Payments’ Josh Allen makes NFL historical past, plus grades for each Week 13 sport, picks for Browns-Broncos ‘MNF’ bout

Welcome to the Monday version of the Decide Six e-newsletter! 

I want to begin issues off as we speak by letting everybody know that I’ve had leftover turkey for each meal for 4 straight days and I’ll now by no means be consuming turkey once more. 

The way in which I really feel about turkey is how I believe Ravens’ followers now really feel about Justin Tucker. Does that make sense? I do not know, however the Baltimore kicker had one other nightmare day as he missed three kicks in a 24-19 loss to the Eagles. 

Talking of nightmares, the 49ers are in all probability going to be seeing Josh Allen of their nightmares this week. The Payments quarterback made NFL historical past on Sunday night time throughout Buffalo’s 35-10 win over San Francisco. We’ll be looking what Allen did, plus we’ll be handing out grades and supplying you with some winners and losers from Week 13. Now we have a number of floor to cowl, so let’s get issues rolling. 

As at all times, this is your each day reminder to inform all your pals to join the e-newsletter. To get them signed up, all it’s a must to do is click on right here. Let’s get to the rundown. 

1. NFL Week 13 grades: Pennsylvania groups shine

Each Monday, we hand out grades, in order that’s precisely what we’ll do proper now. This is a have a look at the grades from two notable video games performed Sunday:

Steelers 44-38 over Bengals (Click on right here for full recap)

• Steelers takeaway: The Steelers are beginning to appear like a official Tremendous Bowl contender and it is all due to Russell Wilson. On a day the place Pittsburgh’s protection struggled towards Cincinnati’s high-powered offense, the Steelers had been in a position to win a shootout due to Wilson, who overcame an early choose six to throw for 414 yards and three touchdowns. If Wilson continues to look this sharp, there is not any purpose the Steelers cannot play deep into the postseason. Mike Tomlin made the decision to bench Justin Fields in favor of Wilson and he now seems like a genius. As Tomlin says, the usual is the usual, and proper now, Wilson is setting a brand new commonplace by taking part in at a stage that the Steelers have not had at QB since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Grade: B+
• Bengals takeaway: It is likely to be time for the Bengals to explode their protection and begin over. The protection has been an enormous weak point all season and it was by no means extra clear than this sport. Russell Wilson threw for 414 yards, which is probably the most that ANY Steelers quarterback has ever thrown for towards the Bengals. The protection gave up at the least 520 yards in a sport for the second time this season. Joe Burrow had one other stellar efficiency, however he additionally made a number of errors, together with a misplaced fumble that Pittsburgh returned for a landing. When your protection is as dangerous as Cincinnati’s, you possibly can’t afford to make any errors on offense and Burrow discovered that out the arduous means this season. With the Bengals now 4-8, it feels just like the 2024 season goes to go down as probably the most disappointing in franchise historical past. Grade: D

Eagles 24-19 over Ravens (Click on right here for full recap)

• Eagles takeaway: Final 12 months, the Eagles’ second-half collapse began with a loss in Week 13, however this 12 months, it feels just like the Eagles are too good for something like that to occur. They’ve a powerful dashing assault and a protection taking part in at a excessive stage, that are two issues that turn out to be useful for a workforce trying to make a deep playoff run come January. Saquon Barkley steamrolled his solution to 107 yards towards a Ravens dashing protection that was among the finest within the NFL heading into Week 13. The Eagles have now gained eight straight video games and so they’re a really actual risk to steal the No. 1 seed within the NFC. Grade: B
• Ravens takeaway: The Ravens formally have a Justin Tucker downside on their arms. Baltimore performed properly sufficient to win on either side of the ball, however three misses by Tucker ended up being the distinction within the sport. The Ravens kicker missed two discipline objectives and an additional level to proceed a nightmare season that is seen him miss 10 whole kicks (eight discipline objectives, two additional factors). At this level, the Ravens have to carry their breath each time he goes out for a kick, which is not a snug feeling for a workforce with Tremendous Bowl aspirations. Grade: B-

As for the opposite 26 grades I handed out in Week 13, you possibly can examine these out by clicking right here. 

2. NFL Week 13 winners and losers: Kevin O’Connell retains profitable with Vikings

You’ll be able to’t have per week of NFL motion with out having winners and losers, so we’ve got some winners and losers. 

Cody Benjamin got here up with this week’s listing, and we’ll take a look at his losers beneath. 

