Thanksgiving week of the NFL Season did not disappoint. It started off with elite matchups on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, then only continued that level of excitement into Sunday. With every team playing this week ahead of the final bye week next week, there were numerous upsets and big games to recap. So, let’s begin our recap.
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
In this NFC North Thanksgiving matchup, the Packers secured the 31-24 win. Green Bay QB Jordan Love threw for four touchdowns as they got past a struggling Lions squad. The Packers improve to 8-3-1 this season, while an underperforming Detroit drops to 7-5.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Anybody would call you crazy last year if you said the Chiefs would be stuck at .500 after week 13. But that is the new reality of the NFL after the Cowboys won 31-28. The Chiefs have had trouble in close games this year, while the Cowboys won two straight games against the two Super Bowl teams from last year. Despite a late comeback by Kansas City, Dallas held on to win. The Chiefs fall to 6-6 after this loss, while the Cowboys jump to 6-5-1.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The Ravens carried a five-game win streak into their matchup with the Bengals, but Joe Burrow’s return ended that streak, as the Bengals would win 32-14. Baltimore turned the ball over five times and the Bengals cashed in on six field goals from Evan McPherson to win the game. Cincinnati moves up to 4-8, and the Ravens dip to 6-6.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Chicago Bears
Some were questioning the legitimacy of the Chicago Bears this year, but after they took down the Eagles, those arguments have disappeared. The Bears got a combined 255 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground from their 1-2 punch of Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift. Those performances carried them to a 24-15 victory over the defending champs. Chicago is now 9-3, while Philadelphia becomes 8-4.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Cleveland Browns
The 49ers whooped the Browns 26-8, marking their first win in Cleveland since November 11, 1984 (That’s before the Browns went on the hiatus in the mid-90s!). They were in control the whole way, led by two touchdowns from Brock Purdy. San Francisco rises to 9-4, but Cleveland drops to 3-9.
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars got a 25-3 victory over the Titans on Sunday. They won their third straight game, led by a good performance from Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville moves to 8-4, and Tennessee sinks to 1-11.
Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Texans secured a big 20-16 victory over the Colts. The game narrowed the AFC South race to one game. The dangerous Houston defense held a normally dominant Indianapolis offense to three scores. The Colts dip to 8-4, while the Texans climb to 7-5.
Miami Dolphins vs. New Orleans Saints
The Dolphins won 21-17 against the Saints, winning their third straight game. De’Von Achane had 134 rushing yards and a touchdown on the day. This was Miami’s first win over the Saints in Miami since November 29, 1998. Miami becomes 5-7, and New Orleans becomes 2-10.
New York Jets vs. Atlanta Falcons
In a battle of struggling teams, Jets got the 27-24 win over the Falcons. New York kicked a 56-yard field goal with Nick Folk to win at triple zeroes. This marks the Jets’ first win over the Falcons since October 7, 2013, and first at home since October 25, 1998. The Jets move up to 3-9, while Atlanta falls to 4-8.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Buccaneers got a much-needed victory over the Cardinals, winning 20-17. Tampa Bay increases their record to 7-5, but Arizona declines to 3-9.
Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams
In arguably the biggest upset of the week, the Panthers squeezed out a 31-28 win against the Rams. QB Bryce Young had three touchdowns in the huge win for Carolina. The Panthers improve to 7-6 this season, while Los Angeles is now 9-3.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks shut out the Vikings 26-0 this Sunday. They scored in multiple interesting ways: four field goals, and an 85-yard interception return touchdown. Seattle becomes 9-3 on the year, and Minnesota sinks to 4-8. Minnesota waived undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer after his abysmal debut.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills
The Bills steered themselves back on track with a commanding 26-7 victory against Pittsburgh. Their defense played strong and the Bills looked like the Bills again. This victory brings Buffalo to 8-4, and the “Fire Tomlin!” Steelers to 6-6.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Despite a hand injury to Justin Herbert, the Chargers were still able to get it done. They would secure a 31-14 vs. the Raiders. Los Angeles moves up to 8-4, but Las Vegas falls to 2-10.
Washington Commanders vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos still cannot seem to take care of an opponent early; rather, they play to their opponent. In this case, they would beat the Commanders in OT on Sunday Night Football, after getting a stop on a two-point conversion. It is a dangerous game to play, but they always seem to get the job done. The final score was 27-26. The Denver offense was powered by two rushing touchdowns from RJ Harvey. The Broncos move up 10-2, and Washington drops to 3-9.
New York Giants vs. New England Patriots
In this week’s Monday Night Football matchup, the Patriots took down the Giants 33-15 to secure their league-best eleventh win of the season. Drake Maye has been building an MVP case based off of consistency, this time throwing for 282 yards and two touchdowns in New England’s victory. The Patriots improve their record to 11-2, but New York sinks to 2-11.
This year has been somewhat surprising thus far, with some teams struggling this year after dominating last year. At the forefront of that are the Chiefs and Lions, both of whom are currently out of the Playoffs. Next week features the final bye weeks of the season. There are only five weeks left, and some teams are beginning to get eliminated, while others can begin to clinch within the next few weeks.
Week 14 looks to feature some high-stakes games, including:
Cowboys vs. Lions
Colts vs. Jaguars
Steelers vs. Ravens
Bears vs. Packers
Texans vs. Chiefs
Eagles vs. Chargers
