NFL Week 13: Two Teams Clinch Playoffs 

Graphic+by+Brennan+Arcement

Graphic by Brennan Arcement

Week 13 of the National Football League was another week that had its schedule edited due to COVID-19, and it ended with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win streak ending, as well as the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs clinching their spots in the playoffs.

The week began Sunday with the Saints beating their National Football Conference South rival, the Atlanta Falcons, 21-16, to be the first NFC team to clinch their playoff spot this season. Later that day, the Chiefs won their game against their American Football Conference West rival, the Denver Broncos, 22-16, to be the first AFC team to clinch a playoff spot this season. 

The Detroit Lions won their game against their NFC North rival, the Chicago Bears, 34-30. The Indianapolis Colts beat their AFC South rival, the Houston Texans, 26-20. The Los Angeles Rams were victorious over their NFC West rival, the Arizona Cardinals, 38-28. 

The Cleveland Browns won their game against the Tennessee Titans 41-35. The Miami Dolphins defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 19-17. After going into overtime, the Minnesota Vikings won their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-24. The Las Vegas Raiders won their game against the New York Jets 31-25.

Even without having their starting quarterback, the New York Giants were able to upset the Seattle Seahawks 17-12. The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Chargers with a final score of 45-0. The Green Bay Packers won their game against the Philadelphia Eagles 30-16.

Monday had two games due to the Washington Football Team and Pittsburgh Steelers matchup being pushed back to Monday afternoon, due to the Steelers having played in a Wednesday game in week 12.

Washington was able to get an upset over the Steelers when they won 23-17. This game was also the first loss for the Steelers this season.

The Buffalo Bills won their game against the San Francisco 49ers 34-24 in their Monday night matchup.

Due to the Baltimore Ravens playing in a Wednesday football game last week, the originally scheduled Thursday night Ravens versus Dallas Cowboys game was played on Tuesday night. The Ravens defeated the Cowboys 34-17.

The Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were on their bye weeks this week.

After week 13 the NFC divisional leaders include: from the South, the Saints (10-2); from the West, the Rams (8-4); from the East, the Giants (5-7) and from the North, the Packers (9-3). The AFC divisional leaders include: from the West, the Chiefs (11-1); from the East, the Bills (9-3); from the South, the Titans (8-4) and from the North, the Steelers (11-1).

Week 14 begins with a Thursday night matchup between the Patriots (6-6) and the Rams (8-4). There are no bye weeks in week 14.