 29
I can’t even be snarky about this one. Detroit wants to play spoiler down the stretch and they definitely did Sunday while paying tribute to a senseless tragedy that happened close to home.
13/14
HOUSTON, TEXAS — DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts runs the ball for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Dec. 05, 2021 in Houston, Texas.
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Colts 31
Texans 0
The question isn’t whether Jonathan Taylor is the Offensive Player of the Year — it’s whether he gets MVP. His 10 straight games with a rushing touchdown puts him in MVP company so hopefully the bias in favor of QBs doesn’t win out this time around.
14/14
New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill (7) leaps over Dallas Cowboys free safety Damontae Kazee (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, in New Orleans.
(AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
Cowboys 27
Saints 17
I will never understand how Sean Payton can keep trying to make Taysom Hill a QB — and keep paying him a ton of money to fail at it — and still be considered a quarterback guru. If only Black QBs got such unlimited benefit of the doubt …
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