WINNERS

• Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell (Vikings 23-22 over Cardinals). “For the second time in his three seasons on the helm of the Vikings, O’Connell is off to a 10-2 begin, making Minnesota a stunning pressure out of the NFC. It is debatable whether or not his shut wins and opportunistic protection are sustainable, however he is as soon as once more maximizing makeshift elements beneath heart.“
• Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (Eagles 24-19 over Ravens). “The Ravens boasted one of many NFL’s stingiest defenses not way back. On Sunday, in arguably probably the most anticipated sport of the week, the Eagles proved superior, repeatedly pressuring Lamar Jackson to interrupt away from the AFC foes in a possible Tremendous Bowl preview.”
• Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders 42-19 over Titans). “Maligned for the Commanders’ latest offensive skid, the coordinator dialed up a seamless assault for Jayden Daniels, Brian Robinson Jr. and the remainder of the squad in a rout of the Titans, who really entered with a comparatively stingy protection. Washington is not lifeless simply but.“

If you wish to see Cody’s listing of losers, you’ll want to click on right here. 

3. 12 loopy stats from Week 13: Josh Allen makes historical past as Payments pull off Tremendous feat

Each Sunday night time, I get an e-mail from our analysis division right here at CBS Sports activities, and each Sunday, that e-mail at all times consists of some amazingly wild stats concerning the video games that had been simply performed. 

With that in thoughts, listed below are 12 loopy stats about Week 13: 

1. Payments pull off Tremendous feat. After beating the Chiefs in Week 11, the Payments went on a bye earlier than returning to beat the 49ers in Week 13. That makes the Payments simply the fourth workforce in NFL historical past to beat each Tremendous Bowl groups from the earlier season in consecutive video games. They be a part of the 1982 Chargers, 1985 Lions and 2016 Falcons.
2. Josh Allen to Josh Allen. The Payments QB threw a TD go to HIMSELF on Sunday night time, changing into simply the fifth participant in NFL historical past to drag off that feat (You can see the play here). Allen additionally turned the primary QB because the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to have a passing TD, receiving TD and dashing TD in the identical sport. Allen additionally turned simply the second participant in NFL historical past with at the least two passing touchdowns, one dashing landing and one receiving landing in the identical sport, becoming a member of Tony Canadeo, who did it in 1943. 
3. The usual is the usual. The Steelers’ win over the Bengals clinched a profitable season in Pittsburgh for the twenty first 12 months in a row, which ties the Cowboys (1965-85) for the longest streak in NFL historical past. Mike Tomlin has additionally now gone 18 straight seasons and not using a dropping report to start out his profession, which is an NFL report.
4. One-score wonders. Heading into “Monday Evening Soccer,” there have been 12 video games determined by one rating, which is tied for probably the most in a single week in NFL historical past. If the Broncos and Browns play a one-score sport tonight, then Week 13 will formally make historical past. 
5. Aaron Rodgers lastly blows an enormous lead at house. Going into Sunday, Rodgers had by no means misplaced a real house sport the place his workforce led by at the least 14 factors at any level. Over the course of his profession, Rodgers had gone 75-0 in that state of affairs at Lambeau Subject and MetLife, however the streak is now over after Seattle got here again from a 21-7 deficit to win 26-21 on Sunday.
6. Jets hit all-time low. By dropping to the Seahawks, meaning the Jets have now misplaced twice this season to quarterbacks that they drafted (Geno Smith and Sam Darnold). That is the primary time that is occurred to a workforce in 26 years (1998 Chargers). 
7. Bengals losses are reaching historic ranges. The Bengals scored 38 factors on Sunday and STILL misplaced. NFL groups at the moment are 22-2 this season when scoring at the least 38 factors in a sport and that breaks down like this: The Bengals are 1-2, each different workforce mixed is 21-0. The Bengals are simply the fifth workforce in NFL historical past to lose a number of video games in a season the place they scored 38 factors or extra, becoming a member of the 1962 Broncos, 1966 Giants, 1983 Chiefs and 2018 Chiefs. We broke down simply how traditionally dangerous issues have been for the Bengals, and you may examine that out right here.
8. Joe Burrow joins unlucky membership. The Bengals QB threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns and has now thrown for at the least 300 yards and three touchdowns in three straight video games. He is now simply the second QB to hit these numbers in three straight video games and go 0-3 throughout that span, becoming a member of Andrew Luck.
9. Thick six report. With a 92-yard choose six towards the Jets, Leonard Williams set the NFL report for longest choose six by a participant who weighs at the least 300 kilos. Williams additionally racked up two sacks. The sack turned an official stat in 1982 and Williams turned the primary participant in that span to have a number of sacks, a choose six and a blocked kick in the identical sport. 
10. Trey McBride makes historical past. After catching 12 passes in Week 12, McBride adopted that up with 13 receptions in Week 13, which makes him the primary tight finish in NFL historical past to report at the least 12 receptions in consecutive video games.
11. Commanders choose up uncommon December house win. Washington’s win over the Titans marked the primary time in SEVEN YEARS that the Commanders gained a December sport at house. The final time it occurred got here all the best way again in 2017 after they went 2-0 at house in December. Since then, the Commanders had misplaced 10 straight earlier than ending the streak with their 42-19 win on Sunday. 
12. In command. With three passing touchdowns and one dashing landing towards the Titans, Jayden Daniels turned simply the third rookie quarterback in NFL historical past to have a number of landing passes and a dashing landing in consecutive video games, becoming a member of Charlie Conerly (1948) and Kent Nix (1967).  

