The NFL Roundup 2017 - Week 13 - The Most Fascinating Games to Watch Today

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Here we go ladies and gentlemen, the playoff rush is in full swing and everyone in the NFL is doing their absolute best to end their season on a high note. That means even the elite teams are going to pull out all of the stops to ensure a victory and that all important playoff berth, and of course, so will the lesser teams. Because they too, want to enjoy a little happiness before the long offseason gets underway. Which means we are in for an interesting mix of games where everyone leaves it all on the field and here are the most fascinating games that we will be keeping an eye upon today.

---

New England Patriots (9-2) at Buffalo Bills (6-5)
New Era Field – Buffalo, NY
1:00 p.m. EST – CBS

On paper this game looks like another gimmie for the Patriots simply because of the fact that New England has settled down and made football their focus once again. But, one can never count the Buffalo Bills out and in all honestly, they have a chance at the upset in this one, provided a few key things come together. First and foremost, their defense cannot miss a beat. They have to find a way to get to Tom Brady and harass him all day long, and they have to disrupt his receiver’s routes with some aggressive press coverage as well and if they can accomplish that, the other key element to this game rests with the offense. Which means that Tyrod Taylor cannot turn the ball over. He has to play a clean game, one that relies on the run to set up the pass to wear down that vaunted New England D and if Buffalo can pull all of this off, they’ll land one of the biggest upsets of the season. But the instant they make any critical mistakes, the Patriots will pounce and make the Bills pay dearly for their blunder.

Minnesota Vikings (9-2) at Atlanta Falcons (7-4)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA
1:00 p.m. EST – FOX

Now this game could shape up to be something incredible simply because, both of these teams have something to prove. Atlanta is still trying to prove to the football world, and themselves for that matter, that they are still an elite football team and unfortunately for them, they’re facing off against a Vikings squad that wants to prove to everyone, they’re the absolute best team in the NFL. Which means that Minnesota is going to unleash their special brand of fury when they take the field and if Atlanta doesn’t keep a level head and respond in kind, this game could get out of hand and quickly and I’m hoping that the Falcons have developed a thick enough hide to just let loose and ball because if they let Minnesota get under their skin and into their heads, expect the Falcons to lose their fifth game of the season. 

Carolina Panthers (8-3) at New Orleans Saints (8-3)
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
4:25 p.m. EST – FOX

If there’s one matchup from today’s slate of games that I’m outright giddy to watch, it’s this one. I mean, you can never go wrong with two high powered offenses battling it out on the field, but when you throw pride and potentially the NFC South Division Title into the mix? Well then, that game becomes all the more special and I expect this one to be a FIERCE contest through and through. After all, I made mention of pride in this game and both of these teams have plenty of it. Because the Panthers want to be respected once again and not seen as a hot and cold fluke that play hard only when they see fit and the Saints are looking to rebound from a tough loss last week and remind everyone that they’re for real this season. So, if anything, I expect this game to be an outright shootout and as to who walks away with the victory in this one? Well I think that comes down to the age-old adage of, who wants it more?

Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) at Seattle Seahawks (7-4)
CenturyLink Field – Seattle, WA
Sunday Night Football – 8:30 p.m. EST – NBC

​When you’re the number one team in the NFL, every other team behind you has painted a target on your back, and that’s precisely where the Philadelphia Eagles stand right now. Everyone wants to be the second team on the season to topple the league’s finest and Seattle is no doubt chomping at the bit to take this team on come tonight. But truth be told, while the Seahawks are a plucky team that refuse to go down without a fight, this game is really Philadelphia’s to lose. They’re rolling on all cylinders and the only way they lose this game is if Seattle can somehow rattle this team, and while I would like to say they can pull that off, Philly is just too damn good right now. So, expect a healthy fight from the Seahawks, one that at times will give the Eagles some cause for concern, but outside of that, the Eagles should walk out of this game, 11-1.