The NFL season is reaching the stretch and some teams has already started thinking playoffs. It’s certainly the most exciting next few weeks of football until we get to the AFC and NFC playoffs.
Until then, we must focus on divisional matchups and ones that carry significance going forward. It won’t be hard to find, though.
Without further ado, here’s your top 10 storylines for Week 13.
1. Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers
Forget the marquee matchup of the week, this game could be the marquee matchup of the entire season. Two of the most prolific offense in the league facing off in Green Bay on Sunday; it couldn’t get better.
The Patriots have won seven straight and the Packers have taken seven of eight game en route to this game, but it may come down to which defense can hold first. The Packers’ pass defense ranks 12th and the Patriots sit at 17th.
2. Colt McCoy leads the Washington Redskins
It was announced this week that McCoy, the quarterback who came in and beat the Dallas Cowboys and Tennesse Titans in consecutive weeks, would start over Robert Griffin III, the quarterback who has struggled all season and won just one game.
Seems like a good idea. Yet, it may be a lost cause given the opponent is the Indianapolis Colts. Unless the Redskins’ pass defense steps up against the No. 1 passer in Andrew Luck, you could throw me in a quarterback and it wouldn’t matter.
3. Another game, another replacement quarterback
The Houston Texans thought that they’d turned the page on Ryan Fitzpatrick and move onto Ryan Mallett, but Mallett lasted just one game before tearing his pectoral last week. Now, it looks like Fitzpatrick will take the helm again against the Titans.
The Texans desperately need the win, as they sit two games out of the wild card and the game is at home. The 31st-ranked pass defense will need to step up against Zach Mettenberger and the weak Titans pass defense.
4. The Buffalo Bills are back
The Bills return to the town that was buried in snow last week, but they’ll have no time for sympathy, because the hungry Cleveland Browns are coming in. The Browns got past the Atlanta Falcons last week and sit at 7-4, like most of the AFC North.
Kyle Orton will have to be efficient ninth-ranked pass defense, but he’ll need a steady run game fron Fred Jackson and Anthony Dixon to give the Bills a chance to win.
5. Can the Cincinnati Bengals keep winning?
Boy, have the Bengals been up-and-down this season. They have all their win sandwiched around two losses and a tie, and it looks like they’ve hit their stride after two straight road wins.
Now, Andy Dalton and his team face the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday with a chance to keep their lead in the AFC North. Can they remain consistent?
6. Can the New Orleans Saints lose four straight?
The Saints have slipped into a terrible lull that saw them lose three straight home games, but they still sit in a tie for first place in the AFC South with the Atlanta Falcons. Drew Brees is doing all he can, but his defense is letting the team down.
Now, the Saints must try to win at Heinz Field against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It will be a tough task against the fourth-best passing offense, but the Saints need a win desperately.
7. The Carolina Panthers still have a chance
It’s amazing to believe that the Panthers, at 3-7-1, are just percentage points away from the Saints and Falcons. A win Sunday at the Minnesota Vikings would give them a huge boost if either team loses.
That said, the Panthers have won one game in their last eight and Cam Newton’s offense hasn’t broken 20 points since Oct. 12. Against a strong Vikings defense, this could be a tough day for Newton and company.
8. How will Drew Stanton fare after a loss?
Stanton struggled mightily against the Seattle Seahawks last week, falling 19-3 in a brutal game. Now, the Arizona Cardinals must travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons, who are the opposite of the Seahawks in terms of defense.
Will Stanton spread the ball instead of turn it over? That remains the question mark in the Cardinals’ quest for a NFC West title.
9. Can the Denver Broncos keep up now?
It seems unusual for us to talk about the Broncos losing home field advantage in the playoffs, but with a road game against the 7-4 Kansas City Chiefs, they could even lose sole possession of the division lead.
Peyton Manning will need a strong game against the best pass defense in the NFL. It could be a danger zone for this high-powered Broncos offense.
10. Can the Miami Dolphins rebound from a tough loss?
The Dolphins almost beat the Broncos in Denver last week, but they couldn’t get it done. Now, they face the 2-9 New York Jets looking for a win to keep them in the wild card race.
Ryan Tannehill has been a pleasant surprise this season, completing 66 percent of his passes and throwing 20 touchdowns. He’ll need to be strong on Sunday.