Should you see every other enjoyable info, feel free to tweet them at me. 

4. NFL Week 13 overreactions: Will Bengals fireplace Zac Taylor?

Everybody on the web likes to overreact to issues, and that is very true after we’re speaking concerning the the NFL. With that in thoughts, Jeff Kerr determined to check out a number of issues that occurred across the NFL in Week 13 to determine if we’re all overreacting. 

Assertion: The Ravens want to switch Justin Tucker. 
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction. “The Ravens are a Tremendous Bowl-caliber workforce, however their greatest power for years is now their greatest weak point. No kicker can change the worth of Tucker: When he is on, he is among the finest in NFL historical past. The Ravens simply must experience with Tucker and hope he figures it out. They do not have one other selection.”

Assertion: Zac Taylor will NOT be the top coach of the Bengals subsequent season. 
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality. “One thing is flawed with this Bengals workforce. Joe Burrow is taking part in one of the best soccer of his profession and this workforce cannot get off the sphere. They’ve scored 99 factors of their final three video games and are 0-3 in that stretch. They’ve 4 losses with 33+ factors (probably the most in NFL historical past) and 6 losses with 25+ factors (tied for probably the most in NFL historical past). No coach can survive that with this expertise on the roster. The Bengals want a change, as they sit three video games behind the Broncos within the loss column for the ultimate playoff spot. They should win out to have a shot, however the protection simply is not ok. Taylor will take the autumn, and the Bengals will retool this offseason.”

Assertion: Buccaneers are going to win the NFC South. 
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction. “The Buccaneers are tied with the Falcons for the NFC South lead after their win over the Panthers. Is there any purpose to imagine the Buccaneers can really take the division from the Falcons after struggling simply to beat Carolina? Keep in mind, Atlanta has the head-to-head tiebreaker, so the Buccaneers cannot tie the Falcons on this division, they must go Atlanta. The Falcons nonetheless have management of the NFC South, however the margin for error is formally gone.”

There are a lot extra overreactions from Week 13, and if you wish to examine these out, you’ll want to click on right here. 

5. Monday night time preview: Picks and greatest bets for Browns at Broncos

The ultimate sport of Week 13 will probably be happening in Denver, but it surely will not be a snow sport. The forecast tonight is asking for a kickoff temperature that will probably be hovering round 42 levels, which is virtually tropical climate for Denver in December.

The Browns (3-8) will probably be trying to play spoiler towards a Broncos workforce (7-5) that’s presently slotted into the ultimate wild-card spot within the AFC. 

This is one purpose why every workforce needs to be feeling assured going into tonight:

• Why the Browns can win: The Broncos have among the finest defenses within the NFL, however in case you can run the ball on Denver, then you possibly can beat them. The Broncos are 0-4 this 12 months after they give up 120 yards or extra on the bottom, which suggests if Nick Chubb can get Cleveland’s dashing assault going, then the Browns may have the ability to pull off the upset.
• Why the Broncos can win: On paper, the Broncos have the higher workforce, they only want Bo Nix to be sensible with the soccer. Nix has thrown at the least one interception in 4 totally different video games and the Broncos have gone 0-4 in these video games. Nix does not must put up large numbers for Denver to win, he simply must play sensible soccer, as a result of Denver’s protection is nice sufficient to take over the sport. The Broncos protection has compelled at the least one turnover in eight totally different video games and so they’ve gone 7-1 in these video games. The protection units the tone for the Broncos and in the event that they pressure the Browns into making errors, it is going to be a protracted day for Cleveland. 

