NFL Week 13 preview: Eagles and 49ers headline docket with NFC championship rematch

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How is it December already? 

While the days, weeks and months seem to tick by, there’s no other better time than to get the snacks ready, maybe pour yourself some hot cocoa and curl up in front of the TV for an important NFL Sunday and Monday slate of games that will have a playoff impact.

There are a few games that come to mind this week when we talk NFL. The top teams in the NFC will go head-to-head, and the AFC may see some significant movement and separation with the postseason picture starting to become clearer.

Let’s take a look at some interesting notes going into Week 13 and one thing to keep in mind for Week 14.

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Eagles face another rematch

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts reacts after a victory against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Nov. 26, 2023. (Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports)

The Philadelphia Eagles already survived a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs and will have a 2022 NFC championship rematch Sunday afternoon with the San Francisco 49ers. It’s the first game between two teams that appeared in the previous season’s NFC title game since the 49ers played the Dallas Cowboys in 1994.

In January, the Eagles defeated the 49ers after Brock Purdy injured his arm. The 49ers barely threw the ball in the second half, and Philadelphia advanced to the Super Bowl.

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San Francisco has lost the NFC championship game two years in a row and revenge on the road would give them some momentum.

Jalen Hurts needs two rushing touchdowns to become the first quarterback in NFL history with multiple rushing touchdowns in three straight games, according to NFL Research. If 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey scores a rushing touchdown, he would join Marshall Faulk and Lenny Moore as the only players in NFL history with at least 50 rushing touchdowns and 25 touchdown catches.

Finding their stride

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson throws in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., Nov. 26, 2023. (Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports)

Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos refused to be written off this season. Throughout all the trade rumors and criticism of Wilson’s play, Denver has put together a 6-5 record to reamain in the hunt for a playoff berth.

Denver will be on the road to play the Houston Texans Sunday riding a five-game winning streak. The team has won six of its last eight games after starting the season 0-3.

Only one team has ever started 0-3 and reached the postseason — the 2018 Texans. The Minnesota Vikings are in the same boat but are playing without Kirk Cousins. But receiver Justin Jefferson is expected to return after the bye week.

Denver has three divisional games left on the docket – two against the Los Angeles Chargers, one against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Looking to bounce back

Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) holds Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo., Nov. 26, 2023. (Ron Chenoy/USA Today Sports)

There are a handful of teams in playoff contention this week that lost last week and need wins to stay afloat in the postseason race. A few teams come to mind — the Los Angeles Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns.

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The Chargers will hit the road to take on the New England Patriots, another team in desperate need of a victory. The Buccaneers host the Carolina Panthers, who just fired head coach Frank Reich. The Texans will welcome the Broncos after losing a pivotal division matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Cleveland Browns could also use a win, but their quarterback situation is iffy. Going up against Aaron Donald and the Rams isn’t going to make things easier.

The Indianapolis Colts, somehow, are entering Week 13 with the final playoff spot in the AFC, while the Minnesota Vikings own the same position in the NFC.

There are six weeks remaining in the regular season

Rise of Tommy DeVito

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito after he won the first game he started in the NFL, 10-7, against the New England Patriots Nov. 26, 2023. (Kevin R. Wexler/USA Today Network)

The New York Giants looked all but out of the playoff hunt a few weeks ago when Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn ACL. But Tommy DeVito has picked up a couple of wins to somehow keep the Giants' slim playoff hopes alive at 4-8.

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The Giants enter Week 13 with a bye and will have to hope for losses from teams in front of them – the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Bucs and Rams.