The Giants picked up an unlikely win, knocking off the Bears in overtime. How did your NFL team grade out in Week 13?
The New York Giants weren’t supposed to beat the Chicago Bears. But an Odell Beckham TD pass and a pick six, not to mention another strong showing from Saquon Barkley, helped them fend off the Bears in regulation, before pulling out the win in overtime. Fans may lament their worsening draft position, but, believe it or not, the Giants still technically have a shot in the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys: A-. The one thing that long-time Cowboys observers have noticed over the last 15+ years is that when the most important games were played in the second half of the season, the Cowboys would make too many key mistakes and find ways to lose. That may no longer be the case. The combination of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott looks sensational at this point in the season.
New Orleans Saints: C. The Saints had been the most consistent and dangerous team in the NFL, but nothing goes on forever. Drew Brees and the Saints could not get it done in Week 13 in Dallas. After sleeping in the first half, the Saints played better in the final 30 minutes and made it close. Now they must show they can get back on track.
Baltimore Ravens: B+. The Ravens didn’t play their best game, but they still won a crucial late-season game on the road by 10 points. Lamar Jackson started again, but he did not finish after getting kicked in the head. The Baltimore defense shut down Atlanta’s still-dangerous offense.
Atlanta Falcons: D. The Falcons are just a shell of the team they were two years ago, and the biggest problem was that this double-digit home loss was not a surprise. There was no reason to expect anything more out of this disappointing team.
Denver Broncos: A-. The Broncos are the most overachieving team in the league. They continue to win games, and going on the road does not bother head coach Vance Joseph’s team. Quarterback Case Keenum is a solid field general, and undrafted rookie running back Phillip Lindsay is becoming a star, as he ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bengals: C-. The Bengals show no signs of getting out of their swoon. They showed some fight in the first half, but their run defense failed them. And once they fell behind, the combination of backup quarterback, Jeff Driskel, and head coach, Marvin Lewis, was not about to inspire a comeback effort.
Los Angeles Rams: B+. It took a while for the Rams to find their stride, but they ended up where they were supposed to be, with a double-digit road victory over a confused opponent. Todd Gurley put his stamp on this game, with 132 yards and two rushing TDs, and Jared Goff was solid.
Detroit Lions: C-. The Lions came out playing hard, and they did a good job of bottling up the Rams in the first part of the game. However, Matt Patricia knows that’s not good enough, and this team can’t sustain a 60-minute effort on either side of the ball.
Arizona Cardinals: B+. This has been a lost season for the Cardinals, who have been in contention with the Oakland Raiders as one of the two worst teams in the NFL. The idea that they would go to Green Bay in December and compete for 60 minutes is hard to believe, and the idea that they would win is inconceivable. Yet that is just what happened, as Zane Gonzalez kicked the game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter.
Green Bay Packers: F. The Packers have fallen, and they can’t get up, and head coach Mike McCarthy’s immediate reaction was to say he didn’t know what he could do to turn the team around.
