Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, and the NFL season is heating up.
All 32 teams were on the schedule in Week 13, making for a loaded slate with high-stakes matchups from Thursday through Monday. In Sunday’s games, there were a number of standout clashes — including a massive upset and a handful of key divisional contests.
Here are the winners and losers from Sunday:
WINNER: Panthers stun Rams
Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers put together one of the most impressive efforts of the season, upsetting the Los Angeles Rams 31-28 in a back-and-forth battle.
There were five lead changes in the thriller, culminating in rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan’s 43-yard touchdown grab with 6:34 to play. The Rams had a chance to tie or retake the lead, but Matthew Stafford fumbled with under three minutes remaining while deep in Carolina territory.
The Rams quarterback had three turnovers, including two interceptions, in his first ugly performance in months. Stafford had previously gone eight straight games without a pick, and he had only two interceptions in the first 12 weeks. Young, on the other side, completed 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns in a breakout game for the 7-6 Panthers, who are still in the mix to win the NFC South.
LOSER: Colts season slipping
After starting the season 7-1, the Indianapolis Colts are slowly falling apart.
In Week 13, they lost 20-16 to the division rival Houston Texans to fall to 8-4. Daniel Jones had 201 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough against DeMeco Ryans’ dominant defense. Jonathan Taylor was held in check with 85 rushing yards, and a missed extra point in the second quarter proved to be costly.
Houston continued its winning streak with C.J. Stroud returning from a concussion. The Texans, now winners of four straight, are 7-5 with another game against the Colts upcoming in Week 18. They’ll look to stay hot against the Kansas City Chiefs on NBC’s Sunday Night Football next week in a game that both teams desperately need.
WINNER: Healthier Bucs get back on track
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers snapped a three-game losing streak with help from their returning stars, beating the Arizona Cardinals 20-17 to improve to 7-5.
Running back Bucky Irving, back after missing seven games with shoulder and foot injuries, had 61 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. Wide receiver Chris Godwin, in just his fourth game of the season, led the team in receiving with three catches for 78 yards.
The Cardinals had a chance to win in the fourth quarter, but were stopped on fourth-down in the final minute to end the game. Jacoby Brissett had 301 yards, two touchdowns and an interception as he continues to perform with Kyler Murray injured — though it hasn’t translated to victories, with the Cards now losing four straight.
LOSER: Myles Garrett and the Browns vs. 49ers
Another week, another standout performance by Myles Garrett in a Cleveland Browns loss.
This time it was a 26-8 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, with Garrett adding a sack and two tackles for loss. Week 13 followed a similar theme for Cleveland, who stayed close for a while before finally being overpowered without a competent offense. Garrett is up to 19 sacks on the year, including six straight games with a quarterback takedown.
Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders was 16 of 25 for 149 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers, meanwhile, clinched their fourth winning season in the last five years by improving to 9-4. Brock Purdy had a passing and rushing touchdown in the 49ers’ third straight win.
WINNER: Nick Folk’s dream season continues for Jets
Kicker Nick Folk has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim season for the New York Jets.
Entering Week 13, the 41-year-old Folk was 20 for 20 on field goals and 15 for 15 on extra points. He missed a 55-yard kick in the third quarter, but quickly got redemption with a 56-yard game-winner at the buzzer to secure the 27-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Jets are now 3-9 on the season after starting 0-7.
The Falcons’ slim playoff hopes took another hit with their latest defeat. Now 4-8, Atlanta has lost six of its last seven and major changes could be coming this offseason. Without a first-round pick in next April’s draft, the rest of this season is still about winning games.
LOSER: Rookie quarterbacks struggle
It was a day of learning for rookie quarterbacks Cam Ward and Tyler Shough.
In Nashville, the No. 1 overall pick saw his Tennessee Titans get blown out again — this time against the Jacksonville Jaguars, 25-3. Ward completed 24 of 38 passes for 141 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. Tennessee is now 1-11 on the season, with a second straight top pick looking more and more likely. The Jaguars, with the Colts’ loss, now lead AFC South as one game separates the top three teams.
Down in South Beach, the New Orleans Saints’ rookie had similar struggles in a 21-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins — though he did give them a chance late. Shough had 239 yards and two touchdowns, but an interception and return on a 2-point conversion were the difference. The Saints are now 2-10, nearly keeping pace with the Titans in the battle for the No. 1 pick.