Featured Image: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) square off for Black Friday Football at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 28, 2025, presented by Amazon Prime Video. (NFL and Amazon Prime Video Graphic)

Week 12 is in the books and the so-called Chicago Bears-Philadelphia Eagles alliance is set to come to an end on Black Friday. 

Look, the season has been rough for the Tennessee Titans but on the bright side, rookie quarterback Cam Ward seems like the answer–or at least he is better than what they have had. In a way, the situation is similar to Bears quarterback Caleb Williams last year. The talent is there, just a really bad coaching staff. 

In Week 13, Thanksgiving is here and the NFL gave us three games–two of which are covered. The games covered include two NFC North teams as they battle it out for potentially the division and the AFC North matchup as a superstar quarterback makes his return. The uniform matchup of the week is a divisional matchup in the city of Hollywood. 

Thanksgiving special: NFC North showdown as the Green Bay Packers visit the Detroit Lions 

Thanksgiving is here and as the usual tradition, the Detroit Lions host an NFC North opponent. Last year, the team was the Bears; this year, it’s the Green Bay Packers. The last time the Packers and Lions played on Thanksgiving, the Packers came in as heavy underdogs and pulled off a massive upset.

Now the Packers come in as respectable opponents. Even though there have been some inconsistencies with the offensive line and the play-calling this season, quarterback Jordan Love has continued to show the NFL how good he really can be. Love has a five-to-one touchdown to interception ratio (15 to three overall) and currently ranks third among all quarterbacks in EPA (94.4)–expected points added. On one hand, EPA is and can be a flawed stat, but on the other hand, a quarterback just does not fall into that stat. 

In the Packers most recent game though, Love was not asked to do much nor did he have to. In Week 12, the Packers simply dominated the Minnesota Vikings 23-6. Love allowed his running back Emanuel Wilson to take over with 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns while the defense made things even easier. Defensive end Micah Parsons and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt had big days at two sacks each and added to a team combined five sacks. As they continued to cause havoc, the secondary took notice and intercepted Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy twice–one to linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and one to safety Evan Williams. 

Over on the Lions side of things, it was a different tale in Week 12. The team went toe-to-toe with a struggling New York Giants team but did pull out the win 34-27 in overtime. 

While it has been the defense that has been great all year, they failed to show up the majority of the game besides defensive end Aidan Hutchinson’s game winning sack to end the game. Outside of Hutchinson, this defense cannot afford to make those same mistakes against a team at the level of the Packers. 

Thankfully, they have running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Gibbs, to make it as simple as it can be, put up high school numbers. On just 15 carries, Gibbs rushed for 219 yards–14.6 yards per carry–and two rushing touchdowns which included an impressive 69-yard touchdown run. Gibbs was not just effective on the ground though as he also caught 11 passes on 12 targets for 45 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. 

Behind Gibbs in catches was wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Brown did have a crucial drop that led to an interception by Giants safety Jevon Holland but more than made up for it as he finished the game with nine catches on 13 targets for 149 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. 

Here’s a little fun note about these two teams this season. The Lions are undefeated (6-0) when they run for over 100 yards while the Packers are 1-3-1 when they allow over 95 rushing yards. On the flip side, the Lions are 0-3 when they rush for under 100 yards and the Packers are 5-0 when they hold a team to under 95 rushing yards. 

This is a game where the Lions rushing attack will go wild and secure the win.

Final: Packers 22, Lions 29

Thanksgiving night special: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow makes his return against the fellow AFC North and red-hot Baltimore Ravens

For the late night window on Thanksgiving, the game is usually random. This year the NFL gave fans an elite quarterback dual.

In Week 2 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a brutal turf toe injury that resulted in a torn ligament in his left foot. After weeks and weeks of missed games, Burrow now makes his return in Week 13 in what seems like a meaningless game for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are 3-8, their season is basically over, why risk Burrow at this point?

I will tell you why. Head coach Zac Taylor is on the hot seat and this is his ‘last’ attempt–or at least should be–to save his job. Besides the point, Burrow comes back and unfortunately another Bengal goes down. In Week 12 versus the New England Patriots, wide receiver Tee Higgins went up for a one handed catch late in the fourth quarter, missed, then fell to the ground and slammed his head on the turf in the process. He is expected to be out against the Baltimore Ravens due to a concussion. Note, the Bengals are 5-8 all-time whenever Higgins misses a game. 

