NFL Week 13: Top questions, takeaways for every game

Week 13 of the NFL season began on Thanksgiving Day as the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys sent fans home happy with victories in their annual holiday displays. The Lions beat the Bears late thanks to some truly puzzling clock management from Chicago, while the Cowboys used their defense to outlast the faltering New York Giants.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to the action, answered lingering questions about each game and explained in detail everything else you need to know about each team. Let’s get down to business.

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CHI-DET | NYG DAL

Cowboys

Has the Cowboys defense changed for the better? After a slow start in Mike Zimmer’s first year as defensive coordinator, the unit has put together some of its best work of late. Now the Giants aren’t exactly the best yardstick, starting their third quarterback of the year in Drew Lock on Thursday, but there are positive signs. The Cowboys had two other takeaways, including a pick-six from DeMarvion Overshown. After gaining 70 yards on its first drive, New York managed just 33 yards on the next 21 plays in the first half. However, the true test for the defense comes on December 9th against the Cincinnati Bengals with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

What we learned about the QB today: Four days after an efficient performance against Washington, Cooper Rush was more erratic, especially in the second quarter when he completed just 5 of 14 passes for 52 yards. He recovered with a touchdown pass in the third quarter, but a lost fumble was overturned on replay and he had a botched handoff with Rico Dowdle that he recovered. But Rush didn’t give the ball away for the second straight time, and that’s what’s most important to Mike McCarthy.

Most surprising performance: The trend has been that way lately, but the Cowboys had their first running back rush for more than 100 yards since Week 3 of last year, when Rico Dowdle rushed for 112 yards on 22 carries, a career-high. He also scored his first rushing touchdown of the season and managed a season-long 22-yard run in the first half. The last time a Cowboys running back topped 100 yards was Tony Pollard against Arizona in 2023. The 26-game span was the longest 100-yard game drought in franchise history. –Todd Archer

Next game: vs. Bengals (Monday, December 9, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Giants

How hot will things get for Brian Daboll after seven straight losses and a second straight elimination? Scorching. It doesn’t matter if owner John Mara expressed his confidence in him last month. The Giants haven’t won since. And not only do they lose (now seven times in a row), they also get embarrassed, this time on national television for the entire nation to see. Daboll is running out of excuses. It’s no longer Daniel Jones’ fault. The results were similar – or worse – with Tommy DeVito and then with Drew Lock in this case. Daboll and the Giants are 8-21 since the start of last season.

What we learned about the QB today: It’s not Drew Lock’s fault. He made some mistakes, but never really had a chance. Lock collected 13 quarterback hits and six sacks while throwing for 172 yards with one interception and one fumble, along with 57 rush yards and one touchdown on the ground. The results with Lock were similar to those with Jones and DeVito. The Giants’ problems go far beyond the quarterback.

Amazing statistics: 0 INTs in 11 games. The defense’s 11 games without a pick is an NFL record. The only interception this season came by rookie linebacker Darius Muasau on a tipped ball in Week 1. It’s almost hard to imagine not having a ball thrown by one this season Receiver bounced and accidentally fell into the arms of a defensive back. – Jordan Raanan

Next game: vs. Saints (Sunday, December 8, 1 p.m. ET)

Lions

Will the Lions target tight end Sam LaPorta more in the future? It depends on the matchup and the situation. With so many offensive weapons in Detroit, it’s almost like picking the poison. LaPorta didn’t get his second receiving touchdown of the season until Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans. However, he connected with Goff for two touchdowns against the Bears. LaPorta has scored 15 touchdowns over the last two seasons. According to ESPN Research, this is the highest value of any tight end during this period.

Most surprising performance: The Lions’ running game. On Thursday, Detroit failed to score a rushing touchdown for the first time this season. The Lions had scored in 25 straight games, including the playoffs, which was the longest streak in NFL history. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 175 rushing yards against Chicago.

Early forecast for next week: Lions kicker Jake Bates won’t miss a field goal. Against the Bears, Bates missed a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. The Lions were the only team in the NFL not to miss a field goal this season, as Bates went 19-for-19 early in his career, winning games in Week 7 at Minnesota and Week 10 at Houston. –Eric Woodyard

Next game: vs. Packers (Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Bears

Can Bears coach Matt Eberflus survive this loss? Eberflus defended the Bears’ disastrous clock management that led to their sixth straight loss and cemented his record of 5-19 in one-score games, the worst of any coach with at least 20 such games in NFL history. Whether it’s a Hail Mary tip-in, a blocked game-winning field goal, a lost field goal in overtime or a missed timeout in Detroit, the Bears continue to find confusing ways to get beat. Late-game decisions continue to waste quarterback Caleb Williams’ efforts to put his team in a position to win, which ultimately falls to the head coach.

Describe the game in two words: Furious comeback. The Bears turned a first-half shutout and a 16-point deficit into a three-point game that they either tied or won outright in the final 36 seconds. Williams led the Bears on three touchdown drives in the second half, while the Chicago defense held the Lions to one touchdown after allowing nearly 6 yards per play in the first half.

What we learned about the QB today: In the second half, Williams converted in almost every category he struggled with in the first half. He was 8-of-11 on passes outside the numbers (0-of-7 in the first half), 4-of-7 on passes with at least 15 air yards (0-of-6 in the first half), 5-of-for-8 on third downs (0 for 6) and 3 for 5 on throws under pressure (0 for 3). The quarterback set a single-season rookie franchise record with 15 touchdown passes. –Courtney Cronin

Next game: at 49ers (Sunday, December 8, 4:25 p.m. ET)