NFL Week 13: Questions, takeaways from Thanksgiving video games

Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season started on Thanksgiving with an NFC North conflict by which the Green Bay Packers leaned on quarterback Jordan Love and third-year vast receiver Dontayvion Wicks’ two touchdowns to beat the Detroit Lions.

The second recreation featured a shootout between Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes. Prescott acquired the higher of it because the Cowboys saved rolling.

The nightcap noticed Joe Burrow, in his return from a toe damage, lead the Cincinnati Bengals to a snug victory over the surging Baltimore Ravens.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every recreation and detailing every part you’ll want to know for each crew. Let’s get to it.

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CIN-BAL | KC-DAL | GB-DET

Catch up on the motion: Box rating | Recap

Bengals

Does Joe Burrow coming again change something for the Bengals? It appears tantalizing to consider. But the Bengals have completely no margin for error. They are 4-8 via 12 video games for the second straight season. Last 12 months, the Bengals ripped off 5 straight wins to shut the season with a 9-8 document. That will likely be more durable this season with video games in opposition to Buffalo and Baltimore nonetheless looming. Cincinnati will need assistance from the Ravens and Steelers, they usually can also’t make any errors.

Key stat to know: So a lot for alleviating again into issues. Burrow grew to become the primary participant this season to have 40 or extra passing makes an attempt via three quarters, per ESPN Research. In truth, his 42 makes an attempt earlier than the ultimate quarter have been probably the most by any QB since … Burrow in 2023, when he had 42 in Week 3 in opposition to the Rams. That was his first recreation after aggravating a strained calf he suffered within the preseason. — Ben Baby

Next recreation: at Bills (Dec. 7, 1 p.m. ET)

Ravens

What is improper with Lamar Jackson? Even although Jackson refuses to acknowledge it, he has not performed the identical since coping with a rising listing of accidents this month and was a serious motive the Ravens’ five-game profitable streak ended. On Thursday evening, Jackson continued the worst droop of his profession, turning the ball over 3 times for the primary time in 4 years. This marked solely the fifth time he has turned the ball over three or extra occasions in his eight-year profession. Jackson fumbled twice — giving the ball to the Bengals twice contained in the Baltimore 20-yard line — and was intercepted on a move batted on the line. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player hasn’t seemed like himself since coping with three totally different accidents (knee, ankle and toe) over the previous three weeks, which has compelled him to overlook one apply every week. Jackson has not thrown a landing move in three straight video games — a profession worst — and he could not handle one in opposition to a Bengals protection that had allowed an NFL-worst 32.7 factors.

Key stat to know: The Ravens allowed over 20 factors for the primary time since Oct. 5. In its earlier six video games, Baltimore had been the power of the crew, permitting a mean of 14 factors. The larger subject is the well being of prime cornerback Nate Wiggins, who did not play the second half after sustaining a foot damage. This may very well be a serious drawback contemplating Baltimore finishes out the season taking part in such quarterbacks as Burrow once more, Aaron Rodgers (twice), Drake Maye and Jordan Love. — Jamison Hensley

Next recreation: vs. Steelers (Dec. 7, 1 p.m. ET)

Catch up on the motion: Box rating | Recap

Cowboys

Is it time to take the Cowboys severely? The Cowboys have overwhelmed the 2024 Super Bowl contributors — Chiefs and Eagles — in a span of 5 days. They have received three straight video games, their longest streak since 2023. They are above .500 (6-5-1) for the primary time since Week 5 final 12 months. Not many anticipated the Cowboys would win their first two video games of their gauntlet in opposition to the Eagles, Chiefs and Detroit Lions (Dec. 4), however right here they’re with an opportunity to firmly put themselves within the playoff image. For the third straight week, the protection held the opposing offense to 21 factors or fewer. The offense rode large performs to attain a minimum of 30 factors at house for the fourth time this season.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Dak Prescott vs. Patrick Mahomes grew to become a recreation of something you are able to do I can do higher. In the fourth quarter, Mahomes threw a go-ahead TD move on fourth down, however Prescott answered with an eight-play, 68-yard drive to go forward that had him improvising like Mahomes. Stepping up within the pocket to evade the push, Prescott flipped a move to Javonte Williams for the landing after which on the 2-point conversion, he spun away to his left and rifled a move to George Pickens to offer the Cowboys a seven-point lead. After a primary possession interception, Prescott rebounded with two landing passes and blended the ball to seven totally different move catchers. He additionally threw for greater than 300 yards for the fourth time on Thanksgiving to tie Tony Romo and Matthew Stafford for probably the most in NFL historical past. — Todd Archer

Next recreation: at Lions (Thursday, Dec. 4, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Chiefs

Do the Chiefs have any margin for error? No. Here’s the mission, ought to the Chiefs select to just accept it: Win the ultimate 5 video games of the common season. That is probably going what’s required for them to succeed in the postseason, maybe because the seventh and remaining seed. All 5 video games will likely be in opposition to AFC opponents, too, so each recreation from this level is actually a play-in recreation for coach Andy Reid and Mahomes. In his first NFL begin in AT&T Stadium, somewhat greater than 100 miles from his hometown of Tyler, Texas, Mahomes threw 4 landing passes and used his legs to flee the pocket. The subject is that the Chiefs’ protection by no means sacked Prescott and could not successfully cowl his two greatest receivers, CeeDee Lamb and Pickens.

