The NFL Roundup Week 13 - The Most Fascinating Games to Watch on Sunday

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Perhaps the true beauty of these final few weeks of the NFL regular season, is the fact that in many ways...this is the game at its purest. A fair amount of the bluster and bravado and showmanship that we find earlier in the season simply goes the wayside, as players come to realize their entire season is on the line and it's time to buckle down and play some football.

That means these next few weeks are all about fundamental football. For the teams that execute at a high level and protect the ball...are the ones who will see their season continue in January and there are several games tomorrow featuring teams that are on the bubble of reaching the tournament, and they'll need to be perfect on the field to get there and those are the games we will be keeping an eye upon, because a simple mistake may cost them the season and seeing how these teams will handle this kind of pressure will be downright fascinating.

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DENVER BRONCOS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
1:00 p.m. EST - CBS

It's a foregone conclusion that the Jacksonville Jaguars will be missing the postseason again this year, but they could certainly have a little fun tomorrow and play the spoiler when it comes to the Denver Broncos playoff hopes. Expect the Jags to attack the right side of Denver's offensive line all day long in an effort to get to the quarterback, or the tailback and more or less shut down the offense completely for the day. However, Denver's destiny is completely in their own hands. If the coaching staff spent some time working on fundamentals with Right Tackles Ty Sambrailo and Donald Stephenson, they could come out and slow the Jacksonville pass rush and as an added X Factor, Rookie QB Paxton Lynch will be making his second career start in place of the injured Trevor Siemian; and his ability to scramble may extend plays if that right side breaks down and to top it off, there's a fair chance Lynch may be more comfortable at the position now which means he could be in for quite a big day. Either way, it's up to Denver to buckle down and play at the Championship level they know they can and not let a 2-9 team get under their skin in the slightest and if they can execute the basics, they will walk away from this one with the win.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
​1:00 p.m. EST - CBS

While both of these teams appear to be playoff bound, since the Falcons are first in the NFC South and the Chiefs are second in the AFC West...they both run the risk of seeing their playoff fortunes change on a moment's notice. The Chiefs have the Broncos and Dolphins fighting for a spot and a suddenly resurgent Tampa Bay could make things interesting in the playoff picture and close the gap on Atlanta's first place standing, because if the Falcons lose this game and the Bucs win they will both be 7-5, which means...this game is going to be a knock down drag it out fight from both teams. Expect some serious defense and low scoring early on in the game as both squads do their best to not fall behind and learn about their opponent. But you never know, this could just end up being an old fashioned shootout, but one way or another...someone has to lose and this is one of those games that will most likely come down to who wants it more, and who plays mistake free football.

HOUSTON TEXANS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
1:00 p.m. EST - CBS

If it were any other year, we'd be talking about Aaron Rodgers and the Packers more than likely rolling over the Texans on their way to another victory. But this is a strange year in football and the Packers are on the outside looking in playoff wise while the Texans own the top spot in the AFC South...but that doesn't mean they are invincible like the Packers of yesteryear. Houston is a team that continues to struggle, they've dropped two critical games over the past two weeks and Brock Osweiler continues to spiral downward in both quality of play and confidence which means...this is simply their game to lose. If they can find a way to settle down and play the basics of the game, there's a fair chance Houston walks away with the win. But considering that they have yet to win on the road and that Green Bay will be itching to further rattle Osweiler, the odds are in the Packers favor, so don't be surprised if they hand the Texans another embarrassing loss.

NEW YORK GIANTS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
4:25 p.m. EST - FOX

On paper this looks like a pretty lopsided matchup. The Giants are 8-3 and cruising toward a Wild Card spot and the Steelers are 6-5 and in danger of missing the playoffs. But while Pittsburgh isn't exactly having a stellar season on defense, never count them out. They are a tough and scrappy team and with the Giants coming into their house, and with a shot at the tournament on the line...there's a fair chance they will come out swinging on both sides of the ball to make a statement. But the key for Pittsburgh here is to stay consistent because the Giants offense is one that enjoys toying with defenses to slowly wear them down before delivering a punishing blow. So if the Steelers can keep a level head on defense and find ways to neutralize Eli Manning and that offense, they'll come away with quite the win and if not...well, then expect plenty of Odell Beckham, Jr. highlights on ESPN on Sunday Night.