Look Around The League: NFL’s Top Storylines in Week 13

We are a few short hours away from Week 13’s Sunday slate of games, and despite all the great matchups over the past few days, the NFL still has a bunch of storylines to look out for as these teams kick off.

As this week in the league passes, December arrives; that alone tells the story. The playoff race is in full swing, and for those outside of it, NFL Draft positioning is top of mind.

What’s fascinating about the 2025 season, as well, is how wide-open this thing is in both conferences.

Yes, the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots have put together the league’s best records, but both teams still have major questions to answer. Drake Maye’s squad, in particular, has faced a very easy schedule thus far.

This is all to say that while the Thanksgiving games and Black Friday showdown stole the show, there is still a ton to see today. Let’s get into it.

The Draft Watch: 2 Bottomfeeder Games Could Shake Up Order

New Orleans Saints (2-9) @ Miami Dolphins (4-7) — 12:00 CT, MIA -5.5

Atlanta Falcons (4-7) @ New York Jets (2-9) — 12:00 CT, ATL -3.0

The Dolphins fans out there may not like being included in this group, and a win may knock them out of it, but for now, they are still 4-7 with a ton of roster problems.

Miami faces off against the lowly Saints, who come into this game holding the third pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kellen Moore’s inaugural season as head coach has gone as poorly as can be, and they are likely aiming for a new quarterback in April.

If they pull off the upset in South Florida, it doesn’t change much for their outlook, other than a likely worsening of their draft pick this spring. As previously stated, the Dolphins can elevate themselves beyond the draft discourse with a third-straight win.

Up North, the New York Jets, who sit right behind the Saints with the fourth pick, will defend home turf against a Falcons team that may carry the worst vibes in football.

#Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr does, in fact, need surgery to repair his ACL, with 9 months of recovery, at least, coming.

He’s sought the opinion of experts, including from Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Penix has an ACL sprain, but full reconstruction is needed. pic.twitter.com/rdz34X1eAh

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 19, 2025

Atlanta is missing Michael Penix, and is now facing questions about him long-term, and they traded their first-round pick in 2026 to the Rams. Head Coach Raheem Morris is firmly on the hot seat, and a loss to a terrible Jets team could do him in.

For Tyrod Taylor and the Jets, there is no way to sugarcoat it: you do not want to win this football game. Their season is over, and the draft is their next big moment.

The Playoff Race: 3 Games Standout As Postseason Picture Forms

Houston Texans (6-5) @ Indianapolis Colts (8-3) — 12:00 CT, IND -3.0

Los Angeles Rams (9-2) @ Carolina Panthers (6-6) —12:00 CT, LAR -10.5

Buffalo Bills (7-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) — 3:25 CT, BUF -3.0

In Indy, the Colts are one of the top stories of the NFL season, but they face a major test against a red-hot Texans team aiming to make a comeback in the division.

Houston started the season off terribly, and then had C.J. Stroud go down with an injury. Their backup quarterback stepped up, their elite defense dominated, and they are now winners of three straight. Which team will keep rolling?

Down south in the great city of Charlotte, North Carolina, another surprise team in the Panthers is looking for a signature win over the dominant Rams.

https://twitter.com/ESPNBET/status/1995153346508870016

At 6-6, Carolina still has a chance at the NFC South title, but they will need to pull off a major upset to keep those chances high. Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay look incredible thus far, and they want this win to get their seventh in a row.

Up in Pennsylvania, we have what I deem as the best overall matchup of the Sunday-Monday games; it’s the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers.

Both of these teams need this win as they linger in the playoff picture. Whichever squad comes out on top will feel great, while the other will generate major questions about their long-term odds in 2025.