The 2023 NFL season is heading into its most important stretch, as contenders across the league battle for the right to enter the postseason. The Week 12 slate of games is one of the best lineups this season, as there isn’t a single team on a bye week. While every single matchup will have some impact on the postseason or the NFL Draft order, these five games are going to be must-watch TV.
The Top 5 Games of Week 12, Ranked
5. New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons
This one might not be the most exciting of the Week 12 games, but it will go a long way in determining who wins the NFC South. The Saints playoff path is relatively straightforward, as they currently lead the division and have an easy schedule for the rest of the season. The Atlanta Falcons, however, are right behind the Saints at 4-6 and would take the division lead if they can squeeze out a win in Week 12. With Derek Carr still in concussion protocol, the team might have to turn the keys over to Jameis Winston. Say what you want about Winston, but you can’t deny the fact that his aggressive style of play makes every single game must-watch television.
4. Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers
Yet another one of the Week 12 games with divisional consequences takes place on Thursday Night Football. Serving as the Thanksgiving finale, the Seattle Seahawks are flying into San Francisco for the right to take the lead in the NFC West. After a three-game losing streak, the San Francisco 49ers returned from their bye week looking like one of the best teams in football. Can Seattle pull off the upset, or will the 49ers continue right where they left off last week? Geno Smith should play, but we will get to see rookie second-round pick Zach Charbonnet step up as the starter in this backfield.
3. Baltimore Ravens vs Los Angeles Chargers
Following Kansas City’s 21-17 loss on Sunday Night Football, the 8-3 Baltimore Ravens have sole possession of the top seed in the AFC playoff picture. Seeing as there is only one postseason bye week available in each conference, the Ravens desperately need to keep winning if they want to maintain that seeding. This starts with a tough matchup against a Los Angeles Chargers team fighting for their lives. Justin Herbert is playing like a man possessed, but the rest of the organization is a complete dumpster fire. The defense is one of the worst in the league, and a clearly unhinged Brandon Staley will likely lose his job if he doesn’t get this team to the postseason. Los Angeles will give the Ravens everything they have, and it’ll be up to Baltimore to come out on top.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars vs Houston Texans
Imagine telling anyone that this would be among the best Week 12 games back at the start of the season. Having a real quarterback changes the trajectory of an organization, and the Houston Texans have their quarterback. C.J. Stroud is playing at an MVP level and has the 6-4 Texans fighting for the divisional lead. Trevor Lawrence hasn’t been quite as great as everyone expected in 2023, but he still has the Jaguars leading the AFC South with a 7-3 record. If Stroud continues playing at this high of a level, he will only make his case for MVP even stronger.
1. Buffalo Bills vs Philadelphia Eagles
This is not only the best of the Week 12 games, it could very well be one of the best games of the season. At 9-1, the Philadelphia Eagles are pickup up right where they left off last year, establishing themselves as arguably the best team in the NFL. The Buffalo Bills, meanwhile, don’t have the best record, but every advanced metric out there will tell you that this team is much better than their record. Buffalo dug themselves into a hold with close losses against bad teams, and now they’ll need to dig themselves out by basically winning every game left on the schedule. They have the talent to do it, all they need to do is execute.
Main Photo: Denny Medley – USA Today Sports