You may get a full preview of the sport from Jared Dubin by clicking right here. 

Should you’re interested by betting on the sport, listed below are a few props. 

• ONE PLAYER PROP I LIKE: Bo Nix OVER 245.5 passing + dashing yards (-115 at BetMGM): Nix has gone over this quantity in 4 of his previous 5 video games and through that span, he is averaged 269.4 passing/dashing yards per sport. Within the final two weeks alone, Nix has gone over 275 yards twice and I really feel like he might get close to that quantity tonight, which might put him WAY over 245.5. 
• ONE KICKING PROP I LIKE TONIGHT: Will Lutz OVER 7.5 factors (-120 at BetMGM): The Broncos kicker has gone over this quantity in two straight video games and that features final week when he scored 17 of Denver’s 29 factors in a win over the Raiders. I do not suppose we’ll see Lutz rating that many once more, however I do suppose we’ll see him put up an enormous quantity. Lutz has 27 discipline aim makes an attempt this 12 months, which ranked sixth within the NFL heading into Week 13.  

And in case you are questioning, my props at the moment are 30-25 on the season (14-12 on kicker props and 16-13 on all different props). Additionally, I will level out that seven of my 12 kicker props have come up empty due to a missed discipline aim and that features Black Friday when Daniel Carlson missed a CAREER-HIGH three discipline objectives in a sport the place I wager the over on 5.5 factors. I’m a large jinx, so good luck tonight to Will Lutz. Additionally, this is the reason you must by no means gamble). 

We even have a full betting preview from SportsLine that you can check out here. 

And at last, listed below are our picks for the sport.

BROWNS-BRONCOS PICKS
My choose: Broncos 24-13 over Browns
Dubin’s choose: Broncos 23-16 over Browns
Prisco’s choose: Broncos 24-14 over Browns

Over on our CBSSports.com picks web page, our consultants are unanimous: We’re all taking the Broncos to win and canopy as a 5.5-point favourite.

6. Further factors: Christian McCaffrey seemingly out for the season

It was a busy weekend within the NFL, and because it’s almost inconceivable to maintain observe of every little thing that occurred, I went forward and put collectively a roundup for you. 

• Christian McCaffrey suffers knee damage on Sunday night time. The 49ers working again left the sport on Sunday night time after struggling a knee damage. McCaffrey was injured after getting tackled at his ft on an 18-yard run. He tried to remain in for an additional play, however instantly fell to the bottom after taking a pitch from Brock Purdy. The 49ers star injured his PCL and though his return timeline is not set but, there is a good probability he might miss the remainder of the common season. You can learn extra about McCaffrey’s damage right here.  McCaffrey had 67 yards on simply 9 touches earlier than leaving the sport early within the second quarter. 
• Aaron Rodgers may get benched. The Jets QB gave a imprecise reply on Sunday when he was requested if he thought the Jets may make a quarterback change sooner or later within the close to future. “I do not know,” he stated. “We’ll determine that out when we’ve got these conversations.” Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich additionally left the door open, and let’s not overlook, Woody Johnson wished to bench Rodgers again in October, so a QB change might be coming. Ulbrich did say that Rodgers will begin in Week 14 towards the Dolphins, however issues will certainly get fascinating if Rodgers struggles once more this week. You’ll be able to learn extra concerning the Jets’ QB drama right here. 
• Lions signal three-time Professional Bowler. The Lions added some defensive depth on Sunday with the signing of Jamal Adams to their apply squad. The previous Professional Bowl security began the season in Tennessee, however was minimize by the Titans in October. If you would like a couple of extra particulars on the signing, you may get these right here. 
• Taysom Hill seemingly out for the season. The Saints’ utility man is predicted to overlook the remainder of the season after struggling a knee damage throughout New Orleans’ 21-14 loss to the Rams on Sunday. You’ll be able to learn extra about Hill’s damage right here. 
• Trevor Lawrence ‘feeling higher’ after brutal hit. The Jaguars QB was knocked out of the sport with a concussion on Sunday after taking a brutal hit from Houston’s Aziz Al-Shaair (You can see the hit here). Al-Shaair was instantly ejected after the hit. As for Lawrence, he tweeted out on Sunday night time that he is already feeling higher. You’ll be able to learn our full story on the Jags’ QB right here.