On the flip side of the Bengals, the defense has been horrible. To everyone’s surprise though, they have actually been solid the past two weeks. In Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, they only allowed two touchdowns and two field goals (20 points) which is much better when you consider they allowed 39 and 47 in Week 8 and 9. And then in Week 12, the defense allowed just 19 points and was elite in the red zone (no conversions on two attempts) and on fourth down (five conversions on 13 attempts).

The Ravens are back in control of the AFC North. After a horrible 1-5 start, the Ravens have climbed their way back up–thanks to the injury report being much smaller–and have won five straight games. 

Offensively, the Ravens have been ok. They struggled against teams you might have expected such as the Cleveland Browns and Vikings but then turned around and for the majority of the game were in a dogfight with the New York Jets–mind you they are 2-9. All of that said, they’ve hit their stride and a lot of that goes to veteran running back Derrick Henry. After Henry struggled towards the beginning of the season, he has turned it around with 71, 119, 75, 103 and 64 rushing yards and two, zero, zero, one and two rushing touchdowns through the team’s win streak. 

The defense is where the Ravens have specialized, to be more exact, the secondary. Veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey, like Henry, has turned around his season after a rough start and recorded two forced fumbles and an interception on the season. Second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins has had a breakout season with three interceptions and seven pass deflections–a true lockdown corner. The safety room is where things get crazy.

Like most of the Ravens team, the beginning of the season was a struggle and the same went for rookie safety Malaki Starks. Thankfully for the Ravens, Starks has hit his own stride and recorded two interceptions in the team’s win streak. And now the true Swiss army knife, safety Kyle Hamilton. Hamilton is an All-Pro safety, maybe linebacker and maybe even corner. He can fly and play at every defensive position. Hamilton has recorded 69 total tackles (third on the team), one sack, five tackles for loss and six pass deflections. 

In a true, offense versus defense matchup, Burrow gives the Bengals organization and fans blind hope in an upset win.

Final Score: Bengals 27, Ravens 24

UMOTW: Timeless classics versus ‘Super Chargers’

Overall, a great slate of uniforms to pick from this week from the Kansas City Chiefs all whites against the Dallas Cowboys throwbacks to Vikings basic away uniforms against the Seattle Seahawks throwbacks. However, no one could top this great matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers. 

Here the Raiders wear these clean yet simple away uniforms that feature a base color of white with accents of silver and black. 

For the second time this season, the Chargers will wear their ‘Super Chargers’ alternates. The uniforms feature a base color of navy blue with accents of white and yellow. 

The Chargers come off the bye and pick up their eighth win of the season.

Final Score: Raiders 17, Chargers 34

Remaining Games:

Thanksgiving special | Chiefs at Cowboys: The Cowboys keep rolling and win their third straight. Final Score: Chiefs 21, Cowboys 27

Black Friday special | Bears at Eagles: In a game many think the Eagles will blow out the Bears, the Bears show the world they are not frauds and win big. Final Score: Bears 32, Eagles 25

New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins: Just like the Cowboys, the Dolphins keep it rolling and also win their third straight thanks to a strong defensive performance. Final Score: Saints 7, Dolphins 24

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts: The Texans defense continues to show why they are the best in football and start to scare the Colts for the division title. Final Score: Texans 21, Colts 17

Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets: In the more boring game of the week, the Jets draft pick gets better with another loss. Final Score: Falcons 31, Jets 13

San Francisco 49ers at Browns: In a weather game that has the potential of rain and snow, Myles Garrett records another four sacks, now just .5 away from tying the record. Final Score: 49ers 18, Browns 21

Los Angeles Rams at Carolina Panthers: The Panthers’ struggles against the NFC West continues as they get blown out again. Final Score: Rams 40, Panthers 20

Jaguars at Titans: Cam Ward does the impossible and keeps the Titans some still alive for the playoffs. Final Score: Jaguars 20, Titans 31

Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: In NFC South tradition, the Buccaneers continue to slide down with another loss. Final Score: Cardinals 24, Buccaneers 23

Vikings at Seahawks: In Sam Darnold’s revenge game, he throws for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. Final Score: Vikings 17, Seahawks 35

Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers: In a game with two losers, one must come out on top and that team is led by Josh Allen. Final Score: Bills 20, Steelers 10

