If you walked away from your TV during the 2025 Thanksgiving weekend thinking the NFL hierarchy was set in stone, honestly, you probably missed the most chaotic turning point of the season. Week 13 wasn't just another notch on the calendar. It was a total landscape-shifter that turned "sure things" into "wait, what just happened?" scenarios.
We saw MVP frontrunners stumble, massive streaks end in the rain, and a Black Friday game that actually lived up to the hype.
The Thanksgiving Shocker in Dallas
Most people expected the Kansas City Chiefs to just roll into AT&T Stadium and handle a Cowboys team that had been wobbling. But the holiday tradition took a weird turn. Dallas pulled off a 31-28 upset that basically kept their season on life support.
It wasn't pretty. It was gritty.
Brandon Aubrey, who has basically become the most reliable part of the Cowboys' entire organization, nailed a game-winner to cap off a 21-point comeback. Think about that for a second. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid had a three-score lead and let it slip. While the Chiefs' defense had been a top-5 unit all year, they looked human against a Dallas offense that finally decided to show up.
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Meanwhile, over in Detroit, the Lions took care of the Packers 31-28. The big story there wasn't just the win; it was the playoff implications. Entering the day, the Lions were actually on the outside looking in for the NFC Wild Card race. By the time the turkey was cold, the NFC North was a complete mess, and Green Bay’s hopes of sweeping the Lions for the first time since 2020 went up in smoke.
Why the Rams' Loss to Carolina Still Matters
If you want to talk about the "trap game" of the century, look no further than the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Carolina Panthers. Heading into this one, Matthew Stafford was the runaway MVP favorite. He hadn't thrown an interception in 27 straight touchdown passes.
Then the rain started in Charlotte.
Stafford set the NFL record with his 28th straight interception-free TD on the opening drive, but the wheels fell off shortly after. A tipped ball in the end zone. A pick-six. A game-sealing fumble. The Rams lost 31-28 to a Panthers team that most people had written off weeks ago.
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Bryce Young actually outplayed the veteran in the clutch, converting two massive fourth-down touchdowns. This single result didn't just hurt Stafford’s MVP resume; it knocked the Rams out of the NFC’s No. 1 seed and handed the keys to the Chicago Bears. It’s a reminder that in December, record-breaking streaks usually end in the most unceremonious ways possible.
Sunday’s Rapid-Fire Results
The early window on Sunday was a blur of upsets and defensive clinics:
- Texans 20, Colts 16: C.J. Stroud returned from a concussion to stifle Indy’s playoff momentum. The Colts' offense went completely stagnant, failing to move the sticks for the entire fourth quarter and overtime.
- Seahawks 26, Vikings 0: A total defensive masterclass. Seattle’s defense shut out Minnesota and rookie Max Brosmer, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his record-breaking pace toward 2,000 receiving yards.
- Dolphins 21, Saints 17: Mike McDaniel’s crew found a way to win ugly, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive behind De'Von Achane's explosiveness.
- Bills 26, Steelers 7: Josh Allen outdueled a returning Aaron Rodgers (wrist injury) in a game that wasn't as close as the score looked.
The Drake Maye Era is Officially Here
Monday Night Football featured the Patriots dismantling the Giants 33-15. But forget the score. The real story is that Drake Maye has officially entered the MVP conversation as a second-year pro.
Maye threw for 282 yards and two scores, looking like the most composed player on the field. The Patriots moved to 11-2, securing the top spot in the AFC. While most "experts" were busy talking about the Bills or Chiefs in the preseason, New England quietly built a juggernaut. They headed into their Week 14 bye as the team nobody wants to visit in January.
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Black Friday and the "Fraudulent" Bears Defense
One of the biggest misconceptions heading into Week 13 was that the Chicago Bears were a "soft" 8-3. They had to go into Philadelphia—a place where dreams usually go to die—and prove they belonged.
They did exactly that.
Chicago outmuscled the Eagles 24-15. It wasn't a highlight-reel game for Caleb Williams, but the rushing attack and a "fraudulent" defense (as some critics called it) absolutely stifled Jalen Hurts. This win was the catalyst for Chicago taking over the NFC’s top seed after the Rams stumbled in Carolina.
Looking Ahead: How to Use This Info
If you're tracking the playoff picture or looking at the remaining schedule, Week 13 taught us three things you should keep in mind for the final stretch of the season:
- Don't bet against the home-field underdogs in December. Between the Cowboys, Panthers, and Bengals (who beat the Ravens 32-14 on Thanksgiving), the "bad" teams are playing spoiler at a ridiculous rate.
- Watch the turnover margins for the Patriots. New England is winning because they don't beat themselves. If Drake Maye keeps the interception count low, they are the heavy favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
- The NFC South is a dumpster fire you can't ignore. Even with a losing record, the Panthers' win over the Rams proves that the division winner—whoever it ends up being—will be a dangerous, battle-hardened out in the Wild Card round.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the Colts and Steelers. Both teams saw their playoff probabilities crater this week, and with Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones struggling with health/efficiency, the AFC Wild Card race is wide open for a "riser" like the Texans to take over.
Your next move? Check the updated AFC North standings. The Ravens and Steelers are now tied, and their head-to-head matchup next week is essentially a playoff game in December. Don't miss it.