Like nearly every week in the National Football League, Week 13 was full of action, elation, and heartbreak. Wins became losses, and losses became wins in the final precious seconds of multiple matchups. Here are four major takeaways from this weekend’s gameplay:
1. The Browns are a Legitimate 9-3 Team
Up until this weekend, Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns have been heavily doubted. Although they held a solid 8-3 record, many of their wins were narrowly won to sub-par teams, like Cincinnati and Houston. Adding to the skepticism, the three games they lost were ugly, including their blowout loss at Pittsburgh in Week 6. It seemed easy to say that out of the teams with an elite record, and they were the ones who didn’t belong.
Their lack of recognition undoubtedly motivated the team on Sunday, where they beat a strong Tennessee Titans team, 41-35. Putting up 38 points before the half, they held the Titans to only 7 points in the first two quarters. Although the Titans made up significant ground in the second half, it was not enough to make up for the Browns’ explosive opening. Baker Mayfield arguably had his best game of the year, completing 25 of 33 pass attempts and throwing for 334 yards and four touchdowns. Aside from their strong offensive performance, the Cleveland defense proved they were capable of greatness when they held the NFL rushing leader, Derrick Henry, to a mere 60 yards over 15 carries.
This win was a significant one for a Browns’ team that had a lot of skeptics. As the team moves to 9-3, NFL teams, coaches, and fans alike should consider the Browns as a legitimate playoff threat and a true force to be reckoned with.
2. The Jets Continue to Find New Ways to Lose
With 5 seconds left in Sunday’s matchup against the Raiders, the 0-11 New York Jets held a 4 point lead, close enough to finally taste their first victory. On the Raiders’ previous possession, the Jets defense came up with a crucial 4th-down stop, which appeared likely to give the Jets a win. However, the New York offense went three-and-out on their next possession, giving the ball back to Las Vegas with 35 seconds left. Still needing a touchdown, it seemed unlikely that the Raiders could pull it off.
That was until Jets Defensive coach Gregg Williams called a highly questionable all-out blitz with 5 seconds left to protect their precious four-point lead. QB Derek Carr noticed the limited downfield coverage and hurled a 46-yard pass down the field to Henry Ruggs III to score the touchdown. That moment resulted in the Jets falling to an ugly 0-12 record.
The miraculous results of this game still leave many unsurprised, as this is yet another instance of the Jets coming up short. Looking forward, the expectations remain on the floor for a dismal New York team that appears to be heading towards a winless season.
3. The NFC East is Capable of Surprises
The New York Giants and the Washington Football Team found themselves in tough Week 13 matchups against the 8-3 Seattle Seahawks and the undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers.
Although the Giants had won three games straight, they were without starting QB Daniel Jones on Sunday and were left with backup Colt McCoy. Additionally, the Giants had to travel across the country to Seattle’s Lumen Field, where the Seattle Seahawks were undefeated for the season. The odds had Seattle as 10.5 point favorites. Despite the circumstances, the 4-7 Giants’ nothing-to-lose mentality led them to an unlikely 17-12 victory. The matchup was one of the biggest upsets of the season, as the previous MVP favorite Russell Wilson was held to 263 passing yards, one touchdown, and an interception by an impressive Giants defense.
The Washington Football Team found a way to bring another huge victory to an NFC East division who, prior to the Giants’ victory the day before, had not beaten a winning team. Coming off a short week, the Steelers were 7 point favorites heading into Monday’s matchup. The undefeated AFC powerhouse was clearly stunned when Washington was able to put up 20 points in the second half. Finding themselves down by 3 late in the 4th quarter, the Steelers had one last drive to find the end zone. The drive ended as soon as it began, with QB Ben Rothesburger throwing an interception on the first play. The Washington Football Team left Pittsburgh with a 23-17 win and their playoff hopes intact.
The 2020 NFC East is ugly and has come under fire as one of the worst divisions the NFL has ever seen. However, Washington and the Giants proved to the world in week 13 that the division can certainly play football and are capable of notching some big wins.
4. Wentz on the Bench
Down 20-3 to the Packers midway through the 3rd quarter, the Eagles made a quarterback switch. Eagles’ starting quarterback, Carson Wentz, who is under a $128 million dollar, 4-year contract, was pulled from the game for rookie QB Jalen Hurts. His first completed pass to Jalen Reagor went for 34-yards and seemed to give the Eagles the spark they needed to battle Green Bay. Philadelphia still came up with the loss but Hurts proved capable of putting points on the board, throwing for 109 yards, and scoring a touchdown in the final quarter.
Eagles fans have been anticipating (and maybe hoping for) a switch under center for months. Through 11 games, Carson Wentz has taken 46 sacks, given away 19 turnovers, and holds a miserable 72.8 passer rating. Although Wentz has always shown moments of greatness, they are far too short-lived, as his accuracy and overall decision-making continue to digress each week.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Jalen Hurts will start Sunday against the Saints. In regards to this decision, head coach Doug Peterson remarked, “We’re not where we want to be as an offense…I looked at this whole thing and decided that for this week to look for that spark again to try to get the team over the hump”. It appears that, for now, Wentz will now be back up to Hurts, as the Eagles look to finish the season better than they began it.
