NFL Week 13: 5 best games of the slate

After an uninspiring schedule last week, NFL Week 13 promises some exciting encounters. Here we take a look at the 5 best games.

5. Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are out of the race at 4-7, but they can still play the active role of spoiler. The offense has plenty of weapons with Matt Ryan, Tevin Coleman, Julio Jones and others, giving Baltimore a stiff test as it tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The Ravens have won two straight games with rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson at the helm. If he starts in place of Joe Flacco, he’ll be trying to get his first career road win.

4. Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans

This might not be the sexiest game of NFL Week 13 on the surface, but there’s a lot to like. For starters, it’s going to be Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson meeting up for the first time in the NFL. The pair of former Heisman Trophy winners will square off with plenty on the line, as the Texans attempt to strengthen their grip on the AFC South with an eighth straight win. The Browns are on life support at 4-6-1, but they remain in the race for the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC.

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3. New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys

The Thursday night affair is one of the best on the slate with the Cowboys hosting the Saints. The pair of division leaders will get after it in JerryWorld, with Dallas trying to hold onto its tenuous spot atop the NFC East with a 6-5 record. It won’t be easy, though, with New Orleans and its league-best 10-game winning streak coming in. The Saints are playing the best ball around behind Drew Brees and his MVP campaign. If the Cowboys are going to win, it must be on the back of a strong Ezekiel Elliott showing.

2. Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots

The Patriots are 8-3 but trail the Kansas City Chiefs by a game for the top spot in the AFC playoff picture. This week, the Chiefs visit the Oakland Raiders, meting New England likely only hopes to keep pace with a tough matchup at Foxboro against the Vikings. Minnesota is the fifth seed in the NFC at 6-4-1 after toppling the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. Can Kirk Cousins and Co. make it two straight against quality opponents?

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1. Los Angles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers

This is easily the best game of the week, with both teams clearly entrenched as contenders. The Chargers have the unfortunate luck of playing in the AFC West with the Chiefs, both overshadowing them and relegating them to a likely wild card spot. Still, Los Angeles is going to give teams fits. As for Pittsburgh, this might be a Wild Card weekend preview, and one that the Steelers would surely love to avoid. How do they do that? By winning this week and beyond, securing a bye come January.