The NFL Roundup 2021: Week 13 Preview

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Hello again, football fans and welcome to another edition of the NFL Roundup. One that is filled with anticipation. Because we are a mere five weeks away from the end of the regular season and the playoff picture is murky at best. To the point where it is anyone’s guess as to who will make the postseason since titans have fallen often this season and squads that should be out of contention are still in play. So, with that in mind, let’s dive right in and look at some of the incredible storylines hovering over this week’s matchups and the most fascinating games to watch this weekend when Week 13 in the NFL gets underway.
 
Is this the week when the Titans figure out their offensive woes?
Make no mistake about, the Titans defense is sound. They play great in the secondary, the rush is solid, and the linebackers do a great job with zone coverage. But they are also human, and they get tired, and they need help from their offense. Because the lack/reliance of a run game is keeping this D on the field too long and costing this proud team games and they need to adjust their offense to compensate for the fact that Derrick Henry isn’t coming back this season and well, is this the week when that happens? Honestly, I don’t know. Because this team basically wrote a thick playbook that truly centers around #22 and his skill set and changing that now, is no easy task. But it has to be done if they want to make the postseason. So, if this team comes out and figures out how to move the ball without a reliance on a heavy ISO run formation, then eureka, and if not… well… we know how that story ends.
 
Can the Rams finally get a win with their new look offense and defense?
It is definitely safe to say that the Rams have looked embarrassing since they traded for Von Miller and signed Odell Beckham Jr. Which begs the question… can they use a flailing Jaguars team to boost confidence and find a rhythm on offense and defense at last? Well… on paper, yes. Because Jacksonville stinks. But in reality… it’s hard to say. Because the Rams are playing pretty sloppy right now and the underdog continues to surprise on any given Sunday. So, it’s 50/50 that the Rams walk out of this one the winner, but my guess is they will indeed find a grove with Miller and Beckham at last. Because the Jaguars are just the worst.
 
Will the Tampa Bay defense rebound from last week?
Regardless of the fact that the NFL is all about that offense these days, defense still wins championships and some of the best teams in the league have reaffirmed that fact, including the Buccaneers. Since their masterful defense figured out how to beat Patrick Mahomes and his dynamic offense to earn another Super Bowl title for the city of Tampa Bay. But alas, that defense is not playing at the same high level right now and that nearly cost this team a big game last week. Which begs the question, can they rebound and have a hell of a game this week? And the answer to that question, is yes. Because they’re playing the lowly Falcons, and this is a great opportunity to reset and play their fundamentals. Which means if they can establish a fierce pass rush and contain receivers, they can dominate again and find their groove well before the playoffs begin. 

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The Most Fascinating Games to Watch This Weekend

Thursday Night Football
Dallas Cowboys (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (5-6)
Caesars Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana
8:20 p.m. EST – FOX/NFL Network

​This is a game that is worth watching, simply because it features a pair of teams that are this side shy of desperation. For the Saints are eager to prove they can win with the quarterbacks they have and that they don’t need to rebuild the scheme and the Cowboys are eager to command the respect of the league and the fans after being a long-standing embarrassment. And of course, the best way to accomplish that is with a big fat win here and well, that means the fans are going to be in for a treat. Because each team is going to bring their A-game and outright fury to the field when they take it tonight and that should lead to an intense matchup, one that I expect Dallas will win in the end, simply because they have the more complete roster, and a franchise QB that knows what he is doing.

 Sunday Night Football
Denver Broncos (6-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-4)
GHEA Field at Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri
8:20 p.m. EST – NBC

This is a matchup that a few weeks ago, would have been a complete and utter waste of time. Because the Chiefs have won eleven straight against the Broncos, and rightfully so. For Denver has been shockingly bad since Peyton Manning retired, in every phase of the game, and there was little chance of them turning that around in this game. But my how things have changed. For the Broncos are suddenly full of fire and desire to win and the once invincible Chiefs outright stink on defense. Which means this matchup is far more even than anyone ever expected, and it really could go either way and honestly, there is a solid chance that Denver wins here, if they follow the Tampa Bay format to beating the Chiefs and well… regardless of who walks away the victor, this should be a fun game to watch for certain.

Monday Night Football
New England Patriots (8-4) at Buffalo Bills (7-4)
Highmark Stadium – Orchard Park, New York
8:15 p.m. EST – ESPN

​This is another one of those matchups that wouldn’t have mattered all that long ago. Since the Pats were basically crowned AFC East Champions by Week 5 with Tom Brady at the helm, making this game a formality of sorts. But with Tom gone and the power shifting about in this division, this is a matchup that has some potential to be an instant classic. For now, you have two young guns under center that are looking to make a name for themselves, and legends are indeed build on Monday Night in divisional battles. Which means we should expect some fine performances from Mac Jones and Josh Allen, the kind that might make this game an outright shootout. As to who wins, well that’s anyone guess, since these squads are indeed equally matched, but that still doesn’t make this one any less compelling to watch, since this one should give us a touch of insight as to which team is going to be the new Alpha in the AFC East.