You never get bored in the NFL. That’s especially true this week, as a host of gripping storylines will unfold in stadiums throughout the day on Sunday.
Given the number of stories, it’s easy to miss one, so we’ve decided to list the most compelling ones ahead of this weekend’s play list. Not included, Bears and Packers play for the right to earn the title of winningest franchise in NFL history and the strange decision of Bill Belichick do not use time out at the end of New England’s Thursday night loss to Buffalo.
Here’s a look at the 10 biggest storylines entering Week 13.
Watson faces old team in first match back from suspension
For the first time in nearly two years, Deshaun Watson will play a regular season game. His first game after his 11-game suspension will be in Houston against the team he led to the playoffs three years ago. Watson’s return shines a light on an otherwise lackluster clash between two teams with losing records.
Watson kept the focus on football when he spoke to the media for the first time before Sunday’s game. The former Pro Bowl quarterback was suspended after being sued by 25 women over allegations ranging from sexual harassment to sexual assault. Watson has since settled 23 of those cases.
McDaniel returns to San Francisco in possible Super Bowl preview
In January 1985, the Dolphins and 49ers played in the most messed up Super Bowl ever. While future Hall of Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Dan Marino both posted showy numbers, the game was mostly a second-half repeat fest, as the 49ers pulled out after halftime for pick up a 38-16 win.
Sunday’s game could be a Super Bowl rematch between the two teams. The Dolphins are 8-3 and have won five straight. Miami, led by former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, did not lose this season when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ended the game. The Dolphins face a 49ers team that is 4-1 since acquiring Christian McCaffrey before the trade deadline. San Francisco suffered a blow this week when teammate Elijah Mitchell was placed on injured reserve.
Reid talks trash ahead of Bengals-Chiefs
Justin Reid apparently doesn’t care about stinging the bear. Or maybe Chiefs safety thinks he and his team are the proverbial bears entering the rematch of Sunday’s AFC Championship game. Reid acted like he didn’t know the names of Bengals winger Tee Higgins and tight end Hayden Hurst when asked about the game. Reid basically doubled when Bengals Pro Bowl player Ja’Marr Chase messaged him via Twitter.
Hurst, who benefits a first season in small groups in Cincinnaticlearly took offense to Reid’s comments.
“He could pick anyone in this locker room, but I feel like the last person you probably want to talk shit about,” Hurst said. “I have a long memory.”
Mahomes vs. Burrow, Part III
Reid’s bulletin board material somewhat overshadowed the compelling quarterback game between Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. Burrow, who is 2-0 against Mahomes after leading the Bengals to two wins over Kansas City last January, spoke highly of Mahomes earlier this week.
“He’s the best right now,” Burrow said, via Cincinnati.com. “He’s played the best all year. It’s fun to watch him play, he does it in different ways. There haven’t been many people like him who have come through the game.”
Sunday’s game could go a long way in determining the league’s most valuable player this year. Mahomes won the award in 2018, his first full season as a starting quarterback for the Chiefs. Burrow would join Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason as quarterbacks for the Bengals who were named league MVPs.
NFC East contenders face off
For the second time in three years, Ron Rivera’s team is aiming for a surprising playoff spot. Two years after winning the NFC East, Washington (7-5) is once again in contention to make the playoffs after winning six of its last seven games. Part of the Commanders’ recent success has been the move from Carson Wentz to Taylor Heinicke, who has won five of his six starts.
Washington’s opponent, the New York Giants, is also in the playoff mix despite losing consecutive games. A shaky offense and an equally shaky running defense have plagued the Giants, who have two games against the Commanders over the next three weeks.
Battle of the best
A quarter century ago, one of the best individual battles in the NFL pitted Jerry Rice against Deion Sanders. Sandwiched between their decade-long competition was the Super Bowl championship they shared as members of the 49ers in 1994.
Sunday’s match between Justin Jefferson and Sauce Gardner should have a similar energy. Arguably the best receiver in the league, Jefferson’s 96.5 yards per game average is the best in league history, according to the CBS Sports Research team. Jefferson will be looking to at least match his average on Sunday against Gardner, a confident player who is currently the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“It’s the kind of games I like” Gardner said this week. “I like to face the best.”
White looking to skyrocket Jets in Minnesota
A week after being named the Jets’ starting quarterback, Mike White is tasked with facing the Vikings, the NFC’s second-best record holders. White, who threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns in last Sunday’s blowout win over Chicago, will face a Vikings secondary that has allowed more passing yards than any other unit. Minnesota’s defense is also only 26th in the league in red zone efficiency, which could lead to a big day for the Jets’ young quarterback.
Battle of bruised QBs
Among the biggest storylines regarding the Bears-Packers matchup is the health of quarterbacks Justin Fields and Aaron Rodgers. Fields is on track to play after sitting out last Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury. Rodgers also hopes to play despite thumb and rib injuries.
Whoever the Green Bay quarterback is, it will be interesting to see if rookie Christian Watson can continue his incredible string of recent hits. After catching just 10 passes in the first nine weeks of the season, Watson caught 12 passes and six touchdowns in the last three games for the Packers.
Week 17 Thriller Revenge
Although the Raiders’ 4-7 record took some of the hype out of this game, it should still be an entertaining matchup between two teams that last January gave NFL fans an exciting end to the season. regular.
Trailing 29-14, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert led the Chargers on two drives to force overtime. After both teams threw field goals, the Raiders regained possession with 4:30 left in overtime. Given that both teams simply needed a tie to qualify for the playoffs, many wondered if the Raiders would play it safe while ensuring their playoff bid was secure. But an 11-yard completion from Derek Carr to Zay Jones, followed by seven- and 11-yard runs from Josh Jacobs, set up Daniel Carlson’s game-winning 47-yard field goal on the final play of the 2021 regular season. kick secured Las Vegas’ playoff spot while knocking Los Angeles out of the playoffs.
Herbert and Co. would surely love nothing more than to exact sweet revenge on their longtime rival on Sunday.
Pickett looking for second road win in six days
Don’t look now, but the Pittsburgh Steelers could return to the AFC playoff draw. Although still unlikely, Monday night’s victory over Indianapolis created optimism for a fan base that had all but cashed in their chips after the Steelers’ 3-7 start.
A big reason for that optimism was the play of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett. The former Pitt star went three games without throwing an interception after throwing eight in his first five games. A win over Atlanta on Sunday would further bolster the Steelers’ decision to draft Pickett while creating more buzz in Pittsburgh for a potential playoff push.
