What Week 13 taught us about the NFL’s contenders and pretenders

The GIST: The NFL chose chaos once again this week, with holiday hi-jinks and stunners aplenty. Contenders are turning into pretenders faster than you can say Hail Mary — and vice versa. As Week 13 wraps up, let’s muddle through the madness.

🚨 Houston, we have a problem contender: After starting the season 0-3, the Texans are 7-2 over their last nine games, including stifling the then–division-leading Indianapolis Colts 20–16 yesterday. It all starts with their juggernaut defense, a top-five unit in rushing yards, passing yards, and points allowed. And that’s a scary reality for quarterbacks (QBs) everywhere.

• But even contenders have off days: Just ask LA Rams QB Matthew Stafford, who threw his first interception (INT) in months during yesterday’s 31–28 loss to the Carolina Panthers, snapping his NFL–record 28 straight touchdown passes without a pick.

🐴 Indianapolis floundering in pretender status: Yes, QB Daniel Jones is playing on a broken fibula, but the Colts’ concerns are deeper than a hairline fracture…and yesterday’s loss to the Texans. Jones has struggled in big games this season, especially on the road: He threw five INTs and fumbled the ball four times in Indy’s three road losses, a concerning trend.

• The defending champ Philadelphia Eagles as pretenders? It sure looks like it. The Birds struggled in Friday’s 24–15 L to the Chicago Bears, giving up 142 yards rushing in the first half alone. And the problems are multifold — even their infamous tush push failed on Friday.

🤔 The 10-2 New England Patriots — pretenders or contenders?: Tonight’s 8:15 p.m. ET Monday Night Football matchup against the 2-9 NY Giants probably won’t give us a definitive answer. Cubic zirconia or not, the QB Drake Maye–led Patriots can extend their nine-game win streak and their lead atop the AFC with a victory at home.