NFL Week 13: Biggest questions and takeaways from each game

Week 13 of the NFL season began on Thanksgiving Day, when the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys sent their fans home happy with victories in their annual Christmas displays. The Lions defeated the Bears thanks to some truly baffling clock management by Chicago late, while the Cowboys used their defense to survive the struggling New York Giants.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions that arose from each game and detailing everything you need to know for each team. Let’s get to it.

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CHI-DET | NYG-DAL

jeans

Has the Cowboys defense improved? After a slow start to Mike Zimmer’s first year as defensive coordinator, the unit has put together some of its best work recently. Now, the Giants aren’t exactly the best in terms of measurement, starting with their third quarterback of the year, Drew Lock, on Thursday, but there are positive signs. The Cowboys had two more takeaways, including a pick six from DeMarvion Overshown. After New York gained 70 yards on its first drive, it gained just 33 yards on its next 21 plays in the first half. The real test for the defense, however, will come on December 9 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 rebounded with a touchdown pass in the third quarter, but a lost fumble was overturned due to replay and he had a botched handoff with Rico Dowdle that he was able to recover. But Rush didn’t give the ball away for the second straight game, which is what matters most to Mike McCarthy.

Most surprising performance: There’s been a trend in this direction recently, but the Cowboys had their first 100-yard rusher since Week 3 last year when Rico Dowdle had a career-high 112 yards on 22 carries. He also scored his first rushing touchdown of the season and had a season-long 22-yard first-half run. The last time a Cowboys running back surpassed 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 match: vs. Bengals (Monday, December 9, 8:15 p.m. ET)

Giants

How hot is the seat for Brian Daboll after seven straight losses and a second straight blowout? Scorching. It doesn’t matter if owner John Mara gave him his vote of confidence last month. The Giants haven’t won since. And not only are they losing (seven in a row now), but they’re embarrassing themselves, 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, if not worse, with Tommy DeVito and then Drew Lock in this one. 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 he also didn’t have a chance. Lock took 13 quarterback hits and six sacks while throwing for 172 yards with one interception and one fumble, along with 57 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. The results with Lock were similar to those of Jones and DeVito. The Giants’ problems go far beyond the quarterback.

Surprising Statistic: 0 INT in 11 games. The defense’s 11 games without a pick set an NFL record. His only interception this season came by rookie linebacker Darius Muasau on a tipped ball in Week 1. It’s almost hard to imagine a ball hasn’t bounced off a receiver and accidentally landed in the arms of a defensive back this season. –Jordan Raanan

Next match: vs. Saints (Sunday, December 8, 1 pm ET)

lions

Will the Lions target tight end Sam LaPorta more in the future? It depends on the confrontation and the situation. With so many offensive weapons in Detroit, it’s almost a matter of choosing the poison. LaPorta didn’t reach his second receiving touchdown this season until Week 8 against the Tennessee Titans. However, he connected with Goff for two touchdowns against the Bears. LaPorta has 15 receiving touchdowns over the last two seasons. That’s the most for any tight end in that span, according to ESPN Research.

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

Early prediction for next week: Lions kicker Jake Bates won’t miss a field goal. Against the Bears, Bates missed 45 yards in the fourth quarter. The Lions had been the only NFL team not to miss a field goal this season, as Bates was 19 of 19 to start his career, including winning games in Week 7 at Minnesota and Week 10 at Houston. –Eric Woodyard

Next match: 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 solidified their 5-19 record in one-score games, which is the worst of any coach with at least 20 such games in NBA history. the NFL. Whether it’s a missed Hail Mary, a blocked field goal to win the game, losing on a field goal in overtime or letting a timeout go to waste 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 position to win, which ultimately falls on the head coach.

Describe the game in two words: I return furious. The Bears turned a first-half shutout and a 16-point deficit into a three-point game in which they were in position to tie or win outright in the final 36 seconds. Williams led the Bears on three second-half touchdown drives as Chicago’s 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-8 on third downs (0 of 6) and 3 of 5 in shooting when pressured (0 of 3). The quarterback set a franchise record for rookies in a single season with 15 touchdown passes. -Courtney Cronin

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