‘Sunday Night Football’ | Denver Broncos at Washington Commanders: The Broncos blow out the Commanders to no one’s surprise but at least the Commanders look good doing so. Final Score: Broncos 42, Commanders 14

‘Monday Night Football’ | Giants at Patriots: Even with nothing to play, the Giants travel to New England and pull off a massive upset. Final Score: Giants 23, Patriots 20

Standings after Week 12: Conference | Overall | Division | Playoff Position 

Key for Playoff Position:

• E = eliminated
• X = playoff spot clinched
• Y = division clinched
• Z = first round bye clinched

AFC East

1 Patriots 10-2 | 3-0

7 Bills 7-4 | 2-2

11 Dolphins 4-7 | 2-2

15 Jets 2-9 | 0-3

AFC West

2 Broncos 9-2 | 2-1

5 Chargers 7-4 | 3-0

10 Chiefs 6-5 | 1-2

14 Raiders 2-9 | 0-3

AFC South

3 Colts 8-3 | 2-0

6 Jaguars 7-4 | 1-1

8 Texans 6-5 | 3-1

16 Titans 1-10 | 0-4

AFC North

4 Ravens 6-5 | 2-0

9 Steelers 6-5 | 2-1

12 Bengals 3-8 | 2-1

13 Browns 3-8 | 0-4

NFC West

1 Rams 9-2 | 2-1

5 Seahawks 8-3 | 2-2

7 49ers 8-4 | 4-1

13 Cardinals 3-8 | 0-4

NFC East

2 Eagles 8-3 | 2-2

10 Cowboys 5-5-1 | 3-1

14 Commanders 3-8 | 1-1

16 Giants 2-10 | 1-3 | E

NFC North

3 Bears 8-3 | 1-2

6 Packers 7-3-1 | 2-0

8 Lions 7-4 | 1-2

12 Vikings 4-7 | 2-2

NFC South

4 Buccaneers 6-5 | 2-0

9 Panthers 6-6 | 2-1

11 Falcons 4-7 | 1-3

15 Saints 2-9 | 1-2

Teams that face playoff elimination Week 13:

Raiders face playoff elimination this week through the following scenarios:

1. Raiders loss + Jaguars win + Texans win
2. Raiders loss + Jaguars win + Bills win
3. Raiders loss + Jaguars win + Chiefs win
4. Raiders loss + Texans win + Bills win + Chiefs win

Jets face playoff elimination this week through the following scenarios:

1. Jets loss + Bills win + Jaguars win
2. Jets loss + Texans win + Bills win + Chiefs win
3. Jets loss + Jaguars win + Chiefs win + Texans win

Titans face playoff elimination this week through the following scenarios:

1. Titans loss
2. Texans win + Ravens win
3. Texans win + Bills win 
4. Chiefs win + Ravens win
5. Chiefs win + Bills win

Cardinals face playoff elimination this week through the following scenarios:

1. Cardinals loss + Packers win + Bears win/tie

Saints face playoff elimination this week through the following scenarios:

1. Saints loss + Buccaneers win/tie
2. Saints loss + Panthers win/tie
3. Saints loss + Buccaneers win/tie + Panthers win
4. Saints tie + Buccaneers win + Panthers tie

Commanders face playoff elimination this week through the following scenarios:

1. Commanders loss + Bears-Eagles tie + Packers win + Seahawks win/tie

Power Rankings after Week 12:

1. Rams | N/C 9. Bills | -2 17. Chargers | -3 25. Vikings | -3
2. Patriots | +3 10. Texans | +2 18. Steelers | -3 26. Browns | +5
3. Seahawks | N/C 11. 49ers | N/C 19. Panthers | N/C 27. Bengals | -1
4. Colts | -2 12. Ravens | -2 20. Dolphins | N/C 28. Jets | -1
5. Broncos | +1 13. Chiefs | +4 21. Buccaneers | -2 29. Commanders | N/C
6. Eagles | -2 14. Jaguars | -1 22. Falcons | +2 30. Titans | +2
7. Bears | +2 15. Packers | +1 23. Giants | +2 31. Saints | -1
8. Lions | N/C 16. Cowboys | +5 24. Cardinals | -1 32. Raiders | -4

N/C: No Change

Biggest Risers: Cowboys 21 → 16 | Browns 31 → 26 | Chiefs 17 → 13

Biggest Fallers: Raiders 28 → 32 | Chargers 14 → 17 | Steelers 15 → 18 | Vikings 22 → 25