NFL Duress List - Week 13

It’s Thanksgiving! The last Thursday in November is a cherished American national holiday, a time to give thanks and spend quality moments with loved ones. Alongside the turkey and pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving football has become an essential part of the festivities.

One unique tradition? The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys always play home games on Thanksgiving. For the Lions, it dates back to 1934 when owner George A. Richards wanted to draw more fans to their games. Competing with the more popular baseball team Detroit Tigers, Richards’ plan worked wonders—the stadium sold out, and the tradition was born.

The Cowboys followed suit in 1966 when general manager Tex Schramm signed them up for a Thanksgiving game to gain national publicity. Since then, the Cowboys have become Thanksgiving staples, playing every year except in 1975 and 1977.

Now, as the turkey gets carved and fans gather around their screens, it’s time for another holiday tradition—spotlighting who’s under the most duress heading into this weekend’s games! Who’s feeling the heat to deliver…

Miami Dolphins

Not long ago, the Miami Dolphins were 2-6 and seemingly out of playoff contention. However, a three-game winning streak, coupled with Tua Tagovailoa’s resurgence, has reignited their postseason hopes. Following last week’s commanding 34-15 victory over the New England Patriots, the Dolphins climbed to ninth in the AFC standings, now just one game behind the seventh-placed Denver Broncos in the loss column.

The Dolphins’ most realistic path to the playoffs lies in securing the seventh and final Wild Card spot. While the Chargers and Ravens could falter late in the season, overtaking the Broncos remains Miami's clearest route. Importantly, if the Dolphins and Broncos finish with identical records, Miami holds the tiebreaker due to a superior conference record.

To stay in the hunt, Miami must keep winning, and their schedule offers some relief—it’s the sixth-easiest remaining based on opponent win percentage. But their next challenge is a daunting one: a Thanksgiving showdown at Lambeau Field against the 8-3 Green Bay Packers.

Historically, Tua has struggled in cold weather, going 0-7 in games played below 40°F. Additionally, he is 1-9 against teams with winning records over the past two seasons, adding further intrigue to this critical matchup.

If the Dolphins are to keep their playoff dreams alive, they’ll need to shatter the narratives of failing in the cold and struggling against strong opposition. Can they rise to the occasion? If so, they’ll give themselves a genuine shot at the postseason.

Next Game: Green Bay Packers @ Lambeau Field

Washington Commanders

Just weeks ago, the Commanders seemed destined for the playoffs after a stellar 7-2 start under head coach Dan Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, three consecutive defeats have seen that optimism evaporate.?

Last week’s eventful loss to the Cowboys, combined with the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the LA Rams, has widened the gap between Philadelphia in first place and the Commanders in second within the NFC East. With the Eagles holding a 2.5-game lead, it now seems increasingly likely that the Commanders will need to secure a Wild Card berth to make the playoffs. Yet, two of those spots appear destined for the NFC North’s dominant trio: the 10-1 Detroit Lions, the 9-2 Minnesota Vikings, and the 8-3 Green Bay Packers.

Currently, the Commanders occupy the No. 7 seed, the final playoff spot. With little room for error, it remains their only realistic route to the postseason. However, their recent form raises serious concerns. Should their losing streak continue, they risk slipping out of contention altogether. The 6-5 Arizona Cardinals are closing in, while the 5-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 5-6 San Francisco 49ers remain firmly in the hunt. With such fine margins at play and plenty of twists still to come, only a return to their early-season form will keep the Commanders' playoff hopes alive.

This week, they face the 3-8 Tennessee Titans at home. Despite a dreadful season, the Titans have shown improvement in recent weeks and are coming off an impressive 32-27 win over the Houston Texans, where quarterback Will Levis threw for 278 yards, two touchdowns, and completed 75% of his passes. The Commanders should win this matchup, but a slip-up here would deliver a severe blow to their playoff ambitions. It’s a must-win game for Quinn’s side.

Next Game: Tennessee Titans @ Northwest Stadium

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons enter Week 13 fresh off their bye week with a 6-5 record. However, they hit the break on a sour note, suffering a two-game losing streak, including a humbling 38-6 defeat against the Broncos.

Despite this recent dip in form, the playoffs remain a realistic target for Atlanta as they head into the final stretch of the season. However, a glaring weakness in their defence could prove costly: the pass rush. The Falcons have managed just 10 sacks in 11 games, the lowest total in the league. Additionally, Atlanta has allowed the fourth-most touchdowns this season, conceding 21. With several high-powered offences left to face, significant improvement in these areas will be vital to securing a playoff spot.

Currently, the Falcons hold the lead in the NFC South and maintain a tiebreaker over Tampa Bay, thanks to a superior divisional record. Yet, they cannot afford to relax. The Buccaneers are just 1.5 games behind, and Tampa’s favourable schedule—the second easiest by win percentage—offers them a lifeline.?

Meanwhile, the Falcons face a tough test this week as they host the LA Chargers, a current playoff contender. With both teams fighting to solidify their postseason chances, this clash promises to be a pivotal moment in the playoff race. The stakes are high for Atlanta, who haven’t made the playoffs since the 2017 season, and any slip-ups now could see them miss out yet again.

Next Game: LA Chargers @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium