Takeaways From Week 13 Action: Chiefs Trend Isn’t Sustainable

Aidan O'Connell (12) of the Las Vegas Raiders scrambles under pressure against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Nov. 29, 2024. David Eulitt/Getty Images

Amid the four-day feast of NFL action over the Thanksgiving weekend, the Kansas City Chiefs nabbed a Black Friday special from the Las Vegas Raiders.

Second-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell had a chance to drive the Raiders to victory in the closing seconds, but the Chiefs recovered his botched snap to end it, 19–17. Kansas City (11–1) has nine one-score wins this season as opponents continue to give the two-time defending Super Bowl champions their best shot.

Six of Kansas City’s one-score wins came against opponents with losing records at the time, but the Chiefs’ lone loss came against a contender in the Buffalo Bills. Quarterback Josh Allen and company ended the Chiefs’ 9–0 start in convincing fashion on Nov. 18 with a 30–21 victory.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes didn’t have enough clutch plays in that game amid two interceptions and just 196 yards passing. In order for the Chiefs to make a historic run for a third-straight Super Bowl win, it will take beating contenders such as the Bills.

Kansas City’s one-score wins that came against teams in the playoff hunt only include WildCard hopefuls such as the Los Angeles Chargers (8–4), Denver Broncos (8–5), Baltimore Ravens (8–5), and Atlanta Falcons (6–6).

The Chiefs haven’t faced other contenders besides the Bills such as the 11–1 Detroit Lions or the 10–2 Philadelphia Eagles. Kansas City will at least get a couple of AFC division leaders in the Pittsburgh Steelers (9–3) and the Houston Texans (8–5) this month as a gauge with the playoffs around the corner.

San Francisco Suffering Latest Post-Super Bowl Defeat Slump

Amid injuries and continued losses, the San Francisco 49ers (5–7) appear headed toward missing the playoffs, and it would be the second time in six years for the storied franchise if so.

San Francisco lost the Super Bowl in 2020 and went 6–10 the following season amid a plethora of injuries. This year’s 49ers will have to avoid a repeat of history without superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, who sustained a knee injury in a 35–10 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

Saquon Barkley Makes Case for MVP over Lamar Jackson

Philadelphia Eagles superstar running back Saquon Barkley did more than propel his team past the Ravens 24–19 on Sunday.

He helped his case for the MVP against perennial frontrunner and Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Barkley rushed for 107 yards and touchdown plus two receptions for 10 yards, and he delivered his score when needed most for a 21–12 edge in the fourth quarter.

Jackson, who has won the MVP twice, had 23–36 passing for 237 yards and two touchdowns plus 79 yards on eight carries.

In addition, Barkley helped keep the Eagles in the race for the NFC’s No. 1 seed while the Ravens (8–5) slipped further behind the Steelers in the AFC North race.

Cowboys Still Have a Shot at Playoffs

Despite all of the tumult that has been the Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season, the squad known as “America’s Team” could still make the playoffs.

Dallas (5–7) beat the New York Giants (2–10) firmly 27–20 on Thanksgiving Day for a second-straight win with Cooper Rush at quarterback in lieu of the injured Dak Prescott.

The Cowboys now have two games against teams with losing records in the Cincinnati Bengals (4–8) and Carolina Panthers (3–9) over the next two weeks. Dallas then has the 6–6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers before wrapping up with the Eagles and Washington Commanders (8–5), a team the Cowboys have already beaten once this season.

Sitting at No. 12 in the NFC if the season ended today, the Cowboys would need some help. Five teams ahead of the Cowboys would all need to lose at least 1–3 more games down the stretch to sneak into the postseason.