X-Factors for each Week 13 NFL game

After an exciting slate of Week 12 contests, the NFL scheduled six teams for a bye in Week 13. While those franchises are thankful for rest late in the season, it leaves other teams on the gridiron during a critical stretch. We’ll take a look at the players who have a chance to greatly impact the outcome of Week 13’s tilts.

Dallas’ secondary hasn’t skipped a beat with the emergence of DaRon Bland, which somewhat negates the talented trio of pass catches Seattle features. Smith-Njigba seems to still technically be third on the depth chart, so he might face easier matchups in passing situations. The 2023 first round pick will need to deliver if the Seahawks are going to have a chance in this one.

New England has crashed and burned in recent weeks, but it’s hard to imagine that Bill Belichick is going to intentionally tank for a draft pick. With that in mind, they’ll do the best they can to prep Jones to stop Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen. Los Angeles’ targets are funneled in Allen’s direction, so if the Patriots can slow him down, they might be able to hang in the game.

New Orleans enters Week 13 with a beat up wide receiving group. Michael Thomas is going to miss the rest of the season, and it looks like Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave may have trouble getting healthy in time for Sunday. Expect a heavy dose of short passes to Kamara out of the backfield, who has vacuumed passes at various points this year.

It’s a running joke that Atlanta doesn’t feature their most talented offensive players, but this might be the week Pitts gets a few more looks. New York’s defense is still very talented, which means Desmond Ridder should prioritize getting rid of the ball quickly. Pitts’ athleticism should give him the advantage in one on one situations.

This looks like a significant mismatch on paper, but Arizona has looked like a different team with Kyler Murray back under center. His mobility doesn’t seem to be that compromised coming off of injury, so Pittsburgh will need to account for that on defense. Watt and other Steelers edge players will need to make sure Murray can’t scamper out of the pocket.

Tennessee has been one of the best teams in the NFL at stopping the run, which will make Zack Moss’s life difficult out of the backfield. Indianapolis will need to air it out this week, and Gardner Minshew should look in Pittman’s direction early and often. Pittman snagged a season-high 10 catches last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Miami was thankful to come out of MetLife Stadium with a victory on Black Friday, but lost sensational pass rusher Jaelan Phillips to a torn Achilles. It’s a brutal blow for a team that has aspirations of winning games in January, but the injury gives Van Ginkel a chance to shine. He’s been very effective in spot duty over the last few years, and can put his own stamp on the season.

Houston has already played better than anyone expected this year, but will need to continue to protect C.J. Stroud regardless of whether they win or lose. That task becomes a little more difficult without Tytus Howard, who has been ruled out for the season. Swing tackle George Fant has bounced around during his NFL career, but is an important player for Houston moving forward.

For whatever reason, in-season coaching changes seem to invigorate a team for at least one week. Tampa Bay will be on high alert for this on Sunday, as Carolina just parted ways with Frank Reich. A great way to overcome this surge of energy by a struggling team is to ensure a defense brings their own intensity. Barrett is a leader on the Buccaneers unit, and will need to step up.

It’s anyone’s guess as to who will play quarterback for Cleveland on Sunday, but whoever starts will need a lot of help. Aaron Donald is still one of the most ferocious lineman in the NFL, and the Browns cannot afford to hold the ball for too long. Expect Moore to get a few chances in the screen pass game to help counter Los Angeles’ defensive line.

On a list of X-factors, Purdy might be the ultimate one this week and in any single game this season. Fans saw this exact matchup play out in last year’s NFC title game without Purdy, and San Francisco ended up getting demolished. The 49ers hope he can play the whole game and show that they can tangle with Philadelphia if healthy.

While most of the attention centers around Kansas City’s offense, their defense has been awfully stout in 2023. Green Bay enters this contest with increased confidence, but will still need to find a way to move the ball against a talented unit. Reed has been mixed in as a rusher and receiver in recent weeks, and we can expect that duplicity to continue on Sunday Night Football.

Cincinnati has been written off without the presence of starting quarterback Joe Burrow, but they still have some of the most explosive weapons in the NFL. Jacksonville can’t afford to take the Bengals lightly, and Williams will need to be on his A-game to contain Ja’Marr Chase, and potentially Tee Higgins if he returns to the lineup.