PHILADELPHIA, PA – As the 2024 NFL regular season heads into its final quarter, the stakes are higher than ever for teams across the league. Whether vying for playoff seeding or fighting for job security next year, every team has something to play for as Week 13 unfolded with a flurry of momentous results. The action kicked off with four games on Thanksgiving and continued with a full slate of matchups throughout the weekend.
In one of the standout games on Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles clashed with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Maryland. Despite the star-studded lineup on both teams, the spotlight turned to the struggles of veteran Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. Tucker’s uncharacteristic inaccuracy, missing two field goals and an extra point, played a crucial role in the Eagles’ 24-19 victory over the Ravens. This marked the first time in Tucker’s illustrious 13-year career that he missed three kicks in a single game.
The Eagles’ starting quarterback Jalen Hurts delivered a strong performance with a touchdown pass and a rushing score, while running back Saquon Barkley continued his exceptional season with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. Despite Tucker’s woes, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson maintained his MVP-worthy form, throwing for 237 yards and two touchdowns, and adding 79 rushing yards.
Tucker’s missed kicks turned out to be pivotal in the game, as the Ravens outgained the Eagles by 120 total yards but fell short on the scoreboard. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in Tucker’s abilities despite the setbacks, emphasizing the kicker’s history of success and reliability in clutch moments. The Ravens fell to 8-5 on the season, while the Eagles extended their winning streak to eight games and improved to 10-2.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills showcased a dominant performance under the lights on Sunday Night Football, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 35-10 at Highmark Stadium. Quarterback Josh Allen shined in the snowy conditions, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. The highlight of the game came when Allen caught a lateral pass from wide receiver Amari Cooper and dove into the end zone for a receiving touchdown, becoming just the 14th player in NFL history to achieve passing, rushing, and receiving touchdowns in a single game.
Allen’s remarkable performance capped off a memorable week for the Bills, as they secured the top spot in the AFC East and clinched a playoff berth for the sixth consecutive season. With aspirations for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Bills are poised to make a deep postseason run. On the other hand, the 49ers faced another setback in a challenging season marred by injuries, with star running back Christian McCaffrey potentially sidelined for the remainder of the year due to a knee injury.
As the season progresses, the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to make their presence known as serious playoff contenders. In a high-scoring matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers tied an NFL record with their 21st consecutive non-losing season. Led by quarterback Russell Wilson’s stellar performance, the Steelers’ offense showcased its potency, accumulating 520 total yards and securing a 44-38 victory.
Despite Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s impressive season, turnovers proved costly for the team as they fell further out of playoff contention. Burrow’s frustration was evident post-game, emphasizing the team’s need to improve and acknowledging missed opportunities. With the Steelers surging in the AFC North, the Bengals face an uphill battle in their quest for a postseason berth.
The NFL landscape is constantly evolving as teams jockey for playoff position and vie for postseason success. With exciting matchups and standout performances, the 2024 season promises thrills and surprises as teams strive to make their mark on the road to the Super Bowl.