NFL Week 13 Recap – 2025 Season

Location: Charlotte, NC
Key Points:
- Bryce Young continues his record-breaking season, leading Carolina to a dramatic victory with three TD passes, including two on fourth down.
- Panthers forced three turnovers from Matthew Stafford, ending his streak of 28 consecutive TD passes without an interception.
- Carolina (7-6) remains half a game behind Tampa Bay in the NFC South, securing its best start since 2017.
- Rams (9-3) saw their six-game win streak snapped, hindered by costly turnovers and penalties.
Standout: Rookie Tetairoa McMillan hauled in a game-winning 43-yard TD on 4th-and-2.

Location: Miami Gardens, FL
Key Points:
- De’Von Achane rushed for 134 yards and a TD, helping Miami extend their winning streak to three games.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick added a key interception and fumble recovery, cementing the Dolphins’ reputation for timely defensive plays.
- Saints trailed 16-0 at halftime but nearly mounted a comeback before failing on a 2-point try.
- Dolphins (5-7) still have slim playoff hopes; Saints (2-10) continue their losing skid.
Standout: Fitzpatrick’s interception on a 2-point try sealed the game.

Location: Cleveland, OH
Key Points:
- Brock Purdy orchestrated a victory in Shedeur Sanders’ home debut, contributing a passing and rushing TD, complete with a post-score Dougie celebration.
- 49ers (9-4) scored on short fields aided by turnovers and a punt return.
- Browns (5-7) struggled after halftime, gaining only 76 yards in the second half.
Standout: Christian McCaffrey limited to 74 scrimmage yards, demonstrating San Francisco's effective defensive scheme.

Location: Seattle, WA
Key Points:
- Seattle earns its first shutout in 10 years, dominating Minnesota with five defensive takeaways.
- LB Ernest Jones IV scored on an 85-yard interception return, one of four picks for him on the season.
- Vikings (4-8) played an undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer, who threw four interceptions in his first start.
Standout: Seahawks (9-3) tie Rams atop the NFC West, with Justin Jefferson held to a career-low 4 yards.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Key Points:
- Josh Allen sets the NFL record for career rushing TDs by a QB with his 76th, also throwing for a TD.
- Buffalo dominated on the ground, 249 rushing yards, including James Cook’s career-high 32 carries for 144 yards.
- Steelers (6-6) fall further in the AFC North standings amid ongoing struggles.
Standout: Joey Bosa’s sack led to a 17-yard scoop-and-score for Benford, helping tilt the game.

Location: Inglewood, CA
Key Points:
- Justin Herbert, playing with a broken non-throwing hand, threw two TD passes and led Los Angeles to its fourth win in five games.
- Raiders (2-10) suffered their sixth straight loss, showing slight offensive improvement under interim coordinator Greg Olson.
- Chargers (8-4) maintained perfect AFC West division record 4-0, with Kimani Vidal rushing 126 yards and a TD.
Standout: Los Angeles converted 12 of 17 third downs, controlling the clock despite Herbert’s injury.

Location: Landover, MD
Key Points:
- Nik Bonitto batted down a game-ending 2-point try in overtime to secure Denver’s ninth straight win.
- Broncos (10-2) remain atop AFC playoff seeding, with Bo Nix throwing for 321 yards.
- Commanders (3-9) showed fight, scoring a late TD to force overtime, but ultimately fell short.
Standout: RJ Harvey’s OT rushing TD set up the dramatic finish.

AFC:
- Broncos continue to dominate with nine straight wins, eyeing a first-round playoff bye.
- Bills, Dolphins, and Chargers are jockeying for position in the wild-card hunt, with Buffalo and Los Angeles solidifying winning momentum.
NFC:
- Panthers climb in the NFC South standings with a major win over the Rams.
- Seahawks and Rams are tied atop the NFC West, signaling a tight divisional race.
- 49ers continue to control NFC West with a 9-4 record, showing resilience on defense and special teams.
Notable Individual Performances:
- Bryce Young: 11th career game-winning drive, youngest in NFL history to achieve this.
- Josh Allen: Sets career rushing TD record for a QB.
- Ernest Jones IV: 85-yard pick-six, part of a dominant Seahawks defense.
- Justin Herbert: Plays through a broken hand, still throws 2 TDs and wins.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick: Game-sealing defensive plays for Dolphins.

Young QB vs. Veteran QB Matchups: Bryce Young continues to shine under pressure, while Matthew Stafford’s turnover-prone performance highlights the fragility of veteran QBs.
Defense Winning Games: Seahawks, Dolphins, and Panthers all showcased defense-driven victories.
Injury-Resilient Stars: Herbert, Allen, and other QBs performed at high levels despite injuries, showing the importance of depth and toughness in late-season AFC races.
Shutouts and Defensive Dominance: Seattle’s 26-0 victory is the first shutout for the franchise in a decade, emphasizing defense can still dictate outcomes even in a high-powered era.

Thank you !