2020 NFL Week 13 saw a change at the top of the leaderboard. The Steelers lost and the Chiefs won. The race for the AFC’s number-one seed is on.
Kansas City Chiefs Lead NFL After Week 13 of 2020
The Chiefs got plenty of plays between the 20s against the Denver Broncos this past Sunday night. However, they had a lot of trouble scoring touchdowns throughout the night. They finally broke through late in the third quarter after Patrick Mahomes found Travis Kelce for the Chiefs’ only touchdown of the game. Kansas City’s defense did its job against the Broncos’ offense, even though they had trouble against the run at times. If the Chiefs get consistent play from their defense, it will be extremely difficult for other good teams to beat the Chiefs in the postseason.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
I do not know if the Steelers have had a “Woe is Me” attitude about their games getting switched around, but Mike Tomlin was pretty accurate after he said the team “sucked” in their 23-17 loss to the Washington Football Team. The Steelers had their first loss of 2020 in Week 13, giving them an 11-1 record. This team has all the pieces. Once James Conner hopefully comes back from the COVID-19 list, the Steelers will have their run game back. They have an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver. Their defense is top notch. It is crazy that they lost to a team that they are simply better than. On paper, they may be better than their opponent this week, the Buffalo Bills. However, it will be interesting if the Steelers can bounce back against the Bills on Sunday night.
3. New Orleans Saints
The Saints did enough against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday en route to a 21-16 win. A five-point victory was a bit close for comfort, however. The Falcons drove deep into Saints territory late in the game, but the Saints defense was able to hold serve as they stopped the Falcons on fourth down. New Orleans has a decent, not great defense. Their defense is comparable to the Chiefs, but the Chiefs have a better offense than the Saints do. That is why just decent play on defense will win Saints games in the postseason. Their offense found more rhythm in the passing game against Atlanta, but they need to find more as they have a huge game against the Chiefs coming up in a few weeks.
4. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen introduced himself to a national audience last Monday night. Sure, fans had seen him play before. Monday night, however, was the first time he showed his potential in front of a national audience. He passed for 375 yards and four touchdowns. Allen can spread the ball around, throwing to seven different receivers. He has his favorites though, as Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley had 10 and nine catches, respectively. The Bills may need to improve their run game, especially with the cold weather, but Allen is really starting to come into his own. Buffalo’s defense is up-and-down. If Josh Allen can put up the type of numbers he did last Monday night, the Bills will be a tough out for any team.
Four Down: Eagles and Jets Are Embarrassing Themselves
29. Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz has officially been benched. The Eagles have butchered this season like no other team could have. Their receivers simply are not good enough and the offensive line cannot protect the quarterback. Doug Pederson calls plays like he has the best offensive line in the league. He simply does not. Carson Wentz got benched because he tried to play “Hero Ball” too much due to the Eagles’ deficiencies everywhere else on offense. The defense has tried to keep the team in games, but it has not been enough. Now, the Eagles will look for a spark as they start rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts against the Saints. Pederson is throwing Hurts into a horrible situation against a Saints defense that has given up one touchdown the past three weeks. Do not expect the Eagles to win this weekend.
30. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys missed three field goals last Tuesday night against the Ravens. They simply do not have it this season. Their defense could not stop Lamar Jackson. I wish I could say something about this Cowboys team other than it has been a lost season in Dallas. Mike McCarthy will have to start the process of finding answers for next season. You know the Cowboys are in really dire straits when they get flexed out of Sunday Night Football, an uncommon occurrence for “America’s Team”.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
You have to commend Mike Glennon for stepping into a bad situation. He has helped keep the Jaguars competitive in games the past two weeks. Same goes for head coach Doug Marrone. Since the bye week, the Jaguars have gone 0-5, but four of those games have been one-possession losses. The players are still playing hard, and the Jaguars and other teams will notice this. Doug Marrone will probably be let go by Jacksonville after the season, but he has kept his team competitive when they have had every excuse to quit on him.
32. New York Jets
The Jets sent the tank at Derek Carr with ten seconds left in the game (pun definitely intended). Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III caught the ball and sprinted to the end zone, giving the Jets their 12th loss of the season. Adam Gase should have called timeout before the play, but Gregg Williams should have never called a blitz that late in the game with the lead. Because of it, he may never call another play on defense in the NFL again.
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