Trend to look at: Following Thursday’s recreation, the Chiefs get 9 days to relaxation and recuperate for his or her remaining push. But one troubling pattern is that Mahomes completed the sport with out three of his beginning linemen — proper guard Trey Smith (proper ankle), proper deal with Jawaan Taylor (elbow) and rookie left deal with Josh Simmons (left wrist). If the Chiefs need any probability to make the playoffs, Mahomes will probably want his greatest linemen to return sooner fairly than later.

Best quote from the locker room: “You’ve got to win every game now — and hope that’s enough. We’re going to play a lot of good teams coming up. If we’re going to make the playoffs, we’re going to have to win them all. That’s got to be the mindset when we step into the [training facility] when we get back,” Mahomes stated. — Nate Taylor

Next recreation: vs. Texans (Dec. 7, 8:20 p.m. ET)

Catch up on the motion: Box rating | Recap

Packers

Are the Packers now the favorites to win the NFC North? Green Bay’s two video games in opposition to Chicago — the primary one will likely be on Dec. 7 at Lambeau Field — will go a good distance towards deciding it, however Thursday’s win put the Packers in an advantageous place. According to ESPN Analytics, the Packers had a 66% probability to win the division after beating the Lions on Thursday.

A loss would have dropped that quantity to 27%. Those numbers will change earlier than the weekend is out partly based mostly on Friday’s Bears-Eagles recreation. But the Packers (8-3-1) put the Lions (7-5) of their rearview mirror by sweeping the season collection. After profitable only one NFC North recreation final season, they’re 3-0 thus far.

What to make of the QB efficiency: This was simply the form of recreation Jordan Love wanted. After throwing simply two landing passes within the earlier 4 video games mixed, Love was dialed in in opposition to the Lions. He threw 4 landing passes, together with two for 15-plus air yards. One of these was a 51-yard bomb to Christian Watson within the third quarter. It was simply his third profession recreation with a number of touchdowns on passes for 15-plus air yards. He additionally had two touchdowns on fourth downs, his first profession recreation with a number of fourth-down landing passes. He completed 18-of-30 for 234 yards with out an interception.

Best quote from the locker room: Micah Parsons, who had 2½ sacks and 4 quarterback hits on Jared Goff, reminded the Packers are centered on what’s forward, saying, “This was a big win for where we want to go, win the division, playoffs. That was a playoff game. We just have to stack these up.” — Rob Demovsky

Next recreation: vs. Bears (Dec. 7, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Lions

Should the Lions be involved about Dan Campbell’s playcalling? The head coach took over playcalling duties getting into Week 10, at which level Detroit was averaging 29.9 factors per recreation, however the Lions have now misplaced two of their previous three video games and have seemed questionable at occasions with their predictability — notably on the bottom. Detroit has struggled on fourth downs however continues to take dangers. With two failed conversions in opposition to Green Bay, Detroit is 0-for-7 on fourth down since Week 11, which is tied for probably the most fourth-down makes an attempt within the league, and by far probably the most makes an attempt with no conversion, per ESPN Research.

Most stunning efficiency: The short-handed Lions wanted a much-needed increase with accidents to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Kalif Raymond and Graham Glasgow on offense. Enter Tom Kennedy, a apply squad veteran, who stepped as much as make performs on offense and particular groups of their absence Thursday. Kennedy was signed to Detroit’s energetic roster from the apply squad Wednesday night and completed with 4 catches for 36 yards.

Best quote from the locker room: After his Lions dropped to 7-5, Campbell stated he instructed his gamers, “It’s frustrating, I know. We’ve got a lot to be thankful for even after a loss.” Campbell then expanded on Detroit’s standing because it appears towards Week 14: “We’ve dug ourselves a little bit of a hole, that’s the bottom line. We are in a little bit of a hole, but that’s just what it is. There’s nothing more than that. So, all we’ve got to do is worry about is cleaning up this and then getting to the next game and finding a way to win the next one in front of us.” — Eric Woodyard

Next recreation: vs. Cowboys (Thursday, Dec. 4, 8:15 p.m. ET)